The Essentials: Card Making

The Essentials: Card Making

One of my favorite quotes is “Start at the beginning and when you get to the end stop” from Lewis Carroll.   As such I thought I would start at the beginning of stamping; or at least what I think of as the beginning of stamping and that is what tools you need to start.

Disclaimer:  This list is my personal recommendations for what I found works best for me.  I am not getting paid for my support of these products or the shops that I list.  As for the shops listed I tried to start with some basic shops that most everyone has access to. At a later date I’ll do a post on what online shops I just love.

This craft is all about bringing you enjoyment while making things, and others on receiving.  If you don’t like it don’t use the product. These are recommendations but get what you think works best for you and your budget.

Paper cutter:

After all we are in the paper crafting world.  Over the years I have tried several paper cutters, and all had their benefits, and downsides.  However recently the people at Fiskars have had a breakthrough. It’s like they heard what I loved about the different paper cutters and put them all in one. 

Fiskar’s Reinforced 12” Personal Trimmer

• The 6.25” base board is perfect for most paper cutting a card maker does
• The metal guide bar for the blade – this insures you get a precise straight cut every time
• The blade doesn’t fall out every time you open the guide
•  It can cut the 12” by 12” papers
• It is light weight enough that you can take it with you to class, crops, or girls night out.

   Michael's, Joann's

Scissors:

If you are like me your probably have several pairs of scissors all over your house. But I devoted two pairs just to my paper crafting.  Once again this was a matter of trial, and trial and error to see what I think can do 97.5% of the cutting that card makers do that doesn’t you the paper cutter.

Tim Holtz Non Stick Serrated Snip Scissors-Ergonomic Large Loop Handles

• The serrated blade allows you to cut through almost anything – Wire, metal backings, plastic, chipboard, felt, ribbon, foam, and yes even paper
•  The handles are large and soft so using them for long periods of time is not an issue
• They can be used either right or left handed.
• The blades are not so long that they cant be used for detail work, but not so small that you can’t cut a big shape and have it not looked chewed around the edge. 

 Jo Ann's, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Amazon 

Fiskars 5 Inch Titanium Micro-Tip Easy Action Scissors

• Small sharp point for use with detail cutting (cutting around those stamped images can be tough there are all sorts of little places)
• The handle doesn’t leave scissor marks around you fingers
• They can be used in either your right or left hand

   Amazon

Craft Mat:

I consider myself a neat person and this mat helps me stay that way.

3 X Sealer Supply 15" x 18" PTFE Teflon Craft Sheet 5 Mils thick MADE IN USA Shipped in mailing tube

• Protects your work surface from stamping off the page
• There are several techniques that use the “ink” pooling capabilities of this mat to create backgrounds
• Easily cleans!!! (Glue, ink, tape, sprays all come off with a snap)
• Protects your work surface from heat (Heat guns, fusing tools, hot glue guns etc.)
• The price point.

Yes, there are several of the mats on the market – I like this little thicker one especially when going up against heat. 

   Amazon

Ruler

Okay I will admit for years I used the old wooden ruler with the tiny metal strip that I got when just in Elementary school.  I was in a class and saw someone using a clear T-Ruler and I really do think a light bulb went off above my head.  I stopped at the office supply store on my way home and picked one up.  This has made a 100% improvement in my card making when there are lines involved.  I never realized how much time I was taking drawing a simple line, until it took no time at all.

T-Ruler

• The T part allows you to ensure your ruler is straight on the paper
• The clear part allows you to see through in order to make sure you are lined up with anything else on the paper
• You can get a consistent measurement as you can ensure your ruler is lined up against the paper in the same way.

    Amazon

Adhesives

On this topic every paper crafter has their own idea on what is best.  I would agree that it really is a personal preference. It is based on what you intend to stick to what.  If you want the large embellishments and chipboard and metal pieces you probably are going to lean more toward a liquid glue. If you are a paper to paper kind of person than you probably like a dry tape better.  If you like everything to have dimension then break out the jumbo size roll of foam tape. If you plan to stick pictures to or in your crafts you might like phot corners.  I tend to cross the lines on what I stick to what so I have several recommendations.

Tape:

For paper to paper I love a tape runner In particular the TomBow Tape Runner, but man oh man the price. That was until the day I happened upon the refills when ordering toner at my favorite paper supply store.  Let’s just say I am a happy camper.  

Tombow Mono Permanent  tape runner. 

Dispenser:   OfficeSupply.com

Refills:     OfficeSupply.com

Strong Tape:

For when you are taping down a little bit heaver of an object, a clear or slippery surface, or just want to make sure nothing is moving.

Score tape (also known as be creative tape).

•  Come in multiple thicknesses (1/8” to whole 8.5” x 11” sheets
• You can tear it with your fingers (no struggling to grab the scissors)
• The release paper is easy to pull off (Trick start to peal it from the side not the torn end)

    Amazon

Liquid Glue:

Sometimes tape just doesn’t make sense. Detail paper cut images with lots of swirls and openings, the center of flowers where you want to add glitter to, putting down sequins or gemstones.

Tombow Mono Liquid Glue – used for your light to medium weight glue needs. Paper to paper, ribbon, glitter, flocking, thread

• It is and dries clear
• Dries quickly
• Has two tips – detail and larger tip for larger items
• Price point

   OfficeSupply.com  or Joann's  

Ranger Multi Medium Matte – Adding heavier embellishments, metal, sequins, gemstones, pearls, chipboard

• Dries clear, and matte – no shiny spot showing where you accidentally squished the glue out
• Dries quickly
• Strong hold
• Can get a detail applicator for the small glue jobs
• Can be used on metal or Chipboard

Note:  I like to buy the little bottle, change the tip to the detail applicator.  I then buy the large jar and use it to refill.  It also is handy to have the small bottle when traveling.

Little Bottle:   Amazon

Refill Jar: Joann's, Amazon

Precision Tip:  Amazon   

Ink Pads:

This could be a whole post on it’s own.  But as this is the Essentials I’m limiting to those I can’t live without. 

Black:

Memento Tuxedo Black:

• This is used for most of your stamping\
• It’s water based
• Easy to clean off stamps, blocks, and hands
• Gives a crisp image. 

   JoAnn's Amazon, Michaels, Simon says Stamp

StazOn Jet Black:

• Used when stamping on slick or shiny surfaces
• A permanent black ink
• Does not come off with water

  JoAnn's, Amazon, Michaels, Simon Says Stamp, Hobby Lobby

Versafine Onyx Black:

• Use with sentiments or detail stamp images
• Use with embossing powders
• It’s water based
• Easy to Clean off
• Does take longer to dry …. Be careful of smudging

 Joann's, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Amazon, Simon Says Stamp 

White:

• Stamping images on dark paper
• Used to bring out highlights in images
• Used to create shadows with offset stamping
• Can be used to change the color of an ink pad giving you more ink options
• Note: the white pads that I am recommending are pigment ink pads – they need to either have time to dry, or be heat set.

Hero Arts Unicorn

    Simon Says Stamp

Simon Says Stamp White

Simon Says Stamp

Watermark Ink pad

VersaMark: 

• Used to add a water mark to a piece of paper
• Used to do tone on tone stamping – especially good for backgrounds
• Stays wet longer so great to use with embossing powders (heat setting required)

   Joann's, Michaels, hobby Lobby, Amazon, Simon Says Stamp

Pens/Markers:

Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Marker, N15 – Black:

• Fixing mistakes in stamping
• Adding details
• Outlining cut shapes

  Amazon 

 Sakura 37488 3-Piece Gelly Roll Blister Card Medium Point Gel Ink Pen Set, White:

• Adding details to images (stitching, dots, squiggles, shinny spots)
• Fixing mistakes when ink went some place it shouldn’t have.

Amazon 

Wink of Stella Pen – Clear: 

• Adds a bit of shine to images where you want it
• Water based
• Dries quickly
• Flat – this glitter is not going to come off and make a mess
• Can be used in place of water when water coloring an image to put sparkle through out

 JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, Amazon, Simon Says Stamp 

 Stamp Block (s)

•  Only used with Cling Mount or clear stamps (If you only want wood mount stamps disregard this item)
• Get various sizes
• Blocks with etched lines help to position and line up your stamps
• Clear blocks allow you to see right where your stamp is going to go (especially when working with Clear stamps)

  Available where ever stamps are sold.

I hope this post will help you when starting your card/paper crafting adventure.