Nice To Have: Card Making

The following list is the tools that are not essential, but sure do make card making that much simpler.  Once again these are my personal opinions, and I agree that there are other ways or items you can use, but these are the ones that I found work best for me. (I do not get paid, or associated with any of the manufactures, or stores listed.)

Score Board

The score board I really like (with one small modification) is the Martha Stewart Crafts Scoring Board. This is getting harder and harder to find, but I love the large size.

Now the one modification I made that makes all the difference is a took two different color sharpies, used one for the lines at every ½” marks and the other for the lines at the inch marks.  This is helpful when scoring anything that is on an angle; you can ensure your paper is lined up. 

 Hobby Lobby, Amazon

Bone Folder

Yes; the score board comes with one – but my personal opinion is throw it away. It is just a little too sharp.

Here I have two favorites

• For Scoring paper: Martha Stewart Crafts Bone Folder – 
• I love the two ends depending on what type of paper
• It just feels really good in your hand.

 JoAnn Fabrics, Amazon

For creasing, or burnishing: Simon Says Stamp Small Teflon Bone Folder Tool

• This leaves no marks
• Is so easy to clean when using it burnish where glue or something might get on it. 

   Simon Says Stamp

Tweezers

These are great tools for placement of items on cards, especially after adding liquid glue to that back of details die cuts.  

EK Tools® Craft Tweezers:  

• These tweezers are great because once you pick something up you do not have to keep squeezing to hold the item. 

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

Corner Rounder

To give your card just a little different style a Corner rounder comes in handy. Also great if you make your own envelopes.  This is on the more expensive side and you can get other corner round tools; but this is a buy once and never buy again type of tool.  I admit I use my tools, and try to not abuse them, but this one has fallen out of my bag, fallen off the wall where I keep it, been dropped on the table, and it just keeps going.

We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper Tool

• Has two sizes of rounding ¼” and ½”
• Goes through multiple layers of a card easily
• Can be used on other textiles – Chipboard, felt, plastic, magnet sheets.
• Easily able to Clean, but does not leave the little bits of paper everywhere.

 JoAnn,  Hobby Lobby, Amazon,  Simon Says Stamp

Envelope Punch Board

Sometimes you need to make your envelope. You may want to have an exact match to your card cause the paper is just perfect, you might have made a nonstandard size card

We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

• Gives you the paper size and score measurements for most sizes of envelopes
• No template to trace, or math to figure out
• Has a built in corner rounder for that professional look
• Can also be used to make boxes

  JoAnn,  Michael's,  Amazon, Simon Says Stamp

Ink Blending Tools

A great way to color a background, add dimension to the edge of a die cut, or add ink through a stencil is to use an ink blending tool.  These tools use the ink pads you have for stamping, and is not limited to just use with the Tim Holtz Distress ink.   I would recommend getting 2 packs of the tools, and a pack of replacement foams. Having four tools typically allows you to not have to change foams in between colors on one card. Sometimes changing the foams can be messy depending on how much ink you add to the foam; think blue finger print in the yellow area.

Ranger Mini Ink Blending Tool

• Good size for your hand
• The round disc does not leave sharp edge
• The foams can fit in the bottom of the mini ink cubes

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

Mini Ink Blending Foam Replacements

Hobby Lobby, Amazon, Simon Says Stamp

Note: As I said above I am not associated with any of the company’s that I list either for the products or the sellers.  I provide the links to some of the more common local stores and online dealers. But do your own research, use your coupons, or find your locally owned paper crafting store.