{Day 2} Tools & Products

I some how managed to delete my opening paragraph for yesterday's post. Luckily, my second paragraph made sense (according to trusted sources--I thought it may have been a bit abrupt, but my source said no, it was fine), but I wanted to briefly recap.

Because I'm a scrapbooker, people who don't paper craft assume that I'm a whiz at making cards as well. In reality, cards can cause me great anxiety. I think collective member Monika Wright put it best, " I'm always the one without a card to gift and I'm the scrapper in the family!" I was on twitter a while back (did you hear that Write. Click. Scrapbook. is on twitter now? We are writeclickscrap, come join us if you are so inclined...) and noticed a conversation between two of my scrappy friends about how card challenged they felt. I realized I was not alone. Being a bright girl, I decided to do something about my phobia and LEARN to make a decent card, and so, this week was born.

 

Today we're going to find out what tools and products card makers always go for. As a scrapbooker, you don't need to worry, you already have most of these things! Do I hear a collective sigh? :)

Here's what the ladies say we need and a little about why we need them:

• sentiment rub ons, stamps, and digital elements
  Danielle Flanders told me that she loves using rub on sayings or stamps for the sentiments on my cards. Usually I find that chipboard alphabets are too large for cards. If you don't have many rub-ons or stamps, print your own sentiment with your home computer. There are a ton of sites on-line with unique sayings for your cards! Reneé Morris-Dezember encourages beginning card makers to not limit yourself to just stamps...use digital products...stickers...any kind of embellishment that you just really {LOVE} ...if you really LIKE the product you are using...you will really LOVE the cards you make.
   
• punches, both shape and border
  Punches are my favorite tools lately for card making. It's so easy to add shapes to my cards and unique borders with punches. I love the detail they add, says Danielle Flanders. Kimberly Neddo agrees, Border punches are a great way to add dimension too.
  
• stamps
  Stamps can be a go-to supply for card makers, Kimberly especially loves the border stamps that easily bridge the height or width of a card.


• papers you love, but might not normally use on a layout.
  Teri Anderson: A secret confession for y’all: When it comes to card making, I totally flip for cute papers I can use on cards. Bring on those papers with big, goofy floppy eared bunnies. I am kidless and single. And I so don’t have a place for those things in my scrapbook, but I sure like to use cute papers for cards.
   
• foam adhesive
  Many of my respondants listed this product as an absolute must. Angie Hagist loves the dimension that it brings to a card.  Allison Landy said her cards, not just like her layouts, often don't feel complete unless there's some popped up element. 

card property of Angie Hagist

• embossing tools
  Another great way to add dimension to your cards according to Angie.
   
• coordinating lines
  Stick with a single product line or use a club kit or even a card kit. As in scrapbooking, anything that makes the coordinating of product easier is a good thing says Valerie Mangan.
  
  
• small scale papers (6x6 pads are great) 
  Valerie and Kim Hughes both suggest looking for small scale papers.  Valerie suggests you pick up a 6 x 6 paper pad or two. Many lines make smaller scale versions of their collections in this format. These are ideal for cardmakers.
   
• 3D products, especially chipboard 
  Here's an example from Allison Landy showing just how much dimension chipboard and 3D elements can add to a card. 

card property of Allison Landy

• pre-made card blanks and envelopes
  It might seem super obvious, but this is a suggestion from Reneé that I could totally get behind! 

• scraps (much more on that tomorrow)

Two final comments on tools and products before we get to the video:

Becky Olsen also recommends you only pull out a few supplies, so as to not overwhelm the process: 

When you know what you are working on, pull out just a few products that are inspiring to you, I have found that if I have too many options it will take substantially more time to filter through all of the choices, thus complicating your design process. After you have the base of your card designed if you think of a specific product that is the perfect add at that point that you didn't already include, get it out then.

And Mary Kay Seckinger suggests that you keep all your often-used card making tools out and handy, so it's easy to whip out a card when the mood strikes you. Very good idea!

 Here's a supply list for you:

• pre-made card blank and envelope
• 2 sheets of 6x6 patterned
• scrap of white paper
• 6.5" ribbon
• sentiment sticker
• chipboard frame
• liquid adhesive
• cutting tool
• scissors
• boarder punch
• foam adhesive
• adhesive runner

 

 

Instructions for a 5"x7" card:

1. Cut a 4.5" x 5" piece of paper, adhere to base.
2. Cut a 3.75" x 5" coordinating piece, use a border punch on one side.
3. Adhere a strip of ribbon to the smaller piece, wrap around the back.
4. Adhere to the card.
5. Apply sentiment sticker to white cardstock, w/ liquid adhesive attach a frame around the sentiment. Trim.
6. Apply foam dots to the sentiment, apply to the card.