Top Ten Stampin’ Up! Tools

Are you new to stamping or paper crafting and wondering what supplies to invest in first?  After more than 20 years, besides stamps, here’s my list of top ten tools I reach for everyday that will make your life better as a crafter!

  1. SNAIL Adhesive – my “go-to” adhesive, a double-sided, permanent adhesive that is oh-so-easy to use.  It lays down a trail of adhesive whereever you want it, just like a snail  😉
  2. personal cutter – this functional, compact cutter can cut paper up to 12” and will still fit on your desk
  3. paper snips scissors – these amazing, thin-bladed scissors are an inexpensive, long term investment that insures that you will get the very best cut every time.  I still use the first pair I bought more than ten years ago!
  4. black StazOn® ink pad – this quick-drying, permanent ink will allow you to use all your favorite coloring methods without smearing your stamped image
  5. Whisper White card stock – the best card white card stock on the market!  with an ultra-smooth surface to give you the very best stamping results
  6. multicolor pack – Add a splash of color to your projects with a pack of paper from your favorite collection.  This is a great way to ‘test drive’ Stampin’ Up! Colors.  Choose from Getting Started, Brights, Regals, Subtles, or Neutrals Collections.
  7. matching stamping spots – Not only do you get great color choices in these collections but you also get great portability.  Take these to your next crop and you will enjoy great color selection all night.  Choose from Getting Started, Brights, Regals, Subtles, or Neutrals Collections.   (the full-size stampin’ pads are available in collection kits also at a discounted price over purchasing the pads separately.)
  8. stampin scrub and mist – a convenient way to keep your stamps clean and conditioned
  9. paper piercer & mat pack– the inexpensive paper piercer makes it easy to place a hole in the exact location you want it.  Fabulous for adding brads to multiple layers or in the middle of a project!  And the mat pack not only protects your table but it also gives you a guide for adding piercing patterns to your projects.
  10. bone folder – get perfectly crisp folds in your cards or 3-D projects Sale-a-bration is a great time to invest in your crafting tools and it ends March 31, 2012.  Call today!  During Sale-a-bration get what you need AND receive FREE product for every $50 of tools or supplies you order!

Enjoy,
Julie

Great Scoring Tool!

My new Simply Scored diagonal scoring pad has arrived and it did not disappoint!  Love it!  I made four custom envelopes in about 10 minutes.  Stay tuned and I’ll share those samples with you later.  In the meantime, check out this video below!  (This articles is an updated version of a previous article I posted at creative distraction.)

It is a companion to the Simply Scored Scoring Tool from the occasions mini catalog.  This full size 12″ x 12″ scoring tool has score tracks every 1/8″.  This allows you to make adorable gift boxes and bags and other 3D items in a snap!  Love it!  And three place markers and a scoring stylus come with it.

The diagonal plate allows you to score on the diagonal every 1/8″!  Watch this quick video that shows the fun features of this new product.  I’ll be showing you all my fun creations with this new tool next week!

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Enjoy!

Julie

Stampin’ Up! Sale-a-bration Congratulations

I created this masculine congratulations card with the Sale-a-bration set Sprinkled Expressions.  This color combo and layout were inspired by samples in the Stampin’ Up! Idea Book and Catalog.

I like the color on color here with the stars stamped in Not Quite Navy ink on Not Quite Navy card stock and then layered on a larger square of the same color.  Dimensionals to elevate the stamped cardstock makes this layering work!  (Dimensionals are double-sided adhesive foam dots.)  Also, “You did it!” is used for the background and the focal point.

When punching out the focal point, remember to stamp first and then turn your punch over so you can see the placement of your stamping in the punch ‘window’.  This makes for accurate stamping every time.  And Paper Snips, Stampin’ Up!’s thin-bladed scissors, make it really easy to cut out the highlighted words.

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Sale-a-bration Sprinkled Expressions
Paper:  Old Olive cs, Not Quite Navy cs, Baja Breeze cs
Ink:  Old Olive, Not Quite Navy
Accessories:  Dimensionals, Old Olive Ribbon, Neutrals Brads
Tools:  Curly Label Punch, Paper Snips

This Sale-a-bration Sprinkled Expressions masculine card was inspired by the Stampin’ Up! Idea Book and Catalog, and you may be looking for inspiration too, so contact me today for your copy.

Enjoy!
Julie

Big Shot Top Note Interior


With a Big Shot Die-cutting Machine and a Top Note Bigz Die it’s easy to add a decorative interior for including a personalized note.  This is the inside of the embossed love card I showed you in the previous post.   And making five to ten at a time saves you time later.  Just pull a die-cut Top Note from your stash whenever you need one!

During Sale-a-bration  you can invest in the Big Shot and a Top Note Bigz Die and earn two FREE stamp sets or other fun products of your choice.

Enjoy!
Julie