I thought that it might be helpful to list out some of my favorite crafty items that I commonly use. All items listed here are items that I use on a regular basis for card making. I have also included brief notes on some items to indicate why they are a favorite/when I use a particular item. This page will be updated frequently. Affiliate links are used when possible.
Adhesives
Adhesive eraser – ok, this is technically not an adhesive, but this tool is magic if you accidently put tape runner in the wrong place.
Scotch ATG Gun – I have had mine for many years and while they can first be a bit tricky to refill, this has definitely been worth the learning curve for me.
Scrapbook.com Mint Tape – a low tack tape perfect for adhering stencils or making sure that your dies don’t shift when you run them through your die cutting machine.
Tombow Mono Adhesive – I prefer to use these smaller tape adhesives if I want to use tape runner to attach it, but want to use a tool that is easier to handle and is more precise than an ATG gun.
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue – for adhering small items like sequins, stacking die cuts, or sentiments when you want that extra “wiggle” for placement.
Cardstock
Hero Arts Premium Cardstock – great for stamping, die cutting, or card bases
Lawn Fawn Cardstock – also great for stamping, die cutting or card bases.
Scrapbook.com cardstock pads – cardstock paper pads of coordinating colors
Ink
Jet Black Archival Ink for stamping images to watercolour.
Pinkfresh Ink Cubes – Great for stamping or blending on with brushes. I love that these cubes come in coordinated sets that work perfect for ink layering stamp sets.
Tim Holtz Distress Ink – great for watercolors, blending, and too many techniques to mention.
Tim Holts Distress Oxide Ink – possibly my favorite inks of all time. They are great for stamping, blending, layering, and about a million other cardmaking techniques.
Versamark – My favorite clear embossing ink
Tools
Catherine Pooler Blender Brushes – these brushes blend like a dream and I love that the bristles are white so that I can see what color I have used for which brush. This is great for using with stencils or creating lighter blends or building up layers of ink without harsh edges.
Fiskars Paper Trimmer – I have had one of these for years. I like to have this on hand for when I am trimming down stamped sentiments or want to trim something along a line. The wire shows you exactly where you are cutting.
Gemini Die Cutting Machine – I bought this a few years ago when I started feeling soreness in my wrists from hand cranking too many die cuts. I can’t imagine die cutting without this machine. Personally, I have only used the full size machine, but there is also a cute Gemini Jr
Gemini Foil Press machine – an amazing hot foil machine that pairs perfectly with the Gemini die cutting machines.
Make Art Stay-tion – work surface with magnets which is perfect for holding stencils in place while you ink blend.
Misti and Mini Misti – I could not have possible made a list of my favorite tools without including these stamping tools. It is not a coincidence that MISTI literally means Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented. This stamp platform has probably saved hundreds of projects from the garbage due to not getting a perfect stamped impression the first time. It is a pricey tool, but the Mini is a lower price point and will still be large enough for standard A2 card fronts.
Ranger Heat It Craft tool – perfect for drying projects such as when layering wet inks or watercolors.
Scrapbook.com Domed Foams – These blending foams can also be used with the Ranger blending tools. I love that the foam is domed and doesn’t seem to leave the harsh lines that flat blending foams do. I love these for when I want to put down a lot of ink to blend.
Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat – perfect for ink blending, alcohol inks, or any other messy techniques. This glass mat cleans up like a dream.
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