June is busting out allll over! And before the month is out, the summer 2021 issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine will officially be released. Yessss!
But before we get to that, welcome to TOOL week!
To kick things off, I wanted to share a few of my favorite tools—the ones that I keep reaching for and make my creative times even more enjoyable.
One thing I love most about card making is die cutting. I have three manual die cutting machines: the Gemini Jr. from Crafter’s Companion, the Spellbinders Platinum 6, and the Altenew Mini Blossom. Depending on what I am cutting or embossing, this triumvirate of machines do great work! True confession: One thing I love about the Gemini Jr. is that while it’s cutting a design, I have a few moments to clean up scraps or cut some card bases! I’m all about efficient use of time.
I would be LOST without my MISTI from My Sweet Petunia. I got one of the OG stamping platforms years ago, and now I have several in different sizes. I used to be a timid stamper but now LOOK OUT. A game changer in so many ways!
I am a huge fan of the Cutterpillar Pro from Cutterpillar. It cuts like a boss, can trim off the teeniest and peskiest little sliver of paper, and it has a light to help you see right where to cut!
When I’m adding sequins, gems, or inlaid die cuts, I will grab either the Marvy Uchida Jewel Picker or We R Memory Keepers QuickStik. Both tools help you to manipulate the bitty bits that take a design from good to great.
Colored pencils perform best when they are super sharp! I swear by the Kum sharpener to make the perfect point. Truth be told, I bought a second sharpener for sharpening the pencils that I use to write in my planner.
I’m so thankful to have great tools to help me create handmade kindness! Enjoy this week’s inspiration and have a most excellent month!
P.S. Two non-crafting tools I swear by are the Revlon Salon One-Step Hair Dryer (it’s a brush in hairdryer form, and it’s AMAZING!) and the Avid Power Cordless Leaf Blower which keeps my cute courtyard tidy!
Susan R. Opel, Editor-in-Chief
I will love tool week. I’m always looking for great tips.
Looking forward to any and all tips and tricks.
It seems we are on the same tool page.Each one giving the exact outcome we are looking for.Thank you.
Many of your favourites, Susan, are my favourites, too! One tool you didn’t mention, but I use all the time, is the Waffleflower Water Media Mat. Great for ink blending, water based media and stamping. Just don’t use it with a Gelli plate — it stretches
Thanks for the tips and tricks!
Great tool!
Super tools – love my Gemini Junior – definitely a desert island tool! It’s not manual though. : )
Looking forward to tool week.
I have the Tim stamping platform and the old cuttlebug that still works amazing.
Love the tips, I use all of the crafty ones and I need a new hair dryer!
I agree with all of Susan’s fave tools! They are all essential, especially for cardmakers. For me, the MISTI was a total game-changer!
I love any and all tips and tricks that make card making more efficient and fun.