The Stamp Workshop

Top 10 Tools

There was a recent poll of sorts on Splitcoaststampers where it was asked, "What are the top 10 tools you use when making a card?"  There were a variety of answers from many experienced crafters.  I tallied up the responses and here are the results (in order of recommendations):

1. Paper trimmer - Most responses recommended a guillotine type cutter (106959, $45.95) and following close behind was a personal paper cutter (104152, $24.95) that could handle paper up to 12" X 12".
2. Paper Snips (103579, $9.95)- The most recommended type of scissors were paper snips.  Paper snips are small, thin bladed scissors with a sharp pointed tip.  They are great for cutting even in the tiniest of areas.
3. Bone Folder (102300, $6.95)- Bone folders are used to score paper and make crisp folds.
4. Paper Piercer (found in the Crafter's Tool Kit 104310, $39.95) - This tool is a long narrow shaft with a needle-type tip.  It is used to pierce holes in your paper to make borders and decorative shapes.  It can also be used to poke holes for brads and to help poke ribbon through holes.
5. Ruler (103158, $9.95) - A clear ruler was highly recommended.  It could be used to center images, as well as, to ummm measure!
6. Mat Pack (105826, $9.95) - Used in conjunction with the Paper Piercer.  There is a template to guide you in perfect paper piercing.  Also included are a foam mat and a self healing cutting mat.
7. Crop-A-Dile (108362, $29.95) - A very easy to use tool that punches through chipboard, tin and multiple paper layers with great ease!  It is used to set eyelets in all sizes.
8. Punches (pg 180-181 of the Spring Summer 08 Catalog) - Punches are used to punch out shapes.  The most popular types of punches mentioned were circle punches in various sizes and corner punches including the corner rounder and ticker punch.  Punches add just the right amount of layering and dimension to any paper craft project.
9. Heat Tool (100005, $26.95) - Used with embossing powders, Heat & Stick Powder and to heat-set pigment inks.
10. Stampin' Scrub (102642, $14.95) & Stampin' Mist (102394, $3.95) - A total must have!  Used to clean and condition your stamps.  Helps to have nice crisp clear stamped images and also conditions the rubber for long stamp life.  You can't have one without the other.

So there are the top ten tools!  The must haves for any paper crafter.  Here are a few honorable mentions (following close behind the top ten):

• Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049, $11.95) - A stamp positioner used for precise stamp alignment every time!
• Hobby Blade (102449, $4.50) & Cutting Mat (101087, $15.95) - The hobby blade is an extra sharp knife used for precise cutting where scissors just won't work.  The cutting mat is a self healing mat used to protect your work surface when using a hobby blade.
• Stamping Sponges (101610, $3.50) - A great way to apply ink to larger areas.  Used for a softer, more subtle application.
• Edge Distresser (found in the Cutter Kit 106958, $16.95) - A great tool used to distress the edges for your paper for a but more texture to your project.

If you have any questions about any of these tools, please to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com.

Add a comment and let me know what you think about any of these tools. Like 'em? Let us know!

Go stamp something!

Punch Art ATC

My last ATC.  This one actually took me the longest.  It wasn't all the difficult, but I changed my design and I had to do a few over.  Image this ATC without any stamping on it and hand drawn stems.  Yeah, not so pretty.

So this was for a punch art ATC swap.  I chose Tag Punch.  Can you tell that it's a flower pot?  Please say yes!  This swap was a little larger than my other ATC swaps.  This one had 20 spots.  Check out that cute little bow.  I tied 20 of those.  Not bad if I do say so myself!

I like the springy colors on this.  I think it actually works.

Here's the recipe for this ATC:

Stamps: Three for You, Embrace Life (stems)
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Gable Green, Pixie Pink, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal, Gable Green
Accessories: Gable Green Stampin' Write Marker (leaves)
Ribbon: Caramel Gingham Ribbon
Tools: Distresser Tool,Ticket Punch, Small Oval Punch, Small Tag Punch, Three for You punch

Hope you like it!

If you have any questions about this ATC, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Have a flowery day!

Pretty Plum Peony

This is another of one of the many swaps I have been working on in the past couple of weeks.  It was for a Spring Summer 08 Collection Swap.

This card was made using Pretty Peony.  It is a two-step stamp set.  Using the two stamps, a bold stamp and a detail stamp, gives the flower and its leaves some dimension.

In order to get perfect placement on the flower and leaves, I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig.  For Tools & Tips Tuesday,  I have prepared a tutorial on how to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Click this link to view the tutorial:

How to Use Your Stamp-a-ma-jig

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Pretty Peony, Happy Everything
Cardstock: Naturals White, Mellow Moss, Pale Plum textured, Perfect Plum
Ink: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss
 Ribbon: Always Artichoke Grosgrain
Accessories: Vintage Brads
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Distresser Tool, Stipple Brush, Paper Piecer, Mat Pack

Click on the "Order Now" icon on the left hand side to order a stamp-a-ma-jig you any other products.

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Enjoy!

Color Combos

Stampin' Up! features more than 50 exclusive colors in four color families, In Colors and a selection of neutral colors.  These colors can be mixed and matched to create perfectly coordinated projects.  There are literally thousands of combinations available!  Check out this Stampin' Up! color combination website provided by Laura at scraptitude.com.