Although there are aisles full of tools in any craft store (and many pages in any catalog!) there are certain tools that could be considered the basic "must-have" tools of a card-maker. Here are some the tools that get the most use.

This Paper Trimmer is so versatile. Not only is it used to cut paper, but it is also useful for scoring paper before you fold it. (Useful for creating a card base, boxes, movement cards and more.) This style of trimmer has a handy swing-out arm for measuring/cutting paper larger than 5" in width. The arm swivels underneath for storage or for transport. The blades are easily replaced; some packages also come with a scoring blade. (item #104152, $24.95)

An unfortunate feature of this style of trimmer is that the blades can sometimes leave fuzzy edges, especially on light colored paper. This is easily corrected with either Sanding Blocks or a nail file. (item #103301, set of 2 $3.50)

An alternate to this trimmer is our Tabletop Cutter. This is a guillotine-style trimmer and is self sharpening. It also has an extension "arm" for widths greater than 6"; the hand-grip and the arm store underneath the body of the cutter for easier storage and transport.
This trimmer is THE BEST for cutting several sheets of card stock and thinner papers as well. And, in case the guillotine style scares you,  it does have finger grips to keep the paper in place and protect your fingers at the same time. (item #106959, $45.95)

For crisp folds on your card bases, boxes or even sewing projects, I definitely recommend a Bone Folder. Use it to score your card stock and to press folds for a clean, crisp look. For fabric, use the tip to push corners out into place.  *Tip: When pressing your fold, place a piece of scrap paper between the bone folder and the card stock. The tool or any accumulated oil from your hands will sometimes leave a light shiny streak on your paper.  (item #102300, $6.95)

Stampin' Mist and Stampin' Scrub are definite must-haves for the stamper! Spray the mist onto your  Stampin' Scrub and it will help to scrub the ink from the rubber, removing it from all the nooks and crannies.  The Stampin' Mist also conditions the rubber, keeping it from drying out and protecting your investment for years. The pads themselves are long lasting but you may like knowing that replacement pads are available when you need them. To wash, run it under the faucet and scrub with a little dish-washing liquid. (Others recommend placing  the scrubbing pads (not the case) on the top drawer of your dishwasher. (Stampin' Mist item # 102394, (2 oz.) $4.50; Stampin' Scrub #102642, $16.95)

Paper Snips - warning: these small scissors are SHARP! They are the perfect tool for any detail cutting you need to do. Tip: assign each pair of scissors to a type of "material" you cut. For example, my Paper Snips are only for paper and I keep another pair of scissors for fabric and ribbon. Try this and you will notice that your scissors will last for years without sharpening.  I've had my paper snips for 6 years and they are still as sharp as the day they arrived! (item #: 103579, $9.95)



Adhesives come in a lot of variety shapes and sizes.  We have many to offer, however these are the main two that I recommend:

The Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive has a dual tip for placing adhesive exactly where you want it. Place an exact small amount using the small tip, or spread the adhesive over a larger area using the wide tip. Latex rubber acrylic resin adhesive is acid free. 
Not only does it work for paper, but you can also use this adhesive for glitter and other embellishments including chipboard. (item # 110755, $3.95)

When you would like to add a little dimension, our Stampin' Dimensionals are just what you need. They are double-sided adhesive foam dots and provide just the right amount of lift to a project. They are cut in a honey-comb fashion on the sheet and there is absolutely no wastage! I have tried other foam adhesives on the market and found many others to be way too bulky; our Dimensionals provide just enough lift for layering, but not enough so that you can actually see under the layer. Each package contains 300 dots (acid free). (item #104430, $3.95)

If you live in a dry climate, you may also want to consider:


Snail Adhesive is double-sided adhesive in a handy no-touch container. Apply it directly to your project and you are ready to layer on additional card stock, Designer Series Paper or ribbon.  When the roll runs out, a refill pops right in with no fuss and no mess! Each roll contains 472" of acid free, permanent adhesive.  (item # 104332, $6.95; refill item #104331, $4.50)

For a look at additional tools, click here to be directed to my Stampin' Up! website. Click the SHOP NOW button and you'll be able to access the entire catalog of offerings on-line, 24/7. If you would like a hard-copy of our Idea Book & Catalog, contact me and we'll discuss how you can get one for free.