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What's the coolest, inexpensive tool you've purchased?
I know we all spend a small fortune on supplies for our craft. But what are some of the inexpensive items you have purchased that really make a difference in your stamping?
For me, it's my Heidi Swapp edge distresser! I think I paid 99 cents for it and I just love it!
I have two that I reach for all the time - one is my kneaded rubber eraser. I have seriously had the same one for 20 years because I bought it for my high school art class!
The other thing would be a Swiffer sheet. I cut them up into smaller pieces and use them for glitter (sanity saver!) and getting dog hair off of paper and such (he's a loyal companion!).
Great idea for a thread, Coletta!
__________________ ~ Jennifer Ellefson Created From Paper, a paper crafting blog
I have got to say the stampa-ma-jig as I use it all the time. Could not be with out it. Even my granddaughter uses it to line things up and make sure things are straight.
I use an advertising coaster as my piercing mat. It's basically the same consistency. I also use a darning needle as my piercer. (My mother would be pleased that I'm putting her darning needle to good use!)
I have two that I reach for all the time - one is my kneaded rubber eraser. I have seriously had the same one for 20 years because I bought it for my high school art class!
The other thing would be a Swiffer sheet. I cut them up into smaller pieces and use them for glitter (sanity saver!) and getting dog hair off of paper and such (he's a loyal companion!).
Great idea for a thread, Coletta!
What/how do you use the swiffer with glitter? TIA!
I have two that I reach for all the time - one is my kneaded rubber eraser. I have seriously had the same one for 20 years because I bought it for my high school art class!
The other thing would be a Swiffer sheet. I cut them up into smaller pieces and use them for glitter (sanity saver!) and getting dog hair off of paper and such (he's a loyal companion!).
Great idea for a thread, Coletta!
Do you use this like an embossing buddy, to help remove static?
You know your SU order forms with the perforation on the top? The one with the holes in them? Those are the best eyelet "placement rulers" to have lying around. It's like a little free gift with an order form.
I know we all spend a small fortune on supplies for our craft. But what are some of the inexpensive items you have purchased that really make a difference in your stamping?
For me, it's my Heidi Swapp edge distresser! I think I paid 99 cents for it and I just love it!
What's yours?
Coletta
I love the EK Success Adhesive Remover. It's a short (2", give or take) blue, sponge-like cylinder with a pointed top that quickly removes almost any type of adhesive. Think it cost around $2.00, and it's worth every penny!
I use one of those adhesive lint remover rollers to clean up my crafting area. It picks up embossing powder, glitter, pearl ex, etc. When it loses its sticky, you just rip off another sheet!
I use an advertising coaster as my piercing mat. It's basically the same consistency. I also use a darning needle as my piercer. (My mother would be pleased that I'm putting her darning needle to good use!)
barb
That's a great idea. I just received some of those coasters in the mail as a freebie- now I have a use for them ;) Thanks for the tip!
I use a pushpin as a piercer. I know it's not REALLY a tool, but it was super cheap!
*I store it pushed into an eraser, wich I use as an eraser and also as a mat if I'm just piercing one hole, like for a brad*
I love this idea! I never thought of it. You just opened up a whole new world to me - putting brads nicely in the middle of paper. Seriously, if I couldn't reach the spot with my hole punch or crop-a-dile I didn't put the brad. I tried just pushing the brad through but would usually end up tearing the paper. Thank you for this idea!!!
__________________ Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
actually my friend gave me this...it's a wooden screwer...like for shish-ka-bobs. It's the handiest tool. I use to shape a glitter dot, or clean up adhesive in a tight spot. It's also great to help slide small things into place. The point is great for pushing ribbons through the tiny holes. I'll use the sides or the blunt end to smooth things out. Seems like I reach for it a lot. And they cost less than 1 cent each...so if I get it messy...I can just throw it away! (but after a year, I'm still using my first one!)
I use a pushpin as a piercer. I know it's not REALLY a tool, but it was super cheap!
*I store it pushed into an eraser, wich I use as an eraser and also as a mat if I'm just piercing one hole, like for a brad*
OMIGOSH! I think I just had an epiphany here... that is such a clever idea! I am always twisting and turning my scissors to try to get the hole just right. I cannot wait to try this idea!
I don't know if this qualifies as a tool tool but maybe an organizational one. I use my old plastic diaper wipe containers to store little stuff like paper scraps, markers, emboss powders, punches...I always have them lying around. It's nice to be able to peek in the top (since I am too lazy to label them!). I'd prefer the pretty organizing stuff, but I'd rather spend my money on more stamping stuff (to put in my diaper wipes containers!)
One of my "cheap tricks" is using a Pan Scraper instead of a bone folder. Besides the cheap price, 99� at most kitchen gadget places, I like the way it fits in my hand.
Here's a picture.... Scraper
You know your SU order forms with the perforation on the top? The one with the holes in them? Those are the best eyelet "placement rulers" to have lying around. It's like a little free gift with an order form.
What an absolutely great idea!
__________________ McFadden/MacHappy Ho /Kash So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.1 Cor 10:31
One of the best "tools" I bought was a pad of 18" X 24" newsprint at Michaels. I found it in the isle with all the watercolor and art paper pads. The reason I like it is because it covers and protects such a large area on my craft table top. The brand is Bienfang and it comes in a pad of 100 sheets. The sheets hold up a long time so I don't have to change it too often.
My sister-in-law is the person who got me into this world of paper. One day she handed me this huge push pin and told me I would learn to love it. She was right....It is a great tool....I also use the lint roller that someone mentioned and I love the idea of the Stampin Up order sheet tops.....getting those holes straight has always been a pain.....Thanks to all of you who have shared......You are great!
My clear junior T-square. Love that thing - it is one tool I can not do any crafts without.
In what way do you use the T-square? Looks like a handy tool and I would love to know how it would benefit me.
It enables me to have straight lines, line layers up straight, etc. with ease. Also placing embellishments at the same height on opposite ends of the paper/card. I never craft without it.
__________________ Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
It enables me to have straight lines, line layers up straight, etc. with ease. Also placing embellishments at the same height on opposite ends of the paper/card. I never craft without it.
Thanks for your reply. I always need help making straight lines, especially when I write my verse on the inside of my cards. I will definitely try a T-square for that.
i have a centering ruler, where the 0 starts in the center of the ruler and on both sides it shows the 1", 2" etc. so i know exactly where the middle of everything is, and can cut accordingly. elaina
I love the flexible cutting mats found in the kitchen wares department. I find them in the 99 cent store (2 in a package). They are about the same size as the SU gridded pad of paper. I put the cutting mat on top and use it to cut straight lines. When the mat gets really cut up I use the reverse side. And when there are too many gouges and cut marks I toss it and use a new one.
__________________ Keeper of an even larger zoo - with 2 no make that 3 dogs, a cat, a rabbit, a snake and a fish......
Ditto on the centering ruler!! I think it costs like $2 at Michael's (and I used a 40% coupon!) and reach for it all the time!! Great tool if you're not that great at "eyeballing" the center of a project!
What's the coolest, inexpensive tool you've purchased?
now it seems so simple
