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Sizzix Has An Array of Accessories Available for Their
EClips Electronic Shape Cutting Machine

In addition to their Electronic Shape (Die Cutting) Machine, Sizzix has provided crafters with a number of accessories and tools to help with your die cutting capabilities using this versatile paper crafting tool.   Here is what’s currently available (Click on any of the items to see more details and a place where you may purchase these accessories online):

Eclips 12″x12″ Cutting Mat	Eclips 12″x24″ Cutting Mat	Eclips Blade Holder
Eclips 2 Pack Standard Blades	Eclips Die Pick	Eclips Spatula/Burnisher
Eclips 5′ USB Cable	Eclips Craft Knife	Eclips 6 Pack Craft Knife Replacement Blades
	Eclips Tool Kit

Sizzix Has A Bundel of Cartridges Available for Their EClips Electronic Shape Cutting Machine

In addition to their Electronic Shape (Die Cutting) Machine, Sizzix has provided crafters with a number of cartridges to expand their die cutting capabilities using this versatile paper crafting tool.  These cartridges let you “pop-in” and
“pop-out” as you need the ability for shape cutting, including cutting solids, shadows, borders, outlines, pieces and embellishments for your varied paper crafting projects.  We’re confident they will continue to add to their repertoire of cartridge themes as time and demand go on.  Here is what’s currently available (Click on any of the items to see more details and a place where you can purchase these cartridges online):

Sizzix EClip Cartridges

All Occasions
Birthday & Bean Pole Alphabet
Boy and Girl
Flowers and Phrases
Baby Milestones
Holiday
School and Sports
Seasonal
Special Occasions
Vacation
Giddy Me & Moon Doggy Alphabet
Greek & Sassy Serif Alphabets
Christmas & Tradtions Alphabet
Halloween & Scaredy Cat Alphabet
Hope & Strength
Max & Whiskers Shapes and Alphabet
Tween & Look at Me Alphabet
Happi Shapes & Alphabet

Sizzix Brings Another Fantastic Scrapbook Tool To Crafters

Sizzix has provided scrapbook crafters with a plethora of handy and time saving products. Their newest addition to their product offerings is the EClips–an electronic shape cutting machine with a hand-held remote control. Their starter kit comes with:

EClips – electronic shape cutting machine

• Hand-held remote control
• Remote Control Cradle
• Cutting Blades
• Universal Power Supply
• Power Cord
• 6′ USB Cable
• Blade Holder
• Starter Cartridge w/Starter Cartridge Booklet
• Cartridge Easy Store Case
• 12″ x 12″ Cutting Mat
• User’s Guide

Here are some more bits of information about this wonderful die-cut machine:

Machine Function

• Auto speed and pressure selection
• 2- speed blade movement for accurate and fast positioning
• Adjustable blade depth
• Laser image preview – reduces paper waste
• Cuts sizes to nearest 1/100 of an inch
• Cuts vellum, paper, card-stock and chipboard in preset and custom sizes
• Has a handle to carry your die-cut machine anywhere

Hand-held Remote Control

• The remote control handles all function commands
• Has a 3.6″ LCD High resolution viewing screen
• On screen navigation
• Full keypad on sliding screen
• Table top use with ergonomic cradle
• (English, French, Spanish, German) language interface

Cartridge Capabilities

• You can remove and replace cartridges with machine power on
• Provides 6″, 12″, 18″ and 24″ decorative borders
• Search command for all shapes
• Can create a “favorites” folder for designs
• Has picture-in-picture and mirror functions
• Original, Border, Outline, Shadow and Solid designs available in several styles
• Has extra embellishments and add-ons to accompany select shapes

There are many cartridges you can use with this fantastic die-cut machine in addition to the cartridge that comes with the starter kit. These cartridges are preloaded with many excellent features. We’ll assume the Sizzix creators will be adding more cartridges over time.

This would be a great addition to any serious scrapbook crafter’s collection of handy tools.

If you are looking for one of these fantastic tools online check Scrapbook.com

When creating your scrapbook pages consider adding some non-traditional embellishments like jewels and beads.

Creative scrapbook crafters are always looking for unique or different ways to spruce up their pages.  This may mean reaching outside the box as they say.  There are what are considered non-traditional materials one can use to add that little something to their pages.  Beads and jewels are one of these non-traditional elements you can use to bring a new or different look to your projects.

One of the drawbacks to using beads and jewels has to do with the bulk or thickness some beads and jewels have.  If you are looking to reduce this concern, select thinner items to complete your pages.  There is a plethora of beads and jewels to choose from.  Many craft stores have a large selection of material for you to select from.  Don’t forget the online options too.

Beads and jewels are produced in different materials: acrylic & plastic, glass, pearls, metal, shells, seeds and wood to name a few.  They are produced in different shapes and sizes: alphabet, charms, designer styles, gemstones, holiday & seasonal.  Beads and jewels come in varying colors as well.

Attaching them to your scrapbook pages is relatively easy.  Some of the beads and jewels have a sticky backing on one side which only requires peeling the backing off and placing the item where you’d like to be on your project.  Where there is no adhesive on the bead or jewel use glue dots or a double sided acid free tape to attach them to your page.

Because of the variety of shapes, sizes and colors of these non-traditional embellishments, you have the ability to use them where you want them–as an addition to another embellishment, or as individual independent touches.  As examples, you could use a gemstone as the center of a flower, or create a flower using various falter beads, etc.  Let your own creative juices guide you.

Here are a couple of online suppliers of beads and jewels:

Joann.com

Amazon.com

CreateforLess.com

Beadbee.com

Michaels.com

Embellishing your scrapbook pages with grommets and eyelets can add a touch of flair and elegance.

Scrapbook crafters are always looking for additions or embellishments they can add to their pages to create a special look of panache.  Eyelets and grommets can be that added touch you’re looking for.

Eyelets and grommets have been around for a long time.  Eyelets have mainly been used in sewing to provide added strength to stress areas to apparel and shoes.  Grommets are used primarily to provide reinforced holes for threading things through and are generally larger in size than eyelets.  Scrapbooking has given them both a new twist and provided them with an additional beneficial life.  Eyelets and grommets are most often thought of as elements for attaching various facets together, i.e. vellum to card stock or scrapbook page paper.  Yes, this is an often used option, and continue to use them for that purpose, but consider their decorative value also.  Think about using them in place of other touches you might otherwise use, i.e. eyelets in place of bullets when journaling, the center bud of flowers, etc.  Let your own creative mind open to new an fun ways to use them.  Be artistically creative!

These special embellishments come in a wide variety of colors.  This is great!  The broader the spectrum the better to be able to find a color and size just right for your special projects.  Applications of these fun adornments are much easier with the tools available for you to use to apply them.  See our article on “Eyelet and Grommet Setting Tools for Scrapbooking.”

These decorative  embellishments are available from a number of popular brand makers and suppliers: Karen Foster Design, Provo Craft,  Making Memories to name a few.  They can be purchased through many online outlets such as Scrapbook.com, JoAnn,  A Cherry on Top, CreateForLess to name a few.  These providers often have great sales–take advantage of them.

One note of caution: when purchasing eyelets and grommets be sure they are non-rusting and paints or coloring used on them are safe for scrapbooking–acid free in particular.  You don’t want them to be a damaging effect to your handy work, but a wonderful addition.

Grommets and eyelets offer you a fantastic opportunity to add a special touch of panache to your scrapbook and card  projects.

Some tips on setting eyelets and grommets by hand and with specialized tools.

The tools above are all designed for punching holes in your scrapbook paper, vellum, card stock, etc.  This is the first step in working with eyelets.  You need to have a pilot hole for the eyelets to be put through.  In the above examples the first punch–the one on the left–is considered an “anywhere” punch–and is the more versatile of the punches shown.  This anywhere punch can be used anywhere on your page.  The other two are limited to making punch holes only to the are where the punch will allow without being interfered by the punch itself . . . so, if you have holes around the edges you are good to go with these regular single hole punches.

When using the anywhere punch you will also need to use a cutting surface under your punched material.  This cutting surface needs to be strong enough to hold up to your cutting, and not so soft as to not allow a good clean cut.  Scrapbook cutting mats are excellent cutting surfaces used over a firm service so there isn’t too much give when you hit the punch with your hammer or mallet.  Another benefit of these anywhere punches is that they come in a variety of sizes.  When working with eyelets and grommets “one size doesn’t fit all.”

Be sure to align your materials where you want them.  In many cases you will be using layers of material which you ultimately want fastened together by using an eyelet or grommet.  These layers should be firmly held in place as you may your cuts or their movement will cause a misalignment and a poor looking finished product.  You may have to use a reposition adhesive to keep the layers of paper in place.

With the hole made in your paper, card stock, vellum, etc.  place the eyelet through the hole with the button top facing up on your project and the open “fluted or flared” end down showing through on the unfinished side (back side) of your project.  The colored or finished side of the eyelet should be viewed on the side of your project you want viewers to see.

Generally, you’ll want to work with one eyelet set at a time.  Holding the eyelet in place carefully turn your project over face down (finished side down) on your cutting mat.  The back side of your project should be facing up with the fluted or flared stem of your project pointed upward.  Using an eyelet setter tool, place the pointed end of the tool inside the center of the eyelet stem.  The setter tool should be held as vertical as possible when tapping the top of the tool with your hammer or mallet to splay open the eyelet stem securing the eyelet to your project–along with any elements you may have been looking to fasten together using the set eyelet.  Tap any jagged edges on the eyelet stem down gently, but firmly, with your hammer or mallet.  Hitting the eyelet to forcefully could damage the eyelet’s decorative finish on the front of your project.

Follow the same basic procedures for securing grommets to your pages.  The difference is in the size of the hole made and depth of a grommet’s stem (holes can be  bigger and the stems shorter).

There are eyelet, snap and grommet punch and setting tools available like We R Memory Keeper’s Crop-A-Dial II Big Bite.  These are best suited for work located more around the perimeter of your project.  There are anywhere setters that will allow you to complete your task anywhere on your page.  There are three tools or tool kits shown below. You can find additional eyelet, snap and grommet punching and setting tools that will work for you.

These are just a sampling.  We’ve provided links to online sites where you can purchase any of the items in this article.

Just Click on the photographs to take you to the link.

We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile Eyelet and Snap Punch
(punches holes and sets eyelets and snaps).

There is a simple eyelet and snap pliers setter.  Nothing fancy–just functional.

Making Memories has an Instant Setter Kit with Punches, Setters and Mat.

If you desire larger holes or bigger decorative elements we recommend using grommets rather than eyelets.

Making Memories Grommet Setting Kit

The Cinch book binding machine from We R Memory Keepers is a tool any scrapbooker will want in their collection of specialized tools.

Scrapbook crafters will find The Cinch a great help if they are looking for a binding machine to create their own scrapbooks with covers.  Thanks to We R Memory Keepers this easy to use binding machine will solve making and binding your own created scrapbook albums.

This affordable machine could pay for its self from the savings earned from creating and binding your own projects.  Scrapbooks and journals are only two of the possibilities for having one.

The Cinch will punch up to 20 sheets of copy paper at once, or the equivalent weight and thickness of card stock, vellum and other punchable material.  This is a generous punching capacity which crafters will find helpful and versatile.  This binding machine punches perfect, yet stylish, round holes.

The round holes make using wire binders easy to install.  O-rings produced by other companies can be used because they line up well with the round holes.  There could be some exceptions–test them first.

Operating instructions are conveniently printed on the machine for ease of access.  The work plate is laid out for ease of measuring in both inches and centimeters.  The machine is durable and stable,  yet lightweight, and folds to a compact package . . . making it very portable and store-able.

Purchase The Cinch and extra wire binders at Scrapbook.com.

The photo below provides more information and specifications.  Click on the photo to enlarge it for tool detail and  information.

Fiskars Craft Tools

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If there ever was a time to get the quality of Fiskars into your crafting tool box, now is the time.  Take a look at all of the Fiskars items on sale at Create for Less.  Create for Less has a fantastic array of scrapbook tools and supplies from Fiskars.  Click here to see the Fiskars Sale Items. TAKE A LOOK NOW!!!

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An Overview of Basic Scrapbook Materials and Tools

Albums

Scrapbook albums come in a wide variety of sizes and formats.  The 12″ x 12″ is the most common size used, but albums can also be found in 6″x6″, 8″x8″, 9″x9″ and 8 1/2″ x 11″ you choose which is best for you.  Albums are available in a wide array of colours, patterns and prints.  The industry standard is the top-loading postbound album. 

Paper/Cardstock

Cardstock and paper come in a plethora of colors and patterns.  Your primary goal is to be sure the paper or cardstock you use is acid free (see Acid’s Affect on Scrapbooks).  The choice of which paper or cardstock to use is yours to make, but consider the theme you are using and color you want to accent (see our articles: Color Can Enhance Scrapbook Pages and Choosing a Scrapbook Color Scheme for more detailed information).  For scrapbook paper sources see Scrapbook Paper.

Papers: Printed, Patterned, Specialty Papers and Vellum

Because paper is the primary element or ingredient–next to photorgraphs–the selection of a paper is very important to focus on your theme.  Lignin and acid free papers should always be used.  When using handmade (see our article on Making Hand Made Paper)and specialty papers ensure they are lignin free as well as acid free.  Papers come in varied sizes just like album covers.

Adhesives

If you can’t attach your photos and embellishments to your scrapbook pages then you don’t have a scrapbook.  There is broad array of different types of adhesives and glues to choose from in the market place.   Some adhesives have special functions while others have been designed for ease and convience of use.  What works best for you depends on the project you are working on.  For more in depth information on a wide variety of adhesives you can purchase and use see our articles:  Information About Adhesives and Glues and Scrapbook Glue and Adhesive Product Information.

Embellishments

A scrapbook page really isn’t complete without a few touches to add interest and help direct focus on your books’s theme.  Embellishments are the things you add to give your page character and a sense of your personality.  They can be manufactured: metals, rubber stamping, eyelets and brads, machine stitching; fibers and ribbons, stickers, chalk and paints; or they can be elements of memorablilia: locks of hair, ticket stubs, pieces of cloth from a favorite piece of clothing, pressed flowers, etc.  For more information and ideas about embellishments see our articles:  A Scrapbook Sticker Technique to Use or  Using Scrapbook Stickers; Basic of Rubbert Stamping; Chalk It Up or Chalking Technique and Tips; Design Accents and Embellishments; Embellish with Liquid Applique; Machine Stitching Scrapbook Pages.  Each of these articles is filled with helpful information and products you can purchase.

 Pens and Journaling

If you haven’t or aren’t making notations, comments and journaling in your scrapbook pages, you are missing one of the prime objectives of scrapping–telling a story with pictures and words.  Embellishments and other elements are nice touches and add interest to your pages, but the core of the page should be photos and journal or comments written to give clarity and specific notation of identification.  See our articles on Journaling In Your Scrapbook Pages;  Fonts Help When Journaling Scrapbook Pages;  What You Should Do About Lettering In Your Scrapbook Pages and Fonts Help When Journaling Scrapbook Pages for more information on this important task in creating your scrapbook pages.

 Tools

This is a broad heading which covers a miriad of factors.  Tools are implements or instruments used to shape, form or finish an item.  Tools can be those used by hand or they could be machine tools where mechanical assistance is added.  Here are some articles that address some, but by no means, an complete list or treatise on all of the tools available for use in your scrapbook pursuits:

Basic Scrapbook Cropping Tools
Basic Tools for Beginning Scrapbookers
An Embossing Scoring Tool for Making Hinges or Folds  (Scor-it)
Basic Scrapbook Cutting Tools
Bone Folder
Centering Ruler
Folding Scrapbook/Craft Table
Portable Scrapbook or Craft Table
EZView™ – Scrapbook Workspace Desk
EZView™ – Scrapbook Workspace Desk Top
Scrap-N-Stow Portable Scrapbooking/Craft Table
Scrapbook and Craft Work Tables
Finding Used Scrapbooking Tools and Supplies
Fiskars Personal Paper Trimmers
Giant Scrapbook Cutting Board
Gypsy Portable Personal Handheld Design Studio
Martha Stewart Scrapbook and Crafting Supplies
Newest Scrapbook Products
Pazzles Inspiration Electronic Cutter
QuicKutz Letterpress Combo
Scrapbook Cropping Tools
Scrapbook Die Machine – Cut and Embossing
Scrapbook Embossing Using Impression Tools
Scrapbook Self-Healing Cutting Board
Scrapbooking Punches
Slice Cordless Cutter Machine
Tag Curler Tool
Scor-Pal Measuring & Scoring Board

Workspace Organizers and Totes

As you get involved in creating scrapbook pages and books you will find that having order and organization will be a helpful practice.  There are a ton of “small” things you use as you develop your pages.  Keeping them in an appropriate place for ease of access, and having them not mix with other elements is important.  Beacuse this fun paper crafting hobby can be portable, having the right totes and carriers will like wise be a boon to your being able to get your projects done with the least amount of hassel by taking what you need when you need it.  Here are some articles to help you in this important part of your craft efforts:

The ScrapRack
The Craft Box™ – Scrapbooking Workspace
The Original Scrapbox (Storage & Workspace)
Scrapbook Storage and Organization
Scrapbook Storage Drawers
Scrapbook Work Place Organization
Scrapbook Ribbon Box Dispenser
Scrapbook Furniture-Armoire

Scrapbooking is a wonderful craft.  Taking the time along with the useful products and tools available to you today, and you can create masterpieces for your books and pages.  Remember this is not a complete treatise on all of the materials and products available to you, but this information should give you a good start.

Scrapbook creations need the help of a good ruler.  A centering ruler is a plus.

A centering ruler is a very useful tool for scrapbooking use.  The prime benefit of a centering ruler is to quickly and easily figure out centering objects that are in relationship to one another.  Calculation and measuring with out the benefit of a centering ruler can provide uneven results.

Layouts are much easier to handle with the help of a centering ruler.  Little or no guess work is involved.  There are enough other issues to have to deal with than guessing the center points of related objects.  This tool is especially  perfect for centering words on your scrapbook or craft projects.

EK Tools – Centering Ruler Pro

EK Success has a great tool–their Centering Ruler Pro–that was designed primarily for help in your centering tasks.  This 2″ x 15″ ruler offers these benefits:

• Flexible – allows for perfect center alignment on flat and 3-dimensional objects
• 7″ measurement from right or left of center
• Easy to read “black and white” numbers which can be read on both dark and light surfaces
• Has both inches and metric measuring gauges
  
• Has a sticker release surface so you can use the ruler to line up stickers–lettering in particular–for perfect centering