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More and more people are taking to the scrapbook craze of the past decade.  The usefulness of scrapbooking is well documented–saving photos, being crafty and artistic in you efforts.  One of the problems some scrapbook crafters have encountered is the explosion of tools, paper, embellishments, etc. that have come about . . . oh, all for the betterment of the craft.  Unfortunately, not all scrappers can or even want to have every new thing-a-ma-bob that comes along.

So, for those scrapbook crafters who have limited resources, or anyone who just chooses not to be the owner of every little product produced for the industry, you can feel comfortable in continuing your craft–just be more judicious in what you buy, how much you pay for it and how you use it.

Budget scrapbooking isn’t to be looked down own.  In fact, making the most of the resources you have is a true talent any of us would be proud to have.  To get the maximum from your tools and supplies is a gift we could all use.  What are some of the ways to continue your craft and take advantage of the many opportunities to get the most out of what you have?  Here are a few suggestions:

1.  Shop wisely.  Know what you need and purchase only what you need at the moment.  Stocking up may seem worthy, but it may be sometime before you need or can use it again.  Those extra funds could have gone to some other useful purpose.

2. When you do buy, don’t over look purchasing things on sale.  Most craft and scrapbook supply stores are constantly reducing their inventory of certain things.  Because they have an over abundance of something doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t use it.  If it’s what you need or want then get it.  “Last one,” items are equally beneficial, and can save you money.

3.  Don’t overlook purchasing “used” items.  Finding these items could be a real prize.  As they say, “one man’s junk is another’s treasure.”  See our article on “Finding Used Scrapbooking Tools and Supplies.”

4.  Swap surplus items with your scrapbook friends.

5.  Use items you already have available that may seem unconventional. There are no hard and fast rules to what you use in creating you scrapbook pages and albums.

6.  Check with your local craft and scrapbook supply stores to see if they have a rental program for some of the more expensive tools and machines.  You may find it cheaper, and be able to do several tasks for a number of your projects.

The real key to scrapbooking on a budget is to be wise and inventive.  Put away a bit of your pride and go for low cost items–be they on sale, used or given to you.

The true worth of scrapbooking is in the end results . . . not in what it cost you to create it.

Cricut Accessories

Provo Craft’s Cricut Cutting Machine has been a big hit for the scrapbook and card making crafters.  Here are some of the accessories available to expand the value and usability of this fantastic machine.

7-Piece Tool Kit:

This seven (7) piece tool kit comes in a zippered storage case (soft side).  The kit includes the following tools:

• 7″ ruler
• flat strait blade tool with 2 extra blades
• small scoop tool
• hook tool
• bone-like tool
• scissors
• storage space for replacement blades

The bone-like folder is helpful in scoring, creasing and marking paper.  The hook tool helps in the removal of small cuts like circles and cleans small holes.  This handy tool kit comes in the Cricut’s green and white colors–as are the tools–in a zip-up case for ease in carrying and storage.

Spatula Tool:

Cricut’s Spatula tool’s soft touch handle in Cricut’s green color is the perfect tool for helping lift those small intricate and delicate cuts up off the cutting mat. The spatula’s length is approximately 7 1/2″ (the spatula face is approximately 1 1/2″ wide) for comfort and provides for a good secure grip.  The tools end is made of metal and also can help in the placement of your delicate cuts onto your paper craft projects.

Trimmer:

This 12″ trimmer with cutting and scoring blades allows you to both cut and score with the same tool–great versatility.  With the slide out ruler you have a full 12″ x 12″ paper cutting capability, and works great for cutting paper or card-stock  to fit Cricut’s 6″ x 12″ format. This dynamic cutter provides stable and safe cutting when the cutting arm is lifted for inserting or removing your paper or card-stock, and then locked securely in place.

6″ x 12″ Cutting Mat:

The printed rulers and markings on the mat help provide convenient and accurate cutting.  The mat has a tacky surface to keep your paper secure to the surface for best cutting results.  The packet comes with two (2) mats. These mats last from 25 to 40 cuts depending on what paper is used.

Essentials Tool Kit:

This kit, or value pack, is an economical way to purchase all of the basic needs to get you started with maximizing the utility of your Cricut Cutting Machine. Here’s what’s included in the complete package to get you going:

• A Cricut Tool Kit (noted above)
• A pad of Cricut Celebrations Paper and Cricut Rainbow Cardstock
• Paper trimmer (noted above)
• 2 replacement blades
  
• 2 6″ x 12″ replacement cutting mats (noted above)
• Cricut spatula (noted above)

Image by Garry Harrison,
Head, Circulating Collections Conservation,
Indiana University Libraries Preservation Department

The first question that may come to mind is, if you don’t already know, what is a bone folder.  For many paper crafters this will be an easily answered question.  A bone folder is a tool used to assist crafters in scoring, folding , setting a crease and burnishing paper and card stock.  Those who are involved with origami (artistic paper-folding) will be very familiar with bone folders.

Scrapbook and card crafters will find this simple tool to be an imminence help with many of the projects.  A bone folder will help create an elegant looking page or card with folds a more professional look.  Burnishing–putting a glossy or shinny finish on paper rubbed with the a bone tool.

Paper crafters will find the straight edge useful as a folding aid.  By placing the straight edge along a scored line or other defined line on the project, the paper can be folded evenly and then creased with rubbing over the fold if needed.  Crafters should be especially careful with sharp edged bone folders that they don’t cut into, or poke a hole in their project where they aren’t wanted.  For those hard to reach fold and crease areas, the bone folder’s pointed end can

Also, the straight edge portion of the tool can be used as a guide when tearing off excess paper material.  This gives a bit of a bit of a deckle edge look.  be used to work paper in tight areas like squaring off corners.

These folders come in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet various crafting needs.  They traditionally have been made from real animal bone, but they can be found out of stone or Teflon.  They may even come with an ornately carved handle.  Which type to use is more a preference of the crafter.  Obviously, cost may have much to do with the selection and purchase of a bone folder tool.

You can find these handy tools at most scrapbook supply, craft or hobby stores.  For those who may favor shopping online here are a couple of links:  Amazon.com, Scrapbooks.com and JoAnn.com.

Additionally, if you are looking for a handy tool for scoring crease guides check out our article on Scor-Pal and Scor-it.

The scrapbooking and card making craze has exploded with participants of the past decade.  The number of individuals involved in paper crafts has grown to the millions.  With this phenomenal growth has come the surge of new products and tools–even creating the growth of numerous businesses whose sole purpose is to feed the hungry paper craft market.

While this explosion of new an innovative tools and products has come the dilemma of what to own.  There isn’t an easy answer to this question.  The needs of each crafter is personal.  What one crafter may deem as a necessity, another may well look at it as a luxury.

We make no recommendations here about what is a “must” and what is “extravagance.”  You be the judge.  What could be helpful is to know there are many “used” tools and products out there.  The nice thing about these “second-hand” items is that many have tons of usability left in them.  Oh, and the prices are much more reasonable than buying new.

If you can get over not having a new tool, but a functional and usable tool at a good price, we highly recommend doing a little leg work to acquire your tools and products on the cheap.

First and foremost of these would be liquidations from the manufactures or suppliers.  If you aren’t nosing around the “sale” bins at you local craft stores, you are missing some great opportunities to buy at prices one might feel were “give-away.”

Want ads in your local newspaper could lead you to good items for a song.

Do some searches on the Internet too.  eBay, Google Shopping (go to Google Shopping and type in the name of the item or category you’re interested in) and Amazon all have items listed as used, and their prices can be more than reasonable.

It pays to look around and shop around a bit.  The time and energy you spend looking for great deals could reward you with excellent products at fantastic price.

Scapbooking is not new by any stretch of the imagination.  The progression from simple “photo-books” to the more embellished scrapbook of recent years has been a major transformation.  Scrapbooking today has become as much an art form as a means of protecting and presenting our photographic handy-work.  Now, with the advent of the computer, much more can be accomplished by the paper crafter to ensure a picturesque presentation of those photographs.

Computer technology has brought forward the ability to marry pictures with graphic embellishments to make them more pleasing to view, and establish some meaningful organization–themed cataloging.  That is not to say that traditional scrapbooking has gone the way of the dinosaur.  What the computer provides is another medium to be able to generate enjoyable and pleasant photo-books or pages.

The cost to enjoy traditional scrapbooking has escalated over the years as new and exciting products and tools have been introduced.  There is also a significant time commitment when engaging in the traditional craft.  The computer has provided a lowering of the cost and time commitment, as well as providing easier and simpler ways to accomplish the same thing.

With the help of specialized computer programs like PhotoMix, a crafter can engage in scrapbooking using their computer to save both time and money.  With computer or digital scrapbooking you have no cutting or messing with tacky glues, and the clean-up is a snap.

Other worthwhile considerations for those inclined to do their scrapbooking with the help of their computer, the internet or online services should definitely consider Shutterfly.com.  They are equipped with a wide variety of opportunities to utilize and store your precious photos.

Scrapbooking should not be hindered by lack of opportunity, but only by lack of individual motivation.  You provide the motivation and photographs, and Shutterfly.com and Photomix will provide the other ingredients to help you complete a fantastic scrapbook.

Get going!

Fiskars Desktop Rotary Trimmer

A rotary trimmer is a must have for all serious paper crafting and this Fiskars Rotary Trimmer surely meets the need.

Scrapbook, paper crafters and card makers will enjoy this slim design rotary trimmer from Fiskars.  The cutting surface is 12″ long, and is one of the easiest trimmers to use.  The rubberized feet will help keep the base from moving around during the cutting process to give perfect cuts each time you use it. This rotary cutter come in both as a portable or desktop trimmer.  There are grid lines to assist in the layout and exact measurement of your cuts.  The crystal-clear smudge guard helps you hold the paper you’re cutting without getting unwanted fingerprints or smudges on your project paper.

For easy directions on how to use this versatile  and effective tool – click here.

Below are other Fiskars cutters, trimmers and replacement parts.  Click on the photograph of each item for more details.

Premium Crafter’s Trimmer	Portable Trimmer – 12 Inch	Euro Trimmer – 12 Inch
Deluxe 12 Inch Portable Trimmer – Purple	Portable Trimmer – 12 Inch	6 Inch Bypass Trimmer
9 Inch Euro Trimmer	9″ Bypass Trimmer	High Profile Triple Track Blade Carrage – Blade Style “I”
Paper Trimmer Replacement Scoring & Cutting Blades	Refill Carriage for Paper Trimmer & Personal Paper	TripleTrack Replacement Cartridge

High Profile TripleTrack™ Blade Carriage: Blade Style “I”

Paper Trimmer Replacement Scoring & Cutting Blades

Paper Trimmer & Personal Trimmer Refill Carriage

TripleTrack™ Replacement Cartridges Straight & Scoring

Fiskars High Profile TripleTrack™ Blade Carriage: Blade Style “I” can be used on both the 12″ Portable Trimmer and 12″ Deluxe Portable Trimmer – Purple. The grip handle is designed for easy cutting. To install new blades, slide the blade carriage down the rail to the black arrows. Line up the cross-groove with the arrow point and lift one end up toward you. It comes right out.

Fiskars Paper Trimmer Replacement Scoring & Cutting Blades come in a two pack: includes one each straight and scoring blade.  These blades and scoring replacements are meant for use in original Personal Paper Trimmers.

Fiskars Paper Trimmer & Personal Paper Refill Carriage comes in a two pack with two straight blades for use with the 12″ Paper Trimmer & Personal Paper Trimmer.

Fiskars TripleTrack™ Replacement Carriages comes in a two pack: includes one each straight and scoring blade.The scoring blade is color coded black; and the cutting blade is color coded orange.  These replacement blades are meant for use with the TripleTrack™ rail design trimmers only.

These replacement cutting and scoring blades along with the carriages can be purchased where ever you purchase the original equipment.

This bypass trimmer by Fiskars will take care of many of the cutting and trimming needs for scrapbookers, card makers and paper crafters.  This sturdy trimmer is provided the same level of quality construction as their other trimmers and cutters.

This 9″ bypass trimmer can easily handle the cutting or trimming of a 8½”  x 11″ sheet of paper.  It will also hand most card stock in single sheets.  There is a convenient grid layout on the cutting surface to assist with accurate measured cuts.

Fiskars has come to the aid once again for the scrapbooker, card maker and paper crafter with it 9″ Euro Personal Paper Trimmer.  This trimmer/cutter is well suited for the smaller parts of your projects when a larger cutter is not necessarily needed.

Here are some of the features of this dynamic little trimmer:

• The cutting surface is made of aluminum, but provides for a sturdy surface
• The  cutting surface is laid out with the help and convenience of both English and metric grids to help improve visibility for accurate measurements
• The aluminum construction makes for a lightweight and compact cutter which is easy to carry and to store
• Using the TripleTrack™ rail design you get straighter and more precise cuts up to 8¾” in length
• Its durability allows for cutting up to 5 sheets of 20 lb. paper or one piece of card stock at a time

As we go about our scrapbooking, card making and paper crafting we find there are many small items that need cutting or trimming, but don’t require the use of a large sized trimmer.  Fiskars has given us a petite 6″ Bypass Trimmer to help us.

Here are some of the features of this diminutive cutter:

• Cuts paper and card stock up to 6″ in length
• The trimmer is fitted with rubberized feet to keep the base solid and free from sliding around while delicate trims are being made
• The cutting surface has grid lines on a ¼”scale to help provide accurate measured cuts
• There is a crystal clear smudge guard to help keep your papers, cards, photos, etc. clean while you make your trims.

Fiskars commitment to quality cutting and trimming tools is evident in this small, but handy trimmer.