My Favorite Crafty Things 2017 — Tools

Hi! It’s time for more of My Favorite Crafty Things 2017. Today is all about tools… including stamping, die cutting, and more.

If you haven’t checked out THIS video about this series, please do so – it explains a lot.

I have lots to share today, including giveaways (see below) and store discounts. Who doesn’t love a crafty deal!?

  • Ellen Hutson is offering 10% off your order! Use the code “JensFaves17” through 12/13/17 when shopping HERE.
    (Valid on in-stock merchandise only. Excludes BCRF Fundraiser set and Mama Elephant releases within the last 90 days. Not valid on previous purchases and cannot be combined with other offers.)
  • Simon Says Stamp is offering my readers $10 off purchases of $75 or more during 12/11/17 to 12/18/17! Use the code “JENFAVES” when shopping HERE.
    (Note the dates. Valid on in-stock merchandise only. Not valid on previous purchases and cannot be combined with other offers.)
  • Gina K. Designs is offering a FREE stamp set to my viewers!! Shop HERE.
    (Good for orders over $50 – just add “JENNIFER” into the instruction box at checkout.)

Let’s talk crafty tools…

[Warning: This video is VERY long. You can instead just check out the products below. All products are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails. Affiliate links may be used. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]

If you are interested in any products, click on one of the store icons under the product images.

BASIC TOOLS

Here are some tools that are essentials or very helpful when cardmaking:

Penblades
[ SSS | ELH ]
Tim Holtz Tonic Mini Snips
[ SSS | ELH ]
Fiskars Titanium Micro Tip Scissors
[ SSS | ELH ]
T-Ruler
[ SSS ]
Large Black Work Surface
[ AMZUS ]
Tonic Easy Clean Mat
[ SSS ]
Cutting Board
[ AMZUS ]
Scor Buddy
[ ELH | SSS ]
Teflon Bone Folder
[ SSS | ELH ]
Micropore Tape
[ SSS | AMZUS ]
Tombow Monosand Eraser
[ SSS ]
Adhesive Eraser
[ SSS ]
Hero Arts Heat Gun
[ SSS | ELH | HA ]
Embossing Magic Powder Bag
[ SSS | ELH ]
Coffee Filters
[ SSS ]
Swiffer Dusting Cloths
[ SSS | AMZUS ]
Microfiber Cloth
[ SSS | AMZUS ]
Handvac
[ AMZUS ]
Handvac Option 2
[ AMZUS ]
Jewel Picker
[ SSS | ELH ]
Bead Tray
[ SSS ]
Tim Holtz Sprayer
[ SSS | ELH ]
Ink Blending Tool
[ SSS | ELH ]
Ink Blending Tool Replacement Foam
[ SSS | ELH ]
Tonic Blending Sponges
[ SSS ]
Full Sticky Post It Notes
[ SSS | AMZUS ]
Post It Tape
[ SSS ]
Avery Removable Ahdesive Sheets
[ AMZUS ]
Tim Holtz Trimmer
[ SSS | ELH ]
Fiskars Premium Cut Line Trimmer
[ SSS ]
Fiskars Reinforced Paper Trimmer
[ SSS | ELH ]
Carl Heavy Duty Rotary Trimmer
[ SSS | AMZUS ]

STAMPING TOOLS

Here are the tools I find most helpful when stamping…

MISTI Stamping Tool
[ SSS | ELH | MSW ]
MISTI Mouse Pad Insert
[ SSS | ELH ]
MISTI Mouse Pad Insert
[ MSW ]
MISTI Bar Magnet
[ SSS | ELH | MSW ]
MISTI Stickers
[ SSS | MSW ]
MISTI Creative Corners
[ SSS | ELH | MSW ]
Gina K Longer Acrylic Block
[ GNK ]
Catherine Pooler Acrylic Blocks
[ CTH ]
Studio Katia Round Acrylic Block
[ SHR ]
Simon Says Stamp Acrylic Blocks
[ SSS ]
Hero Arts Ultra Clean
[ SSS | ELH | HA ]
Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy
[ SSS | ELH | LWN ]
Salt Box for Shammy
[ AMZUS ]
Salt Cellar for Shammy
[ AMZUS ]
Kirklands Baby Wipes
[ AMZUS ]
Microfiber Cloth
[ SSS | AMZUS ]

DIE CUTTING TOOLS

I use die cutting as much as I use stamping on my cards. Here are some helpful tools to consider…

Sizzix Big Shot Express
[ SSS ]
Sizzix Cutting Plates
[ SSS ]
Memory Box Metal Adapter Plate
[ SSS ]
Spellbinders Embossing Mat
[ SSS ]
Gemini Die Cutting Machine
[ SSS ]
Spellbinders Platinum 6 Die Cut Machine
[ SSS | AMZUS ]
Tim Holtz Sidekick Die Cutting Machine
[ SSS | AMZUS ]
Tim Holtz Craft Pick
[ SSS | ELH ]
Flush Wire Cutters
[ SSS ]
Your Next Die Wire Cutters
[ SSS ]
Handvac
[ AMZUS ]
Handvac Option 2
[ AMZUS ]
Micropore Tape
[ SSS | AMZUS ]

GIFT GUIDE

This list of Favorite Crafty Things makes a great gift guide for holiday shopping. Just forward on this link or print the page and circle what you are interested in. Don’t forget the discount codes above, too!

I have a few more days of My Favorite Crafty Things 2017. You can keep up to date on all the topics HERE… and for my lists from 2016, click HERE.

GIVEAWAYS

Throughout this series, I will have prizes!

Today I have a $50 gift certificate to Simon Says Stamp!

For your chance to win a giveaway, leave a comment below by 11:59pmEST on 12/15/17 telling me what crafty tool you could not craft without. (To leave a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post on my blog and click the green “leave a comment” button. The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too! Prizes are personally donated.)

See you soon!

[Please note that I purchased most of the products in this post personally, but not all. Regardless, the decision to include them in this list was my own. I truly like these products and companies. For more info, visit HERE. If you have questions, please email me.]


Leave a Comment

492 thoughts on “My Favorite Crafty Things 2017 — Tools”

  1. Kelly B says:

    I must have my Fiskars paper trimmer when crafting.

  2. I cannot craft without my scoreboard. I love everything about it. I have both the large and small and I love how easy it makes folding paper exactly where I need it.

  3. Jennifer van Ginkel says:

    I do a lot of die cutting when I craft, so my Big Shot is the tool I could not craft without! That would be followed closely by my Misti.

  4. Pat C says:

    My most used tool is a toss up between the die cutting machine and the Misti. Use both of them all the time! And the paper trimmer.
    Thanks for the video!

  5. Dori Garbutt says:

    I MUST have my Fiskars Paper trimmers. I have 3: a small one to carry to scrap gathers, one with the wire to help me line up my cuts and a guillotine-style cutter. I NEED all 3 for different reasons! My scrubby just shakes his head.

  6. Tracy A says:

    Without a doubt my favorite crafting tool is the Misti. I love my Misti!

  7. Karin says:

    The Fiskars paper trimmer I wouldn’t want to do without. I also regularly give thanks to my homemade anti static tool (a sachet with baby powder). 🙂

  8. Chiara T. says:

    My must is the big shot and my guillottine trimmer

  9. Sarmin Lancaster says:

    I love my cricut trimmer! I could not live without it! It’s inexpensive and gets the job done, love it!

  10. Carol Ross says:

    I couldn’t live without my MISTI!!!!!

  11. Bbmiller says:

    Thank you so much for all your hard work. You don’t know how I appreciate bringing all products into one video. You have definitely made a name for yourself by doing this. You are truly blessed beyond words. Thanks again and Happy Jesus’s Birthday to you and your family.

  12. Jamie says:

    I appreciate all the work you do on your videos, Jennifer. They are so professionally done and easy to listen to! My favorite tool at this time is the Misti.

  13. LouiseNeveu says:

    Totally amazing videos. Thanks to your detailed preparation and presentation my craft room is almost perfect!

  14. Laura Granat says:

    It is a toss up between my Misti for stamping and my Gemini (l have both sizes) for dir cutting.

  15. Jane DeSanti says:

    The Misti! I love it and it helped me keep crafty. I was so frustrated with poor impressions or smearing the ink. I have 2 now the original and mini. Can’t live without it!

  16. Nancy Wilcox says:

    I have to pick two as I use them with almost every card I make – the Misti and my Big Shot.

  17. mcnettmi says:

    I love the Herma Dots Adhesive Runner!! It gets expensive, but I wouldn’t use anything else. Something to maybe think about in the future is maybe creating button where we could mark items to add to a wishlist?? Or a Wishlist document where we could mark what we need to get?? Just an idea! Thanks so much for sharing all these awesome ideas!!

  18. Siobhann Bakke says:

    It can be rather overwhelming for newbies when it comes to ‘tool’ requirements for this most satisfying and therapeutic hobby. Don’t be discouraged!! Each and every item has it’s use and time saving ability, but they are not completely necessary. It has truly taken me years to collect my have to haves as well as the nice to haves, without impeding too much on my card making ability and of course, crippling myself financially. I love this fact about card making because you really can build up as you go. The bigger ticket items are investments – not gimmicks – and last a long time provided you take care of them. I have thoroughly enjoyed adding to my tool list over the years, almost as much as the actual end product. Thank you Jen for this viddy, you’ve covered it all in the most practical and concise manner. Oh, I would say that the MISTI is by far my most recent and valuable card making asset! Cannot craft without it.

  19. Joyce says:

    so helpful

  20. Amanda Hays says:

    I can’t live without my MISTI (at least until I get my Stampin Up Stamparatus), my Fiskars cut line trimmer, my Teflon bone folder, Stamparatus shammy…

    How do you limit it to just 1 item?!

  21. Betty says:

    my must have has to be the MISTI – how did i every live without it!!! also love my little Tonic paper trimmer and my scor-buddy – all three are used all the time and always within reach.

  22. Beth B. says:

    I wouldn’t be without my paper trimmer and scoreboard. I use them in crafting but also in making lapbooks and timeline figures for our homeschool.

  23. Julie Smith says:

    I couldn’t craft without the Tim Holtz Mini snips! They’re amazing! Thanks for the chance to win!!

  24. Astrid says:

    My most basic must have is my Fiskars paper trimmer. Then the second most loved tool is a toss up between my Misti and my Cuttlebug. The Misti for stamping carefully and the Cuttlebug for die cutting and embossing!

  25. Marilyn P says:

    The Misti!! And, how did I not know about the mouse pad? Another thing to add to the wishlist!
    Thanks for the video!

  26. Laura seki says:

    I couldn’t papercraft with out my big shot…use it every day!
    Love your “favourites” series!

  27. Lisa Geraty says:

    How do you pick just one thing you cannot live without in the craft room? I think I’d say my swing arm lamp with the special light bulb I have in it; because with good light I can really see colors and line things up accurately. Especially now that the eyes are starting to go a bit…..

  28. Zehra says:

    Ilicemycagabond, this is a great video with lots of things to think about.

  29. Ann C Wong says:

    So many wonderful tools! Misti was a paradigm shifter when it comes to stamping. That’d be my pick.

  30. Brenda T says:

    Very helpful video! My most helpful tool is the misti and big shot.

  31. Ared2die4 says:

    I just love your videos.
    I couldn’t function with out my WRMC 123 Punch, it makes bows, envelopes and boxes. As for cardmaking best purchase ever was my Sixxix Precision cutting plate it has made night and day for high detail very ornate dies.

    Merry Christmas from England!!!

  32. Denise Bryant says:

    I am really loving my mini MISTI! It’s perfect to use with the layering stamps that are so popular, and I just love it for adding sentiments… nothing worse than adding a crooked or mis-stamped sentiment to an almost-finished card, and then trying to figure out how to fix it!

  33. April says:

    I cannot live without my MISTI!! Before I bought it, I was anxiously waiting for the TH version. I was annoyed with the legal battles . Patiently waited. I was so excited when it arrived. But it didn’t work right. Watched a number of YouTube videos to troubleshoot- even tried adding my own padding. Then I gave up, ordered the MISTI (with mousepad), and gave the TH one away, lamenting about money and time lost. The MISTI has never failed. I’ve heard some people complain that they break easily, and I think it’s because the cover is slightly angled and with pressure could crack,but since I have the mousepad extra, I just take the original inserts and put it under the cover when I’m inking and then it doesn’t matter how much pressure I use.

    Jennifer, thank you so much for your awesome videos!!

  34. Jenny says:

    I can not live without my paper trimmer!

  35. Laraine Randall says:

    Love these videos! My paper cutter, misti, die cutter, scorer to just name a few!

  36. joy meadows says:

    My Big Shot and Misti are two of my can’t live without them tools. Also love the tonic craft pick!

  37. Debs says:

    Despite all my gadgets and whistles that I use the one simple tool is a small acrylic block. It sits on my desk and reminds me to add small stamped elements to the cards and envelopes.

  38. Carla Hundley says:

    Wonderful tools here.
    I love my MISTI and my
    Big Shot machine.
    Carla from Utah

  39. mpride says:

    I need my Misti since I cannot stamp a sentiment straight without it. These videos are great! Thanks!

  40. Diane Hartmire says:

    I suffer from hand shake so I LOVE my Misti. I have the regular and mini too.

  41. Femke van den Heuvel says:

    I couldn’t craft without my heat gun! I’m very impatient when it comes to waiting for my projects to dry, and I also love embossing, so it’s great for both. I love your favorite things videos, looking forward to them every year!
    Wishing you happy holidays from The Netherlands <3
    Femke

  42. Mary Holshouser says:

    I could never do without my paper cutter.
    I can’t cut a straight line so having the guides
    for the blade is fantastic. Then it also
    scores my card so I’m ready to go.
    thanks for the tips on tools.

  43. Char Borgmann says:

    Big shot, I love how dies give dimention to everything.

  44. Line says:

    🙂 Because of you, I bought mostly all of your suggestions for the best crafting tools and I love them! They make my crafting sessions so fun.

  45. Katie M says:

    I use my Westcott titanium no stick scissors constantly! It never gets put away. I, like another reader, purchased a TH stamp postitioner and am not happy either…. my mini Misti is great and I need to get a larger version. I am thankful for the input to get the comment on using the mousepad for it.

  46. Deb says:

    I love that you share your knowledge, experience, and honest opinions with us fellow crafters. It has benefited me in my cardmaking so very much. There are too many examples of this to list! I will say that sometimes it’s the seemingly small ideas or tools that make crafting so much more fun and successful. Thank you and bless you!
    Deb from Ohio

  47. I could not live without my Big Shot! I love die cuts and use them in almost every project I create!

  48. Lisa K says:

    I use so many of the tools you showed in your video, so I had to do a bit of thinking. The tool I am using the most is my stamp shammy. I use an absorber, but that is the same product basically. I keep mine in an old lunch meat container and do not seal all of the lid. It lets air flow in so it doesn’t get smelly. My next favorite tool would be my MISTI’s. I own the original and mini, and use them both. I really would like the mousepad and the square magnet. So far, I have laminated a paper sheet for each one and that really helps. Thanks for the suggestion.

  49. Sabrinna says:

    can’t live without my acrylic blocks and paper trimmer! they’re my basic necessities for stamping for sure!!!

  50. Nanette Church says:

    I could not craft without a paper trimmer! Good clean accurate cuts to start any project. Thanks Jennifer and Merry CHRISTMAS!

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