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. Mel H says:

    I can’t work without my crop a dile and my trimmer.

  2. So many tools I use almost all the time. I would say my top five are:
    1. misty
    2. Bone folder
    3. Fiskars paper trimmer
    4. Personalized “created by” stamp
    5. Big Shot

  3. I really love my Misti! I am so happy that I made the purchase because I use it on almost every single card I make. It is such an awesome tool!

  4. KT Fit Kitty says:

    Thank you for your recommendations! This was an awesome video! The tool I couldn’t live without….hmmmm…. I have a lot of them…I would say my MISTI as I don’t know how I ever stamped without it! I never stamp without it now! On a different subject, I’ll let you in on a little secret. In our house, my Black and Decker handvac is named Jennifer McGuire! Yup! I bought it last year on your recommendation and LOVE it, so much so that it bears your name! Another 5-star item in my craftroom, thanks to you!

  5. Terri (Blindstamper) says:

    It would be a tie between my MISTI and Big Shot…love them both.

  6. Marion Jones says:

    I think the Misti would be my favorite at the moment since I am making multiples of Christmas cards.
    Great videos and I have really enjoyed your creativity.

  7. Mary Jane Steinhagen says:

    My die cut machine is my must have tool. I have a Spellbinders platinum machine that I was lucky enough to win.
    The machine’s embossing ability is my favorite part of it.
    I love using die cuts!

  8. Nives K says:

    Thank You for the chance to win! I have to pick two tools: Big Shot and Misti .

  9. Julia D. says:

    Thank you for another great video and recommendations! The crafting tool I can’t live without are my precision scissors. I do a lot of fussy cutting and it would be impossible, or at least unbearable, without some really good detail scissors! Thank you for the chance to win!

  10. Martine M. says:

    Love my Misti, my Cutter Bee non-stick scissors, my EK Success paper trimmer and my Big Shot!
    Thanks for your year-end videos, very informative!

  11. Joy moody says:

    My scissors I love the Tim Holtz I have all 3 sizes.

  12. Suzy Girl says:

    I couldn’t live without an electric die cutting machine, since I have a bad arm this really helps me out a LOT!

  13. Celeste C says:

    I can’t live without my Misti. I have discovered how well red rubber stamps actually stamp but hate that I can’t see through them. The Misti takes all those woes away..

  14. Jean Marmo says:

    I need some new tools! I am getting a new paper cutter from Santa! It was on my list! I would love a stamp platform Thanks for the info!

  15. Steffi H. says:

    I think I can’t craft without my Big Shot..

  16. Kristina "CraftyPaws" says:

    I could not live without my Fiskars Paper trimmer and Creative Memories guillotine cutter.

  17. Mendy Crumpton says:

    Would have to be my SU paper trimmer. I use it for so many things then second would by my Tonic studio stamper.

  18. Jackie S says:

    I had the fiskars line cutter and could never get a straight cut after my wire broke and I replaced it. I’ve got the Tim Holtz cutter now and love it. It’s the perfect size.

  19. Heather V says:

    My paper trimmer. It definitely gets used on every project!

  20. Leann Duff says:

    My wire paper trimmer for sure! It is always on my table…..always.

  21. Diane Stricker says:

    Hard to choose just one tool, but it would have to be my big shot.

  22. Deborah LeMarbre says:

    My Tim Holtz scissors and my tweezers, I use all the time. I want to try that bead tray and jewel picker, I have never seen that. Can not live without my paper trimmer either. I have a fiskars and a cricut trimmer. Thinking about the Tim Holtz one now. I just actually got the Gemini. Learning it. Also definitely going to pick up that t-ruler. So simple but I need that…..looks so so much easier than a regular ruler. Thanks for the info for sure. Really enjoying your favorite things videos

  23. NCDonna says:

    I can’t craft without my Misti, my Vagabond, and my cheap dental picks. I use the picks as a poker for die cuts, and to hold tiny pieces for gluing, and to pull up release paper from adhesives. Thanks for all the suggestions over the years for crafting and organization tools & tips!

  24. Sue McRae says:

    I would not be able to craft without my die cutting machine, I use it for pretty much all my projects!

  25. Arlene D says:

    I use my MISTI, Fiskar rotary trimmer, and ATG gun for 99% of my cardmaking projects. I always enjoy your favorite thing videos, Jennifer!

  26. Lindarub says:

    I love my paper trimmer.

  27. Henriëtte says:

    Thank you so much Jennifer for all this information, I love this series. The craft tool I can’t craft with out is my stamping tool, what a huge difference that makes!

  28. Isabelle says:

    That’s an easy one : my MISTI !!!!! I had given up with stamping because I could never get a clean perfect print. Now, I stamp and re-stamp as many times as necessary and I’m always happy with the result ! As you said in your video, it helps save a lot of paper. As I’m trying to act responsible regarding our planet, saving trees is a must !
    Thank you again for your videos, they are also a “must-have” in my list of most important web-site / blog addresses !

  29. Mary Jane Grutzmacher says:

    What a helpful video! I could not craft without my die cut machine. I manage to go through at least three sets of plates per year if not more. I am relying more and more on my MISTI though as it sure helps when there are lots of cards to stamp.

  30. Maggie says:

    I love my Vagabond for die cutting.
    Great series and tips and tricks. Very informative and helpful. Thank you Jennifer.

  31. gloria says:

    Fabulous video great information. Thanks sweet pea. I can’t craft without my big shot and misti. They are the best. I also die cut a lot of intricate die and use wax paper to make it easier to remove.

  32. The tool I couldn’t craft without is my Big Shot. I die cut most of the time that I sit down to craft.

  33. Greta H says:

    Thanks so much for all the helpful info!

  34. dancingcat says:

    I was happy to see Big Carl in there, I’ve had mine for about 20 yrs ( I’ve only been crafting for about a year) and I have yet to change the blade. He IS a monster! I guess the tool I could not live without would be the MISTI, I have all three (got the Memory MISTI during her sale) because it saves me the most money by allowing me to re-stamp an image, instead for throwing away an incomplete image.

  35. Martina Schiefelbein says:

    My favorite is my Big Shot. Score board and my Tonic Guillotine Trimmer are important, too.

  36. Laura Buehler says:

    The one crafty tool I absolutely cannot live without is my MISTI. I just don’t get good impressions on my own so having the ability to re-stamp is a must.! I also love my Big Shot Plus. I can use 8.5×11 sheets of paper in it & I can cut windows into my A7 (5×7) cards without even thinking about how to get them through my machine. I have never needed a shim, which I always needed with a previous smaller machine that I had. It is manual, not like the Gemini, but I don’t mind hand-cranking it. The Gemini is on my wish list, though.

  37. Sharon Brand says:

    I couldn’t do without my Spellbinders Grand Calibur. I do more diecutting than stamping , various sized dies and
    especially word dies.

  38. Linnea Sundstrom says:

    thank you so much for all of your work on these! I do find that I use my guillotine and fiskars trimmer both. happy to have hem both

  39. Cindy M says:

    Thank you so much for your recommendations! You have been helping me make good crating decisions for years! Have a great holiday season!

  40. Ruth Standefer says:

    Your videos got me started using the T-ruler and I love it, use it every day. I also would be lost with out my adhesive eraser. They work great. Love my original Misti and my Mini Misti. Thanks for your videos I really look forward to watching them.. It does tend to cost me money. But I love it. Thanks again Ruth Standefer [email protected]

  41. Karen says:

    I don’t think I could craft without my cricut explore, I never dreamed I would love the machine so much, I sure wouldn’t want to do without it

  42. Whitten says:

    I just love your videos and you always include an item that I can’t live without. My favorite craft store, Betty’s Creative Studio, in Greensboro, NC, now knows to order a larger supply of whatever you are demoing. My favorite new tool is the little Prizm die cutter. I’ve had it before these others came out and just love it. Simon Says needs to stock up on your suggestions so they aren’t always out of stock. This makes us have to go to alternate sites.

  43. Linda M. says:

    It’s a toss up between my Big Shot and my MISTI. I love both of them!

  44. Pati L says:

    Fun! I couldn’t craft without an acrylic block or a paper trimmer!! But my favorite tools are my Misti and the ink blending tool (with lots of foam pads)!!

  45. valchic says:

    I don’t think I could live without my Misti.I have most of the things for crafting I think,for me,but my Misti was definitely a game changer in stamping this year.Thank you Jennifer for some wonderful new ideas.

  46. Judy says:

    Jennifer,
    This MyFavorite Crafty Things video was extremely helpful. I loved all your selections for fine tip scizzors. ruler, bone folder etc. Your recomendations for the Tonic easy clean mat and work surface was great. I love Gina K’s products and will look into that long acrylic block. That also was a great idea to keep the Lawn Fawn stamp cleaning shammi wet. I love my Gemini and also have the Big Shot Pro (not electric) too. These segments of your Favorite Crafty tools are great.
    Thanks

  47. Judy says:

    PS: Love my Misti too.

  48. Diana says:

    There are alot of tools that i cant craft without. T ruler. score board, misti, bone folder micro tape. there are still a few that i would love to get.

  49. LEigh Pe says:

    my Misti and Big Shot. They are definitely well-loved in my craft room!

  50. Kailash says:

    I can’t live without my Tim Holtz paper trimmer and now am loving my TH platform for all my stamping!!!

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