by Brett Lund
I get asked frequently what my favorite tools are, and quite often I find myself always returning to the basics. I have many tools that if I was stranded on a desert island I would hope that I would have. In this blog article I will discuss some of my favorite tools and techniques and how I use them in my creativity process.
The first tool that I find myself using quite frequently is the Corner Chomper by We R. I love how it is so easy to cut the corners of almost any type of medium I use. The Corner Chomper can cut anything from paper to cork, to balsa wood, to thin metal, plastic sheeting and chipboard to name a few things. If you like how easy the Crop A Dile from We R works, the Corner Chomper works by that same process. And now, Roberts is carrying not only the traditional ¼” and ½” Corner Chomper, but they are also carrying the Stub/Deco, Angle/Photo Cut, and the Scallop/Cloud Cut. When the tools first came out, I thought for quite a while what I could chomp off the edges around my house. Books, paper, sheet metal, cardboard, you name it. If you only wanted to get one Corner Chomper, I would buy the traditional ¼” and 1/2".” It surely will become one of your favorite punches.
Another tool that I don’t think I can live without is my Cuttlebug. In the “How do I love thee” card, I used the number collage folder and painted the piece of chipboard a color that goes along with the paper selection that I picked.
I know I must admit I’m an ink addict. Especially if it comes to the basic colors. In this owl example, I used the white StazOn
opaque ink. The secret to remember when using StazOn ink is of you apply it to any slick surface, such as the clear acetate, use firm pressure and don’t slide on the surface. Remember to let it dry before you touch it. StazOn ink is the only one that Roberts carries that works well with non-porous surfaces. Isn’t it interesting how just using a stamp and stamping in white, how it dresses up a simple clear card.
I love how there are so many choices when it comes to chipboard shapes. Pebbles Inc. has a line called Tree house. In that line they have something called “Chips.” They are pieces of chipboard that coordinate with the paper line, and they have glitter and are super cute. I love how adding something so simple as chipboard shapes, flowers and colored brads adds so much detail and wow in this card.
Last but not least are traditional punches. When I say “traditional punches” I mean the traditional shapes; circles, scallops, even square. Roberts has a large amount of circles, scallops, ovals, and square punches. The great thing with the punches is, you can layer them and add detail and dimension to your projects. If you look at the front of the drink holder, notice how such a simple thing as a circle punched out, and a sticker put on top, and then pop dotting the circle adds so much cute detail. It almost makes you not want to drink up your drink.
There are so many tools that I love working with. Hopefully in this article you have learned some of my favorite ones, and seen some new ways on using them. I find that if I stick to the basics, I can do a lot more and it’s much easier to think outside of the box.
Until next time, Happy Crafting!
There are so many tools that I love working with. Hopefully in this article you have learned some of my favorite ones, and seen some new ways on using them. I find that if I stick to the basics, I can do a lot more and it’s much easier to think outside of the box.
We progressed to the hallway wall, a nice long stretch of smooth surface that our second son, Peter, adopted as his own canvas. It didn’t matter that I allowed him to help me clean it everyday. It didn’t discourage this budding artist a bit. My husband Ron, in an effort to address this need, built our sons a table of their own that was low to the ground and long enough to create monsters on or at least monster projects. He also built an easel for them with a chalkboard on one side and a flat board on the other with clips to hold paper in place. This suddenly became the key to successfully managing their materials and their projects.
