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My Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

December 29, 2017

My Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

cathyzielske.com
2017 was a monumental year in crafting for me as it will go down in the annals of CZ Craft History as: The Year I Discovered Card Making. [ cue choir of angels here ]

And as a new card maker, I get asked all the time what got me hooked and what I needed to really get started.

Anyone who’s into crafty hobbies knows how easy it is to amass all the things and spend all the money. I am no different except that occasionally I still get things sent to me free of cost. That said, I am so excited that I have a major tax deduction coming in the craft department for 2017! I have spent more money this year on craft supplies then in all the years I have been scrapbooking. Crazy, but true.

I have decided to compile my top 10 tools/products for card making from the perspective of a new card maker for the year of 2017. They ARE in order of importance to me and this crafty little journey thus far. See the supply list at the bottom of this post, and know that they are all affiliate links (provided at no cost to you). 

Cathy Zielske's Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

Big Shot Manual Die Cutting Machine. I cannot lie to you: the only reason I started card making was because I started using a Big Shot. Specifically, I received a Big Shot designed by Sizzix for Stampin’ Up. I had an assignment to use some products for an article I was working on and I die cut my first shapes and it literally set in motion the chain of events that has turned me into a card carrying card maker, no pun intended. I had NO idea how much fun manual die cutting would be. I had NO idea that you could buy MATCHING stamps and dies and cut out images perfectly every time. This is THE tool of the year for me and it has inspired me to make in ways I haven’t in years. This has spilled over into scrapbooking, too, as I’m now creating my own stamps and dies with memory keeping in mind, as well as card making.

Cathy Zielske's Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

Misti Precision Stamping Tool. This incredibly inventive tool has literally made stamp been possible for me. My problem with stamping in the past had always been the imprecise nature of it. That doesn’t appeal to an anal retentive, space loving control freak like me. I don’t love the messy look. I like the clean and precise look and the Misti makes that possible with stamping. While it is not a cheap tool, I would invest in the original Misti because you will get more use out of it perhaps than the smaller one but I do have both. To see this thing in action, watch the video below.

Cathy Zielske's Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock. This paper has changed my crafting world permanently. I use both the 80# and the the 110# weights (80# for most stamping and die cutting and the 110# for my card bases). I buy both weights in reams because it is completely worth it. I bought my first ream of the 80# weight back in April and I just bought my second ream this month. I have yet to buy another 110# ream. I use this for scrapbooking and for cardmaking. It is smooth and bright white and it takes and beautifully, whether you are using Copic markers or printing directly from your ink jet. I even use it in my laser printer and the results are spectacular. Best paper ever and I wish I had known about this sooner!

Cathy Zielske's Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

Embossing Magic bag (or other anti-static tool for stamping and embossing). I never liked embossing because it was a freaking hot mess. Everything I stamped was never crisp and clean and the embossing powder stepped in my paper and I thought to myself, “SOOO not worth it.”  I never knew that card stock had static and that you could simply dust the paper with a little powder tool and your ink would only stick where you had stamped your image with your sticky ink (Versamark). I have both this little bag and also an EK Success Powder Tool. Again, an anti-static tool will change how you stamp and the results that you get!

Cathy Zielske's Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

Wagner Heat Tool. And speaking of embossing, very early on in my card making adventure, my friends at Hero Arts sent me the Cadillac of heat embossing tools, the Wagner heat tool. This thing is so solid and works so well and I would recommend any new card maker to snag one. Or, any scrapbooker who likes to incorporate heat embossing into their work. Like I said: Cadillac, baby!

Cathy Zielske's Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangles in two sizes. If you’re going to make cards, acquiring a set of stitched rectangles is a must. These two sets has been my most used dies of 2017. The large set has a 4.25 x 5.5 die that works perfectly as a base panel for any standard A2 card and gives you that awesome stitched card base look. I never knew this was how card makers got that stitched look! In fact, almost every time I share a card with someone who is not a card maker they ask me how I stitch the edges! A basic set of a rectangle stitched dies is a great investment.

Cathy Zielske's Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy. This little gadget is a genius tool. Simply wet it down and clean your stamps with water. It’s so easy to use and you just have to keep it damp, and it makes cleaning up stamps a snap. I keep mine in a little glass jar on my work desk and just keep the lid cracked so it doesn’t get too smelly. Even if it does get smelly, I just wash it with a little dish soap and rinse it out really well and it’s good to go!

Cathy Zielske's Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

Distress Oxide Inks. I had known about Tim Holtz for years. I mean, I’ve been friends with him since the early days of teaching at CKU, but I have never really used his products before because I just thought they were for shabby chic, distressed looks and I am definitely not that kind of girl. Imagine my surprise once I figured out the many ways you could play with these inks. And you should know I very much still a beginner with them but man, they are just so cool. These new Distress Oxides are very easy to blend and that is one thing I am not great at, but these inks definitely give me a better shot of creating a smooth blend. But speaking of Distress Inks…

Cathy Zielske's Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

Distress Ink Minis + Blending Tools. I have to combine the Mini Blending Tools with the Mini Distress inks because these inks also changed my image of stamp ink and what you could do with it. While I have yet to really delve into a lot of stamping with the traditional stamp inks, I have played with Distress Inks and had so much fun this year! I feel like if you’re a new card maker, starting out with a pack of Distress Inks will give you a real taste of creative play with ink. Again, I am still learning and playing and these inks really do inspire me to have fun and create.

Cathy Zielske's Top 10 Card Making Tools/Products of 2017

Scor-Buddy and Teflon Bone Folder. Last but not least is my Scor-Buddy scoring tool and the Teflon Bone Folder. I had never had any kind of scoring tool before 2017. And this little guy is small, easy to store and does the job right every time. However I prefer the Teflon Bone Folder from Simon Says Stamp rather than the tool that comes with the Scor-Buddy. It is not a cheap bone folder but it will give you great results as it leaves no mark on your paper and works like butter. If you are going to be making cards year and year out, I feel that having the best tools available is a good investment and Teflon Bone Folder is one such tool.

And one more, because I really love this discovery:

Gina K Designs Pure Luxury Cardstock. As a scrapbooker, the only card stock I’ve ever used is from Bazzill. And while it is a great card stock I had no idea how many great smooth cardstocks were out there and at the top of my list are the cardstocks from Gina K Designs. I got a sample of every color and made this little swatch ring you see and slowly I have been adding packs of colors all year long. And the great thing is that she has matching envelopes for every color.

 

And that is my list for 2017! There are many other tools that I am using and love that I felt that I had to narrow it down and this is the result! I’m so happy I discovered card making this year. It has reinvigorated my passion for making and that has spilled over into my memory keeping as well. Thanks for following along this year. I know that for some of you it seemed like a weird leap for me to jump into making cards but it really has been fun and it reminds me of all the reasons why I like getting my craft on after all these years.

A deep and loving shout out to Jennifer McGuire, who gave—and continues to give—me so much direction in this crafty world of cards. And also to all the companies who have embraced me and sent me goodies to play with this year! You have no idea how giddy your stuff has made me.

To see all of the cards I made this year, click here.

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Comments

  1. Mindy Eggen says

    December 29, 2017 at 7:25 am

    I totally agree with every item!! They are game changers!! I honestly would not have started stamping again if it wasn’t for the misti

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      December 29, 2017 at 7:30 am

      Yes. It really made me believe I could actually stamp stuff!

      Reply
  2. Barbara says

    December 29, 2017 at 8:22 am

    I totally agree with your list. I started making cards with rubber stamps in 1988. They were not the best cards however I tried. I gave it up years later but kept my stamps only thinning the herd by a few. When I saw you making cards and then started watching Jennifer’s videos, I got the bug again. There are so many more tools today that make it easier. I would say the Misti is the number one tool. I ruined so much paper and ink before I got this tool.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      December 29, 2017 at 11:30 am

      Misti is the best.

      Reply
  3. Rosemary says

    December 29, 2017 at 8:29 am

    Wonderful post. May have to think about a few of these. Now…if I only had time!

    Reply
  4. Chari Moss says

    December 29, 2017 at 8:34 am

    Great List! So glad you found the world of cardmaking this year Cathy. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      December 29, 2017 at 11:30 am

      Chari, me tooooo!

      Reply
  5. Susan Ringler says

    December 29, 2017 at 8:50 am

    Cathy,
    Thanks so much for this list. I agree with your thoughts, but even more, thanks for the convenience of your cards all in one place! There are so many cards I wanted to make, but couldn’t at the time. To be able to return to them all in one place is really helpful.

    I am the opposite of you in this memory keeping world. I have stamped for many years, but was dragged kicking and screaming into the scrapbook world.

    I’m rambling a bit, but my point is that through it all, I still like the clean, crisp look you have embraced in stamping. Thanks for joining us and Happy New Year! I can’t wait to see what unfolds in your stamping venture.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      December 29, 2017 at 11:30 am

      Happy New Year, Susan! Love being a part of this community!

      Reply
  6. Brittany Allen says

    December 29, 2017 at 11:29 am

    Cathy,
    It has been wonderful and hilarious to watch you discover card making! I’ve been a follower and blog reader of yours for years as I’ve been a scrapper, card maker, all things crafty goddess since…..well forever! Thanks for all the tips and tricks – many of which I had forgotten through the years and for always keeping things interesting and REAL! However, Im just a little disappointed that the bee didn’t make her appearance this year.
    Happy New Year!

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      December 29, 2017 at 11:31 am

      🙂 May-bee next year?

      Reply
  7. Virginia Palmer says

    December 29, 2017 at 11:35 am

    For several years I’ve limited my paper crafting to “anything but cards,” but got hooked about the same time you did, Cathy. Hasn’t taken long for my nieces and their kids to expect handmade cards from Aunt Ginny. This is a great list – thanks and Happy New Year!

    Reply
  8. Lisa Hetrick says

    December 29, 2017 at 11:51 am

    LOVE this list… Me thinks I have an addiction… I have 8 of the things on the list. Woo to the Woot! However, the stamp shammy has me intrigued. A must have you say? Hmmmm…. well then I must 🙂

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      December 29, 2017 at 12:34 pm

      Lol! And yes, for the price, that Shammy is the shizz!

      Reply
  9. Kathy Mc says

    December 29, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    I, too have eight of the things on your list and have had my love of cardmaking rekindled by your enthusiasm and some of the awesome crafters I’ve found through you. By the way, have you peeked at the new stamp positioned coming from Stampin Up in March? Mine’s already pre-ordered ?

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      December 29, 2017 at 12:35 pm

      What??? No! I have to check that out!!!

      Reply
  10. Kathy Mc says

    December 29, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    Stamp positioner, that is.

    Reply
  11. Joan says

    December 29, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    I happen to have all of these items, except the Wagner embossing gun, and I couldn’t agree more! All of these things make card making so much easier.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      December 29, 2017 at 12:52 pm

      Yes!

      Reply
  12. Carol says

    December 29, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    Thanks for this list, Cathy. Will you have the list stored “permanently” somewhere on your site?

    Reply
  13. Cathy Zielske says

    December 29, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    Well, yes, in that this post ain’t going anywhere but here! 😉

    Reply
  14. Kirsty Vittetoe says

    December 29, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    Thanks for sharing! I just got myself a Misti this Christmas and I LOVE it!

    Reply
  15. Maja says

    December 30, 2017 at 2:50 am

    Great tips! Your cards are adorable.

    Reply
  16. Michelle Bradtke says

    December 30, 2017 at 10:38 am

    I am either embarrassed or proud to say that I have all 10 of these – with the exception of the GK paper swatch, but I have many of her cardstock colors and envelopes. Just got the original Misti for Christmas. A very solid list, Cathy!

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      December 30, 2017 at 10:40 am

      Be proud!!!!

      Reply
  17. sharon A roe says

    December 30, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    I am new at card making also. I got the big shot plus for many reasons. However it arived tofay and a little confused. The plastic things will not go through the riller thing. The one that did msfe so much noise it scared the heck out of me. I do not know what i did wrong. I think i will go back and cut things out of hand and sizzors. I love to stay in touch.

    Reply
    • Cathy Zielske says

      December 30, 2017 at 3:58 pm

      Those noises are normal, believe it or not.

      Here is a video about the Big Shot Plus that might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrWJr7k1jAw

      Reply
  18. heidig says

    January 1, 2018 at 7:00 am

    Great list! I’ve already been to SSS to get the shammy and the embossing static bag (currently out of stock). I had no idea they even existed. Santa brought me the Misti and it has changed my stamping world! Who knew?! Happy New Year!

    Reply

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