Do you know that, as a scrapbooker, you have tools and supplies you can use to help you with daily tasks? It’s true. Every scrapbooker I know has a collection of items that are useful not just for papercrafting but for more mundane (less fun?) tasks as well.
Here is my list of versatile scrapbooking tools you can use for a variety of purposes everyday:
1. Paper Trimmer
Whether it’s for cutting coupons or making cards, a good paper trimmer is indispensable to have around the house. I like to have a few different sizes: a full-size tabletop trimmer for 12×12 papers, a portable one for 8×11, and a handy 4×6 photo trimmer. Paper trimmers save time when you’re cutting a lot of similar-sized sheets, or if you’re just doing straight cuts (like those money-saving coupons!).
2. Colored Pens
One of the ways I track my family’s schedule is by keeping a calendar on our refrigerator. We see it everyday, and it’s provides easy access for everyone. To make it even easier, I use colored pens for writing down appointments, tball games, music lessons, and so on. I use each kid’s favorite color to make it easy to remember who has what. It’s awesome when we’re in a rush to get out the door.
Another benefit is that I don’t have to write anybody’s names. This really does save a lot of time, especially for the activities that occur over and over. I can also see, with one glance, whether one kid is over-scheduled for a particular day or week, or whether the other doesn’t have anything to look forward to in the coming weeks.
3. Craft knife
The ol’ craft knife has been a staple in my tool box for years. This useful little thing can do stuff other cutting implements can’t. It can cut shapes in the middle of a piece of paper or take apart a cardboard box. Using a craft knife does require some skill, but it is well worth the effort.
4. Cardstock
A stack of good-quality cardstock can find a variety of uses around the house. Cards, bookmarks, gift tags, reminder notes, and labels are just some of the ways you can use your cardstock. I keep a basket of leftover cardstock from larger projects. I like to pre-cut these pieces so that they’re always ready to go. Sometimes I make cards ahead of time by putting together coordinating paper. But I mostly just make the cards as I need them, and it never takes me more than a few minutes!
5. Adhesives
Every good scrapbooker should have a collection of different adhesives. Glue sticks, photo tape, and sticky dots are part of the arsenal. Pair these with the cardstock in #4, and you’ll always be ready for any task that needs sticking.
6. Ribbon
Ribbons may not be totally necessary for everyday tasks. But I think, hey, if you can add a bit of color to your life, why not use ribbon instead of twine? They’re great for gift bags and boxes, or creating bookmarks, for example. Wide ribbons can even be used as bookmarks on their own!
7. Crop-a-dile
The Crop-a-dile tool seems to be largely unknown outside of scrapbooking circles. I think more families should have this around the house because it’s just so useful! I’ve used it to punch holes in leather belts and cardboard boxes, as well as attach eyelets to a variety of materials. Sure you can use a regular punch for some of these tasks. Even a 3-hole paper punch might work in a real bind. But what I love about the Crop-a-dile is the power behind that fancy-looking contraption. I once gifted a teacher with the one of these so she can save her hands from injury when she’s making a whole bunch of cardboard crafts for her kindergarteners!
So there you have it. Seven scrapbooking tools that you’ll find useful for everyday tasks as well.
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