What tools do you reach for every time you make a card? Today, I am sharing My TOP 10 Go-To tools that I reach for over and over… I wonder if your list is the same as mine, or would you add something different? Let me know!

And I have a BONUS tool to share too, so don’t forget to scroll down and check that one out!

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You can see my video here or Watch in HD at YouTube!

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This post contains a ton of affiliate links (which means that I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you). I truly appreciate your support of these card adventures!

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Supply #1 – Stamping Platforms

If you do any stamping then this tool can be a real Game Changer! And the main reason is that you can have perfect stamping nearly every time. As well as the ability to ‘re-stamp’ an image if you need to. Along with many other plus points.

The original MISTI was the first positioning tool and is fantastic (I have 3… really 😟), you can step it up with ‘sticky grid mats’, or choose a tool such as the Stampwheel, it has a sticky grid mat included which is perfect for stepping up techniques such as ink blending.

Supply #2 – Shammy | Chamois

Affordable, reuseable and an easy way to keep your stamps, stencils and work surfaces clean as you create! I typically buy a larger version and cut it up into smaller pieces and rinse it out intermittently and I only replace it when necessary. I keep mine in a small ‘microwave’ egg container so that it doesn’t dry out too quickly, but I have also seen these kept in salt ‘pig’ style containers.

PRO TIP: Having a small air hole in the storage container will help prevent the shammy becoming smelly.

Supply #3 – Ink Blending Tools

Ink Blending is a quick and easy way to add colour and create a polished look on your completed card designs. With the advent of layering stencils you can achieve a depth of colour on your images without any stress. I would recommend having a few larger, mini and detail blending brushes. You do NOT need one for every colour as they are easy to keep clean.

These come in many different shapes and sizes and I would recommend that you find a style that suits you. I have tried many different versions of blending tools and my current favourites are from Altenew, but there are many other similar brands available.

PRO TIP: Do not mix different styles of ink on the same brushes, such as Pigment or Dye Inks and Distress Ink and Distress Oxide Ink.

Supply #4 – Sticky Grid Mats

These silicon based mats can be used for many different purposes and are particularly great for mixed media techniques! Use them to hold cardstock in place while stamping, colouring or assembling die cut pieces. Or, my favourite use is to hold stencils in place while I am ink blending, with the added bonus of keeping my ink pad still on the mat too, while I am tapping it with the ink blending tool.

Supply #5 – Tweezers

A simple tool, but one I reach for over and over. I like my tweezers to have a fine point, because I mostly use them to pick up small embellishments and die cut pieces of cardstock that I would otherwise struggle with using my hands. They are also a great way to keep glue off fingertips!

Or do you need an extra pair of hands? Then the Reverse Tweezer may be just what you need, use it to hold a knot while you tie a bow!

Supply #6 – Paper Trimmer

I cut a LOT of paper and I have been frustrated with different paper trimmers over the years when the ‘cut isn’t accurate’. I have been using these Fiskars paper trimmers for many years and they have consistently provided accurate cuts with minimal effort. I can also cut very fine edges too if needed.

I use the Procision for everyday card base prep and long cuts – this is a large trimmer with a self sharpening blade. And, I use a small SureCut Trimmer for more detailed cuts or if I am travelling. This trimmer has the bonus of a ‘guide wire’ which can guide exactly where you want to cut!

Supply #7 – Score Tool

This is not an essential tool but one that I use to make ALL of my card bases very quickly and easily. I would definitely recommend it if you make your own card bases, or if you like to add score line details to your cards OR if you like to make fun fold/multi fold card designs. Some of the larger Score tools have the ability to create your own envelopes! 

Supply #8 – Teflon Bone Folder

Another non-essential tool, but one that will last you a long time! Using a Teflon bone folder will give you paper folds crisp edges without the ‘shine’ than can show when using plastic bone folders. It’s fantastic if you make your own card bases as well as interactive and fun-fold card designs.

Supply #9 – Eraser | Stamp Conditioner

It’s obvious I know, but I have been using this style of eraser for years, and now I have a pretty one from Altenew, but you definitely don’t need the pictures on your eraser to make it work. Not only do I use it to erase pencil marks and mistakes, it’s fantastic to prep new stamps to take dye inks for crisp stamped images. Do make sure to buy a nice soft ‘white’ eraser for the best results when conditioning your new photopolymer stamps.

Supply #10 – Heat Tool

Heat Embossing is addictive, there is always that WoW moment watching the powder melt into a glorious stamped image or background! But there is a second reason I use this tool for more than just heat embossing, it has a ‘low’ heat setting which makes it perfect to speed up the drying process if I am painting or creating mixed media projects.

Bonus Supply – Mechanical Pencil

I know right? BUT, seriously I use these pencils every day and on every card. I love that I don’t have to resharpen them, I can refill them and they also have an eraser on the end. I think I have one in every colour 🌈! Do you want to know how much I like these specific pencils? For a while, I couldn’t get them in Australia and was so excited when I found them at Amazon in the US, so I bought 3 packets lol.

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I hope you have enjoyed seeing My Top 10 Ultimate Cardmaking Tools, let me know in the comments below if you would include any of these, or if there is something you would like to add! 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. Sending you some Crafty Hugs,

I use affiliate links which means that I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you). I truly appreciate your support of my card adventures! *Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon, this content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Other Supplies:

Affiliate links are used

Ink Blending Tool ALT | SSS	Mini Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS	Micro Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS	Detailed Blending Brush ALT | SSS
Lipstick Holder AMZ	WOW Heat Tool SSS	Powder Tool SSS	Reverse Tweezers AMZ | SSS
Tweezers ALT | SSS	Bone Folder Altenew ALT	Score Board ALT | SSS	Mini Score Board SSS
Stampwheel ALT | SSS	Stampwheel Square Grid Flip Plate ALT | SSS	Sticky Grid Mat Ultra ALT | SSS | SB	MISTI Sticky Mats SSS
MISTI SSS	StamPerfect Conditioner ALT | SSS	Mini MISTI SSS	Paper Trimmer SSS
9″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer AMZ | SSS	Titanium Blades AMZ | SSS	Shammy AMZ | SSS	Egg Cooker (2 pack) AMZ
Mechanical Pencil Papermate HB#2 (0.7) AMZ | OTH