Advanced supplies

This post is all about the supplies you can start to look at if you have been scrapbooking for a while.  The supplies here are a bit more costly (in some aspect), but as normal, there are all kinds of things that you can do if you need to....or are on a budget!  I will add...for those of you who think things are expensive...you do not need each and every piece of equipment out on the market today, look at what you are buying first, and utilize those 40% off coupons to make things a bit cheaper...and get it out of your head that she who dies with the most scrapbook supplies wins!  

Yes, some of the things on the list are a bit more expensive, just remember that you can tweak things and add what you want, or research other products that might have more of the features you are wanting!  It's all about the FABS...Features, Advantages and Benefits of that product...you will need to look at what your FABS need to be in order to make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck!  So, lets get started on fun items you can start to get!  

One of the first things I will talk about is adhesive products.  Depending on how often you scrapbook will depend on what you purchase.  I use everything from glue sticks to Glue Dots brand adhesive products to the Xyron machine.  If you are an avid crafter, I would recommend to buy the Xyron machine for it's many uses.  With this particular machine, you can do larger projects, run a whole sheet of cardstock in it to be able to punch stickers out, use it with a die cut machine or other things that will help you to keep your project really sticking to what you are working on!   Not only do I like the bigger machine, but I also find MANY uses for the smaller machines such as this one!  Plus the smaller machine is easier to take with you if you go to a crop!  This is great to use with rubber stamps to create your own stickers, and smaller units!  Look at each of the sizes, and check the refill price as well to make sure you are able to afford the refills a lot!  

Buttons, brads, eyelets and "bling"....all of it is necessary when it comes to scrapbooking!  Some things you need a button for...others a brad, and even others...an eyelet!  In the intermediate supplies post, you will notice I have added a Making Memories toolkit, which includes a hammer, hole punches and various other tools.  The hole punch and attachments will also help you to set eyelets...or you can get something like the Crop a dile by We R Memory Keepers to be able to set the eyelets if you choose not to purchase the toolkit I previously mentioned!  I personally use the Silent Setter, which comes with 3 hole punch attachments with 3 matching setters all in a case!   Using "bling" is fun...start to look at the things YOU are attracted to and get to purchasing that stuff!  

Now, this next item only pertains to those of you who do not have a sewing machine already...but sewing on your pages or cards is just too much fun!  Make sure you check out this mini sewing machine that you can do the same type of things with!  This one is portable too, being able to take it with you on crops and things!  I like to use just the needle on something like this, and then floss in a color to match or coordinate with your layout.   Sewing machines give you a darling way to add to your layouts, and yes, it does use regular thread.....

As my sister and I talked about products, she mentioned the one little tool she uses a lot is the bone folder...this little Deluxe tool kit will have a bone folder, scissors, an exacto knife with 2 refills, spatula tools, a hook tool, tweezers, and scrapers to be able to clean your mat off!   One thing I like about kits like this, is you can keep everything in one place AND you can use the stuff on multiple projects and things!  

To go with the tool kit, especially talking about the exacto knife in the kit... I would find a  self healing mat to be able to cut the things that you need to safely!   This type of mat is big enough to do just about any project that involves intricate work.  There is also a 4 x 4 mat that is available to help with eyelets, and would be good to go with you to crops and things.   With the self-healing mat's, find one that is perfect size for you.....if you already sew, you might already have one of these available to you in much larger sizes! 

If you already have the kit I talked about in the intermediate supplies post, then you already have access to hole punches.  However, there are times where you will want to use regular hole punches such as these...  I use both of my hole punches, these are great if you just want a hole at the top of your page or project in a regular size!  The smallest size is great to punch a hole in and then put brads through.  They also have shapes available, diamonds and hearts, which are also fun to use on projects, making a unique border along the bottom or side of the project... or just a few little punches in a cluster at one of the corners!  

Ok, one thing that might be a bit expensive, but worth it...is most definitely the Cricut machine for many reasons.  Though my reasons are many, I really like the way you can take basic shapes that are on the cartridges, and create just about anything.  Depending on the size of machine you have will depend on the size of die cuts you have.  This particular machine will cut shapes up to 5.5", and for me, that is plenty!  It also cuts through vinyl, chipboard, and other materials, so you are able to get more bang for your buck here...especially if you quilt (it cuts through fabric) or do other types of crafts!  You need to have cartridges for the machine.....this is where I would look at friends/family that scrapbook and either go in on a machine/cartridges for everyone to use.  Or, if one person has the machine, purchase a cartridge that you know you will use and spend some time with the person cutting out the die cuts that you need.  I will say this, you will save money on alphabets alone with this machine!  The toolkit I mentioned above is perfect for this machine, so you would not have to buy one specific for this, however, Cricut does have their own toolkit you can buy as well, such as this one shown above!   Look at the features of all the machines, your FABS so to speak...  

The last thing on my list for you is software.....  If you have a computer and a printer, you can really make one of a kind items...  Look at different software types, what they do...fonts are one of my favorite type of software to use...being able to customize a particular title or journaling to fit the theme of the project more.  
Software I use a lot is MS Office Word.....especially for my journaling, etc.  I was asked to do a review on software recently... this is what got me hooked on digital scrapbooking!  I started out with their FREE software I downloaded until I got the software, and then the free kits...  They also have other kits you can purchase too, I recently found the perfect one for a project of my grandmothers recipe's that I might use!  
Software can do a lot, I am only dabbling in a little bit of what I have seen done on the computer, so look at what you are attracted to, and what your skill level is.  I am good at software, but it has taken me going to school for web design in order for me to get more comfortable with things!  


I hope you enjoy the advanced products I have selected!  In the next few weeks, I will be featuring products from Two Peas In A Bucket....  Scrapbooking is a lot of fun...the crops, female interactivity...the creating...the memories!  I hope this gives you a few examples on products you want to start to look at!  

Lynda Jeffs

Memories in Tyme