Crafts Beautiful - Quick & Crafty - Let's Make Cards Magazine

I’ve not been a member long but I’ve already picked up some invaluable tips from other members and thought it would maybe be a good idea to have a thread where we can all share our good tips.  Maybe someone could make this a sticky?

I’ll start it off with a few words of wisdom of my own…

Always keep a pack of baby wipes to hand, they’re invaluable for wiping glue/glitter etc off your craft mat and more importantly off your hands!

Use a small sized eyelet punch for making holes for brads

If I think of any more (I’m sure there’s some I’ve forgotten!) I’ll come back and add to it - I’d love to hear other people’s tips too

xx

This isa great idea Bev and shall sticky for you! Great tips you ahve left too. Shall be back with some tips I’m sure at some point when i have moretime

Natalie xx

Great idea Bev hun well done,
Never waste your printed A4 paper if it was a test piece, tear it into quarters and pile them up for using
to catch glitter or glue or to scribble a quick message on.
Saves money using writing pads.

Use unwanted make-up brushes for your paint glue etc.
and to brush away particles on your desk,i always get lots at xmas I never use.

Thanks for all the great tips Bev, I’ll have a think and see what I come up with.

Baby wipes also work great for getting your rubber stamps clean!  Believe it or not, some of the girls gave me some lovely tips on one of the other forums.

Things like, cut out the dangly ribbon bits on clothes and keep them one side to use on cards.
Keep all your wrapping papers from both birthday and Christmas presents as they make fabulous backing papers for cards.
If you receive a card with a picture on that you really like, cut around it carefully and re-use it as a card topper.
Recycle used birthday candles to use on another card.  They look great tied up with a small piece of ribbon.

That’s all I can think of for now, but I’ll certainly be back again when I think of some more!

Thanks for starting this thread LoopyLoo.  It’s always great to read other’s ideas.

Michelle xx

Ooooh, Michelle, you were up early!
I have loads of these, but don’t know how helpful they’ll be!

Rather than buying little silk flowers sold as card toppers, look for the ones in the wedding dept instead - you get more to a pack and they’re much cheaper!
Don’t just get wire from the card section - you get more for your money in the florists dept!
Save every scrap of paper - you can mosaic with the tiniest bits.
Check inside new clothes - they often have a little packet with a spare button in - I use loads of these in card-making!
Use pretty magazine pages as backing paper
Google ‘Free craft downloads’ and see what comes up!

Over to you ladies!
Dee
x

LOL, tell me about it Dee.  I’m feeling it a bit now but my 11 month old had be out of bed at 5:15 this morning.

I’m with you there - didn’t go to bed until 12.45am, then for no apparent reason woke up at 5am…had a couple of buckets of coffee to wake me up before I came on though!  Your girls are very cute!
Dee
x

LOL, I’m on my 3rd already!  And trying to make Lauren’s birthday invitations at the same time (think I might result in cutting my fingers sometime or other though).

What a great thread, i love it. Good idea!
I’ll be back !
xNadsx

That is great!

Lovely idea Loopy, I will think how can I contribute and get back on…

This is a great thread.

I keep the little glass jars you get jam in (usually from a cafe for scones - hope you know what I mean).  They’re great for putting sequins or beads in.

Will think of other things soon.

Nikkix

I keep an old box and put all scraps patterned paper etc and have old bits cardboard etc cut to bookmark and ATC sizes that way you can sit and make them with all things near and just put box away when done, keep old tins and cover with sticky back paper and keep anything in them.for decoupage if I am having bad day(pain) I sit in bed with carrier bag and cut out all decoupage then put them in cello bags ready for when needed I have a line of boxes the type you get to put screws. nails ect that clip on a rail and I have them filled with scissors,stickles,wee plastic boxes of charms etc,sticky dots etc, and finally glues etc that way everything is in place and handy. good idea this thread. Isabelle x

There’s some fab ideas here - thanks for sharing everyone

Another one I’ve thought of…I like to make 6 x 6” cards mostly, so if I need to print a sentiment I often use pearl paper, but I print the sentiments in landscape format in columns and only have 2 or 3 in each column so only the top 2 inches or so of the paper is used (along the long length if you follow me)  That way there’s still plenty of the pearl paper left to use as an insert for the card.

Another one….instead of having piles of card making mags lying around, tear out the pages with ideas/projects that you like and put them in one of those A4 sized books of plastic wallets (not sure what they’re called!)  That way you’ll always have a folder fiull of ideas for when the dreaded creative block strikes.  Also it means if you like something but don’t have time to make it there and then you can find it easily rather than having to wade through a pile of mags at a later date.

xx

2 tips I picked up today, one from ickle pickle
instead of buying and anti static bag use toes off old tights filled with talcum powder
your card smells nice too.

my tip , if you just need a tiny amount of glue, squeeze some onto paper and use tip of
a cocktail stick, great for tiny stones.