Need the Best Card Making Hacks For Successful Projects?

Best Card-Making Hacks for Success:

We all have a learning curve when it comes to various paper crafts. Today I’m sharing my best card-making hacks that will give you success and save you time and hassle. Need help with cardstock storage, color coordination, how to tie a bow, oh my….the list is long but I’ve got lots of tips to share.

What was the best card-making hack you learned that will help you? Let your voice be heard!

topics cardmakers struggle with

As you saw on my video I covered a lot of my hacks! Listed below is what most crafters struggle with and I covered in my Live video.

• Measuring/cutting/alignment of layers
• Color choices
• Ribbon – making bows, tying knots, and other uses.
• Embossing – how to know when to stop heating
• Fussy Cutting
• Coloring – using markers vs Stampin’ Blends
• Re-inking your ink pads
• Using Designer Series Papers and color choices
• Organization
• Inky fingers, glue everywhere
• How to keep track of cards you have made for future reference
• Making banner tails for sentiment layers
• Adhesives – which to use and how to use
• Best ways to clean stamps, fingers, work surface
• How to open and close the new Stampin’ Up! Ink pads
• How to line red rubber stamps on Stampartus
• Stamping straight and completely
• Scoring with the Take Your Pick Tool

Keeping your workspace organized is a large one that only you can figure out. I tend to make a big mess when creating, then clean it all up before I start another one! For me having a messy area makes it hard to be creative.

Measurement struggles

Included in this section is also card layers and measurements. Below I have a download for you!

I honestly don’t think I have ever made anything using the 1/16th of an inch. However, I have used all of the other ones on a ruler. The markings on a standard ruler represent the fractions of an inch. The markings on a ruler from the start to the 1″ mark are: ¹⁄₁₆“,  ¹⁄₈“,  ³⁄₁₆“,  ¹⁄₄“,  ⁵⁄₁₆“,  ³⁄₈“,  ⁷⁄₁₆“,  ¹⁄₂“,  ⁹⁄₁₆“,  ⁵⁄₈“,  ¹¹⁄₁₆“,  ³⁄₄“,  ¹³⁄₁₆“,  ⁷⁄₈“,  ¹⁵⁄₁₆“, and 1”. If the measurement is over 1″, simply use the number on the ruler and add the fraction. For instance, if you’re two marks past the number 3 tick, then the measurement is 3 ¹⁄₈“. When you are adding layers to your cards you can make different sizes by making a template to help you remember. As I showed on the video play with the templates to see how you want your layers. Here is a download for you to use as a reference.

Color choices

Many of the responses I received were about how to choose colors. For me, I am drawn to the same ones so I refer to the Color Chart that Stampin’ Up! created. I print mine on Basic White Cardstock so that the colors are vibrant and turn out better than just printing on printer paper. You can download your Color Chart here

Storage issues

Depending on the area you have for crafting will depend on the storage options for you.

Stampin’ Up! offers storage for Stampin’ Blends that you can see on my store here

But most of you asked how I store my cardstock, stamp pads, ribbon and other items. And for those I purchased wooden storage systems from Stamp-N-Storage. They come raw and I spray painted them. I do have an affiliate link if you want to see what they offer

I also ordered the stamp pad holders that also hold my ink refills and my Stampin’ Write markers.

Below that holder you see my punches holder also from Stampin-N-Storage.

To hold all of my clear mount stamp cases I ordered DVD holders from Amazon here is the link for those here. They do stack and as you can see I need more! LOL!

Inside my cabinets that you see behind me, I use Storage containers from the Container Store and label them with my label maker. Makes it easy to find all the things we have!

Another storage issue I am always asked is holders for my 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Papers. In the past I have ordered these from Amazon that have one end open here is the link for that. They come in a pack of three for $8.13 which comes to $2.71 each.

Stamp-N-Storage also carries those that are opened on two sides but to me, they are a better bang for your buck here is the direct link for those. They come in a 15-pack for $20.75 and that comes to $1.38 each.

Over the years I have changed and added different things to help me stay organized. To help you find something that works for you and your space here is a link.

stand for videos

Since I do have Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators who follow me one of their questions was how do I hold my cameras to do my videos and Live Demonstrations. I use a Stand from Arkon that holds my iPhone and iPad. You can check out their website to see what they offer but my stand is Pro Stand Phone or Camera Stand Weighted Base Version with a Clamp Post Tablet Mount for Apple iPad Air, iPad 4, 3, 2, Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy Note Pro 12.2

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