Three Things: Personal Favorites

Threethings

In going back over some of my past layouts recently I noticed a few product trends that are used over and over again. We all have them - things we stock up on, things we can't seem to make something without. There are certain products I go through phases with (like the scallop punch I keep using recently), but these products don't seem to phase out, just in.

American Crafts Precision Pens : These pens have been my favorite since I first started using them. My pen tip preference is .03. I have branched out a bit and now use some fine-tip Slick Writers (love the red - used in the layout below) in addition to the Precision Pens. They remain top of my list for craft pens.

Tim Holtz Retractable Craft Pick : This is a tool that was recently added to my supplies and I find myself using it all the time for punching holes for the silver mini brads I tend to favor. In the past I used the old metal paper piercer from Making Memories - it's now used on a regular basis to unclog my bottle of Glossy Accents.

American Crafts Thickers : Letter stickers have been a go-to product since I first started scrapbooking in late 2002. I remember loving some vellum letter stickers from Mrs. Grossman's (see the blast from the past layout below), a black font from Sharon Sonneff's Sonnets line, and another one from Liz-something (I can't remember the actual brand name). I used those three over & over again. For the last couple years the letter stickers that I grab most often are Thickers from American Crafts. I especially love these (Subway) and these (Rockabye). They are great for titles and for initials. FYI : Thickers are the "deal of the day" today at Peachy Cheap. A great assortment of different fonts at a really great price. Check them out here

Here's a couple layouts using American Crafts Thickers and Precision Pens/Slick Writers:

Play 

From Studio A : Creating Keepsakes January 2009

Wellhellomonday 

From Studio A : Creating Keepsakes October 2008

And a classic from March 2003 just for fun (I am pretty sure this was a Becky Higgins sketch - hence the tilted photo - I don't normally tilt much):

126443-3 

What are three things you use over and over?

Dottedline

[ Three Things is a weekly product series : check out the archives here. ]

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

87 thoughts

  1. Monique says…
    04/07/2009

    Mine would be zig millennium pen .03 black, a corner rounder, and bling!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Christine F. says…
    04/07/2009

    I tend to use die cut letters (Quickutz),3D embellishments - usually simple, and I like to use ink.
    It's so interesting to see how our styles change through the years!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Allison M. says…
    04/07/2009

    A Zig pen, a scallop circle punch, and lately my 2 Martha Stewart butterfly punches.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Cathy says…
    04/07/2009

    My 3 favs also include alphabet stickers... I use them on just about every layout! I also seem to be hand journaling a lot, so my gel pen is always on hand. The other one would be patterned paper... I use this a lot more than cardstock... maybe just because I have a bigger pile of it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Ali Edwards says…
    04/07/2009

    Great suggestion :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Michele Bailey says…
    04/07/2009

    The three things I use the most are my paper cutter, glue, and punches. Thanks!
    Michele Bailey

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. EmmaJ says…
    04/07/2009

    My Basic Grey rub-on tool
    My Dot-n-roller (thanks for turning me onto that. I love it!)
    My ZIG double sided .5/1.2 writer in black. It is the best pen I have found for writing on Bazzill's textured cardstock.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Kimberly says…
    04/07/2009

    Thanks for the Peachy Cheap heads up!! I had to run and get mine b4 they were all gone...especially since you mentioned it, I'm sure they'll sell out in a heart beat! I have never tried Thickers and this is the perfect opportunity to!
    That paper piercer looks awesome. My daughter broke my last one that was on a wooden handle (brand?). She stuck it all the way into the fabric in our kitchen chair and then it snapped off. I've missed it dearly
    :(

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Kimberly says…
    04/07/2009

    Oh my 3 fave items I've been using right now are a
    scallop circle punch (Martha Stewart)
    ribbon/lace (any kind or type)
    flowers (usually Prima)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Sharon says…
    04/07/2009

    Look at little Simon! What a cutie!
    brads
    ribbon
    patterned paper

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Sam says…
    04/07/2009

    I have a set of zig millenium pens in various sizes that I always use. I also use stamps and opaque gel pens (on darker paper). Amazingly, I don't have a paper piercer and I really like the idea of a retractable one. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Jes says…
    04/07/2009

    ooh, i too am a huge Thickers fan. i think i use them on practically every layout or mini i do. my other 2 necessities are Zig's Millenium pens (my fav are the .005 for detailed doodling and .03 for writing/journaling) and my pink paislee vintage pop stamps, which i got in a kit from SIStv last year. oh, and i have to throw in Staz-on ink in charcoal grey, for when i'm using my pink paislee stamps :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Stephanie Cunningham says…
    04/07/2009

    The 3 things I used ALL the time:)
    Zip Dry Glue
    American Crafts Precision pens - LOVE THEM
    Stickles!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Sandi Malloy says…
    04/07/2009

    I wasn't aware of PeachyCheap.com thanks for the link. My 3 things are my Signo uni-ball white pen, American Crafts slick writers and my cutter bee scissors.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Becky P. says…
    04/07/2009

    I am also a huge fan of precision pens and Thickers (any alphabet stamp or sticker really). The products I seem to use the most are ink for the edges of my pages, patterned paper and Bazzill cardstock, and arrows.
    Love the old LO from 2003...it's always fun to see how people's styles and pages evolve over time! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Suz says…
    04/07/2009

    2 out of 3 are my faves too. I love thickers (though I try to use my cricut more since the thickers just don't have enough letters in each pack & I've invested in that machine) I also love the AC pens. They don't last all that long but write better than any others. I haven't seen that other tool you like... I use my little paper piercer & tweezers all the time.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. heather says…
    04/07/2009

    thickers, scallop borders, zig writer. i can never have enough thickers!!!! i am so addicted!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Alyson says…
    04/07/2009

    Zig pens for sure, letter stickers (I haven't actually tried Thickers, I'll have to get some) & my ATG tape gun.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Kirsten H says…
    04/07/2009

    Thickers, always a thicker girl.
    Love the AC pens too, #3!!
    And page usually isn't complete without a stickle or a pearl drop.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Kaylyn B says…
    04/07/2009

    American Craft pens, Quickutz(well that is more then one thing...lol) and Ancient page Chocolate Ink

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Rachel Smith says…
    04/07/2009

    Ali, I noticed that you have stopped using the Link Within app. Did you decide that you didn't like it?

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Rachel Smith says…
    04/07/2009

    Nevermind, I see that you are still using it. I don't know why I didn't see it before.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Colleen says…
    04/07/2009

    I really want to find those AC pens since one of my favs would be the coloured AC pens I have! 2 others would be my Tim Holtz Design ruler and my Thickers!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Maegen Jenne says…
    04/07/2009

    glad to know that even Ali "the Scrapbook Goddess" Edwards has even evolved as a scrapper. It is refreshing to learn that we all evolve as scrap artists. I wish more beginners knew that. I think a lot more people would start and enjoy the journey of finding their niche, their style along the way. It took me about 10 years to find mine, and it is still changing. I have been scrappn' since 1998. I have come !A LONG WAY! and my sister and mom are just starting. I get tired of hearing them complain "it is just not as good as yours...you are so creative...how did you know to put that there?". I am going to show them than even the pros started somewhere and have become great though patience and practice.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Beth Akins says…
    04/07/2009

    Oh my gosh, I loved those vellum stickers! I still have some and use them from time to time. I made an atc holder for some artist friends and I used those in various colors for the words on the front!

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.