It’s time for another episode of Laura’s Crafting Essentials! Today, I’m talking about the Bone Folder! That Bone thing. The Bone. Where is that tool for folding cardstock? I have heard lots of different things for this handy tool! In my classes, I always say that you might think it’s silly in the beginning but by the end of class, you will be asking for it!

The Bone Folder is a smooth, flat tool (made of durable plastic, not actual bone) that helps create crisp folds and creases in paper and cardstock without damaging the material.

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Key Uses for the Stampin’ Up! Bone Folder

1. Scoring and Creasing:
   • Create sharp, professional-looking folds on card bases.
   • Reinforce score lines for box-making or 3D projects.
2. Burnishing Adhesive:
   • Press down on glued areas to ensure strong, flat adhesion—especially helpful for layers or envelopes.
3. Curling Paper:
   • Gently pull the edge of paper against the bone folder (like curling ribbon) to add dimension to flowers or banners.
4. Smoothing Out Bubbles:
   • Ideal for flattening paper over adhesive sheets or when using specialty papers.

I love my Bone Folder and have lots of them! Of course, I place that at each spot for classes but I have 2-3 on my crafting desk at all times. Part of that is because I tend to lose them too! 🙂 Another TIP: Use your Bone Folder to hold your cardstock down with you are using a Heat Tool! This helps you not burn your finger!

Do you have a Bone Folder or 3?!? If not, click the link below! If you are wondering what other Crafting Essentials I am loving, click here!!! Let me know in the comments what your Crafting Essentials are!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Here is another post about my favorite crafting essentials! Today, I’m chatting about Paper Snips! Sure we probably all have scissors in our crafting area or around the house. Paper Snips are not your average scissors though!

Stampin’ Up! Paper Snips – Small But Mighty!

If you do any kind of paper crafting, you need these in your toolbox. The Stampin’ Up! Paper Snips are precision scissors designed especially for fine, detailed cutting—perfect for fussy cutting stamped images, trimming ribbon, or working in tight corners. They are also super sharp….ask me how I know!!! LOL

Why You’ll Love Them:

• Ultra-sharp stainless steel blades for clean, smooth cuts
• Needle-point tips let you get into intricate corners and tight areas
• Comfortable, ergonomic handle (for right- or left-handed crafters)
• Protective blade cover included—safe for travel or storage (if you remember where you placed it)

Perfect For:

• Fussy cutting stamped images or dies….so not my favorite thing but these make it easier!
• Trimming thread, ribbon, or twine!
• Crafting clean card edges or removing small paper imperfections

These little scissors are a crafter’s secret weapon—and once you try them, you won’t want to use anything else! If you happen to get adhesive or gunk on them, simply wipe them with some rubbing alcohol to clean them off!

I hope you are enjoying my Crafting Essential posts! In case you missed the last one, check that out here!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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I thought I would share a few of my crafting essentials! These things come in handy when crafting. While not always necessary, they do make thing easier sometimes!

Grid paper is something I use every time I am stamping and take to each of my Stamp Classes! This might be a surprise but it’s a very versatile tool! Here are several practical and creative uses for grid paper that you can use in your card-making and stamping setup:

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Practical Uses for Grid Paper in Card Making & Stamping

1. Stamping Alignment & Positioning

• Use the grid lines to align stamps perfectly—especially helpful with sentiments or geometric patterns.
• Easily center die cuts or embellishments by working on a gridded background!!

2. Protect Your Work Surface

• Prevent ink, glue, or marker bleed-through from damaging your table or crafting area.
• Grid paper catches all the mess during inky techniques like blending or spritzing.
• Once it gets too messy, just toss it and grab another sheet!

3. Measuring & Layout Planning

• Use the printed measurements to pre-plan card layouts or matting layers.
• Quickly check dimensions without grabbing a ruler!

4. Practice Stamping

• Test new stamps or ink colors on it before using them on your project.
• Use for stamping off to achieve different color variations or for 2-step stamping!
• Practice pressure and placement, especially with photopolymer stamps.

5. Masking & Blending

• Use sheets to mask off areas or to create temporary backgrounds for blending and sponging.
• Fold or cut the paper to create custom templates or straight-edge guides.

6. Project Notes & Sketching

• Take notes, draw layout sketches, or jot down supply lists directly on the sheet during a class or creative session. My customers do this all the time – write down something we use in class that they want to order or sometimes a doodle of something we are all chatting about! 🙂
• Great for remembering card measurements or layering dimensions or colors used in a project.

I hope this gives you some ideas for using Grid Paper if you have it already! If not, maybe Grid Paper will help solve some problems you have while crafting! Get your Grid Paper today!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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