When I scrapbook, as in other parts of my life, I have my favourite tools. I have scissors, trimmers and edgers that have been a part of my scrap booking existence since the beginning. From my first night learning how to archive my favourite pictures until today, 13 years later, they have been my constant helpers to share my story with others. Like Fairy Godmother’s magical wand, these tools help me transform my ordinary photos into magical memories.
The first scrap booking tool I received was a pair of scissors from my first Creative Memory party. Each party guest was given these scissors as a party favour, and I adored mine. Unlike my kitchen scissors, and household scissors, these were smaller and were only to be used on PAPER! My family knows to avoid my angry impression of Malificient by NEVER using my scrap booking scissors on anything but paper. I still have my first pair of Creative Memory scissors, and have acquired a few more pairs over the years as I’ve attended other scrap booking parties. These scissors have been given to special people that I believe will use them as they were created for; to scrapbook their memories into a storybook of their lives.
My next cutting tool was called a “Personal Trimmer.” Creative Memories still makes the trimmer, but they have improved upon it. My old trimmer does not have the storage drawer, but is still my favourite of all of my tools. 13 years later and it is still a fabulous way to crop my photos and to trim smaller pieces of paper. I told my Hubby that it was an “investment” back when I first purchased it…and I was right!
To cut larger pieces of paper I have tried a few types of cutters and my favourite is definitely the Fiskars SureCut Scrapbooking Paper Trimmer. Mine looks a bit different from the model they sell now, but it is the same cutter. It will fit the 12X12 inch paper I use in my albums and the blades can be replaced when they get dull. I have only needed to replace my blades once in 13 years. My kids also find this cutter invaluable when they are working on projects for school as it will cut nice straight edges for displays.
I treated myself a few years ago to a wooden carousel of 12 different edged scissors at COSTCO. I still love to have the scissors sitting on my scrapbooking table and I love to spin the carousel around and look at the different edges that each scissor makes, but I honestly don’t seem to use them as much as I’d like to. I do however, use my Mickey Head scissors that I bought in WDW in 2005. These scissors are wonderful for making borders, edging photos, or just for a creative touch in a layout.
I love my other tools for scrap booking too, and I seem to use them in bursts of creativity. I may not use a corner rounder on a layout for months, but I then use it on every layout I do for another few months.
My tools are the building blocks of my family memories. The way I cut my photos and paper can soften or accent my layout and add depth and dimension. Like the stories told at Walt Disney World add magic to each attraction, my scrapbooks tell the magical moments of my family !
Contributed by: Marybeth Caliciuri (NDM#6) Marybeth is the DDL Scrapbooking Blogger.
Hi! I am a Canadian Disney mom to two Neurotic Disney Kids and a wife to my husband who still doesn’t “get it” when I talk about Disney. Until a couple years ago, I assumed I was the only person in the world who thought about Walt Disney World every day and night. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised when I found the on-line community of Neurotic Disney People.
My other passion outside of Disney is scrapbooking, and I truly don’t feel life is complete unless I have a Disney trip album to work on. I’ve been scrapbooking for over 15 years and I belong to various scrapbooking forums as well.
My secret wish is to be Tinkerbell as she flys out of Cinderella’s Castle during Wishes, and my favorite food item at WDW is the corn bread at the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. When I am resting at WDW you can find me resting by the pool at Port Orleans French Quarter. My favorite park is the Magic Kingdom as it is the first one I ever visited and is the one with the most special memories!
I know what you mean about having your favorites! I have my favorites too and it’s hard to get around it! The one thing I haven’t been happy with is my paper trimmer. I’m totally going to try the Fiskars one! Mine just isn’t cutting it anymore! LOL! 🙂