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Paper Craft for Beginners | Essential Supply List

New to papercrafting and not sure what you ACTUALLY need to get started? This list is for you! My recommendations on the best supplies for paper craft; the must have tools and supplies to start scrapbooking, card making or even junk journalling. These are essentials for any paper craft, no matter what your style or the direction you want to take it, these supplies are a fantastic place to start.

There are so many amazing tools and supplies on the market BUT it can be tricky to know which ones you actually need and which choices will stand the test of time. Which are the tools that you will reach for over and over again? How do you know what supplies to buy if you haven’t figured out your crafting style? The following list of supplies will let you know what’s actually worth buying. These are all the things I would tell myself to buy; the things I would buy again if I was just starting, based on everything I’ve learned over the 30 years I’ve been paper crafting.

#1 – A good Paper Trimmer – These come in 3 basic styles, Rotary, Sliding and Guillotine. I recommend starting out with this Sliding version for cutting large papers and this Mini Guillotine version for smaller papers and more finite cuts.

#2 – Paper Crafting Scissors – You’ll need 2 pairs. These small scissors are perfect for cutting out smaller details and you’ll use these large scissors for more general use. I recommend getting both of these, as a good pair of scissors can make or break a project. You can also get scissors in sets, like this set of 3. These are a good option too! If you plan on using thread and fabric in your papercrafting, you’ll also need a good pair of fabric scissors.

#3 – If you plan on scrapbooking, you’ll need Scrapbook Albums to store your pages. These 12 x 12 D-Ring versions are my favourite because of their durability and ability to store lots of layered pages. You can shop them on Amazon or here for more styles and colours.

#4 – Print at home Printer – It sounds extravagant however, it’s so beneficial to be able to print in a moments notice. So many times I’ve been inspired to document a special photo and I’ve been able to get started in minutes by being able to print at home. Not only can you print your personal photos to scrapbook in high quality, you can also print images for your embellishments or junk journaling ephemera.

#5 – Glue and Adhesive – I’ve learned that adhesive is a very personal thing. Many paper crafters will have a favourite adhesive they use, so until you find yours continue to ask for recommendations. My absolute favourite liquid adhesive is this one by Nuvo. I would also recommend getting some kind of tape runner. These are really good for use with just paper, super fast and easy to use. I also use Double Sided tape in many of my paper craft projects.

#6 – Embellishments – This is where the FUN starts, because you have so many options available. If you’re just starting out, I have 2 pieces of advice. Firstly, don’t buy too much to start, until you begin working with supplies and crafting you won’t know what you love to use. So try a few things but only buy limited amounts until you have some clarity. Secondly, don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need a bunch of supplies in all the colours of the rainbow. Start with just one collection and go from there. Some MUST HAVE embellishments include Washi Tape, and Ephemera. Even if you’re not on a budget, you’ll benefit from watching this video full of ways to save when it comes to purchasing craft supplies. ((I’ll also leave details of my favourite brands down below.))

OPTIONAL extras:

#7 – Stamps and Dies – These are especially useful if you are planning on making cards. The BEST part is that they can be used over and over again, so whilst they will be an investment to start with, you’ll get your money back over time. {Note that you’ll need a manual die cutting machine if you purchase any dies, more on that below.}

#8 – Die Cutting Machine – To get the most out of your stamps and open up a world of creativity, I would recommend getting a Sizzix manual Die Cutting Machine. I have had a Sizzix for over 20 years now and use it almost every time I create! You can die cut cardstock for Scrapbook pages, create your own sentiments for Cards and so so much more.

#9 – Inks and Mixed Media Supplies – There are so many options in this category, it will be hard to resist going down a rabbit hole looking at supplies. My recommendation if you’re brand new, start with inks. My absolute favourites are these from Tim Holtz and these by Pink Fresh Studio. Another excellent option are those from Altenew.

#10 – A Sewing Machine – Adding stitching to your paper crafts will give you a professional finish and really take your projects to the next level… AND, it’s not as complicated as you would think! I share all of my best tips and tricks in this video, including all the supplies you’ll need to get started. This is an absolute beginners guide that walks you through everything you need to know.

#11 – Unlock endless Colour possiblities! Make choosing colours for your projects simple and EASY with The Colour Cube, an essential tool for beginners. Endless colour inspiration in your hands: the best colour palettes for crafters is HERE!

With so many options available, I can understand if you’re still feeling overwhelmed by choice! To help narrow down your search, here are my favourite craft brands, I know you’ll find supplies you love here.

Altenew – For Stamps, Dies and Ink, pretty florals and so much more!
Scrap Diva Designs – Some of my favourite dies, amazing quality and the cutest designs! Use code CREATEDBYGWEN at checkout for 10% OFF!
Scrapbook.dot.com – A complete collection of paper craft supplies.
A Cherry on Top – Another great source of supplies with many items not available elsewhere.
My Amazon Storefront – Here you’ll find my favouite Craft Room Organisation Ideas as well as links to Paper Craft essentials.

*Please note: Descriptions contains affiliate links. If you take action after clicking a link, (buy something or sign up for example) I will earn a small commission. By doing so you are helping to support the blog. Rest assured that I only link to products I personally use, trust and love. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How to Sew on Paper – Complete Beginners Guide

Stitching on paper, it’s a beautiful detail to add to your paper craft projects, but it can be tricky and quite overwhelming if you haven’t tried it before. If you’d love to add stitching to your cards, scrapbook pages or journals and you’re not sure where to start, you’re in the right place. Welcome to my ULTIMATE guide for how to stitch on paper, like a pro. These tips work on all kinds of projects from cards to scrapbook layouts. I’ll show you exactly how I do it on my projects including my machine settings and I’ll also share the one big mistake that you’ll want to avoid!

First up, supplies, here’s what you need to get started:

The Perfect Sewing Machine

It’s best to have a dedicated machine for stitching on paper and ideally one that has a variety of stitches you can use. It doesn’t need to be expensive, BUT it should be a reliable, quality machine. I’ve had this one for YEARS!! My go-to brand is Janome. Learn more about the exact model I would suggest here. It has 30 stitches, easy reverse and an easy to read LCD Display.

Compare and review even more Janome machine options here.

LEARN MORE

Other tools and Supplies

Needle Threader – A MUST HAVE if you find it difficut to see the needle or have shaky hands.

Needles and Thread – To create the same look I get on my projects, you’ll need these special needles and this matching White thread. I also love this Pink thread. Note – this is not regular sewing thread, I prefer this one as it is thicker and works on paper beautifully.

You will need a set of sewing scissors and tools for working with threads and fabric. Keep your paper scissors just for paper. This set is ideal because it includes everything you need including a tool to un-do any mistakes you make; perfect for beginners!

Residue Eraser – Removes sticky things like glue and tape which your machine won’t like. A MUST HAVE for new sewists! If you ONLY get one thing from this list, this is it! (Learn more by watching the video linked below)

To store these supplies, I’d recommend a Sewing Box Organiser like these:
1. Very popular Tackle Box Style – 3 layers. Comes in a bunch of colours including white and Pink.
2. Plastic Box Style – I have something like this one.

Now that you have everything you need, watch this video to learn all of my tips and tricks:

Must See Organisation Ideas for your Craft Space!

Have you ever wanted to create something special but couldn’t find the perfect stamp or pattern paper? Do you spend more time looking for supplies than creating with them? Ever purchased the same product TWICE because you didn’t realise you already had one in your stash? Me too.

Imagine a craft space where every item has a home, you know what you have AND things are stored in a way that matches your creative process!! How much would that change your crafting life 🙌 I’ve been really focussed on clearing out the clutter this past year and I am LOVING how my craft room feels. It’s such a calming and creative space to be in and has allowed my creativity to soar!

I really want you to feel the same way in your craft space, so… I’ve put together this list of my absolute favourite organisation pieces. These are the things I could NOT do without in my space and I hope they help you create a space you love too!

Washi Tape Storage Box. Stackable, durable and clear so you can see your entire collection. Made to fit narrow and wide Washi tapes for Scrapbooking, Journalling, Card Making and more!
Large Mesh Pouches PERFECT for storing 12 x 12 papers and Scrapbook Collections. Beautiful quality zippered mesh pouches that allow you to see whats inside. These store upright in IKEA shelving units and allow you quick access to your favourite supplies.
Scrapbook pages need to be protected. You can store your pages into these D-Ring Scrapbook Albums available in every colour of the rainbow. I love that they co-ordinate with every decor so you can also use them as a coffee table book allowing you to share your creations with friends and family.
How CLEVER are these Clear Shelf Dividers? They are super durable, made of high quality clear plastic and allow you to divide up the space on shelves for better organization. These ones simply slide over the bottom part of the shelf snuggly so they are very secure and stay in place. I use them to organise my stamp platforms and punch boards and to organise my 12 x 12 papers and store them vertically. These are a MUST HAVE!**
These large rolling Clear Bins are made for fridge organization but they are FANTASTIC for storing 12 x 12 papers and allow you to flip through collections easily. They are super sturdy and have side handles so you can easily move them around your space.
This White Wooden Desk Organiser can also be wall mounted and is the PERFECT spot for keeping new scrapbook and card making supplies. Made of solid wood and designed to have a vintage (worn) feel, I use it to store brand new supplies as they come into my space.
This 3-Draw Stackable Storage unit is a MUST HAVE in any paper crafters space. Fits 12×12 papers along with co-ordinating supplies so you have everything you need stored in one place. Draws are very generous in size which makes this storage piece a great investment.
Display your pages in these quality frames made for 12 x 12 Scrapbook layouts. They come in Black, White or Gold to suit any decor and come in a lovely clean style so as not to distract from the artwork displayed inside. These are AMAZON best sellers and I know why!
Sequins have never looked so good PERFECTLY stored in this bead storage tray. Each section is easily removable and changeable giving you ultimate control over what goes where. Made of clear plastic so you can easily see your pretty collection.

The BEST Budget Craft Room Organisation (from Amazon) ever!

The BEST Craft Organisation for Kids

Round Storage Centre
Decorative Scissors
Storage Pouch
Storage Bins
Storage Caddy
Rolling Cart
Large Clear Zippered Bag
Paint Cups

Rolling Storage Cart
Decorative Scissors
Storage Pouch
Clear Plastic Pouch
Storage Bins
Storage Boxes
Rainbow Basket
Large Clear Zippered Bag
Desk Top Caddy

Having clever organisation is a great way to organise your space… BUT it’s not always the biggest problem. Often, crafters simply have too much STUFF and no amount of organisation can fix that. If you’re looking to declutter or downsize your stash, I’ve found a way for you to create a Clutter Free craft room in just 15 minutes a day. These simple ideas will help you transform your craft room into a space you love.
Learn more about Creating a Clutter Free Craft Room in my course here.

12 Easy Summer Scrapbook Pages + Fun FREE Cut File.

Hey Creatives!

How are you all? Gwen with you on the blog today, and I have something I’ve been asked about A LOT! I’m frequently getting messages for ideas on Easy Summer Scrapbook Pages you can make with cut files. So I thought, why not give you a whole bunch of Summer layout ideas to get you inspired! Cut Files really are so flexible and useful, which is why I love them so much and like many of you, I have a bunch of Summer photos to Scrapbook so let’s combine the two to get you inspired!

Grab your FREE Summer SVG File here:

First up though, do you love FREEBIES? Make sure you sign up for our Cut File lovers Newsletters, I send free SVG designs every month, so you will want to jump on that! You can sign up HERE.

12 Easy Summer Scrapbook Pages + Fun FREE Cut File.

Now, onto the ideas I have for you… I challenge you to give them all a try!

#1 Add a Sun Burst element to your page. OK, so I know technically this one isn’t a ‘Summer’ page, BUT nothing says summer like a burst of Sunshine right? This simple detail has been added using a 12×12 Mask and a pretty pink shade of mixed media spray from my stash. Love the title for this page? It’s our ‘You Are Special‘ design which you can grab for FREE right HERE.

#2 Think Sunshine and Cute Clouds For this page, I’ve featured the ‘Sunny Skies‘ background cut nice and large as a starting point. I adore the sweet open clouds in this cut file which you can back with pattern paper OR leave open to show off your background. I’ve gone with a mix of open and backed clouds in this layout.

#3 Rainbows for the win. Not all Summer layouts need to have photos on the beach and Sunshine. This layout documents a Summer holiday using soft pastel supplies and this sweet ‘Rainbow Love‘ cut file design. The addition of the bright yellow Sun die cut and sweet raindrop pattern paper by Cocoa Vanilla Studio really pull this page together.

#4 Flowers work in every season. For this layout, I’ve pulled out bright and happy supplies and backed the ‘Simply Floral Pendent‘ design in all the colours. This design works best cut nice and large and is quick and easy to back. It’s also a fun way to use up paper scraps. Mix and match your bright papers and add in fun Summer die cuts like these sunglasses to pull the page together.

#5 Summer Ombre. It’s not just the ‘Summer Vibes‘ title that screams Summer on this page, it’s that stunning ombre background. I just adore the sunset feel to this page created by adding a clean white Sun shaped cut file on top of the bright background. This page came together in no time as it didn’t need a lot of embellishing after the large cut file detail had been added. I am also really loving the open space that has been left in the photo. The horizon really feels like it stretches out across the page.

#6 Say it in your title. Cut file titles like this ‘Summer Days‘ design are such a great deal! Super inexpensive when compared to alternative alphabets, they can tell the story of your layout in one or two words simply and easily. I’ve backed this one in a single piece of pattern paper and added directly to the background of my page. I’ve then simply added my photo and some die cut elements and the page was complete.

#7 Double it up! For this layout, the large feature cut file ‘Go See Do‘ is the perfect height for my two 4×4 photos. I love how the large title balances out the two photos to create a very centred design. This might be a Traveller’s Notebook cut file, but backed with bright Summer pattern papers, it fits on this 12 x 12 layout perfectly.

#8 White on White. There is something striking about a white cut file on a white background. This cut file ‘Open Leaf‘ is a great choice as the extra detail in the design really set the page off. It adds real texture and interest that I just love and helps the black elements on this page to really pop!

#9 Cut out of pattern paper. This cut file design ‘Scallop Banners‘ has been cut from pattern paper. Not only does it add a striking element to the page, but saves you creating time. No need to back, simply add directly onto your page, add photos and a few embellishments and you are done!

#10 On a dark background. Placing white cut files over a dark or bold background adds a striking element to any page. For this layout, I’ve used the ‘Sunshine background‘ design cut in a lovely ombre pattern paper and then layered the ‘Lazy Summer Days‘ title on top.

#11 Soft and Sweet. Summer layouts don’t have to be filled with bright and bold colours, often I love to use softer tones for a washed out Summer look. This happy snap of my daughter and I was calling for pastels, teamed with a fun title cut file ‘Vacay Mode‘ I love the relaxed feel to this page.

#12 To help create a scene. The photo in this layout was taken on a sailing boat, but you can’t really tell that from the photo, especially at first glance. The ‘Set Sail‘ cut file design really helps the viewer to get a feel for where the photo was taken, it helps set the scene for this fun Summer layout.

BONUS! #13 As a large background feature. The ‘Makin Waves‘ cut file used here really creates a striking element on this simple page design. It’s simply been cut in white cardstock and then coloured with tones of Blue and Green and then layered onto the background. I’ve then added this sweet photo of my husband and I on family vacation and some ocean inspired embellishments to finish off the page.

And there you have it… some really fun Summer layout projects you can create with your Cricut or Silhouette machine and CUT to YOU cut files. You can shop all of these design here and if you haven’t already, grab your FREE design by signing up to our cut file lovers newsletter here.

I hope this list really helps to give you some ideas for creating with the designs, they really are so versatile!

Until next time,

10 Back to School Scrapbooking Ideas + FREE Cut File.

Hey Creatives!

How are you all? Gwen with you on the blog today, and I have something fun to share. We are about to kick off our Summer holidays here in Australia and with school finishing up, I’ve actually been ordering books for next year and planning out my daughters subject selections. It won’t be long before we are all talking about heading back to school, so if you’re looking for Fun and Easy School themed Scrapbook Page Ideas you’ve come to the right place! Like many of you, I have a bunch of school-themed photos to Scrapbook so let’s get you inspired!

Grab your FREE Special SVG File here:

First up though, do you love FREEBIES? Make sure you sign up for our Cut File lovers Newsletters, I send free SVG designs every month, so you will want to jump on that! You can sign up HERE.

10 Back to School Scrapbooking Ideas + FREE Cut File.

Now, onto the ideas I have for you… I challenge you to give them all a try!

#1 Your FREE cut file design. OK, so I know technically this one isn’t a ‘School-themed’ page, BUT I wanted to get you some inspiration using the free SVG design I mentioned above. This layout documents a sweet mother/daughter moment. Love the title for this page? It’s our ‘You Are Special‘ design which you can grab for FREE right HERE. You could replicate this layout with a photo from a simple moment on a morning before school. What a lovely reminder to the student in your family to inspire them throughout their day.

#2 Documenting Class and Teacher details. I love documenting big and small details of school life. For this layout, I wanted to document my daughters school teacher and class details, they are hidden away underneath the cut file I’ve used on the background of this page. Cut file is called ‘School Books‘ which I’ve cut nice and large and then backed with pretty pattern papers. You could add in all kinds of details behind your book here, it’s a great way journal or document details in your photo.

#3 Documenting Progress through the grades. It’s obviously important to document each grade your student is in, but I also believe it’s also good to document where they are on their school journey. I created the cut file featured here to be able to do just that. It is called ‘Grade School‘ and the idea behind this one is to have the word ‘Grade’ at the top in one pattern paper and then to highlight the appropriate number each year. This design really is one that can be used over and over to document progress though each year level at school. For this layout, I was also keen to document my husband taking pictures by our front door, this is a real family tradition we have run with, so the journalling on this layout will talk more about our daughters progress through the grades at school and how she has grown and developed.

#4 Documenting School Sports. For this layout, I wanted to document a sports award my daughter achieved. I was not able to attend the sports event, so I snapped a couple of pictures as soon as we arrived home, making sure to take a close up of her medallion. To help tell my story, I’ve used the ‘Banner Trio‘ cut file design to replicate sports flags. For the title of my page I’ve used ‘Thickers’ to spell out the type of award she won.

#5 One for the Book lovers. There is no doubt that school life means a lot of reading and study. For my daughter, it also means a lot fun as she is real book worm. For this layout, I wanted to document a lovely moment she fell asleep reading with our pet cat. I actually created this SVG design for this very layout. It’s called ‘Book Lover‘ and consists of a title and some super fun books.

#6 Documenting Awards and Certificates. It’s not everyday that your little ones are awarded class prizes and certificates so these moments really are nice to document. It’s not always possible to get to the presentation so why not take a pic outside the class room to document this special achievement. This layout features our ‘Stars N Stripes‘ design and plays on the idea of being a SUPER Star!

#7 Selfie Love! There isn’t always someone handy to take a happy snap at school, so why not snap a quick selfie. I find the ones the kids take to be extra special. This fun photo was taken as a sneaky selfie in an open class parents were invited to attend to see student work. I just love how fun and playful it is. Cut file design featured is ‘Floral Tags‘ which I’ve added into my paper layers.

#8 School Adventures. Not all learning experiences happen at school. For my daughter, school camp in Year 6 was a big deal, exciting and scary all wrapped up in one. It was really important for me to document all of these feelings along with the details of the camp. This photo was taken in the early hours of the morning just before she boarded a bus, looking at this page brings back so many memories!! I’ve created a pretty floral cluster to embellish this page featuring cut file leaves, for my layers. This cut file design is called ‘Leaf Duo‘ and can extend floral die cut pieces in your stash beautifully. Pre-cut out a bunch of these, I know you’ll find them handy as you are creating.

#9 Schools out for Summer. This layout celebrates summer vacay!!! There is nothing quite like that moment when school is out and it’s time for some fun 🙂 The best students are those who know how to work hard and can also rest and enjoy the Summer break. Cut file featured here is our ‘Vacay Mode‘ title design.

#10 Sticking with tradition. For this layout, I’m featuring a photo that is a real family tradition. Each year on the first day of school, I photograph my daughter standing on the front step of our house. As it’s turned out, we have lived here her whole life and it is so lovely to see the same door and background in each photo and simply watch her grow! I’ve featured here an exclusive cut file from our CUT of the MONTH Members club called ‘Eucalyptus Wreath’. If you’re looking for more info on that you’ll find more info here.

I hope this list really helps to give you some ideas for documenting school memories with SVG files, they really are so versatile!

Until next time,