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. ]

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87 thoughts

  1. Jane Schneider says…
    04/07/2009

    Rub ons, My Mind's Eye papers and my Fiskars rotary trimmer. Over and over and over.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. kaydrenth says…
    04/07/2009

    I love me some Thickers!! Thanks for the heads up about Peachy Cheap!! I always forget to check there.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Darcie says…
    04/07/2009

    For me it's Maya Road Chipboard of any sorts, Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Ink & Blender Tool & AC Slick Writer Pens.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Melinda Montgomery says…
    04/07/2009

    The 3 things I can't live without is my Creative Memories Decorative Trimmer for quick borders, the Creative Memories Hexagon shape for the custom cutting system (so I can fit 7 pictures on a 12 x 12 page) and Letter Stickers. Thanks to Cocoa Daisy I have been introduced to Thickers and so many more Letter stickers. I like the smaller, flatter ones the best. They just spiff up a page so nicely. A close runner-up would be journaling boxes. They make writing the stories for the pictures so much easier.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Heidi H. says…
    04/07/2009

    For me it's punches, 3 dimensional alphabets (could be Thickers or others that are chipboard, plastic, etc), and lasly textured cardstock! Can't scrap without these.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. tami says…
    04/07/2009

    Cant live without paint, Chalk pads, and Swirly stamps. Love them.

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  7. Stephanie says…
    04/07/2009

    I also use the thickers a lot! I use glue dots, and my white gel pen a lot too.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Memories for Life Scrapbooks says…
    04/07/2009

    My go-to 3 are:
    *cardstock
    *patterned paper
    *chipboard letters
    Pretty basic I know...but I don't create a page without them!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Chris M says…
    04/07/2009

    Hi Ali, just letting you know that the 'Ali' scraplifts are up on the Aussie Scrap Source blog, you can see them here: http://aussiescrapsource.typepad.com/aussie_scrap_source/2009/03/scraplift-ali-edwards.html
    My 3 things. Versa Color Pine Cone ink, Carolee's Creations Tiny Alpha stickers and Tombow mono multi glue.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Michelle (aka mybelle101) says…
    04/07/2009

    Well, I love ALL of this week's 3 things, but here are the 3 things I can't seem to create without:
    foam mounting tape...{{love}} the dimension!
    ribbon...projects just seem a bit nakey without it lately
    corner rounders...either for actually rounding corners (gasp) or for creating scalloped edges

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

    I also have three things I use all the time--I journal with a Pentel retractable gel pen...always in black; Stickles (I have only 5 colors but manage to use them on EVERYTHING); and the Fiskars Threading Water punch. I'm a sucker for a good scalloped edge.

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  12. ms.cheryl says…
    04/07/2009

    I bought 2 grab bags from Peachycheap and its all your fault. THANKS. One can never have enough thickers.
    3 things, hmmm, My pink paper trimmer, my pink fiskars scissors,and a little tool from Creating Memories made to lift things( my daughter and I fondly call it Le Tool).
    Thanks Ali, ms.cheryl

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Goddess Leonie | GoddessGuidebook.com says…
    04/07/2009

    Hola lovely Ali ~
    I so love seeing your older scrapbooking work too :)
    It's like being able to witness your evolution as an artist... what stays the same, and what changes :)
    You are such a blessing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Michelle W. says…
    04/07/2009

    Love your favorite things. They're mine too!! I absolutely LOVE thickers, can't get enough of them!! I just tried out those pens recently and love the way they write. And I can't seem to get enough of my border punches. That fiskars one you mentioned is one of my faves. The apron lace (I think that's what it's called) one is another one of my new faves :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Maritza says…
    04/07/2009

    Thickers are my favorite.

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

    Letter stickers, brads, and paper - those are all I really need to make a page I love. On your reccomendation I got the AC Precision Pens and I LOVE them - they are smooth and wonderful to write with.
    When I'm at the store, I just can't get enough letter stickers!

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

    Oh, and 3 ring albums - ever since they "came back" I've been so happy because I never liked the postbound style. Except for small, fixed topic albums, the 3 ring is WAY better in my mind - they hold more and are much more flexible for all that goes on in life!

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

    Brads flowers and buttons. Pattern paper.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Sandy B says…
    04/07/2009

    LOL! I use my MM paper piercer for the same thing! I just had to laugh!
    My 3 are: AC precision pens, Stickles and Thickers.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Tammy McClafferty says…
    04/07/2009

    My 3 faves are: my SU! basic brown ink pad mostly for direct to paper edging but also for backgrounds, elements and titles. I have alsways used fibers of some sort (everyone needs a little fiber!!), but have moved over to ribbons. And my coluzzle, mostly for library pockets lately, oh, and tags.
    Love the page of Simon! It's so wild to see how much they have changed, yet you can still get a glimpse of that little boy in his face today. Enjoy the changes!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Michelle N says…
    04/07/2009

    I use my paper piercer every time I work on a layout. It's the simplest of my tools but the most loved. I also HAVE to have my "readers". I've accepted my eyes can't deal with the teeny tiny details any longer without a little help. Love that I can both make little holes (with my piercer!) and SEE the holes with my readers!

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  22. Jennifer Larson says…
    04/07/2009

    I use kraft paper, my corner rounder, and striped paper. All. the. time.

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

    I love Thickers also, but hate trying to contain them - they always fall off the packaging - does this happen to anyone else?

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. cher says…
    04/07/2009

    Hi..your baby is getting cuter every day! I luv thickers too! We have a store here called The Flower Factory...right now they have thickers in just about any color u want for 3.25...such a deal lol. I also love my corner rounder..I should sleep with it and my crop a dial...don't even get me started on adhesives lol...Cher

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Lisa says…
    04/07/2009

    Enjoyed seeing your 3 favorites BUT really enjoyed seeing Simon as a baby in the layout in this post!!! He has always been a cutie!

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