Important if you are in a swap with me - I don't own any of the cool tools

[bigsis1970]

Hi girls - I notice alot of you have cricuts, sizzix, quickuts ect to make shapes, letters, animals, all the fun stuff I long to have but do not.. do you mind being in swaps with people who don't have that kind of stuff.. I mean I have been looking at some of the swap stuff you all have been doing and am now thinking that my stuff might be considered sub par when recieved as it won't have paper piercing type things because I don't own one of those of machines and I have to use stickers mostly not punched letters again no cool tools.. I don't want anyone to be waiting for my items then be disappointed do you get what I mean?? and if you do mind please let me know I won't take it personally honestly I don't want to waste my time if you think they are not up to standard

 

[jennyL]

Michelle I have no problems swapping with someone without the cool tools. I have a couple of the tools but there are plenty of times I just print out a title or stamp one. I've been in plenty of swaps where some really great work has been done without the help of an aid. Please keep participating.

 

[rlovew]

Some of my most used swap items are simple mats with riboons and flowers on them. I use my craftrobo for lots of my swaps but I don't expect everyone to do the same and I like seeing all the different things. As far as letters go I use it because it is much less expensive.

Rebecca

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Paper, paper, paper.
I believe it is all about the paper.
Quality paper is much preferred over cool tools.

Simple, elegant, and understated are very nice to have, along with all the cool cutted items.

Most of the elements you made for the resort swap were very nice, so I don't see a problem with anything you will make in the future.

 

[Faerie]

Totally agree AWM! I see such a difference now that I use Bazzill almost all the time (while still getting rid of the older, not as nice stuff)

 

[Mickster]

I don't have any of the cool tools and my stuff seems to be ok. No one has complained yet.

 

[hopemax]

I do have a Sizzix. It's the only cool tool I own. Does make nice tags. Most of my stuff is still done by wielding a pair of scissors, Xacto knife and paper trimmer though.

 

[ddavis860]

Well, I guess I have some of the cool tools, but I still use my scissors alot for clip art, and print titles with my puter. For me, I think it's the creativity that counts... along with the glue choice (no elmers...don't ask...).

Honestly, I wish I could apologize for my first swaps No one ever said anything to me, but I was sooooo clueless. I think I do better now, but those first few, I'm not so sure...

 

[missesdisney]

I do have a Sizzix. It's the only cool tool I own. Does make nice tags. Most of my stuff is still done by wielding a pair of scissors, Xacto knife and paper trimmer though.

Hope says it all - look at how much her work is in demand!

I'm happy to have you in my swap without any cool tools - I like stickers and ribbons and flowers on my stuff. I have a regular cricut (those expression girls and wishbladers and such have even cooler tools) and a sizzix with a few dies but I've lately been doing a lot with the computer and bazzil. Yes -I am hooked on that paper!

Can't wait to see what you are doing!

Maria

 

[clh2]

For me - I LOVE to see what others are doing with or without cool tools. I love to see different color combinations than I would normally pick out. I love to get ideas from all you creative souls who DON'T need cool tools.

 

[calanniebu]

Honestly, I wish I could apologize for my first swaps No one ever said anything to me, but I was sooooo clueless. I think I do better now, but those first few, I'm not so sure...

I feel the same way. I have quickutz and sizzix but those don't help me as much with specific disney stuff. My first swaps were HORRIBLE but you've to start somewhere, right?

 

[TPCShauna]

I don't think anyone minds swapping with someone who uses their creativity to do fun things. I just love seeing the different ideas that people come up with. Everyone's perspective is so different and you might create items for something from a completely different place that makes someone else completely re-think something.

I know that I, personally, have been in several swaps with you and I have used several of your items on my pages. In fact, I just used some of your cute tags and squares from an Epcot swap a long time ago. They were great and I loved them.

I think we all second guess our stuff. I know I do when I get AWM's amazing fiber work on a piece or SusieStone's stuff. I do totally agree with AWM that it is all about the paper you use for your stuff. I think the simplest things look amazing when you use quality paper. I know that my first pieces were not nearly as nice as the stuff I make or get now and I would be amazed to see anyone use them.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that quality and attention to detail are way more important than fancy tools or diecut letters. I would MUCH rather get a Bazzill photo mat that is cut with straight lines, matted straight and embellished with a cute flower than a fancy diecut whatever made from crappy paper.

Mickster mentioned that she doesn't have any of the fancy tools and her camping file folder for my Scout Swap were some of the cutest I've seen. It's all in the details!!!

 

[MazdaUK]

hear hear! I don't have any cool tools either - if it doesn't come from CM (and isn't a punch or a stamp - and not many of those) I don't have it. I have a Xyron PCS but very rarely use it - for letters for a month swap (because otherwise you tend to run out of Es or somehting else vital), but even then I often print titles for toppers on my computer - there's so many cool fonts, and I've only got a really basic one on my PCS.

Good cardstock (doesn't have to be Bazzil - its nice but eats blades ), good paper and a tidy finish (no glue everywhere). That's what matters.

You won't find anyone complaining about the quality of your work on here, unless they don't receive it by the deadline.

 

[bigsis1970]

You girls a sooo AWESOME thanks so much - that makes me feel much better about what I make and send out.. (still wishing for cool tools however) I do use my Xacto knife alot as well same with punches, stamps and stickers.. I was really second guessing because I haven't swapped in forever.. bunches of hugs to all you lovely ladies

 

[patchchild]

I really like the variety of items that comes from swapping. Some cool tools, some elegent and carefully crafted paper matches or embossing. A mix is good. Sometimes, I worry that if I had all the cool tools, I'd get lazy on other aspects of my scrapping.

Here's to a lack of tools!