Teri Anderson
How about another day of Tool talk? (In case you missed it, yesterday we had a blast talking about the Sew Easy tool. Check it out!)
Today, I’m talking about paper crimpers. (Psst. Turn to pages 101-103 of your Cool Tools for Paper Crafters issue to see more projects that used paper crimpers!)
These tools are a staple in the crafting world. Chances are if you don’t have one of these, one of your crafting buddies does.
These are fairly inexpensive tools (they usually cost around $20) that allow you to add texture to paper.
They consist of two crimping wheels. You apply pressure to the wheels to bring them together and then roll paper through them. That in turn gives the paper a crimped texture.
Here’s a breakdown of how the whole process works:
1. Start by placing a piece of paper in the crimping tool. You want to bring feed it through the arrows.
2. Use one hand to squeeze the bottom handle of the tool. This will bring the two crimping wheels together.
3. Use the other hand to turn the handle on the side. This will roll the wheels and push the paper out.
4. The end result: a crimped piece of paper!
This is an addicting tool, if I do say so myself. Once you’ve used it once, you want to use it again and again.
And the cool thing with the crimping tool is you are not limited to just using it with cardstock. You can use patterned paper, foil, metal, cardboard and chipboard, diecuts, chipboard letters and stickers with it. You can even use fabric. Just remember to adhere the fabric to cardstock with strong two-way tape first before you attempt to crimp it.
This tool is so fun!
With a little creativity, you can do so much with it.
Here are three projects I created with it:
I cut long skinny strips from patterned paper and ran them through my paper crimper. I then used glue and staples to fashion them into a heart.
I ran pieces of thin metal tape to make the shiny background in the frame on this card. I first ran them through the crimper vertically. To give them a grid pattern, I then ran them through the crimper horizontally.
Finally, I ran patterned paper through the crimper to make the circles here. Once I crimped the paper, I cut it into circles and then used a sanding block to slightly distress the paper.
Want a crimper to call your own? Thanks to the kind folks from Fiskars, you could soon be the owner of one. Tell me the three tools you use most when you paper craft by Thursday, January 12 at 5 PM MST and you could be the lucky winner!
Teri Anderson
Paper Crafts Go-to Gal
PS. Looking for even more ideas on how to use a paper crimper? Hit my blog. I’m sharing a few more over there today.
the three tools I used most when I papercraft:
Big Shot, paper trimmer, ATG
I use very often my cricut, paper trimmer and corner rounder
The three tools I use most are:
Paper trimmer
Spellbinders dies
ATG
What cute cards!
I’m a little bit boring: I use Spellbinder dies, my trimmer and punches the most. Thanks for the inspiration.
I don’t have too many exciting tools, but I often use my Cricut, my punches, and my Cuttlebug.
I use my craft knife with self-healing mat and my Big Shot the most.
Thanks for the great tips–gird pattern=genius
LOL!! Time to dig this out and play with it again!!!
I always reach for embossing folders, dies and punches. I love the look of the crimped materials, and the texture they lend to a project. A crimper would be a great addition to my tool stash!!
I use my scor pal, edger punches, and my dies the most. A crimper would be a great addition!
LOVE these projects Teri! I have one of those and I haven’t used it for years. Thanks for the inspiration!
I LOVE these projects. In well over a decade of crafting I have NEVER owned a paper crimper. It might just be time for me to buy one!
I use my paper cutter, punches, and cropodile
The tools I use most often are: my non-stick scissors, Fiskar’s paper slicer, and my stamp cleaning thingee.
My Big Shot, paper trimmer, and sewing machine!
Love those hearts!!! Great ideas, thanks. I use my Silhouette, my paper trimmer and the Cuttlebug the most.
I would have to say that I mostly use the same tools over and over. I have seen crimpers, but have never bought one. Now I see that I’ve been missing out on dimension all these years! I need one now. Thanks a lot Teri! Just kidding. You can redeem yourself by awarding me the prize. Again, just kidding
But I wouldn’t turn it down…..Anyway, I use my Cropodile a ton, scissors of course, and some of my favorite paper punches.
I’m sure if I had more tools-I’d use them all. The most important thing I use is my imagination, but since that’s not really a tool-here are the three I use most: my AGT, my paper trimmer and a ruler.
Sherry
I am so glad that you ladies are focusing on tools! I need to know how to use what I have, and what I need. I use my scissors a lot, my heat gun (it’s broken right now, though), and my fringe scissors.
Great cards & ideas! My top 3 tools are: Cuttlebug, paper trimmers (big & small) and heat embossing tool.
I use my paper cutter, my stamps and ink, and lots of punches. Rulers and glue (glue dots, double-sided tape) are always available also.
Cool techniques with a paper crimper. The three tools I use most are my paper cutter, scoring board and corner rounder.
I love my Big Shot, Silhouette Cameo, and heat tool!
PS–thanks for posting about the crimper! It is awesome and often over-looked. Love the crimped heart idea–I think I will use that idea for this month’s card club! Thanks again!
my personal paper trimmer, cuttlebug & dies & my tape runner daily
I’d love to get my hands on a paper crimper…you’ve shown some great ideas here and on your blog, Teri!
When I papercraft my favorite tools to use are a Fiskars paper trimmer and Fiskars scissors…with my various Crop-A-Dile/Corner Chompers and Fiskars punches and Spellbinders dies in a three-way-tie for third place.
- Tifany
Proud Fiskateer #5942
Paper trimmer, scissors, and adhesive. That’s what you were asking about right?
About the crimper…I love the heart card. I didn’t realize the heart was fashioned out of crimped paper strips. I thought it looked like cookie cutters.
One problem I have when using the crimper is that my paper gets crooked, maybe I’m feeding it wrong, I don’t know.
Love the ideas of using fabric and thin metal and chipboard. Stickers too? I gotta go try out these great ideas!
My go to tools are my trimmer, corner rounder punch and my Cricut!
Carol B
ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com
My paper trimmer, my big shot, and my punches
)
Thanks so much for the fabulous ideas! You projects are wonderfully creative and you’ve inspired me to pull out my crimper again. It’s been some time since I’ve used it.
My 3 top tools are my Cricut, my Cuttlebug and my paper trimmer.
trimmer, corner rounder, hole punch
Great projects, the crimper looks like it would be fun to play with. The three tools I use the most are a paper cutter, punches, and scissors. Thanks for the chance. Hugs
I am a newbie to card making so I really don’t have three favs yet. Would love to win this crumpet because I am still in the stage of acquiring tools and supplies. Would love any info on what tools to begin with and tools to buy in the figure as I become more fimiliar with card making. Thanks for any info!!!
Ooooo…fantastic giveaway!!! My mom has one of those, and I never found myself using it that much! But this really inspires me! I think the 3 tools I use the most are my Cricut, paper cutter, and scissors – although there are LOTS more!!!
I use my paper trimmer, cricut, and stamps!
wow…. the circles kinda look like holograms lol
Love that little heart out of the crimped paper strips. That may put me over the edge toward buying a crimper! I think the things I use the most are my paper trimmer, my Big Shot, and my fiskars shape cutter (I use mostly the circles and that may change b/c I just got nestie circles, but I also use round-edged squares, hearts, and occasionally letters/numbers).
Punches, Provo Craft trimmer and MM Slice design cutter! Thanks for sharing!
This crimper looks like such fun (Love your first card especially)! The 3 tools I reach for the most are my Fiskars trimmer (I want one of the new ones… of course) my Compact Stamp Press and my heat gun! Thanks for yet another chance to win!
Wonderful post! I use my Score pal, Glue Arts adhesive, and Making Memories destressing tool.
Your cards are beautiful! I think I need a crimper! My top 3 tools are: with my Vagabond – steel rule dies & embossing folders, and my heat tool.
Hmmmm just three… My paper trimmer, white signo gel pen and my Slice.
The three tools I use the most are my Cricut, Martha Stewart scoring board and punches/stamps. I would love to win this crimper. Thanks for the chance. we do charity card making and this would be great to have to add som different things to the cards we make. Keeping my fingers crossed. LOL
The 3 tools I use most are my trimmer, my non stick scissors, & my adhesive runner
Cool tool! And this is in my very long wish list
My 3 fave tools are my Fiskars paper trimmer, Fiskars punches and my Cuttlebug. I would love to win this!!! Love this tutorial Teri.TY!
Love my Slice, my paper trimmer, and my Martha Stewart large circle cutter!
Lovely projects! Especially love the heart card you created! TY for the instructions and chance to win one of these paper crimpers! ;o)
The three tools i use most are my paper trimmer, a corner punch and my scoring board.
Three tools I use the most are my Cuttlebug, Embossing Folders and Nesties.
I think that scissors and trimmer are a given, but I still want to mention the small 8.5 inch Tonic trimmer. I use this every time I paper craft. It is so handy for trimming photos or mats or smaller pieces for card making. Can you tell I love it, lol? The other two most used tools are tweezers and the EK Success adhesive eraser.