If Stranded With 3 Tools

If stranded with 3 tools... I wondered - if asked, what Fiskars trimmer, scissors, and other tool of their choice would the design team choose to take if stranded? Also, what would they create with the tools? Instead of simply wondering, I asked five designers to answer the question and share a project that primarily features the three tools they chose. The results are as diverse as the team itself. Check it out- Designer: Katrina Simeck This was such a fun question to answer! “If I were stranded with just 1 trimmer, 1 pair of scissors, and 1 other tool, I’d want…” So first, let’s just clarify that by “stranded”, I mean enjoying a weekend with no children, no chores, and lots of chocolate. So, imagine that was the scenario when I created this layout… I love simple layouts like this where the photo really takes center stage.  The Fiskars 12-inch Portable Trimmer is my go-to trimmer. I do like clean lines, and this trimmer makes it easy for me to ensure that my photos & paper all line up. You’ll also see rounded corners on many (okay…all!) of my layouts, so the Fiskars Round the Bend Corner Squeeze Punch is a must for me. My scissor pick would have to be the Fiskars Non Stick No 5 scissors. These scissors are great for cutting out small shapes…like the tree trunk on this layout. These three tools are always sitting on my scrap table. Since I use them all the time, there’s really no need to put them away! I have to admit, it’s hard to just limit myself to one “other” tool. I’d probably try to sneak several Round n’ Round squeeze punches, and a That’s Amore squeeze punch into my bag. No sense being stranded without good tools! Designer: Kendra McCracken After the initial panic at the thought of being caught so bare bones in the tool department, I realized I really do rely on a few tools quite a bit more than the others. And I quickly narrowed it down to the Desktop Rotary Trimmer, the No. 8 Razor-Edged™ Scissors, and the Ultra ShapeXpress Starter Set 1. I used these 3 tools and some fabric scraps to create a set of coasters. I don't know if most people really think about it or not, but the blades used in the Fiskars Rotary Trimmers are the same blades used in Fiskars Rotary Cutters. This means the Rotary Trimmers will not only cut paper splendidly, they will cut fabric! I like to use them to cut fabric for smaller projects as using the arm of the trimmer as a guide is faster and easier than using an acrylic ruler, a cutting mat, and a rotary cutter. The Ultra Shape Express Starter Set is another common go-to for me. The templates, in addition to being used with the Ultra Shape Express Cutting Tool can be used for countless techniques. This time I used them to create a cut-out on the surface layer of my coasters to allow a patterned fabric layered beneath to show through. After adhering fusible interfacing to the back side of a 4" square of muslin, I used the grid on the template to center the heart on my fabric. And I finished by using my No. 8 Razor-Edged™ Scissors to cut around the outline. I use these scissors more than any other scissors in my arsenal because they are, as the name says, razor sharp making for clean, even, fast cuts every time. To assemble the coasters, I layered the following materials starting from bottom to top: 4 1/4" square of muslin 4" square of felt 4 1/4" square of patterned fabric 4" square of fusible interfacing fused to a 4" square of muslin After stitching around the perimeter of each coaster and the heart and adding some decorative touches to the center of each heart, my coasters were complete and ready to use! Designer: Lisa Falduto If I were stranded I'd want my Fiskars Premium Crafters trimmer, Fiskars No. 5 Micro-tip scissors, and my Fiskars Oopsie Daisy L and XL Squeeze punches. I have a friend who has a "monumental" birthday coming up and I want to create something that is cheery, bright, and fun to hold her birthday gift.  I saw this clear pail and decided it would be perfect.  You can see how I used my Fiskars Oopsie Daisy L and XL squeeze punches to create layers of flowers that follow the curves I created using my Fiskars Wave tear edger to make the patterned paper bottom.  Then in the center of each flower I popped some  Cloud 9 Rain Dots. To top things off (literally) I used the Fiskars Circle cutter to create 2 sized circles for the cover and then again used my Fiskars L and XL Oopsie Daisy squeeze punches to create a blue flower that I attached in the center of my circles. The last thing I wanted to add to my pail is a little Birthday tag.  I created this using my Fiskars Ultra Shapexpress along with the Fiskars Tags template. I completed the tag by creating 3 colored flowers for my tag using the Fiskars Flower Pop Up punch which is a perfect match for the Fiskars Oopsie Daisy squeeze punches.  I also created a small 4"x4" gift card to include with my birthday pail.  I simply used my Fiskars Premium Crafters trimmer to cut strips of patterned paper and place them on the 4"x4" white cardstock.  Then I added faux stitching using a black journaling pen to each panel.  Finally I punched and layered more Fiskars Oopsie Daisy Squeeze punch flowers and placed them on the card over the top of a 4" piece of pink ribbon which I cut and trimmed using my Fiskars No. 5 Micro-tip Scissors. I now have a complete birthday ensemble perfect for a cheery birthday gift! Designer:  Lisa Storms If I were stranded, I’d want the Portable Rotary Trimmer, Softgrip No. 5 Micro-tip Scissors with Oversized Handles, and the Letters 1 Shape Template with the Ultra ShapeXpress.  The Portable Rotary Trimmer is not only both great for projects on-the-go, but its ability to switch out different decorative and functional blades makes it an exceptionally versatile all-star.  The Softgrip No. 5 Micro-tip Scissors with Oversized Handles are both very comfortable and perfect for detailed precision cutting.  The Letters 1 Shape Template assures that I will have the entire alphabet and all numbers at hand for any project, provides rounded corners, and creates fun paper piecing opportunities by repurposing letter and number shapes. I always seem to be searching for scraps of paper to jot notes, so I decided to create a handy notepad for my desk that is both fun and functional.  These cute notepads would also be great for handcrafted, useful gifts.  Here I have shown two different toppers demonstrating creative and unexpected uses for the Letters 1 template.  The cheerful flower is a combination of the letters U and C adhered around the center of a O using Glue Dots.  With a play on words, a musical instrument makes a clever embellishment for a "note" pad.  You'd never think this guitar started as a number 8 from the Letters 1 template.  Other Fiskars tools that give this guitar character are the wood grain texture plate, scalloped decorative edgers, and rectangle hand punch.  The Softgrip No. 5 Micro-Tip Scissors made the detailed cuts easily.  I put interchangeable blades to work on my Portable Rotary Trimmer by both scalloping the bottom edge of each sheet and adding a perforated tear line 1.25" from the top.  I clamped my pages together for easy drilling. To give a polished finish, I added a punched rectangle to the top and bound the pad with simple embroidery floss.  All that is left to do is add a topper and enjoy. Designer: Patti Milazzo If I were stranded somewhere with just my trimmer, a pair of scissors, and 1 other Fiskars tool then it would have to be my Round ‘n Round Squeeze Punches.  They are my favorite tools hands down.  Actually any Fiskars tools that can create circles rank at the top of my list of must have tools including the Ultra ShapeXpress Tool with the Cirlce Shape Template and the Super Size Circle Shape Templates, oh and don’t forget the Pop-Up Circle Punch….I love that too!  Circles are by far the shape I incorporate most into almost every project I make.  And Fiskars tools can cut and punch circles from 1” to 8” so it’s no surprise I’d have to tote these circle tools along with me anywhere I go! On this layout of my little guy I punched and cut lots of circles from patterned paper and cardstock.  I crumpled and inked them then I slightly off-set and layered the circles from top to bottom along the right side of the page and stitched down through the center.  After printing out my journaling on white cardstock I also cut this into a circle using the Ultra ShapeXpress Tool and Circle Shape Template and then adhered that on top of the others. Another thing I like to do with my Round ‘n Round Squeeze Punches is create lopsided rings like the one made from striped pattern paper on the left side of the layout.  I start by Squeeze Punching a smaller circle first.  Then with the negative piece of paper, I Squeeze Punch a larger circle around the negative.  Other ways to use Fiskars circle tools are to trace circles from the Shape Templates with a pencil then draw dots over the lines with a fine tip pen.  And you can make rings from these tools as well – like the large red cardstock ring at the top left of the page.  Simply cut your smaller shape first, then the larger.  I used the Super Size Circle Templates for this then stitched around it before adhering the grid pattern paper on top. I couldn’t do without my circle tools…I just couldn’t! If you were stranded, what tools would you bring? By fiskars design team