All the Memories | 10 tools for memory keepers

As a memory-keeping system, Project Life can be as simple or as complicated as you need or want it to be. Becky says it’s as simple as just using an album, pocket pages, and a core kit with your photos. But as a scrapbooker turned Project Lifer, I still like to mix things up and add a creative aspect to my memory keeping.

Since we talked about using pocket scrapbooking to document memories last week, I thought it would be apt to share my favorite memory keeping tools which I use when doing pocket scrapbooking.

Aside from my camera which is (obviously) what I use to capture memories, here’s a list of my favorite essentials, the tools which help me to get stuff done. This list is different from my list of favorite embellishments, which I’ll share in another post.

Top 10 tools for Memory Keepers:

1. Paper trimmer

Like what a trimmer is supposed to do, I use this to trim my photos and Project Life cards. I have the EK Success Cutterpede trimmer.

2. Cutter Bee scissors

This scissors is incredibly sharp. Since I don’t have a Silhouette (it’s on my wishlist though!), this Cuttlebee is my lifesaver for cutting whatever I need.

3. Tiny Attacher

I used a regular stapler for the longest time. But I’d heard so many good things about the Tiny Attacher that I finally decided to take the plunge when my local scrapbook store had them in stock. And I love it. It can staple through (almost) anything (including wood veneers!) and it’s so easy to use.

4. Punches

These give me the perfect circles in various sizes. The squeeze punches from Fiskars are my favorite, but I also have one from American Crafts which is also good.

5. Corner rounder

So far, my spreads have a mix of square and rounded corners. But when I decide that I want rounded corners, this is super handy.

6. Project Life cards/core kits

In addition to photos, Project Life cards help me to fill in the gaps and give me a place to include all my journaling.

7. White cardstock

I purchased a whole stack of these and use them regularly for printing my weekly title cards and digital cards.

8. Zig pen/Sharpie

These are my go-to pens for journaling and adding text to my photos.

9. Printables

Although I have one core kit and several mini kits, I love using printables from Paislee Press and One Little Bird, which add another fun element to my spreads. I also like using free printables that I find online.

10. Adhesive

Each has a different purpose, but I generally use glue tape for photos and paper, glue dots or liquid glue for smaller elements, and foam dots for dimension.

While you obviously don’t need all these tools to document or be a memory keeper, these are my personal must-haves. These go-to tools definitely help me to get the job done a lot quicker and more efficiently, leaving me with more time to create memories for documenting!

What are your must-have tools for memory keeping? Let me know in the comments!

Missed the other posts in this series? You can catch up on them here:

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All the Memories is a blog series talking about all things memory keeping – from memory keeping ideas to answering your questions. This is the year to get those memories documented!