Joy's Top 6 Adhesives for Scrapbooking and Cardmaking!

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is about adhesive.

It's so upsetting when projects start to fall apart and that can happen if you don't use the right adhesive.  Been there, done that!

After a lot of experimentation, I have come up with a list of my top SIX favorite adhesives for cardmaking and scrapbooking, along with links to purchase. This way, you know where to find everything!

1) Scotch ATG Adhesive Gun - Model 714
  This cute pink adhesive gun is an absolute MUST HAVE tool!  Yes, it's large but you won't lose it on your craft room table.  Each roll of double sided tape holds 36 yards (versus the typical 36 feet you normally get in adhesive).  This adhesive really sticks so be careful lining up your projects.  You can buy tape that is repositionable, acid free, regular (non-acid free), etc.  I like this size of adhesive (1/4") as it can also go on the back of ribbon to stick it down because it's not too wide.  Very quickly, you will recoup the money you spent for the adhesive gun itself.  I can't recommend this enough for all your general papercrafting projects.



Wondering where to get refills for this fabulous tool?  Look no further.

  These refills are on sale at Scrapbook.com for $6.19 for TWO rolls - great pricing!!  Click HERE to get these!

2) Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Glue
  I absolutely LOVE this glue.  I use it all the time to piece my Cricut layers together.  It works well with all kinds of papers - including glitter paper!  I have 3 bottles of it on my desk right now (God forbid I run out!).  It is much more cost effective than running things through the Xyron - though that has it's place (see below).



3) Xyron "X" Sticker Maker
  This little guy is great for those teeny tiny pieces that the Cricut sometimes cuts out for you to layer. Little eyeballs, the dot of the "i", skinny letters, etc. all are much more manageable once you run them through this little machine.  It actually creates a sticker out of those items (i.e. puts sticky on one side of the piece).  A fairly inexpensive tool that packs a punch.




4) Glue Dots
  Need to stick a button on a bow?  How about a glue dot?  Need to layer flowers and don't want to use a brad - glue dots are your answer.  What about sticking buttons to the fronts of cards? Glue Dots. Want to make a ribbon ruffle?  Glue dots are key to doing that.  So many uses for glue dots - you've got to have a roll handy!  They come in different sizes and different thicknesses.  Frankly, they solve so many gluing problems it's hard to live without them!



5) Pop Dots
How about some adhesive to make your projects pop up?  Adding some dimension to your focal point of your card or layout gives you project pizazz (when was the last time you heard that word???)!  But seriously, folks, it really takes a project from plain to "WOW!".  I show some 3-D pop dots below for example and a link to buy them but you can also find them at the regular big box stores like Michaels, Joanns, etc.

Click HERE to buy the pop dots - on sale now for less than $2!

6) Scor-Tape
  Need to make some cute party boxes or bags?  Scor-Tape is the answer!  Those bags and boxes require a little more hardiness than the Scotch ATG can deliver.  Scor-Tape is super strong and super sticky. Not only that, it can be torn, thereby making it lots easier to use. I highly recommend this for those 3-D projects!



What are your favorite adhesives?  Let me know in the comments below.  I would love to hear!

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