What tools and techniques does Hilary Erickson recommend for effective scrapbooking?

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Hilary Erickson

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Updated May 7, 20261 min read

Hilary Ericksontoolstechniquesscrapbooking

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From Hilary Erickson

Hilary Erickson · Accepted Answer

From what I’ve shared on Pulling Curls, here are the main tools and habits I rely on for scrapbooking:

Core tools:
1. A simple paper cutter (I still love my old Fiskars)
2. Tons of cardstock and adhesive (I’m a glue‑stick, glue-and-cardstock girl)
3. Very few “fancy” tools; I try to stay minimalist so I don’t have to store so much.
Style and techniques:
1. Clean, square layouts (I almost never tilt things on angles)
2. Lots of color, but very “anti-flower”
3. Strong journaling – I focus heavily on words and stories
4. Mostly paper scrapping, with some digital elements for things I need multiples of (like cards).
Process tips:
1. Scrap for yourself, not trends
2. Don’t buy every tool; use what you truly love
3. Let the emotional/story side lead, not just the embellishments.

What’s your current scrapbooking setup like (tools, space, and time)?