Disclaimer: We are not affiliated or sponsored by any crafting company. We just Love to Craft! These are sets we’ve purchased and created with on our own.

In Crafty Court today we are defending paper crafting kits. We have occasionally heard of paper crafting kits as being perceived as “not actually crafting.” I think this stereotype comes from the idea that crafting has to be completely original in all aspects. We are here to plead the case of how that is the furthest from the truth.

Kits have a special place in our host’s Savannahs’ heart. Savannah recounts the story in our podcast episode how when she was pregnant in the hospital with serious health concerns. Things were at a point where there was uncertainty of both mom and babies’ health. She was alone in the hospital for a while and Teri (her mom) came to visit. She brought a paper crafting kit. Cards were made, and minds were at ease. Now when she recounts the experience Savannah only remembers the cards, not the intensity of the situation.

Other than this experience, Teri’s favorite memory is when she was moving her military family to Hawaii and knew they’d be in a hotel for up to two months. Since she couldn’t bring all of her craft supplies and it would be distressing to abstain from crafting for that long (even in Hawaii), she gathered a handful of kits and added a few other supplies as a portable and compact craft experience. Teri put different card bases, pretty paper and some stamps in a pink shoe box sized container. The whole experience was delightful and a highlight of living in Hawaii was making cards in the hotel from the kit she assembled.

Now when you are looking for a kit there are different types available on the market. They all have their uses so let’s talk about them!

First is the All-Inclusive Kit

All-inclusive kits include almost everything you need to start as soon as you open the box. Things like adhesive, stamps and ink or pre-printed sentiments, cards bases, ephemera, and embellishments. The projects are preplanned with instructions of which pieces go where to build the exact card they have displayed on the packages. These types of kits you can take with you anywhere because you have everything in the box ready to go.

They’re great for people who are new to the hobby and experienced crafters alike. These kits bring beauty and the joys of crafting without the mental task of preparing. As Savannah experienced and can confirm these kits are excellent for hospital visits. These types of kits are also excellent for people with physical limitations who struggle to use traditional tools.

These kits can either be a one-time purchase or a subscription. Starting with the most affordable all-inclusive kit from Micheal’s for $14.99.

All Occasion Cardmaking Kit by Recollections™ | Michaels

Stampin Up kits are also fun, either from their Kits Collection or the Paper Pumkin subscription box.

The Top Monthly Paper Craft Subscription Box | Paper Pumpkin

Here is an alternate design we made from a valentines paper pumpkin we had

Anna Griffin sells gorgeous high-end versions of all-inclusive kits starting at around $50.

Second kit is Undesigned Coordination

These kits come with matching elements, normally a stack of printed paper, ephemera, cardstock, and maybe some card bases and envelopes. They normally have enough supplies to create cards, but the exact designs are not specified. People who feel confident in cutting paper and making their own layouts will do best with these kits. Teri likes using these types on her scrapbook pages.

Scrapbook.com has around 1,800 of these for sale, mostly in the $12-20 range.

PhotoPlay – Birthday Sparkle Collection – Card Kit

Here is a card Teri Made with mostly ephemera from a scrapbook.com kit

Third is the In-Between Kit

Simon Says Stamp has a monthly subscription that has consumable paper products as well as stamp, dies, and an embossing folder. It’s a fun box to get in the mail, for around $40, plus shipping!

Simon Says Stamp Card Kit of the November Month 2024 Subscription!

Although the products coordinate, there isn’t a set way to create with the supplies, and you need to have a fair amount of tools and basic skills to make this kit work. One benefit is that many crafty influencers get the same kits and post their work online.

Fourth is a Tool Based Kit

These are fun products that only contain non-consumable items like stamps, dies, embossing folders, and stencils. There are many subscriptions for these products. People who have a fair amount of their own paper products and are looking to expand their collection do best with these kits. Waffle Flower, Spellbinders and Altenew are companies who offer these types.

Sneak Peek Club – WaffleFlower.com

Clubs | Spellbinders Paper Arts – Spellbinders Paper Arts

Monthly Subscription Q & A – Altenew

We posted these images on Instagram, here are some of the cards we made with a kit from Altenew

Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit: Fragrant Florals Stamp Set

Overall

Kits are an awesome addition to any crafter! Teri, who has been crafting for over 25 years, still loves all these types! She recommends choosing kits with images that appeal to you because you’ll be more likely to be happy with the finished product.

Creating is a positive activity that can bring joy and light in your life, and it doesn’t matter if the elements were preplanned and premade, the satisfaction that results is real and the same as if you made every part.

What are your favorite kits and ways to use them? Did we miss any? Please share!