Glossary of Terms

I thought I'd share with you some of crafting terms I use so you'll know what is what.  I"ll add them as I come across them.  Right now I'm just tickled pink I figured out how to make a tab all by my little lonesome!  If you have any suggestions to add to this page, please feel free to email me: Email PJ here!

  • Adhesive --the sticky stuff we use to assemble a card. Everyone has their favorite on which ones are best. It also depends on what project you are working on.
  • a|s --the shortcut way of writing A Muse Studio
  • Bling --jewels added to your card as extra embellishment, this includes gem stones and pearls (do I have to say faux gems and faux pearl?).
  • Bone Folder --a device for making sharp creases in paper for card or book making, one end usually comes to a dull point that can be used for scoring.  At one point they were made out of actual bone; nowadays plastic is the skippy.
  • Card Candy --embellishing elements for your cards, usually homemade, often given away as prizes to blog readers. 
  • CAS --stands for Clean And Simple, a card making style using a minimal amount of "stuff" on the card.
  • CS --means card stock, what us paper crafters like to use to make cards, CS is thicker and more durable than writing paper.  CS comes in different weights, 80 lb is standard for a card base but 110 lb is even nicer.  CS that is 65 lb or less is more often referred to as "cover stock."  It is great for layering but too flimsy to make a good card base.
  • DCWV --stands for Die Cuts With a View.  They are a company out of Utah that makes paper that they sell in "stacks."  The patterned paper stacks are themed such as The Summer Stack or Linen Closet, but they also have matching CS stacks too.  Each stack has lots of color coordinated papers.  Stacks come in different sizes such as 12x12, 6x4.5, and 8x8.  They also do stack-themed pre-printed card bases and die cuts.
  • Die Cuts --paper elements that have been cut out with a die, such as scalloped circles from a Spellbinders die.  Die cuts can be plain paper or they can have multiple layers complete with 3D embellishments.  Die cuts can be made by you, the crafter, or come store-bought. 
  • Distressing --to age, damage, or otherwise alter your project so that it appears worn.  This is done on purpose to give it a distinct look.  Distressing can happen via inking, sanding, roughing, painting, or by using distressing products, such as distress glitter glue.
  • Embellishments --those extra pieces of zing added to your card, embellishments can include paper flowers, punchies, gems, jewels, yarn, ribbons, eyelets, brads, etc.
  • Glitter --small loose flakes of sparkly stuff in various colors that we love to add to our creations.  We also tend to leave a trail of it wherever we go.
  • Ink --the stuff we use on a stamp so that it leaves a stamped impression on our paper.  If you want to cause a ruckus, ask a roomful of crafters what the best ink is.
  • NBUS --stands for: Never Before Used Stuff (or Stash)
  • Punchies --the result of punching a shape out.  If you have a snowflake shaped hole punch and punch a bunch of snowflakes out, the resulting pile could be referred to as "punchies."
  • Topper --also called "card topper," the image or embellishment you put on your card as a focal point. Usually a topper is a store bought item, but not always.
  • WOS --wink of Stella, a glitter pen with a paintbrush like applicator.
  •  1-4-1 --a shortcut way of writing "one for one" which are the terms for a card swap (you make one card and receive one in exchange).
  • 3x3 --a mini card that is 3-inches square, used as a gift enclosure