Making Memories Distressing Kit: Scrapbooking Tools and Supplies

This is a product review of the Distressing Kit by Making Memories. This kit is recommended for artists, scrapbookers, card makers, and paper crafters who want to achieve vintage, aged, distressed, or chic and shabby looks in their projects.

Tools Included in the Making Memories Distressing Kit:

All together, there are 27 items included in the Distressing Kit. They include an edge scraper, a sanding block, 3 emery boards, a stipple brush, a couple of foam brushes, 3 different decorating chalks, 3 different ink sponges, a bone folder, a couple of pouches of aging dye, a paint comb, a pounce wheel, 3 sheets of sandpaper, and a couple of steel wool pads (unlike the kind you buy at the grocery store, these are soap-free.) The scrapbooking tools and supplies included in the Distressing Kit are all archival-safe.

No Refills Available:

I have one minor complaint about the Making Memories Distressing Kit, but overall I have been satisfied with it. My complaint: There isn't a refill kit available, or if there is, I am not aware of it. There are consumable supplies included in the kit; for example, I if I were to use up all the aging dye, I am not sure what to do to get more of it other than buying another complete Distressing Kit. As it is, I don't use most of the tools that much. So I'm not going to pay for duplicate tools just to have a couple more packages of dye. No way. There will also come a time in the not-too-distant future when I will use up the chalks that were included in my kit. The chalk colors are really fantastic, and they filled a void in my supply stash. I use them often. When they're gone, I will miss them, but I won't be buying a second Distressing Kit just to have more of them.

Bone Folder:

I do use some of the tools and supplies more than others. I use the bone folder constantly. Bone folders are available separately from multiple retailers, so I wouldn't recommend buying the Making Memories Distressing Kit just for the bone folder. You can get a lovely bone folder from dickblick.com for a few dollars. The bone folder available in the Making Memories Distressing Kit is really nice, though.

Pounce Wheel:

The pounce wheel can be used for perforating paper or adding distress marks. Again, these are available from lots of different art and craft supply stores, so there isn't much need to buy the whole Distressing Kit if the pounce wheel is the only thing you want in the kit. I don't use the pounce wheel at all, and I could easily live without it.

Sandpaper:

Sandpaper, obviously, is available at Home Depot and other hardware stores. No need to buy a fancy sandpaper just for scrapbookers. My husband keeps plenty of sandpaper in the garage that I can raid whenever I want to.

Emery Boards:

The emery boards in this kit are deluxe-sized, and they are nice. I use them often. Most scrapbookers already have emery boards in their manicure kit, so the ones in this kit aren't a huge necessity, but they are nice to have on hand.

Paint Comb:

I have never used the paint comb, so I really can't comment on it other than to say that I think most artists could live without it. Maybe I'll try it someday, love it, and eat my words. That is possible.

Foam Brushes:

The foam brushes included in this kit are nice, but you can get foam brushes inexpensively at any hardware store. You don't need to buy them through this kit if the foam brushes are all you need.

Price of the Making Memories Distressing Kit:

If you pay full price for the Making Memories Distressing Kit, you'll probably pay around $30.00 US for it, give or take. I'd recommend shopping around to see if you can get a better price. I did; I paid less than $20 for mine on ebay. Those deals aren't always going to be available, but if you want a Distressing Kit it would be worthwhile for you to check ebay to see if one is available for sale. Remember to check the seller's feedback before purchasing.

Is the Making Memories Distressing Kit worth $30? Well, that depends on your needs. For my particular needs, it wasn't worth $30, since I don't use a lot of the tools. But I use enough of the supplies in the kit that made it an outstanding purchase at $20.

Conclusion:

If you are a seasoned paper crafter, and you already have a substantial stash of tools and supplies, you probably don't need the Making Memories Distressing Kit. On the other hand, if you love the vintage, aged, distressed look, this kit is going to be a fantastic addition to your stash of supplies. It's a great way to add some shabby details to scrapbooking layouts, greeting cards, home decor projects, collages, and mixed media art. I am happy to recommend the Making Memories Distressing Kit to other artists and crafters.