Well, my go-to tool is my collection of craft knives, my self-healing cutting mat and an acrylic ruler:
I use this group of tools on nearly every project I make, from cutting layers for matting backgrounds to fussy cutting images that have no coordinating dies to less craft-oriented tasks like prying open my Archival "Jet Black" ink pad (which has issues) or picking up small gems for placement (I'm all thumbs when it comes to itty bitty embellishments).
Why don't I use a guillotine cutter or die sets to make mats? I just don't have as good fortune with them as I do with my ruler and knife... I can cut to 1/8 of an inch with this set-up with pretty good accuracy and trim down a piece easily when it doesn't "quite" fit.
And as for fussy cutting, I find I have more control over corners and curves with the knife than with any of the scissors I own.
Anyway, there you have it --- my go-to tool(s)!
For my project for this challenge, I used the craft knife and ruler for all the layers:
I went totally clean and simple to create this card:
- Stamps: Stampers Anonymous "Brushtrokes" (CMS 293)
- Dies: Sizzix Thinlits "friendship words - script" (660225)
- Inks: Color Box "Frost White"
- Embossing Powder: Top Boss "white regular"
- Papers: Paper Studion value pack notecards "white" and "Gold Ore Metallic" paper (457770); scraps of red, metallic gold and black card
- Adhesives: Xyron 500 sticker marker; Viva Las Vega "Miracle Tape"