Could I craft without my cutting and stamping mats? Maybe. But let's hope I never have to find out. I love this bundle so much that I purchased three for my craft room. I have four different stations where I set up these mats: (1) my stamping/card-making station, (2) my daughter's stamping/card-making station, (3) my scrapbooking station, and (4) my die cutting station (but I only have the cutting mat here). I use the cutting mats to protect my table where I craft most often, and I occasionally use it as a cutting surface (usually only with an exacto knife). And I use the stamping mat over the cutting mat when I'm using ink (stamping, ink blending, etc.). My tables are protected, and the mats are so durable. They are holding up great. They're also easy to wipe down and keep clean.