Starting To make Cards

[CroppingChick]

I have a friend who wants to get into making cards and wants to know what she needs to get started. I am a scrapbooker and not a card maker, but what would you guys sugguest?

[GreenDragonLady]

Well, my cards are a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 cut in half, so maybe some of that size cardstock for bases. Other than that the only "necessary" stuff would be stamps and ink. And maybe some white cardstock for stamping images. She could add some ribbon, buttons, brads, etc. for embellishments as she moves forward.

She could also sign up for a class at an LSS, or go to www.stampinup.com and find a demonstrator in her area and maybe have a workshop or sign up for a class through them.

[DanStamper]

GreenDragonLady is right - you don't need much to start. So why do I have so much stuff now????

Seriously, a couple of stamps or stamp sets in versatile themes would get the ball rolling. Depending on your friend's artistic abilities (or her confidence in them!), I would recommend staying away from images that need to be hand colored at first. Some basic ink colors that could be used for a number of different images would be good - she probably does not need 6 shades of red to begin with. Glue on embellishments and ribbon are easy to use and do not require a lot of other tools to use them.

Once she has conquered the basics, I would recommend a heat embossing gun and clear embossing powder. The colored powders can come later, but the clear can be used on any color ink and always gives it a pop.

I think she would be able to get the feel of stamping, and her interest in it, very quickly, and then could check back here to see what else she may want to try!

[stamphappy1650]

Check out this thread for Things Newbies Need to Know
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/fo...4&goto=newpost

there are great tips

[Kathyc]

Not to send you away from this site, but, Kristina Werner has a new thing on her blog about a Two Peas class for a year in cards; her January entry is about the basics, tools and paper, a sketch for a set of 3 cards then a video about how to make one of them! Here's a link to her blog; http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/
It's the 2nd entry down (as of today) but the 1st entry is one of her videos for another simple card; I'd recommend watching those then coming back here for tons of inspiration!

[troopersma]

1- Cardstock
2- Paper Trimmer
3- Adhesives of choice
4- Stamps/inks
5- Color medium of some sort
6- Good small pair of scissors
7- Fine point black pen and white gel pen
8- (personally for me...paper piercer and mini brads)

Those are the supplies I use on pretty muchly EVERY card I make. For adhesives I usually use the mono and pop-dots for dimension. Also, some way to clean the stamps (I love my scrubber...but put off buying one forever). If she has kids she can use wet wipes to clean the stamps.

Jane

[momis mama]

stamp & scrub
bone folder
stamp-a-ma-jig

[craftjunkiesc]

I'm pretty sure I've seen card making kits at some of the craft stores. Maybe your friend could get one of those to experiment with first. It may give her an idea of what her "style" is. She'll still need the basic tools as listed above.
I hope you've warned her about the "empty wallet syndrome" into which she's embarking.

[polargirl]

In addition to SU clubs or or LSS, taking classes at community education would also be an inexpensive way to get some hands on experience. A removable paint scrubber from hardware store is a less expensive way to clean stamps if don't want to invest in Stamp n'Scrub. Just place it a clean foam tray (that meat comes in) and dampen with water or stamp cleaner.

[3boysstampin']

SU! also offer Simply Sent kits. These have everything you need (including pre cut card stock and glue dots for assembling cards). These are awesome for newbies--easy way to start and everything in one very pretty box!