I was in Florida at the time that I made this card. I had only the minimal supplies that I usually travel with. So for this card I used the stuff right from my Stampers Tool Box (which has my "TOP 10 Supplies I Can't Live Without" inside). I've always said that with just these 10 things you can create wonderful cards. It was fun to put that idea to the test.
And because you've asked . . .
The Ten Supplies I
Can't Live Without
Like most paper artists, I have a stash of tools and materials I use constantly. Unfortunately, I have many favorites and many things I believe I simply canât live without. In order to make this a list one that is more attainable for âthe massesâ? I have chosen from my very long lists of favorites and narrowed it to the Top Ten Supplies that not only I canât live without but ones that I think you wonât want to be without either. In addition card stock and adhesive, which are of course essential, here are a list of my favorite supplies that every beginner or long-time stamper can not be without. (Listed in no particular order):
#1: Paper Trimmer
Before I started stamping, I didn't even know what a paper trimmer was. Now I can't live without one. I have two models. One model that I use is a Carl Heavy Duty Rotary Trimmer because as a demonstrator I do large amounts of cutting at once and this cutter allows me to cut a stack of 8 â10 sheets of card stock at once. It is however big, bulky, heavy and extremely pricey. The Carl trimmer is not necessary for the average stamper. The other cutter that I use all the time and the one I recommend all stampers need is the Fiskars 12" Paper Trimmer with replaceable blades. It not only cuts the card stock but scores it as well (using the scoring blade you can purchase) and it is also fairly small and lightweight so it is portable.
#2: Scissors
If you work with paper, you're never far from a pair of scissors. I have several pairs at my work table at all times. I love my Craft and Rubber scissors from SU! They make cutting and mounting your stamps a breeze as they slice through the rubber as though is were butter. The new Paper Snips from SU! Are quickly becoming my favorites as they cut quickly and cleanly even around corners and in tight places. The precision tips allow you to cut to the end of the blade and in the tiniest of areas. My most used pair of fancy scissors are the Deckle Scissors or the Colonial Charm Scissors. Both of these SU! Brand scissors cut all the way to the end of the blade, unlike the cheaper versions sold in hobby and craft stores. This makes lining up the fancy cut easier. And also with the SU! scissors you can also depend on them to be SHARP when you purchase them!
#3: Stampinâ Mist and Stampinâ Scrub (sold separately but they are buddies so you should keep them together at all times!) :::simile:::
Well if you are going to ink your stamps then you are going to want to clean them too! The Stampinâ Mist and Stampinâ Scrub provide the perfect way to not just clean your stamps but also condition them. Using these products will ensure years of flexible rubber that provides for crisp, clean images when you stamp!
#4: VersaMark Pad
Okay if you canât own every single color of SU! Stamp pad then at least own this pad . . . This is the single most VERSATILE stamp pad you will ever own. With it you can do tone on tone (or watermark) stamping so if you stamp on light blue paper your image appears darker blue and if you stamp on pink paper the image will appear darker pink. You can also use the pad to emboss your images or apply chalks or Pearl Ex pigment powder (which is this very cool almost irredescen product that is very eyecatching!) This is certainly the stamp pad you donât want to leave home without! (Ask me for my tip sheet for using the VesaMark pad.)
#5: Black Dye Ink Pad
I often get asked what my favorite color is for stamping. Well, I love many of the SU! colors but in a pinch, I can make do with one color of ink for my stamps: black! The SU! Basic Black Classic stamp pad is dye ink and is perfect for stamping those finely detailed stamps. This pad is inexpensive and you wonât have to bother with drying time as you can simply stamp your image and then color it immediately! Unlike some other brands of ink pads, The SU! Basic Black Classic pad is permanent and wonât bleed or feather when using markers or blending pens to color images.
#6 and #7: Blender Pen/Blender Brush
This tool is essential for every stamper. The blender pen or brush allows you to create the wonderful look of a watercolor painting without any of the work. Simply apply blender pen to stamp pad, chalks or Pearl Ex and then color your image as desired. This is a great way to be able to color in images if you donât own all the SU! Marvelous Markers. So you love the look of soft water colors the blender pen is for you!
#8: Chalks
Chalks are a soft and very versatile medium to work with. The Stampin' Up! chalks are sold in a palette of 49 colors consisting of chalks, applicators and eraser. This medium is very forgiving and makes everyoneâs coloring look like it was done by a pro! Chalks are so easy to use and yield professional looking results. They are a perfect way to add color quickly and there are soooo many different ways to apply the chalk which produces a litany of different techniques with cool results. (Ask me for my tip sheet on using chalks.) You simply must own a set for yourself!
#9: Stamp Positioner
Allow me to introduce you to one of my best friends . . . The Stampinâ Up! stamp positioner called the Stamp-a-ma-jig. I used to be an âeye-ballerâ? . . . Just lining things up on my own. Many times the greeting (which is usually the last thing I stamp) was crooked and I was upset that it was âless than perfect.â? And of course this was after Iâd just spent time making the rest of the card a âwork of art.â? Da-ta-da-dah . . . Stamp-a-ma-jig to the rescue!! I have used several different stamp positioners over the years but this is by far and without a doubt THE easiest stamp positioner I have found. The rubber backing on the purple handle of this positioner makes it MUCH easier to hold in position without moving or slipping. Plus this positioner is a lot less expensive than most of the others. You will find that the stamp-a-ma-jig is very useful for lining up images with words but it is also useful for so much more. Ask me to demonstrate this at your next workshop or gathering!!
#10: Stamps
(Come on . . . Did you really think Iâd leave this off this list?)
The very first stamp set I bought was an alphabet stamp set called Alphabet Appeal. While it is true that everyone purchases their stamps according to their own tastes I do believe that there are several âtypesâ? of stamps that we all should own.
* I truly believe that every scrapbooker MUST have at least one alphabet set. Personally, I loathe my own handwriting, so I'm never far from my letter stamps. They're the perfect solution to my poor penmanship. (The other perfect solution is my incredibly large collection of fonts . . . I print a lot of my journaling on the computer using the SU! Font CD.) The alphabet stamps provide the perfect way to create titles for scrapbook pages and you donât ever have to be without an âeâ? again, as often happens when using stickers.
* I also believe that every stamper should have an âAll Occasionâ? stamp set . . . One that has many images and if possible even some greeting to go with it. There are many current stamp sets that spring to mind such as Good Times and Many Mates are just two such sets. Check out SU! Catalog âOccasionâ? section and then flip back to the âSeasonâ? section.
* The last thing Iâd suggest is a good greeting set to use for the inside of cards. My favorite ones are the sets that have both an exterior AND interior greeting that match such as Elegant Greetings and Cheery Chat. Versatile Verses is another great choice and all of the All-Year Cheer sets would make a nice selection.
If you have any questions or would like to see any of these products "hands-on" please just let me know. I always carry them with me . . . they are, after all, the 10 Things I Can NOT Live Without!
Happy Stamping!
~ Colleen
Date: Sunday, March 20, 2005 GMT Views: 1594
Favorited:28
Friends are like the walls of a house. Sometimes they hold you up, sometimes you lean on them. But sometimes, it's enough to know they're just standing by.
Registered: March 27, 2003 Location: Stamford CT Posts: 225
Sun, Mar 20, 2005 @ 8:07 AM
Colleen, this is just stunning. Wow! Great masking and combining stamps. this actually reminds me of a place we visit in Florida! Wow -- what inspiration!