Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Hi there, my name is Mandy and I am new here too. I only started card-making last November and I think I am addicted. I can't go a day without checking the web for new papers, card stock or tools..is this normal? or am I in trouble here?...I am already squirrelling stuff away and have amassed loads of stuff..I love my big shot that I got in late November and love the different dies I have collected but they can be so expensive. I live in the UK and hear you guys talking about Michaels' and I am so envious...we have Hobby-Craft over here but it is really not the cheapest. I am even finding it cheaper to have stuff shipped over from USA and still save money even with shipping. Are there any tips I should be aware of when buying dies and stamps as I seem to be buying only what I like and then trying to find a use for it. I really think I am losing the plot but what great fun I am having too.
I would say if you're just starting out, the most important thing isn't what you buy - it's being organized before you buy - plan a place for everything, read about storage solutions in our Mission Organization forum, and be organized before you have a squillion things (like me) and nowhere to put them.
I just buy what I like too
Welcome!!! Please let me know if I can help you with anything - I have some good links in my signature.
Hi Lydia...thank you for replying. It is a great addiction isn't it? totally fun and harmless...(except to my bank balance)....thank you for your advice and I will check out your links..x
Hi Mandy and welcome from New Zealand! Yes you are normal! I have been stamping for over ten years and I still get excited when I go to craft shops. And yes buy what appeals to you and you will find a use for it even if it takes a while. It is always fun to go through your stock of card, stamps, ribbon etc and find things you have forgotten about. It is like shopping without having to spend!
Stephanie
__________________ To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. Joseph Chilton Pearce my gallery
Hi Mandy and welcome to the forum from Suffolk. Your 'affliction' is normal and it never goes away! We all buy crafting supplies that we just like as well as supplies for a specific project, that is just par for the course.
I'm new here too, and from the UK ;) So welcome from a fellow newbie!!
I have been crafting a while but I still know that feeling of being tempted by all the lovely products out there - it won't go away! And I gave up shopping at Hobbycraft ages ago... there is more fun to be had in looking at the US manufacturers blogs and sites for what you really love, then most things you can track down here to avoid the shipping and customs duties.
Jukie's suggestions are good. I get most of my stamps from Sir Stampalot, and love Sarah's Cards and The Craft Emporium for other supplies. Also I love Dies to Die for who stock all the MFT and Memory Box goodies (stamps and dies!).
hi and thank you for all the comments and thank you to RX for the sites to shop on...Hobbycraft is like a magnet as it's the nearest craft outlet to me but I am going to try the places you suggested, but being a little addicted I love taking my goodies home with me..this will have to stop however as I am getting 'known' in Hobbycraft now and they comment on how nice it is to see me! This, however polite, is NOT good..lol...I will have to learn to wait for goods to arrive by mail and stop stalking Hobbycraft..x
Hi
also quite new to card making and have also got a big shot and a few dies and imposing boards. I buy most things online.
Have you got a scoring board if so which one did you get. have been using card blanks till now.
I did go to Sincerely yours craft fair at Biggin Hill. It was wonderful and so many dies card, paper and stamps in one place.
Might be worth seeing if they do them near you Sincerely Yours - Craft Shows for the Individual in You!
Hi Joan, thank you for the reply...I bought the Scor-Pal...it is amazing, I got mine off ebay from a lady who had given up crafting due to health reasons..it is so easy to use and no measuring...as I am hopeless at that..x
Thank you for the craft show info, will look on google for one near me x
Thanks for the info I will have a look at a Scor-Pal.
Have you ever cut leather on the big shot. I had been thinking of getting off cuts on ebay and having a go at making some bookmarks.
I am new here too. I have the same problem as you when it comes to dies. I recently purchased a big shot pro (it is the first die cutting/embossing machine I have ever owned) and because of the high prices of dies, I usually just wait and buy things that go on sale or clearance. So right now, I have a bunch of dies that I am still not 100% positive how to use with my machine because there are some other components I have to purchase in order to be able to use them.