Top 3 favorite SU stamp Sets!!

[Scrappin Nona]

I am trying to build my inventory of stamps (I am a new stamper) and would love to know what your favorites are?
Thank you so much for the help. It can be overwhelming going throught the catalogue !
Nona

[Cook22]

Lovely as a Tree, for sure. It's always in the top 3 and I believe they finally brought it out in clear mount if that's your preference.
You're talking about current stamps rather than old and retired ones? I'm not so up-to-date with what's in the current one.
It also depends on a lot on your personal style! As a newish stamper you probably haven't worked that out yet ;-), but at least you know whether you like cute or classic. And do you like colouring?

[lutheran]

Current favorites:
Bloomin' with Kindness
Delightful Dozen (everybody needs a variety of sentiments)
Just Believe
Mary Beth

[binkiemonstermom]

I am going to be the odd ball out. I have used these stamps over and over and over over......

1. I dig you
2. Need for Speed
3. Dinoroar

If you have kids or make cards for kids (although I have used these for adults as well) I think these are three must haves!!! I even did a Christmas card with the I Dig You set!!

[weims]

Current -
Lovely as a Tree
Elements of Style

Retired -
Tickled Pink (I have a thing for flamingos, though!)
Upsy Daisy (lots of cool techniques with those solid stamps)
Loads of Love
Medallion

I haven't bought any new stamps in over a year, so don't have a lot in the current catalog to pick from. Good thing my friends don't know I'm woefully out of date (snicker, snicker).

[Kathlyn47]

I have to agree Lovely as a Tree is special to me too, but Mixed Bunch is my all time favorite. This time last year, when I was a newbie, I decided to invest in some basic sentiment stamps that would cover most all occasions. Perfectly Penned, Curly Cute, Delightful Dozen and Fabulous Phrases were some of my first Stampin' Up purchases.

[Allistamps123]

While there are lots I love these are the ones I have gotten the most use out of.

Current:
Create a cupcake with the matching punch
Best of Everything
Four Frames....
I like FF because when I have a dark card base and do not want to add a white layer for the sentiment, I stamp four frames, then stamp a sentiment in the frame, punch the frame, and pop it up on the inside of the card.

Retired:
Awash With Flowers
Branch Out
Sweet Stems

Favorite sentiment set

Current: Itty Bitty Banners or A Word For You

Retired: Short and Sweet-I still use it all the time!

You can find GREAT deals on retired sets on the buy/sell forum here at SCS!

[jkstieber]

My faves that are in the current catalog:

Blooming with Kindness
For the Birds
Serene Silhouettes
Gently Falling

Sorry, I couldn't limit it to three!

[Ocean County Stamper]

My favorites: Merry and Bright, Autumn Days, Moose You. And my bonus pick because well, just because, is Young Vermillion.

[gr8cards]

French Foliage
Delightful Dozen
Button Buddies

[jozmore]

My favorite current sets are
gently falling
lovely as a tree
Papillon Potpourri
teeny tiny wishes

my favorite old set is wild about you. I use the animals for kids birthday cards and baby cards all the time

[AllisonStamps!]

I think as a new stamper you should really choose what speaks to you. Some of us who have been stamping for a little longer are often trying to fill 'holes' in our collections like adding certain sentiments we may be lacking. However, when starting out I think you should choose items that inspire you to create. No matter how much I love the set, if you can't think of anything to make with it, it's not going to be much good to you.

That being said, to satisfy any curiosity my faves are:
1. For The Birds
2. Mixed Bunch
3. Teeny Tiny Wishes

[sugarmama]

I'm another one who favors Teeny Tiny Wishes as my "go to" stamp set for sentiments!

Another suggestion for you is to go to the SU gallery here and do a search of some of the stamp sets you are considering. That way you have an opportunity to see how versatile/popular they are and it may help you make a decision.
I often am not that thrilled with a stamp set until I see what other creative stampers can do with it, then it becomes one I have to purchase!

[ReginaBD]

1. Tiny Tags (my go-to set...perfect to add a little sentiment)
2. Creative Elements (love the flourish image for backgrounds...a great mix of images in one set)
3. French Foliage (pretty images for anytime of the year...the script and rain drop images go well with any other set)

[LaLatty]

I have lots of favorite sets, but here are 3 current ones that I love-

Stipple Blossoms- I just used this set again today, and I can see myself using it over and over again
Lovely as a Tree- this is a great versatile set
Teeny Tiny Wishes- this is my favorite sentiment set

Secret Garden is soon to be a new favorite of mine, I love that set!

[LMstamps]

Teeny Tiny Wishes is my favorite Sentiment set, love that fits in word window punch and then the Modern Label punch can be layered under it.

Perfectly Penned is my next favorite sentiment stamp, especially because it is so different than any other sentiment set I have ever seen.

Lovely as a Tree is my all-time favorite stamp set.

LM :-)

[JoBear2]

It might also be helpful to know what types of cards you are likely to create. Even if you are just starting up, have a look at who you are likely to give cards to and for what particular occasions. I have a lot of young nephews and nieces in my extended family and a lot of men and I LOVE to make Christmas cards, so my bias is towards sets that cater for them. That being said, I do love Dinoraur because it is fab for boy's cards, The Open Sea which is fab for masculine cards and Dasher which is my go-to image for Christmas cards (I think Dasher is so versatile for many styles of Christmas cards). Hope this helps

[Pam Strobel]

Choosing stamp sets that you feel you will get the most out of can be challenging.
Defining the type of stamper you are can be a key to your purchases.
Are you patient and enjoy coloring? Line stamps are a good choice
Do you like making quick cards? Solid stamps are best for you
Petite pairs...I can punch them and layer
Nature walk...stamp and color or leave uncolored
Mixed bunch...punch, color and fold options

[Ccrops123]

Mixed Bunch w/the punch
Petite Pairs
Lovely as a Tree

I still want Dasher! and Betsy's Blossoms...

[craftymomto2]

Lovely As A Tree pg 84
Teeny Tiny Wishes pg133
Love & Sympathy pg 54
all in current SU catalog

[Judester]

I love to use Boho Blossoms with the matching punches for the flowers and the bird. Both punches are great with patterned paper as well, and a good investment. "Day of gratitude" is great year round and I use "kindness matters" alot too. If you haven't gotten a set from SAB yet, I think "Bloomin' marvellous" is going have some longevity and versatility.

[Minders]

If the spring occasions catalog is an option I love the Oh, Hello set! It's super cute and very versatile! I think it will go in the never part with pile!!!!!

[Scrappin Nona]

Thank You so much everyone!!! Any other suggestions keep them coming!!!

[dacpam]

You can't beat Teeny Tiny Wishes for sentiments. A really fabulous set and worth the investment. As a stamper of over 20 years, I use it more than any other word set that I have ever owned.

As far as Lovely As A Tree, I would never part with it and have used it a to. However, if I could pick a better set than that, it would be a great leaf set. I have several and they work for so many different cards, like Trees, but you can do even more with them. Backgrounds, cut outs, stamping words on them, mens, sympathy, bithday, womens', etc., Place cards, the list is endless. Also great in so many colors and for diff. seasons. I would never be without great leaves!

For the last set, it would depend on if you have lots of kids cards to make or not. A great shape set is always good for building things or to use in conjunction with the other sets. Then you can change the colors, make different objects, etc. but the third set would be for me, something that I need to fill in where the others don't work, versatile and something that I could use in different ways and not get tired of it. Also try and stay away from trends that will look like last years next year until you have built up your supply of things. My favorite go to stamps and sets are almost all at least 10 years old with the exception of Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Ok that is my 10cents. Good luck and bottom line? Have fun!

[weims]

When i first started i looked to see if a set was versatile. Could i use its images for birthdays, weddings, etc. As my abilities and collection grew, i was less concerned and added sets that were slightly more specific. i still use my versatile sets a lot more.

[purplewinkle]

Definately teeny tiny wishes.
I love Roses in Winter, it is the only set that after I traded it, I missed it so much I bought another one.
Other than that, hmm I guess I can't decide on number 3. I do like Lovely as a Tree, good for man cards, sympthy, and Christmas too. Thoughts and Prayers is another go to for sympathy. (No, I don't make tons of sympathy cards, they are just hard to make)

[rollyfan]

You need to kinow your style. I like to colour, so I love sets that give me the opportunity to do so. That said, sometimes I'm in a hurry, so it's nice to have a few sets at the ready that don't need to be coloureed.

I hate having to line things up precisely. More to the point, I am terrible at it. As such, even though I think Make a Cake on p44 of the SU catty is adorable, having played with it multiple times, I've discovered it drives me crazy. Even though my friend's set is clear mount, I just can't get it to line up as I want. I'm careful re: which 2 step sets I buy for that reason; some look better than others if you are 'off' by a few milimeters.

Are you going to make more cards for kids or adults? I tend to make cards for adults. I do make some for kids, too, but but far less than 1/2 my cards are for kids. Thus I keep my 'kid' sets to a minimum. I try to find sets that will work for both.

I would say make sure you have some good holiday sets... I loved the ornament set in the winter mini. I don't know if it is still available and I am drawing a blank on the name.

What holidays do you do cards for? I don't do Halloween, Valentine's Day or New Year's Day cards. I do Christmas and Easter. With Christmas I have some friends who only celebrate in a non-secular way, so I can't use a set that's too religious. By the same token, I have Christian friends who want something a bit less whimsical.

My favourite SU Christmas sets:
-Delightful Decorations p. 10 or the ornament set from the fall. Both work for my Christian friends, although I have a couple other non SU sets I use with them more often
-Snow Much Fun. I admittedly love snowmen and this set is adorable. p15
-Snow Swirled - gorgeous tree that looks great embossed p 18 This one also works for my church friends with the right sentiment
-A set of general holiday veres.. More Merry Messages p15 is awesome because it covers secular and non secular Christmas

*At least a couple fall sets.... my faves are:
-Days of Gratitude p 27
-French Foliage or Gently Falling. Or both p 85

I have two other 'go to' fall sets, but I can't remember the names right now. They aren't in a current catty anyway. One was from the holiday mini 2012 and one was from the year before.

A couple good birthday sets. My favourite is Birthday Whimsy if you can find it.

A set of all occasion images ala Easy Events (p34). My fave ever is Fun and Fast Notes. Again, it's retired.

Thoughts and Prayers is my go to set for sympathy cards and get well cards.

Feminine sets:
Tea Shoppe is a favourite for girly cards if I don't want to do flowers.
Betsy's Blossoms is one I didn't think I liked, but I have seen so many samples I want it now.
-Secret Garden... my new fave flower set
-Field flowers p. 78
-Blooming With Kindness p 87

Masculine sets:

-By The Tide... admittedly, I live on the west coast of Canada; we're ocean people. It's in the current mini.
I love I Dig You, Dinoroar and Need for Speed. I'll probably get 2 of the 3, likely I Dig You and Need for Speed.
Harvest Blessings or Countryside p 85
Zoofari p92 )

Multi-purpose/unisex sets I love

Serene Silhouettes p.75
Just Believe p 77
By The Seashore p93 or By The Tide (current mini) or both'
Circle Circus is awesome p99. I use it so much more than I I expected.

Great verse and/or sentiment sets:
Perfectly Penned p 132
Itty Bitty Banners p134
Petite Pairs p 134
One In a Million p 135
Bring On The Cake p142
Sassy Salutations p143

I actually really enjoyed creating that list... it gave me a chance to go back through the catalogue and realize that some sets I've marked as ones I want are no longer all that interesting to me. My one word of advice is to go slow. When I first started I bought stuff too impulsively and most of that I've put in garage sales and such.

[BeeJinx]

Lovely as a Tree is probably my most go to set; Elements of Style is very versatile; French Foliage works in a lot of ways; Nature Walk also does a lot either plain or colored, and I have a couple of Asian themed sets that I use a lot. Also, Thoughts and Prayers. I don't use a lot of word sets for verses -- I usually do those on on white or vanilla on the computer for the inside. But I do use "Thinking of You", "Best Wishes", and "Happy Birthday" on the out side of my cards. Deciding on a basic style helps a lot. I rarely do cutesy stuff, though I love the punched animals that I use for kids cards.

[Tinalala]

My favorite sets are Delightful Dozen, Lovely as a Tree and Petit Pairs!