what basic sets . . .
 

do you suggest for getting started at card making? i have scrapped for a long time and have some stamps . . . but not sentiments. can you recommend some basic sentiment sets that are your MUST HAVES? i don't want to spend a ton . . . just need basics like bday, thank you, sympathy, get well, anniversary, baby and wedding.

what are some basic "shape" stamps that you would recommend as well? i have some flowers, swirls, hearts, etc. i want stamps that can be used for more than one type of card . . . ykwim?

thanx in advance! you guys rock!!!

what i would do is scan the gallery to find out what your taste is 1st. then if you dont already have a demo of some kind find what kind of stamps you want wood mounted clear matching ink and paper. Su has some nice saying sets. Not sure about other companies. I hope i helped a bit Good Luck

Some of my favorites that include a wide variety of sentiments would be the SU "All Year Cheer" sets. I've had mine for years and it's possible they're retired, and if that's so, I'm sure SU has other similar sets. You can visit the SU gallery to see what is included in those sets.

If I were starting out, I'd probably want a birthday set, a Christmas set, something flowery and versatile and of course sentiments.

Hope that helps!

I started out with SU's Sincere Salutations because it gave me 8 basic sentiments in a nice script font that I thought could be "dressed up or dressed down" on a card. I've used that as my staple and then over time have been collecting other stamp sets that have more cute/specific sentiments that match the types of cards I make and my personality.

Well, it depends SO much on your style. If you like elegant and sophisticated, A Chemistry With Paper and Flourishes have beautiful script style sets. Creative Play Stamps has some more casual sets. There are LOTS, I don't think you'll have trouble finding them, I think you'll have trouble narrowing down your choices!

If you're ok with clear/photopolymer, I think Papertrey has a lot of great sets, some with some really versatile images and sentiments at very reasonable prices. I love SU too but when you're looking for a good variety of stamps without spending a lot, I tend to turn to clear stamps. Plus I've been bitten by the Papertrey bug.

If you want just a sentiments set, check out Mixed Messages or Paper Tray.
PTI also has several floral sets that come with a range of sentiments like Garden of Life, or Floral Frienzy. Then there is Shapes by Design with some mixed sentiments and geometric images.

I also love PTI sentiments stamp sets. They seem to always work. I tend to use the SU images and PTI sentiments.

As far as sentiments, "happy birthday" will always come in handy. But when you start out, you might want to stick with more general sentiments that can be used with several occassions. Like "thinking of you" would be good for birthday, mother's or father's day, sympathy, get well, etc. "Celebrate" could be for birthday, graduation, new baby, new job, new anything really.

One of my favorite stamps and one I have used hundreds of times says, "May your day bloom with happiness". I have used it for a multitude of occassions and just for everyday greetings. It fits any card I have stamped a floral theme on.

I find that I use a lot of the single word sets from SU, like Warm Words, Wonderful Words I & II, on the card front, and then write my own messages inside. They can be used in a wide variety of ways.

I second the vote for SU's Sincere Salutations. I use that set ALL THE TIME. I think it was the first or second set I ever bought...

The only stamp set I have on my table at all times is Papertrey Ink's "Polka Dot Basics." I don't use it on every card, but ever since I got it it's been the stamp set I use most often. It's a staple for me, just like coffee...

I like the 'From the Heart' set. Also, remember that if words are combined with an image on a stamp, you can only ink the words if you don't want to use that particular image or vice versa. How fun to be just starting out to select your rubber stamps! I think it's smart that you're thinking of longevity in your rubber stamps.

If you're not opposed to using computer generated sentiments, you can use any font or color or shape to get what you need.

My current go to set is SU's always - it's like two sets in one Classy and whimsy both!

...papertrey...and there is a new sympathy set coming out that is absolutely beautiful...also a new greeting set...check it out...