Good morning! Leah from South Breeze Farm sent me an email asking if I had a Top 10 Card Making Essentials list, so she could start making cards. I thought this was a great idea, so I'm sharing my list with you, too! I get most of my supplies at Michaels and Hobby Lobby, with 40-50% off coupons.
1. Paper Cutter
This one is under $10.00 and is great for cutting 12" x 12" paper. The blades are easy to replace and there are also scoring blades for making your own blank notecards.
2. Glue
There are many different varieties of glue, but this is my favorite. It dries quickly and a little goes a long way.
3. Pre-made blank notecards
You can also make your own for more color variety, but I love these packages because envelopes are included. They come in white and ivory.
4. Cardstock and paper
The paper aisle can be very overwhelming, so try to find one paper you like and then look for a coordinating sheet. I always get a coordinating sheet of cardstock, too. My favorite is ivory.
Most of my cards are simple and use a sheet of scrapbook paper and coordinating cardstock.
5. Rubber Stamps
Investing in a few rubber stamps is a good idea because you can use them over and over again.
6. Ink pads
Start out with a few basic colors.
7. Sponge
I get round sponges from the artist/paint section of stores and cut them into fourths.
Dab on an ink pad, and then the edges of cardstock to get a shaded look. This will take practice!
8. Ribbon
I love the ribbon at Hobby Lobby because it is usually 50% off.
9. Embellishments
There are many embellishments for paper crafting, but I keep it simple with tiny flowers and rhinestones.
10. Decorative punches and scissors.
These can be collected over time and will add fancy touches to your cards.
In addition to local stores, I have found many supplies (especially rubber stamps) at thrift store and yardsales.
A few cards using a single sheet of scrapbook paper and coordinating cardstock...
Thank you for stopping by for a visit and I hope the list was helpful. I will share a card making project tomorrow!
Oh, Kelli - thank you so much! Like I told you in my email, going to Hobby Lobby ready to buy all it took to get started was really an overwhelming feeling and I left with nothing. Now, however, I can make a list, knowing I'm getting what a "pro" recommends and hopefully have fun with the mixing and matching of papers and cardstock. After my event planning is complete in a few weeks, I will be looking forward to a craft store trip! I get the shivers just thinking about it! Again - thank you for a great list and all the tips!!
ReplyDelete~ Leah
Thank you very much to share your essentials. I will try to make one project this summer. Thank you very very much.
ReplyDeleteKisses from France.
I plan to start making my Halloween and Christmas cards when we return from Florida (in other words, in about 11 days. But who's counting, right? lol)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy making cards. It's creative, yet fast. I like that. :)
Kari
Great tips! Thanks for posting this - especially about the sponges. For the last set of cards I made (Pumpkin Shower Invitations) I just rubbed the cardstock directly on the inkpad. I'm sure the sponges are much easier and more uniform! Hmmm... maybe I'll be making more cards! :)
ReplyDeleteDearest Kelli,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much to share with us those helpful tips!
Have a lovely day!
With my kindest regards.
Genevieve
Hi Kelli~ Wonderful list you gave today! Each week I'm inspired by your card making posts and this gives me the tools to know where to begin.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. Happy summertime.
Carolyne
Thank you so much for sharing your information Kelli. I have made cards for a hobby to give away but had not idea on some of your great tips.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for sharing.-nancy
Leah sent me over. Oh my! Now I know that I really do need practice dabbing on the ink for shading. Your shaded edges are amazing! Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the sponge info! I've tried to emulate your shaded edges with my ink pads, but they never turn out quite as nice. Now I know why!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the list!! If I ever have time, I would love to make my own home made cards! Yours are wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so good to know! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! It's fun when you really have time to get into it.
ReplyDeleteThese cards are beautiful. Thank you for sending the tutorial. I am usually overwhelmed at Hobby Lobby with all their selections, but I think this is something I want to try. Yours are gorgeous! Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteSharlotte
I was a heavy duty card maker---now I dabble..the only thing I would add...is make sure you ASK for help where the inks are concerned....they have different functions and some dry fast, some smear, without heat or drying time..etc...I think that is one of the most important things....ink can be your friend or it can frustrate you.....stay away from the spongy type ink pads at the beginning (pigment inks)....they take a long time to dry...but can be used for embossing...with embossing powder..I am not trying to be preachy--I have worked in a stamp store, have sold for a major company and have also been published...just trying to help out, Kelli....
ReplyDeleteDeby
Thanks for the info. Kelli! I was so glad that you shared about using sponges for the shading on the cards. I like the shaded look but always use my stamp pads. I am never happy with the way they look when I am done. I will definitely be getting some sponges and practice, practice, practice.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are cooler in Texas then we are here in the Pacific NW. A record breaking 107 here today. I don't like it!
Love, Debbi
I like how you organize your posts...it makes it easy to find things. Have a good day!
ReplyDeleteWow, now I have an idea of what I would need to get started making my own cards. Thanks for the list Kelli.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Beautiful cards. . .it always amazes me what you can do with a few good tools. Thank you for the list of your top ten choices!
ReplyDeleteHi Kelli
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy your blog and ideas that you share. I have been making cards for YEARS and yours are so lovely!!
Do you have the "follower" gadget on your blog?! I'd would be one!
Deb :)
I love the I'm Praying for You card. So simple and pretty! What a great post. It's so kind of you to share your ideas and experience with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for mentioning the writing paper from Dollar Tree. I went there after I read your post and found some really nice things. I posted about them today if you'd like to take a peek.
Hello. I enjoy reading your blog regularly, but just had to tell you that this is an especially good post. I have longed to make cards for quite awhile now, but didn't really know how to start. The information here is extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing this with your readers. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteKelli~I love the list! How helpful to know that I do have everything I need and to know your techniques as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
Blessings,
Lisa
Hi Kelli! A friend e-mailed me a link to your blog and I`m so glad she did!I just started card making a few months ago and your artical was very helpful and gave me alot of really good ideas!
ReplyDeleteI was also looking through some of youyr recipes and they sound sooo yummy!
I`ll be adding your blog to my list of favorites so I can come back again!
Have a bblessed day!!
Love and blessings,
Toni
Hi sweet Kelli!!! Oh my goodness...your cards are so beautiful to me, and I've got to get me some of those sponges for my aging! I hope you are doing wonderful sweetie ~ xxoo, Dawn
ReplyDeletehi
ReplyDeleteI have sent you an email with a few questions but on this post i find many of my answers thanks for your lovely post...