Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Stampin' Essentials!

Every stamper has to start somewhere. We all have to have our basic supplies to get started. I have put together a list of things I think are "Stampin' Essentials" to help beginner stampers get started on making quick and easy cards!

Paper Cutter #104152 $24.95
Get one that cuts up to 12" with a swing arm that extends the trimmer to measure out to 15 1/2" wide. SU! Paper Cutter comes with 2 orange cutting blades. You can purchase a Cutting & Scoring Blade Refill pack #104154 for $5.95.

Paper Snips #103579 $9.95
These scissors are amazing! They cut into the tiniest of areas all the way to the very tip of the blade.


Anywhere Gluesticks (2) #104045 $3.95
Rectangular in shape to cover all areas of cardstock with ease. Glides on smoothly and does not dry up too fast. Easy to peel off and restick quickly before it sets. I forgot to mention... you can use it as a bone folder! You get 2 gluesticks to a pack.

Snail Adhesive #104332 $6.95
Have you ever wondered why this product is called "SNAIL" adhesive?
I joke that it looks like snail trail.
The catalog says "S-imple, N-eat, A-ffordable, In-Line", adhesive in a convenient dispenser. Whatever the definition, it is a must have!

Stampin' Dimensionals #104430 $3.95
Quick and easy way to add a little bit of dimension to your cards.
You get 3 sheets of 100 1/16" double-sided adhesive foam dots.

Adhesive Remover #103684 $1.95
When you are trimming the rubber of your stamps or using Sticky strip tape, you will notice build up on your scissors. I like to use this handy dandy material to rub off the gunk. It's also great to get rid of excess adhesive.

8-1/2" x 11" Whisper White Cardstock #100730 $7.50
or other "Neutrals" cardstocks (pg. 163) "Naturals" cardstock (pg. 166).

Pack of Colored Cardstock
The packs of cardstock can be purchased in individual colors or as a family of colors.
You can find them on pages 163 - 165.
The best start is with your favorite family of color... one that you think you will use often.

Pack of Designer Series Paper

For a quick and easy accent piece or layer, try a piece of Designer Series Paper.
They are double sided and come 12" x 12" (pg. 168 - 171)

Basic Black, Basic Brown, or Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad (pg. 163).
These three are waterproof... very important when it comes to coloring with markers and aquapainters. You do not want your image to smear!

Ink pads:
Collect full size Classic Stampin' ink pads ($5.95) as you go if you are going to be a serious stamper. If you are planning on being a hobby stamper, then you may want to consider a set of the Classic Stampin' Spots ($22.50) in the family color of your choice that matches your pack of cardstock.

Stamp set:
Find a stamp set that has small and large images as well as words... something that you like right away but keep going back to everytime you open the catalog. The small images are great for creating a background. The words are important for occasions.


Wheels:
Does your stamp set come with a matching wheel? If so, you may want to consider getting it so that you can create a simple background or layer with little effort and thinking.

Ribbon:
It is amazing what a little piece of ribbon can do for a card.

Not sure of what color to get? Try white!

Punch:
I think a punch is a really terrific tool to start off with, whether it's a corner rounder or a ticket punch, or a circle punch, or a scallop punch. It adds another quick and simple layer or dimension to your card. Who doesn't like quick and easy?


Stampin' Scrub #102642 $14.95
Alcohol free and lanolin free wipes will do just fine. However, the Stampin' Scrub is so simple and convenient! Just spritz, scrub on the wet side, scrub on the dry side, and put away.


Stampin' Mist Cleaner (2oz) #102394 $3.95
Lightly scented mist cleaner to help clean and condition your stamps.

Other accessories such as Stampin' Write Markers, Color wheel, brads, White Gel Pen, glitter, Aquabrush, Cutter Kit, Sponge Daubers, etc, can be added on as you learn new techniques.

I hope this helps simplify things as you get started!
Email me or post here if you have any questions!

Nihongo itsudemo dozo!

Happy Stampin'!
Jane