What do I need to start card-making?

If you are just thinking about taking up a new hobby, cardmaking is great because you can get started with just a few basic items and grow your supplies as your skills develop.  

To get started, you really only need a few things:

1.) Cards and Envelopes 

If you're just getting started, you could consider a Stampin' Up! pack of pre-cut and pre-scored base cards with envelopes.  You can get 20 card bases and 20 envelopes for $12.25 which is a very economical way to get started.

2.) Stamp Set 

Okay, this is where the fun begins... but there are so many sets to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to say the least.  For me, personally, birthday cards and thank you cards are the most common ones I would send, so that is why I felt that Wildflower Path was a good one to start with.  You could also get away with only having to choose 3 colours of ink to get you started.  (In my examples, I did use 4 colours per card, but you wouldn't have to.)  These two-step stamps here will give you a beautifully finished product.

There are so many more sets to choose from though, so feel free to check out the latest catalogues in case something else takes your attention.

3.) Ink

Classic Stampin' pads make card making so easy.  For these projects, I used Granny Apple Green, Parakeet Party, Sweet Sorbet, Flirty Flamingo, Orchid Oasis and Starry Sky.

4.) Acrylic Blocks

You will find with acrylic blocks that you are best to use one as small as possible that will fit the entire stamp on.  If you use blocks that are too big, you will just have to be careful that there isn't excess ink on the block that smudges on to the card.