Look up some cardmaking videos on YouTube, you will get lots of ideas on what to do to make great cards with what you have. I love Natasha Foote if you want someone to start with.
Thank you! Been watching videos all day for a week now, but have not watched her channel. Will start watching right now :). The videos are so fun to watch!
I really love cardmaking, paper crafting, and paper engineering and I have learned so many things in the last year of picking it up as a collection of ever-expanding skills. It's so fun to dive in and experiment. Definitely explore your inspiration and take note (either figuratively or literally) of what you like and do not like, what appeals to you or frustrates you, what you want to know more about, what you don't understand yet, what looks too fiddly to try vs what tempts you and looks doable, etc. I really enjoy research and figuring things out like it's a skill mystery--you can unlock so many things!!
It's also super easy to spend a bunch of money on a lot of pieces for different parts of the process, and I would maybe hold off on flinging cash at the hole until you know what specifically you really want to achieve. You can do a lot of amazing stuff with just paper, scissors, and glue! Thumbnailing out your creations in advance will also make it much more of a smooth process. Playing around with texture, dimension, functionality, interactive features, and more has really upgraded my card game! It's also helped me decide what is important to me with cards and what isn't.
I have purchased a lot of things (partially because the researching/buying is as much of a hobby as the doing) and they certainly can level up your abilities...but only if you learn them, use them, and put them to work. You do not NEED any piece of really specific equipment, or tools, or supplies, to make a good card... but if they are offering you something you really think you will use and enjoy and make multiple things with, maybe it's worth researching what you want to prioritize, and making reasonable acquisitions!
As for specific, actionable advice, if you are frustrated with things looking flat, try things that give you layers, dimension, or texture. You may be interested in heat embossing, or die cuts/embossing. But even some layers of paper and a little foam tape can take you a long way if you plan it, execute it with your plan, and keep in mind some things that make cards look a little more professional, like tidy cuts, legible writing, composition and color scheming, and so on. Sorry for the long reply, but I hope it was helpful! Please feel free to message me if you are interested in learning more or seeing some examples.
Thanks for your response, I really like your approach to all of this :). I can certainly see how this can be a cash hole, and I really don't want to head down that route as I have other expensive hobbies as well, though I don't mind buying "essentials" which I feel I already have now.
Maybe I just have a creativity block for whatever reason when it comes to this stuff. I think maybe I need to make some (what I would consider) bad cards just to get a feel for this whole thing and get the brain working in the correct way.
Die cutting really interests me, as you mentioned, and I may end up going that route as it's not a crazy large investment and it's something I'll have long term. Right now everything is so flat. I do like that the paper packs I bought are already color coordinated, that makes it much easier to start :).
I just made a birthday card for my dad as his birthday is coming up in a few weeks. I did multiple mattes but then just stamped happy birthday and a balloon stamp. Not crazy thrilled with it, but it's a start.
Thanks for giving me a lot to think about :)
Absolutely!! "Bad" art is the first step to good art, and good art never comes if you don't experiment. Not every piece has to be a showstopper--and you may consider not every piece even needs to be a card. Experiment and play, use up scraps, try new things, keep them or trash them. Make a little book where you stamp all of your stamps in all of your inks. Sketch out ideas on copy paper, fast and loose, just to get your thoughts down! And so on. Everything you make gives you experience and gets you that much closer to leveling up. And you may find that you are pleased with some of your experiments and end up keeping them!
With the machine, watch for sales and compare prices from different retailers. I got my Big Shot die cutter/embosser on a big sale from JoAnn's at Christmas after comparing on amazon, Michael's, the Sizzix brand website, etc, and they had the best price. You may also consider the die cutter/embosser vs the cricut (which I would also suggest comparing). If you want more flexibility with cutting options without having to buy more things, the cricut may be for you, as you can get lots of shapes/fonts/projects for free with their design space and upload images you've found elsewhere, but if you want embossing, die cutting, and the ability to make the same kind of pieces fast repeatedly, maybe you look into a die cutter/embosser!
One tip if you haven't already started is to make the plain card and then the beautiful part as a panel that you put on top, which gives you dimensionality/makes it look less flat...and means you have more chances if you don't love it the first time! Here's a very simple card with a few touches to make it look nice. And [here's a fun penny slider card in action. ](https://youtu.be/QW5IXE3r9XA?si=Ro3bfrN3yfgvhIwI)It only has a few pieces, and I added some embellishments for dimension, but it was a big hit because of the fun interactivity.
https://preview.redd.it/cc5jm9wzzt9d1.jpeg?width=2834&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=62a77f396d32b47e3a3f8f064d17b6bf7c41673f
I love your perspective, thank you again!
That Thank You card is a stunner! Is that a sheet of paper behind the thank you stamp? I really love that :)
The penny slider!! Why is that so mesmerizing, I couldn't stop watching it :)
Thanks for the info on machines, I think if I do get a machine, it'll be a die cut machine. I like the simplicity of it :)
PS, that first line of your post is going in my commonplace book :)
The thank you card is a panel of pretty paper on a plain card base, and the "thank you" was cricut cut from cardstock. Not my usual style, but it was very fast, and more elegant too. I also added some of the paper to the envelope to make it match and feel professional. I made it for my mom to give, so it had to be a little more simple and pretty than my usual flair, and it was well received by her office mates with high standards! And thank you, I love the penny sliders too! They're endless fun to play with, once you figure out how to make it work.
Well thank you so much for all of your help :) I just found out the lady at the local ish stationery shop is moving away in a couple of weeks so I thought I’d use what I had to make her a card. She’s the sweetest lady and my wife and I will miss her. She’s moving to Iowa soooo I put this together last night. It was so fun. I don’t have much in the way of paper but I used the little single 6x6 pad I do have :)
It’s an old Iowa map cut up. I put the stamp that I fussy cut out on some foam tape. I’m so happy with it :)
https://preview.redd.it/rubsrr8qe7ad1.png?width=2537&format=png&auto=webp&s=5a6d80cbe03cccb94b8e74e1f5c5ef662586aa58
Oh that's absolutely wonderful! I hope she loves it, and I'm so glad to hear you're proud! Check out all of those things you've learned in such a short time, and using resources creatively will get you so far!
So a couple thoughts. First, you do not need a die cut. Fussy cutting will get you a comparable result! Before die cutting became a thing, it’s what everyone did. Use a fine, small, sharp scissors to cut carefully around your stamped image. Or if it is a sentiment stamp, use your cutter to cut it the stamped sentiment into a square or rectangle.
And then if you have a few colored pencils or markers, maybe add a bit of gentle color to your image.
And to get dimension. Someone taught me this saying: “when in doubt, pop it out”. You can get dimensional adhesive (sold in straight lines or little circles called pop dots). Use that on your fussy cut stamped image or sentiment and it will raise it up from being flat.
Finally, not sure what kind of scorer you got. If it is something like the Martha Stewart scoreboard (an older tool, may be rebranded now, or have a different name) look up a YouTube video on making a paper rosette with it. Instant dimension for sure when you stick one of those on your card. And then if you glue your stamped element on the rosette, you have a beautiful focal point.
Biggest thing to remember: have fun with it!
Thank you thank you thank you! These are amazing ideas :)
Fussy cutting, haven't heard that term before, any specific size/type of scissor for something like that? It's exactly what I am trying to do, make my stamped areas "pop" and have some dimension. Cutting out a stamped piece of paper manually sounds A-OK to me!
I wrote down paper rosette on my to-do list for tomorrow, thanks for that recommendation!
And yep, this is a fun hobby and I will make sure to keep it that way!
Fussy cut is just using a scissor to cut around your stamp or sentiments. Cut it out. Glue it to a contrasting paper and cut that out. Viola a layered piece you can pop out with a glue dot or adhesive square.
My go-to small scissors for fine work are the Tim Holtz Small Scissors - 5 Inch Mini Snips with Micro Serrated Blade. I did a quick online search and don’t see that Michaels sells them. But Amazon does for just a little over $10, and Hobby Lobby maybe a bit cheaper than Amazon. Reasons I like them: super sharp fine blade with a precise point, cut cleanly and easily, have not gone dull in all the YEARS I have been using them, and good handles I can fit my fingers into (small scissors does not need to mean tiny little pinchy finger holes). Worth every penny and the only small scissors you will need.
This hobby can get expensive if you aren't mindful of reusability when purchasing stamps and dies. Clean and simple is a style that can produce very nice cards.
Try looking on splitcoaststampers.com for inspiration. I believe there is a decent forum there for discussion. Pinterest is also a good place to look. I also find a lot of ideas on the product page from the manufacturer of the stamp--there are usually a lot of cards made by the design team.
Welcome to card making, you are in for many hours of fun (a few frustrating when things don’t go as planned) and joy when you see your finished product. Like others suggested watch a few Youtube videos on card making 101 - very helpful. To add dimension there is double sided foam tape - various sizes and thickness - best price i’ve found is Simon Says Stamps. This will raise up whatever you stick it to. If you need envelopes, ribbon etc a great place to check - it’s hit or miss - is thrift stores, Savers and Goodwill. I’ve found some great deals there on card making items and also the $1.25 store.
You sound like me lol. I originally bought some dies thinking they were stencils. Then I bought a die press then stamps and more die cuts and more and more. Got ink pads and the papers, stamp boards and paper cutters, glue now I am making everyone cards and they love them. I learn from tiktok, YouTube, and insta. I think you will learn a lot through those sources. Happy crafting. 🌹
One of my favorite Card making artists on YouTube is Jennifer McGuire. Bear in mind, she shows many different techniques because she wants to keep her followers engaged.
But I feel sure somewhere on her videos are some for beginners.
Like others have said I use layers to make my cards not look flat. It could be as simple as cutting the same shape several times and gluing it together to get that height off the background or using foam squares or foam tape on a single shape to pop it up higher. And you don't need a die cutter when starting out- a good pair of scissors (preferably with a sharp pointed nose for hard to reach spots) is all you need for cutting.
I also like to use bling of some type to add a bit of sparkle and depth to my cards. I usually get them from a cheap store rather than a big name store as I don't believe that there is enough of a difference in quality to justify prices. Metallic pens can also convey depth if you wanted something with multiple uses- they are great for accenting something on the pattern paper, handwriting sentiments or just creating a bit of sparkle like a rhinestone or pearl dot.
No, foam tape isn’t card stock- it’s the same thing some people call pop dots and honestly unless you are making a gazillion cards- one pack goes a long way. It’s just a difference of how the foam sheet itself is cut.
There are small circles, rectangles, little squares- the sky is the limit. And it’s very inexpensive.
ha, sorry I wasn't clear :) Can I use the foam dots under regular old paper, or do I really want to try and stick to thicker paper when using the foam dots?
I had a lot of stuff but ended up not using much at all. You can do all you want with minimum supplies. Cut out by hand, if you need certain shapes or the stamps. You can even draw and color on white paper to make cards. I promise with some practice it won't look cheap and will be pretty ❤️
Maybe try thinking what you can do with what you have? How can you arrange it? And what style do you like best?
Kristina Werner on YouTube has some very minimalistic cards which I love.
Or even just paper strips glued to a mat and with a sentiment on top.
I love all of this, thank you! I’ve been watching Kristina Werner today and wow she’s awesome. The more I watch though the more confused I get.
I’m an adult male and a lot of these videos are a bit too “feminine” for me. Not that I’m mr macho man or anything. I just need to find my style somehow. As I love sending cards and making them would be even better! Also those letterpress cards are getting way up there in price !
Well, you can always choose to make them more your style. I'm not sure how "masculine" you want to go, but if you look for it, it's tools and cars.
She has some more graphic cards, which I feel are less playful. And you can always choose colors you like.
Botanical cards can be also pretty neutral. Use the ideas you see and make them yours.
There's also a young man making card making videos. Simon Hurley, but I rarely watch him. He might have a different perspective on it though.
I've been watching Klompen Stampers on YouTube. They are Stampin Up people. I haven't gotten into stamping yet (I do have a Cricut) but they have a lot of ideas for cards using pretty paper and give you dimensions and where to score etc! *
Is stampin up kind of weird to you? All these videos I watch with stampin up products being used, half their videos are just trying to push crap on me, or to sign up to receive a cheap looking catalog. Just feels weird and off putting. Is this like an MLM for card making?
Before I finished reading your comment I was going to respond it's like the Mary Kay/Tupperware/31/pampered chef of card making it seems! That being said I still want to buy alllllll the "designer series paper " and stamp sets! 😄
I’ve been so turned off by their pushy sales on all these vids I haven’t looked at anything they offer nor can I get through a whole video. Maybe it’s for the best 😂😂
All demonstrations are trying to get you to buy things, so my suggestion is not to get too carried away, especially until you find your style.
You can use stamps, dies, stencils, dry embossing, heat embossing, ink blending, etc. Best wishes, this is a great forum when you have questions 😊
Welcome to cardmaking! It's such a fun hobby and its wonderful to be able to pass on one of your creations and brighten up someone's day. A few of my suggestions:
- definitely be careful and thoughtful with the items you purchase. It's so easy to get caught up in buying a ton of supplies. There is a weird thing that happens when you get a lot of stuff in that you become overwhelmed and actually end up less creative and paralyzed by too many choices. As you start making more cards you may find that your style is different than you thought. I love all the pretty papers and bought a ton of them. But as I made more cards, I realized I didn't actually like \*working\* with the pretty papers. Turns out my style is more ink blending, stencils, alcohol inks, and stamps. I ended up giving away a LOT of the paper because I finally had to admit it wasn't going to get used. So start slow, buy a couple of 6x6 pads to start with until you figure out what you actually enjoy making.
- You can add a lot of dimension with things like foam tape, dots, stickles, texture from background stamps or stencils. There are a lot of options to try before you buy a die cut machine. The machines aren't crazy expensive themselves, it's the continuing expense of purchasing the die cuts that add up. To be honest if I had it to do all ove again, I would probably save my money and stuck with fussy cutting or made a one time purchase of a scan and cut. Cutter Bee's scissors are great for fussy cutting btw
- Definitely invest in a good paper trimmer. I love the Tonic Studio ones. But no matter what style cards you make you'll need a trimmer for cutting bases and layers. If you really get into stamping, then I definitely suggest getting a stamping platform. It will help you stamp nice clean images more easily.
- Watching YouTube videos is a great way to learn techniques. Just remember that most of them are trying to get you to buy whatever they are using. It gets really easy to convince yourself that YOU.MUST.HAVE.THAT.ITEM-so you too can be that creative! The real creativity comes from figuring out what you already have in your stash you can use for a similar effect. It's also easy to make watching the YouTube Videos a hobby all on it's own. Sometimes these videos can be overwhelming when you're starting out. Don't judge you starting skills against someone who has been making cards professionally for years. There is a leaning curve so give yourself some grace.
- Big box stores like Michaels o JoAnn's are good for basics like paper, scissors o adhesives, but the best selection of supplies ae going to be on line. Check out places like [Scrapbook.com](http://Scrapbook.com) or Only One Life Creations, or even Ecstasy Crafts. And definitely check out the sale sections. Woodware stamps are excellent quality for a reasonable price.
- These are some of my favorite playlists for learning basic cardmaking skills. Simon may be young in these videos but he's grown into a talented young man who now has his own line of products' with Ranger [Cardmaking Basics With Simon Hurley](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqQkxGlyrF4&list=PLPfJBMxvm-Do29qC2TpTAYCQ5KYBLBTtk) and [Stamping 101 ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7fBeVixqLM&list=PLPfJBMxvm-Dp83qyb6TYKMjkWiXU6_XrT&index=1)
Someone mentioned Natasha Foote. She is honestly my absolute favorite YouTuber. I've never seen anyone make such a diverse selection of cards with a huge variety of styles. She's got over 1K videos on her channel. She is also big on "work with what you have" she's one of the few that isn't trying to sell you products. Her Facebook community is really lovely too.
I hope this helped some! Feel free to hit us up with questions. I think this community is really lovely and supportive.
thank you so MUCH! This post is pure gold and has been saved :) All of these tips are excellent and your points on using what I have hits home. I can easily fall in deep with a new hobby or craft and your response has helped me reign that in. MUST HAVE ITEMS hit home. i do feel that way with every video I watch! Looking forward to watching both Natasha and Simon vids this evening after work :)
But yea, you're right there as well, watching these videos has become a little hobby already!
I can tell this community is lovely and supportive, and I'm happy to dip my toes in and start to get to know people :)
Thank you again, wholeheartedly.
We all started this way, don't be hard on yourself. Sometimes when I'm lazy my cards come out flat looking too. Look at a lot of videos. You will eventually find your own style. I've learned I am not really a make-ahead kind of crafter. Instead, I come up with an idea and I let it noodle in my head a while. Some card ideas of mine don't get made for several years. Some I make immediately after getting inspired by a video or picture. There are many things you can do with what you have. Strips of paper can be woven, or put in a grid formation to make a border. Your scoring pad can make corrugated paper, rosettes, or you can rotate your paper/card to make a checkerboard pattern. No one ever judged me for my early work, everyone appreciates a handmade card.
Check out @KristieMarcotte on YouTube, especially her videos from about 3 years ago (that’s when I got started) and she wasn’t really affiliated with a brand. She really shows some great techniques on taking paper packs and turning them into tons of cards using layers and focal pieces. She’s a great place to start.
Replying here again, just wanted to thank you for this suggestion. She is making stunning cards with \*mostly\* paper packs. She is using a bunch of other stuff, but I can think about some ideas using what I have based on this video. This one I found is from 2021 as I tried staying within the time frame you recommended above.
Thanks again!
You don't have to stamp it on the pretty paper. You can stamp it on some white cardstock (or the back of pretty cardstock if it is not double-sided). Then, cut it to fit on the front of your card.
You can also try out handwritten sentiment techniques so you don't have to invest in additional materials.
https://preview.redd.it/oqo5nc7r5y9d1.png?width=1205&format=png&auto=webp&s=6086f93b24c326db197cc2b69f5a1e2b1510632a
There's a lot you can do with the supplies you already have! I fuzzy cut a lot to make my stamped images pop. This works for both stamped images and patterned papers as long as you have two identical sheets.
In the picture to the left i stamped and colored it in with regular coloring pencils and glitter pens. To the right is a 3D version: I did the same thing again, but only coloring in the bouquet of flowers before cutting out a big part of it and placing it on top of the first one with foam dots. I repeated this process a third time, but stamping on a thick piece of paper and cutting out just a couple of flowers to glue on top as a final touch, this creates a raised 3d effect that's more subtle than using foam and the card doesn't get as bulky. You can do this with sentiments too, just stamp a word like "Hello" twice, cut out the whole word, then only the cut out the H from the other and layer it on top of the first. Your 3d sentiment is ready to be used :)
https://preview.redd.it/gq0e4rt1dy9d1.jpeg?width=3086&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=49ed4c5fbfe0784f489c5493732fa7a76a9dbafa
If you were to consider buying anything more I recommend starting with a couple of paper punchers (it doesn't have to be flowers), they are much cheaper than embossing machines and versatile. These flowers were made using the same flower paper puncher, but hand curled differently - if that makes sense? The top row is made with the large puncher only. I used three sizes for the bottom row, but two layers and a flat-back pearl or rhinestone is just as nice! Inking the edges of the card's layers and/or embellishments brings out detail and enhances layers.
If you already have some acrylic paint then they can be used for patterns and detail as well, I used white paint for the dots on these flowers. If you like a bit of sparkle but don't want to invest in embossing powders and a heat gun, you can go a long way with fine transparent holographic glitter. Since it's clear it can be used anywhere emphasizing the colors on your card with a lovely sparkle. Use a fine tip glue pen or small brush/toothpick to add glue where you want the glitter. it can be used the same way as I used the glitter pen in my previous comment. String, ribbons, pieces of napkins, buttons, seashells, rusted old keys, dried flowers and leafs etc. are all great as embellishments. Play around with what you have and figure out what you like and go from there. Hope this helped a little. Best of luck to you on your creative adventures!
Try looking for “fancy fold cards” videos ! I have found some real gems which take only paper, a cutter, and some glue to assemble. No fancy die cuts necessary. Even though I love my stamps and dies sometimes I still do simple cards with creative folds.
Like here is one: https://youtu.be/Ofr3zrDiKFA?si=Ec53XhuEmUWK_TKA
Or: https://youtu.be/bkdfZZiJR7I?si=wrF9yY0H2RQChtPf
Or: https://youtu.be/0ryWwundvCQ?si=tQXP5SSJFW2IUPps
All of those can be made with just paper - some plain, some fancy - and a cutter, scorer, and some glue or tape. You can fancy them up with stamps or die cuts or whatnot, but it can be fun to play around with just paper, too!
Good luck!
Another inexpensive item to add dimension is Nuvo Crystal Glaze. You can put over the letters of a sentiment or even the entire rectangle if you cut it and mount it with foam tape. It makes a clear glaze layer. (Glossy accents is the Original brand that does the same thing, but it takes much longer to dry.) Nuvo, also, has color drops to add little accents to balance and bling your card.
Watch Jess Crafts, she makes a lot of videos using paper pads. Kendra's Card Challenge is great too, she has free sketches every 3 months and how to use 6 sheets of pattern paper to make 12+ cards.
Also keep in mind that dry adhesive is superior to wet glue, in MOST cases when it comes to cards. Also most projects w/glue sticks come apart as that kind of glue isn’t dependable. Some people actually keep the handmade cards they get!
You can get tape runners, double sided tape, etc.
Tombow is a well-known brand name for that but I’m only mentioning it for reference in case you don’t know what I’m talking about you could easily look it up.
I’ve used many different brands over the years before I switched to a Scotch ATG (Adhesive Transfer gun) and never looked back.
I began making cards in 1996 when some ladies I worked with invited me over to a card party/learning session at my friend’s house.
So I’ve been doing paper crafting for a long time and have acquired a lot of craft supplies over the years. I’m trying to focus on the basics for you, as are the other kind folks on here! 😃
As I was looking at tape runners I came across this bargain on WM tonight: [https://www.walmart.com/ip/25263427](https://www.walmart.com/ip/25263427)
It says you can get refills for these- way more ‘green’ than throwing away all that plastic when it’s empty. Great buy at 4 for $7.84. I don’t know that I’ve ever used this brand, but 348 people have reviewed & they have a 4.4 score.
The day I learned to make cards, the woman taught us how to use embossing powder & heat emboss. To this day that remains one of my favs! To me, it’s one of the easiest and most professional-looking techniques.
Also, embossing powder you can get very cheap or really expensive for specialty types but to me, the no-name kind has worked just as well as the more pricey name brands. The way you use it is you pour what you don’t use back into the jar and I swear I still have some of the first little pots of it I bought 20+ years ago.
I’m sure there are videos on this- back when I learned we didn’t have You Tube. Lol
I’d be happy to assist you. I’m not selling a thing and I have a lot of free time these days.
I’m not sure about how it works re contacting other users on Reddit, but if it doesn’t work I’ll give you alternate ways to contact me.
Also good quality pigment stamp pads last a super long time as long as you close them when you aren’t using them. The pigment ink is ‘juicy’; it stays wet awhile & that gives you time to pour the powder on, shake off the extra and use a heat tool until it changes from powder to shiny. And voilà! You have something really cool with only a few products.
There’s more to know but that’s the basics. Just know what type of ink you buy matters. Not so much the brand- but whether it’s dye ink or pigment or a hybrid.
I hope I haven’t confused you! 🫢
Besides my ATG, embossing powders, ink, heat tool & stamps- the only other thing I truly love is my die cut machine. I have a Big Shot machine that I’ve had for a long time. I preferred to use a manual machine vs a Cricut because I used a computer for work & I just wanted to get away from that.
I’m so happy you are getting started making cards!
I became ill in 2003, very suddenly I went from having a job where I flew all over the country teaching seminars on computer programs to trying to find a good treatment for an incurable rare nerve disorder.
But the thing that’s made it bearable (I’ve been homebound for 10 yrs now) is having my craft studio and so enjoying choosing colors of paper and ink, etc.
take care! 🥰
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Look up some cardmaking videos on YouTube, you will get lots of ideas on what to do to make great cards with what you have. I love Natasha Foote if you want someone to start with.
Thank you! Been watching videos all day for a week now, but have not watched her channel. Will start watching right now :). The videos are so fun to watch!
I really love cardmaking, paper crafting, and paper engineering and I have learned so many things in the last year of picking it up as a collection of ever-expanding skills. It's so fun to dive in and experiment. Definitely explore your inspiration and take note (either figuratively or literally) of what you like and do not like, what appeals to you or frustrates you, what you want to know more about, what you don't understand yet, what looks too fiddly to try vs what tempts you and looks doable, etc. I really enjoy research and figuring things out like it's a skill mystery--you can unlock so many things!! It's also super easy to spend a bunch of money on a lot of pieces for different parts of the process, and I would maybe hold off on flinging cash at the hole until you know what specifically you really want to achieve. You can do a lot of amazing stuff with just paper, scissors, and glue! Thumbnailing out your creations in advance will also make it much more of a smooth process. Playing around with texture, dimension, functionality, interactive features, and more has really upgraded my card game! It's also helped me decide what is important to me with cards and what isn't. I have purchased a lot of things (partially because the researching/buying is as much of a hobby as the doing) and they certainly can level up your abilities...but only if you learn them, use them, and put them to work. You do not NEED any piece of really specific equipment, or tools, or supplies, to make a good card... but if they are offering you something you really think you will use and enjoy and make multiple things with, maybe it's worth researching what you want to prioritize, and making reasonable acquisitions! As for specific, actionable advice, if you are frustrated with things looking flat, try things that give you layers, dimension, or texture. You may be interested in heat embossing, or die cuts/embossing. But even some layers of paper and a little foam tape can take you a long way if you plan it, execute it with your plan, and keep in mind some things that make cards look a little more professional, like tidy cuts, legible writing, composition and color scheming, and so on. Sorry for the long reply, but I hope it was helpful! Please feel free to message me if you are interested in learning more or seeing some examples.
Thanks for your response, I really like your approach to all of this :). I can certainly see how this can be a cash hole, and I really don't want to head down that route as I have other expensive hobbies as well, though I don't mind buying "essentials" which I feel I already have now. Maybe I just have a creativity block for whatever reason when it comes to this stuff. I think maybe I need to make some (what I would consider) bad cards just to get a feel for this whole thing and get the brain working in the correct way. Die cutting really interests me, as you mentioned, and I may end up going that route as it's not a crazy large investment and it's something I'll have long term. Right now everything is so flat. I do like that the paper packs I bought are already color coordinated, that makes it much easier to start :). I just made a birthday card for my dad as his birthday is coming up in a few weeks. I did multiple mattes but then just stamped happy birthday and a balloon stamp. Not crazy thrilled with it, but it's a start. Thanks for giving me a lot to think about :)
Absolutely!! "Bad" art is the first step to good art, and good art never comes if you don't experiment. Not every piece has to be a showstopper--and you may consider not every piece even needs to be a card. Experiment and play, use up scraps, try new things, keep them or trash them. Make a little book where you stamp all of your stamps in all of your inks. Sketch out ideas on copy paper, fast and loose, just to get your thoughts down! And so on. Everything you make gives you experience and gets you that much closer to leveling up. And you may find that you are pleased with some of your experiments and end up keeping them! With the machine, watch for sales and compare prices from different retailers. I got my Big Shot die cutter/embosser on a big sale from JoAnn's at Christmas after comparing on amazon, Michael's, the Sizzix brand website, etc, and they had the best price. You may also consider the die cutter/embosser vs the cricut (which I would also suggest comparing). If you want more flexibility with cutting options without having to buy more things, the cricut may be for you, as you can get lots of shapes/fonts/projects for free with their design space and upload images you've found elsewhere, but if you want embossing, die cutting, and the ability to make the same kind of pieces fast repeatedly, maybe you look into a die cutter/embosser! One tip if you haven't already started is to make the plain card and then the beautiful part as a panel that you put on top, which gives you dimensionality/makes it look less flat...and means you have more chances if you don't love it the first time! Here's a very simple card with a few touches to make it look nice. And [here's a fun penny slider card in action. ](https://youtu.be/QW5IXE3r9XA?si=Ro3bfrN3yfgvhIwI)It only has a few pieces, and I added some embellishments for dimension, but it was a big hit because of the fun interactivity. https://preview.redd.it/cc5jm9wzzt9d1.jpeg?width=2834&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=62a77f396d32b47e3a3f8f064d17b6bf7c41673f
I love your perspective, thank you again! That Thank You card is a stunner! Is that a sheet of paper behind the thank you stamp? I really love that :) The penny slider!! Why is that so mesmerizing, I couldn't stop watching it :) Thanks for the info on machines, I think if I do get a machine, it'll be a die cut machine. I like the simplicity of it :) PS, that first line of your post is going in my commonplace book :)
The thank you card is a panel of pretty paper on a plain card base, and the "thank you" was cricut cut from cardstock. Not my usual style, but it was very fast, and more elegant too. I also added some of the paper to the envelope to make it match and feel professional. I made it for my mom to give, so it had to be a little more simple and pretty than my usual flair, and it was well received by her office mates with high standards! And thank you, I love the penny sliders too! They're endless fun to play with, once you figure out how to make it work.
Well thank you so much for all of your help :) I just found out the lady at the local ish stationery shop is moving away in a couple of weeks so I thought I’d use what I had to make her a card. She’s the sweetest lady and my wife and I will miss her. She’s moving to Iowa soooo I put this together last night. It was so fun. I don’t have much in the way of paper but I used the little single 6x6 pad I do have :) It’s an old Iowa map cut up. I put the stamp that I fussy cut out on some foam tape. I’m so happy with it :) https://preview.redd.it/rubsrr8qe7ad1.png?width=2537&format=png&auto=webp&s=5a6d80cbe03cccb94b8e74e1f5c5ef662586aa58
Oh that's absolutely wonderful! I hope she loves it, and I'm so glad to hear you're proud! Check out all of those things you've learned in such a short time, and using resources creatively will get you so far!
So a couple thoughts. First, you do not need a die cut. Fussy cutting will get you a comparable result! Before die cutting became a thing, it’s what everyone did. Use a fine, small, sharp scissors to cut carefully around your stamped image. Or if it is a sentiment stamp, use your cutter to cut it the stamped sentiment into a square or rectangle. And then if you have a few colored pencils or markers, maybe add a bit of gentle color to your image. And to get dimension. Someone taught me this saying: “when in doubt, pop it out”. You can get dimensional adhesive (sold in straight lines or little circles called pop dots). Use that on your fussy cut stamped image or sentiment and it will raise it up from being flat. Finally, not sure what kind of scorer you got. If it is something like the Martha Stewart scoreboard (an older tool, may be rebranded now, or have a different name) look up a YouTube video on making a paper rosette with it. Instant dimension for sure when you stick one of those on your card. And then if you glue your stamped element on the rosette, you have a beautiful focal point. Biggest thing to remember: have fun with it!
Thank you thank you thank you! These are amazing ideas :) Fussy cutting, haven't heard that term before, any specific size/type of scissor for something like that? It's exactly what I am trying to do, make my stamped areas "pop" and have some dimension. Cutting out a stamped piece of paper manually sounds A-OK to me! I wrote down paper rosette on my to-do list for tomorrow, thanks for that recommendation! And yep, this is a fun hobby and I will make sure to keep it that way!
And here is a short 2-min clip on fussy cutting: [Three tips for fussy cutting](https://youtube.com/shorts/Xh9PkdLlht4?si=Pv99A0woESsDQhhl)
ohhhhh thank you so much!
Fussy cut is just using a scissor to cut around your stamp or sentiments. Cut it out. Glue it to a contrasting paper and cut that out. Viola a layered piece you can pop out with a glue dot or adhesive square.
My go-to small scissors for fine work are the Tim Holtz Small Scissors - 5 Inch Mini Snips with Micro Serrated Blade. I did a quick online search and don’t see that Michaels sells them. But Amazon does for just a little over $10, and Hobby Lobby maybe a bit cheaper than Amazon. Reasons I like them: super sharp fine blade with a precise point, cut cleanly and easily, have not gone dull in all the YEARS I have been using them, and good handles I can fit my fingers into (small scissors does not need to mean tiny little pinchy finger holes). Worth every penny and the only small scissors you will need.
Thanks so much for this! There is a hobby lobby not far from me either :)
This hobby can get expensive if you aren't mindful of reusability when purchasing stamps and dies. Clean and simple is a style that can produce very nice cards. Try looking on splitcoaststampers.com for inspiration. I believe there is a decent forum there for discussion. Pinterest is also a good place to look. I also find a lot of ideas on the product page from the manufacturer of the stamp--there are usually a lot of cards made by the design team.
These are wonderful ideas, thank you! Heading over to splitcoast now to peruse the forums :)
Welcome to card making, you are in for many hours of fun (a few frustrating when things don’t go as planned) and joy when you see your finished product. Like others suggested watch a few Youtube videos on card making 101 - very helpful. To add dimension there is double sided foam tape - various sizes and thickness - best price i’ve found is Simon Says Stamps. This will raise up whatever you stick it to. If you need envelopes, ribbon etc a great place to check - it’s hit or miss - is thrift stores, Savers and Goodwill. I’ve found some great deals there on card making items and also the $1.25 store.
You sound like me lol. I originally bought some dies thinking they were stencils. Then I bought a die press then stamps and more die cuts and more and more. Got ink pads and the papers, stamp boards and paper cutters, glue now I am making everyone cards and they love them. I learn from tiktok, YouTube, and insta. I think you will learn a lot through those sources. Happy crafting. 🌹
Thank you! Happy crafting to you as well :)
One of my favorite Card making artists on YouTube is Jennifer McGuire. Bear in mind, she shows many different techniques because she wants to keep her followers engaged. But I feel sure somewhere on her videos are some for beginners.
Thank you, added to my field notes for tonights youtube rabbit hole :)
All I want to add to all this great advice is that Gina K has some great videos that show simple techniques to make your cards pop
Sweet, she is on my list of youtubers to check out tonight after work!
Gina k and Cathy Z are my favorites.
Like others have said I use layers to make my cards not look flat. It could be as simple as cutting the same shape several times and gluing it together to get that height off the background or using foam squares or foam tape on a single shape to pop it up higher. And you don't need a die cutter when starting out- a good pair of scissors (preferably with a sharp pointed nose for hard to reach spots) is all you need for cutting. I also like to use bling of some type to add a bit of sparkle and depth to my cards. I usually get them from a cheap store rather than a big name store as I don't believe that there is enough of a difference in quality to justify prices. Metallic pens can also convey depth if you wanted something with multiple uses- they are great for accenting something on the pattern paper, handwriting sentiments or just creating a bit of sparkle like a rhinestone or pearl dot.
Try foam double stick tape, to add more dimension.
I can add it to paper that isn't card stock too? Won't be too flimsy?
No, foam tape isn’t card stock- it’s the same thing some people call pop dots and honestly unless you are making a gazillion cards- one pack goes a long way. It’s just a difference of how the foam sheet itself is cut. There are small circles, rectangles, little squares- the sky is the limit. And it’s very inexpensive.
ha, sorry I wasn't clear :) Can I use the foam dots under regular old paper, or do I really want to try and stick to thicker paper when using the foam dots?
Thicker paper.
I had a lot of stuff but ended up not using much at all. You can do all you want with minimum supplies. Cut out by hand, if you need certain shapes or the stamps. You can even draw and color on white paper to make cards. I promise with some practice it won't look cheap and will be pretty ❤️ Maybe try thinking what you can do with what you have? How can you arrange it? And what style do you like best? Kristina Werner on YouTube has some very minimalistic cards which I love. Or even just paper strips glued to a mat and with a sentiment on top.
I love all of this, thank you! I’ve been watching Kristina Werner today and wow she’s awesome. The more I watch though the more confused I get. I’m an adult male and a lot of these videos are a bit too “feminine” for me. Not that I’m mr macho man or anything. I just need to find my style somehow. As I love sending cards and making them would be even better! Also those letterpress cards are getting way up there in price !
Well, you can always choose to make them more your style. I'm not sure how "masculine" you want to go, but if you look for it, it's tools and cars. She has some more graphic cards, which I feel are less playful. And you can always choose colors you like. Botanical cards can be also pretty neutral. Use the ideas you see and make them yours. There's also a young man making card making videos. Simon Hurley, but I rarely watch him. He might have a different perspective on it though.
I've been watching Klompen Stampers on YouTube. They are Stampin Up people. I haven't gotten into stamping yet (I do have a Cricut) but they have a lot of ideas for cards using pretty paper and give you dimensions and where to score etc! *
Is stampin up kind of weird to you? All these videos I watch with stampin up products being used, half their videos are just trying to push crap on me, or to sign up to receive a cheap looking catalog. Just feels weird and off putting. Is this like an MLM for card making?
Before I finished reading your comment I was going to respond it's like the Mary Kay/Tupperware/31/pampered chef of card making it seems! That being said I still want to buy alllllll the "designer series paper " and stamp sets! 😄
I’ve been so turned off by their pushy sales on all these vids I haven’t looked at anything they offer nor can I get through a whole video. Maybe it’s for the best 😂😂
All demonstrations are trying to get you to buy things, so my suggestion is not to get too carried away, especially until you find your style. You can use stamps, dies, stencils, dry embossing, heat embossing, ink blending, etc. Best wishes, this is a great forum when you have questions 😊
Yes, it's an MLM.
Welcome to cardmaking! It's such a fun hobby and its wonderful to be able to pass on one of your creations and brighten up someone's day. A few of my suggestions: - definitely be careful and thoughtful with the items you purchase. It's so easy to get caught up in buying a ton of supplies. There is a weird thing that happens when you get a lot of stuff in that you become overwhelmed and actually end up less creative and paralyzed by too many choices. As you start making more cards you may find that your style is different than you thought. I love all the pretty papers and bought a ton of them. But as I made more cards, I realized I didn't actually like \*working\* with the pretty papers. Turns out my style is more ink blending, stencils, alcohol inks, and stamps. I ended up giving away a LOT of the paper because I finally had to admit it wasn't going to get used. So start slow, buy a couple of 6x6 pads to start with until you figure out what you actually enjoy making. - You can add a lot of dimension with things like foam tape, dots, stickles, texture from background stamps or stencils. There are a lot of options to try before you buy a die cut machine. The machines aren't crazy expensive themselves, it's the continuing expense of purchasing the die cuts that add up. To be honest if I had it to do all ove again, I would probably save my money and stuck with fussy cutting or made a one time purchase of a scan and cut. Cutter Bee's scissors are great for fussy cutting btw - Definitely invest in a good paper trimmer. I love the Tonic Studio ones. But no matter what style cards you make you'll need a trimmer for cutting bases and layers. If you really get into stamping, then I definitely suggest getting a stamping platform. It will help you stamp nice clean images more easily. - Watching YouTube videos is a great way to learn techniques. Just remember that most of them are trying to get you to buy whatever they are using. It gets really easy to convince yourself that YOU.MUST.HAVE.THAT.ITEM-so you too can be that creative! The real creativity comes from figuring out what you already have in your stash you can use for a similar effect. It's also easy to make watching the YouTube Videos a hobby all on it's own. Sometimes these videos can be overwhelming when you're starting out. Don't judge you starting skills against someone who has been making cards professionally for years. There is a leaning curve so give yourself some grace. - Big box stores like Michaels o JoAnn's are good for basics like paper, scissors o adhesives, but the best selection of supplies ae going to be on line. Check out places like [Scrapbook.com](http://Scrapbook.com) or Only One Life Creations, or even Ecstasy Crafts. And definitely check out the sale sections. Woodware stamps are excellent quality for a reasonable price. - These are some of my favorite playlists for learning basic cardmaking skills. Simon may be young in these videos but he's grown into a talented young man who now has his own line of products' with Ranger [Cardmaking Basics With Simon Hurley](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqQkxGlyrF4&list=PLPfJBMxvm-Do29qC2TpTAYCQ5KYBLBTtk) and [Stamping 101 ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7fBeVixqLM&list=PLPfJBMxvm-Dp83qyb6TYKMjkWiXU6_XrT&index=1) Someone mentioned Natasha Foote. She is honestly my absolute favorite YouTuber. I've never seen anyone make such a diverse selection of cards with a huge variety of styles. She's got over 1K videos on her channel. She is also big on "work with what you have" she's one of the few that isn't trying to sell you products. Her Facebook community is really lovely too. I hope this helped some! Feel free to hit us up with questions. I think this community is really lovely and supportive.
thank you so MUCH! This post is pure gold and has been saved :) All of these tips are excellent and your points on using what I have hits home. I can easily fall in deep with a new hobby or craft and your response has helped me reign that in. MUST HAVE ITEMS hit home. i do feel that way with every video I watch! Looking forward to watching both Natasha and Simon vids this evening after work :) But yea, you're right there as well, watching these videos has become a little hobby already! I can tell this community is lovely and supportive, and I'm happy to dip my toes in and start to get to know people :) Thank you again, wholeheartedly.
We all started this way, don't be hard on yourself. Sometimes when I'm lazy my cards come out flat looking too. Look at a lot of videos. You will eventually find your own style. I've learned I am not really a make-ahead kind of crafter. Instead, I come up with an idea and I let it noodle in my head a while. Some card ideas of mine don't get made for several years. Some I make immediately after getting inspired by a video or picture. There are many things you can do with what you have. Strips of paper can be woven, or put in a grid formation to make a border. Your scoring pad can make corrugated paper, rosettes, or you can rotate your paper/card to make a checkerboard pattern. No one ever judged me for my early work, everyone appreciates a handmade card.
I love this, thank you for sharing/responding :)
Check out @KristieMarcotte on YouTube, especially her videos from about 3 years ago (that’s when I got started) and she wasn’t really affiliated with a brand. She really shows some great techniques on taking paper packs and turning them into tons of cards using layers and focal pieces. She’s a great place to start.
Thanks, she's on my list of youtubers for the week ahead, I really appreciate it!
Replying here again, just wanted to thank you for this suggestion. She is making stunning cards with \*mostly\* paper packs. She is using a bunch of other stuff, but I can think about some ideas using what I have based on this video. This one I found is from 2021 as I tried staying within the time frame you recommended above. Thanks again!
You don't have to stamp it on the pretty paper. You can stamp it on some white cardstock (or the back of pretty cardstock if it is not double-sided). Then, cut it to fit on the front of your card. You can also try out handwritten sentiment techniques so you don't have to invest in additional materials.
I like this a lot. Definitely going to try cutting out a stamping tomorrow, though I'll need small scissors. Michaels is down the street :)
https://preview.redd.it/oqo5nc7r5y9d1.png?width=1205&format=png&auto=webp&s=6086f93b24c326db197cc2b69f5a1e2b1510632a There's a lot you can do with the supplies you already have! I fuzzy cut a lot to make my stamped images pop. This works for both stamped images and patterned papers as long as you have two identical sheets. In the picture to the left i stamped and colored it in with regular coloring pencils and glitter pens. To the right is a 3D version: I did the same thing again, but only coloring in the bouquet of flowers before cutting out a big part of it and placing it on top of the first one with foam dots. I repeated this process a third time, but stamping on a thick piece of paper and cutting out just a couple of flowers to glue on top as a final touch, this creates a raised 3d effect that's more subtle than using foam and the card doesn't get as bulky. You can do this with sentiments too, just stamp a word like "Hello" twice, cut out the whole word, then only the cut out the H from the other and layer it on top of the first. Your 3d sentiment is ready to be used :)
https://preview.redd.it/gq0e4rt1dy9d1.jpeg?width=3086&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=49ed4c5fbfe0784f489c5493732fa7a76a9dbafa If you were to consider buying anything more I recommend starting with a couple of paper punchers (it doesn't have to be flowers), they are much cheaper than embossing machines and versatile. These flowers were made using the same flower paper puncher, but hand curled differently - if that makes sense? The top row is made with the large puncher only. I used three sizes for the bottom row, but two layers and a flat-back pearl or rhinestone is just as nice! Inking the edges of the card's layers and/or embellishments brings out detail and enhances layers. If you already have some acrylic paint then they can be used for patterns and detail as well, I used white paint for the dots on these flowers. If you like a bit of sparkle but don't want to invest in embossing powders and a heat gun, you can go a long way with fine transparent holographic glitter. Since it's clear it can be used anywhere emphasizing the colors on your card with a lovely sparkle. Use a fine tip glue pen or small brush/toothpick to add glue where you want the glitter. it can be used the same way as I used the glitter pen in my previous comment. String, ribbons, pieces of napkins, buttons, seashells, rusted old keys, dried flowers and leafs etc. are all great as embellishments. Play around with what you have and figure out what you like and go from there. Hope this helped a little. Best of luck to you on your creative adventures!
Try looking for “fancy fold cards” videos ! I have found some real gems which take only paper, a cutter, and some glue to assemble. No fancy die cuts necessary. Even though I love my stamps and dies sometimes I still do simple cards with creative folds. Like here is one: https://youtu.be/Ofr3zrDiKFA?si=Ec53XhuEmUWK_TKA Or: https://youtu.be/bkdfZZiJR7I?si=wrF9yY0H2RQChtPf Or: https://youtu.be/0ryWwundvCQ?si=tQXP5SSJFW2IUPps All of those can be made with just paper - some plain, some fancy - and a cutter, scorer, and some glue or tape. You can fancy them up with stamps or die cuts or whatnot, but it can be fun to play around with just paper, too! Good luck!
I’m new too! I picked up a bunch of stuff off Facebook marketplace. People sell a ton of card paper and stuff even in my rural area on marketplace.
Good call! Will look at marketplace tomorrow
Try looking at Pinterest for inspiration.
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Amazing! Thank you for sharing the pictures as well as some ideas :)
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Another inexpensive item to add dimension is Nuvo Crystal Glaze. You can put over the letters of a sentiment or even the entire rectangle if you cut it and mount it with foam tape. It makes a clear glaze layer. (Glossy accents is the Original brand that does the same thing, but it takes much longer to dry.) Nuvo, also, has color drops to add little accents to balance and bling your card.
This is great thank you! Going to get a bottle of this stuff for sure :) I've seen it used in so many videos but didn't know what it was :)
Watch Jess Crafts, she makes a lot of videos using paper pads. Kendra's Card Challenge is great too, she has free sketches every 3 months and how to use 6 sheets of pattern paper to make 12+ cards.
Also keep in mind that dry adhesive is superior to wet glue, in MOST cases when it comes to cards. Also most projects w/glue sticks come apart as that kind of glue isn’t dependable. Some people actually keep the handmade cards they get! You can get tape runners, double sided tape, etc. Tombow is a well-known brand name for that but I’m only mentioning it for reference in case you don’t know what I’m talking about you could easily look it up. I’ve used many different brands over the years before I switched to a Scotch ATG (Adhesive Transfer gun) and never looked back. I began making cards in 1996 when some ladies I worked with invited me over to a card party/learning session at my friend’s house. So I’ve been doing paper crafting for a long time and have acquired a lot of craft supplies over the years. I’m trying to focus on the basics for you, as are the other kind folks on here! 😃
As I was looking at tape runners I came across this bargain on WM tonight: [https://www.walmart.com/ip/25263427](https://www.walmart.com/ip/25263427) It says you can get refills for these- way more ‘green’ than throwing away all that plastic when it’s empty. Great buy at 4 for $7.84. I don’t know that I’ve ever used this brand, but 348 people have reviewed & they have a 4.4 score.
The day I learned to make cards, the woman taught us how to use embossing powder & heat emboss. To this day that remains one of my favs! To me, it’s one of the easiest and most professional-looking techniques. Also, embossing powder you can get very cheap or really expensive for specialty types but to me, the no-name kind has worked just as well as the more pricey name brands. The way you use it is you pour what you don’t use back into the jar and I swear I still have some of the first little pots of it I bought 20+ years ago. I’m sure there are videos on this- back when I learned we didn’t have You Tube. Lol I’d be happy to assist you. I’m not selling a thing and I have a lot of free time these days. I’m not sure about how it works re contacting other users on Reddit, but if it doesn’t work I’ll give you alternate ways to contact me. Also good quality pigment stamp pads last a super long time as long as you close them when you aren’t using them. The pigment ink is ‘juicy’; it stays wet awhile & that gives you time to pour the powder on, shake off the extra and use a heat tool until it changes from powder to shiny. And voilà! You have something really cool with only a few products. There’s more to know but that’s the basics. Just know what type of ink you buy matters. Not so much the brand- but whether it’s dye ink or pigment or a hybrid. I hope I haven’t confused you! 🫢
Besides my ATG, embossing powders, ink, heat tool & stamps- the only other thing I truly love is my die cut machine. I have a Big Shot machine that I’ve had for a long time. I preferred to use a manual machine vs a Cricut because I used a computer for work & I just wanted to get away from that. I’m so happy you are getting started making cards! I became ill in 2003, very suddenly I went from having a job where I flew all over the country teaching seminars on computer programs to trying to find a good treatment for an incurable rare nerve disorder. But the thing that’s made it bearable (I’ve been homebound for 10 yrs now) is having my craft studio and so enjoying choosing colors of paper and ink, etc. take care! 🥰
Oh this is great, thank you!
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