I challenged myself to make as many projects as possible with a minimum of supplies. Send me your samples and I’ll share them here too!
First, the supplies I used:
- Whisper White Card Stock, $8.50 for 40 sheets, #100730 Add it to my bag.
- Whisper White Medium Envelopes, $6.50 for 40, #107301. Consider buying 2 packs. Add it to my bag.
- Everything Eleanor Stamp Set, $36.95 in wood-mount, #131987 Add it to my bag.
- Sweet Essentials, $19.95 in wood-mount #132085 Add it to my bag.
- 8 1/2″ x 11″ Brights Collection Card Stock, $6.95 2 sheets of 10 colors, #131190 Add it to my bag.
- Stampin’ Write Markers Brights Collection, $28.95 for 10 markers, #131259 Add it to my bag.
- Classic Stampin’ Pad in Basic Gray $5.95, #126981 Add it to my bag.
- White 5/8″ Organza Ribbon, $5.95 for 15 yards, #114319 Add it to my bag.
- Candy Dots, $5.95 for 100 pieces, #130931 Add it to my bag.
- Decorative Label Punch, $16.95, #120907 Add it to my bag.
Total cost $122.35 plus shipping and tax. That might sound like a lot, but this will make 40 beautiful cards at $3.06 each, mostly limited by those 40 envelopes. If you buy 2 packs you will double that to 80 cards at $1.53 each. Now consider how much you spend for cards at the store and the time it takes you to drive to the store. I think it sounds like a bargain! Next year, after you’ve sent a birthday card and maybe a Christmas card or Thank You to everyone, buy a different stamp set. You will probably still have plenty of supplies on hand for more cards.
Alternatives you might prefer to save money.
- To see how to get started with even fewer supplies, click here.
- Buy Note Cards with Envelopes instead of the White Card Stock and Medium Envelopes. I use layers for my card samples and you would either need to sacrifice a card or eliminate the white layers.
- Individual Markers, $3.50 each Real Red, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry.
- Everything Eleanor in clear-mount and clear blocks C and E.
- Buy one or two stamp sets for now and add more later. They are $5.95 each. Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise. Or buy the whole collection and save $10. Click here to see everything in the Brights Collection.
- A different color collection and/or stamp set… your choice. Here are some suggestions.
Supplies I consider essential, but can be substituted with things you most likely have. I think you’ll find the Stampin’ Up! easier to use and perform their functions better than the alternatives, but the alternatives can get you through until you’re ready to upgrade.
- Stampin’ Trimmer $29.95, #126889 It cuts a straight line and scores to help fold a clean line. Use scissors or a ruler and a razor knife for cutting. Score by putting your card stock on a magazine and use something thin and round (like a paper clip, washer like you’d use with bolts, or maybe even a dime.) and a ruler to create the score line.Bone Folder $6.95, # 102300 Add it to my bag.
- A Bone Folder , $6.95. #102300. It helps you crease your score line for a crisp fold. Use a finger nail or the side a smooth pen.
- Paper Snips $9.95, #103579 I went for years without Snips. When I finally bought some, I found they really did cut a lot better than my regular household scissors.
- Snail Adhesive $6.95, #104332 and refills $4.50, #104331. Use any 2 sided tape.
- Multipurpose Liquid Glue $3.95, #110755. Use any white glue, but be careful of buckling.
- Stampin’ Dimensionals $3.95, #104430. They are only about a penny apiece and add a lot to your projects. I have used foam carpet tape in the past, but if you’re going to buy something, by all means, buy the Dimensionals.
- Stampin’ Mist $4.50, #102394 and Stampin’ Scrub $16.95, #126200. The mist cleans and conditions your stamps. Spray it on one side of the Scrub to clean and dry on the other side of the Scrub. You could buy the Mist and spray it on a painter’s edger pad refills or you can use alcohol free baby wipes to clean your stamps.
- Stamp-a-ma-jig $11.95, #101049. See a home-made version here.
Send me photos your Getting Started Samples!
Email Me a picture and I’ll share them here.