First Steps
There are so many ideas, so many products. Where do you start? Here are a few suggestions. First start with either a kit or just a few products that will give you maximum variety.
Kits Stampin’ Up! has been offering a lot of kits lately. They are great because they come with everything you need except scissors and adhesive. The coordination and choices are done. There’s one item number so they’re easy to order. They make a great way to try those first steps.
Paper Pumpkin is a program like a book club, but there is no long-term commitment. Each month a kit, “a fully decked creativity carriage”comes to your house for $19.95. The first kit is always the same for everyone. It comes with a clear block that you will continue to use with the subsequent kits. You will also get everything you need except for scissors and adhesive to make cards, 3-D projects, and more. You can stop a kit from coming a month or two and you can stop any time.
If you’re not sure if you’re ready for that, you can Try It for one kit to see what you think. The Try It kit is $16.95 #132600 from the online store.
Hip Hip Hooray Card Kit is $19.95 #134998 and makes 20 cards. You don’t even need adhesive for the printed embellishments since they have adhesive on the back!
Everyday Occasions comes with supplies and directions for 20 cards for $29.95. #134797
Or try a little more creativity and independence. Try buying some basic supplies to build on.
Whisper White Card Stock 40 sheets for $8.50, # 100730. When I first got started I didn’t think card stock mattered, but it really does! Compare it for yourself. Stamp on regular copy paper, card stock from your local office supply store, and Stampin’ Up!’s Whisper White Card Stock. You’ll see for yourself!
Envelopes in Whisper White $6.50 for 40 envelopes #107301 I started with envelopes from my local office supply store. They cost $27.59 for 250 envelopes at $0.11 apiece. Ours are $0.16 apiece but again the paper is smoother for a much better image quality. If you want to compare, look for A2 size which is great for cutting 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper in half and then folded. If you already have this size envelopes, use them for now.
Stampin’ Write Markers $3.50 each. These markers have 2 tips, one is great for writing and the other is a brush tip. You can color on a stamp instead of using a stamp pad. You can also color in the stamped image. We sell them individually. If you can only be a few, I’ve put them in the order that I would start with but we all have our own favorites. I had a hard time choosing. I really love them all! Real Red or Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive or Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Smoky Slate, Blushing Bride, Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, and Night of Navy. These are all great colors to start with. Pick a few of these or buy an assortment in your favorite color family.
February 28 – March 31, 2014 is Sale-a-Bration and you can order Birthday Bash Bundle for $61.70 #135316. That will get you the Whisper White card stock, the envelopes, a set of 2013-14 In-Color markers, a stamp set (Remembering Your Birthday), and 2 simple embellishments (Baker’s Twine and Rhinestones). This is enough to make 40 cards with up to 20 sheets of card stock plus Rhinestones and Baker’s Twine left over, not to mention the markers. That’s $1.50 per card!
Check out 3 cards made with just these supplies.
And during Sale-a-Bration you get to choose one of over a dozen products FREE. If you choose Banner Blast #133551 you can make even more card designs. Here are the ones shown in the catalog.
