Stamping Supply List, Tips, and Hints

Stamping can truly save you a lot of money - not only on making your own cards, but also in making your own embellishments too!  Sometimes it is a lot more fun to take a stamp and create something one of a kind than it is to purchase a sticker lets say!  You can then add more things - such as buttons, brads, punches, and paper to create a ton of things!  A basic toolkit for stamping - to add to your scrapbook supplies:

• Stamp sets in various themes.  Don't go overboard in this area, simply get what you will use and stamps that might go with other stamps you have.  
• Ink pads - you can never have too many ink pads, as long as you take care of them and use them that is!  Store them upside down in order to keep the ink at the top and more moist!  
• Card packs with envelopes.  In order to make one of a kind, beautiful, fun cards - you need plenty of this supply!  
• Scraps of paper from other projects, or coordinated papers to create the cards with. Paper is the basis the whole entire project!  
• Coloring items such as markers, colored pencils, and chalks!  
• Decorative edged scissors
  
• Paper trimmer
• Fine tip scissors
• Sketches for finished projects
• Ruler
• Sponges
• Templates**
• Brayer**
• Lightbox**
• Embossing gun **
• Embossing powder**  

Items marked with ** are items you can look for on sale, down the line, instead of up front as you are just starting out!  Check coupons out for various craft stores, or online for specials!     

Tips to create for cheap:

1. Purchase stamps you know you will use, don't go wild buying every single stamp out there.  Pick up those you will actually use, and that you can use with other things, such as a present stamp, which you can use for birthdays or holidays simply by changing the saying stamp to go with it!  
2. If you are just starting out, and are on a budget...Walmart has a great section with $1 ink pads, stamps, as well as in-expensive embellishments to make a few cards with!  You could probably spend $10-15 and be able to make quite a few different cards!  
3. Start small, such as a card, bookmark, or tag... 
4. Pick a theme, and make cards for it...such as birthdays (if you celebrate), thank you cards (if you send a lot out), or just plain notecards with no "saying" on, just a simple stamp with a saying on the inside!  
5. Most "dollar stores" have plain gift bags you can use to create your own style of gift bags, instead of purchasing them!  Add a matching card, and another one in the bag for them to re-use!  
6. Use existing supplies you have, look for coupons from craft stores, and don't buy everything you think you need!  
7. Connect with other people who stamp, and use other styles of stamps instead of your own!  This way you can try before you buy!  

I am sure as we keep going there will be more ideas to help save you money!  Check back for tons of ideas this month using stamps - for scrapbooking, making cards, and making craft projects!  Thanks for stopping by!  

Until next time,

Lynda Jeffs

Memories in Tyme