Card Making

While you certainly can dive into the world of card making with nothing more than a pair of scissors, some construction paper and a bottle of white school glue, having a few more specialized tools and materials on hand will make the whole process a whole lot more fun.

• Paper Trimmer
• Scissors
• Adhesive
• Card Stock
• Specialty Papers

Paper Trimmer

A paper trimmer is one of the core card making supplies you should have in your basic supply kit.  Having a good trimmer will allow you to cut straight and squared edges. It also makes it so much faster to do prep work, which also makes it more fun. There is a variety of types of paper trimmers to select from and many of them will do just fine. They come in various price points and styles.

Often it is a matter of preference as to which paper trimmer style is easier for people to use.

Types of trimmers: rotary blade, guillotine, sliding blade, combined trimmer and score tool, Table top, portable,  etc.

If you are purchasing your very first trimmer, it is probably best to pick up a 12″ portable trimmer vs a table top version so that you have the ability to take it on the go as needed and it is so much more easy to use. Having a 12″ trimmer will allow you to easily cut down 12″ x 12″ paper to the different size cuts as needed. When evaluating a trimmer it is also suggested you get one that has the ability to both cut and score (two different type of blades).

The trimmer below is available through Fun Stampers Journey which is a part of Spellbinders. It comprises all of the features just mentioned above. When picking up a trimmer it is always a good idea to pick up spare cutting blades so that you have them when needed. Note: you will get many, many cuts from a single cut blade, but when the blade starts to dull, you will be very happy to have the extra one on hand.

Scissors

Your next must have is a good pair of scissors. Not all scissors are created equal and this would be one of your tools I would not skimp on price or quality, because the different between a good or inferior pair of scissors can make a huge difference.

Adhesives

Not all adhesives are created equal. The choices for adhesives are as varied as the different types of projects you will be creating and it is important to use the right type of adhesive for the project you are wanting to create.

Since we are creating a basic card making supplies list, we will discuss some of the best adhesives that you will want to have on hand.

For attaching cardstock and stamped images together we suggest an adhesive runner or roll tape.

The adhesive needed for attaching embellishments can vary depending on the type of embellishments. Sometimes an adhesive runner will work, but sometimes you may need a liquid glue that has a stronger tac.

Keep in mind, though, that an adhesive runner isn’t always strong enough to hold everything. I wouldn’t use it for gluing on thick embellishments like chipboard or holding together 3D projects, like boxes.

Need some subtle 3D action? Use a foam adhesive dot to attach your doodads. The foam elevates your pieces off the page, literally making them pop.

Cardstock and Patterned Paper

Making handmade cards that you will be proud of needs a nice selection of cardstock. I would have to say that this is one area where I would make sure I have a good quality cardstock to create with, because this will effect the look and feel of the cards you make. Start off with some good basic colors and then build from there. Having quality white and black cardstock is a must. The white cardstock is always good for your card base and then accent with other colors, but if you decided to add stamping to your card making, then white cardstock is a must.

Patterned papers come in limitless colors, print themes, styles and sizes. These can be picked up in single sheets or in packs. I suggest having a small amount of paper across a wide variety of styles at first , so you can experiment with different combinations to see what you like best.

As time goes on, you will begin to learn what specific products you like best

Instead of giving out a store-bought card for the next special occasion, try your hand at making your own cards. Making your own cards does not require a lot of hard work, but rather a bit of creativity and the right materials.

To start creating your cards visit your local arts and crafts store or search online to find the materials needed. Most arts and crafts stores have big scrapbooking sections. This is where you will be able to find the materials to make your own cards. Shopping online can afford you just about any crafting item your heart desires. Let your inspiration guide you as the possibilities are unlimited. You can create various themed cards such as Christmas, birthday, Valentine’s Day cards and much more.

Rubber stamps are widely available and you can buy virtually any color ink to go with the stamps. There are several stamping methods that you can use when making cards including embossing. Embossing is the process of creating a raised image on the card and it can give the card an elegant appearance.

There are several die cuts and die cut machines available as well. Die cuts allow you to punch a shape out with ease. They come in all different shapes and sizes and can be very useful in achieving a layered look. Die cuts can be punched out of different color papers to display a colorful card.

Scrapbook papers come in all different colors, textures and themes. Patterned paper can be purchased as well as glitter paper and pre-scored card kits. Card kits come with the note cards already made and ready to decorate. The kits come in different sizes and often different colors to meet a variety of needs. During seasonal periods, such as Christmas, card kits come out with note cards, envelopes and many different die cut shapes.

Stickers are available, both regular and 3D and also come in many different themes. You can find a plethora of licensed crafting items such as  Disney, superheroes, cartoons and more. Adding stickers to your cards can help to foster even more creativity when matching colors and themes. You can further enhance your handmade cards by adding ribbon or brads. Ribbon comes in a plethora of colors, shapes and textures. Brads can be used to hold items such as die cuts on the card without the use of an adhesive.

Simply put, making cards is a creative process that only you can foster. Cards can be created with a variety of items found in your local arts and crafts store. You can play around using different methods to decorate the cards and have fun at the same time!