my craft journey part 2

hello crafters! 

this is part 2 of my craft journey, giving tips on moving from scrapbooking to cardmaking to mini albums/altered projects. in this segment we'll cover cardmaking. for tips on getting started with scrpabooking, click here to read part 1

stepping into cardmaking can seem oddly familiar to a scrapbooker. you have all these tools and supplies, but you've got to look at them a little bit differently. and then you realize there are some tools you still need. the biggest difference for me personally-STAMPS. i didn't own a single stamp before i became a cardmaker.suddenly i was in love with this new hobby and purchasing stamps became a major part of my scrapbook shopping budget. to speak in scrap terms photos and journaling are to layouts what images and sentiments are to cards. 


so let's go over the tools that you'll want to add to your collection when shifting into cardmaking

tools
stamps

• sentiments: start with a generic "everyday or any occasion" stamp set, as well as birthday and thank you cards. then add seasonal sentiments

• images: should be personalized to your style of cardmaking. if you have a playful style find character images, if you have more of an elegant style find large flowers
• background: background stamps are usually sized to fit the full front of a standard sized card (5 1/2 x 4 1/4). 

 stamping surface

• a grid mat is great for measuring, but when stamping you need a surface you can easily wipe clean. i recommend ranger's kraft mat or inkadinado's stampin surface. 

inks

• begin with basic colors: black, brown, and then begin adding colors that you like. 

bone folder (you may already have, especially if you bought a tool kit!)
scoring board
embossing folders
dimensional adhesive
baby wipes

• an inexpensive way to clean your stamps!

heat tool
embossing powders

now for the cardmaking splurge! copic markers. they're alcohol based markers, that blend beautifully, and make your coloring look amazing.
(check out part 1 for my tips on how to pay for splurge items)

like with scrapbooking you're going to have cardmaking supplies (embellishments you're going to buy, use, and need to replenish, unlike most of your tools which you'll only need to buy once) 
there are so many different kinds of embellishments out there i'm going to touch on a few popular ones for cardmaking, but i'm sure i'm not going to get them all. (if you'd like to add something to the list leave it in the comments :)


supplies
glimmer mist
perfect pearls
gems
UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamel)

brands i love

• hero arts
• ranger
• inkadinkado
• tim holtz
• tattered angels

now you've got all your supplies, it's time for a little inspiration, check out these blogs and youtube pages, and you'll be making beautiful cards in not time. 

blogs you'll love

• jennifer mcguire ink
• kwerner deisgn
• stampin a latte
• lucy's cards
• the daily marker

youtube channels

• starofmay
• splitcoaststampers
• NicholM15
• heroarts

thanks for reading along, in part 3 i'll we'll go into mini album's and altered projects!