Tags
Beginners, Card making, cardmaking, craft, essentials, scrapbooking, Stampin
In the light of what i have done just recently (startup a scrapbook/card-making group at my church) i realised that there maybe a few people out there that would LOVE to start scrapbooking or card-making and have no idea where to start.
This series is for you!
I will be covering essential tools and consumables. Handy tools to use when you are more into it and how to put together great layouts.
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Today we are covering what you need to start you off…
The bare minimum to get you started you will need the following tools:
Paper Trimmer
Fine tip scissors
Yes! That is all!
As you develop your interest and skills in scrapbooking and card-making you will want other tools but for now the above is all you will need.
The bare minimum of consumables you will need are:
****12×12 pad of patterned paper***
Examples: DMWV, Prima, Roses Studio are some brands that bring out paper stacks/pads in 12×12 sizes
***12×12 pad of plain multi coloured papers*** – neutrals are best (browns, white, cream, greys) but also those that match the pad of patterned paper you chose above helps.
Both patterned and plain cardstock pads are available from Stationery Warehouse or your local scrapbook/craft stockist.
**** Adhesive – double sided tape *****
- I recommend X-press it tape. Its inexpensive and is fabulous for paper-crafting.
In NZ this is available at The Art Shed (Bright purple shop corner fitzgerald, ferry road) or The drawing room (corner Manchester, St Asaph streets). Or any craft/scrapbook outlet.
*** A ball point pen and a marker pen both in black.****
And yes that is all that you will need for consumables!
What about stickers and embellishments?
You can make them out of paper with your scissors and double sided tape but if you want to go and get some that match your patterned papers. Or what you like.
Two more things you will need if you are a scrapbooker:
An album to put your layouts in.
Develop some photos.
Card makers:
Invest in some ***Sentiment stamps*** like these:
These are from Stampin Up but you can buy sets or individual word stamps at any craft or stamp store. Can be in the form of wood mounted rubber. Cling mount rubber or Clear polymer stamps. Cling and Clear polymer need acrylic blocks to mount them on. Ask the shop assistant when choosing which to use.
You will also need a ***plain black ink pad.**** Try to buy a brand you can re-ink with a bottle re-inker. (it helps save money if you can)
You can also buy a pack of ready made card bases – they come with envelopes too! (at Stationery Warehouse) or make your own card bases from plain cardstock you have bought above.
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Here is a scrapbook layout sketch and instructions for you to help you make your first layout.
The title usually has in it what the photos are… eg: if the photos are of the first rose of the season…. then the title could be “First Rose” – keep it short and sweet.
The sketch is for 12×12 size but you can use it anyway you want. Turn it on its side. Turn it upside-down. Use it as a starting point and completely change it if you want. Its up to you.
Here is my layout. I did it in A4 size.
Here is how I did it…
I gathered together my scissors, trimmer, paper pad, photos, double sided tape, black pens.
Trimmed the smaller photo to 4×4
I chose my base for my page from the patterned paper pad. Making sure its as plain as I could get it.
I chose three patterned papers and cut them 1 inch wide.
cut 5 – 1 inch strips. One the same colour as the base cardstock. (often there is more than one sheet of each pattern in paper pads)
dove tail cut all the strips on one end.
first cut up the middle about an inch, then cut from bottom corner to top of first cut.
Cut the second side up to the first cut. You have the dove tail! awesome.
Now use that one as the template to cut the others the same.
Now use the double sided tape to stick three of the strips down at various lengths.
The strip that is the same as the base cardstock – fold near the end to make a banner
stick down the banner across the top and the last strip just below that.
trim off any over hanging pieces on the base cardstock
stick down the photos with the double sided tape.
with the black marker pen and ball point pens we will put in the last details….
next outline the title banner. put in your title and write in your journaling.
Don’t forget to date it. I put the year as I forgot what month I picked the rose! LOL
and its all finished!
Remember after every layout done you should have scraps of paper – enough to make at least one greeting card. Very handy for those last minute needed cards.
Here is a card sketch layout and instructions for the greeting card makers.
The Sentiment would be the words “Happy Birthday” “Merry Christmas” or “Congratulations”
Here is my greeting card made using the sketch above:
and this is how I did it…..
first of all I got out a plain cream 12×12 piece of cardstock for my card base and cut it as follows…
I got a normal printer sheet and lined it along one edge of the 12×12 sheet.
then trimmed off the excess. I put the cut off aside for later projects.
I then folded it in half only Pinching at one end to mark my cutting mark.
I then lined up the cutting mark to where the blade on the trimmer would go and trimmed that piece of cardstock in half.
Now I have two card bases – all I do now is fold both in half.
I then did as before and cut 1 inch strips from the left over cardstock of the layout I just did.
and dove tailed the end as above
I adhered the strips on my card as in the picture.
Next trimmed the parts that over hung the card base
With my sentiment stamp – it was a cling mount rubber stamp so I attached it to the acrylic block and I inked the stamp with my Ranger Black Archival ink pad. Stamp pad to stamp as shown. Making sure the whole stamp was covered in ink.
I then stamp the stamp onto the plain strip across the top of the card.
The card is now finished!
I hope you had fun making your layout and card.
Next week i will give you another sketch for a layout and a greeting card with instructions. Adding a simple inexpensive tool you already may have in your home. 
Till then, stay crafty!
