Day One - How to make a handmade card – Supplies, Design and finding that Inspiration

A Free Step by Step Guide to card making for beginners

This is a one off unique blog series where you will learn everything you need to know about handmade cards

Day One – How to make a handmade card – Supplies, Design and finding that Inspiration

So, you’ve maybe asked yourself “How do I make a handmade card?” or “How does a beginner start a hobby making handmade cards?” and you are not sure or cannot find the answer, well, in this five-part blog series over five weeks I will try to answer these questions for you. My name is Tricia and I’m an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator based in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. All of this blog content is my own views based on my own personal experience. I’m not a master cardmaker by any means, but these basics should help to get you started. I have added a brief YouTube Video at the end of this blog, I hope you have time to view it after taking in all of this new information! 🙂

As the series progresses, we will move on to other aspects of cardmaking from simple techniques to creating a cardmaking business.

Let’s get started…

What do I need to make a handmade card?

There are some basic supplies that you will need such as scissors, glue, a ruler, some cardstock, ink pads and at least one stamp set – you’ll also need a stamping block.

Card Base

I create my cards mostly the same size for easiness, I start with a card base, let’s use an A6 card size for reference. Take a piece of A4 cardstock and cut down with your scissors to 8” x 6” and fold in half. Some crafters use a paper cutter/trimmer as well as a scoring tool or board whereby they will simply score along the longest side of the cardstock at 4” and fold. There is a tool called the bone folder which comes in handy for creasing your folds and score lines. We will go over equipment in more detail next week.

Both methods will give you a 4” x 6” card base that will fit a C6 envelope. There are other sizes of cards you can make to fit in other envelope sizes such as DL (letter) or A5. For the purpose of this series I’m concentrating on the measurements above.

Card Layers

This is a layer or either DSP (Designer Series Paper) or Cardstock which is cut to 1/8” or 2/8” smaller than the card front, by cutting it shorter it allows you to show off the lovely card base colour underneath. Using DSP gives your card a focal point straight away that won’t need much more work to make it a greeting card. I often add a further layer again smaller than the first layer which I can then stamp images on to and colour etc. You can step this section up by adding some foam pads (dimensionals) to any layer to give it some height.

Sentiments / Greetings

Once you have the main part of your card complete as above, you can add extra smaller sections or layers for adding a sentiment. It is a good idea to use the same group of colours as the rest of your card so that it co-ordinates well. Having at least one stamp set will get you on your card making journey. You can buy basic sentiment sets such as the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stampset which has a good mix of words and different type fonts.

Ribbon and Embellishments

To finish off your card you may want to add some ribbon or some sparkly gems, but these aren’t necessary whilst you are learning the basics.

Card Kits

If this still information leaves you feeling unsure of whether to start cardmaking or not, then an all-inclusive Card Kit may be for you. Card kits are available in my online store and come packed with card bases, envelopes, embellishments and some even have a stamp set and ink pot in there too! All you need to add is your glue, scissors and some imagination. You can view the full range of card kits available by clicking on the image below:

Where can I purchase cardmaking supplies?

You can buy cardmaking supplies from any craft store either online, in your local town centre or even second hand from friends or adverts posted online.

You can also buy all the supplies you need from my online shop. I have linked the basic supplies that you would need to start, below for you to view. This is only a starting point, there are so much more lovely supplies you can purchase. Simply click on the images below to view full product information.

Here is my suggested starter kit for beginner card makers:

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How do I design a handmade card?

Where can I find inspiration, ideas and further help?

You can find inspiration everywhere around you in some form, but more specifically, the internet is your best place for cardmaking inspiration. There are a few places that you can look such as my business pages (click on links) Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube. These are the main channels that I use to search for that often lost inspiration (don’t worry it never leaves me for long). I also hope that I provide some cardmaking inspiration to my followers and subscribers. I post free online class tutorial blogs numerous times every week as well as offering support, encouragement and friendship to my community of online crafty friends. You are most welcome to join my FB Community Group too – it’s called Crafty Stampin Club. Please join me by liking, following, subscribing and signing up for my newsletter – I’m always happy to answer any queries and well, I could talk about cardmaking and the Stampin’ Up! Products that I use all day every day! My page links are:

Website
Facebook Page
Facebook Community Crafty Stamping Club Group
Instagram
YouTube
Twitter
Google

You may take a few months to find your feet and find that special brand of craft supply that you enjoy working with. It took me 8 months to find my favourite brand Stampin’Up! and I haven’t used another brand, or looked back since! But you’ll find a brand you like personally.

YouTube Tutorial (2019):

A beginners guide to cardmaking

Here are some more links if you are looking for even more ideas, inspiration and all round general crafty fun. These links are to some of my team’s pages, my up-line’s pages and my team mates pages. My #teamsmithy ladies and the #teamscrimpy ladies are all friendly supportive crafters who I now class as friends ….. we will discuss the benefits of cardmaking in week four.

#TeamSmithy

Louise Wheeler – Cherry Flower Creations
Website Link
YouTube Channel

#TeamScrimpy

Amanda Charlesworth – Scrimping Mommy
Website link
YouTube Channel

Karen Egan – Crafty Karen Designs
Website Link
YouTube Channel

Louisa Hall – Hall About Stamping
Website Link
YouTube Channel

Victoria Littlewood – Vickie Lou Designs
Website Link

Donna Lester – Taffy Crafting
Website Link
YouTube Channel

Ashley Morrison – Applelover53
Website Link
YouTube Channel

Next Week…

Next week (week 2) we will look at a step by step guide to basic card making, techniques, equipment and terminology.

Remember if you shop with me in any month you will get a handmade card and a small gift / product share at the end of each month from me – as a thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator.

Remember to redeem your coupon codes this month (August) xx

With the new catalogue finally here and LIVE online at my online shop, now is the time to start shopping. Simply click the Shop Now image above to get started (grab a cuppa first you could be while!) If you prefer, I can send you a copy of the catalogue but it you will need to cover the £3.95 P&P (this will be refunded after you make your first order with me). Alternatively, click link here 2019-2020_Annual_Catalogue to download a copy to save onto your PC.

Remember if you shop with me in any month you will get a handmade card and a small gift / product share at the end of each month from me – as a thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator.

Use my monthly Hostess Code

Now remember to use my hostess code which you will find on the right hand side of this page and under my Hostess Code Page – this changes every month so make sure you use the correct one. When customer orders cumulatively add up to £150 I can claim Stampin’ Rewards for free product to share amongst those who order that month. If you plan to spend £150 on your own, do not use the code as you will earn your own rewards for free product at time of ordering! If you are unsure please use my Contact Me page to ask any questions.

Spending £99 or more?

We have a great joining offer on all year round – sign up today as a demonstrator for £99 and receive £56 of free product! Plus… no P&P costs on your starter kit. Why not join me in this wonderful crafty world that is Stampin’ Up! If I can do it, so can you! Not to mention the 20% discount for the first six months minimum. Please refer to my Join my Team page for full details and benefits

Stampin’ Up! also have BONUS DAYS rewards running at present for anyone wishing to join my team during July and August! Receive £56 free spend on top of your £99 Starter Kit cost AND also receive £8 towards your next order once joining as a demonstrator!! How FAB! (Terms and conditions apply).

Stampin’ Up! Offers such as clearance, product medley, freebies and new products

Stampin’Up! offer various promotions and offers throughout the year, and this is to keep things exciting for both you (the customer) and I (the demonstrator). Click on any image below to view our current promotions individually –