Getting Started with Stampin'

As a Stampin' Up demonstrator I am often asked by new stampers "Where do I even start?", or "This looks complicated".  There are so many products and stamps out there, that it can be a little overwhelming to say the least.

For someone just starting out, here's the supply list I recommend.

• Sassy Salutations Stamp Set - This stamp set gives you a starting point to create cute cards for a variety of occasions.  
• Designer Series Paper Stack
• Coordinating Cardstock Pack - The Stampin' Up 2015-2016 catalog has made this even easier by creating coordinating cardstock packs that match the colors in the Designer Series Paper. There's no thought required!
• Black Ink Pad - I recommend StazOn Ink because it stamps on EVERYTHING and doesn't smudge, but there are several good options out there
• Adhesive - I love Stampin' Up's SNAIL adhesive, but use what you are comfortable with
• Paper Trimmer/Scoring tool

This is a project I often recommend.  It can be a great starting project and it requires only the supplies listed above.  It can be adapted to any occasion and as your comfort with stamping and supplies grow there are countless ways you can use this basic layout to step it up.

Here are the list of supplies I used.  I've listed the Stampin' Up products I used, but you can substitute the papers, stamps or adhesive you like or have on hand.

• Stamp Set - Sassy Salutations 
• Bohemian Designer Series Paper 
• Bohemian Cardstock Pack 
• StazOn Jet Black 
• SNAIL Adhesive 

This basic supply list should be enough to create up to 48 cards with confidence!

Instructions:

Step 1: Create the Card Base

• Cut a 8.5" x 11" cardstock in half on the long edge. (Cut will be at 5.5 inches).  
• Rotate the cut cardstock and score in half along the new long edge at 4.25 inches.
• Fold in half.  You can use a butter knife or bone folder along the fold to create a nice crisp edge.

Step 2: Cut your designer series paper.

• Select three different patterns of cardstock.
• Cut these to the dimensions below:
• Paper 1 - 1.75 inches by 4.25 inches.  This will be the cardstock on the left.
• Paper 2 - 1.5 inches by 5.5 inches.  This will be the wider paper on the top.
• Paper 3 - 0.75 inches by 5.5 inches.  This will be the narrow strip on the top.

Step 3: Attach designer paper to card base.

• Attach paper 1 along the left edge of your card base.  Ensure that the fold is located at the top before attaching this piece.  

• Attach paper 2 along the upper edge.

• Align paper 3 in the center of paper 2 and attach.

Step 4: Add your stamp

• Make sure not to rock the stamp.  Press down firmly and lift.

That's it!  Your card is ready to send!  So easy!

But, if you want to step it up, here are a few ideas:

Attaching a few Candy Dots makes the colors and patterns pop!

This card uses the same paper set, but added a Vintage Faceted Designer Button and Bermuda Bay Thick Baker's Twine .  I used my favorite Mini Glue Dots to attach the button.

Here's another card using the Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper Stack and Cherry on Top Cardstock Pack.

To step this one up, I pulled out my Amazing Birthday stamp set and 1-1/4" Circle Punch to add the birthday cake.  This is a great way to think about adding new stamp sets to your collection and building up your supplies and skills!

Below I have listed the supplies I used with their ordering numbers to make it easy.

Basic Stampin' Supplies:

• Sassy Salutations Stamp Set (126707 Clear, 132070 Wood) 
• Clear Block E (118484 - If using clear stamps)
• Bohemian Designer Series Paper (138446)
• Bohemian Cardstock Pack (139003)
• StazOn Jet Black (101406) or Archival Stampin’ Pad  Basic Black (140931)
• SNAIL Adhesive (104332)

Supply Ideas to step it up:

• Candy Dots, Bright (130931)
• Vintage Faceted Designer Button (127555)
• Bermuda Bay Thick Baker's Twine (138413)
• Mini Glue Dots (103683)
• Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper Stack (138443)
• Cherry on Top Cardstock Pack (139002)
• Amazing Birthday Stamp Set (134228 Clear, 134225 Wood)
• 1-1/1" Circle Punch (119861)

A Little About Me

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog!

My name is Cheryl Windsor and I am an Independent Demonstrator with Stampin' Up.  I've always been a crafty person, embarking on numerous different crafting hobbies over the years, but I think my love of stamping is the only one that started in my early childhood.

As a child, my mother was an avid doll collector.  A couple times a year, she would take them to a local show.  Each one had to be carefully labeled and I recall spending countless hours helping her color rubber stamps with markers and stamping small tags to go on the dolls.  I distinctly remember stamping a teddy bear holding a heart shaped balloon on about a million tags. (Ok, so it probably wasn't a million, but hey, at 8 years old it sure felt that way!)

My first stamp set!

Needless to say, rubber stamps were not a foreign concept in my childhood.  It wasn't until I was in college that I had my first introduction to Stampin' Up.  A friend hosted a party in her home for a group of us girls.  I fell in love!

This Serengeti set is the first Stampin' Up stamps I purchased in 2001.  I was a biology major in college and I had just gotten back from studying abroad and had visited Africa.  Needless to say, I fell in love with this set.  I still use it on occasions and don't think I will ever part with it.

 

This makes a great card for new babies!
I change out the ribbon color to match
the gender or shower colors.

After college, I moved around quite a bit and lost touch with my Stampin' Up connections.  When I moved to Santa Cruz several years ago, I was fortunate to become friends with a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  I remember how excited I was to see a new catalog.  My first purchase through her was during Sale-a-bration and I remember how great it was to get free product.  (If you haven't heard of Sale-a-bration its the annual promotion which runs January through March and allows you to earn free exclusive products with your purchase!  How great is that?)

It didn't take me long to remember how much I loved Stampin' Up and within 6 months I had signed on to become a demonstrator through her.  My primary goal when I signed on was the discount!  As a demonstrator you get a a 20% or more discount on all items you purchase!  To me, that alone was worth it!

When I first signed on as a demonstrator, I had planned to stay a demonstrator for a little while and then drop when I had built up all the supplies I was wanting.  Quickly after signing up I discovered the amazing network of people that you become a part of when you sign on as a demonstrator.  I've been a demonstrator now for over two years and found I love sharing in the stamping adventure with others!  I would love to share more about my journey with you if you are interested!