Cardmaking anyone?

[Viviennemary]

I am going to give cardmaking a go after having seen one of those Create & Craft programmes. Could anyone recommend the best magazine to start off with and do I need loads and loads of equipment like embossing tools and die cutting machines or just a few basics. Thanks.

I'd start with the basics. Have a look online to see what sort of thing takes your fancy. There's a site called Splitcoast Stampers that has lots of galleries and tutorials. Stamping is a good way to start with card making. There are plenty magazines out just now with free stamps if you want to have a practise with them (they're not always the best quality though).

I personally wouldn't go for fancy machines and suchlike until you know you'll stick with it, they're quite a big investment. You can often buy ready cut out bits in craft shops or on ebay.

What sort of thing were they doing on the programme?

Thanks Hexiegone. I'll have a look on that site. It was a type of shopping channel programme. The presenter kept putting things through a gadget and turning the handle. It must have been for the die cutting and then sticking the frame onto the card. . That's good advice start with basics rather than go overboard which it would be easy to do with the amount of stuff available.

YouTube has lots of tutorials, I like Kristina Werner who designs stamps for Simon says stamp.

It will give you loads of ideas, I am not a stamper I have a silhouette cameo (machine that cuts) but take inspiration from her cards.

Kristina's channel

I only make cards for me as in I make them and send them, I don't sell them.

There's quite a few magazine, I tend to go for the ones with the best free gift! This time of year there's quite often a bundle of stuff along with suggestions of how you can use it. I like stamping and embossing, you can get quite cheap stamps from places like The Range, and I got a few bargains from eBay when I first started. I use a die cutting machine as well, but they're quite expensive so you might want to wait a bit to get one. I have quite a lot of card making stuff now, but it's been built up in bits and pieces. I don't get as much time as I'd like to do it now, but I do love it!