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Original poster

Card Making Virgin Needs Advice

60 replies

jodee · 22/09/2004 20:44

Calling Dingle, Champs, etc., I've looked at the pictures of your beautiful cards and I would like to have a go myself at making some myself.

Where do I start? Is there a basic kit I can get and where from? Is it pricey? (Would quite like to have a go at Christmas cards as this is looming!).

Thanks all!

OP posts:
Chinchilla · 22/09/2004 21:28

The Range do large packs of cream and white cards, 50 for £10.00, or you can make your own. Start off with a simple design with a mimimum of things needed to buy, and gradually stock up as you get ideas. Buy some craft magazines for ideas and bastardise them for your budget. I made all my Xmas cards last year and had a whale of a time. Thinking back to what I made, they seem a world of difference from the quality of the ones I make and sell now. However, it was brilliant to feel so creative.

Google 'card making' and look on some of the sites that come up. Most importantly, have fun making them.

Dingle · 22/09/2004 21:50

I'm sure it won't be long before you're hooked!
I agree with Chincilla, start off small, buy some magazines, basic card stock and a few bits and bobs,from there you get your own ideas.
QVC does craft time/cardmaking slots, which are worth videoing, especially for beginners. You can watch the techniques, see some of the products being used and use the ideas.Their prices aren't bad in general.
There is a cardmaking ideas thread in the Swap section .(sorry, my brain cannot cope with links)
Have you got anything in particular in mind? cardmaking is so diverse- that's half the fun!

Original poster
jodee · 23/09/2004 15:12

Sorry for delay in responding - thanks for ideas. What/Where is The Range, I couldn't see anything on the net for them?
Haven't got anything specific in mind at all! Just fancied 'doing something crafty', I can't sew or knit, tried cross-stitch but got bored with it.
Just would like to try my hand at some unusual Christmas cards, a bit different from the mass-produced ones, with the personal touch!

OP posts:
lilibet · 23/09/2004 16:00

Where are you jodee?

I got some of the stuff for my wedding invites from this site

kookykards

Dingle · 23/09/2004 16:34

Have you got anything yet jodee? I get quite a few bits from Craftcreations, they do free mail order catalogue thats worth having, you can also buy over the net. Prices are very resonable and you can buy from 1 card to 500, the more you buy, the cheaper it works out. I try to get together with a few crafty friends & we all save some pennies. What I save on the cards- I spend on some other little gadget!

champs · 23/09/2004 18:40

create and craft have some great kits, not so cheap but a wide range also if you have broadband you can wathc a show, they are also on sky/freeview
hobbycraft has a great idea library
docrafts Is a great site for ideas, product guides forums etc.
card making and papercraft Is a nice mag.
clarkcraft wonderful stockist.

As you see I am addicted to crafting!! I think if you have an idea what you want to go for, like stickers or stamping or embellishments then it is nicer to go for blank cards and trimmings. If however you prefer to follow a set design and would like some inspiration the a card kit would be better.

champs · 23/09/2004 18:44

also baker ross is a wonderful place to get craft stuff from. I buy so much from there and I dont even have a group or anything Their Christmas stuff is very nice.

mummysurfer · 23/09/2004 18:47

champs , wow, i thought i was bad.
there's also Lakeland Ltd. who do card kits to get you started, see if you do enjoy iy, give you some ideas etc.\link{http://www.lakelandlimited.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/GBP/BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=K2uKdE1Me2FLNwwfILyGcuWM5w7zlNwFRGg=?CatalogCategoryID=x%2e_AqAYUgJUAAAD7h_Yr1Qb1/here they are}

mummysurfer · 23/09/2004 18:47

oh dear

try here

mummysurfer · 23/09/2004 18:49

how long have you all been making cards?
me? about 18 months.
i would likt ot try eyelets next, any handy hints anyone? layla?

Dingle · 23/09/2004 18:53

MS, I started about 18 month ago too. Really please with my first attempts, but now they look really naff!! At least it shows that I have improved a little bit.

mummysurfer · 23/09/2004 19:41

i'm exactly the same, Dingle. i am almost embarrassed taht i sent them to people

Dingle · 23/09/2004 19:51

I'm really sad to say, that one of my very 1st was my mum's 60th! When I think of it now- I wish I could do it all over again, it would be so much better. I know she loved it, just knowing that I made it especially for her, but still!
I really need to organise my "stuff" it's all over the place. Some in the conservatory, where I usually do most of my crafting, but I seem to be filling up every spare gap in the house. The cupboard under the stairs, the dresser in the dining room, I've already got a loft full of wool too.
I think that's half my problem with motivation, it's taking me so long to get everything out, I'm only "working" for a short while, then it's time to clear the decks for the morning.
Where does everyone else work? Do you all have spare rooms?

Bunglie · 23/09/2004 20:08

The first cards I did were with 'counted cross stitch'. I then realised that I could use the apperture cards for other things and it took off from there.
I think the cross stitch ones were OK but it was a lot of time spent for a very 'little thing' IYKWIM.
I have not bought a card for a few years and really enjoy making them personal to people. I also think that the recipients do appreciate it. At first I was worried that people would think I was a 'Cheapo' for making cards but I now realise that others know it is done with them in mind and is personal for them and appreciate it. I also enjoy doing them, it's just that they take time I do not always have.

Chinchilla · 24/09/2004 20:28

I started last Xmas, and started selling them this Mothers' Day.

Original poster
jodee · 24/09/2004 23:45

No, not started doing anything yet (am in Bournemouth, Lilibet). Wow, am amazed at the amount of stuff some of you have!

OP posts:
mummysurfer · 25/09/2004 07:08

chinchilla, we'd love to see some of your cards if you don't mind sharing them all you need to do is sign into Yahoo as mumsnet2004 with the password netters and upload them into the album.
jodee i posted on another thread about carts from argos, i have 3 of them full of stuff with overspill on the tops. we ahve to eat in the kitchen as there dining room has been taken over!!!

layla · 25/09/2004 15:03

I've just seen this thread.Chinchilla I'd love to see your cards too,do post them on there.I'm going to post quite a lot of my designs on there for all to share.
Mummysurfer I haven't started using eyelets yet.I'm planning too,I love brads though and have them in all colours and shapes.I've just heard of snap ons but I'm not sure what they are and how you fix them on does anyone know?
Joddee get yourself off to a craft shop and buy a magazine on card making there.Just have a browse,don't buy a fancy expensive kit.It's best to buy a few bits.Stamping is good fun but perhaps start with a few outline stickers.It's up to you really.See what takes your eye in the shop and look at other peoples cards to get ideas on what you would like.There's so much you can do there's stamping,layering,embossing and dry embossing,foil embossing which is what I started with,die cuts,funky foam,peel offs,embellishments and more.

JuniperDewdrop · 25/09/2004 15:10

I started by going to a card making class. Maybe there's some in your area jodee? Mine provided the stuff and it was only £10 for a day.

Chinchilla · 26/09/2004 20:36

I'll get some snaps of my latest ones and post them on here. Can you upload them from Zoombrowser EX? I am a complete technophobe!

Chinchilla · 04/10/2004 21:18

Well, I've taken some photos, and uploaded (?) them onto Zoombrowser EX. Dh says that they need to be shrunk in order to be viewed. Hopefully he will do that for me soon, and I will post a few on the site that has been set up (Yahoo is it?) Can someone please tell me what I need to do, so I can get dh to help me.

Thanks.

champs · 05/10/2004 00:04

hi chinchilla, just sign into yahoo with the details mummysurfer gave (username: mumsnet2004, password: netters) then go to photos, you can then upload one by one or download the upload tool and upload more than one at a time. Cant wait to see them!!

Chinchilla · 05/10/2004 18:32

Sorry to be thick, but is that Yahoo.co.uk?

Dingle · 05/10/2004 18:49

Chincilla, there is a link on the ideas thread, takes you straight into the cards site. I'd love to see some too!!

Chinchilla · 05/10/2004 19:15

Thanks Dingle...I decided to try and be less thick and look for myself. AND...I managed to get into the photo page, and found the ones already on there. Impressed so far??? Well, then I managed to select a few to upload, and am still waiting for them to finish. I did not compress them, so they may be too big. If so, I'll plead for dh's help. However, I'm mighty impressed with my technological prowess