If you are just getting started making cards, I am here to help. I want to make it easy for you to decide what to purchase, and then how to use those items make easy cards. At first, it all seems so overwhelming, but when we break it down to the basics, you will be making cards in no time.
Start small, with just a SIP – stamps, ink & paper. Make some cards, then move on from there adding more fun stamps and products. This complete guide to making easy cards will help get you started.
Step one to beginning card making? Choose a great stamp set! I am using the Stampin’ Up! ‘Art Gallery’. It’s perfect for a beginning stamper and has many great greetings too. You want a stamp set that has a variety of greetings so you can make cards for all sorts of different occasions.
Your Guide to Beginning Card Making
I’m often asked, “What do I need to start making cards?” or “Do you have ideas for those of us beginning card making?” Stick with me! This video guide will answer those questions and give you lots of tips to make sure you learn how to make a card easily. You’ll feel so proud to make your cards—I just know it!
I sincerely hope that this video helped you know what you need to get started, and then how to make some nice easy cards with those products. But then, if you want, you can take it one step further.
So first……you need STAMPS, INK & PAPER to start. (plus clear blocks & something to clean your stamps with.)
Below is the first card I made in the video. Easy Peasy and someone will be delighted to receive it. Make sure, when you make your cards, that you stamp the inside & the envelope! It really finishes the card off!
Beginning Card Making To Stepped Up – Add a Little Card Stock!
If you want to take your card one step further, simply add a couple layers. Look how it really makes the stamped images pop!
All I added was:
- Basic White Card Stock: 3″ x 4 1/2″
- Basic Black Card Stock: 3 1/8″ x 4 5/8″
- Paper Trimmer (so that you can cut your layers)
One More Step Up
With a couple more items, we can go one step further.
On the card below I added a small bow made with Linen Thread and the 3 Black Dots. See how easy it is to build on the basic cards I started with and step it up a bit with a couple more products?
And, couldn’t stop there. So, I took the same cards as above, and just added a couple stamped images that I cut out with my scissor. I popped them up with dimensionals.
February 2025 Specials & Happenings
Thank you so much for visiting my website today! I hope you enjoyed this quick and easy card making project. If you did, please leave us a comment below! If you have any questions, I would love to help you and answer them, just follow the link below to contact me. If you would like to place a Stampin’ Up! order, I would be thrilled if you selected me to be your demonstrator.
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Thank you Jackie, you are an inspiration to many. I love to watch good demonstrators do what they do best. (I haven’t got anyone to make cards with) Many thanks.
Jenny,
I am new at stamping too and would to do cards together. Are you local in Michigan? I am in Jenison, M
I’m so glad you are here and making cards ‘with’ me!
What a great post to remind me that I don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time I sit down to make card. I’ve been at card making for less than a year and it is still very new to me in so many ways. ( ie still haven’t graduated to embossing and die-cutting but getting there!) Design is probably the most difficult challenge for me and I often try to make things too complicated. I love this particular stamp set so much and had lamented that I didn’t have the dies yet for it …but wait! I can fussy cut, and what a great stepped up look. Thanks Jackie.
You’re learning and having fun and that’s what’s most important….well, that and mailing your cards out and blessing your family and friends with them!So glad you’re getting creative!
Excellent video!! Very simple, but stunning results!!!
It makes me happy to know you enjoyed the cards!
I love this stamp set. I purchased it a few months ago and when I started to use it,it was so easy to use and looked great that I kept trying other colors and embellishments. I really like it and once you make a card you are happy with, it gives you confidence to try others. This is a great set to begin with. I have been stamping for almost 20 years and love it more each day!
What a great ‘testimony’ that you are still loving the process of making cards after 20 years! I’m glad that you enjoyed this idea too!
Jackie B: I happened across your YouTube video on “Homemade Christmas Card Idea” 10/29/2021. I love that cabin scene! I don’t think I have to search any more for someone to follow for card making, since your teaching style works for me. I also found your helpful post about how to get started if you are a beginner, which I am. I have next to nothing to start with except for a die cutting machine, a couple dies, and a few card blanks and paper supplies. I loved your suggestions for us newbies and your website is so easy to browse through.
The hard part comes now – figuring out what pieces to purchase to start. I want something that is going to allow all-purpose cards – with the usual “birthday, anniversary, condolences” – but also something that allows you to create “generic/just because” cards to send in the mail. Not enough of us send snail mail anymore, and I’d like to work on that. I have very limited funds at this point, but I’d really like to start somewhere. I’ve hesitated, because my imagination skills are next to nonexistent…but I still want to try. You’ve motivated me. Thank you again – from up here in Maine.
Welcome, Lanie! I’m so glad you found me and that my style of teaching fits well for you. Did you see this page on my website? Since you have a die cutting machine you may wish to consider the Many Messages stamp set and the coordinating dies. It’s all one large stamp that you ink up and stamp all the greetings at once, line them up with the dies and cut them all out. Lots of options for your greetings and then choose a stamp set or 2 with images that you like to get started.
Also, if you don’t have a lot of supplies yet check out my YouTube Playlist titled ‘Design it With DSP’ (designer series paper/scrapbook paper)–there’s a lot you can do with just a pack of beautiful paper, some card bases, and a greeting stamp set.
And, as the ‘New to Card Making’ page on my website talks about it can guide you through how to make selections.
I totally respect being limited on funds. Not sure what your budget is but during the month of November you can consider joining my team or maybe even ask for an early Christmas present from Santa. For $75 you can join my team and choose $125 worth of product, a free paper pumpkin kit, free shipping and more. It’s a great way to get some basic supplies to get you started and there is no obligation in any way shape or form. You can read more here: https://klompenstampers.com/why-join-stampin-up BUT–no pressure either, I’m just sharing this in case it’s something that would work for you that would get you more supplies quicker but you can always build your supply stash one by one. HAVE FUN CREATING–that’s the most important thing!
The November deal sounds great. I do wonder though if there are requirements after joining – such as buying X-amount of things in X-amount of time, etc? If it’s posted somewhere, I missed it. Or, can we just join, enjoy the new products while we learn, and purchase more if it’s something we’re interested in and can afford?
I really appreciate your sharing all of that information. Those links you provided will be quite helpful in helping me decide how (or if, financially) I can move forward. The card-making looks like such fun, but it does require some up front supplies.
Lanie, you have great questions. You might want to check out the page on my site about joining. You can totally join and then just purchase as you wish for the next 4 months with a 20% discount. There are a list of FAQ’s there https://klompenstampers.com/why-join-stampin-up but in the meantime this may help you…..
NO Commitment or Obligation
Yes–you read that right. You can join Stampin’ Up! as a hobby demonstrator and never be required to do anything–that choice is yours. When you join you will enjoy all the benefits of being a part of the Stampin’ Up! family for at least 4+ months. Many join because stamping is their hobby and we love hobby stampers on our team!
What’s the Catch?
There is none! The only requirement to remain a demonstrator is to meet the quarterly minimum. You have until the next quarter to meet it for the first time. And if you don’t….no big deal. You just go back to being a regular customer and paying full price.
What is the Minimum I Have to Buy?
To remain a demonstrator you will need to buy/sell at least $300 each quarter. If at any time you do not meet that minimum–it’s OK. You simply lose the demonstrator benefits and go back to being a regular valued customer.
Oh, yes…I DID read all that and forgot about it…. I think I got confused or misread (likely too quickly) the part about “To remain a demonstrator you will need to buy/sell at least $300 each quarter.” I overthought it, it seems. Thanks again for your kind replies. I have been telling a coworker about card making and I think she’s taking a liking to the idea. I’ve shared your videos and pages, so maybe she and I can learn together. Again, thank you.
You’re so welcome. If you have any other questions feel free to email me jackie@klompenstampers.com You can join for the discount and to stock up on some items and honestly, don’t worry about the rest of it–if you meet the $300 in orders in the following 4 months great and if not, you can go back to ordering through me as a general customer. And you can always re-join my team again at another time too if you do drop. I’d love to have you on my team of course but no pressure from me—-I just want you to get the best bang for your buck and HAVE FUN LEARNING AND MAKING CARDS!
Thank you for the very informative video! Looking forward to giving it a try soon! I was looking for the PDF of the step by step instructions, but couldn’t find it. Could you help point me in the right direction?
I can not find the floral stamps you used in the video. I also don’t see a pdf.
This stamp set is now retired, therefore no longer available. You may be able to find it on a resale site if someone is selling it.