Card-Making For Beginners – How to Get Started

I love to teach others how to make quick and easy cards that do not take a ton of supplies or products. If you are new, it can be overwhelming and confusing as to what you really need, so I am here to help! This card-making for beginners guide and video will teach you the basics and help you get started!

You will be creating beautiful cards in no time!

For this project, we are using the Sending Smiles stamp set plus a few basic supplies. I love to share quick and easy cards that can be made by beginner stampers, as well as those just looking to create great cards quickly, and this is the perfect stamp set to do that!

You don’t need a lot of time or supplies, just a few good products and a little “know-how.” The Sending Smiles stamp set is a perfect stamp set to learn with because it’s bold, bright, and has a variety of greetings. I will guide you through making your first cards with it, and help you pick out the coordinating inks and paper that you will need.

What You Need – Card Making for Beginners Guide

The above cards were made using just stamps, ink, and paper. It helps to not be overwhelmed when you use just the basics and keep it simple. These note cards turned out so cute and they are easy to make.

For beginners, I recommend selecting a stamp set that you can create several different cards with. This set is perfect. I used just 4 ink pads, but you could certainly use more or less. Also, you could easily select your favorite colors, rather than the ones I used.

If you want to learn card making with the Sending Smiles stamp set, here is my best recommendation for what products to all get to get started.

• Sending Smiles Stamp Set (+ clear blocks)
• Stampin’ Pads – Melon Mambo, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Memento Black (NOTE – in the video, I used Polished Pink which is now retired. Melon Mambo is another great color that would work great with this stamp set!)
• Note Cards and Envelopes

That’s it! Start with a SIP, make some cards, then add more supplies to step up your cards. But you first need to learn and feel comfortable with inking the stamp, getting a great image, and how to place everything on the card.

When you start with the note cards and envelopes, you get a pack of 20 and you do not need to cut anything. Everything is just ready for you to use to make cards! It doesn’t get any easier than that!

Let’s Stamp – Video Tutorial

Once you have your stamps, ink, and paper, it is time to make your first cards! In this video, I will show you how to start. I am keeping it really simple so that you start small and easy to make your first cards.

So grab your stamp set, blocks, ink, and note cards, and let’s make some cards.

So what do you think? Were these cards easy enough to make? In the video, I also show 2 different “stepped-up” versions of each card so that you can see what your next steps are. And, I shared how I stamped the inside, so make sure to watch the video to see that.

Always make the inside of your cards and the envelopes pretty too!

Next Step in Learning Card Making

After starting with just the SIP, I next added some card stock to the 2nd version, then some linen thread (ribbon) and Rhinestones (embellishments) to the third card. For the 3rd card, I also used the coordinating dies, as well as some scraps of card stock to cut out a few of the images. These were then popped up with dimensionals.

I hope this shows you how your card-making will progress. Start with a SIP, then add some layers, and finally, add some ribbon and embellishments.

You can see with the three basic designs that we started out with, we were then able to go a little bit further on the 2nd card by simply adding a couple of layers. The card is still made on the Note Cards, but I then added these additional pieces of card stock. Adding that layer of black really makes everything “pop.”

• Basic White layer: 3″ x 4 1/2″
• Mossy Meadow layer: 3 1/8″ x 4 5/8″

Just the simple addition of these layers really makes a difference and adds so much.

And Then…. One Step Further

For the third version of each of the cards, I added some Linen Thread and a few Rhinestones. And I also used the coordinating dies to cut out a few of the flowers, as well as “sending” on a couple of them.

Card making using the Sending Smiles stamp set can be fun and easy. This is the perfect stamp set to start with if you are just learning how to stamp. I absolutely love the big bright bold images!

Card Making for Beginners Guide – Sending Smiles Stamp Set

To help you select your supplies, as well as make your first cards using the Sending Smiles stamp set, I have put together a handy little guide that you can download, print and keep. It shows my recommendations as to what you need to get started, and then pictures of the 3 cards I made using the SIP METHOD – stamps, ink, and paper, as well as the “stepped up” versions.

More Sending Smiles Cards

I love this stamp set so much, that I actually used it for another post and video teaching card-making for beginners. I used different colors, and the cards are a little different, but… more ideas for you! The video also may have a few different tips as it’s also geared towards teaching the beginner stamper!

Here is the video to go along with the above cards:

Place your Stampin’ Up! order for your products, then follow the directions in the videos to make your cards. Once you become familiar with these first few cards, then venture out and take the next step – add the layers. and then, go a little further with the Linen Thread, the Rhinestones, and cutting out a few elements.

The Sending Smiles stamp set has coordinating dies that you can use to cut out the images and the word “sending.” It sure adds some great dimension to the cards. If you use the dies, you will also need the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. It’s a great investment if you plan on continuing with your card-making hobby. I use mine almost every day for either die-cutting or embossing. It’s an investment that is well worth it if you are going to stick with your hobby.

More Information For Getting Started Making Cards

Teaching people how to get started making cards is what I love to do. Remember, take it easy, start slow, don’t get overwhelmed, and most of all….enjoy making cards and sending them to family and friends.

I have many other posts on my website that I think you might find helpful as you learn to make cards. Make sure to check them all out. Search around, look at different ideas, and then decide where you will start. Learn more in my post about Card Making For Beginners

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you were inspired and enjoyed the project. If you have any questions about today’s post or project, make sure to leave me a comment. I’d love to hear from you.

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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