I'm crazy a-bot you!

When I first started making cards I had no idea what to do! I didn't know how you coloured stamps: if you used ink or use markers afterwards. I didn't understand how those clear mount stamps could be a stamp. Needless to say I needed a "Card Making 101" course. So I phoned up my big sister who is great at card making and she graciously agreed to teach me a few things. She walked me through making my first card. It was a Valentine's Day card for the boy. He doesn't like Valentine's Day so I guess the card was more for him than for me...

Stamp: Paper Works Co. Tinheart Family Collection
            http://paperworksco.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=49_253_516&products_id=3457
Paper: Mostly from this package my sister bought from Costco. They were too bright for her to use.
Pens: Copic Markers

I absolutely love this card! It is the epitome of my style. It's loud with a lot of bright colours. For this card we used the stamp from Paper Works Co. and coloured it in using Copic Markers. The shapes were cut out using a Cuttlebug (I think ... remember I am new at this). Unfortunately subsequent cards have not looked this good because I don't have the expert supplies. Needless to say I have started to become a Michael's craft store junkie.

Here are a few things I learned for the other newbie crafters out there:
1) You want to use a hard card stock for the base of your cards. The perfect card stock will fold perfectly creating a nice crisp line. Here are a few suggestions: Stampin' up, Papertrey ink, Gina K.

2) To start out you need a good basic ink pad. The Memento ink pads work well because they dry quickly and are not water soluble. I have been using just the "tuxedo black" but other people think you need the brown and white to start out.

3) For adhesive use the Sookwang score tape. I use two different widths so that you still have one for ribbon and small images.

4) Now I can't say this from my experience yet but I have been told that the Stampin' up ink pads are nice because they will match the colour of your paper.

5) I don't suggest Studio G stamps that you find at Michael's. The ink doesn't stick to image very well. You are not left with the clear and crisp image that you desire.

What else do you think should be taught in "Card Making 101"?