cardmakingandpapercraft.com

[mazza96]

I am quite new to crafting , very eager to make cards but lack in ideas , i have bought loads of stuff, stamps, inks, promarkers, decoupage, cd's , sizzix bigshot.... etc , but when i go on sites look in magazines,books etc they are using things i don't have and i can't keep going out and buying new stuff i need to get ideas with the stuff that i have . . . can anybody help me please ?

[sass520]

I know the feeling well. I go to you-tube and look at ideas there and then at my stock and try to do something similiar with the stock I have. Hope this helps somewhat

[beaniebobs]

Im also very new to card making...to get ideas, I google images on handmade cards for inspiration if im stook. I save the pics I like and refer to them for ideas xx

[scottishangel]

Try Pinterest I check that out

[LittleHands]

With so many lovely products out there I struggle to stop buying and just use the things I already have... I set myself 'Ready Steady Cook' style challenges where I'll get 3 / 4 things I haven't used together and experiment with different effects. Also look out for downloadable backing papers you can print off for free that will compliment things you already have.

Happy crfating!

[a.wilding]

Hi Mazza
The whole idea for card making for me was to save money! It shows more creativity if you can improvise and look for free alternatives. Try hand cutting some simple shapes, save old cards to cut up and re purpose advertising material, looking at everyday household materials as potential stash. I go to dollar stores ( pound shops for you ) for craft card stock and search out sales on the internet for marked down papers etc. Free downloads are now the thing so that you have no waste and get exactly what you want.
Have fun !
Anne

[BusyBee]

Docrafts creativity club has some excellent demos online and you can always use your stash instead of the papers/cards they use in the demo. Use demos like a dressmaker's paper pattern - they give you the shapes and sizes and you choose the colours and materials. There are over 100 videos on the docraft site now, some complicated, some very simple and ideal for beginners. Don't be afraid to do your own thing. If you make a mistake change your plan and incorporate it into the design. Lots of us have come up with new ideas, even new techniques, by doing this. Good luck, and have fun.

Interpret you will need very loosely - the mags, etc., are out to sell their products and also the creators have to tell you exactly what they used to get the card pictured. You can change the colours at will - if you see a cute dog card but hate dogs and love cats no matter - use the design idea but put a cat or kitten in place of the dog or puppy. If you see a gorgeous card of orange flowers, hate orange but love blue - the same applies: they've given you a good layout idea - trust your own instincts to choose a colour scheme you like.

[craftgypsy01]

Hi - I'm new to this and also new to card making. I've been saving my received Christmas cards for the past 3 years. I have quite a stack. I'm now cutting them up so that I can re-use them in my next year's Christmas cards to be sent out. I've been playing around with all the different pictures and layering them and what a savings. Ask your friends to save the cards they receive and donate for your stash. You'd be surprised how much money you can save by recycling. Even some pretty wrapping paper can be recycled and re-used. If you have a local wall paper store as them for their old wall paper books or even old calendars. There is an unlimited supply of FREE SUPPLIES out there if you look for it. Hope this helps.

Jan

[mildredolson]

You can make handmade Christmas cards. Whatever type of design you use for making cards. Remembered to add a special message to give a stunning look to your card. Avoid using absorbent pens and paper.

[glynisrose]

Whenever I buy any new cutting dies for my Grand Calibur, I cut using cheap white card, ink the edges with any old inkpad and when they are dry, scan them into the computer. That way if I want to add pictures, digital stamps or text to them I can, then print them out and use my dies to cut them. Its fairly easy to re-colour them so they tone in with pictures or text.

I also cut out a lot of different christmas things in white then made a card up from them as a trial. I made notes about using different coloured die cuts and different papers and card colours too.

Get yourself an A4 notebook and add things that interest you, templates, colours and images. When you lose your mojo you can look through it for ideas!!