Stamping/Card Making for beginners II

03/30/08: Updated #1 and #7.
The first part of "Stamping for Beginners" is here. They're not a series. The first part is basically when I'd just started and stumbled upon Gina K's article. Now that I've been doing this for a few months, I thought I would compile a list of things I think a beginner needs. So here it goes:

1. White Card Stock: This is the most essential ingredient. Recently I read on SCS that Beckett Expression #80 (for 80 lb) is a good and reasonably-priced option for this. I finally bought Wasau Exact Index, 140 lb and it seems to be great!
2. Colored Card Stock or a Scrap pack of colored Card Stock: The latter costs $5 at chain craft stores and is a huge assortment of colored card stock of various sizes. For the former, I usually get the DCWV card stock. Last time I got the Fall Stack which has 50 sheets of 8.5" x 11" for $10. This was after sale. There's also DCWV Brights card stock or the Neutrals CS.
3. Paper Trimmer: When I started this hobby, I was of the opinion that why would one absolutely need a paper trimmer - there's always scissors; but I was wrong! A scissor can't achieve what a trimmer can, at least not for people like me. The lines never come out straight and unless you can get nice, clean, straight lines you wouldn't feel happy with your work. You can get a decent one for $10 and by using a 40% off coupon, you need to shell only $6!
4. Prismacolor pencils: These are great for coloring your stamped images. A set of 24 is good for starting, unless you want to invest more. Ebay is a good place to get them.
5. An all-occassion stamp set: If you buy a stamp set instead of individual stamps, get one which has a stamps that can cover all occassions. For example I bought the SU! Just for fun which has a heart that can be used for "romantic" occassions like Valentine, anniversary, etc.; a cupcake that can be used for almost any celebration be it a birthday or anniversary or anything else; a moon and stars stamp that is good for "make a wish" or even baby cards; and so on. Buying a set comes out cheaper than inidividual stamps unless you buy individual stamps from the dollar bins at M's. Also, make sure that these stamp images don't have sentiments with them. That way a given image can only be used for that particular occassion. A cake image is more versatile than a cake image with "Happy Birthday" written all over it.
6. Adhesive: I used my glue stick initially but it doesn't do a very good job. So I then bought the Tombo Mono adhesive.
7. Sentiments or Alphabet stamps: It's good to have these stamps, they make your cards complete. I like the Papertrey's "Mixed Messages" or "Paper Tray" set. Then there is "Flourished Words" by Flourishes and "Tag tidbits" by TAC.
8. Black ink pad: You want to buy an ink pad which can be used in multitude scenarios. Stazon black ink fits that purpose.

Optional accessories available for cheap:

1. Shape scissors: Scallop scissors are very useful. Next in line would be a wave scissors. You can get them 2/$1 on sale.
2. Ribbon: If you want to keep just 1-2 ribbons, buy solid colors. They're easy to coordinate and double-sided. Grosgrain ribbon looks good. Satin too. Get a color that'll coordinate with most colors like white.

I don't think patterned/scrapbook paper is absolutely essential, hence you'll find it missing from my list. Another thing to bear in mind - when you buy things that you're going to keep long-term try not to compromise even if that means you've to wait another month. Gather these supplies slowly and gradually, but each of your choice. Use the 40% coupon for chain craft stores for buying your supplies to avoid a hole in your pocket!