Only one thing I disagree on - the MISTI. I think it is a necessity for a new stamper. The most frustrating thing for me when I first started making cards was my inability to stamp well, which can take some time to master. As soon as I got a MISTI stamping became more fun for me. Having the ability to accurately restamp when you didn’t press hard enough or didn’t ink well enough was such a game changer. As a new crafter there are so many things that get frustrating. I would invest in the MISTI day one if I were starting over again. The other things I agree 100%. Good quality stamps, ink, and paper matter. I spent a lot of money on acrylic stamps, and they were awful. Buy photopolymer, for sure. And, one last thought - don’t buy from crazy cheap Asian companies that steal designs from hardworking small businesses in the US, UK, Canada, etc. They don’t deserve your money. Support the original designers.
I think it’s important to add for those who cannot outright afford a MISTI upfront, the biggest takeaway for good stamping is a soft stamping surface as opposed to a hard desktop or table. A stamp pad or a mouse pad or even a pad of paper underneath your paper will suffice for any acrylic stamp block or rocker block or other stamping device. This is key to getting a good image. One thing many do not know. And mouse pads are almost free these days. That said there are many good stamp tools like MISTI Available. I’m preferable to the Tim Holtz pad now no longer available. But Crafters Companion and WRMK both make one good for rotating stamps.
Misti is not the only stamp platform. I have a Tim Holtz platform and a Vaesson platform. The Vaeson is a great platform and very, very reasonably priced.
I think the Misti or (in my case Tim Holtz platform) is necessary if you are a beginner or have arthritis. I wasted so much paper when I started out in this craft (of course when I started out there was nothing like the Misti or Tim Holtz platforms). When they came out it took me awhile before I bought one but when I got to the point I was so frustrated wasting paper I decided to buy one and I now back to loving to craft. I don’t worry about not getting a good image because I know I can stamp it again and again until I like it. As far as colored paper goes I love Gina K paper. All her paper and ink pads match which is nice. I like her ink cubes. I use them on small or large stamps. The one thing you did not cover and I am sure it was because it was not on what you must have as you start out but if you get a heat tool you will need embossing powders! There tons of them out there. To use embossing powders you need to use an ink that stays wet for awhile so that the power will stick to it. When I started out the only ink that would work was pigment ink but now some of the newer inks might work. If you are going to buy a lot of colored ink pads that will work with embossing powder then the only embossing powder you might need are gold, silver, or clear. If you just want a black ink pads then buy an embossing ink pad and whatever color of embossing powders you want. But you don’t need both color ink pads and embossing powders. That being said if there is a really cool embossing powder that is a combination of more than one color buy it and an embossing ink pad. Sorry this is s long. This is what happens when you have been stamping for @ long long long time!
From a cardmaker with 15+ years of purchases and trial and error for best tools, Mary has nailed this list. 👌 Great advice! For the silicone mat that I thought I had to have, Mary saved me $36! I remembered that we had a silicone placement that we used for my kiddo. So, I used what I had, it works great and now I feel like I need to pat myself on the back! Thanks, Mary!
Do not overlook second hand stores when it comes to craft supplies. I found a cuttlebug die cut machine for $5, an amazing industrial paper cutter for $15 (it retails for $385 and can cut fifty sheets at once. Seriously), this week I picked up a gorgeous Smith-Corona metal typewriter and case for $10 and was able to get replacement ribbons on Amazon for it. You never know what gem is going to pop up in the second hand store! For folks who are not in the U.S. and find the MISTI too expensive, the We R Memory Keepers one is $32 at Michaels in Canada at full price, I found one in their clearance section for $15. It’s nice because you can buy multiple plates for it and easy set up an assembly line for making cards. I now have six plates for mine. Great video with a lot of fantastic suggestions. Thanks for taking the time to make this!
Good list Mary. I usually create scenes on the front of my cards so I only use sentiments inside my cards and I do those with my computer in Word then print them. I usually do them for multiple cards at a time on thinner card stock or printer paper so I don't waste paper. I probably do the computer versions because I started card making in a card program on my computer years ago.
@@marypolancodesigns I also print mine and it is great for personalizing them. My children, grandchildren and friends love seeing their name referenced. I like using paper from Staples for more "fancy" ones and just insert it inside the card. Only run a bead of glue on one side and it won't bind. I typically get two per sheet of paper when needing multiples. Otherwise, I can use 24lb copy paper as well. I still use stamps, but for weddings, sympathy cards etc the added touch is always appreciated.
Great reminder that computers and printers can be useful tools for cardmakers! My printer will feed cardstock without jamming (most of the time, at least), so I print my own sentiments if I don't have the right stamp available. It's nice to be able to choose whatever font style, size and ink color I want.
Thanks for the tips, Mary. I agree with buying tools that are not branded for crafting and saving your pennies for pricier but awesome tools like the glass mat (thank you for the coupon). I use Harbor Freight and Dollar Store for all kinds of craft tools.
For those of us who have shakey hands or arthritis or carpal tunnel issues (also any other hand/finger problem) a die cutter is absolutely a necessity. I can't hold a pair of scissors for more than a few seconds before my fingers hurt and lock up and the shaking gives the worst cutting job! I love the accent paper which you turned me on to. For colored paper I use Michaels brand mainly because I bought a ton before I knew the other brands. Blending brushes are a game changer for me cause I had such a hard time with blending using the flat blender with foam. The major thing I wish I had known about in the beginning is ink pads. I have almost all of the (older) altenew mini's and almost all of the Gina K mini's. I wish now that I had gotten the full size ones instead. I still use primarily my oxide inks but wish I had the money to get the full size Catherine Pooler. I am not buying very much for a while until I have used just about everything I have that has not been used yet. Another big thing that for me is essential is to have a crafty friend, either virtual or in person. It's so amazing to create with a friend once in a while for companionship and laughter. I'm fortunate to have a crafty friend who lives close by and we try to get together every few weeks. I also do zoom call crafting with a few people. Great information as always!
I agree Heidi, I have such a better result with blending brushes than foam (even domed foam). As for the ink pads, I used to have distress ink minis to save the storage space, but when oxides came out I decided I needed my regular distress to be full size as well 😂 I sold the minis and used that $$ to buy the full size pads.
Thanks i didn't think about using zoom. My friend just moved right down the street. Shes crafty im so excited that we live on the same street. We love making things!! Lord help me learn to stay home!! Lol i dont want to wear out my welcome.
I'm so not a new crafter, I started crafting at the age of 3 years and Im now 64, and I do agree with all you have said. With all the years of collecting I have many versions of each thing, you always get one and then you move up! So try get the best you can at the time is my advice. I love the stack of small blending brushes you showed, who are they by cause Im in Uk and I'd love to get some. Oh and before I go, Mary you almost made me cry.....you talked about coupons sob sob we don't get anything like that over here...yep I can hear you all sobbing for us, cause boy would they make a difference, it's bad enough the stuff we get are more expensive than what you would pay, but we get kicked even harder by .....coupons!! lol I dream about them, guess Ill just have to move and if the family grumbles, the answer will be..'well I can get craft stuff so much cheaper' I think my husband will have me on the next plane out of here lol hugs x Ann x
Thanks so much for sharing this, especially about getting a good product from the jump. I did a video on that; (the things I won't go cheap on) for that reason. I'm sorry about the coupons; I had no idea you didn't have them there. I lived in England for 2 years and never realized that.
I love going through and watching your videos Mary! I was collecting everything to make cards but i realized i didn't have many reasons to make cards but luckily I'm into adult coloring and journaling so everything worked out 😂 And if i want to make a card for someone i can. I also made me a Misti ---WITH ALL DOLLAR TREE SUPPLIES--clipboard, felt sheets, magnifying lens sheet and patterned duck tape.. And a thin magazine for extra umph.. It works perfectly and my stamps and papers doesn't move. Thanks again for all your great videos 🥳
There are alternatives to the MISTI on Amazon for those on a smaller budget. When I started seriously stamping early last year, I bought the Bira stamping tool (on Amazon) because I wasnt sure if I would be stamping long term. I bought mine for about $25-30 at the time, and I love how much it’s improved my stamping. The top plate comes off (as opposed to swinging open like the MISTI), but I actually like that it comes apart for easy cleaning and use. I always contemplate upgrading to a MISTI when it goes on sale, but my Bira does the same job, and so I’ll keep using it until it breaks & needs to be replaced. Loved the video, Mary! I definitely agree with your picks that don’t need to be craft branded. I have the same set of blending brushes from Amazon and love them. Can’t justify 3x the price on literally the same brushes just to have a brand name plastered all over them.
I have the Bira and I love it. I bought it because I had watched a video a while back of a girl that had a misti and a Bira and she preferred her Bira. She like the Bira because the lid came off. She said, sometimes she likes to print the same stamp multi times in different angles and you can do that without having to move the stamp. Just take the lid off and turn it in all directions.
I also have an off-brand stamp positioner that I got for $25 on Amazon and I'm super happy with it! It's a total game changer for stamping. I use mine all the time. It's a couple of years old now and shows no signs of wearing out. No need to spend $50 or more on a Misti.
I may have to look at that one. I do not like the expensive brand name one. She did not invent the idea completely. I am personally shocked she won the patent. I do not think she should of been approved for it. Then she went and sued so many people including threatening small people on you tube who made similar copy versions out of every day items. I think that is too much. She took it too far for something she did not invent but rather was actually out there in different forms. So I do not want to give me money to her.
I've given up on having coloured cardstock. I have black, white and kraft for card bases and white for everything else. I've invested in a variety of background stamps (lines, gingham, spots, etc) and will make a matte that colour co-ordinates with my design. For a solid colour matte, I'll just use ink to blend a frame around a card (and the edges), making sure it will go under the one I've been building my design on, so it looks like a piece of coloured cardstock.
Since I have been stamping for many years I have many tools that are not used! Reason?…things have changed! Many more helpful things available. I try to give some of my things to new stampers!
I have to share my craft mat. It cost me less than two dollars. Home Depot and Lowe's sell 18 inch square ceramic tile. (You may want to protect the bottom with felt circles or whatever) You can mix any thing and remove it easily with any solvent or even a razor blade. They are heat proof for embossing. Mine is 10 years old an looks like new. It is a cheap starting place for beginners. The money saved would be available for other supplies. Just try to get a flat one.
Two suggestions I would make before you spend a lot of money on stamps and dies. One, think about the types of occasions/holidays/themes of cards or craft projects you will be making. For instance, don’t buy Halloween images (no matter how cute they might be) if you don’t send Halloween cards. And the same goes for every other theme or holiday. I started with Christmas themed things because that is what I was most interested in making at first and then branched out later into baby themed and more general greeting cards. This decision can also guide what colour ink and paper you might start collecting first. And two, think about the style of crafter you might be. Do you prefer sweet little critters and images or do you like a more elegant style? Do you like scripty fonts, typewriter style fonts, or mixed fonts? Are you making cards predominantly for boys/men or girls/women? If you are not sure about your own personal style, think about the cards that you are drawn to on Pinterest or Google. One of my biggest mistakes when I first started crafting was impulse buying things because they appealed to me and the images were pretty or cute, and then realizing much later on that I made more cards and scrapbooks for small boys and men. And, lastly, I stopped buying alphabet stickers when I realized that buying alphabet stamps or dies gave me way more flexibility (I could stamp or diecut as many as I needed in any colour) and I didn’t have lots of leftover stickers that I would never use (q, x, z, etc.).
New to your channel and so glad I found you. I could have used this video a year ago (I have "need it all now" syndrome) and will benefit from it greatly! Thank you so much!
Agree almost 100% on everything you recommended. Wish I had seen something like this when I first started card making! Would have saved me a fortune and aggravation. Excellent video Mary:)
This is a fantastic video. I wish I'd had a guide like this when I started making cards last year. I second the Catherine Pooler inks. They are my absolute favorite. You cracked me up with the fabric scissors. I remember my mom yelling at us for using hers to cut paper *cringe*. I really appreciate your honesty and reviews. I bought my niece a set of Ohuhu markers based on your reviews and she really likes them.
Hahah...see me and your mom...we get it (and you of course!) Thanks so much for the encouraging comment. I appreciate it very much and glad these are helpful!
Mary, you are so wonderful! I so appreciate all that you do to make cardmaking more fun and affordable. Thank you for your expertise, free advice and, especially, kindness. Sending hugs!!😁🤗
Regarding color card stock (and white, too, for that matter), I buy from Papertreyink and have for years. They have excellent quality and are reasonably priced. They have a complete line of matching inks and sell stamps, dies, etc., too, if u “need” more eye candy.
I’ve been making cards for a few years now and have acquired so much “unnecessary” stuff…. While I wish your video was around back then, I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your reviews (& opinions), I thank you for sharing now! For newbies…the information she gives is great advice!
I had no idea that was what misti stood for! That's such fun craft trivia! Fun story, we have a store here in TN called Gimme a 5. It's a liquidation store they buy Amazon returns over stock ect. Everything is thrown into bins you just dig thru. Everything on Saturday and Sunday is $5 (everything) Monday's $3 (everything that didn't sell on Saturday and Sunday for 5 is now 3) Tuesdays and Wednesdays $2 Thursday is $1, and Friday everything left is $0.25! And we are back to 100% new stock on Saturday! So I so this store just to see what I find I found like 40 MISTIs for $1 each. I didn't know what it was at the time, but it was pink, it said stamping, it's crafty, so I bought one for me and one for my daughter. Wish I had bought them all! It's maybe one of my most loved card making item in my arsenal now! But when I see the price tag, we'll I consider mine as a God given gift! He knew I wanted it even tho I didn't know it! Lol. November 2020 I found a computer tower one of the new tiny things, it had been opened and returned to Amazon. My son is at university, so for $5 I snatched it. Plugged it in, it lights worked (no monitor remember) brought it home and found it on Amazon for $1,400.00! Nothing wrong other that the Microsoft office had cd was missing. Those store are too much fun! If you are a deal digger then there is hours of amusement at these stores. Closest thing we have for prospecting for gold in our day and age!
@Carly R. oh those were just two items! Crafty items are always there, sets of alcohol makers, trimmers, I got a crop-o-dial there. Just engender to plug it in! Batteries ect because there are no returns! Wear a shirt you don't love i have ruined a top, my hubs wears gloves, i don't, but a pocket knife is helpful. Things are often in boxes that aren't original, so you gotta open them up. Have fun!!!!
Wow! What delightful fun. Feeling a little envious - sorry. Everything is Australia already has freight included in price, and then it's posted from shop to house. (Last bit my problem, as I try to buy local, support local if I can.). But a throw out store - sigh! I think I'd go crazy, ha ha! Always scourer the charity shops for crafty stuff.
@solovjud I'm sure there are places similar, just gotta find them. I learned about gimme a five through my infusion nurse years ago. She was wearing a fit bit watch and it had a pretty pink band (in a totally pink kinda gal) so I complimented her on it. She had found it at the bottom of the bin on a Friday! That's .25 day! No box no papers just always falling down below something else. She shared her story and had to search the store for myself. Way way too much fun! But sometimes you get duds. If course I carry on about my awesome deals, but some days you buy a Water hose with a hole in it. Not every buy is epic. If you ever come to the USA give me a ring and we will got shopping together! 🛍
Found Bearly Art Glue last year and absolutely love it and the bottle/tip...never clogs and a delight to use. MISTI is another product I find a necessity....and I certainly resisted buying it for a while! Changes your life as a stamper....I love my MISTI! Totally agree with ink blending brushes...so appalled that the craft industry charges so much for a product we can readily buy for a lot less. Love the makeup style blending brushes I've bought on Amazon....work beautifully! So much better than those foam pads Tim convinced all of us to buy...never did get the hang of it! (Sorry Tim). thanks for a great video.
When I started I started with Stampin Up which cost me a fortune. Great products but most unnecessary. I wish I had seen your videos when I started. Thank you for your honest kind reviews. You never trash a company and always give us alternatives that are still good but cheaper. Definitely things you can't scrimp on. I just bought the 12x12 couture creations guillotine trimmer and hate it. The guillotine falls down while you're trying to line up the paper and yeah just don't like it. Anyways thanks Mary 🎉❤
Polly, I just did your finger poke technique today since you mentioned it. It worked PERFECTLY, zero struggle and frustration 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 This one small bit made me so happy. It’s the little things I tell ya...
Excellent video Mary! Only one small but important omission....acrylic stamping blocks for the photopolymer stamps! You would need several sizes to accommodate all the images and sentiments sizes in your stash. This is exactly the reason why a stamp positioner would be worth the money at the start of one's card-making journey! I've heard that many quit stamping in the past because they would get frustrated with crooked or incomplete images. I personally like the Stampin Up platform because I love layering and multiple stamping and the 2 hinged plates on right angles to each other make for very cool techniques and variations!
YES AND YES! You are absolutely right; I've decided to do a comparison video on stamping platforms I can get my hands on. I don't have the SU one but something similar and will for sure mention the acrylic blocks. Thank you
Great list!! I really like the tip on the small blenders. I'm getting those for sure. The only change to your list for the beginning stamper is that a stamping platform is a must!! When I think of all the messed up sentiments or unequally inked lines I cringe. Having to use an acrylic block for everything nearly caused me to stop crafting entierly. Having the stamping platform has given me back the joy of crafting cards again. I use the Tim Holtz platform and I have his travel size as well. He also has a travel size of his glass mat and it is a perfect and easy size to travel with.
Great video Mary, love the information. I am both scrapbooker and cardmaker so the tear tape has to be good quality. The cheaper ones are fine for cards but for the longevity of scrapbook pages, it's heartbreaking to see everything lift off down the track. I'm in Australia so shopping for craft is entirely different to USA etc. We have exchange rate issues and high post charges so tend to shop more local. We do have an Australian Amazon but it doesn't have the choice you have. That being said we have a number of Aussie online sellers which save the day.
I have the silicone welding mat, its great for gripping small cut outs when ink blending. Also have the fingertip blending bristle brush tower. Brilliant for small jobs and stencilling
Great video Mary! I’m focusing more on my fine art now, but I simply cannot get away from card making and paper crafting in general (+ art journaling, collage, etc.) It’s just too much fun! And oh my, I do love ❤️ die cutting….I have 5 different machines, but prefer Sizzix machines. After my Vagabond2 gave up last year (it was still trying, but the rollers wouldn’t push the sandwich through) after my abusing it for 6 years, I bought the entry level Big Shot for $89 at Joann. It’s just an all around great workhorse machine. But at some point, I’m likely gonna go for the Switch for 2 big reasons: 1) the automatic feed -especially bc of my hand arthritis and wrist weakness from falling and fracturing last year and 2) the wide 9 inch bed. But it is an investment machine at over $300 so it would not be an impulse buy and I’ll only buy it when I think I can really afford it. Another higher end die-cutting machine that gets good reviews is the Anna Griffin Empress machine (auto feed & wide bed) that seems to have magically come down in price from what I think was in the neighborhood of $389? It’s now $249 and sold on HSN & AG website ( there’s a mini Empress too.) Hmmm could it be that the price was lowered to compete with the Switch?
I have the Gemini's, but they have more complicated sandwiches and their acrylic plates get warped and scratched. They are a work horse for cutting though. For ease I LOVE, LOVE, the Anna Griffin Empress machines. They are easy, fast and efficient. For some reason, their plates never warp. Guess it is the simplicity. They have them on sale occasionally. If mine dies from old age, I will replace it with another Empress.
I found your video very useful and I have been cardmaking for 25 yrs. We are looking at downsizing and I will have a very small space no matter what we end up in instead of a complete room. Thank you.
I don’t know if this will work for you, but it does for me. I look for rolling suitcases at garage sales. One holds jewelry tools/supplies, one for resin, two for papercrafting, etc. I put them in and out of my storage unit. Even if your storage space is a closet, this modular strategy helps a lot.
Hi Mary, LOVE that you show crafters that there are cheaper and just as good alternatives to the ever INCREASING prices to the tools for doing something we LOVE. Everyone tries to take advantage of, for most of us, a hobby that we use to relieve stress and to escape from reality for a while. Most crafters have their tried and true picks and I have mine. I have heard over and over about the MISTI, I have never used one, I have my Stamp-in’ Up positioner and I love it. The pressure plates are positional, there are 2, side to side, top to bottom. When stamping instead of moving card stock or paper you move the pressure plate to various positions. LOVE IT. TYFS.
I will be a fan of Live Well. Both of us are retired now and planning lots of spontaneous small trips and a few longer ones. We’ll be counting on eating in restaurants and a course in what we should be looking at for healthy diet and clean food restaurants. I’ve only found one other channel that talks about clean food. I’ll go there and subscribe now.
I am normally pretty quiet on these videos, but I do have to say that the glass boards from glass board studios are awesome! However, I have heard several people say you can cut on them. You "can" but depending on the blade you are using it is likely you will see scratches. If you want to keep it pristine use a self healing mat for cutting, you can get a small one to use just for that. Also, my glass board came with a nick in the glass when I reached out to glass studio about it they did not offer to rectify it, just told me to use a glass polish to see if I could get rid of it. I would still buy it, and recommend it, but something to keep in mind for those of you thinking about getting one.
Thanks so much for sharing this! I've had a few people share with me how accommodating the company was so I wonder what happened there for you. Great advice on pulling out of South hilling matches for cutting. I haven't had the same experience for scratches but maybe I'm not pushing hard enough or maybe I'm using a more gentle blade. I'll definitely be careful moving forward
Great video. Just a reminder to all you don’t need a lot of fancy things to make cards. I don’t have a diecutting machine and I don’t use stamps, ink or pens and I make and sell lots of cards. I do use lots of washi tape and paper and stickers. I did buy tim holtz glass mat on sale.
Great tips Mary!! Wish I would have had a video like this when I was starting out because it would have saved me ALOT of money!!! I have purchased several of the items you have recommended in previous videos and was very pleased with them so thank you for that!!! Always love watching your videos!!!
I love my magnetic glass mat!! I have to really catch myself with all the email updates from all the companies- regarding stamps and dies etc.- I'm afraid I'll be missing something if I don't buy .Hense, too many of them! I like to buy from the small businesses but I think my "stash" is out of control :0 Sad I didn't find your videos sooner-love your channel!
Love Tombow glue, Gina K connect is great too. The other tops clog so badly. I don’t know every product, but it’s too expensive and time consuming to try more.
Mary you did a wonderful job on this video. Your recommendations are right on. I would totally recommend the Misti tool to anyone, use every day. I would recommend it to a new card maker as well, they will be so much happier with their stamping.
Very useful information that I wish I knew when I started. I think adding dies themselves would help. Some cheaper dies from Amazon are really damaging to my plates and not easy to separate from paper. I go for the crafty brand on my dies now. Thanks, Mary!
Good information. My versafine clair are my most used inks. I love the accent opaque paper. I WAY overbought Michaels colored cardstock. I haven't bought it since late 2019 and I still have a lot. I like it, but when its 5 packs for $10, its VERY easy to go overboard.
Good list Mary! I haven't tried the Bearly art glue yet but i plan to. However I've replaced my Misti and Tim Holtz with the Stamparatus from Stampin Up. It gives so many more time saving options and costs less. You know I'm an SU demo but hands down it's still my favorite.
Thank you so much for this. I'm editing a video comparing some of the stamping platforms; don't have the SU but will mention it as an option to look into.
I think I got into card making the opposite way as most. I got a Cricut before I invested in a ton of stamps and inks, because I loved cutting out sentiments and shapes and coordinating paper colors and patterns.
Have you tried cereal box liners for ink smooshing or just for protecting your surface from glue smudges or ink smudges? They're free (if your family uses cold cereal), they work great, and you can just throw them away when they get yucky.
Wonderful video Mary, you have used common sense to show new and older stampers what is needed to start their stamping journey. Here in Australia, we don't have a lot of stores like the Dollar Store or Joanne's to purchase from, unfortunately, as most crafty things come from the US we have to pay more to be able to do our craft due to the dollar exchange but it is worth it. Looking forward to watching more of your tutorials. Thank you for sharing.😊
Hi Mary! Thank u SO much for these types of videos based on ur opinion! Do u have a video, or could u explain what it is that u didn't care for with the TS-Tim Holtz Stamp positioner compared to the MISTI? Thank u in advance. Blessed crafting! 😊
Truth be told, there really isn't anything I didn't like about the TH platform, I just stopped using it because I heard he stopped selling it in the USA and that's the majority of my audience. I like to use things they can try as well
A couple of months agoI found Tonics Tim Holtz positioner on Amazon ( I believe) and LOVE it! I use Sizzix sticky sheets in it which omits the use of magnets. The pack has a few sheets but I still have the same one in it and it’s a game changer.
So. Good. You have answered so many questions. I’m getting back into cars making and gelli plate printing after years away and needed this video. Thank you!!
Mary, wanted to let you know, I did the 20 x 30 glass cutting board. You have to use really strong magnet to get threw the tempered glass. I had some pieces of strong magnet around to test and it worked good. If I was going to keep it that way, I would have redid it with a grid pattern on it. Part I didn't like about it, was the size, it was to small. BUT, IT CAN BE DONE!!
I'm sorry to hear this; can you contact the company to see what the deal is? My magnets work great so I'm really wondering if they weakened it some way. hmmmm THanks for letting us know.
@@marypolancodesigns No no, if you remember, I had said I was going to try and make my own with a 20x30 cutting glass board. I was doing this cause the Glassboard isn't selling the 18 x 24 anymore and right now 24x36 is a bit pricey, even with your discount. I should have ordered it weeks ago when I first saw it here, it was onsale and when I did the check out, it also did the 20% discount and I didn't do it.
@@marypolancodesigns OK rereading their description. The board is not magnetic, it has a metal backing that will react with a magnet paced on top. But if you just put down your metal die, it won't hold it in place cause the die is not magnetic. Now makes more sense. I thought the back was actually a magnet
@@marypolancodesigns So yes...nothing metal sticks to the Glassboard boards cause it is not magnetized. It is just a metal plate that atracks magnets, so if you put something on your board and use a magnet on the face of it to hold it in place, it will magnetize to the back plate, through the glass. That is why mine was not working very strong because I was trying to put a magnet on the back of the glass and use a magnet to catch on the front. I am for sure going to make one soon....I gotta get the sheet of metal from Home Depot and wait for hubby to cut it for me!!!!
Great ideas. Can’t wait for my switch to come in. I like the fact that it’s electronic and I won’t have to hold a button down to keep it working. I’ve loved your cards. Happy crafting.
I got my blender brushes at Dollar Tree and they work well for me . I also got a great plain silicone mat at our Dollarama for less then 4 dollars . My first Die cut machine was a Cuttlebug and I was on my way. I recently got a Gemini Jr and a mini crank one and no more big cranking on the bigger machine. I have had troubles with the plates but watched you and others how to fix them and I'm finding they really work better now. I love a stamp positioner as too frustrating to stamp and it's not dark enough or crooked.
Thank you Mary for showing the rainbow brushes! I always wanted them but could not justify spending the amount that craft companies charge. Like you, I will always support craft companies but some things I just can't spend the extra amount.
Great video for overview. Am sure there are lots of new crafters that found this super helpful. Keep those cheaper finds coming. I am really feeling stamps and thinnest are becoming soooooo expensive. One would have to make hundreds of cards to make it worthwhile. Have a great day.!!!!!
Mary,, this is a Magnificent video. Your advice is spot on. I’ve been papercrafting for MANY years and wish there had been someone like you to consult with at the beginning. Love your videos and your adorable personality. You are one of my top 3. Faves. Thanks for all your ideas and advice. I will say, however that when I first began stamping a stamp positioning tool would have been well worth the price. I messed up so much card stock pressing either too hard or too little. Just a little note. By the way, where did you get your stamp pad storage.?
Thanks so much Cindy! I think it's a HUGELY useful tool too at the beginning even, and went back and forth if it should be in the bonus or not. Thanks so much for your super sweet and encouraging comment! HUGS
Thank you Mary, I just went and purchased the glass cutting board that you have using your code. Can't wait to get it. Thank you for taking the time to review all sorts of craft products to help us newbies out.
Great topic for a video. I have already spent a ton of money on crafting stuff and am trying to "stop the bleeding." (that said I have been very very naughty in the past week). I was so glad to hear you recommend something other than the Neenah paper. I am very weary of hearing everyone plug that paper. It is a good paper. They use it and of course, should tell us what they are using. But I get tired of hearing about it. There are other great quality cardstock at a much more reasonable price. The glass mat ... I have the same one and I do love it. BUT, the magnet is a tad weak for me. sometimes I pull out the Make Art station if I really need the magnet. But then I stow away Make Art because I love working on the white glass. I use the Spectrum Noir tri color markers. Probably serious color-ers would prefer different markers. But for the casual color-er they are fabulous and take the guesswork out of picking three blendable colors.
Thank you so much for all of this share! So helpful for all of us. The glass mat, I've heard that from others and I wonder if you didn't get it magnetic. Mine is very strong. ALso the misti magnet is strong on it as well
In terms of a work surface or craft mat, my sister happened to have a poster (international A3 size) that she had had laminated ages ago. She is a teacher and it is a poster on letter formation for kids learning to write, so it is mostly white with some nice straight lines. It works a treat as a non-stick, easy clean surface. Great for ink smooshing etc. The only thing you need to be careful about is keeping really hot tools away from it … but I’ve purchased some inexpensive Teflon cooking sheets that are very heat resistant, so we can put one of those down if we need to use hot tools. Just thought I would share in case other people have laminated sheets that they hadn’t thought of using like this …
Love Love Your Demonstration and your answers to all questions that I’m sure everybody wants to know. Yes you are Right exactly what you do or I’ve been making scrapbook album since my children were kids now they’re in their 40s but you are right they are other alternatives other prices other places and even things that you might have in your house that you could probably use to make a circle squares tangles like I started doing. Yes you must SHOPPING AROUND ON PRICES AN KEEP AN EYE OPEN FOR SALES. Like Garage Sales Thrift Shops sometimes Ross has stuff not a lot and Beales to I found a few things and Dollar store and Tuesday Morning. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Adding to my comment below, I managed to get the stack of blending brushes on Amazon Uk, they were only about £1 more than you pay. I looked at the barely glue and will promise I will never look at it again, I don't know how much a 2 Oz bottle costs in USA but over here the price is £47 yep you read that right, because it would be coming from the states that's how much it would cost in $'s that is $56.83, how ridiculous is that lol I almost fainted lol hugs x Ann x
Oh yes, find you a comparable glue over there cause that's just madness! lol So glad you got the blending brushes; they are one of my favorite things to use! YAY!
I did purchase the Glassboard Studio Floral mat last year using your coupon code (great deal, thank you). My only issue with the mat is that it seems to be a very soft glass. It has so many little scratches on it and I never use a blade on it, I use self healing mats when I cut with a blade. I do love the look and ease of cleaning, but I’m not sure I would recommend it to a friend. Thank you so much for this type of video, it has been so useful in so many ways.
I love your style Mary as you present everything & give your opinion but also choices as well. I'm just starting out with a Cricut Maker 3 & I love the idea of making cards. I've really enjoyed this.
Spectrum Noir has really good alcohol markers. I like them best. Better than Copic but much cheaper. My opinion. There’s tests out there. They also have good water color markers, colored pencils, water color pencils, stamp pads of various types. They make a very good product. But prices are decent.
100% YES! I forgot to mention that. I have shared that before in videos but you are absolutely right. Some comments say they work fine with die inks but I have not had that experience. Pigment though...great!
Be kind to each other. Stay safe. Love to all
Only one thing I disagree on - the MISTI. I think it is a necessity for a new stamper. The most frustrating thing for me when I first started making cards was my inability to stamp well, which can take some time to master. As soon as I got a MISTI stamping became more fun for me. Having the ability to accurately restamp when you didn’t press hard enough or didn’t ink well enough was such a game changer. As a new crafter there are so many things that get frustrating. I would invest in the MISTI day one if I were starting over again. The other things I agree 100%. Good quality stamps, ink, and paper matter. I spent a lot of money on acrylic stamps, and they were awful. Buy photopolymer, for sure. And, one last thought - don’t buy from crazy cheap Asian companies that steal designs from hardworking small businesses in the US, UK, Canada, etc. They don’t deserve your money. Support the original designers.
Thanks so much for sharing your must have item! ❤
I think it’s important to add for those who cannot outright afford a MISTI upfront, the biggest takeaway for good stamping is a soft stamping surface as opposed to a hard desktop or table. A stamp pad or a mouse pad or even a pad of paper underneath your paper will suffice for any acrylic stamp block or rocker block or other stamping device. This is key to getting a good image. One thing many do not know. And mouse pads are almost free these days. That said there are many good stamp tools like MISTI Available. I’m preferable to the Tim Holtz pad now no longer available. But Crafters Companion and WRMK both make one good for rotating stamps.
Misti is not the only stamp platform. I have a Tim Holtz platform and a Vaesson platform. The Vaeson is a great platform and very, very reasonably priced.
I think the Misti or (in my case Tim Holtz platform) is necessary if you are a beginner or have arthritis. I wasted so much paper when I started out in this craft (of course when I started out there was nothing like the Misti or Tim Holtz platforms). When they came out it took me awhile before I bought one but when I got to the point I was so frustrated wasting paper I decided to buy one and I now back to loving to craft. I don’t worry about not getting a good image because I know I can stamp it again and again until I like it.
As far as colored paper goes I love Gina K paper. All her paper and ink pads match which is nice. I like her ink cubes. I use them on small or large stamps.
The one thing you did not cover and I am sure it was because it was not on what you must have as you start out but if you get a heat tool you will need embossing powders! There tons of them out there. To use embossing powders you need to use an ink that stays wet for awhile so that the power will stick to it. When I started out the only ink that would work was pigment ink but now some of the newer inks might work. If you are going to buy a lot of colored ink pads that will work with embossing powder then the only embossing powder you might need are gold, silver, or clear. If you just want a black ink pads then buy an embossing ink pad and whatever color of embossing powders you want. But you don’t need both color ink pads and embossing powders. That being said if there is a really cool embossing powder that is a combination of more than one color buy it and an embossing ink pad.
Sorry this is s long. This is what happens when you have been stamping for @ long long long time!
From a cardmaker with 15+ years of purchases and trial and error for best tools, Mary has nailed this list. 👌 Great advice!
For the silicone mat that I thought I had to have, Mary saved me $36! I remembered that we had a silicone placement that we used for my kiddo. So, I used what I had, it works great and now I feel like I need to pat myself on the back! Thanks, Mary!
WOOOHOOO! I am so so happy to read this. thank you so much Marian!
Do not overlook second hand stores when it comes to craft supplies. I found a cuttlebug die cut machine for $5, an amazing industrial paper cutter for $15 (it retails for $385 and can cut fifty sheets at once. Seriously), this week I picked up a gorgeous Smith-Corona metal typewriter and case for $10 and was able to get replacement ribbons on Amazon for it. You never know what gem is going to pop up in the second hand store! For folks who are not in the U.S. and find the MISTI too expensive, the We R Memory Keepers one is $32 at Michaels in Canada at full price, I found one in their clearance section for $15. It’s nice because you can buy multiple plates for it and easy set up an assembly line for making cards. I now have six plates for mine.
Great video with a lot of fantastic suggestions. Thanks for taking the time to make this!
READ THIS EVERYONE! Thank you for this reminder. YES
Good list Mary. I usually create scenes on the front of my cards so I only use sentiments inside my cards and I do those with my computer in Word then print them. I usually do them for multiple cards at a time on thinner card stock or printer paper so I don't waste paper. I probably do the computer versions because I started card making in a card program on my computer years ago.
Oh that's a great idea and you can get ANY saying for the inside you want. BRILLIANT!
@@marypolancodesigns I also print mine and it is great for personalizing them. My children, grandchildren and friends love seeing their name referenced. I like using paper from Staples for more "fancy" ones and just insert it inside the card. Only run a bead of glue on one side and it won't bind. I typically get two per sheet of paper when needing multiples. Otherwise, I can use 24lb copy paper as well. I still use stamps, but for weddings, sympathy cards etc the added touch is always appreciated.
Great reminder that computers and printers can be useful tools for cardmakers! My printer will feed cardstock without jamming (most of the time, at least), so I print my own sentiments if I don't have the right stamp available. It's nice to be able to choose whatever font style, size and ink color I want.
Thank you so much for all of your tips. I like you so much.
You are so welcome! That's so kind
Thanks for the tips, Mary. I agree with buying tools that are not branded for crafting and saving your pennies for pricier but awesome tools like the glass mat (thank you for the coupon). I use Harbor Freight and Dollar Store for all kinds of craft tools.
You are so welcome! and great add about Harbor Freight! YES
Yes! I bought my heat gun from Harbor Freight and a few other tools! Inexpensive and work great!
For those of us who have shakey hands or arthritis or carpal tunnel issues (also any other hand/finger problem) a die cutter is absolutely a necessity. I can't hold a pair of scissors for more than a few seconds before my fingers hurt and lock up and the shaking gives the worst cutting job!
I love the accent paper which you turned me on to. For colored paper I use Michaels brand mainly because I bought a ton before I knew the other brands. Blending brushes are a game changer for me cause I had such a hard time with blending using the flat blender with foam.
The major thing I wish I had known about in the beginning is ink pads. I have almost all of the (older) altenew mini's and almost all of the Gina K mini's. I wish now that I had gotten the full size ones instead. I still use primarily my oxide inks but wish I had the money to get the full size Catherine Pooler. I am not buying very much for a while until I have used just about everything I have that has not been used yet.
Another big thing that for me is essential is to have a crafty friend, either virtual or in person. It's so amazing to create with a friend once in a while for companionship and laughter. I'm fortunate to have a crafty friend who lives close by and we try to get together every few weeks. I also do zoom call crafting with a few people.
Great information as always!
I agree Heidi, I have such a better result with blending brushes than foam (even domed foam).
As for the ink pads, I used to have distress ink minis to save the storage space, but when oxides came out I decided I needed my regular distress to be full size as well 😂 I sold the minis and used that $$ to buy the full size pads.
Thank you so much for all these shares and tips, Heidi!
Thanks i didn't think about using zoom. My friend just moved right down the street. Shes crafty im so excited that we live on the same street. We love making things!! Lord help me learn to stay home!! Lol i dont want to wear out my welcome.
I'm so not a new crafter, I started crafting at the age of 3 years and Im now 64, and I do agree with all you have said. With all the years of collecting I have many versions of each thing, you always get one and then you move up! So try get the best you can at the time is my advice. I love the stack of small blending brushes you showed, who are they by cause Im in Uk and I'd love to get some. Oh and before I go, Mary you almost made me cry.....you talked about coupons sob sob we don't get anything like that over here...yep I can hear you all sobbing for us, cause boy would they make a difference, it's bad enough the stuff we get are more expensive than what you would pay, but we get kicked even harder by .....coupons!! lol I dream about them, guess Ill just have to move and if the family grumbles, the answer will be..'well I can get craft stuff so much cheaper' I think my husband will have me on the next plane out of here lol
hugs x Ann x
Thanks so much for sharing this, especially about getting a good product from the jump. I did a video on that; (the things I won't go cheap on) for that reason. I'm sorry about the coupons; I had no idea you didn't have them there. I lived in England for 2 years and never realized that.
@@marypolancodesigns Aw no worries Mary, it also made me laugh thinking my husband moving so that I get craft stuff cheaper lol Hugs x Ann x
I love going through and watching your videos Mary! I was collecting everything to make cards but i realized i didn't have many reasons to make cards but luckily I'm into adult coloring and journaling so everything worked out 😂 And if i want to make a card for someone i can. I also made me a Misti ---WITH ALL DOLLAR TREE SUPPLIES--clipboard, felt sheets, magnifying lens sheet and patterned duck tape.. And a thin magazine for extra umph.. It works perfectly and my stamps and papers doesn't move. Thanks again for all your great videos 🥳
Wooohooo love this money savings idea! That's awesome! Thank you for sharing your encouragement of me.
Great picks!
Thanks so much Lindsay!
There are alternatives to the MISTI on Amazon for those on a smaller budget. When I started seriously stamping early last year, I bought the Bira stamping tool (on Amazon) because I wasnt sure if I would be stamping long term. I bought mine for about $25-30 at the time, and I love how much it’s improved my stamping. The top plate comes off (as opposed to swinging open like the MISTI), but I actually like that it comes apart for easy cleaning and use. I always contemplate upgrading to a MISTI when it goes on sale, but my Bira does the same job, and so I’ll keep using it until it breaks & needs to be replaced.
Loved the video, Mary! I definitely agree with your picks that don’t need to be craft branded. I have the same set of blending brushes from Amazon and love them. Can’t justify 3x the price on literally the same brushes just to have a brand name plastered all over them.
I have the Bira and I love it. I bought it because I had watched a video a while back of a girl that had a misti and a Bira and she preferred her Bira. She like the Bira because the lid came off. She said, sometimes she likes to print the same stamp multi times in different angles and you can do that without having to move the stamp. Just take the lid off and turn it in all directions.
I also have an off-brand stamp positioner that I got for $25 on Amazon and I'm super happy with it! It's a total game changer for stamping. I use mine all the time. It's a couple of years old now and shows no signs of wearing out. No need to spend $50 or more on a Misti.
Thanks so much for sharing all of this! SUPER helpful!
I may have to look at that one. I do not like the expensive brand name one. She did not invent the idea completely. I am personally shocked she won the patent. I do not think she should of been approved for it. Then she went and sued so many people including threatening small people on you tube who made similar copy versions out of every day items. I think that is too much. She took it too far for something she did not invent but rather was actually out there in different forms. So I do not want to give me money to her.
@@Amywazwaz06 The Bira is currently $34.95... still alot cheaper.
I've given up on having coloured cardstock. I have black, white and kraft for card bases and white for everything else. I've invested in a variety of background stamps (lines, gingham, spots, etc) and will make a matte that colour co-ordinates with my design. For a solid colour matte, I'll just use ink to blend a frame around a card (and the edges), making sure it will go under the one I've been building my design on, so it looks like a piece of coloured cardstock.
Thanks so much for sharing this
Yes, yes, yes on Catherine Pooler inks. I LOVE them! Funny how so many other companies have now jumped on the foam pad bandwagon. Thanks for this!
I totally agree! so great
Since I have been stamping for many years I have many tools that are not used! Reason?…things have changed! Many more helpful things available. I try to give some of my things to new stampers!
I agree, I try to do the same as well!
I have to share my craft mat. It cost me less than two dollars. Home Depot and Lowe's sell 18 inch square ceramic tile. (You may want to protect the bottom with felt circles or whatever) You can mix any thing and remove it easily with any solvent or even a razor blade. They are heat proof for embossing. Mine is 10 years old an looks like new. It is a cheap starting place for beginners. The money saved would be available for other supplies. Just try to get a flat one.
genius
AMAZING!!! THANKS
Two suggestions I would make before you spend a lot of money on stamps and dies. One, think about the types of occasions/holidays/themes of cards or craft projects you will be making. For instance, don’t buy Halloween images (no matter how cute they might be) if you don’t send Halloween cards. And the same goes for every other theme or holiday. I started with Christmas themed things because that is what I was most interested in making at first and then branched out later into baby themed and more general greeting cards. This decision can also guide what colour ink and paper you might start collecting first. And two, think about the style of crafter you might be. Do you prefer sweet little critters and images or do you like a more elegant style? Do you like scripty fonts, typewriter style fonts, or mixed fonts? Are you making cards predominantly for boys/men or girls/women? If you are not sure about your own personal style, think about the cards that you are drawn to on Pinterest or Google. One of my biggest mistakes when I first started crafting was impulse buying things because they appealed to me and the images were pretty or cute, and then realizing much later on that I made more cards and scrapbooks for small boys and men. And, lastly, I stopped buying alphabet stickers when I realized that buying alphabet stamps or dies gave me way more flexibility (I could stamp or diecut as many as I needed in any colour) and I didn’t have lots of leftover stickers that I would never use (q, x, z, etc.).
Really great advice here thanks so much for sharing this!
Very good info, wish I'd had this before starting my cardmaking, but it's been a great learning tool.😁
Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know.
New to your channel and so glad I found you. I could have used this video a year ago (I have "need it all now" syndrome) and will benefit from it greatly! Thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful! YES, I have that syndrome tooooo hahaha
Agree almost 100% on everything you recommended. Wish I had seen something like this when I first started card making! Would have saved me a fortune and aggravation. Excellent video Mary:)
Thank you so much! I appreciate that very much!
I've been crafting for years and still listened to your very informative video. Thank you for your input on all these products.
Thank you so much for this! I really appreciate you saying that
Wow! Mary, this was one of thee most helpful cardmaking related videos I've ever seen!! Thank you so much!! ❤️
Oh wow thank you so much for such great feedback!
This is a fantastic video. I wish I'd had a guide like this when I started making cards last year. I second the Catherine Pooler inks. They are my absolute favorite. You cracked me up with the fabric scissors. I remember my mom yelling at us for using hers to cut paper *cringe*. I really appreciate your honesty and reviews. I bought my niece a set of Ohuhu markers based on your reviews and she really likes them.
Hahah...see me and your mom...we get it (and you of course!) Thanks so much for the encouraging comment. I appreciate it very much and glad these are helpful!
Mary, you are so wonderful! I so appreciate all that you do to make cardmaking more fun and affordable. Thank you for your expertise, free advice and, especially, kindness. Sending hugs!!😁🤗
Thank you so much! This means so so much to me! I appreciate you so much!
I love, love, love my Misti 🥰
Same, it's a staple!
Regarding color card stock (and white, too, for that matter), I buy from Papertreyink and have for years. They have excellent quality and are reasonably priced. They have a complete line of matching inks and sell stamps, dies, etc., too, if u “need” more eye candy.
Oooh great share thank you!
You are so good to teach us all of this. I just love you. Thank you so much.
It's my pleasure! YAY!
As a new cardmaker, this was the best informational video! Thank you Mary!
Oh Yay...thank you for taking the time to share that with me
Wish I met you 2 years ago. I save your videos on my video lista all the time!!
Glad you like them! Thank you so much for letting me know!
I’ve been making cards for a few years now and have acquired so much “unnecessary” stuff…. While I wish your video was around back then, I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your reviews (& opinions), I thank you for sharing now! For newbies…the information she gives is great advice!
You are so welcome! ANd thank you for such a kind and encouragement comment, Julie!
I wish this video came out two years ago when I started, I went in blind buying loads of stuff but not knowing what I was doing, love your honesty xx
Thank you so much for this! I really appreciate it. I'm glad that it's going to be helpful for folks.
I had no idea that was what misti stood for! That's such fun craft trivia!
Fun story, we have a store here in TN called Gimme a 5. It's a liquidation store they buy Amazon returns over stock ect. Everything is thrown into bins you just dig thru. Everything on Saturday and Sunday is $5 (everything) Monday's $3 (everything that didn't sell on Saturday and Sunday for 5 is now 3) Tuesdays and Wednesdays $2 Thursday is $1, and Friday everything left is $0.25! And we are back to 100% new stock on Saturday! So I so this store just to see what I find I found like 40 MISTIs for $1 each. I didn't know what it was at the time, but it was pink, it said stamping, it's crafty, so I bought one for me and one for my daughter. Wish I had bought them all! It's maybe one of my most loved card making item in my arsenal now! But when I see the price tag, we'll I consider mine as a God given gift! He knew I wanted it even tho I didn't know it! Lol. November 2020 I found a computer tower one of the new tiny things, it had been opened and returned to Amazon. My son is at university, so for $5 I snatched it. Plugged it in, it lights worked (no monitor remember) brought it home and found it on Amazon for $1,400.00! Nothing wrong other that the Microsoft office had cd was missing. Those store are too much fun! If you are a deal digger then there is hours of amusement at these stores. Closest thing we have for prospecting for gold in our day and age!
Amazing! The deals you've found are fantastic. We just got one here, I might just have to go check it out for crafty stuff. :D
@Carly R. oh those were just two items! Crafty items are always there, sets of alcohol makers, trimmers, I got a crop-o-dial there. Just engender to plug it in! Batteries ect because there are no returns! Wear a shirt you don't love i have ruined a top, my hubs wears gloves, i don't, but a pocket knife is helpful. Things are often in boxes that aren't original, so you gotta open them up. Have fun!!!!
Wow! What delightful fun. Feeling a little envious - sorry. Everything is Australia already has freight included in price, and then it's posted from shop to house. (Last bit my problem, as I try to buy local, support local if I can.). But a throw out store - sigh! I think I'd go crazy, ha ha! Always scourer the charity shops for crafty stuff.
@solovjud I'm sure there are places similar, just gotta find them. I learned about gimme a five through my infusion nurse years ago. She was wearing a fit bit watch and it had a pretty pink band (in a totally pink kinda gal) so I complimented her on it. She had found it at the bottom of the bin on a Friday! That's .25 day! No box no papers just always falling down below something else. She shared her story and had to search the store for myself. Way way too much fun! But sometimes you get duds. If course I carry on about my awesome deals, but some days you buy a Water hose with a hole in it. Not every buy is epic. If you ever come to the USA give me a ring and we will got shopping together! 🛍
WOAH! I need to go to that store! Can you imagine finding all those MISTIs?? lol
Found Bearly Art Glue last year and absolutely love it and the bottle/tip...never clogs and a delight to use. MISTI is another product I find a necessity....and I certainly resisted buying it for a while! Changes your life as a stamper....I love my MISTI! Totally agree with ink blending brushes...so appalled that the craft industry charges so much for a product we can readily buy for a lot less. Love the makeup style blending brushes I've bought on Amazon....work beautifully! So much better than those foam pads Tim convinced all of us to buy...never did get the hang of it! (Sorry Tim). thanks for a great video.
Thanks so much, this helps a LOT!
Great review, love how you talk about all products, not just one.
So glad it was helpful thank you!
First time here, So Professional, Wow. Thank you for your generous and insightful list. 🙏👌☺️
WOW that's incredible feedback; thank you so much for taking the time for me! YAY
When I started I started with Stampin Up which cost me a fortune. Great products but most unnecessary. I wish I had seen your videos when I started. Thank you for your honest kind reviews. You never trash a company and always give us alternatives that are still good but cheaper. Definitely things you can't scrimp on. I just bought the 12x12 couture creations guillotine trimmer and hate it. The guillotine falls down while you're trying to line up the paper and yeah just don't like it. Anyways thanks Mary 🎉❤
It's a bummer about the trimmer, but glad to hear you are finding other great alternatives! Thank you for this kind comment and your encouragement
I’m a seasoned stamper and the video was still interesting and I did learn some things. Thank you.
Great to hear! YAY! Thank you
Press your nail into the center of the release paper on the foam tape. Easy peasy!
Polly, I just did your finger poke technique today since you mentioned it. It worked PERFECTLY, zero struggle and frustration 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
This one small bit made me so happy. It’s the little things I tell ya...
BOOM...love it! You are a genius!
Excellent video Mary! Only one small but important omission....acrylic stamping blocks for the photopolymer stamps! You would need several sizes to accommodate all the images and sentiments sizes in your stash. This is exactly the reason why a stamp positioner would be worth the money at the start of one's card-making journey! I've heard that many quit stamping in the past because they would get frustrated with crooked or incomplete images. I personally like the Stampin Up platform because I love layering and multiple stamping and the 2 hinged plates on right angles to each other make for very cool techniques and variations!
YES AND YES! You are absolutely right; I've decided to do a comparison video on stamping platforms I can get my hands on. I don't have the SU one but something similar and will for sure mention the acrylic blocks. Thank you
@@marypolancodesigns would you consider comparing the Crafters Companion "Rock-A-Blocks" also?
Great list!! I really like the tip on the small blenders. I'm getting those for sure. The only change to your list for the beginning stamper is that a stamping platform is a must!! When I think of all the messed up sentiments or unequally inked lines I cringe. Having to use an acrylic block for everything nearly caused me to stop crafting entierly. Having the stamping platform has given me back the joy of crafting cards again. I use the Tim Holtz platform and I have his travel size as well. He also has a travel size of his glass mat and it is a perfect and easy size to travel with.
Thank you for adding this because a lot of viewers feel it too. I'm going to review some platforms soon!
Great video Mary, love the information. I am both scrapbooker and cardmaker so the tear tape has to be good quality. The cheaper ones are fine for cards but for the longevity of scrapbook pages, it's heartbreaking to see everything lift off down the track. I'm in Australia so shopping for craft is entirely different to USA etc. We have exchange rate issues and high post charges so tend to shop more local. We do have an Australian Amazon but it doesn't have the choice you have. That being said we have a number of Aussie online sellers which save the day.
Oh yes, tear tape I didn't mention that. I love mine from Scrapbook.com, but having tried many. Thanks for this
I have the silicone welding mat, its great for gripping small cut outs when ink blending. Also have the fingertip blending bristle brush tower. Brilliant for small jobs and stencilling
Thanks for sharing this
I love my Stamparatus. They no longer sell it and I just don't understand why. I just am grateful that I bought it when I did.
Great informative honest video
Oh no, I wonder why they stopped. SO Many people love it as their favorite
They were sued by the makers of the Misti for patent breaching. Unfortunate- to me they are different.
Great video Mary! I’m focusing more on my fine art now, but I simply cannot get away from card making and paper crafting in general (+ art journaling, collage, etc.) It’s just too much fun! And oh my, I do love ❤️ die cutting….I have 5 different machines, but prefer Sizzix machines. After my Vagabond2 gave up last year (it was still trying, but the rollers wouldn’t push the sandwich through) after my abusing it for 6 years, I bought the entry level Big Shot for $89 at Joann. It’s just an all around great workhorse machine. But at some point, I’m likely gonna go for the Switch for 2 big reasons: 1) the automatic feed -especially bc of my hand arthritis and wrist weakness from falling and fracturing last year and 2) the wide 9 inch bed. But it is an investment machine at over $300 so it would not be an impulse buy and I’ll only buy it when I think I can really afford it. Another higher end die-cutting machine that gets good reviews is the Anna Griffin Empress machine (auto feed & wide bed) that seems to have magically come down in price from what I think was in the neighborhood of $389? It’s now $249 and sold on HSN & AG website ( there’s a mini Empress too.) Hmmm could it be that the price was lowered to compete with the Switch?
I prefer the longhaul of the sizzix for sure. I had my last big shot for 10 years. YAY!
Thank you for another brand suggestion - looking for another machine for the same reasons, only my cause is "passing years", ok old age, lol!
I bought the Empress mini and just love it. I also have the large Gemini, but the Empress mini is so portable.
I have the Gemini's, but they have more complicated sandwiches and their acrylic plates get warped and scratched. They are a work horse for cutting though. For ease I LOVE, LOVE, the Anna Griffin Empress machines. They are easy, fast and efficient. For some reason, their plates never warp. Guess it is the simplicity. They have them on sale occasionally. If mine dies from old age, I will replace it with another Empress.
I found your video very useful and I have been cardmaking for 25 yrs. We are looking at downsizing and I will have a very small space no matter what we end up in instead of a complete room. Thank you.
Oh thank you so much i really appreciate that! YAY
I don’t know if this will work for you, but it does for me. I look for rolling suitcases at garage sales. One holds jewelry tools/supplies, one for resin, two for papercrafting, etc. I put them in and out of my storage unit. Even if your storage space is a closet, this modular strategy helps a lot.
Hi Mary, LOVE that you show crafters that there are cheaper and just as good alternatives to the ever INCREASING prices to the tools for doing something we LOVE. Everyone tries to take advantage of, for most of us, a hobby that we use to relieve stress and to escape from reality for a while. Most crafters have their tried and true picks and I have mine. I have heard over and over about the MISTI, I have never used one, I have my Stamp-in’ Up positioner and I love it. The pressure plates are positional, there are 2, side to side, top to bottom. When stamping instead of moving card stock or paper you move the pressure plate to various positions. LOVE IT. TYFS.
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony. The SU platform is getting a lot of love in the comments for sure! YAY
I will be a fan of Live Well. Both of us are retired now and planning lots of spontaneous small trips and a few longer ones. We’ll be counting on eating in restaurants and a course in what we should be looking at for healthy diet and clean food restaurants. I’ve only found one other channel that talks about clean food. I’ll go there and subscribe now.
Thank you so much for your support!
Thanks for all the tips have a good day
Thank you, you too!
I am normally pretty quiet on these videos, but I do have to say that the glass boards from glass board studios are awesome! However, I have heard several people say you can cut on them. You "can" but depending on the blade you are using it is likely you will see scratches. If you want to keep it pristine use a self healing mat for cutting, you can get a small one to use just for that. Also, my glass board came with a nick in the glass when I reached out to glass studio about it they did not offer to rectify it, just told me to use a glass polish to see if I could get rid of it.
I would still buy it, and recommend it, but something to keep in mind for those of you thinking about getting one.
Thanks so much for sharing this! I've had a few people share with me how accommodating the company was so I wonder what happened there for you. Great advice on pulling out of South hilling matches for cutting. I haven't had the same experience for scratches but maybe I'm not pushing hard enough or maybe I'm using a more gentle blade. I'll definitely be careful moving forward
I really feel the misti is very needed at beginning!
A lot of us do! I guess I meant it won't stop you completely from starting. :)
Stampin Up cardstock is the best I’ve used. Colors are fabulous!
Good to know!
Great video. Just a reminder to all you don’t need a lot of fancy things to make cards. I don’t have a diecutting machine and I don’t use stamps, ink or pens and I make and sell lots of cards. I do use lots of washi tape and paper and stickers. I did buy tim holtz glass mat on sale.
Ahhhhh...I LOVE This so much; you are proving my point; thank you so much!
Just ordered that glass mat. You are so right about surfaces and this one really hits every mark. Can't wait to get it! Thanks so much!
Woot woot!!! I love it so much
Great tips Mary!! Wish I would have had a video like this when I was starting out because it would have saved me ALOT of money!!! I have purchased several of the items you have recommended in previous videos and was very pleased with them so thank you for that!!! Always love watching your videos!!!
Oh thank you so so much! YAY
Love this!!! Thank you for sharing your tips and guidance! 💗
My pleasure thanks so much for your encouragement.
THANKS to Mary for this and all her wonderful videos!
Glad you like them! YAY! Thanks for letting me know this!
I love my magnetic glass mat!! I have to really catch myself with all the email updates from all the companies- regarding stamps and dies etc.- I'm afraid I'll be missing something if I don't buy .Hense, too many of them! I like to buy from the small businesses but I think my "stash" is out of control :0
Sad I didn't find your videos sooner-love your channel!
Thank you so much for this encouraging feedback. I really appreciate it.
I like stampin up colored cardstock it’s awesome
I do too, I don't have any anymore but it's a wonderful quality
Love Tombow glue, Gina K connect is great too. The other tops clog so badly. I don’t know every product, but it’s too expensive and time consuming to try more.
Thanks for the tips!
Mary you did a wonderful job on this video. Your recommendations are right on. I would totally recommend the Misti tool to anyone, use every day. I would recommend it to a new card maker as well, they will be so much happier with their stamping.
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement; I really appreciate it. I hope it is useful to those who need it.
Love your humour. Great video
Thanks so much! That's a great compliment!
I found a silicone mat normally send for baking at Target, only $8. I think it’s the same thing, works beautifully.
Woohoooo love that deal! Thanks for sharing
Thank you so very much for putting this video together, Mary! I am now subscribed!
God Bless! 🤗🙏🏻
You are so welcome! Thanks for hanging out with me
I love Stampin UP Card Stock and Gina k. Card Stock for the base card. The weight and colors are perfect.
Very useful information that I wish I knew when I started. I think adding dies themselves would help. Some cheaper dies from Amazon are really damaging to my plates and not easy to separate from paper. I go for the crafty brand on my dies now. Thanks, Mary!
Yes I've run into that problem too with the super cheap dies. Thanks for sharing this.
@@marypolancodesigns I actually watched more of your videos and saw that you covered this topic! Very helpful channel. Continued success to you : )
Good information. My versafine clair are my most used inks. I love the accent opaque paper. I WAY overbought Michaels colored cardstock. I haven't bought it since late 2019 and I still have a lot. I like it, but when its 5 packs for $10, its VERY easy to go overboard.
Thank you so much! This was very very helpful!
Great video!
Thanks! I appreciate it so much
Good list Mary! I haven't tried the Bearly art glue yet but i plan to. However I've replaced my Misti and Tim Holtz with the Stamparatus from Stampin Up. It gives so many more time saving options and costs less. You know I'm an SU demo but hands down it's still my favorite.
Thank you so much for this. I'm editing a video comparing some of the stamping platforms; don't have the SU but will mention it as an option to look into.
I love the stamp platform from Stampin’ Up.
Thank you for this. I wish I had learned more about this when I started. But just like you I started before UA-cam.
Thanks so much; I appreciate this
I think I got into card making the opposite way as most. I got a Cricut before I invested in a ton of stamps and inks, because I loved cutting out sentiments and shapes and coordinating paper colors and patterns.
I got a Cricut too...circa 2009, it was pink, and did not hook up to computers. lol
@@marypolancodesigns mine was white. It did not have a model name. It only took cartridges
Have you tried cereal box liners for ink smooshing or just for protecting your surface from glue smudges or ink smudges? They're free (if your family uses cold cereal), they work great, and you can just throw them away when they get yucky.
I have not but what a brilliant idea!
Wonderful video Mary, you have used common sense to show new and older stampers what is needed to start their stamping journey. Here in Australia, we don't have a lot of stores like the Dollar Store or Joanne's to purchase from, unfortunately, as most crafty things come from the US we have to pay more to be able to do our craft due to the dollar exchange but it is worth it. Looking forward to watching more of your tutorials. Thank you for sharing.😊
Thank you so much for your encouragement and support!
Hi Mary! Thank u SO much for these types of videos based on ur opinion! Do u have a video, or could u explain what it is that u didn't care for with the TS-Tim Holtz Stamp positioner compared to the MISTI? Thank u in advance. Blessed crafting! 😊
Truth be told, there really isn't anything I didn't like about the TH platform, I just stopped using it because I heard he stopped selling it in the USA and that's the majority of my audience. I like to use things they can try as well
@@marypolancodesigns Thank you!
A couple of months agoI found Tonics Tim Holtz positioner on Amazon ( I believe) and LOVE it! I use Sizzix sticky sheets in it which omits the use of magnets. The pack has a few sheets but I still have the same one in it and it’s a game changer.
So. Good. You have answered so many questions. I’m getting back into cars making and gelli plate printing after years away and needed this video. Thank you!!
Oh this makes me so so happy; thank you so much Anita!
Mary, wanted to let you know, I did the 20 x 30 glass cutting board. You have to use really strong magnet to get threw the tempered glass. I had some pieces of strong magnet around to test and it worked good. If I was going to keep it that way, I would have redid it with a grid pattern on it. Part I didn't like about it, was the size, it was to small. BUT, IT CAN BE DONE!!
I'm sorry to hear this; can you contact the company to see what the deal is? My magnets work great so I'm really wondering if they weakened it some way. hmmmm THanks for letting us know.
@@marypolancodesigns No no, if you remember, I had said I was going to try and make my own with a 20x30 cutting glass board. I was doing this cause the Glassboard isn't selling the 18 x 24 anymore and right now 24x36 is a bit pricey, even with your discount. I should have ordered it weeks ago when I first saw it here, it was onsale and when I did the check out, it also did the 20% discount and I didn't do it.
@@marypolancodesigns OK rereading their description. The board is not magnetic, it has a metal backing that will react with a magnet paced on top. But if you just put down your metal die, it won't hold it in place cause the die is not magnetic. Now makes more sense. I thought the back was actually a magnet
@@judipalumbo Ooooh yes ok! That makes sense because my magnets stick strong to it. Thank you so much for clarifying
@@marypolancodesigns So yes...nothing metal sticks to the Glassboard boards cause it is not magnetized. It is just a metal plate that atracks magnets, so if you put something on your board and use a magnet on the face of it to hold it in place, it will magnetize to the back plate, through the glass. That is why mine was not working very strong because I was trying to put a magnet on the back of the glass and use a magnet to catch on the front. I am for sure going to make one soon....I gotta get the sheet of metal from Home Depot and wait for hubby to cut it for me!!!!
Great ideas. Can’t wait for my switch to come in. I like the fact that it’s electronic and I won’t have to hold a button down to keep it working. I’ve loved your cards. Happy crafting.
Same here! I posted about it coming back in stock and then didn't get one because I got distracted. hahah
I got my blender brushes at Dollar Tree and they work well for me . I also got a great plain silicone mat at our Dollarama for less then 4 dollars .
My first Die cut machine was a Cuttlebug and I was on my way. I recently got a Gemini Jr and a mini crank one and no more big cranking on the bigger machine. I have had troubles with the plates but watched you and others how to fix them and I'm finding they really work better now.
I love a stamp positioner as too frustrating to stamp and it's not dark enough or crooked.
Thanks so much for all of this! Such great shares! YAY
Thank you Mary for showing the rainbow brushes! I always wanted them but could not justify spending the amount that craft companies charge. Like you, I will always support craft companies but some things I just can't spend the extra amount.
Thanks so much Tiffany for this ! I'm glad it was helpful and we are of the same mindset! :)
Great video for overview. Am sure there are lots of new crafters that found this super helpful. Keep those cheaper finds coming. I am really feeling stamps and thinnest are becoming soooooo expensive. One would have to make hundreds of cards to make it worthwhile. Have a great day.!!!!!
yup!!! i am a newbie
very helpful
Yes that is so true, I mean really if you only use a stamp set once, you paide $14 for a card. YOIKES
YAY!
Hi, Mary.
Girl, you don’t miss a trick.
hahha
Mary,, this is a Magnificent video. Your advice is spot on. I’ve been papercrafting for MANY years and wish there had been someone like you to consult with at the beginning. Love your videos and your adorable personality. You are one of my top 3. Faves. Thanks for all your ideas and advice. I will say, however that when I first began stamping a stamp positioning tool would have been well worth the price. I messed up so much card stock pressing either too hard or too little. Just a little note. By the way, where did you get your stamp pad storage.?
Thanks so much Cindy! I think it's a HUGELY useful tool too at the beginning even, and went back and forth if it should be in the bonus or not. Thanks so much for your super sweet and encouraging comment! HUGS
Thank you Mary, I just went and purchased the glass cutting board that you have using your code. Can't wait to get it. Thank you for taking the time to review all sorts of craft products to help us newbies out.
YAY! I LOVE that mat; use it all the time! I'm so excited you are going to try it too! Thanks so much
Great video! 👍
Thanks!!
Great topic for a video. I have already spent a ton of money on crafting stuff and am trying to "stop the bleeding." (that said I have been very very naughty in the past week).
I was so glad to hear you recommend something other than the Neenah paper. I am very weary of hearing everyone plug that paper. It is a good paper. They use it and of course, should tell us what they are using. But I get tired of hearing about it. There are other great quality cardstock at a much more reasonable price.
The glass mat ... I have the same one and I do love it. BUT, the magnet is a tad weak for me. sometimes I pull out the Make Art station if I really need the magnet. But then I stow away Make Art because I love working on the white glass.
I use the Spectrum Noir tri color markers. Probably serious color-ers would prefer different markers. But for the casual color-er they are fabulous and take the guesswork out of picking three blendable colors.
Thank you so much for all of this share! So helpful for all of us. The glass mat, I've heard that from others and I wonder if you didn't get it magnetic. Mine is very strong. ALso the misti magnet is strong on it as well
In terms of a work surface or craft mat, my sister happened to have a poster (international A3 size) that she had had laminated ages ago. She is a teacher and it is a poster on letter formation for kids learning to write, so it is mostly white with some nice straight lines. It works a treat as a non-stick, easy clean surface. Great for ink smooshing etc. The only thing you need to be careful about is keeping really hot tools away from it … but I’ve purchased some inexpensive Teflon cooking sheets that are very heat resistant, so we can put one of those down if we need to use hot tools. Just thought I would share in case other people have laminated sheets that they hadn’t thought of using like this …
I Love everything about this comment! Than you Felicity!
@@marypolancodesigns you are very welcome!😊
Loved your video very good info for me. I really would like a glass matt thinking about it not serious yet
Make sure it's something you will use a lot; they aren't cheap! I love mine still although I can't film much with it anymore.
Love Love Your Demonstration and your answers to all questions that I’m sure everybody wants to know. Yes you are Right exactly what you do or I’ve been making scrapbook album since my children were kids now they’re in their 40s but you are right they are other alternatives other prices other places and even things that you might have in your house that you could probably use to make a circle squares tangles like I started doing. Yes you must SHOPPING AROUND ON PRICES AN KEEP AN EYE OPEN FOR SALES. Like Garage Sales Thrift Shops sometimes Ross has stuff not a lot and Beales to I found a few things and Dollar store and Tuesday Morning. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Yes thrift stores all the way!!! Great addition
Adding to my comment below, I managed to get the stack of blending brushes on Amazon Uk, they were only about £1 more than you pay. I looked at the barely glue and will promise I will never look at it again, I don't know how much a 2 Oz bottle costs in USA but over here the price is £47 yep you read that right, because it would be coming from the states that's how much it would cost in $'s that is $56.83, how ridiculous is that lol I almost fainted lol hugs x Ann x
Oh yes, find you a comparable glue over there cause that's just madness! lol So glad you got the blending brushes; they are one of my favorite things to use! YAY!
Thank you for sharing your videos
My pleasure, thank you so much for this!
I did purchase the Glassboard Studio Floral mat last year using your coupon code (great deal, thank you). My only issue with the mat is that it seems to be a very soft glass. It has so many little scratches on it and I never use a blade on it, I use self healing mats when I cut with a blade. I do love the look and ease of cleaning, but I’m not sure I would recommend it to a friend. Thank you so much for this type of video, it has been so useful in so many ways.
I'm so sorry that was your experience with the glass mat; I didn't see that issue. Uggg...frustrating! :( Thanks for the sweet comment
I love your style Mary as you present everything & give your opinion but also choices as well. I'm just starting out with a Cricut Maker 3 & I love the idea of making cards. I've really enjoyed this.
Oh thank you so much for this! I really appreciate your support and this feedback! :) Big hugs Sue
Yes, love the Oxide inks. It's one of the only two inks I have all the colors of - Oxides and Versafine Clair. I use them both equally.
Aren't they just the best!? Love mine
Really impressed you put my favourite CP inks as your number one. Most reach straight for Tim Holtz
I've loved them since day one she released! Amazing!
So much useful and helpful information, Mary! Good to know what to get, even though I've moved away from card making for awhile. Thank you so much!!!
Thanks so much for letting me know this! I appreciate it
Spectrum Noir has really good alcohol markers. I like them best. Better than Copic but much cheaper. My opinion. There’s tests out there. They also have good water color markers, colored pencils, water color pencils, stamp pads of various types. They make a very good product. But prices are decent.
I really liked those markers too when I tried them; very easy to use.
Ok, done. I really enjoy your personality and content.
Yay! Thank you!
I find the silicone stamps work just as well. They are so much cheaper and I save where I can.
I don't have that same experience EXCEPT when I use a stamping positioner and pigment ink. Then I'm golden; forgot to mention that trick. DOH
The pigment inks work great if you buy those cheaper silicone stamps. Just an FYI.
100% YES! I forgot to mention that. I have shared that before in videos but you are absolutely right. Some comments say they work fine with die inks but I have not had that experience. Pigment though...great!
Did know about that trick of pigment ink with cheap silicone stamps! THANKS
I just bought Accent from Amazon! It must be back in stock!
Wooohooo! That's awesome; it comes and goes.