Basic Tools and Coloring Medium

Welcome new stamper!

Basic Tools

Here I recommend what I consider to be the best, most useful, basic tools.

• Scissors 6" long.  Durasharp, Titanium, or Gingher brands are sharp.
• Clear ruler 6" long. Omnigrid has easy to see markings.
• Pencil with eraser.
• Double-sided tape - TomBow mono permanent - It conveniently rolls on paper.
• Double-sided tape - Scotch Gold - strong adhesive for cold weather (Christmas).
• TomBow glue pen - optional. Very convenient for  attaching small accents.  Does not run.
• Bone folder - optional, cleanly folds card stock.
• Clear case 6"x9"x1.25" - to hold basic tools.

Cleaning Supplies:

• Baby wipes
• Small cleaning brush - nylon nail cleaner
• Staz-On Multipurpose stamp cleaner
• Stamp cleaning brush pad - optional.

Next, I list the most useful and convenient coloring mediums.

• Crayons or brush markers, water based - Stampin' Up! Watercolor Wonder Crayons in Bold Brights or assorted markers by TomBow or Stampin' Up!  (I use Stampin' Up! markers because the colors match with Stampin' Up! ribbons & accessories and card stock. Both brands are of the best quality in my experience.  Between the two, TomBow is better.  It does not dry out and the brush tips are larger and they hold more ink than Stampin' Up! marker.)
• Brushes - Aqua Pens or regular water color brushes.  (To get a soft, water-colored look with markers, pick up the color on the marker tip with a water color brush tip, then transfer the brush to the card to color.) 
• Black marker, TomBow or Stampin' Up!
• White opaque pen - Signo or Gelly Roll.  (White Souffle pen gives an interesting puffed look.)
• Non-smearing black ink pad - VersaFine black is highly recommended.  You can water color over the stamped image and it does not smear.  It does need a few seconds to dry after being stamped.
• Large ink pads in various colors are convenient for coloring a large bold stamp, but you don't need any in the beginning.  You can slowly acquire them in your favorite colors as you discover your own taste and your own ways of making cards.  Large ink pads are most useful for batch processors who make 6+ cards at a time using one color per stamp.