Do you stamp? You can try this website - go to quick clicks on the left hand side. I use the Stampin Up Gallery. I haven't looked at any of the other sites listed though.

I love to make cards with my photographs! I even print my own photos (I have a photo printer, but a regular printer would do a good enough job).

I like to find colored blank greeting cards. My favorite brand is DCWV (Die Cuts With a View) that are colored on the outside, but white on the inside. They are easy to order online, or Hobby Lobby carries them.

I print my picture out in the size I want and cut it to fit my card. I layer that on top of card stock that goes well with the photo and the color of the card (you can also get white and cream color blank cards that go with anything) I have found it looks really good to double mat - cut a bottom color, then top that with black, then your photo (or rubber stamped image)

For supplies I would get the blank cards, a decent paper cutter. These are not expensive - they are the type that the blade slides up and down the paper. Some "glue dots" to hold your images and mats on the paper, and some colored cardstock for mats. You can buy packages of multi colored cardstock scraps. You don't need much else! Not a terribly big investment at first to see if you like it.

I also use clear envelopes. I order those online. That way you can see your card. They work fine to mail, you just slip a piece of paper inside that has the address and the return address, place that on the backside of the card,
and put the postage stamp on the OUTSIDE so it can be cancelled.

Happy Crafting!!

This site, Cardmaking Magic, is a great one that should help you.

http://www.card-making-magic.com/

SplitcoastStampers is another excellent site. Be sure to check out the "Resources" section located at the top right on the page.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

OMG, lindalou, there are SO many sites. You may want to see there is a Stampin' Up demonstrator near you - they are a big company, and a good place to start.

A FL demonstator has a site, ttp://www.stampingschool.com/. It's $35 a year to join & watch her videos. Since she is a Stampin Up demonstrator, she uses their product almost exclusively. But you can still get some ideas.

You can also go to YouTube. There are hundreds of cardmaking videos.

Some other sites are http://www.cardmaking101.com/, http://www.papertreyink.com/index.html, and http://stamptv.ning.com/.

I started card making about 3 years ago, and I am addicted. Don't do what I did, and start buying a lot of "stuff". The only supplies you must have are paper, a cutting tool, adhesive, a couple of stamps, and some ink pad.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Ellen

Here is a link that might be useful: Stampin Up demonstrator.

a former coworker of mine has posted 23 cards so far that she has made and sent her brother who is deployed. She does a card a day, and posts a pic of each one before she mails it. I think this is such a wonderful thing she is doing. She said he most probably won't GET a card a day, because he is moving around etc...but I can just imagine the joy it is bringing him.

I also use my photographs for greeting cards, but I print them onto white 8 1/2 X 11 card stock with my HP printer using the 4x6 size or 5x7 size option. I've discovered how to run them through the printer so that I'm able to print a greeting inside plus a small title and date on the back at the bottom. Then I simply half fold them. I love buying colored envelopes to match the photograph on the card, I have quite a collection at the present from Envelopes.com. Yeah, a little expensive depending upon the color but when it's the right shade I have to have them!

Another hint - buy yourself one of those bone or hard plastic things that look like a letter opener but are used for creasing paper. They really work.

There are alot of wonderful information available. Just start out simple, do not subscribe to any single magazine, and many of us have extra supplies we can help with. Ideas, anything goes, use your imagination. Look outside the box. I use what I have learned in other hobbies, counted cross stitch, stamp collecting, knitting, quilting, etc. Also as to supplies, again I have used cookie cutters for printing, ideas in cooking, postcards, old greeting cards, even pictures in magazines. Again, start slow, ask questions, look around you, go to craft shows, and you will have a ton of fun!

I have never done it but many times thought I would like to try. I have always had an artistic streak and enjoy that kind of thing. I think I will do a lot of research on the links that you all posted. I bet my girls would love it too.

thanks, so much, everyone. this gives me a place to begin and the sites are amazing. i'm sure i am going to love this new venture. thanks, again.....;)

Check the Let's get crafty page, I have a bunch of stuff there. (paper crafts)

Here is a link that might be useful: Let's get crafty

I've avoided this thread until now because I feel so guilty having all the necessities for card making in my craft room. (now really a storage place) I started making cards back in 1998 and have so many Stampin Up stamps and others. but with no one to stamp with or share kind of lost the desire. Go for it is what I say. I made several cards for past Christmas card exchanges and might make some for this years.

be sure to take a photo of anything you make before sending it out or giving it away.

The possibilities are endless. Once you start the ideas will flow

i, so much, appreciate all your comments. however, i went to joannes (on-line) and looked at card making supplies and i am totally overwhelmed with what is available. other than cardstock and envelopes, what would you suggest i buy to get started? i live on social security and have to watch my pennies and i have no idea where to begin. help!!!!!! tia ;)

I would gather ideas first. And check what paper items you may already have in the house. any decorative paper or even scrap of material. Practice using a plain paper cut to card size and start layering some of the snippets on it to form an attractive background. Then find a cute pictre of an animal or flower and carefully cut it out and glue it to the front. If you have a nice handwriting write a saying on the front.
see how it looks. Then when you go to the store get a little pack of plain notecards with envelopes usually found in the card making area.
look at the rubber stamps and pick out a general one that you could use on a lot of different cards and then get a black rubber stamp pad.
Take those home and try the sme practice method with those. Then you can expand your supplies Hope this helps.

I just remembered We have a paper Forum right here on the Garden Web
Go to it and read the posts it hasn't been active for awhile
and then click on the gallerly for that forum it will show a lot of cards including mine

Here is a link that might be useful: Paper Arts - GardenWeb

Here is a card I made very simple I had the snowman stamp and you can see how I cut it out and then glued it to the background it is also in the gallery on the paper arts forum

Here is a link that might be useful:

I've been making cards for over fifteen years and seldom ever buy a card. I do have the Hallmark Card Maker and I buy my card stock and envelopes at Staples when I find a sale or I have a coupon. Same with Michaels, when I need a stamp or ink pad. Like Minnie, I have far more than I will use in this lifetime!! One thing I have done, is use wallpaper books for snippets of paper and decoration. I think it is a craft that you will truly enjoy!

You guys have me all excited about this hobby. I was thinking about it since way back when and this thread has convinced me that I need to do it. I looked at some websites and there are lots of free card ideas so I will see what I can manage in supplies and get started. Thank you all so much. Minnie thanks for the photo...anyone else want to share???

mamatoad I have a friend who makes her own envelopes out of wallpaper book pages they are always so attractive

thanks, so much, minnie and mamatoad. that is what i needed to know. will get started this week. thanks, again!! ;)