Basic Supplies

[lightwriter]

What digital kits/elements are your go to items on layouts? I've just gotten to the point where I'm buying scrap kits instead of downloading freebies but I've found that I don't have a good assortment of basic things like staples, solid card stock, brads, tags, etc. I love the themed kits but they usually don't have basic items in them. Any advice would be appreciated for this newbie scrapper.

[pewtertm]

Stitches---Traci has some fab ones Check our her Bad Sewing Machine line

Tags---love Julie's Oodles of Tags

[mariewilcox]

I agree - a few sets of stitches and I LOVE Julie's tags. As for other basics like ribbons and staples I tag them in Picasa so I can bring them up when I want them... I have a few kits with staples and every kit has ribbons and ric rac, so I tag them to use interchangeably when I need them.

[suladesign]

Originally Posted by mariewilcox

I agree - a few sets of stitches and I LOVE Julie's tags.

Same here. Stitches and Julie's tags are something I'm using a lot.

As far as staples, etc. I wouldn't worry about that, because over time, once you buy more kits, they will be included in some, and if you tag them, they're easy to find. Same with cardstock. I do have a paper pack with cardstock, which I hardly ever use, b/c most kits come with solid background papers, and after you buy more kits, you'll have solid papers more than you ever need lol!

I think the other thing I'm very glad I've started investing in, is alphas. Seems unnecessary, when you think that most kits come with alphas (at least here at SSD), but I love to mix and match alphas to make my titles more interesting (just wrote a tutorial about title-work on my blog) and my alpha stash is where I look through every single time I create a page! Seriously!

I also love stamped alphas, too!

Last thing I'm glad I've invested in are photo overlays that give your papers and photos a worn-out look. I don't use them all the time, but every once in a while they end up on one of my pages!

Hope this helps.

[KateD]

There are also a couple of basic kits that just went into the store. I love Penny's 12 Months: Mega Kit which has a great selection of basic neutral-colored papers, elements and alphas. It has a little bit of just about everything. I find myself using that kit a lot these days. I think Eva just put out a similar everyday neutral-colored kit.

[MamaBee]

Totally agree about Penny's 12 Month Mega... that is an great kit for someone starting out in digi... their is so much stuff in there that it is a great go-to for fasteners, flowers, etc. You won't be disappointed with this kit!

[taracotta7]

Kits: Penny's 12 month mega is a great neutral general use kit. Another great neutral one is All our Yesterdays by Eva.

Traci's stitches......ALL OF THEM. Seriously.
Templates are always important and Cindy and Janet have a great selection!
ALPHAS - there are some great neutral alphas in the shoppe that can really do some GREAT things on a page. For example:
Alphabits by KCB
Industrial by Julie
Build your own by Libby
Stitched Felt bundle by Meghan

[nun69]

Originally Posted by pewtertm

Stitches---Traci has some fab ones Check our her Bad Sewing Machine line

TOTALLY!

[lightwriter]

Thanks for all the great tips. Up until now, I've made pages with free downloads and when I found the Sweet Shoppe I fell in love with all the great pages in the gallery and kits in the shop that I finally thought, I want to play here and be a part of this community. This is all so new but I love reading everyones post and have gotten some great tips so far. I made a visit to the store earlier today and picked up Julie's tags, Libby & Traci's stitches and a couple of fonts from Darcy. I'm going to have to go back and check out Penny & Eva's kits - sounds like must haves! Now that I have a few kits and stuff I might even get the courage up to join in the monthly portfolio. Thanks again!

[nun69]

totally join the portfolio....it will inspire you to scrap more

[suladesign]

Ha! I just wanted to tell you about the portfolio (before I had finished reading your last post). But you know about it already! I've done the portfolio every single month last year! It's fun, and the sweet rewards are just that: really sweet!

Well, we're all glad you joined us here, and welcome to the community!