Where do you start with that stash?

I'm still getting a stash together and working out my own style. I've watched a bit of Create and Craft in my time, and I was kindly given some Tattered Lace dies for Christmas. These are hugely popular, and highly intricate, but I have yet to find a project for them.

I decided to buy a copy of Simply Cards and Papercraft and this is where I discovered some things I really do love.

In no particular order, just a snapshot of what I've learned in the past few months of crafting about what to buy:

1. Clearly Besotted Stamps - Excellent quality stamps and dies. I love their simplicity, price and the fact they come beautifully wrapped in pink paper with a thank you written on your order sheet. They are also super speedy at sending them in the post for very reasonable postage costs. Not working at present hampers my aim to own as many of these as I possibly can. It hasn't stopped me buying a few though! The free ones from Simply Cards and Papercraft no. 133 are an added bonus :)

I am so happy when I get the package in the post!

2. Derwent Inktense Watercolour Pencils - I know a lot of  people use pens for colouring - Spectrum Noir, Copic Markers, Promarkers and now Chameleon - but I could only find them in big packs and didn't want to spend the money. After seeing the article in Simply Cards and Papercraft, I bought three in red, yellow and blue and I really like them. It makes me feel very arty! My first attempt at using them, however, I realised I needed some proper waterproof ink..... I now own some Ranger Archival Ink!

3. Bazzill Cardstock - I find the whole paper and card thing quite confusing. All the different weights etc. I started using and still do some pre-cut and scored cards and envelopes from Hobbycraft, which I find very useful and easy. When doing projects from magazines, however, I found it confusing, and so I sought some advice online and had a look at Michelle Short's video on cardstock. I found I really really like Bazzill Card. I love the texture of it. It feels so nice to craft with. Samuel Taylors in their Embsay store has a very good collection, but I didn't manage to get any of the white Bazzill Cardshoppe on my last trip. Means I have to go again. What a chore!

4. Inks - Thanks again go to Michelle for her video on ink pads. I now know the difference between pigment and dye and have a few VersaMagic Dew Drops. There are so many different colours though, I have to be careful with my pennies and am slowly building my stash.

What are your favourites and where did you start? Is there anything you wouldn't be without? Are there things you have you find you never use?