4.  Card stock and Papers:
    a.  First, the weight of Cardstock comes in pounds with 80 lb. and 110 lb. being the most common weights for card making.  Weights truly vary between card stock companies but they are close enough to interchange brands.
        1.  110 lb.:  This weight is used for the base of a card because the heft gives the card some structure for all the layers added to it.
             a.  Neenah Classic Crest 110 lb. Solar White is by far the favorite of card makers.  It is expensive and I would save money on the base card stock and use it for the layering weight card stock if you plan to blend inks or use markers.  Neenah 110 lb. Base Weight Card Stock
             b.  Gina K. Designs has great paper in base weight, layering weight and patterned papers.  I've tried it and it's amazing paper!  Gina K. Design Heavy Base Weight Card Stock-it's 120 lb.
              c.  A frugal alternative for a base weight card stock is Michael's 110 lb. card stock, it comes in 12 x 12 and 8.5 x 11 in. sizes and in it comes in white, black and cream colors.
              d.  Most of the time I use white as a base for cards but if I want a colored base or another color behind the top layer then I use Michael's colored paper and it's frequently on sale for 5 for $10.
              e.  A more elegant look is Neenah Desert Storm Smooth 80 lb.:  Neenah Desert Storm 80 lb. or kraft card stock such as:  Hero Arts Kraft Card Stock
              f.  My Favorite Things card stock:  MFT Sampler Card Stock
              g.  Simon Says Stamp card stock:  SSS Card Stock Sampler 100 lb.
              h.  Tim Holtz Specialty Stamping paper:  Tim Holtz Specialty Stamping Paper

        2.  80 lb.:  This weight is used for the top layer of the card where you either create a background by blending inks or where you stamp your images in a scene and color them.
              a.  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb. 8.5 x 11:  Neenah 80 lb. layering weight on Amazon and Amazon 80 lb. Neenah for $33 on 11/20

              b.  Copic X-Press Blending Card Stock:   I've used it and love it:  Copic X-Press Blending Card Stock

      3.  Specialty Card Stock:
           a.  Water Color paper:  Water Coloring for cards is very trendy right now and there are lots of choices for paper.
                1.  Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper:  Strathmore Water Color Pape
 Pad
                2.  Tim Holtz Distress Water Color card stock:  Tim Holtz Distress Water Color
                3.  Bee Paper Cold Press Water Color Paper:  90 lb. Bee Water Color 90 lb. and 140 lb. Bee Paper Water Color
     
       4. LINGO:
           a.  Card Sizes:  VIP to know
                1.  A2 Card size is the most common sized card and is made by cutting a 8.5 X 11 piece of card stock in half either length wise or width wise to make a 4 1/4 X 11 or a 8.5 X 5.5 sized card stock which you then fold in half to make an A2 card base.  A2 plus card sizes and A2 folding K Werner
                     a.  The layering base size is made by cutting the A2 size in half, well, most of the time it is but it depends on your design and if you want to make more layers by matting the top layer.  So even though card stock may seem like a huge investment it's worth it when you consider you can get two bases and four layering pieces out of one 8.5 X 11 piece of card stock.
                 2.  Score Line:  The indentation you make on the card stock to make it easier to fold.  There are many ways to achieve this and many brands to pick from:  Score Line on YouTube.  I own the Martha Stewart score board and I'm happy with it but if I started over I might choose the smaller Scor-Pal because it's smaller and easier to store and grab.  Martha Stewart Vs. Scor-Pal.  I'd have to think about it...