Cardmaking Neccessities (my opinion)

I have people ask me all the time what they need to make cards.  Well, that really is a hard question to answer because not every cardmaker/scrapbooker uses the same equipment to make their creations.  But I put together a general list of what "I" have to have each time I make a card or scrapbook.  I will start out with a:
Desk:  You need some place to work.  A desk of your own especially for you would be great but the dining room table, or card table or a flat work surface is good.
Cutting Mat: NO, is isn't necessary..but for me I won't work without one.  I bought this one at Walmart and they are pretty expensive, but Joann's sells them and you could use a coupon there to purchase one.  It is a a protector for the surface your working on, and if you get ink on it, most of the time it will come off, and cutting on the mat is great too.
Stamps: Of course if you are making cards and you want to stamp on them you will need stamps.  I try to buy stamps for certain holidays and occasions, and then find a few with good sentiments.  There really is not need in buying hundreds of stamps, unless you want to.  :)
Inks: It would only seem likely that if you have stamps you will need ink for them. Usually if you get
the basic colors you will be ok, but of course you want various colors so you end up with too many....:)
Markers: I think having markers around the desk is a great idea.  But those for stamping are the best. You can use these when you don't have ink by coloring your stamps in with these.
Sponges: Inking around the edges of your cards give them an extra pump up, so having a  sponge for this is great.  They can be used for other things on your cards too.
Scissors:  Having good scissors is always great.  I have larger scissors for just cutting large pieces of paper, but for cutting around small objects a smaller pair is ideal.  Cutter Bee scissors are good for this.
Adhesives: You need adhesives to attach your embellishments and cards together. Using a heavier adhesive for attaching embellishments, glue dots is a great way to attach things also especially heavy things like buttons and ribbons.
Cardstock:  Assorted cardstock is a must.  I use mostly Gina K pure luxury cardstock, but Stampin Up sells a great cardstock too.  A base card needs a heavy cardstock, you can use lighter weight for layering on your card.  Having assorted colors is the best way to buy your cardstock if you are just starting out, you can then determine which colors are your favorite.
Paper Piercer:  I use my paper piercer on every card.  I use it to pick up pearls for a card, I use it to pick up things like brads, my paper piercer is a magnet also so picking up brads is easy.  I use it for paper piercing too.  Just a must have for me.
Baby Wipes:  I know it sounds crazy.  I use baby wipes every time I make a card.  They are used to clean up your desk, clean your stamps, your hands, and your stuff like your cutting board, scissors and anything that is getting a little nasty.  But usually I use them for my hands and stamps.
Paper Cutter: I believe the Paper Cutter is a must have that all scrapbookers and cardmakers have....I have several...and why you ask?   I am an addict....:)
Punches: Not every cardmaker has punches nor do they use them, but  for me I have to have punches.  You can pick a few corner punches, and a border punch or two, and they will add so much to your cards. But again I have several....because I am an addict..:)
Ribbons:  Assorted ribbons.  I think I am also a ribbonaholic..........I have so much ribbon, and before you get too much just realize it is hard to store, just like punches.  But ribbon is an element on the card that will get you the most out of your card.
Clear Blocks: If you are using clear stamps you will need a clear block to use with them. But if you are using wood stamps you won't need these.  But there are a lot of clear stamps out there and you should really try them too.
Bone folder:  This is a must have, or something to crease your cards.  This makes a good, nice crease for your card folds. Also you can use this for scoring too, I use the one that
comes with my scor-pal and love to use them both. 
ONE thing I didn't get on the list or the photo...is pop dots...I use them on every card.  I usually make my own, by running craft foam sheets through the xyron machine.  You can make them in different colors to match your card so you don't see them so well, or cut them to any size you need.  If you buy he ones with adhesive on one side you only have to use the xyron for one side of the sheet.

I know that other cardmakers probably have their own special tools but this was just a list of mine that I use.
I could add sizzix dies, spellbinders dies and a lot of other things but I wanted to keep it basic for those wanting to begin cardmaking.

If anyone has anything to add to this feel free to leave a comment.