I would love to hear about how your cards come out! Please keep me posted and let me know if I can give you any ideas to help.
Brandii, I hope you give it another try. I had stamped when I was about 20 years old, and then tried it again a few years later without success. It turns out my ink had dried up. The rubber stamps will last, but the ink can age. You can either reink your pad or purchase a new one at a minimal cost.
Robin, when you are making your card for your friend, remember that you can use the computer to personalize it also. You can pick out a nice font and glue it on under or around the rubber stamped area. Or maybe type in words to describe her personality and scatter them on the card. (Adventurous!, humorous!, brilliant!, etc.)
Siobhain, did you go to the art store? I would love to hear what you got! I wish I could go with you and see the differences from what we have here. The online stores from England do carry different items-- it's all so tempting!