Ever buy A stamp set and then hate it?

[Rachelrose]

Maybe hate is the wrong word. Ever buy a stamp set because it seems full of exciting possibilities when you see it in a catalog or online and then when you get it, you can't figure out what to do with it? It just doesn't inspire you at all? Ever waste a ton of paper trying to make a card with it because, darn it all, you bought it and NOW it is GOING to be USED?

Or is it just me?

[Cards are me]

Yes, I have a few of those. Then when I participated in "Dare to get dirty", I used them. So happy I kept those stamps.

[gregzgurl]

Yeah, I agree with Susan - sometimes you sort of have to let the images "incubate" for a bit before you find the right project to use them on. I've got about 200+ sets that I've been "incubating" for years! And yet...I find that I do eventually use them all....

I recently gave a friend (who is just starting out with the stamping adventure) some of the sets that I can't see ever hatching a plan for, and she's thrilled!

[regan4chris]

Yes! I hate it when that happens! I have some Verve stamp sets that I had to have, but once they were finally in my hot little hands...nothing... Everything I tried to make turned out terribly. Luckily since then I have worked out what my style is and I try to only buy stamps that I can see a plan for. I don't get alot of crafty time so it helps when I do feel like changing my style I now only buy one set at ridiculously inflated Australian prices, see if it works with me, and if it does order more from overseas

[Rachelrose]

Oh, okay. Nice way to look at it. Thanks, Sue. I'm just "incubating" this set. I think I'l put a post-it note on the case to that effect.

[Oddesigns]

I wouldn't say "hate", but I've definitely had some "what was I thinking" purchases.

[PedalPower]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oddesigns

I wouldn't say "hate", but I've definitely had some "what was I thinking" purchases.

I can relate....

[Junnee]

yep I have done it too.oh well whats a girl to do.

[mamaxsix]

Sock Monkey, nuf said. (I sold it to someone who really wanted it after it was retired so no harm no foul!)

[binkiemonstermom]

I have done it. The easiest thing to do is to look in the gallery and find the stamp set (of course this only works IF the stamp set is in the gallery) and look through the cards. Someone else maybe VERY inspired by the stamp set, try casing their card. That might get the ideas flowing!!!! (and of course, it is always nice to credit the person you cased when posting!!!)

[maryrose]

Ahoy Matey. What was I thinking? I'm sure I could come up with a LONG list!

[Allistamps123]

I have bought some that I thought were so great and have turned out hard to use. One I keep cause I still think it's cute is SU's Bar Code but really had a hard time with it and only used it about twice. There have been others.

[Mindykid]

Me too! I bought a clear stamp - special order and shipping from overseas because it was no longer in production. Then I got it, it tore right away, and as a cling, it makes a terrible image.

No more clear stamps for me.

[Crafter 4 Life]

I bought an SU set that was so cute. When I got it, I just kept trying to visualize how I would use it and the 'screen' was blank. Kept it for several years. Was on the 'Pay It Forward' thread and someone wished they had bought it so I sent it to her. She sent me the cutest 'Thank You' using it. I was happy that she would use it.

Yesterday, I was on some website that sell SU items. This stamp set was in the Rare Stamp section priced at $51.00. Oh we'll, it went to a good home where it was being used.

As others have stated, I have bought stamps that I was SURE I would use and they just didn't turn out to be useful to me. In fact, I should purge some of these stamps and find them a good home.

[amycrossley]

Been there, done that!!

[jennik]

Did you try CASING the original inspiration card? I think WE all have a few of those sets that have caused some "What was I thinking?"

jennik

[efromhawaii]

This happens all the time. Fortunately, my sister and a friend are also stampers so if I really, really don't like the stamp or think I'm gonna use it, I'll give to one of them. They usually get my doubles and triples, too - sometimes I like a stamp so much, I buy it twice and on occasion I've been know to buy a stamp, three times. ;D

erin

[Hunterri]

I let my guides and recently my DS's school use my stamps. What i often find is that kids use them when i get stumped with what to do....i love watching what they create, they use things in ways i never think of!

[Gdoreen]

Mindykid, was that stamp you had to have from Kaisercraft by any chance? If so, I had a very similar situation with one of their stamp sets. I pined after and tracked down a stamp set (Elsie I think?) even though they were clear. Once I got it, I realized why I don't do clear stamps if I can avoid them. For some reason it fought back after I tried removing it from the packaging.

[bencer99]

My stamp club did an "ugly stamp" swap before. We each brought a stamp that we didn't like anymore or couldn't think of anything to make with it and swapped. Each person made a card with someone elses stamp. It was interesting to see what people came up with.

[Rachelrose]

I have done all things suggested. Lovely examples abound, but none inspire me to CASE. I think Sue is right - I should stop thinking about it and one day it the right spot will come along for it.

Not as if this is the only set I've ever bought and not used! It's just that it's a recent purchase, and I tend to forgive myself for mis-steps made when I was just starting out eight months ago. At this point I figure I ought to know myself better. Ha. All I have to do is look in my closet to see that you don't really ever get to that point.

[TexasGrammy]

It just happens. I certainly have had some of those purchase mistakes -- add'em up in the "don't do that again" category. ;)

[LancasterLurker]

Rachel have you tried carrying the set around with you all day!? I know it sounds crazy but constantly glimpsing it might inspire you! It has worked for me in the past!

[SaraBee]

I have been cursed with the knack of buying a stamp set that I just can't use but not often. I have the SU paisley petals that was a gift and it's just not my thing, tricky when it's a gift though.

[jukie]

Oh buy in haste and repent at leisure....I stand up and am ready to be counted on this one! I have stamps ....and paper, ribbon, cardstock...and if we want to get really detailed just check out my wardrobe...what the HECK was I thinking...actually to be honest there was obviously no thinking involved in the purchase!

I must have seen something that inspired when when I bought it, but when I got it home that inspiration had packed its bags and gone never to return.

It's like seeing that "beautiful" outift on a model and thinking hey I could look like that....really Jukie the model is 6ft and a size zero and air brushed, you are 5ft 3, extemely round and not airbrushed ...but for the split second of purchase and getting it home I too am a model that is 6ft, a size zero and air brushed and then when I try it on...it makes me look like a telly tubby or an umpalumpa.:rolleyes::o:p

[Rachelrose]

Did you really, Bexx?! How do you carry it? It's a funny thought, you have to admit, but I'd be the last person to question anyone's creative process. Maybe I'll put it under my pillow tonight!

I actually used one of the stamps today, or rather I tentatively placed one of the stamped images on a project to which it might ultimately be glued. Maybe the trick for me is to post a complaint that I can't think of anything to do with a stamp, so that then I will immediately get an idea and feel like, well, duh, never mind.

I think the issue with this particular set is one of scale. The three main images are not quite big enough to "carry" a card, nor do they have a lot of impact on their own. If they were smaller, I could group them interestingly. I think this is a set that needs to be layered with dimensionals, something I'm only just starting to do. I'm usually pretty much a flat card gal.

[LancasterLurker]

I have a LARGE handbag which carries nappies, babywipes, lots of random rubbish, and sometimes stamp sets! Then I put it on my bedside table too! Give it a whirl. Join the "look insane" club! Just out of interest, can you tell us which stamp set it is?

[Rachelrose]

Oh, I knew this question was coming.

I cannot tell a lie.

Mixed Bunch.

And yes, I really have looked at all the lovely cards in the gallery. I just find the images - the stamps in the set - kind of... dull. I thought I would love them. But I think it was the punch I wanted. I really love the punch that matches the set.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not in any way to say that the cards in the Mixed Bunch gallery are less than wonderful. I don't want anyone to think that. It's just that I am not finding the stamps in this set personally inspiring.

[LancasterLurker]

Hmmm. Yup, I have managed to resist that set so far. I know what you mean about it though, they ARE a funny size. Has anyone in the gallery tessellated them? Off the top of my head, are they not based on a hexagon? If so, might they tile nicely?

Take it to bed with you!

[wifelady]

Not hate but more like fell out of love with!!! This happened to me when I first got into stamping - those impulse purchases! I was in awe at what a design team did with the set and got ideas to do something similar - but they never came to fruition. I should try and sell some of those sets...........

[Rachelrose]

Bexx! You are so clever! Yes, the three main images in Mixed Bunch are hexagonal and tile very nicely! I played around a bit with them today and got some good ideas!

And I did end up glueing down that one flower I'd tentatively placed on a card I was doing for this week's color challenge. But I popped it up on dimensionals and then popped the center up as well. This gave the image more weight and it reads more like a focal point. So this set also definitely likes to be 3D, not flat.

I feel like I may be able to get some good use from this set! Yay! That's one less set to chalk up as a "what was I thinking" moment!

[scrapmommy3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bencer99

My stamp club did an "ugly stamp" swap before. We each brought a stamp that we didn't like anymore or couldn't think of anything to make with it and swapped. Each person made a card with someone elses stamp. It was interesting to see what people came up with.

I love this idea I might borrow it for my Stamping Group. I have definitely purchased some stamps that are in a extended incubation cycle. Eventually they will go in the Garage Sale at our LSS if I can part with them.

[LancasterLurker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachelrose

I feel like I may be able to get some good use from this set! Yay! That's one less set to chalk up as a "what was I thinking" moment!

Awesome! There are PLENTY of sets I've done this with! Are you going to post them to your gallery?

[QueenOfInkland]

Not necessarily stamp sets, but stamps in general that I have that I don't like are mainly the stamps that I got when I first began stamping. The other ones that I don't like fall into the LOL category of "what was I thinking?" bwahahaha

And I can't bear to get rid of them because I keep thinking that SOMEDAY I'm going to use them for something....we'll see

[Cynamom]

All the time! My issue is more that I find a set that is CUTE, but once I get it I find it just isn't in my wheelhouse for use... can't find anything to do with it! One thing I fall for and they just sit and collect dust are any sets that have something to do with puns. People I make cards for hate that or just don't get it. You know, "Happy Bird-day" or something. But so often the stamps are so cute! I try to cut off the words if they are attached....

One other thing for me is when I see someone make a cute card with a stamp but once I get the set I see how intricate it is to color in the tight spaces. I am NOT good with coloring inside the lines!

[StamperDea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachelrose

But I think it was the punch I wanted. I really love the punch that matches the set.

The punch would be quite versatile especially since you already have the stamp set. I think you really should get the matching punch. Enabling? Who me? Surely not. :-)

[Rachelrose]

Oh, I bought the punch when I got the set, you bet I did!

But next time I'm waffling and need someone to tell me I ought to buy something, I'll come to you. I can always use a good enabler.

And here's the kicker - I just made ANOTHER card using this set (yes, the selfsame set I started this whining thread about). When Bexx noted that the images ought to tile, I was onto that like a shot. So my relationship to this set has done a complete 180. Go figure.

[lmcgraw01]

Can someone send a link or explain how the images tile?

[Rachelrose]

I'll explain it - it's very easy. If you look at the three main images in the set (the two flowers and the scrolly design) from the back, it will be obvious that they are shaped like a hexagon - a shape with six equal sides. So you tile them. Here's is a link to a card I did it on. It's on the upper green section of the BG. Not so easy to see behind the other stuff but if you look closely you'll see it:

Heartfelt by Rachelrose - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

or look at some hexagon tiles:

SomerTile 11x12-in Victorian Hex 1-in White Porcelain Mosaic Tile (Pack of 10) | Overstock.com

You simply use a stamp positioner to position your stamps in that staggered pattern. Because they are hexagons, it will work nicely!

Hope that helps!

[lmcgraw01]

Thanks!