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I have been making cards since 2010. It takes me hours to complete one card. I get ideas from various places including scs, yt, stamp tv. As an example I needed a sympathy card, so I looked in gallery found one I liked, it took me from 6:30p-11:00p to complete card. Should it take that long to make a card. I look at youtube and there finished in 15 min or less. Suggestions?
I am pretty sure that the posters on youtube spent a good deal of time prior to filming coming up with their idea and practicing the steps, so that they COULD post a 15 minute video rather than a 75 minute one!
If you really hate taking a long time to make cards, trying searching for "clean and simple" or CAS in the gallery to look for simpler cards-- sometimes the simpler the better!
But I stopped stressing about time a long time ago. It takes me as long as it takes to make a card. When I go to 12 hour crops, I never get 12 cards done. Last time I think it was 6. For me, it's as much about the process as the end result, and time spent doing what you enjoy is not wasted.
It can take me 2 - 3 hours to make a card and at the end I look at it and think how could it possibly have taken me that long? Even a clean and simple card can take me ages. For me, it's the doing of it, getting lost in something where I forget everything else apart from what I'm doing.
I used to spend hours on one card too and felt the same way you do. Some posters would say they made a really elaborate card in 30 minutes, and it would have taken me three hours for the entire card and 30 minutes to decide on the color of rhinestones I wanted to add. Some days the card I'm making just sort of falls together nicely, and other days I stamp, color, throw out, redo, get exasperated, and change direction several times.
I do have a few suggestions, though, that work for me. Have several card sketches that you like to use available. When you need to make a card, choose one of the sketches that works best for the theme you have chosen. Set aside coordinating papers to use on a card, along with embellishments, for future use. Color/paint/stamp images you like to use ahead of time to have on hand when you need to make a card. Do the same with sentiments. Then just gather several things that go well together and lay out the card. If you like what you see, glue it all together. The more cards you make, the faster you will get at it.
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Lorie McMullen
aka MelodyGal
Fan Club Member
Thank you all for your reply. I was feeling inadquate because of the amount of time. Now I will continue to ejoy doing what I'm doing, all those who have received a card love it. Family feels left out but no one wants to join m stamping. Again thank you for encouragement.
I am so glad you started this thread...sometimes I am amazed by how long it takes to make a card. Of course, it is true that time flies when you are having fun!
These things help me make prettier cards...and probably save time. I keep sketches and examples in folders om my computer. If a sketch works well, I add photos of my card to the folder containing the sketch. Using a stack of 6x6 paper keeps things coordinated and cuts down on search time.
I use a program called Sure Cuts a Lot to "drive" my electronic cutter. Designing the card in SCAL assures that the pieces fit and are arranged well. I save the files for cards that work well in a folder with a photo of the finished card.
I read somewhere to make two of the same card. This helps save time providing the paper supply is adequate.
Oh, I thought it was just me! It takes me hours. I started stamping years ago, and it still takes me hours...I don't think I gained any speed, I probably am slower, if you want to know the truth. When I stamp, I zone out....It's relaxing to me. When I married years 36 years ago, my hubbie was outside pulling weeds. He said "honey, come out here and pull weeds! it's so relaxing! you will enjoy it!!! I ran put on my shorts and out the door I went, I lasted 5 minutes....Nope, that did not do it for me, but it does for him, he can be in the yard for hours and be so peaceful. I look at it like therapy. I have often thought, when I see folks open there things I made them, or there cards, some just go on and on, most, usually look and lay it down....that to, I am good with, I am typing this thinking....Mama said, the gift was in the giving, not the receiving. Yeppers, I think I get more out of those long hours than my family will ever know!
Although I've been making cards for many years, I enjoy every minute of it ....actually I should say I enjoy every HOUR of it because I am a slow card maker. I don't think the point is to rush around and make a production line out of it. After all, it's a hobby that gives me great joy and, hopefully, occasionally brings joy to the recipients. Most of my cards are mailed, so I seldom see the reaction of the recipients. I think that may be a good thing because I customize my cards to each recipient and not everyone understands the thought, love and time involved in creating a card. That being said, my son and his family are very appreciative and have actually saved every card I’ve made for them through the years. It’s lovely that they let me know my cards are special to them.
Rita
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"But God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us ... being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Romans 5:8 & 9
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