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What are your New Year's Resolutions for card making?
I know it's still early yet, but I've been thinking about this past year that I've been stamping.
I found that I did not have enough of certain types of cards, so my resolution is to make plenty of generic birthday cards and in particular cards for kids. With 2 kids in school now, there are so many birthday parties to attend! This past year I found myself waiting until the evening before the party to make the card.
Definitely planning way ahead on seasonal cards. Get them done way in advance. It was insane trying to get everything else done and make cards. It's supposed to be enjoyable and I didn't find it as fun when I felt so much pressure from timelines.
Use what I have. I don't want my stampin stuff to get out of control like my scrapbooking stuff and become overwhelmed with so much stuff I forget what I have. From now on if I buy it, I'm going to make sure it's something I'm going to use often.
I am going to keep my file stocked with pre-folded cards in every color. This way when I find motivation, I can quickly sit down and make it instead of starting from scratch. With 3 kids, I have to stamp when I can find the time, so I think this will help tremendously.
What are your card making goals for 2006?
__________________ "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort." Herm Albright *2 Successful Trades
I'd have to say what you said ~ have more cards made and on hand for sending/giving as needed. Instead of rushing at the last minute to get a card ready to mail!!!!
And to do more creative stamping just for fun! Stamping is so relaxing for me ~ I really need to do a lot more!
Do more stampin' w/friends! Great way to share ideas!
Also, I want to offer some stamping technique etc. classes. Or learn and try some new techniques myself!
And I am serious about this one ~ BUY MORE STAMPS! Really I mean that!
Do more stampin' w/friends! Great way to share ideas!
You could come to my house. It's only a couple thousand miles.
I've been thinking of joing the "Christmas Card Challenge" .... to make say 6 or 10 Christmas cards per month. But, I'm afraid that if I make a resolution I will probably break it. So I just keep procrastinating.
I do think this is a great thread and I'll keep coming back. Maybe you all will inspire me to get more organized.
Well I was thinking about how stressed out I am, with all I need to do for Christmas. So although it's not really a new years resolution.... I want to get or make gifts for one or two people each month next year, so that when Christmas comes I can actually enjoy it! (Don't hold your breath on this one!) Another thing is I want to do my Christmas cards by July. And lastly I want to plan out earlier what items to make for everyone, and start them much earlier than I did this year! I really like to give gifts that I make, but this year it may push me over the edge.
As for resolutions, I want to stamp more often, and have cards made up for when I need them! (Are my goals too high?) LOL!
I also want to have cards on hand so I am not rushing to stamp a card on the way out the door. I am planning a class in Jan just for this reason. we will stamp a dozen cards for different occasions so we will have them on hand.
also. I want to have my Christmas cards done before December. I am thinking about having a monthly class set up so that people can come and make 10 cards each month.
I want to use what I have (and enjoy it!). Sometimes I find myself always wanting new...instead of enjoying what I have.
I also love to stamp with friends and to stamp creatively "just becasue". I love the idea of prefolded cards....makes that small gaps of time useable for stamping.
I would have to 2nd the one about having more birthday cards on hand. My friend and I are planning to do a marathon birthday card making session in January, much like we do our Christmas cards in November!
I also want to use what I have. It's pretty sad when you find things still in the wrapper from who knows when that you don't even remember you had! lol
I want to get organized. Or should I say I want to build another house with my OWN STAMPING ROOM!!!
I want to USE the products that I own and not keep buying just to buy (and take up more space).
I want to feel MOTIVATED.
And last but not least...
I want to CREATE "out of the box" type art, and not just the same plain ole' stuff that seems to keep spilling out of me.
This might be a lot to ask for, but it's worth a try. Althought my dh already told me the new house isn't happening. At least not right now. I'm not giving up tho.
To actually make some!!! LOL I hope this next year will be less hectic and stressful, so that I can actually sit down and stamp rather than just quickly throw something together. I'd like to start doing some of the challenges here and expand my stamping abilities, and I'd like to start sending more rak's (which I don't because I never have any cards made)
1. Get more general cards done ahead of time
2. Create those special family member/friend cards ahead of their birthdays
3. find more time to stamp (maybe that should be #1)
4. I have intended to start scrapbooking and have supplies - now I need to start!
5. Get my Christmas cards done way earlier!
For all of those who are wanting to be better prepared for birthdays etc. I thought I'd tell you about hallmark.com. They have a cool free service that you can use to send yourself reminders of the occassion coming up, that way you can get your cards out on time!
__________________ "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort." Herm Albright *2 Successful Trades
For all of those who are wanting to be better prepared for birthdays etc. I thought I'd tell you about hallmark.com. They have a cool free service that you can use to send yourself reminders of the occassion coming up, that way you can get your cards out on time!
Hey, that's cool!
I'm using iCal on my iBook--it sets off an alarm in advance of upcoming important dates! So cool!
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Organize all my stuff!
Use my "must have" toys more often
Catch up on scrapbooks
Use the cards I have stock piled (I have over 100) and still make more- must send more!!
This may sound anal, but the way I stay organized with my birthday cards is this:
I have a chart that is organized by month.
In each month I have lines with a checkbox, the birthdate/anniversary date,and the current address. Looks like:
JANUARY
checkbox...date.......name.............address
....X............3........Aunt Sue........123 Main St etc.
....X............7........Bob Smith.......489 west ox rd.
FEBRUARY
etc.
When I make a card off my list, I check it off, address it, and stick a mini post-it to the front with "send on May 5"
I then stick the addressed cards in order by date, so I know the next card I have to mail is on the post it note.
That way when I make so-so cards they go to certain people and the really good ones go to those a little more deserving. Also, I can make four cards at a time and make sure they all go to different family members that won't run into each other.
KWIM?
Sounds complicated but soooo much easier once you have the list set up.
Kristen
__________________ I do not need another horse
I do not need another horse
I do not need another horse
love this thread--got me thinking about what I need to do differently/better.
A little idea for those who've mentioned having cards on hand. I do card exchanges with other stampers (2 different groups) we exchange about once every three months--it's been great for having a variety of cards on hand--and makes it easy to have different b-day cards, for example, to send to members of the same family. Sometimes we do have themes, and others--it's just do whatever you want--kinda like a pot-luck! =)
First of all I am going to find my work table under the mess I have created this Christmas!!
Also, Julie, I hope "simplify" doesn't pertain to your cards as they are "over the top beautiful,"
When I make a card off my list, I check it off, address it, and stick a mini post-it to the front with "send on May 5"
I then stick the addressed cards in order by date, so I know the next card I have to mail is on the post it note.
Kristen
That is BRILLIANT! I'm definately doing that. This year I gave most people their cards late. Even when I had them done on time, they didn't make it to the mailbox on time. I think this will work.
Taryn
__________________ Taryn
"Forget regret or life is yours to miss." - Jonathan Larson
- Get my craft room done! I have a plan involving making a big top for the pool table and building a great shelf/cabinet for stamp sets. Just gotta find time (and bribe our handyman friend with pizza and beer).
- Make four cards at a time instead of two. I figured out while making my Christmas cards that four is a perfect number for me - not much more work than two, but much more bang for the buck, and still not a chore like making 10 or 20 (or more) of the same design.
- Plan ahead for holidays. I always find myself in a pinch for cardstock and embellishments of the appropriate colors since I don't think a season ahead.
- Send more cards! I make plenty, but there seems to be a step missing in the process - keeping track of who needs cards and actually getting them in the mail!
"Sully219: I want to use what I have (and enjoy it!). Sometimes I find myself always wanting new...instead of enjoying what I have."
"Stampaholic2004 This may sound anal, but the way I stay organized with my birthday cards is this:I have a chart that is organized by month."
Ditto Sully219 and must try Stampaholic2004's method, especially the post-it notes for mailing dates!!
I took an all day card class that gave the Hallmark Cardholder as an attendance gift and also bought the Lisa Bearson QVC TSV Card Making Kit that has a card holding box with dividers. I need to use them in conjunction with Sully219 and Stampaholic2004's ideas instead of just having them sit prettily on a shelf.
It is sooo nice to know that you are not the only one in the whole world who waits to the last minute to make a card !
My goals for 2006
- catch up on my scrapbooking and use my new stamping "skills" in them :-)
- make a stash of cards ready for all occasions
- plan a head of time for upcoming holidays to make special things for my ds's preschool
-learn new techniques
-MAYBE join a swap (that scares me!)
Great thread!
__________________ "...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
My 2006 goals:
-Make more cards to have on hand & not miss any birthdays or other events.
-Send more just because cards. Maybe one a month.
-Do at least one scrapbook page a month.
-Keep my stamping room cleaner. I really need help with this one.
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One goal I have is to make all of the birthday cards for this next year during Christmas vacation. I have a large family (10 brothers and sisters plus spouses and children), and I have some birthdays right at the beginning of January, so I am going to get them done.
I got my Christmas cards done in September, so that's not a problem. I also joined the Christmas card challenge again this year.
I'm also going to do a better job of using what I have instead of always having to buy more.
In 2006, I plan to actually learn how to stamp properly, by going to some stamping classes, so I can make the most of my quickly growing stamp collection. I hope that if I am still stamping in the mid months of 2006, to turn a spare bedroom into a 'craft' room. And I also plan on trying out some markets to sell some of my cards.
Always striving to be better organized but not quite making it, so i can find things better. I'd like to make cards with the many stamp sets that I have not used, both current and retired. In December I write down everyones name in a new calendar and if it's birthday, or anniversary. At the beginning of each month I get the cards ready to send for that month. I put the date in the spot where the stamp will go. Works great if I don't forget to send it.
My resolutions are like everyone elses:
Get my stamping room organized
Make more cards
Send more cards (RAK's and donate some also)
Post more cards to my itty bitty gallery
I think a lot of this has to do with having no confidence in my "creativity." But if I make more cards I will get better at it. And if I send and post more I might actually get some positive feedback and that would help my confidence. Just need to step out of my safety zone and do it!! I think I need a stamping support group.
__________________ Martha
"When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life." Jean Shinoda Bolen
Christmas card challenge sounds awesome...I am still trying to get them done for this year...next year I want to just ahve a shoebox full of them! Who's in??!!!
1. Make more cards to have on hand
2. Clean out old or never used stuff
3. Spend time Sunday doing the weeks challenges and try 1 new technique
4. Find some friends to stamp/scrap with
5. Catch up on scrapbooking
5. Start on Chirstmas gifts in July!
6. Have enough discipline to do all these things, LOL!!!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kimryden
Christmas card challenge sounds awesome...I am still trying to get them done for this year...next year I want to just ahve a shoebox full of them! Who's in??!!!
I joined already and had a great time doing the challenge this past year. And.....I won the grand prize drawing! Lucky me! I never win anything, so I was shocked. :cool:
What are your New Year's Resolutions for card making?
I'm not giving up tho. 
