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Hi everyone. My husband has asked me to make 4 different cards. 2 for Father's Day, a wedding one and graduation one. The Father's Day cards, I gave up on and told him to go buy them. I've spent over 8 hours trying to come up with a wedding card and I am just having a hard time with it.
I've never had this happen before. I can usually come up with SOMETHING! How do you get over this hurtle? I think a lot of it is I just don't WANT to do it :oops:. His family have never appreciated my cards and he even told me once that we'd never send them one again. I've tried looking at it from a business standpoint and say the client gets what the client wants, but I've even finding that incred. hard to do.
Hi everyone. My husband has asked me to make 4 different cards. 2 for Father's Day, a wedding one and graduation one. The Father's Day cards, I gave up on and told him to go buy them. I've spent over 8 hours trying to come up with a wedding card and I am just having a hard time with it.
I've never had this happen before. I can usually come up with SOMETHING! How do you get over this hurtle? I think a lot of it is I just don't WANT to do it :oops:. His family have never appreciated my cards and he even told me once that we'd never send them one again. I've tried looking at it from a business standpoint and say the client gets what the client wants, but I've even finding that incred. hard to do.
TIA
Hi I know what you mean by the hurtles....And sometimes I just am not in the mood....It helps me if I look through other card blogs or galleries for inspiration or even magazine for design and colors...I even go to Hallmarks website for inspiration! I know how it feels to send out a hand made card and not get a response....I rarely get one...I just think they dont realize how much goes into handmade cards unless they make one...You need to make it cause you like to and not so much for a reaction...Thats what I try to do...Hope that helps
Thanks...maybe I'll just wait a few more days and try again. I don't need it until mid July. I do enjoy making them, I think it is just the circumstances that is causing the block. I'll keep looking and try again later...thanks.
I would start with a sketch challenge or color challenge to help you get motivated. Or, just look through the galleries, find something you like and CASE it!
When I come up against card-makers block (kinda like writer's block for a writer), I head right to the SCS galleries and start cruising through everyone else's work. I'm sure to find fresh insight and glean some new ideas of things to case or where I can take an idea from one project and another idea from another person and combine them.
Make things YOU enjoy. Sure, I try to make things the recipient will enjoy, but I need to like it to, because it's supposed to be fun to create, isn't it? This is your form of expressing yourself in your artwork...via cardmaking, so go for it girl and don't hold back!
; )
__________________ Stampin fool...will stamp on ANYTHING!
I'd agree with cruising the gallery for inspiration. With the facility to browse by occasion, it's easy: Graduation Wedding
I must say that I find it much harder to make cards to order - even when it's to sell and I know I'll have some financial return. I much prefer selling cards that I've already made to please myself.
How about asking a stamping friend to borrow a set or two that you don't own for some fresh sets to play with - that is what I do when I come up against a brick wall! There is three of us that have between us over 500 sets - so every once in awhile I go through the lists and borrow sets or stamp off images to play with - the SCS galleries are also a great way to get some inspiration! Good luck!
I get stuck sometimes too (I think we all do once in a while!). Try to forget about the reactions his family may or may not have and make them for YOU.
Do you know anything about the wedding and/or graduation colors? That can be a start. If you're bored with your sets, maybe you can find a digi that you'd like to use. Mo's Digital Pencil recently released some cute graduation digis, for instance.
I agree with Katestamp16. Try a sketch challenge. That might work. A challenge always gets me going! You might ask why does a SCS challenge work and the fact that you have to make a card doesn't work. I don't know, but it works for me! Just incorporate the sketch with the card you need!
♥♥♥
Thanks ladies! I did try to do the graduation one...and I DID find a cool digi! That is what I enjoy doing the most is using my COPICS, SO! I'm hoping to get the graduation card done and that will give me confidence to do the wedding one....communication hasn't been the greatest for this wedding, so I'll have to remind myself to ask about colors...that was a good idea!
Hi I know what you mean by the hurtles....And sometimes I just am not in the mood....It helps me if I look through other card blogs or galleries for inspiration or even magazine for design and colors...I even go to Hallmarks website for inspiration! I know how it feels to send out a hand made card and not get a response....I rarely get one...I just think they dont realize how much goes into handmade cards unless they make one...You need to make it cause you like to and not so much for a reaction...Thats what I try to do...Hope that helps
HAAA! My DH calls it "stampin porn" when I have to check out galleries before stamping! I do agree that a card idea to case or a good 'sketch challenge' or 'Ways To' challenge can get me focused again!
I'm personally in a card slump right now too, though. Mine is bc I just don't have any time, and haven't had any for weeks (school closing), and when I do I'm actually... ((dare I say it))... 'dreading' stamping... uh... now it's out there! I really hope I'll get some mojo back now that school is out and my job has a bit less pressure. I really need to find some creative fun time and not see it as one more thing to do!
Sorry you're in a slump, OP. I see that every now and then here, and there are always a lot of great suggestions - just like this time!
Reading the answers, something occurred to me that I read long ago. Sometimes one of the suggestions people make is to straighten up or reorganize their workspace. It's one of my faves.
But if you are organized and straightened up, you may think - well, that one doesn't help me any.
What I read though is that in school or work situations, psychologists have learned that even making a small change in surroundings created an increase in productivity. So even if you have your studio "act" together, consider making some token change to your physical surroundings. Just give a different "feel" to things and it can spark your creativity.
Also, in an old book called Creative Thinking, there was information about thinking outside of the box. For instance, you're tired or bored with your wardrobe. By rearranging things, you see different items next to something new and you start to see them in a different light.
Maybe you could switch around some of your supplies... or reorganize your cardstock... or find a new way to keep your scraps or designer paper. Or make something decorative to display in your space ~ add a magnet or cork board to post up favorite cards, color combinations or inspiring art.
Even flipping through a catalog (Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma are two of my favorites for this), can be inspiring, too.
I dunno... I'm just brainstorming here. Maybe something clicks, maybe not :rolleyes:
Sometimes I think it's having a "commission" or a deadline or obligation that sucks all the fun out of it! So.... do something just for fun first . Because, as a lovely SCSer told me a couple of years ago, "if it isn't fun, then what's the point?!" :mrgreen:
I hate to hear a stamper unhappy with something that is here to bring us joy. I find that if I don't stamp for a while it is hard to warm up and the first card comes hard. After that it seems to flow again. To get started, I go to My Favorites. Am I the only one who favorites cards and never goes back to CASE them? So, just CASE a fab card that is a favorite of yours. Also, it seems that you are getting some negative feedback from non-crafty recipients. Send a card to someone who is appreciative next and then go back to creating what has been 'requested'. I hope one of these things will help. Post what you create so we can send some comments! Happy Stamping.
I hate to hear a stamper unhappy with something that is here to bring us joy. I find that if I don't stamp for a while it is hard to warm up and the first card comes hard. After that it seems to flow again. To get started, I go to My Favorites. Am I the only one who favorites cards and never goes back to CASE them? So, just CASE a fab card that is a favorite of yours. Also, it seems that you are getting some negative feedback from non-crafty recipients. Send a card to someone who is appreciative next and then go back to creating what has been 'requested'. I hope one of these things will help. Post what you create so we can send some comments! Happy Stamping.
I've been at home recovering from surgery and was frustrated by developing a card making slump while I had all that time to do something. I picked out a dozen or so card designs from the Sketch Challenge and Clean & Simple galleries and made myself duplicate the design. Of course nothing is exact and I might not have had the exact item or stamp set required so my result was similar but not te same. After a few of those cards I was over my slump.
Thanks for all the great ideas ladies! My office/scrap room is THE MOST unorganized rooms in the house...that could be part of the issue...I took time to gather a portion of my stamps and print the index sheets for them and put them in a binder. I think sometimes I forget what I have.
I also like the idea of making and giving to someone who appreciates it. My Pastor's wife is the perfect person. They have done so much for me lately and it has been about a month or so since I created a card for them to say "thank you"...maybe it is time to do it again.
I will start putting my cards in my gallery. I love the gallery b/c it does open up so many posibilities...I do case my favorites sometimes.
Thanks again for the support. It helps me to know I'm not the only one! LOL!
Disorganization is a muse killer, too. I'll be working along on my table and pretty soon I realize I'm working on a postage stamp sized area. I'll force myself to take the time to go through the piles I've pushed to either side, put things away and clear off my work area. That helps inspiration, too. Sometimes I give myself challenges, too. Like I can't buy anything new until I've made a dozen or so cards from just what I have in my scrap/experiment pile. It's kind of fun to see what I can come up with.
His family have never appreciated my cards and he even told me once that we'd never send them one again.
I wouldn't spend a lot of time on a card for his family if they don't appreciate your effort and talent. Make a simple card..they won't know or care ...then make something fun for someone who will appreciate it.
Honestly, you have to make the cards for your own sense of enjoyment. If others don't get it you can't let that get to you. I know loads of my cards don't get a second glance however, I enjoyed making them. I'm not always inspired! Its been nearly 2 months since I have gotten some stamping done and I am procrastinating this very moment. I do however, plan and know what I am going to do later today when I get in there!
Do you have stamping buddies? Plan a monthly get together to exchange ideas and possibly learn new techniques. Check out the galleries on Splitcoast and the stamp mfg for ideas for a particular stamp. People that don't appreciate a 'stamp from the heart'? Keep it CAS (clean and simple) and know that you always took the higher road. And don't forget, friends are natures apology for relatives!
Also, sympathize with your "under-appreciated" feelings. I guess I get that too, especially when I make a gift of several cards for someone. My mom-in-law just mailed them back to me one by one for different occasions (maybe she thought it was nice, but something about just getting my own cards returned to me made me think she didn't care to send them to anyone else)! Oh well, good luck!
WOW ! So many great responses to a very common problem. Two thoughts from me. For cards to go to those who don't appreciate them, this is the perfect time to use that stash of cards that just didn't come out exactly as you wanted, but didn't have the heart to throw away ! Also....a great time to experiment with new techniques or ideas. If they don't work...so what ? ? ? Send 'em out anyway. And to cure the "blahs".....make a card for yourself....with a message just for you ! You won't even have to mail it.... and you know it will be appreciated ! I'm sitting here with my windows boarded over, and all my outdoor stuff stashed in the garage....waiting for hurricaine Alex to land. I'm thinkin' it will be a good day to craft ! Enjoy !
Cheryl
I agree with jkelliot. If I make a set of cards for someone, I don't want them sent back to me for what ever occasion. That's a waste and shows to me the person doesn't really appreciate them or know what to do with them.
I disagree with those that say to send less than perfect cards or not so nicely made or cheap ones to people they feel would not appreciate them. I am not going to lower my standards of card making. I enjoy making the cards for people and what they choose to do with them is up to that person. I will still send out only my very best.
Sometimes it is hard to get inspired, I agree. I have a collection of "ideas" I've printed off and put in a Sterilite drawer thing. I also have a flash drive or two, that I've copy/pasted ideas I've seen online. Also, I have multitudes of mags and books, and I still have trouble finding any idea at times. So that's when I go do laundry, work in the garden, or just go to bed. I think your unconscious mind works on the problem, and when you sit down again to stamp, your brain has come up with an idea, or narrowed down the possibilities of places to look for ideas; maybe you have unconsciously filed in your brain where you should look for wedding card ideas, etc. The other day I was telling my boyfriend about what good advice it is (was) when they used to say to "sleep on it", when you have a problem or block of some kind. As I've grown older, I've realized it really does work. I never gave it any credence when I was younger, and Jeff said he'd never made the connection before, but admitted that maybe it really does help. Also, brain research has shown the value of sleep in processing new information. That's why college students' "all nighters" (which I did plenty of at the time) are contra-indicated in preparing for tests or orals, etc. The unconscious mind is an amazing thing - let it do some of the work for you. If you don't come up with anything, it's time to go (or send the hubby to) buy the card. Because I think there is a reason it's not working for you. Maybe it is because you know they scoff at your beautiful handmade card and throw it away... You don't need the stress, so just buy a stupid card. They don't appreciate your gorgeous creations, so don't even bother. Use your creativity where it will be appreciated. I do not make graduation cards, because all they care about is the money inside. Some people say that's why they want to save the money and make one; I say save the ENERGY and buy one! And I also find it much harder to make a card when someone has asked me to make one for a certain event. Then I get really nervous and anxious, try to make something, make mistakes, throw it out, get more anxious, etc. NOT WORTH IT!! Just buy one and get it over with - save your creativity and use it to your best advantage. I do not want to send or give cards that are sub-par, so to speak, so I don't. If the recipient is going to get something that isn't your very best, then just don't do it or send it. I am proud of my reputation as a creator of very nice cards, and do not want people to think less of it/me. So if the alternative is to buy a card, what's the problem. But that's just my own vanity, I guess. I will NOT send or give a card that is less than my very best work. GOOD LUCK!! AND DON'T STRESS ABOUT IT!! IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN! ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT - "FUN!!!" If it's not, then don't do it!!!
Hi everyone. My husband has asked me to make 4 different cards. 2 for Father's Day, a wedding one and graduation one. The Father's Day cards, I gave up on and told him to go buy them. I've spent over 8 hours trying to come up with a wedding card and I am just having a hard time with it.
I've never had this happen before. I can usually come up with SOMETHING! How do you get over this hurtle? I think a lot of it is I just don't WANT to do it :oops:. His family have never appreciated my cards and he even told me once that we'd never send them one again. I've tried looking at it from a business standpoint and say the client gets what the client wants, but I've even finding that incred. hard to do.
TIA
I hope you listen to your inner voice--if they don't appreciate the time, effort and talent that goes into your cards then they do not deserve them. Not all clients are a right fit for the provider of the services. I hope you tell DH that it would be best for him to buy the cards for his family because your mojo is on a vacation.
I hear you Ladies too. My friend's Mom would like another 12 cards or all occasions, and I'm just wrung out and not finding a Mojo anywhere to even start. But the crazy thing is, just 2 days before I was On Fire! I couldn't make them fast enough! But I am now thinking maybe my problem is I like to make cards willy nilly - LOL ;)
I am sad to hear that the OP's In-Laws don't appreciate them, that breaks my heart. That's harsh to know. My MIL doesn't either, but it's only because she's from another culture that's so old school that she doesn't give cards. So I'm not offended at all by her, but she keeps them, so maybe that means something
Yes....so far we're fine. Alex has turned more west, so should skirt us by about 70 miles. Is the price we pay for living in what we think is Paradise ! I grew up in Midwest with it's spring tornadoes and storms. At least a hurricane gives you about a week's warning, and there are lots of things that a person can do to protect themselves. Thanks for the kind wishes !
Everyone has given such great advice and information that I have only one thing to add/accentuate--create for yourself, do your best work and send the cards even to the unappreciative. I send out at least 20 cards a month for birthdays and various occasions to relatives and friends. Of course my crafty friends are appreciative and some of the relatives. I have two sisters, one always comments and loves them; I hear nothing from the other as with most of my relatives. The other day I was talking to the husband of the second sister and he said she took all the crds I sent to her friends at church that made cards to show them off. Who'd have thunk? You never know where your treasures will end up and who will admire your works of art. That being said, I work well under pressure, but will never sell my cards. I only give them away, as the "business" part would take the fun out of it. Life is short, be happy.
I get in slumps all the time, so I feel your pain!
I found this wedding card a while ago, and it is so simple. I said when I have to do one, this will be it.
This isnt the exact one, I think it was so old like in 07 that she had to take it off her site to make room for others. It looks exactly the same but, it says Mr(heartbead)Mrs. instead of LOVE
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I haven't made card for a month or two...no biggie...it's summer! I always get inspiration from the cards I favored. Even tho I haven't made cards lately, I'm eyeing the new SU catty, big time!
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
Yes....so far we're fine. Alex has turned more west, so should skirt us by about 70 miles. Is the price we pay for living in what we think is Paradise ! I grew up in Midwest with it's spring tornadoes and storms. At least a hurricane gives you about a week's warning, and there are lots of things that a person can do to protect themselves. Thanks for the kind wishes !
Interesting... glad you are safe, though!! I grew up in Colorado, and now live in the Midwest. What's wrong with THAT picture? Before here, I lived in Northern Minnesota. I thought I was moving south! I've learned that the Front Range in CO really is paradise. Someday I'll go home... In the meantime, I need to shut up about the unpleasant environmental conditions. If you don't like it, MOVE! (Me, not you.) For now I'm pretty tied up with family here and a house we love, etc.
Stay well! Stay inside and stamp...
Sue
I HATE stampin' slumps! They always pop up at the worst possible time too! I agree with what others have said - different challenges often help me get out of a slump or at least keep me creating through one. Thank goodness SCS has tons of challenges.
Card making slump....
The "Blahs"
