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What's worse than being a PERFECTIONIST?
Being a perfectionist with NO ARTISTIC TALENT!
Perfectionists are not perfect, not by a long shot. But we tend to judge ourselves harshly. Some of us (ME) are all or nothing type of people. We give a project our all or we just give up ... or sometimes never even start. (this is true for organizing a cupboard, cleaning the kitchen, or making a scrapbook.)
I've tried to crocheting, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, photography and now stamping.
I WANT to create! I have a NEED to create! But I have NO TALENT! ARGH!!
So, the trick is going to be to do the best I can, to suck it up and accept that some projects will turn out okay and others will not, to remind myself that my family (who doesn't browse the Internet for papercrafts) enjoys what I make, and to ignore that little voice in my head that whispers, "People are laughing at your feeble attempts so why don't you just trash all your supplies and go to bed." (well, maybe not in so many words LOL)
Melissa, you might be a perfectionist but you have artistic talent! How do I know this, I've looked at your gallery! I'm not a perfectionist [having a husband and daughter that are perfectionists is enough for one family] and I'm happy when anything I do turns out somewhat nice. This goes for card making, my needlework, and lots of other types of crafts that I've done over the years. Don't stress yourself out. When no ideas are coming, browse the galleries and case a card. Have fun and IGNORE THAT LITTLE VOICE IN YOUR HEAD!!
I find this board so inspiring, that I often browse ideas by stamp set before I even sit down to create. I *could* mess around for an hour or two trying to make something I like, but I am more likely to start with a CASE, which has the potential to end up being something I really like instead of a half-finished project sitting in my work space.
Please don't give up! I can see from your gallery that you have some lovely cards and that you have tried techniques that I haven't touched with a ten foot pole yet!
Sorry - I think I started this post saying that I only had one word for you, and now I have written an essay! Please bare with me for one final thought...
Your post hit home with me, because I often feel the same way. The bar is so high with all the lovely designs on this board and the blogs I read. It can be discouraging to aspire to create (or re-create) and look at your own work and go huh?!?! However, I keep plugging away with it because it would be even worse to give up on a hobby that I have spent my children's entire inheritance on. :oops:
I am sorry you feel as if you don't have artistic talent. I just popped into your gallery and you have lovely cards in it..I will look again later (at work now) and wanted to tell you that I have learned that my creations may not be as good as others, but they are mine and bring me JOY to create. I have people LOVE my cards, others wonder why I bother when I can buy one for 99 cents etc...I do it for the love of creating and those you love to receive them. I am not a perfectionist, so I can't speak for that as I am probably just the other extreme...I always remember my school art teacher saying that "there are NO mistakes in art"...
Oh, artistic-shmartistic. I like your cards, and so do others above who've looked at your gallery. When you enjoy what you're doing, these subjective concepts don't matter much. I needed to become more a perfectionist because while I had imaginative ideas, I was sloppy, not well coordinated. We each have something to work on, and yes, I also felt lacking in artistic ability because I couldn't make my hands do what my mind wanted them to do. I got better but still have to work at being neat and precise. I suggest you let your need to create carry you and help you overcome harsh personal judgment. I don't believe we desire strongly what's totally impossible for us to accomplish.
What I love about stamping is that even though I really have no artistic talent (as in, I have to draw stick figures if I want people to have any clue what I'm drawing!!), I have the ability to combine stamps and papers and colors to make something interesting and hopefully brighten someone's day. I was always sad that I couldn't draw or paint, but stamping has given me the opportunity to create anyway! And as far as being a perfectionist, I've had to work on that daily (check out my signature quote...it's my mantra now!). But if I finish the card and feel it's completed, then I know I've done my best. And what I give with my cards has so much more personal attention and love created in it than any store-bought card I could send, which gives me a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. When you take the time to create a card, you're giving the gift of your time and talents to the recipient...that's worth a lot to me!!
Ok, here's what I tell my kids, and anyone else who wants to learn to scrapbook, or rubber stamp/make cards... there are NO RULES!! I mean, what you think looks horrible, might be a piece of art to someone else, and vice versa. You are creating for YOU, and for your friends and family. If they are your friends, they are going to appreciate that you took the time to make them something and love you for it. Try out different styles. Try out new techniques. You'll find your niche' or at least have fun trying! And, by all means, DON'T compare your art to anyone else's!! You will always fall short (because like you said, we are hardest on ourselves!)!
Thanks for the nice comments and great ideas, ladies.
My mother and sons think I'm quite clever with the cards and scrapbook pages.
But if they could see all the wonderful, beautiful, breath-taking cards and layouts on the Internet, they'd know what a talentless hack I really am! LOL
Just about everything in my gallery was posted for the Hope You Can Cling To challenge. I was grateful for the challenge because it forced me to try new things.
A few are from last Friday's Virtual Stamp Night Challenge. The challenge was given and we had 45 minutes to complete the card. It was all I could do to cut, stamp and color or decorate a simple card. Others whipped out some truly beautiful, elaborate cards during their 45 minutes.
Anyway, I guess it's all a matter of perspective. In the meantime, I'm going to follow the suggestion to "case" other members cards.
BTW fairsinger, I LOVE that Michael J. Fox quote! I may need to put that on a scrapbook page as a reminder. :-)
Location: not too far from the big mountain in n.h.
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How boring this world of art would be if every painting was done by Picasso. The same with cards. You should feel free to have your own style and not worry if it doesn't look like somebody else did it. I have to remind myself from time to time too. Just enjoy the process.
Location: wishing I was in London but you'll likely find me on my couch
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Here is a quote I came across the other day “Comparing yourself to others can … result in either feelings of inferiority or superiority. … Accept yourself as the unique person that you are without comparing yourself to others. Doing this will help you love yourself properly without conceit” (Clark Swain) We need to learn to love ourselves and not compare ourselves to others. We should only compare our progress to our previous attempts and see where we have been.
If you play along with the challenges it will help you to grow. It sure has helped me. I am a perfectionist. I like everything nice and neat. So you know I'm very hard on myself. I have learned to just enjoy the process. Some of my cards are better than others but in the end I'm happy with what I do. I enjoy creating. Have fun!
Tell the negative committee in your head to SIT DOWN and SHUT UP!
(I saw this on Pinterest, and loved it!)
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
What's worse than being a PERFECTIONIST?
And, by all means, DON'T compare your art to anyone else's!! You will always fall short (because like you said, we are hardest on ourselves!)! 
