Do you ever sit down to make a simple card and...

[RiverIsis]

So, I sit down to make my "bulk" Christmas cards ( I know that's a whole 'nuther thread) and I think "I have loads of thin red cardstock, loads of thin black cardstock, why don't I just make those cards that look like Santa's belly and belt." And that is where it went downhill...

I assembled the red front. Cut the black belt. Diecut the rectangles for the buckles. Then I decided to make the belt in two pieces and put holes in and then if there are holes I needed to thread the buckle and make all the parts... I did stop myself short of "fur" and buttons.

Now I am rethinking this card. After the year where I diecut with my cuttlebug for days and hours... think I am going back to my original plan of matching envelope and border with a stamped maybe embossed sentiment.

So has this happened to you?

[QueenOfInkland]

Yes, I do, so you are not alone.

Sometimes it's because the idea is just too grandiose and sometimes it's because I make the idea too grandiose by continuing to think of things to add as you mentioned.

LOL. So smile and get out your embossing powder (maybe)

IMO the whole point of all of what we do is to have fun creating.

[cbet]

Nope, never. I am always 100% organized, with an exact picture of the card in my head; I never deviate from my vision and they are always complete and ready to mail by the 1st of Decemb . . .

Oh, wait. That's imaginary me. Real me always starts with an idea for a relatively simple card, and I always end up with one that has multiple layers, die cutting, stickles that take forever to dry - AND I'm mailing them out around the 21st of December. Maybe I should switch to "Happy New Year" cards. . .

[QueenOfInkland]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbet

Nope, never. I am always 100% organized, with an exact picture of the card in my head; I never deviate from my vision and they are always complete and ready to mail by the 1st of Decemb . . .

Oh, wait. That's imaginary me. Real me always starts with an idea for a relatively simple card, and I always end up with one that has multiple layers, die cutting, stickles that take forever to dry - AND I'm mailing them out around the 21st of December. Maybe I should switch to "Happy New Year" cards. . .

'imaginary me' - VERY funny - thanks for the good laugh

[GWTW Junkie]

This thread made me giggle. Yeah, that never happens to me. NOT!

I swear, someone released a crate full of shiny squirrels in my stamp room. I simply cannot focus! And I have so much to do!!

[jukie]

nope, never...ever ever....well apart from all the time, each and every Christmas, and any other celebration....I posted last years Christmas cards on the 24th of December....they were in that post box before Christmas so whats the problem???

[RiverIsis]

:lol: Oh and I forgot to add about the stitching on Santa's belt...

[TaylorJ]

Haha I am so glad that I've read this...because this only happens to me EVERY TIME I start a new project. It's the excitement, the imagination that runs away..way too far. Then I end up thinking what have I done?! And then there isn't a way back or forward haha Oh well, I guess there's just no limit to the imagination :rolleyes:

[buggainok]

Boy did this post make me grin this morning. Just last night I ordered a really cute stamp for my Christmas cards. I usually make pretty elaborate cards, lots of Cuttlebug cutting, layering, Stickles, jewels, etc.

I told myself, "Self, I said, you have too many Christmas projects to finish making. You do not have time to make elaborate Christmas cards this year!"

So I ordered the stamp, and planned the cards to make when it arrives. No layers, just clean and simple - stamped on the front, sentiment inside - Done!

The stamp has not even arrived yet, and already I am thinking....Well, maybe it would look better if I did a two-color layered front. And some tiny jewels would look nice in the middle of each of those snowflakes....

It's hopeless. :mrgreen:

[QueenOfInkland]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverIsis

:lol: Oh and I forgot to add about the stitching on Santa's belt...

LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[cbet]

Now, Bugga - layers are actually a time-saver. If you mess up the layer, you can redo your work on the backside. If you mess up on a one layer card, the whole card has to go.

As far as the jewels, of COURSE you NEED those. A card without bling is like a day without sunshine.

[buggainok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbet

Now, Bugga - layers are actually a time-saver. If you mess up the layer, you can redo your work on the backside. If you mess up on a one layer card, the whole card has to go.

As far as the jewels, of COURSE you NEED those. A card without bling is like a day without sunshine.

Excellent points, Cheryl! I'm really kidding myself thinking I will make anything "simple".

[buggainok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angie1974

I bet you make your Christmas card recipients very happy, Bugga.

Thank you, Angie. I think they would all be disappointed if I didn't add some sparkle!

[stamphappy1650]

Of course it's happened to me. I even have a project box labeled "finish this" with parts of cards that ran amok, amok, amok! Every so often I go through the box and toss what I can't reuse and then lo and behold, that box will fill up again!

[arlenevita]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWTW Junkie

This thread made me giggle. Yeah, that never happens to me. NOT!

I swear, someone released a crate full of shiny squirrels in my stamp room. I simply cannot focus! And I have so much to do!!

I am ROLLING :lol: on the floor at the "shiny squirrels"!!! LOVE that! :lol:

[arlenevita]

My original idea gets buried on the table under all the "oh, it would be even better with that paper, oh, that ink, oh! how about that bling, oh and with that other stamp, too"! Too many shiny squirrels pop up in my face when I go to get the ATG refill that I need, etc. Love the shiny squirrels! ROFL! (Slapping my hand on the floor!)

BTW there is a back story to squirrels. DH and I have an inside joke about damn squirrels.

[Barbara Jay]

Not only do I keep adding on to the original card idea, but then I need to go to three or more stores looking for the supplies to compete my new wonderful card idea . :rolleyes:

[JoBear2]

I had a good laugh at your post Kristen aka RiverIsis as this happens to me a lot! I end up frustrating myself and then I get annoyed because I wonder why I couldn't just apply the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid for those who don't know) and be happy with that. But no......and then I am surrounded by a large mess with nothing to show for it :rolleyes: It's like my brain speeds up when I sit at my desk sometimes and I can't focus on one thing!

[fionna51]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWTW Junkie

This thread made me giggle. Yeah, that never happens to me. NOT!

I swear, someone released a crate full of shiny squirrels in my stamp room. I simply cannot focus! And I have so much to do!!

I wish mine were shiny squirrels.

I think I got the gnomes dressed in plaid pants, stripe socks, and flowered shirts. :rolleyes:

[GWTW Junkie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fionna51

I wish mine were shiny squirrels.

I think I got the gnomes dressed in plaid pants, stripe socks, and flowered shirts. :rolleyes:

Girl, have you been sniffin' the Stazon again??? :lol:

[GWTW Junkie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by arlenevita

BTW there is a back story to squirrels. DH and I have an inside joke about damn squirrels.

Hey, don't leave us hanging!! I wanna hear. After all, I have nothing better or more important to do with my time than be on Splitcoast, right? Oh, wait... :cool:

[arlenevita]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWTW Junkie

Hey, don't leave us hanging!! I wanna hear. After all, I have nothing better or more important to do with my time than be on Splitcoast, right? Oh, wait... :cool:

OK...I'm could be getting ready for work but I cannot leave you hanging all day. When we were dating there was a black squirrel that lived in the tree next to my apt and DH would feed it. Fast forward a few years. My DH is a professional photographer as part of his self-employment. One year I found a birthday card (20 years before I became addicted to card making) for him that had a squirrel on the front holding a camera. After his birthday the damn squirrel started popping up inside his underwear drawer, his tee shirt drawer, or inside the bathroom medicine cabinet, etc. You just never knew where the damn squirrel would be. I then found another birthday card with a tree trunk on the front and a knot hole where the damn squirrel was peeking through. He, too, started popping up in different places and currently lives in the half bath on the first floor. DH brakes for squirrels. So any time we see squirrels we say, "Damn squirrels!" That is your cute story for the day! You sooo have made me happy with the idea of shiny squirrels! :lol:

[squirrellyshirley]

Did someone say SQUIRRELLY SHIRLEY!!??? LOL!!

A shiny one, ta-boot!! (I'm shiny from all the GLITTER I've been using on my Christmas cards that have taken on a life of their own!LOL)

[DianneB1030]

My room mate and I have woods behind our apartment and watch the squirrels chasing each other up and down the trees from the window in our craft room, but because of a little girl her DIL used to babysit who couldn't say "squirrel" we call them "skirtels". We also joke about being distracted by anything shiny, so we were very amused at the thought of shiny skirtels running around the apartment.

[GWTW Junkie]

hilarious... Yesterday my ten year old DD (who does not yet know the facts of life because she's super young for her age) came to get me to show me two squirrels "playing" in the leafless tree outside her window. Oh, yeah, you guessed it... those squirrels were going at it like nobody's business. LOL!!!

[madameplushbottom]

Arlenevita, have you seen the Disney movie, "Up"? That is where the squirrel reference used earlier came from...

Sounds like you and your hubby would enjoy it.

[arlenevita]

Quote:

Originally Posted by madameplushbottom

Arlenevita, have you seen the Disney movie, "Up"? That is where the squirrel reference used earlier came from...

Sounds like you and your hubby would enjoy it.

I could use some laughs so that sounds like my kind of movie!

[RiverIsis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by arlenevita

I could use some laughs so that sounds like my kind of movie!

Push through the beginning of the film to get to the big laughs. The beginning is a bit bittersweet.

[madameplushbottom]

I think you could make your hubs a squirrel card invite... and then take him to the show.

[alicaz]

back to cards - layers and die cuts? no problem.. how about some masking and brayering? Because that's my plan for this Christmas

[GWTW Junkie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverIsis

Push through the beginning of the film to get to the big laughs. The beginning is a bit bittersweet.

Oh, yes, I bawled! But then Mr. Fredrickson looks exactly like my grandpa would if someone drew him as a cartoon. Right down to the tweed hat. It's still hard to watch, a zillion views later (I have kids).

If you haven't seen that movie, you really should... it's absolutely hilarious. I could watch the part with the dogs pretty much on a rotating loop all day long and not get tired of it. We quote it constantly!!

[GWTW Junkie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alicaz

back to cards - layers and die cuts? no problem.. how about some masking and brayering? Because that's my plan for this Christmas

you are officially nuts!! LOL!!! But... I wanna see. I am almost done with my customer Christmas events and getting ready to start my own cards. One more special order to do (only 20, whew).

[RiverIsis]

At what point was it ever ok to round the corners of 102 cards and the paper matted on them plus make matching envelopes.... *sigh*

And did I mention I wasn't going to die cut this year so of course there are 2 lots of die cuts... and stamping... and a nifty band...

This was going to be my CAS Christmas. :lol:

[STYXROCKSME]

Last year I saw a card on pinterest of a red bird(SU bird punch) and branch. There were some scoring lines at top and bottom of card. I thought, hey I can make dozens of these next year. Then I began thinking this card is too bland. I should add bling and ribbon and maybe patterned paper. I now have a box of 5 1/4x 4 inch papers, dozens of birds, packs of gems ready to go. Now I'm thinking the clean and simple bird would be easier.
Did anyone here about the city cop that shot a squirrel in Mountain City, TN? This happened at a DG store. I saw an article in our paper

[sc magnolia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stamphappy1650

Of course it's happened to me. I even have a project box labeled "finish this" with parts of cards that ran amok, amok, amok! Every so often I go through the box and toss what I can't reuse and then lo and behold, that box will fill up again!

I have a box like that too!!!

And to the OP uh yeah I do that alllllll the time too! I'm so glar to know there are others out there like me :cool: Maybe I'm not such a nut after all ;)

[muscrat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWTW Junkie

Girl, have you been sniffin' the Stazon again??? :lol:

Oooo someone else loves the smell of staz on? LOL

[sc magnolia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by muscrat

Oooo someone else loves the smell of staz on? LOL

I LOVE the smell of staz on! Do you remember mimeograph machines? I loved the smellmof papers that were freshly run off! My 5th grade used to let me pass out papers quite often ;)

[muscrat]

Yes, I remember the mimeograph machines! I was a secretarial student and used them a lot! I remember the smell very well! LOL

[stamphappy1650]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc magnolia

I LOVE the smell of staz on! Do you remember mimeograph machines? I loved the smellmof papers that were freshly run off! My 5th grade used to let me pass out papers quite often ;)

I always figured our school secretary was so jolly because of the mimeograph machines :p

[GWTW Junkie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by muscrat

Oooo someone else loves the smell of staz on? LOL

No!! All I can think about are dying brain cells when I use Stazon. :p I'm super sensitive to smells and have to out-gas my new products outdoors sometimes. My DD told me recently she loves the smell of gasoline and I was like, "ummm, you're never getting out of the car at the gas station again, child!"