Too Many Stamps?

[stampcrazygirl]

<<<Gasp>>> I know that doesn't seem possible!

I was kind of curious what others thought about this. I've had stamper's block for way too long now. I was just sitting at my table trying to come up with some ideas for projects that I have to get done. I think that having too many stamps to choose from is stifleing (sp?) my creativity!

So many choices that I can't choose any of them?

I have been trying to figure out for weeks why I don't feel inspired and now I think I know what it is...I feel too overwhelmed by the number of choices I have. I truly didn't think that was even possible! But I guess it's the same as giving a kid too many choices for dinner....they have a harder time deciding than if you just gave them 2 choices!

Do you think this theory is valid? I don't see myself selling my stamps, but maybe putting some of my FUS (frequently used stamps) away for a while will spark my creative juices!

[GnarlyGirl]

Oh Michele - I never say too many - I prefer to say I have A LOT!

I do understand what you're saying. I am actually at a point that I'm starting to trade stamp sets because I have some of those sets (that I just HAD TO HAVE) that just don't get used much. I'm hoping trading sets will save on my budget meanwhile, maybe I won't feel so bad if I don't use these new sets as much as I thought I would. Good luck!

Becky

[qcbetty]

Michele:

Banish the thought. I can't believe you even wrote that!! Shame on you!! ;)

Lock up a few sets and put some basics in front of you....let us know what happens!!

[stampcrazygirl]

I know...I can't believe I wrote that either! :shock:

[KLogan]

I have found myself in a similar situation, and think your idea of putting away some of your more frequently used sets might help. I have gone so far as to "challenge" myself a few times, also, by picking 2-3 sets, three ink colors, and three cardstock colors and seeing what I could come up with using only those items. It seemed to help to not have so many choices, and took me back to my earlier days of stamping when I only had a few items period! :-) Best of luck getting out of the creative slump!

[baronsmom]

I find when I'm in the midst of a stamper's block if I work on organizing my stuff (putting the mess on my table away) I seem to "snap out of it" & am able to get the creative juices flowing again. It also helps the stamping space issue.......my actual work space seems to shrink the more I stamp! :shock:
Suzanne

[alasku2stamp]

OMGosh! I thought how could someone put a topic like having too many stamps on here! But, after reading your post, I so understand where you are coming from. I just moved up to a larger storage bin for my stamps and I had to finally clean some out that I never use. I too feel overwhelmed sometimes by too many choices. But I reorganize and then I am usually ready to go again.

[Happy Heart]

I may be mistaken, but I think I read a similar post from you not too long ago. I think one of your problems might be that you're stressing too much over your lack of motivation, which, from my experience, will just make matters worse.
Maybe you should try to stay away from stamping all together for a period of time and see what happens. Give yourself a week without stamping, or even thinking about it. The stamping fever will either return, or (heaven forbid! :shock: ) you'll find something else to take its place.
In all seriousness, the truth is that passions do sometimes run their course. :(

[stampcrazygirl]

Happy Heart....I hope I am not losing my passion for stamping! I have WAY too much invested into it! :shock:

Yes...I have posted my dilema twice already as it's very frustrating!!!! It's been over a month!

I think the pressure of always doing something more elaborate than the last one...and I CAN'T go back to basic cards! I'm not happy with anything that I've made lately.

[bluebearry2429]

I have felt this way some times and what I have found that works is two things 1 thing I do is I find a card I really like on here or somewere and I deside I am going to case it then I go and do that and what happens is they never turn out like the one I started out to do because in the middle of it my creativity kicks and I and will change things on there card here and there.
The second thing I will do is I will just stamp I have done the same thing I will sit down and my desk and nothing nothing will come to me so I just get some white card and start stamping maybe I just do a simple card or stamp my new stamps in my stamp book I just do something with my stamps and before I know I am thinking oh I could do this and I am off.

I hope this helps I know how frustraiting it can be to think what is wrong with me why can't I think of any thing to do with all of this stuff I just had to have.

Amanda

[MICHELLE WOODERSON]

Yes, having too many stamps can stifle creativity because you become overwhelmed and don't know where to start first. Sometimes I get this way because I'm not stamping for an actual purpose...meaning I'm just creating cards for the sake of creating cards. Try this and see if it helps.....pick out a specific event like a kids' birthday or an upcoming anniversary, or a christmas present or maybe just a way cool gift for a good friend. Work on that specific project for a while...design your card, make a matching sack, do a candle or notepad to match, wheel the tissue. I find that sometimes I get a lot more creative if I have a specific person to stamp for or a specific purpose like Christmas gifts. Make the gift really detailed if you....just get yourself into one project. Also, it's okay to not want to stamp sometimes (now calm down ladies, I know it's hard to hear), go do something else for a while. I think we all got so excited when the new catalog came out that the newness is wearing off a little bit and now we're all left with a mountain of new products that we just had to have very first thing and are a bit overhwhelmed. Hope this helps and you find a way out of your slump.

[stampcrazygirl]

Michelle....my problem is that I have a bunch of projects and cards that I HAVE to do and just kind of feel blah about the situation. I have to give 2 of these cards next Saturday! The others I have to get done I have to give about 1 or more each week until mid November (it's birthday season in my family!)!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! ! The PRESSURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[readsomething]

Michelle,

I think it's interesting that you said you "CAN'T go back" to doing basic cards. Why not? I know some people might think it's HORRIBLE to go back to the basics, but I kind of think there's a reason why the basics *are* the basics -- they work!

I'd say, pick an event you HAVE to have a card for. Go to your stamp storage area, close your eyes, and pick a stamp set. Then do the same thing with ink colors and cardstock. Tell yourself you MUST do a basic card with these items. Don't THINK about what you're doing -- don't stress, don't ask yourself if another way would be better -- just DO IT.

Then, when you're done, give yourself permission to add one thing. Eyelets OR ribbon OR a more elaborate technique.

In writing, one way to get rid of "writer's block" is what's called "stream of consciousness" -- there's a technique where you set a timer and you put the pen on the paper and you don't stop writing until the timer goes off. There's ALWAYS an idea in what you write while the clock is ticking. I think it would be the same thing for stamping -- it's a passion, so the desire is there.

Good luck!

-- Heather

[emilymomto3boys]

I find that if I choose a few sets and set up my table and get ready to go just using those sets, I get the juices going and slowly add more sets to my worktable. That way I am not mulling over so many stamp choices. Much easier for me to come up with something with only a few stamps to choose from.

[PaisleyPrincess]

You could post a poll here with a selection of say 10 stamp sets and let the users here vote on which one you should use

and then you have to do it

i truly know the feeling. I have been in the same boat lately

[felcares]

I dare you; no, I double dare :o you to make a card out of

1. Two step - Sketch a party or other two step you might have

2. Real Red, Brilliant blue and Basic Black - or similar colors

3. White Glossy Card Stock with Red Background

4. Use a embellishments of ribbon or brads- or tags

I hope you will take the challenge and show us your card. Oh, by the way if you take the challenge you have 4 days to finish it. Ok ready set Go!!!! :!:

You’ll do great you just wait and see,
fel

[Billie Rose]

Hi Michelle!

You could play "the desert island" game - lock yourself in a room with only one stamp set, a couple of inks and cs colors, and one embellishment. And then, don't think, just start stamping and see what happens! Worst case, you'll end up with "okay" cards, which in my book is still better than a store-bought card any day!!!!

Good luck!
Billie

[stampcrazygirl]

Felcares...I don't know if I can take your challenge right now! It's a busy week for me. :(

Thanks for all of the suggestions...I am going to have to try some of them when I have some free time again.

[Laurie FW]

Michele,
My suggestion is to CASE CASE CASE! I remember that you said you don't like to CASE, but this will probably help your creative block and the recipients will NEVER KNOW! If I remember the cards you NEED to make are for mostly men or boys anyway? Go for it and don't feel guilty! You deserve a break from always making original, fancy cards, okay? Good luck, I am thinking supportive thoughts of you here!
Laurie

[stampinsweeney]

I like having my new binder of stamps and stamp sets that I can leaf through to get ideas. I can see all of my stamps and get an idea of what may inspire me.

Also, wonderful publications like The Stampers Sampler, PaperCrafts and Stamp It can inspire a new-found sense of creativity. You can be your own creative genius, but you can also be inspired my the creativity of others. When I "case" an idea, I generally NEVER do the same thing, which the original artist did. During the actual recreation, I am more motivated by how I can manipulate it to be mine.

I am a flutist as well as and find when I have lost interest for a time or hit a plateau that along with trying new things sometimes setting it aside can do me a world of creative good.


Morissa
glittergirl

[Bernie Henrich]

I like the idea mentioned about putting away some sets for a season. I did that with my childrens toys. After a while I would bring them out again and they got treated like a brand new (but well loved) play thing.
Another idea might be to put away the sets you don't think you'll use much (so you don't have that overwhelmed feeling) and as you use what you left out to use, you might find you need to bring out one or more of the set aside sets. After several months of this you will find out just which sets you really will use often and which ones you could sell or trade.
Hope this helps or triggers other ideas for you.

[spedabstbit]

I can't believe no one has mentioned this one:

If you truly feel you might have too many, think about the rest of us that haven't been at this as long...Do a true RAK and put some of those sets that didn't work out as well as you thought they would and drop them in the mail to someone else! :shock:

I, for one, would be glad to give you my mailing address, if you are interested...! :lol:

Cindy