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I have seen some incredible artists in the SCS galleries and I just need to know, how do you guys do it? Maybe I'm a frustrated wanna-be-artist or maybe I'm in an creative slump, I don't know. I would like to know what comes first, the stamp set, the paper, or the design that's in your head? I want so badly to kick my creative style up a notch, and I want to make WOW cards all the time, but how do I go from here to there?
Oh, just a little note...not everything I create makes it to my gallery or blog! ;) I'm pretty sure the same rings true for those that I aspire to be like when I grow up. hehe
Oh, just a little note...not everything I create makes it to my gallery or blog! ;) I'm pretty sure the same rings true for those that I aspire to be like when I grow up. hehe
Oh I hear you there Shannon! Lately all I seem to be doing is filling up the recycle bin!
Oh, just a little note...not everything I create makes it to my gallery or blog! ;) I'm pretty sure the same rings true for those that I aspire to be like when I grow up. hehe
That's what today has been like for me. I must have thrown away a dozen images that I stamped and tried to emboss that didn't come out right. I hate throwing them away, but I'm not sure if embossing powder is recycleable.
__________________ Mary Ann GALLERY Fan Club member since 4/08
you know, and something else to consider is that not everyone is a card maker or scrap booker. i have just recently discovered that i love making name frames; and i'm much better at it than card making *lol* sometimes you just gotta find your niche. other than name frames, i'm still looking for it *lol*
__________________ mommy to 3 handsome boys and a beautiful little princess!! michael 11/8/96, samuel 10/25/01, brandon 6/16/05, and olivia 7/12/07 (-16)
I never notice just how MUCh goes into the trash until trash day and then I see all those that didn't make it! It's a good thing I buy white cardstock in bulk these days!
I know I'm not one of the 'incredible artists' but one thing I've learned is that I have to start at home. Does that make sense? Start with who I am and go from there. I like simple designs. If I get too fussy or too many layers, I can't see myself in there anymore. I don't really like a whole lot of glitter and glam but if you do, then make that a focus. Start with yourself. Find something that inspires you, movies, books, magazines, the outdoors..whatever it may be and go from there.
I KNOW a few incredible artists and funny thing is that they don't consider themselves to be amazing. I think that is what makes them even more special.
Everyone has their good days (cards) and bad...and practice makes perfect (or at least better than before!)
For my own designing, I find that I often pick the images I want to work with and then find the paper (or create the background) and then color the images. This is easiest for me--so I can make the card all matchy matchy. Of course there are times when I veer from this and sometimes make something I like and sometimes.....not!
Location: Where the water meets the sand in So Cali
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Donna.....I think some people just have that kind of brain. I do not. I am a mimic. I always do it a slight bit different; different colors, different stamps, but as for the ideas/layouts....I almost always copy something that I've seen somewhere. That way I can really enjoy my hobby, because I KNOW that I don't have that 'eye' or 'brain' that a 'real' artist has! Hee, hee!
This is an interesting thread. For myself, I usually start with an idea with a stamp set (this usually involves what feel I am going for or what technique I would like to focus on)...which usually evolves to a color palette....and then I sometimes look through dp and find matches, if I can't find what I am looking for in DP I usually try to create it.
I am often inspired by fabric and ad advertising. If you live in Canada, have you seen the latest billboards for The Bay....very funky and fresh!
Donna.....I think some people just have that kind of brain. I do not. I am a mimic. I always do it a slight bit different; different colors, different stamps, but as for the ideas/layouts....I almost always copy something that I've seen somewhere. That way I can really enjoy my hobby, because I KNOW that I don't have that 'eye' or 'brain' that a 'real' artist has! Hee, hee!
Ditto! I'm glad I'm not the only one. However, I'm noticing that after a long time of copying I'm able to come up with some of my own ideas.
__________________ Kristen
�Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.�
I never notice just how MUCh goes into the trash until trash day and then I see all those that didn't make it! It's a good thing I buy white cardstock in bulk these days!
Right with ya' on that one, Paula!
*chuckle*
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
When you're starting out, it helps to have a roadmap, for example, use a SCS Sketch Challenge and/or a Color Challenge. I'm no artist but I do find that old adage "practice makes perfect" applies to stamping too. The more I do, the more comfortable I feel and the more I learn what works together. The more time I spend surfing here on SCS the more I learn. Little by little it all adds up. Most people do not start out stamping like a pro.
you know, and something else to consider is that not everyone is a card maker or scrap booker. i have just recently discovered that i love making name frames; and i'm much better at it than card making *lol* sometimes you just gotta find your niche. other than name frames, i'm still looking for it *lol*
You know I agree with that Lisa. I think scrapbooking is much harder than card making, but then again, I have a stamp art buddy who takes the little "French Caffe" containers and makes some wonderful gifts out of them. Thanks for giving me food for thought. Finding my niche has been a lifetime journey!
I know I'm not one of the 'incredible artists' but one thing I've learned is that I have to start at home. Does that make sense? Start with who I am and go from there. I like simple designs. If I get too fussy or too many layers, I can't see myself in there anymore. I don't really like a whole lot of glitter and glam but if you do, then make that a focus. Start with yourself. Find something that inspires you, movies, books, magazines, the outdoors..whatever it may be and go from there.
Well, I'm no dirty girl but I do love what I do!! There are many times where I feel no inspiration at all and then I just have to take a break. Lately I have had a great time making videos on my blog of what I create. Believe it or not that has really helped my creative juices flow knowing that someone else will be watching me. I really encourage trying it.
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I am not only a card maker but I also teach card and Scrap classes, make demo's, and samples weekly sometimes multiple times a week. I get creative block constantly. And to top it all off I am a perfectionist FREAK. I always go to the magazines. I look at the layouts and then see what I have fits. I don't usually buy for a project, I buy what I like, my style and that makes all the difference to me. My best cards and pieces come from those things I buy, not what I am given to make samples or classes for.
I usually fall in love with a decorative paper, sometimes a stamp set. I look at different types of magazines for inspiration. My personal style would be all like stuff in Stampington. I love the vintage and collage stuff, but I am also a SU! demo, so I have to do SU! stuff too. I have a stamp friend who points out that I need to get outta ruts. When she buys a set (She buys the cutsie stuff) she lets me play with it before giving it to her-for my own good. I normally wouldn't buy an y cutsie stuff at all except for my SU! business.
__________________ ~Vee
It's not who you know-it's whom you know.
I never notice just how MUCh goes into the trash until trash day and then I see all those that didn't make it! It's a good thing I buy white cardstock in bulk these days!
Do I here this! My trash is emptied at least once a day and probably should be more than that. I'm buying white cardstock by the 250 sheet ream now!
I can't remember where I read this....but hey....let's blame it on Julie There was a thread similar to this quite awhile ago and someone talked about the time it took for them to find their style and grow in their talent and recommended we look at her first cards in her gallery. That was so kind of this person to share that part of herself b/c it showed the progress and WHEW.... they weren't "always" so perfect ! Bless all of you wonderful artists for giving so much inspiration and knowledge!!!
I can't remember where I read this....but hey....let's blame it on Julie There was a thread similar to this quite awhile ago and someone talked about the time it took for them to find their style and grow in their talent and recommended we look at her first cards in her gallery. That was so kind of this person to share that part of herself b/c it showed the progress and WHEW.... they weren't "always" so perfect ! Bless all of you wonderful artists for giving so much inspiration and knowledge!!!
I couldn't agree with you more. Since I first ask the question, I have received an incredible amount of wisdom and encouragement from all who have walked the plank before me. Thank you ladies. You are awesome!:p
Slightly off topic but I like others am a little **** about my stamped images so if it is off at all I won't use it BUT instead of throwing it out I give them to my boys to use in their card making. They love it and I feel like it is not going to waste, Just a thought.
How Do You Do It?
