Creative Slump?

[cardsbycarla]

Anyone else in a creative slump? I'm so pooped from my job lately that when I get some free time I just seem to sit in my craft room and look around at all my stamps and supplies and then decide I have enough energy to go take a nap.

It's frustrating. I've got some new papers and ribbons I'm actually dying to use, but the whole thing just seems overwhelming or something... like it's too much work and mess. What the hecks wrong with me? I've been taken over by some Evil-Stamping-Slump and can't even come up with a starting point for a card.

Anyway, just moaning and thought I'd see if anyone else is in the same boat.

Thanks
Carla.
cardsbycarla --- soon to be --- couch-potatoe-by-carla

[ladybugstamper2]

Hi!
This happens from time to time. Here are a few things that work for me. Go and do another craft for a while, sort of like taking a break and then the pull of stamping comes back. I cross stitch.
Flip through catalogs and magazines, just revisiting cards and techniques might help.
Pick a card out of a magazine or catalog or a website, use it to either c.a.s.e. or just see if you can make it your own.
Make it fun, not work and then you'll get inspired again.
And sometimes we just need to rest and relax and not have to do things. That's good for you too.

[greetingsbydebra]

I hit slumps, too. One thing I sometimes do is give myself permission to make a really ugly card. The worst, unmatched, badly designed and horrible card I can create. It takes the pressure off so I can stamp whatever comes to mind.

[scrappinchick]

I get that way often, usually cause my mind is elsewhere, and to sit and TRY and relax and think, just is too much!! lol I do like to re-organize, clean the area, or surf the gallery or a magazine to help me out of the slump. What gets me going is when someone calls and MUST have a card made ASAP to give to someone, and I have to get it made! lol :p

[longtimestamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greetingsbydebra

I hit slumps, too. One thing I sometimes do is give myself permission to make a really ugly card. The worst, unmatched, badly designed and horrible card I can create. It takes the pressure off so I can stamp whatever comes to mind.

You and I are on the same page! I was just going to say, "Go stamp something green. Make it really bad. Then wad it all up and throw it away." There is a halfway decent chance that while you are making sometihng bad your inner artist will start whispering, "it would look better if you did..."

[Happy Heart]

Yup! That happens to all of us at one time or another. I've heard it called "rubber rot"! I find if I don't dwell on it, it passes rather quickly, and I'm back to being a stamping maniac before you know it!
It sometimes helps me to look through gift catalogs for inspiration. A piece of pottery or a floral skirt might trigger an idea. At times, a color scheme in a decorating magazine will get me going. I once made a card that was inspired while I was de-fragging my hard drive! You never know where the next idea will come from!

[HB]

Carla, I sooooo can relate! Sometimes my job takes way more of my brain than it has the right too :(. When it does, I tend to spend alot of time in the SCS galleries hoping that something/someone will trigger my creative juices.

[auntie65]

The challenges are a great starting point! There's no decision on some of the things that may be stumping you. Have a look a past challenges! I've made some that I've said "Oh dear!" but posted anyway for fun. It gives you positive feedback too.LOL
All the challenges help stretch me in directions I wouldn't have thought about doing!

[Sherlie]

I am in a slump too,,,, and this too shall pass...


as soon as I can get the new stamps in the mini and the new paper colors,,,, LOL,,, I will recover.

[cardsbycarla]

What a great bunch of girls you are! Thanks for that! I went to Michael's today and bought the Making Memories magnetic expressions - sort of a pick-me-up or a kick-in-the-*** I guess. I also thought a $150 SU! order would also be something I needed. Ya just gotta do what ya just gotta do - right?

I love all your suggestions - but more then anything, thanks for taking the time to write back. I hope to be back in the saddle (gallery) again soon!!!

Carla.

[raduse]

Hang in there Carla. This happens to us all. Look forward to seeing your cards again soon.

[kristransue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by auntie65

The challenges are a great starting point! There's no decision on some of the things that may be stumping you. Have a look a past challenges! I've made some that I've said "Oh dear!" but posted anyway for fun. It gives you positive feedback too.LOL
All the challenges help stretch me in directions I wouldn't have thought about doing!

I totally agree, I have been slumpy and so I went straight for the challenges, and to really make it interesting I did a monochromatic card in mint melody . . . hard to make that pretty, then post it and say, "Its a challenge card" That way it isn't YOU that made it bad, it was those darn challenge rules!