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Hi!
I've been stamping about 2 years, yet as much as I enjoy this hobby, I also find it a frustrating journey!
For instance, I just got 2 super cute new stamp sets from Hero arts, Ocean of Joy (Poly clear), and Hugs and Kisses Birds (clings).
Yet, I just can't come up with a decent layout for either set. I really don't get it. I was super excited, and now I'm just kinda bummed and frustrated.
Any suggestions would be welcomed. I've already looked at the SCS gallery for some ideas, but nothing there sparked my mojo, at least with these sets!
I like to look at the colors and patterns of my cardstock and papers, embellies I have laying around, then fool around with them until I find an arrangement I like. Then the stamp usually comes after that. Or, sometimes I stamp several images off the stamp and color them then go back to the papers.
__________________ Well behaved women rarely make history.
I love finding inspiration right here on SCS. I look through the gallery alot and favorite some that I like the layout/colors or other ideas on. Then later I can look back through my favorites and find one that has the same size image that I need in a layout that I like and work off those ideas. I also love to participate in challenges and they really help me a lot.
Another thing you might look for ideas using those specific stamp sets if there's a gallery or search word and go from there. I don't copy cards exactly but I find it a great starting point.
If you're really frustrated, go to a set you love, or even just start with a favorite color combination or embellishment. Maybe just take a break from creating for a few days or weeks.
Hope you get your crafting joy back!
__________________ Sending you a SMILE! :p
This is the day the Lord has made, let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it!
I have to agree, the challenges are a fantastic place to start! There are lots of challenges here on SCS, and there are lots on other blogs and websites. Start with a sketch challenge if you are having troubles coming up with a layout, or try a color combination to get you started working with different colors! They really are an excellent resource and a great starting off point!
I think the best thing you can do is check out the sketch challenges - those layouts are sure-fire winners! They have them every Wednesday here on SCS, and a number of other places post them weekly also (ie. Mojo Mondays at Verve, Taylored Expressions, Sketch For You To Try by Jen del Muro, and there are TONS more).
You should do some blog-hopping too to see what turns your crank!
Good luck!
__________________ Check out my blog for ramblings and samples: here
I always go to the sketch ideas. I printed out all of them and then just look for a layout I like and the rest falls in place. Sometimes its hard to imagine your stamp set when the card you are viewing is Christmas, Hope this helps!/
I agree with everyone so far! I have about 500 favorites saved here and I frequently browse through them looking for several things: a layout to copy, a color scheme to copy, a technique I want to try... Most of the time I am CASEing the card exactly, because I love it just the way it is!
Trying some of the challenges are a great idea too - sketch challenges especially. I recently saved the sketch challenge word docs (in the sketch challenge forum) to my computer so that I could glance at all of the layouts just by scrolling down in the document.
I would also try searching for your stamps names in the gallery - other people may have posted cards using those same stamps.
Sometimes I freeze up because I have too many choices, and can't decide what I want to do, so I try to find a card I like thru SCS, other blogs, magazines etc., and then CASE the card almost exactly. Ater I have CASE'd the card, I kind of I kind of study it to see what it is that makes it work (layout, colors, style of stamps etc), then make another one, but try to change things like colors, stamps etc to make it my own, yet still keeping the "spirit" of the design. Making the first card just gets my brain jump-started about all the other possibilites and it kind of gives me some boundries so I'm not overwhelmed with too many choices and become unable to settle on anything. It's amazing how well this works for me. I can go into my stamp room not very enthused, and come out 3 or 4 hours later with 3 or 4 cards that I am really phyched about!
where do you get your mojo/inspiration?
