Overwhelmed by techniques?
 

I am a technique aholic. There I said it. I find that I sometimes use so many techniques on a card that my card can look "used" before I send it.
Any of you have the same problem? How can I cure myself?
Happy creating to all.

You sound so creative, and ready to push the envelope (or cardstock, lol)! I admire folks who do lots of techniques, but it is just is not my thing.

I like cardstock: embossed or patterned, stamps: outline and colored in! Then add something shiny like foil, stickles or gems, and I'm done.

The idea of making my own backgrounds with stamps or different kinds of materials does not appeal to me. No alcohol inks or gelatos. Come to think of it, I didn't much like finger painting as a kid in school, either.:wink:

Pretty boring to you technique junkies, but I like it.:)

And here I was thinking I wish I could simplify and make mt cards look neater.

I don't think there really is a cure... and if there was and it meant giving up all that play time would you still really want it?

what if you mount your mixed media messy pieces to say clean card bases as a layer? so you build the card front as a separate piece and then your card it self is clean from what ever you were doing?

estamps -- YES! I don't try to do a multitude of different techniques on the same card, but I am most definitely overwhelmed by all the techniques out there.

My biggest and most troublesome problem in this regard is that I find it near impossible to settle on what sort of card I want to make (and the technique(s) associated with said card). I will think I have settled on something and then --BAM-- I come across something else really gorgeous and interesting (new techniques, of course) and change my mind.... and change my mind, etc.

I loathe to admit this, but it has taken me months to settle on a design/technique(s), in the past. I usually do not decide until I am forced to, due to time constraints/deadlines.

I am a technique hoarder. I have saved tons of tutorials and youtube videos of many techniques. When it comes time to make something, I don't even bother looking through all the different techniques. I am generally looking at something on Pinterest and trying to make a card that looks similar. I love watching new techniques, I love saving techniques for future use -- but do I use them? No! I think that having so many (too many) choices stops me from picking one,

When my sister stamps with me, she peeks over my card and ALWAYS whispers, "Less is more, boys and girls, less is more". And it always just cracks me up!

I probably need your sister at my shoulder. I think More is More. I always get my card finished, look at it, and then think.....Well, maybe a little Stickles here, and a gem there!:)

I always think about what a friend used to say when she thought someone we knew was overdressed: "She looks like she just emptied her jewelry box today.":mrgreen:

When I think of Less is More, I think of the old adage.before you go out look in the mirror and take one thing off. Lol

I love techniques, too :) We have a facebook site where I post a technique video once a month and people make cards using the technique and we all get inspired. It may help focus you. :)

Creative Challenge - Friends GatherInk

Rina

I love techniques; every one I learn brings me closer to what fits best. When learning new techniques at LSS's, I also love techniques that don't ring my chimes and that I'll never use again. It's like the mist (not Misti!) clears away and what's left is really mine. Finding a voice, to mix metaphors. : )

I like this! I'm up for trying anything once so long as I have the supplies needed. Some things I'll never try again, but some that I didn't expect to become tried and trusted go-to techniques. So it's always worth trying something new.

"So it's always worth trying something new."

Yes! Or you may tweak the technique to make it yours.

And when others use the techniques that aren't "mine," I can appreciate them even more, having spent a bit of time learning them. It's like art or books you may not choose for yourself, but realize the value.

Hi all! I guess I'm bumping this. I am actually in the process of figuring out my creative process for making cards. I can get paralyzed by analysis and take so long figuring out what I want to do without actually starting on the darn card! Lol! Tossing in the techniques definitely causes some chaos . . creative chaos . . . right. I try to limit myself to less than 3 techniques a card.

Welcome!

Maybe we could play a solo grame with ourselves? Jot down or type a list of techniques and/or supplies you know and have. Cut the list up - one technique or supply per strip. Put them in a container and pull two out. Those are the ones for the next card or even on a piece of cardstock or watercolor paper. You could end up with a techniques resource pile. So here are some techniques and supplies that come to mind (and feel free to add to it) but we'd each have our own unique list:

Watercolors

Markers or colored pencils, etc.

Gelatos

Color Bursts

Distress crayons

Embossing paste or texture paste

Crackle embossing paste

Stencils with paste

Stencils with gelatos

Stencils with Color Bursts

Stencils with ink

Stamps with Gelatos

Embossing

Stamping

Background stamping

Quilting

Multi Folds

4 layers

3 layers

Die cuts

Cut files

Sewing

Embellishments: 1 type

Embellishments: 2 types

Vellum or acetate

3 paper colors

3 paper patterns

2 colors and 1 pattern

Black paper background (I keep forgetting how cool it looks with some colors and techniques. An instructor at my LSS yesterday showed me a black card with turquoise glitter paste on it. I'm not a glitter paste user but it was stunning.)

I'm sure I'm missing tons.

I hope everyone is having or has had a good Memorial Day weekend. (And yay Nats!)

More:

Hand cut stencil

Abstract

Sentiments in three locations (or two)

Sentiment hand written or painted

Sentiment cut from a magazine or typed

Collage using gel medium

Animals (dogs/cats/wild animals/birds/etc.)

Nature

People

Primary Colors

Secondary Colors

Pastel colors

I'll stop now; getting dizzy. ; )

Wow what great ideas for more techniques I havent thought of in a long time. I may never send a card as it will be unfinished.

I just returned from a class where we made 10 cards, all different techniques. My brain is full; my head hurts. But what fun!

That sounds like so much fun! I haven't been to a crop and such and would love to!

I've never been to a crop either, and have a feeling I wouldn't get anything done. Even in a class I can be distracted.

This was a three-hour card-making "frenzy" class led by the LSS owner, a wonderful instructor. It was fun trying out new (to me) media and techniques, along with different stamps and dies. And bless her heart, she had done all the paper and die cutting in advance, so we could concentrate on the meat.

We used alcohol inks on transluscent Yupo paper (crazy addictive!), Neon Amplify, Paper Soft, and some newer tools.

I liked that I learned what wasn't my cuppa as much as what was.

Funny! I'm trying to make simpler cards so I CAN actually mail some out. I used to make some really detailed cards (and still do for special occasions) AND include long missives. A dear friend sends out post cards about once a month or so and I LOVE getting them. . . lightbulb. . . simple is just as good when well done and the note need only say "Hi" to make someone smile!
That said I do love learning new techniques or folds whether I ever do them again, they were still fun to learn! I can certainly see where it can be overwhelming!

Rina, I just joined, but I don't see a project for June? It's probably too late for me to get anything done, but I still like to look!