Before the month ends, I do want to try to make some stamped cards for Christmas, Halloween, birthdays and get-well because most of the cards I have made this month, the cards that have fallen together easily and have given me a sense of accomplishment, have tended to be those based on photography and ephemera, rather than stamped images. And the ephemera cards don't seem to be occasion or holiday related.
I'm hoping this month long exploration will help me determine if I should STOP buying more card-making related stamps and PURGE more of my existing stamp collection.
I'm also thinking that maybe I just need to get better at sending out cards. Because I think some of my disaffection for card making is tied to the fact that they tend to stack up in my studio, rather than making their way into the post.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and input on my musings.
I'm such a collector that you'll never catch me advising someone to purge! Though it does sound like you don't really need to buy more stamps if you can make cards you love with photographic elements. That's where your heart lies at the minute I think
ReplyDeleteLearning what doesn't work for us is as valuable as knowing what does ... If you can make lovely cards with photos which leave you feeling staisfied, then perhaps that's the way to go?
ReplyDeleteI am with you on feeling a bit unsatisfied with card making. It's something I want to do less and less! I buy quite a few cards nowadays. I think Alexa is spot on when she says it's just as valuable to learn that something doesn't work for us as knowing what does. And we all have limited time right?
ReplyDeleteI love card making, but have recently found it difficult to shift back and forth between that and catching up with Project Life. All my friends expect handmade cards since I've been doing this for over 20 years now. I need four cards very shortly so I hope my mojo comes back soon. I do believe Alexa is right, we need to figure out what gives us satisfaction and pleasure and put our time and talents there.
ReplyDeleteI'm such a magpie. I wish I could get myself organised to do this wonderful exercise. I am sure it would do me good.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't feel the same joy in card making as you do in scrapbooking and art journaling I just wouldn't bother about it any much longer. Creativity is also about having fun and feel joy, and if you don't experience this with card making who go on with it? If you say it's a bit of a chore then this is a pretty good sign you should do all those creative endeavors that actually bring you joy.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my 'crafty' life started out with card making, it's not something I get any real pleasure from these days(in fact for quite some time now) and I hardly ever even THINK about making one! Xx
ReplyDeleteCard making is my first love - so I can't help you there. But as far as sending them out, I started a RAK list (mostly family including all the nieces and nephews who are out of the house now) and would randomly sort the list and sent out a card about every 2 weeks. My Dad always forgot what RAK meant, so it has now become HAPPY MAIL (I even have a couple stamps that say that to stamp the envelope) and I've added a few friends etc. to the list. Everyone enjoys receiving something unexpected in the mail!
ReplyDeleteI typically only make cards when I need one & am ready to send it out, so I don't have a stash of them. I have really enjoyed making my Christmas cards the last couple of years and will continue to do that maybe starting in June this year. :)
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post I looked at my top shelf laden with stamps and thought - I haven't used these in years. Hmmm, maybe it's time to do some purging here.
ReplyDelete