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klh54
BucketHead
PeaNut 257883 - 4/17/2006
Posts: 974 Layouts: 29
Loc: Louisiana
 |  Posted: 5/16/2009 9:39:32 PM
inept! It seems to take me a while to hit on something I like and think is good enough to give to someone. I just wonder how many people, even published people make several trials and errors before turning out a publish worthy card. Anyone know what I mean? Or is it just me? |
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Deena714
Half of NSBR's favorite power couple
PeaNut 64257 - 1/22/2003
Posts: 16416 Layouts: 88
Loc: Your Mom's house
Count: 1 | Posted: 5/16/2009 10:17:52 PM
I don't really submit cards to be published, so I can't help you there.
But as far as giving them away, I sometimes go through MANY versions of things (without gluing down) before I commit! And I often start by copying someone else's card. Mine could be exactly the same and I still think mine is not good enough! I rarely think my cards are that good, but luckily the recipients really seem to like them. |
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klh54
BucketHead
PeaNut 257883 - 4/17/2006
Posts: 974 Layouts: 29
Loc: Louisiana
| Posted: 5/16/2009 10:24:33 PM
Oh I have no desires to publish my cards, either-I just wonder if those who do have as many problems just getting one acceptable card made! Most of the people who get my cards really appreciate them too-as do I when I get one-but I just wish I could turn out a really good card the first time instead of so many prototypes that end up in the trash!!! |
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looser
The Craft Curmudgeon
PeaNut 256594 - 4/7/2006
Posts: 5675 Layouts: 179
Count: 27 |  Posted: 5/17/2009 9:35:00 AM
LOL, 'K'! I do know what you mean! So glad you started this thread!
First off? Knock off the 'inept' label! Getting 'ept' requires practice--including trial & error; time & effort. I have yet to meet any crafter--stampers included--who did 'perfect' from the gitgo.
Although I haven't had published (stamped) cards, I have had stamped projects in print. Yes. I had to do several to achieve the design & results that satisfied me (first) & the editor (second). We are always hardest on ourselves & that's natural, but worth working at to get less tuff on ourselves. Otherwise we'd never share anything we do & that would be sad.
What you've written in your OP got me thinking. Sending a stamped card to someone is a form of 'publishing'--albeit only for one subscriber. But the person who receives your card will (often) show it to others--so the audience becomes larger.
I strongly urge you to drop 'perfect' from your list of 'musts'. From my experience it's 'death on creating'. Keep on keepin' on & you'll be 'ept' before you know it! |
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ozzigirl
Stamp-ha-pea
PeaNut 56020 - 11/17/2002
Posts: 10737 Layouts: 392
Loc: California
 | Posted: 5/17/2009 11:09:40 AM
Let she (or he) who is perfect cast the first ink-pad!!
It's always trial and error, sometimes you get it right first try, sometimes not. Most often for me it's the process that's fun, seeing what evolves, starting out without a firm game-plan and just letting the cards 'happen' as you play.
Don't get hung up on perfect, there's no such thing, just have fun and see what comes of it. If you think a card came out all wrong, set it aside for a while - maybe you can salvage it, or use pieces of it for another project. |
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klh54
BucketHead
PeaNut 257883 - 4/17/2006
Posts: 974 Layouts: 29
Loc: Louisiana
| Posted: 5/17/2009 2:20:54 PM
Came home from church and am getting a lot more done today! Thanks for all the encouragement. I used to teach 4th and 6th grade and had a few students who never wanted to work hard on their papers. They thought the rough draft WAS their final copy. LOL!! So I guess I'm slightly guilty of the same thinking. I like the idea of setting aside cards that I don't think are acceptable and using parts of them later on!! i've done that once or twice but have forgotten lately and just tossed my "less than perfect" creations in the trash Try as I might, God just won't let me be a perfectionist- guess He knows what kind of "monster" I'd be if that ever happened!!!! |
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fritzi164
100 cans of Peas on the Wall...
PeaNut 396039 - 10/19/2008
Posts: 100 Layouts: 1
Loc: new jersey
 | Posted: 5/17/2009 3:41:24 PM
I have been making cards for about a month, and really enjoying ,,the way I look at it is,,the person receiving the card is so appreciative that I took the time to make card by hand,, it is one of a kind, nothing to compare to , so how can it be bad? | |
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stampwilly
PeaNut
PeaNut 249470 - 2/18/2006
Posts: 296 Layouts: 0
Loc: South Carolina
Count: 6 | Posted: 5/17/2009 4:52:31 PM
I have had to try several attempts on a lot of cards to get the look I want, but I have found that the cards I do best on are ones that I use my scraps with and I have an image already stamped. Sometimes when I have an idea, I can't translate it on paper very well if you know what I mean. Anyway, I know we all have had a hard time one time or another!
Stampwilly | |
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scrapladyb
AncestralPea
PeaNut 151242 - 6/9/2004
Posts: 4257 Layouts: 60
Loc: Fargo ND USA
 | Posted: 5/18/2009 8:44:56 AM
I don't really submit to be published either.. alto some ppl say I cud... I do it for the sheer pleasure. I love it..
sometimes, It takes me a while and others it doesn't.
I just work and create till I look at it, and I love it.
I figure if it looks good to me, others will like it too.
No pressure.
This is supposed to be fun, right?
Just create. and have fun. |
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klh54
BucketHead
PeaNut 257883 - 4/17/2006
Posts: 974 Layouts: 29
Loc: Louisiana
| Posted: 5/18/2009 10:37:46 AM
THanks Scrapladyb-I appreciate the reminder to just have fun, no pressure. I visited your photo blog-Awesome photos!! |
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looser
The Craft Curmudgeon
PeaNut 256594 - 4/7/2006
Posts: 5675 Layouts: 179
Count: 27 | Posted: 5/18/2009 4:18:05 PM
Not all 'pressure' is bad. As an 'exspurt' (former 'drip' under pressure) , I require the challenge of goals in my creative work--talking about technique & process. Gaining skill in those areas allows me to expand my creativity.
Whether self-imposed or from others, 'pressure' is a useful thing. How much is too much is something each artist has to answer for him/her self.
Far as the 'Fun' aspect? Means different things to different folk. I happen to find spending hours & days working on creating a design &/or technique--only to have it turn out 'gawdawful'--a kind of fun (not always, but often enough).
Have 'FUN' "K"! Up to you to decide what it means to you. BTW? When I was a college frosh, I aced Comp 102 with my 'first drafts' as the final ones. Was I that great a writer? Nope! But I wowed the prof (Department Chair) with my ability to write sentences with balanced prepositional phrases & knew how to use a semi-colon. Guess what? I picked the technique up in a summer course just after HS graduation. |
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Tashakara
PeaNut
PeaNut 419867 - 4/19/2009
Posts: 23 Layouts: 2
Loc: Toronto, Ontario
Count: 1 | Posted: 5/18/2009 7:45:14 PM
I am so glad to see this post. I was just wondering the same thing. I am still new at this, and I find it takes me FOREVER to decide which papers, stamps, sentiments, ect.... to use and put a card or layout together. On top of that I have serious commitment issues, so I won't glue anything down, cause that means I will have to stick with it, "and what if I change my mind or find something nicer to use??" So I too was wondering if it takes others as long and if they get it right the first time or is it a process that gets better/quicker with experience?
I have loved reading all your responses and suddenly feel less pressured to get it all right in one go in record time. Thanks for this  )
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rubberlin
PeaNut
PeaNut 74947 - 3/11/2003
Posts: 121 Layouts: 0
Count: 7 | Posted: 5/18/2009 9:50:29 PM
Wow. Great post with interesting replies. Am adding 2 cents worth from a seasoned stamper who does submit to to the 'zines & is regularly published. Trial & error is perfectly normal, so don't despair. You'll improve the more you practice. My advice is to use repositional adhesive, and move the elements around until you're satisfied. Setting a project aside for awhile also helps you to see it with new eyes. Even if you adhered something permanently, it can always be removed with Un-Du, so nothing is ever beyond salvaging. Happy stamping! MzLin | |
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skrapchik
* PEAs & quiet *
PeaNut 600 - 6/5/1999
Posts: 11048 Layouts: 321
Count: 31 |  Posted: 5/19/2009 12:38:50 PM
Love this post. I've been stamping since around 1990.
I'm truly a stamping heathen.
The fun part of
stamping for me is learning. I'm not a great stamper,
but I  it. I've never made a perfect card. I've
thrown away many two hour attempts at the perfect card.
Stamp & enjoy |
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looser
The Craft Curmudgeon
PeaNut 256594 - 4/7/2006
Posts: 5675 Layouts: 179
Count: 27 | Posted: 5/19/2009 3:32:32 PM
Great tip about the 'repositionable adhesive', Rubberlin! It has made doing many different compositions from one batch of stamped elements so much easier--'specially if you have an all-in-one printer. Here's what I do:
1. Use only black ink & white paper.
2. Stamp all the images you want to use--stamp a few more than you think you need.
3. Cut the images out--they don't have to fine cutouts always.
4. Apply 'RA' to them & let it set up.
5. Create a 'design' & make a hard copy with your printer.
6. Remove the stamp images & repeat step 5 'til you have as many 'templates' as you want.
To use your chosen template, pick inks & papers & follow your B&W design. |
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rubberlin
PeaNut
PeaNut 74947 - 3/11/2003
Posts: 121 Layouts: 0
Count: 7 | Posted: 5/20/2009 9:54:18 AM
FANTASTIC suggestion, Daniel. Especially for those big projects when you need lots of cards like the holidays. This thread has been most enlightening. Good ideas, everyone! MzLin | |
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looser
The Craft Curmudgeon
PeaNut 256594 - 4/7/2006
Posts: 5675 Layouts: 179
Count: 27 | Posted: 5/20/2009 3:19:00 PM
Thanx, 'Lin'. I only wish that doing design/layout variations had been that easy when I was doing 'General Crafts Project books. |
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looser
The Craft Curmudgeon
PeaNut 256594 - 4/7/2006
Posts: 5675 Layouts: 179
Count: 27 | Posted: 5/21/2009 3:39:28 PM
Wanted to add to my 'template' suggestion... When I make a copy of it I write notes on the page. Such as; this requires masking, might be good with these colors, etc. Like jotting notes in a textbook/journal. You're creating your own personal 'designer idea notebook'! And you don't have to worry about scanning & such. |
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klh54
BucketHead
PeaNut 257883 - 4/17/2006
Posts: 974 Layouts: 29
Loc: Louisiana
| Posted: 5/22/2009 10:05:52 AM
great suggestions Daniel!!-I hope to implement some of them after I do my duty! Menu planning, grocery shopping, one load of laundry |
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tami sanders
PeaAddict
PeaNut 119907 - 12/16/2003
Posts: 1020 Layouts: 83
Loc: San Antonio, TX
Count: 1 | Posted: 5/28/2009 11:05:37 PM
let's just say i could buy STOCK in undu! LOL!
i think, i plan, i layout - THEN i glue... only to REthink, REplan, and REglue! LOL!
i made dozens of cards and only a few seem worthy to submit, and of those, only 1 in maybe 20 get pubbed... IF, i'm lucky!
if i'm just making cards for friends, i'm not as hard on myself, most appreciate the fact that i took the time to make them something!
when i'm in a hurry, i like to just flip through a magazine and scraplift a card i like. someone already took the time to think it out, plan all the design elements, all i have to do is COPY it! that's easy! it doesn't matter if the theme or colors don't match the occasion i need a card for - those things i can change.
and i agree with looser - change inept to inexperienced. and experience is something EASY to get. just cut out some pics of cards you like from a card magazine and copy them in your own style. Once you get the hang of how to balance things, and get some fresh ideas for embellishing, you'll be on your way to making your OWN unique cards with your OWN style! |
-Tami
my blog
my resume
happy to be scrap'n with ---
Reminisce, Daisy Bucket {AKA Shabby Green Door} and Harlee Quinnz Design Teams!!!
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Chichi Labamba
PeaNut
PeaNut 424913 - 6/1/2009
Posts: 475 Layouts: 10
Loc: Southern California
Count: 2 | Posted: 6/1/2009 12:14:47 PM
As with anything I make, I almost always make a mistake. That makes me think outside the box and fix it by adding another element to my card/page/object. It usually works and nobody knows that I screwed up in the first place. I must say that if it's something important that I'm submitting, I do put a lot of thought into it before I cut my first piece of paper. | |
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looser
The Craft Curmudgeon
PeaNut 256594 - 4/7/2006
Posts: 5675 Layouts: 179
Count: 27 | Posted: 6/1/2009 12:27:23 PM
LOL, 'Chichi'! Regardless of the 'thinking & planning', the 'first cut/stamping' is always the toughest, ain't it! Once you're 'committed', there's no going back. And I bet lots of you thought 'committment' (or the fear thereof) was just a 'guy' thing!  |
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ozzigirl
Stamp-ha-pea
PeaNut 56020 - 11/17/2002
Posts: 10737 Layouts: 392
Loc: California
| Posted: 6/2/2009 11:03:32 AM
I just posted an 'oops' card on my blog, and showed how I fixed it. I'm telling you, it happens all the time, even if you've been stamping forevah!  |
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MargertAnn
AncestralPea
PeaNut 61474 - 1/9/2003
Posts: 4463 Layouts: 467
Loc: In an altered state of mind | Posted: 6/7/2009 12:06:32 AM
the absolute best projects come from trying to cover up mistakes made. No kidding! | |
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klh54
BucketHead
PeaNut 257883 - 4/17/2006
Posts: 974 Layouts: 29
Loc: Louisiana
| Posted: 6/7/2009 7:55:29 AM
Just checked out your blog, Sue-thanks for sharing your "oops" and your fix. I have done that when possible too!! I love your cards and did make 25 + 2 for the cardsforheroes as well. I'm working on my second batch right now
thanks for sharing
Kathy |
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djc
Olympian Pea
PeaNut 108705 - 9/27/2003
Posts: 21583 Layouts: 285
Count: 1 | Posted: 6/7/2009 1:34:01 PM
the absolute best projects come from trying to cover up mistakes made. No kidding!
Margert Ann, that was exactly the concept I was thinking of when I started A Thread for Newbies by Newbies (Voices of Experience Welcomed and Appreciated. It went way beyond that idea, but I still would love to read about how people fix their bloopers.
let's just say i could buy STOCK in undu! LOL!
Tami, I was going to say this!
Daria | |
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