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It's killing me but my stamp sets just aren't inspiring me right now. I've been through the gallery with almost everyone of my sets and I still go, "UGH! I just know what to do with these things!" Some of them I have had for a long time and others are new acquisitions. One set I keep looking at and wondering why I bought it in the first place. Oh yeah, it had that pretty violet on it. Yep, I bought Heaven Scent only because of the violet. Nothing else. Several of my sets are like that. I bought them because I liked one or two stamps in the set.
I'm sure that a lot of this is just a creative block, but it's driving me up the wall. I can't even get motivated to do any of the challenges, which normally work for me. <sigh> Anyone got any ideas how to get over this? I'm trying really hard not to put all my sets up for sale LOL!!
__________________ Michelle
Docorate of De-Edumacation, Lawd, How Cum granted by Rainsong
"What's life if not doing things for other people?" Martin Gray
Actually, I was just going to say -- I have sort of "gotten over" the idea of hanging on to sets forever. I like to refresh what I have every so often. New sets usually lead to new inspiration for me!
I guess I'm not really helping . . .
Maybe some new ribbon or embellishment?!?
Or what if you reorganize, clean, (whatever) your stamping area? I find that sometimes as I'm going through my papers, embellishments, etc, the ideas start to flow. Other times I just "play " with my stamps on scrap paper -try different techniques, colors, etc. I may never use the images I stamp, but doing it as playing seems to take the pressure off me.
Thanks, ladies. Yes; I do need to clean my stamping area. It got a bit cluttered when I went through a scrapping blitz. I have taken a break (a 3 week break) and I do need to reevaluate my sets to see which I am really not using but hanging on to for sentimental reasons. Then I can use the money for other things like, oh, more stamps!
__________________ Michelle
Docorate of De-Edumacation, Lawd, How Cum granted by Rainsong
"What's life if not doing things for other people?" Martin Gray
I went through a short time like that too, just in the last few weeks. I am on disability, so thats all I do all day long is stamp. You get a little tired of it. I didn't have a single thing on my stamping desk for a full week. Then Sunday I went at it like Gangbusters! Today, I'm back to not feeling too inspired again. I seems like if you force yourself to do it, it just gets worse. So, hang back, like someone else said, go through your stuff, sometimes that helps. But, remember that you do it for FUN, and if you don't want to do it, just don't.
__________________
You don't have to take on the world, just get on its good side.
get yourself a pint (or quart if necessary) of ooie, gooie, double chocolate ice cream; a big spoon and find a nice quiet spot by yourself (so you don't have to share); put on some music you like and just go to it - one slow spoon at a time.
get yourself a pint (or quart if necessary) of ooie, gooie, double chocolate ice cream; a big spoon and find a nice quiet spot by yourself (so you don't have to share); put on some music you like and just go to it - one slow spoon at a time.
Oh - I like the ice cream advice! Call up a friend who also stamps. Invite her over for ice cream! Tell her to bring some stamp sets that she would be willing to part with for a while. Trade with her for a few months. That way you get some new sets, which might inspire you, and when she returns your old sets, maybe she'll have some new ideas for them that you had not thought of.
I've gone through this myself several times. In fact, I've got a mild case right now! I've heard it called "rubber rot". I always snap out of it, but never for the same reason. Cleaning and re-organizing has worked for me in the past. I find things I'd forgotten about that inspire me with new ideas. I've learned not to obsess about it and just let things take their course. This, too, shall pass!
__________________ "Life is much too important to be taken seriously." Oscar Wilde Proud to be a member of Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge DT! My BlogMy Gallery
I've been there several times, in fact right now I sorta feel that way too. I "WANT" to stamp and create beautiful creations, but I don't feel like it. Know what I mean? I've been stamping since 1999 and there was a year or so in between where I pretty much stopped stamping due to many things happening in my life such as a new job, new house, getting pregnant and having my DD, etc! Now as a SAHM, it is a lifesaving thing for me to 'retreat' to stamping and forget about being a mommy for a little bit! If I don't stamp, I just lurk on SCS (sometimes participate) and look thru the gallery also. I like to have several cards on hand, ready to swap when I receive a card in the mail so if I'm running low I feel 'pressured' to make more cards but not in a bad way. I guess I'd say it keeps me on my feet.
__________________ ~ Wendy ~ *AVATAR--That's my DD's cute feet at the beach when she was 18 months old! She's 5 now!Where did the time go???
I'm right there with you! I haven't stamped once since coming back from convention. All the cards I made this month were made from my card front swaps that I've had for year or so (all using retired sets).
I've got a workshop next week though so maybe that will spark my creativity again!
__________________ GOD BLESSOURTROOPS The way to know life is to love many things. ---Vincent Van Gogh
This is gonna sound slightly heretical, so get your paper bag ready, lol.
Have you ever tried mixing your sets up? Put flowers with flowers, words with words, bugs with bugs, etc. When I am not constrained by limiting myself to just the set's images, I have more fun.
A caution, though, take pictures of your sets before separating them, because if you do decide to sell them down the road it's helpful to see at a glance which stamp goes with what set.
Sometimes when this happens, I give myself a personal challenge. Using a new color combo, or little used embellishment, or a set that's been neglected, and just let my mind go where it needs to go. Other times, reorganzing, dusting off, redoing ribbons, and such, making it all clean again, can get the rubber rot to leave.
Take a deep breath, it will come back, it always does.................
Sometimes picking a charity/cause/organization and giving away a whole batch of unused cards is enough to get me started. Or pick a fundraiser and make a SIMPLE style card in sets of ten....
... maybe 4-H kids need cow cards for their auction
... or the church could sell "verse" cards alongside cookies at the bake sale.
... or happy band-aid cards for the paramedics auxiliary?
I am in this same position now :( Some sets I don't think I ever used but "had" to have because of sellabration or "just because". I'm really tempted to go through my sets and either trade or sell them. I figure then I can buy more
These are all great suggestions. Cleaning and taking a break are definite musts. Then -- sell or trade! I do it all the time and never have regretted it.
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
I alternate stamping cards and scrapping. When I get stamping block, I go organize digital pics, print some , and then make a few pages. I am doing one today when DS takes a nap --- it was from winter with him and his cousin making a snowman. I may stamp a snowman -- maybe stickers -- maybe a die-cut. Anyway, it shifts my creative focus from what to to with a certain stamp (or 100 sets of stamps) to what can I do with this picture.
This really helps my creative brain get flowing as well as use all my scrapping supplies. I have a bunch of non-su stuff I need to use up.
Good luck!!
The ice cream couldn't hurt either. If you don't get over it, post what sets you have and I'll tell you which to mail me hehehe
Thanks everyone. I still feel "slumpy" but I did manage to make a card last night, My pink slump card and I put a few of my "never use 'em why did I buy 'em" sets up for sale or trade. I ended up making a trade this morning and then my (about to turn) 10 yo dd reminded me that *that* was the set she wanted to use for her birthday invitations. Oooops! So this morning I cranked out her invitations and cleaned the stamp to send out. Sheesh!! She keeps walking by me giving me the evil eye (and she has a truly evil eye!) LOL!! OK, from now on I will consult all members of my household before making decisions on MY stamps! I'll try to post the invitation after we get back from our homeschool resource day.
__________________ Michelle
Docorate of De-Edumacation, Lawd, How Cum granted by Rainsong
"What's life if not doing things for other people?" Martin Gray
I feel your pain, definitely. I've been through this many times....thinking to myself "what was I thinking? Why have I spent all this money on this junk? I don't even use it much." I always found out that attending, or even hosting, a workshop got the excitement and momentum flowing again. If you don't know anyone who is having a workshop, or if hosting your own is not an option for you, call your demonstrator. Ask her if she has any workshops coming up that you could attend. And don't feel bad about that, people generally want more people at their parties. If that is not an option for you, just simply place an order, even if it is just a small one....we ladies always love getting new stuff. But in the end, sit back and relax. Don't stress yourself out about it. It is, after all, a hobby. A very expensive hobby, but it is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Sit down and do a scrapbook page. It's very exciting to see your finished creation. It will come back to you, just give it some time.
I had that happen with a new set recently. I even had ideas for a couple cards to make and it just wouldn't work. So I left it, used other sets, then my ideas started to work for that first set. It's frustrating for sure.
How about picking a person to make a "no reason" card for? To get your creative juices flowing.
Falling out of love with my sets :(
