Be Happy

 

There are just days when my creativity is asleep. No matter how hard I try, I just can't get past the mental or creative block. If I force it, I end up creating something really simple that makes me feel "meh". On the other hand, if I stay away from creating for too long, it takes even more time to get back into the flow of things.

I haven't figured out the solution yet, but I think it's worth exploring different types of creativity at times like these. I might not be able to pull off a complete card, but I could play with die-cuts or do some coloring. One big thing I'm trying to keep in mind is that it's okay to just play. I don't have to complete a project every crafty session. Sometimes starting it and walking away when I get stuck gives me that clarity to know what I want to do when I came back to it.

Hello Girl

 

A while back, I purchased a few pieces of 12x12 scrapbook paper with the idea of trimming it down to use as a card front. Most of the papers ended up being far too large and too finicky to use on a card, but a couple of pieces looked like they could make a good focal point.

I combined one of those focal points with a die-cut from a die-cut pack. While it's not one of my more complicated cards, I feel like it was a good learning experience - if nothing else, then how to be more careful and selective about my purchases. I still have several 12x12 papers, but they are using as backgrounds when I take card pictures. 

If I do purchase more of 12x12 paper, I will pay more attention to the size and scale of the pattern.

Made for each other

 

We are getting close to Valentine's Day! I haven't made very many love-themed cards yet this year, but I may do so throughout the year as I am with Christmas cards. I find that one can never share enough love, so love cards usually get made a lot in my crafty space.

 I have gone through and reorganized some of my supplies a little. I like to periodically look through my stash - even when it's been organized in a way that works for me. I can pull out seasonal supplies or supplies I would like to use in the near future and remind myself of goodies I might have forgotten.

Since I'm not actively bringing in any new supplies, it's much easier to go through things in small batches and come up with ideas on how to use them. It's a very satisfying feeling to know I have everything I already need right at hand and work within the constraints of my current stash.

Ice-Cream Dreams

 

And from winter, we jump straight into summer! It's cold, but I wanted to do something bright and summery. Thankfully, I had these elements all set and ready to go in my "to-be-used" stash, so it led to some quick card-making. It still felt a little odd to make a summer card when it's so chilly outside, but it did brighten up my day - and that's the best one could hope for.

I am currently bouncing back between wanting to do completely new and innovative things and wanting to go to what's tried-and true. There is a certain comfort you can only get when you're doing something familiar - it's like your body and mind are moving by themselves and you're free to just enjoy the uninterrupted flow of getting things done.

I'll probably be doing that a lot, moving from what I know to what I've never tried before -but I choose to see it as a dance and I intend to master every step.

Simple Hello

 

Looking back through my old cards, I found that I used this exact stamp with a similar concept - using patterned paper as a way to anchor and incorporate the sentiment. I really like how it turned out and wanted to revisit it.

Sometimes it's fun to look back on my old cards for inspiration. Even if I use the exact concept and the same stamp, it can still look and feel different just by switching up a few of the other elements (like the background or the layout). Inspiration can really work in interesting and unexpected ways.

Special Friend

I got a small set of blending brushes for Christmas, and I really wanted to try them out. I went for a super soft barely-there blend, and the brushes are really excellent for that. I will have to play with them again sometime.

Note, this is my 1000th blog post. Queue small celebration, hooray~!

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Captain of My Heart

Keeping up with the nautical theme, here is a super simple little love card. I combined Birdie Brown's Mermazing and Party Like a Pirate stamp, along with a bit of inking over patterned paper. It's very simple, but I think it works.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Happy Heart Day!

Happy Valentine's weekend! I have spent this weekend doing a few fun things with my husband, but I did want to share this simple little card I made with nothing but patterned paper, cardstock, a die and enamel dots.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Yellow Hello

I thought I'd play with layouts a little bit today. I have a few squares of 2x2 patterned paper from a project and I've been thinking up new ways to use them (aside from a basic background for a critter). I think this layout turned out pretty fun, and I'm going to try to challenge myself to try a few other ways of incorporating those paper bits.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Rule with Coffee

Tuesdays are always busy and require copious amounts of delicious coffee to get through the day. I am eternally grateful for the coffee-maker on Tuesdays, and I thought it would be fun to bring this sentiment onto a card.

I kept things very simple, but the warm tones and a fun little pattern makes for a happy card.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Happy Bear-thday

A simple birthday card today.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Feel Better soon

Filling up my card stash with some card types I never seem to have enough of - birthday and feel better. With the cold and flu season making its way through friends and family, I need a few simple cards I can send to cheer people up.


Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Lotus Thanks

It's been a busy time around here, and with the holidays just around the corner, it might stay busy for a few weeks. I've been working on a few cards in my spare time, but it's just about time to get started on Christmas projects.

I've scheduled a few blog posts in advance with cards I've made but did not have a chance to share. There might not be much of a description under each card, but I'm hoping the activity will motivate me to keep sharing as we get through the winter season.

Thank you for reading!
~Elle~

Chatty Sunday - Creative Process

Another week has zoomed by, and I've spent almost 0 time in my crafting mode. With the summer here, I'm finding it more and more difficult to set aside time to make cards. Not for a lack of trying, mind you. But sitting down to complete a card is a challenge when I've only got 10 free minutes at the end of the day.

I generally make my cards in one sitting. The exception to this is coloring stamps - I will color a bunch of images at once and fussy-cut them for later use. But the actual card assembling does happen in one sitting. So, having a "work-in-progress" card feels a little strange. I keep wanting to head back into the craft room to finish up what I'm working on.

At the same time, I'm fully embracing the idea of slowing down and really enjoying the creative process as a whole. Most of my personal favorite cards were created with a lot of time and effort - by taking joy in finding the right paper, of getting the shading just right and picking out the perfect ephemera. When I slow down while tackling an idea or concept, things fall into place more naturally and instinctively.


Learning about my own creative process and how creative processes work for others is absolutely fascinating to me. I always waver between creating sporadically with unpredictably wild abandon and creating consistently through careful and practical planning. I should probably accept that my creative process is ever-changing, but I still spend time trying to figure it out and find strategies to improve my flow.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Blue Flower Note

I'm sharing a card with a touch of elegance and sophistication. I love the ephemera flower - the blue with dark gray makes for a very interesting palette. I kept this card very simple, with the main focus on the flower and the sentiment.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Adore Layers

For today's card, I thought I'd try something different again. This card has no stamping and no coloring - only die-cuts, some washi and a few enamel dots. It turned out really different, but I will have to play with this concept again in the future.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Beachy Thank You

Sometimes, I just want to make a really simple practice card - no more than 10 minutes and using an idea that has been brewing in my brain for some time. I don't always share these quick cards, as they sometimes feel kind of amateurish and way too simple.

But I don't like the idea of curating my cards to the point of only sharing the most amazing. Sometimes less-than-amazing will inspire someone far more and maybe even make them feel more confident in their own abilities and progress.

So, I'm sharing this simple card today, and hopefully sharing a few more practice cards down the road.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

We belong together

I generally make only A2 cards - both because it's a canvas size I'm comfortable with and also because I only have A2-sized envelopes. But sometimes it's fun to switch things up a little and try a different size.

This card is a square card that's 4.25x4.25. I think I can modify an envelope to work with this card size. If not, I do have a few cute paper goodie bags that would fit.

The cute stamps are from Lawn Fawn and I think it makes for a cute little love notecard.


Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Merry Skaters

Sometimes you just need a quick and simple little card, and that's when it helps to have a few pre-colored images in your stash. I've held onto these two images since last Christmas, though, and I thought it was time to make good use of them. With a simple scene and some snowflakes made from Nuvo drops, I think it turned out pretty sweet.

Thanks for reading.
~Elle~

Sticker Trio Challenge - Thanks

Simon Says Stamp - Sketched Flowers

The third and final card features one of the main reasons why I love and still keep stickers in my stash - a chance to try out a completely different style or theme without having to buy a ton of new supplies and learn a ton of new techniques.

For example, I have a few pinned "style" images that I adore the look of. It's got a vintage warmth to it and it combines cream, white, craft and natural things like twigs, leaves and butterflies. I'm not sure exactly how to classify it, but I know I wouldn't be able to pull off that look with my current collection of super cute stamps and dies.

Grabbing a sticker set that features that style would allow me to experiment with the look and the ideas without investing into a permanent supply (like a stamp). If I grow out of a style or find it too frustrating to work with, I can just pass the stickers on to someone who will enjoy them.

~Elle~