I made myself do it!

I remember in the early days of my stamping, I would sneak upstairs in the evening, make a card in an hour (or less, now that I think about it) and come downstairs beaming. I'd say, "Look what I made!" and my husband and kids would oooh and aaahh and tell me they loved it.

Yesterday was a bit different for me. I've been in a mojo slump and I basically had to MAKE myself start a card. Here's my problem - I've been spending way too much time looking at everybody else's cards!  That is the surest way for me to kill my own creativity because for one thing, I start comparing, and for another, looking at cards (for me) saps my energy for MAKING cards. Do any of you relate?

So after I LOOKED at a a card using Blushing Bride, I decided to come up with a color combo using it. I pulled out the In-Color DSP that I wanted to use, and experimented with neutrals - all the browns, Crumb Cake and Basic Gray. I finally decided on Sahara Sand to make the white pop. Then I made the card (read: this thinking process took at least a half hour!)

Here's today's card.

I put LOTS  of details on this one.

• I added embossing along the bottom of the DSP with the Framed with Tulips embossing folder.
• I stamped white card stock with the tiny petals stamp from the "Because I Care" set
• I die cut the flowers using the Fun Flowers die, and embossed them with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder
• I added a bow. Notice how my bow has two extra "tails?" That's because in my experimenting I had wrapped the ribbon around the card base and tied a bow. When I decided to add just the bow I cut off the loop of ribbon at each end. (gasp!) Such trial and error.
• I wasn't done with those flowers yet! I spritzed them with water and crumpled them. After they were dry, I sprayed with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.
• I added Basic Pearls to the DP and on top of the Filigree brad.

I was really having fun by now, KWIM?  Especially when I broke open my bottle of Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink (Moonlight.) I hadn't used this product yet, it has been sitting on my work table for months waiting for me to figure out how to use it. It was not rocket science (like I thought!) it is just what it says, a pearlized ACCENT. It's in a bottle just like nail polish and I just painted it over the row of tulips, and on the tips of the die cut leaves. Here's a close up of the flower so you can see the shimmer it gives.

There you have it! Now, picture me coming down the stairs with a card in my hand, saying, "Want to see what I made?" and smiling.

Have a great day! I'd love to hear from you!

 

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Comments

[Connie Mott]

1.

Love the pink...It's a gorgeous card.

[Juanita]

2.

As much as I enjoy peek at the gorgeous cards other stampers have made, I feel you, it does sort of steal any mojo I may have to start with.
This card is great! There is a lot of detail on it and so many neat touches.
It amazes me that you can switch up from fancy to clean and simple so easily.

[stampspaperandink]

3.

Thanks for sharing your insights, Juanita. I think you hit on why I am having trouble - I have worked so hard on developing my clean and simple style that now I forget my shabby/elegant roots. Call me style-confused, LOL!

[Jaydee]

4.

Cindy, I am so glad you went back into your crafting room and did some creating. This card is stunning. You even made the DSP look fabulous! I love the flower. I love the colors. I love the ribbon. I love the leaves. I love the brad. All of it perfect. The thing is... you have your shabby/elegant roots, but there is still a clean and simple influence in the layout! All round.... gorgeous!
so glad you decided to share this with the Paper Players this week
Jaydee

[Allison B]

5.

This looks gorgeous! I think you must be getting out of your "mojo slump!"

[Cathy Warhank]

6.

You have spoken for me re: too much card surfing! Love. love, love YOUR card - beautiful and complex. TFS

[Anne Marie]

7.

So happy you "made yourself do it"! ;) Beautiful mix of patterns and texture and I just love the perfectly placed pearls! Very pretty! Thanks for playing along with The Paper players this week! :)

[Tara Bilbao]

8.

Cindy - I m so glad to hear you voice your concerns about a Mojo slump especially after viewing other cards. I often go through the same thing and get exasperated when I don't know where to start. Some times I feel like I do the same thing over and over and have no fresh ideas. You definitely have Mojo to spare. I love your style and your work. I am so glad I found your blog. this card is so pretty and fresh. I love your color combo and all the texture. Mojoliscious:)

[Marlene Peters]

9.

What a pretty card. Everything goes together so well. Really, realy nice. Thanks for playing with the Paper Players this week!

[LeAnne]

10.

Very pretty, Cindy----and yes, I spend more time looking than stamping sometimes! I just need to CREATE sometimes!!! Thanks for playing with us at the CQC this week!

[Jan Hoyt]

11.

this is definitely a beautiful card and yes, I understand completely about the blog hopping sucking your stamping mojo dry...I think that happens to me too. Love the overall effect of the whole card...it's got a little bit of many things but not too much of anything, it's just perfect! I would love to see how you did the pretty folds for the blossom, maybe I'll have to meander through your blog and hope for a hint?

[Kristie]

12.

This is so pretty! I love all the pink!

[Vicki B]

13.

I was just browsing through more of your posts and found this one. Oh my.....this is gorgeous!

[Christine]

14.

You have "your Mojo" back.... BIG TIME!