A date with your stamps...

Hi friends. I'm hearing three main comments from stampers lately: I don't have time to stamp, I don't have any motivation or good ideas, and I don't know what supplies to use together when I sit down to stamp. With a little pre-planning, a few simple sketches, and a grouping of well selected supplies from your stash you'll be on your way to stamping up a nice pile of cards in no time.

Let's get started. First and foremost, you need to set aside time for stamping. Get your calendar out and start making dates like an appointment. If your schedule is too busy for this, start thinking about small increments of time that you can take for yourself. Skip the two hours of tv a night, step away from the computer, stay up later....you must find a way to make time for your hobbies.

Next up, make a list of projects you want to complete. For example, you might need two male birthday cards, 3 thank you cards, and you want a couple extra get well and sympathy cards on hand. Update the list as needed. Keep a cute little notebook to keep it all organized.

So you've found a date with your stamps, let's get to work. Go shopping in your own stash. Gather up products that coordinate and are easy to match...or mixy match if you want that look that I often use. Papertrey makes it soooo easy to pick out products. Below, I have a pad of Autumn Abundance patterned paper, Summer Sunrise and Terracotta Tile Vintage Buttons, and some matching Terracotta Tilefelt. Easy peasy. Don't get out all of the supplies you own....save some for later, okay? I also chose Beautiful Blooms II stamp set but in the end I used the coordinating dies instead of the stamps. It's okay to change your mind.  I also chose a thank you sentiment set and a birthday sentiment set since those types of cards were on my list.

Next, you need some inspiration. Well, you've come to the right place my friends. Any of my cards or projects can serve as inspiration as well as all the other wonderful bloggers out there. Print off photos, make a sketches like I've done below. There's no need to reinvent the wheel. However, make sure you give due credit when you borrow ideas. :) Below are some sketches that I did one night while watching tv....a variation on some simple embellishments.
Don't be afraid to re-use your own ideas again and again too. I keep some of my favorite cards pinned up in my Artsy Studio as reminders that I have ideas right at my fingertips.
Okay, next up we're ready to start some serious stamping! From looking at my sketches, I knew that a doodad of some sort would be a main focal point of my projects.  So I got out all my flower dies from the Beautiful Blooms II collection and went to work.

Using the Autumn Abundance patterned paper and Terracotta Tile Felt, I cut out lots of flowers.  I used the largest flower dies with the patterned paper and the medium size dies with the felt.

To assemble my flower doodads, I layered a large paper flower, a medium felt flower and a Vintage Button.  I tied them all together using Chocolate Baker's Twine and a large eyed needle.

Here's my lovely little pile of doodads.  This step could easily be done while watching tv as a step all by itself.

From looking at my inspiration sketches, I also knew that I wanted lots of scallop cut borders.  Using the medium scalloped border die, I cut lots of scalloped strips from my Autumn Abundance paper.

Next it was time to assemble my cards.  Using the sketch layout shown below, I staged my supplies to get a basic idea of what my finished cards would look like. I went to work assembling my cards, using 3 different layouts based on my sketches.

I also used the sketches as inspiration for some notepads.  Ohhh, how I love the notepads.  Remember to think outside the box.  Sketches can be used for cards, scrapbook pages, gift bags, notepads, etc.  Let your mind do a little creative thinking.

When I was all done with my cards and notepads, I had a big ol' stash of goodies.  I decided to group my  finished projects into groups of three which included a thank you card, a birthday card and a notepad.

I might use use these as gifts for upcoming birthdays.....

...or keep a set in my stash for those unexpected times when I need a little something..

..or for when friends call up good' ol Mishie cuz they know she's got something good on hand.  :)

Whatever the case, I've got a nice pile of beautiful goodies to share.  I hope that I have inspired you to make some time on the calendar for yourself.....to get out those supplies you spend good money on.....and to create something beautiful every day.  Enjoy!