September 23, 2010

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!

70 comments:

noomiy said...

Loooooveeee it! It looks so nice! :) Sweet view :)

Mandy said...

Stunning projects, you are deff a real inspiration!

take care

Mandy

Sandra Korten said...

Thank you for this little tutorial! I loved it. It is true that I did not make enough time to stamp. I find myself bloghopping the whole night and at the end I did nothing at all! Love te sets you've made. The colors are so pretty.
Sandra

Eveline said...

Thanks you for these tips. I spend to much time behind the computer and not enough time at my worktable.
Your cards and notepads look beautiful.
Eveline.

Anne-Marie said...

Thanks for this inspirational blogmessage!! Just what I needed, haha! I love your blog and great ideas! I am planning on ordering my next PTI order and will for sure get the flower dies!! Thanks for sharing!! Anne-Marie
anne-mariej.blogspot.com

itsallrosi said...

great ideas here - thanks for sharing!

♥Wendi said...

You are truly an amazing inspiration. Thanks so much for taking the time to inspire me and put down all your thoughts for me to enjoy! You work is amazing. i just love these cards and notepads.

Lynn said...

Mish...thanks for the amazing inspiration...must get my felt out again soon...yummy!

Unknown said...

You truly have a gift... thanks for sharing it!

Kristy Hansenwi said...

thank you for the great ideas. Love the way you pull it all together. kristy

Mariah said...

Great post...love the way you make it look so simple and not too intimidating! And you were working with my favorite color combo for fall!

Brenda said...

Mish, thank you for sharing. This was really inspirational, and I just love what you created, beautiful.

ValerieC said...

Your awesome! You always make it look effortless but, wonderful!

jayne said...

Great tutorial - thanks so much for the inspiration!

Dawn S. said...

Wonderful projects and ideas. My mojo has been MIA for some time now, but now that I have seen your super cute cards, hopefully I will get some of it back and get back in my craft room!! Thanks for sharing:)

Carol said...

Really wonderful ideas! Your cards and notepads are just too stinkin' cute! Thanks for the inspiration!

Linda said...

Gee thanks your post just makes me want to make cards, love your inspirational sketch book, i should go and make one now.
Linda in Aus

Carla Cavellucci Landi said...

Great post!!!
Do you allow me to translate it - giving the link to this original post - for a webforum on papercrafting? I'm sure they will love!

Sue Ann said...

Fantastic post this morning young lady!!! Very inspiring~~

Bonnie Weiss said...

Thanks for the "kick in the pants" that I needed, Michelle! I have some "ME" time to day and I WILL get some stamping done.

Amanda Profumo said...

Yay! I love your post! So much inspiration here... I'm gunna leave this page open all weekend!

Debbi said...

I love your notepads and cards Mish!!

Deb Walker Deb Stamps Life, LLC said...

A terrific inspiration all around! Great tips on making time to stamp...easy sketch/ideas, and love the products you used! Thanks for a wonderful post--you've inspired me to make more than one card today!

Tricia T said...

I love the colors you chose, Mish! Such great fall inspiration. Oh - and your blog header is fantastic. It "looks like you" - all vintage-y and inspirational. Thanks for sharing so much with us!

Tracie said...

Wow - Michelle must of been reading my mind. Thanks for those tips.

Maria S. said...

Wow, Michelle! Thanks for sharing this. Yes, I am guilty of spending to much time blog hopping than in my little crafty space. Love the idea of the sketch book. Love the little tip on looking at your previous creations for more inspiration. Sometimes I feel that I need to make something different every time. You just proved me that I was wrong. Would you share some ideas on how to come up with good layouts for cards. Thanks!!

Diane Jaquay said...

Yep, you certainly have inspired me Mish! Your projects are beautiful!

Bevie Pearl said...

Just what I needed to read today...a plan on how to get some cards made. Your cards/projects are adorable.

Laura Pryor said...

This was a great post! I would love to see more posts just like this one in different colors. I just loved how you started out with your supplies and sketch and turned them into such nice goodies!

Susi said...

Amazing projects and thanks so much for the tips! I love the clean, bright look of these!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful!
I think the key to short on time is keep it "cute and simple" ya know? well..I think you do know b/c that's exactly what you did!
Thanks so much for sharing!
I am having a wonderful time reading the newsletters from Papertrey! =)

mommaladystamper said...

These are so pretty. Thanks for the inspiration and advise on how to create some wonderful items. Alice Roushia

Cindy said...

Love all of your projects, and the color combinations are amazing! Thanks for the inspiration.

Lola G. said...

Terrific inspiration! I particularly love the layered flowers.

Jeanne said...

Thank you for your inspiration! I feel energized to clear my work table and begin, again. I am always amazed how you get all of the components together and then begin. You are amazing!

Remigia Poulo said...

Love love love this post!!!!! I do have a upcoming event and was running out of ideas. But now I am on track again. Love your work especially the notepads, all of them!! Thanks for sharing.

diane mcvey said...

WOW!!! Your creations are beautiful, as only YOU can make them! You have such a great eye for putting things together perfectly! I love the colors, and the paper & felt flowers! Great idea! It's all just lovely. Thanks so much for making me WANT to go create something!
Have a great weekend!!! :D

Márcia Mattos said...

Hi Michelle!

this is so clver!
Loved the ideas!

Hugs from Rio
Márcia

Unknown said...

Mish - you ALWAYS have great ideas - whether it be doodads,cards or recipes. Thank you for sharing so generously

Roxanne O'Brien said...

Your ideas are always so inspiring and you make me want to just stop what I'm doing and just go scrap/stamp/papercraft!!! Thanks for a good ol' kick in the pants :)-

Kelly said...

Michelle,
I love, love, love this post. I do have a question. How do you stack your cutting plates and what not to get a good clean cut with the felt? I used my new Christmas tree die (which arrived yesterday...yipee!) and I had to cut with scissors. I know I am missing something so I just wondered if you could give me a hint?
Thanks so much.

Vicki Dutcher said...

WOW! This is so impressive! I love the way you just set everything up and than make! I will use this for future reference~ Thanks so much for this [obvius-but never used] hint!

Betty said...

Great ideas. I take it one step farther, when I'm blog surfing, I keep a little notebook handy and write down techniques I want to try or things I forget to use, like Vellum, emboss resist, Twinkling H2O's etc. Then when I sit down, I have a goal. You can write challenges down, sketches you like too. Keep a notebook by the computer, chair you watch TV in or even work.

Deirdre said...

Great inspiration - thanks for showing us your method. It really helps. Thanks.

Donna K said...

I'm so glad it's almost the weekend so I can get busy creating. You show how easy it is to just move things around a little and make a totally different card with all the same elements. Thanks for the inspiratio.

Nancy said...

Your inspirational message was just what I needed! I think I get all caught up in trying to come up with the whole concept in my head. Putting a sketch down on paper and starting with a embellie just turns it into easy peasy! Thanks Mish!

Ohhh Snap said...

Thank you so much for sharing your creative process : ). I am always fascinated to learn this sort of thing. Of course, I love learning some good ole fashioned techniques too lol. TFS!!

Corrine Ann said...

I am one who can't seem to find time to stamp and no ideas either! So I very much needed your advice and pep talk today! Thanks! Your projects were just perfect! Love what you do!

liannallama said...

your projects are always so beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration! Love the button flowers and pretty florals!

kbhistory said...

What fun!!! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us! It truly inspires me!
-Kristin B.

TDJ said...

Thank you so much for walking us thru this. My crafting time is SO limited so I really need ideas to maximise my crafting time that I carve out. I love ideas on assybly line production.

Cathy Weber said...

These cards are so cute and I loved reading about your process. I guarantee you today when I get home from work I will be making some of those doodad!

sherry said...

I just received my first order from Papertrey and I love it all. I bought buttons and dies and calendars and those skinny note pads. I know I'll be back to order more. Thanks for the inspiration.

MizMaryAnn said...

I was just sitting here wishing I could come up with some card ideas and here you are with some great ideas. Thank you for some inspiration to create!
Mary Ann

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the inspiration today; it's exactly what I needed to get my mojo up and running again! I so enjoy your creativity as well as your enthusisam for papercrafting! You are appreciated!! Have an awesome day!

Anonymous said...

Thank You and Question:

OH how I love your Inspiration!

What die cut machine do you use or what would you recommend as a starter that has growing room to advance?

Sue Lelli said...

This is like the BEST post! Sometimes we collect so much stuff that it's overwhelming and you don't know where to start. THIS was getting back to Basics!!!

Nerina said...

Oh THANK YOU! This post is like a breath of fresh air! I NEEDED you today Mish! Hugs and Blessings to you - your projects are AWESOME and your advice ... priceless!

Carole Carlson said...

Love the colors used here. Also you gave some great ideas. The finished products look very nice.Thank for sharing..

Anonymous said...

You are one clever chick! Wish you were my neighbor........ : )

Bev J. said...

Neat projects and I love the flower dies. tfs

Debbie Olson said...

Sweet and Fall-y, Mish!

Jarie said...

Great inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

Janet

Anne Tussing said...

Terrific inspiration!! Love your step-by-step projects and hints. My takeaway from this one was to leave something behind for next time, don't take it all out!!

disneygirlwv7 said...

I just love all the stuff you do. I love your eye for vintage flair. I would love to know where you found all the locker baskets. I would let to get my hands on some....were they online?? Thanks for all you share and the inspiration you give.

Sarah said...

Hi Michelle,

Thanks for your inspiration. Love the cards and your tips on mass production in front of the telly!

ohradiogirl said...

Love the sketches. All the cards are so nice and simple.

SewPaperPaint said...

Hi Michelle, I wanted to let you know how very much I enjoyed this post. I have followed your blog for quite some time and always enjoy seeing your creations. So great to get a peek into that creative mind of yours and see just how you manage to get it all done! I've given you a shout out on my blog, some good ole bloggy love!
xx,
Autumn Clark

Julie said...

These are so gorgeous! x

Bernadette Bliss said...

Thanks Mish from for this encouraging and inspirational blog post. I was so inspired that I took your advice and made 8 CARDS using your sketch. Although I didn't finish them in one day,I did choose the papers, cut and prepared most of the embellishments at one time. I slowly worked on them and was finished in 3 sessions. How freeing! By not having to reinvent the wheel and having a nice stash of cards to boot. Thank you again for always sharing yourself and talent with others.Your a blessing...Hugs, ~B~

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