Friday Quickie Techniques and Tips: How to get your Mojo Back!

So I think one of the biggest stumbling blocks to stamping is when you just sit and stare at the paper, stamps, ink, whatever.  BLANK.  Nothing comes to you, nothing works.  I think that is a very common problem, and while the more I stamp, the less I have that problem, it still gets me!  After all these years I still go through bouts of NO MOJO!  That is bad for a girl who is trying to make her living sharing her creativity (creative juices are required for this, at least every now and then).  Often times I have this problem at he start of a new catalog.  I usually have an influx of new products to play with and picking one or two to zone in on is actually harder than it may seem.  I know, I know, poor me!  So many supplies, so little time, I can't figure out where to start!  What is a girl to do?

Many people will tell you to search the web or Pinterest.  While that is a good idea, sometimes the same problem arises–there is simply too much to choose from and it doesn't get you back to what you want to do-just create! So, several months ago, I started my Stampin Up Inspiration Board.  I've talked about it before (remember this post?)  I like the board because very little of it is specifically stamping or Stampin Up cards/projects.  Most of it is colors, patterns and designs.  So here is the pic I found and wanted to work with:

So this to me, looks like (from L to R) Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, and either So Saffron  or Gold (as in Gold Foil paper). Check out the video (but I'll post some more ideas on getting out of your funk below, too)

Gather your supplies:

• 1/2 sheet Melon Mambo Cardstock
• 4 x 5 1/4" Gold Foil Paper (don't forget to cut out shapes as shown in video before adhering)
• 3 7/8 x 5 1/8" Whisper White (plus scraps for diecuting)
• scrap of vellum for diecutting
• Banners for you bundle
• Pads in colors listed above
• Night of Navy Marker
• Gold Metallic Thread
• dimensionals

The stamping is so easy to do once you add the vellum banner as a guide!  I like how nicely it comes together when you just build up the images!

I think that this is a basic design that can work with any number of color combinations.  It just turned out that by using my Inspiration Pinterest Board, I was able to come up with some much needed inspiration to get my mojo going again.  Now, it isn't always this simple (and this is actually the second revision of the card–the first was just not quite right–which is why I added the velum mask to help with placement.)  I really love the way it came out and like I said it was just what I needed to get going!

More ideas for getting out of your Stamping Funk:

The next card I made was using the left overs from the first (ok, just the banner) but I wanted to play with those colors a bit more.  So I decided to use some strips of cardstock. Remember this post?  I combined this idea with my color combo and the stamp set I was using to make this little beauty!  I find another way to get your juices flowing is to go back to a card that you really loved that you already made to CASE. So I cut 1/4 sheets of the Melon, Pumpkin, Navy, Gold, and Wisteria to create this card.  I felt the So Saffron was the wrong shade for this idea, so I went with the Gold Foil paper.  Each strip is either 1/2", 3/4" or 1" wide by 3 7/8" long.  I alternated them on a white panel (3 7/8 x 5 1/8") and then added the punches and finally that left-over banner.

Finished it off with some Gold Metallic Enamel Shapes (ooooh, those are fun!!)

In the video, I mention that I feel like the stripes remind me of a Kate Spade Purse (seriously!!) and I just love the look of these colors.  The bold strips remind me of things that Kate Spade does–though I am impartial to the black and white polka-dot motif she uses often.  So fun and bright, and happy!

Oh so much fun!!  I sure hope you enjoyed these projects and that the video gave you some ideas on how to get out of your stamping funk! 🙂 I think it does help to know that it happens to everyone, but like so many things, the more you stamp, the easier it is to be inspired and keep those creative juices flowing! 🙂

Thanks so much for stamping with me today!  Can't wait to have you back soon!  And thank you so much for stopping by The Creativity Cave! If you have loved these projects and can't wait to get some of the things I've used, I would be so grateful if you would purchase them through my online store!  Every time you order through The Creativity Cave, my heart soars, and I think of more ways to inspire you through my awesomeness and amazing stamping projects!  I would really appreciate your business!  It helps keep amazing projects coming to you every week! I have a fantastic VIP Rewards program for you with all kinds of perks including access to my VIP Rewards Page with exclusive projects, videos, tutorials, contests and more! I also love to send Thank You Cards for orders!!  You can read about the VIP Rewards program here. Don't forget to use JULY's Hostess Code: KSWBMQD6

It means so much to me that you let me into your craft rooms and devices! 😉 I love that I can share my passion with you! Could you also please share my post on your favorite Social Media!  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT–I am so grateful for each of you!!  Happy Stamping!

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