Kim Kesti
Since you’ll be hearing from all the new Go-to Gals in the coming months, I though it would be fun to share a little bit about my creative process, a bit about “me”. I’ll be asking you about your process later, so keep that in mind.
Almost invariably, I reach for embellishments first when I start my card making process. Sometimes I am inspired by a fancy sticker, sometimes a great piece of chipboard, and other times by a pretty flower. Today, it was a “to die for” pack of felt Woolies from BasicGrey.
I chose several colors cardstock that matched the Woolies and grabbed a few buttons, too.
I don’t always use patterned paper, but in this case I had a great piece of matching paper that also had a small scale print (which is great for cards), so I added that to the pile.
Step three is the easiest. I decided to make four coordinating cards, so I cut all the card bases the same and creased them to size with a bone folder. Done.
Next came the fun part. I was intrigued by the scallops on the Woolies, so I pulled out a few of my newer dies that feature scallops, outlines and journaling blocks. I cut a bunch to experiment with.
Now, I begin to assemble my cards. I’m having a blast at this point, merrily matching up colors and shapes. Then the dreaded happens…I realize that I forgot to plan out my sentiments. Sentiments are my biggest challenge. At this point I can cop out and pretend these are supposed to be blank note cards, or I can dig into my drawers and see what I can find.
I don’t have any decent rubs, but I do have a pretty good supply of rubber stamps. I should rename them “lifesavers”. So, I grab my brown ink pad and a brown journaling pen and finish up my cards.
Here are the four cards, stamped and outlined.
That pretty sums up my creative process. What about yours? Where do you start? What challenges do you face? Leave me a comment answering any of these questions and I’ll put you in a drawing to win these cards! Let’s spread the creativity around, gals.
I’ll choose a winner by midnight (MST) on Thursday, August 13th, so post a comment before then.
Happy Crafting!
Kim, Paper Crafts Pro
I am inspired by sketches. When I see a sketch, I almost always know what patterned paper would look ‘perfect’ on it and take it from there. I usually have the paper first, lol, then find the sketches later!
It was so interesting to see a pro steps in creating a card. I am not very creative so I go straight to Paper Crafts magazine. I do tweek the cards just a little. I don’t ever have the same paper, so I use what I have on hand.
Oo, I could eat these cards!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fun to see your way of making a set!
Thanks for sharing! I don’t have any dies so I rip/cut pieces of paper and play around with them until they “fall in place” somehow. But yes, I stumble on the sentiment part in every card too, not to even mention the text on the inside of the card! …And journaling, when scrapbooking. :/
What cute cards! Oh my challenge, embellishments for sure! I usually start with a sketch, can easily pick out some paper and an image and that’s where I get stuck! I can not easily decide how to dress up my card. Come to think of it, that sound just like the trouble I have dressing up myself! I’m a pretty plain jane!
I usually start with the stamp set I want to use—I usually choose according to the need of the card (thank you, birthday, sympathy, etc.) then I go from there—layout, colors, paper, etc. I think I struggle most with layout—I use sketches when I’m really stumped, or look around (blogs, magazines) at cards I love and see what their layout is—I often find my own layout, but they inspired me to get there.
I start with a product that inspires me. It can range from a piece of ribbon, some pretty paper, a glittery embellishment or a stamp that I haven’t used. The process seems to be so much simpler when I narrow down the items that I want to use. Sometimes less is more!
I find my inspiration in the challenges offered on line. Sometimes the color challenges but mostly the sketch challenges. I love DP so that usually gets me going too.
I, too, am besotted with Basic Grey…especially those Woolies!
I love how you used the buttons in the tree!
I always start off with a sketch. Arranging the elements on the card is the hardest part for me. Thank goodness for all those great sketch challenges!
I have a lot of difficulty with starting cards – sometimes I start with a color combo and sometimes I’ll start with a sketch to get me started.
I start with a stamp and a color combo. Usually I’ve seen a card that I like and I try to copy a part of it and make it mine. Love to hear how others work the process.
I find that I often start with a great product that I am excited to play with. Sometimes I have a design concept in mind or photos that I want to begin with, but usually- it’s all about the product to get me started!
Hmmm, I wish I had a creative process but I find I am pretty random. Sometimes an image is my jumping off point and sometimes the patterned paper is. And when I am scrapping it is usually my pictures that dictate my creative process.
I usually start with the sentiment–then I know what “kind” of card I am making. Next I look at my paper choices, usually starting with desginer paper and then the cardstock. I do a very scribbly drawing on plain paper and then pull out any embellies from my stash. Sometimes it takes days, others just a few minutes to get the look I want.
I face the same dilemma every time, trying to come up with an originial idea. My mind just goes blank, that is why I love online galleries, it always sparks my creativity.
I start wirh one item or paper that i want to us and add things that coordinate.
I have those same Woolies and can’t wait to use them!
Often my creative process is grabbing what’s on the top of the pile…since my desk and room are usually a disaster!
Lately if I need to jump start my creative process I find a challenge on-line and let that get me started. Then the entire thing sort of snowballs from there.
i start with the main embellie i want to use & work around that. i’ll match up the colors and finish off the card off that embellie.
those 4 cards are fun!
lol – that is an easy one, my daughter sums it up – my biggest challenge is myself, she says ‘Mom, you think about it too much.’ I always start with, ‘YIKES! What do I need tomorrow!’
thanks for the fun!
Sandra
My process really varies. But I guess that I usually start with my theme – birthday, wedding, etc. Then I find my papers, build my card and then look for embellishments and sayings.
I really like to start out with a sketch or a general idea for a card. The biggest challenge for me is layering. I really like the look of shabby chic detailed cards but I tend to lean more towards a simpler look. I’m always trying to add that something to my cards to give them more.
Hmm…I think I start different every time. But mostly I start by an inspiration of something. It may be a piece of vintage music paper, or lolly pops, trees, ribbon, a certain sticker, embellishment, etc. its one thing. Then I work from there to get the colors and all the other stuff just comes together.
My beginning varies depending on whether I am doing a sketch challenge or a color challenge. A lot of times I just follow my instincts as to whether to pick color first or image first.
Robbie
I sometimes have a hard time knowing where to start. It just depends but mostly I look to what stamp I think I want to use first!
You make it look so easy! Love how you used the scallop punches w/ the woolies -super cute! Now as to my process for cards, I usually start w/ paper scraps (because I’m usually making cards as I finish a scrapbook layout!). Depending on the shapes of the scraps, I’ll work out a design. Or – given larger pieces of paper to work with, I’ll just use a sketch. Given my lack of creative time lately, sketches save me a lot of time and headache!
Very cute cards! My creative process is stare at my papers & supplies and hope something come to mind!
I am newer to making cards so I usually have a hard time coming up with ideas, takes me awhile. Sometimes I start with inspiration from blogs or sketches or challenges.
doesn’t BG just give you goosebumps every time?!?!
I almost always start with either a piece of cs or a stamp that I want to use. If I try starting with a piece of ribbon or another embellie, it rarely ends up on my creation! go figure! I’m not one of those people who can color images to use for later. I need to know what cs I am going to pair with it so I can have my colors all planned out. I’ll sometimes throw in an additional color or two at the end, but I always get my colors together at the beginning. (I may not use them all though. it’s a woman’s perogative, right?!?!)
is all of this clear as mud?
I always start with the inspiration, a card idea I might want to scraplift. Then I decide on the paper and add the embellishments last. The sentiment can sometimes vary depending on the versatility of the paper.
I usually start with a color combo or an embellishment I want to use. Then I pick stamps, patterned papers, and any other embellies I’ll add. Almost always the hardest part for me (and what I usually save for last) is the layout. I usually end up using a sketch from a current blog challenge to get me going.
Thank you for this post! I’ve always wondered how other people come up with ideas for their cards! It always takes me a long time to come up with an original design, and then when I have the idea in my head, it takes a while to find the right “pieces” to use. I’m learning to make my own sketches now so I can come back to those ideas later.
your cards are just so great. I usually start with whatever supplies I have since I don’t have that much. So whatever I have I just try my best to make something out of it. Thanks for sharing!
Wow this was awesome! I love the cards! I start in a similar way but my struggle is not to stay in my comfort zone and use the same type of layout all the time!
thanks for sharing your process! I love your cards, the owl/tree one is my favorite! I usually make just one card at a time, either inspired by a pattern paper or embellishment. But seeing your set makes me realize that making a few at a time would be much more time efficient! I don’t have a lot of sentiment stamps or rub ons, so I’ve been using my computer to print them out. I can use any color of cardstock and alter the ink color, too.
Thank you so much for offering a glimpse onto your creative process! My uh “process” is so haphazard in comparison.
For me, the sentiment is the cornerstone of the card. I begin there and fashion a card with whatever product enhances the message. Oh and I do hybrid cards, so there’s a constant shuffle back and forth between computer, scanner, printer, and craft table. Annnd I’m a newbie, which means utter chaos everywhere!
I think my creative process ends up being a lot like that picture you had of all your materials spread out! I always seem to have a few card projects going on at once. Usually they start with a picture in a magazine, or a technique I want to try, or a color scheme I saw. Then I just start working, and make piles of my leftovers, because I always try to use those up right away too.
The way I begin is to pull out some cool paper and one embellishment. Then I go from there. One of my biggest challenges is to try not to waste paper or ribbon. I have a file full of scraps and do my best to dig in there when I just need a smaller piece to work with. Thanks so much for showing us the great cards and woolies!
Jen Christoffersen
My biggest challenges are time management and keeping focused on what I’m doing, and not stopping to start another project – ok these may be one and the same
. I have so little time to craft at one time, that I usually work in spurts – an hour here, an hour there – which can make it hard to finish one project and not pick up another. My solution – working ok so far – is to keep my current project and all the materials out in a very visible place, and store all my other crafting materials away. So that when I do sit down to craft, all I have around me is what I’m working on right then. Thanks for sharing your process.
I usually start out by getting some inspiration. The hardest part is deciding what to do once you set down. So to get my creative juices flowing I look through old magazines, blogs, etc. Then pick out my paper…and I’m offf. =)
Oh I wish I was one of those people who just sit down and create several things in one sitting. I’m very slow, as I think the hard part for me is deciding on a layout. That’s why I love your magazine – I can open it up and find something to springboard off of to get me started! But sometimes I get sidetracked when I don’t have the exact stamp set, or paper shown, because I love it so much I want to use IT! Oh well!
Super cute cards! I usually start with a layout idea or an embellishment I have been wanting to use and build from there!
My creative process never starts the same way. It could be an embellishment that gets the creative juices flowing or an example in a magazine that gets me to say, “Hey, I have that stamp. Let me try that.” And from there, there is no telling where my creativity may end up! My only challenge is when I find myself limiting the possibilities by thinking that I don’t have the “right” paper, tools, or embellishments for a project. When in reality–necessity is indeed the mother of invention!
I love to start with a sketch or a color scheme, whether it’s mine or someone else’s and I’m off from there!
My biggest challenge is finding the right sentiment for my cards.
I have gotten to where I really need either a color challenge or a sketch challenge. I am learning to keep a sketch & inspiration journal for those times when I can’t find anything that tickles my fancy. These are adorable. Love Basic Grey
My challenge is coming up with something fresh and unique. I usually ALWAYS have to pull up a picture of a card and tweak it to my style. The best way I have found lately is participating in various challenges such as sketch challenges or color challenges… I have created things I never would have thought of…
I always start with someone else’s card for inspiration, I still don’t trust my own ideas. But it’s been a great journey, and I am starting to go on my own a bit more. Great cards!
Lately I’ve been crafting when I have something specific to make (birthday card, anniversary card, etc.) so I’ll pull out stamp sets I think will work, and then some embellishments, and then I’ll peruse my inspiration file to see if a layout or particular colors jump out at me. Then I set about assembling something that hopefully works
Lately I have been in a total creative abyss, so when I need to make something I surf the web in search of inspiration. Even this doesn’t always work-I see so many things I love I can’t choose what to do!
I’m always inspired by the patterned paper. I get excited by new patterns, but sometimes I see an old pattern next to a cardstock and the lightbulb goes off! Embellishments follow, even if I don’t have the right colour, I paint, ink, stain it until it does.
I have to admit, SU! convention totally inspires me!!! I had a great time, was chosen to be a Make N Take Helper, and met some awesome people!
I can’t wait to jump in and work with all my new stamp sets!
Lori