Jessica Witty
Six days into the new year…raise your hand if you have already broken one of your resolutions.
Come on. You can admit it here.
Yeah, I know. Resolutions just have this way of breaking themselves.
I’ve noticed that the smaller the resolution is, the more likely it is to be kept (at least in my case!). For example, during the past year I set up some mini paper crafting resolutions for myself.
Obvious choices (for me) would have included:
- Say goodbye to perfectionism.
- Become proficient and amazingly talented at using unique colors and new-to-me styles.
- Spend no more than 30 minutes making each card.
However, in hopes of actually keeping my resolutions, I went with these:
- Handmade is ok.
I’ve come to grips with the fact that this recovering perfectionist is just never going to be able to give it up completely. I’m ok with that. I love details and straight lines and perfect bows and I don’t really want to give them up. But…I also want to be able to make something and be ok if the last tiny detail doesn’t work out so well, know what I mean?
So, I started embracing my mistakes.
Seriously. I made it a goal to just say…“It’s ok.” See that little sewing glitch on the left side of the tag?
It’s ok.
Makes it look handmade. And it is. So, it’s ok.
I left it. And gave it to someone. Can you believe it? (Aren’t you proud of me?)
- Try something new.
I’m not going to conquer the world of embellishments in a day. Or even a year. And while I love the whole shabby chic, ultra-detailed project, it’s hard to fathom one coming from me. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t branch out a little bit.
So, this year, I took a few steps.
I inked a few more edges. (Occassionally.)
I added a few more layers. (Sometimes.)
I used a few more embellishments. (Still workin’ on it.)
I even tried some out-of-my-comfort-zone color combos.
Now that one…that one was a success! I found out that hey, I actually like some of these funny colors together. Huh. Who knew?
- Make more, think less.
Now, this one is a biggie, folks. I’m a thinker.
Let me rephrase that. I’m an over-thinker.
It can be debilitating, I swear.
Which color should I use? Pink? Or this slightly brighter shade of pink?
Let me think about it.
Wait. Still thinkin’.
Basically my goal has been to simply make a decision and move on. Move on in one direction and backtrack if I have to. Make more, think less.
It’s working for me.
This little one is one of my very favorites from this year…I remember it coming together so quickly that I was shocked. And yet completely satisfied.
You can find it in Paper Crafts’ new idea book A Card a Day: Your Ultimate Resource for Inspiration, Design, Tips & Techniques.
So, what are you paper crafting resolutions for this year? I think I’m going to be keeping a few of mine from last year…somehow, I think they’re not through with me yet! And in the spirit of keeping people on track with their resolutions, here’s a few Christmas cards to get this year’s stash started! Leave a comment telling me about your resolutions for the year and I’ll pick one lucky person to win both cards! All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Thursday, Jan. 7.
One lucky winner will take home both of my cards from Holiday Cards & More, Vol. 4!
Happy crafting!
Jessica Witty,
Paper Crafts Go-to-Gal
Your posts always crack me up!!! My New Year’s Resolution is to definitely SEND what I make, rofl!! I’m SUCH a hoarder. Have you seen that hoarding show on Discovery (I think??) Yeah…that’s how bad I am with my cards, rofl!
Love all your gorgeous cards! Thanks for sharing.
Ditto on your resolutions as well. I really need to let the perfection part of me go and the overthinking…..holy cow!! For the past couple of months I’ve been trying to get my craftroom more organized and have re-arranged it three times since! One of these days it will be where it all just works for me. Great blog Jessica….keep up the good work.
My crafting resolutions (I usually keep those) are a continuation of last year’s resolutions
Continue to work on my coloring with Copics
Finish the inisde of my cards – even if I don’t need them for awhile – finish the inside while the paper is out
Use up some of my excess amount of paper or give away
Try not to be such a messy crafter. (like that will happen)
Happy crafting.
Barb
Obviously you are my child and someone switched you for one of my sons. Just today I know I spent an hour trying to figure which shade of green was right. And i literally lust to achieve shabby chic but can never pull it off. So for the past few days I’ve been thinking I would do a “Julie and Julia” thing. I bought this months Paper Creations but it really is too much Valentines so maybe I’ll get the Card Creations and just start at the front and work my way to the end! It’ll use up stash, help me learn some new techniques, and hopefully expand the boundaries of my box. And Yvonne I’ve rearranged my room 2x since Thanksgiving!
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My goal this year is to get all family birthday cards finished and ready to send by the end of January. I’ve also started selling cards so my goal in that respect is to get several card fronts complete so when people request cards I just have to assemble to the card containing the sentiment they’ve requested.