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
I would like to get some projects finished ahead of time and make extra cards to just have a stash to pull from. I use to do it but I was overwelmed this past year. Have a great day.
This year I made NO resolutions. I am just going to be the best me that I can be. Love the cards.
Cheryl Sims
Thanks for sharing your resolutions!
Mine are to craft and scrapbook more. I sometimes get so caught up in “life” that I don’t take the time for myself that is much needed and let my creative juices flow. Being a mom to a 3 year old definitely keeps me busy, but I have found that I can do a little bit here and there while she is playing and it helps so much!
Thanks for the chance to win your pretty cards!
i want to scrapbook more! card making has taken over! i want to submit my cards! just to name a couple
I need to get out of my comfort zone & just go crazy with my card making. That will be something I’ll try to do this year as well!
My resolution is to slow down and enjoy more, and accept life for what it is.
I really want to resolve to complete more projects. I have way too many ideas!
I’m following a couple of your resolutions, Jess. 1. Make more, think less! Combine that with “No more than 30 minutes per card, and I’ll be one happy crafter! I can really “OVER THINK”. I also hope to make more LOs. My mind whirls with ideas but I don’t stop to create often enough. I drive myself crazy!! Thanks for sharing and inspiring me to do more.
thanks for the great post…. ditto on all of what you said. My only resolution is to do something good for someone everyday. You know, go out of my way to make someone feel loved, valued and appreciated. Even if it is myself when I am having a “bad” day.
I need to create more and spend less time on each card! Love these resolutions. I have also loved seeing the ten minute scrap cards on Jessica’s blog – very inspiring!
I need to get caught up on all my scrapbooking photos! YIKES! it’s a big task
It’s not really an offiicial “resolution” actually, I just thought of it this morning…my motto for this year [or as long as I can remember it] is going to be “make it pretty for myself” – I tend to overdo for others, but not myself. And now I think, “maybe I deserve it too.” Love your ideas!
I have to keep my space clean or I will never get anything done. I can’t find anything and it takes so long to search for something.
I want to get into a better exercise routine and eat less…Like you, I thjink I over-think my projects. Love looking for ideas and inpiration, but get a little daunted when it comes to getting going on projects!
I did not make a resolution, but one of my goals this year is to buy less and use what I already have more. Which is really hard for me, because I love to shop. I also want to encourage my friends who have not been cardmakers to try it.
I have set one goal to submit more projects. This past year, I’d do the research and see the due dates and themes, but rarely completed projects on time. This year will be different, I’ll be more focused….first I have to declutter the crafting area! (That’s the weekend goal).
I can totally relate to all of these struggles! It’s so hard to say “good enough already!”
Also, I just love the butterfly card from A Card a Day and copied it first thing.
My resolution is to buy less, use more.
I don’t want to be entered for the draw, but I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your post! Very witty (no pun intended)!
I have decided to take a couple of art classes to help my “visions” — I love all things that are different and unique so have decided to sign up for a mixed media group of classes. I, too, would like to buy less and use more. I also want to loosen up my “stinginess” on my cards – embellish, layer and use more designer paper.
My comment seemed to disappear before I submitted it Jessica
so don’t know if you got it. Just to say thank-you for showing me that my insecurities about my card-making are shared!! Enjoy your blog a lot!
Thank you for sharing, Jessica! You are too funny–I have all the same resolutions as you….STILL! I am still working on all of mine (more embellishments, new papers, more layers, less layers, CAS cards….)…I am also working on NOT hoarding all my papers. I love to look at them…and buy them. So…I keep you posted on my progress;)
My resolution this year is to be kinder and think more of others. Speak with a more quiet voice, listen more, be more observant and be more creative.
My resolution is to get past years’ pictures scrapbooked. I have so many baby pictures of my girls and they are 4 and 6 now, I really need to get them scrapbooked!
As far as paper crafting, I need to get organized and start scrapbooking more. I’ve been spending too much time playing with other things, board books, cards, etc., and need to get back to the albums.
My resolution is to put myc scrappy goodness away as soon as I finish a prject so that my space does not become a mess. I also like your resolutions to make more and think less. My niece’s birthday is in three days and I am still thinking about her card; haven’t made it yet!
i want to use up scraps-paper, ribbon-just use them up!
Get more scrapbooking done and make sure every person on my list gets a home made card for their birthday or anniversary or maybe “just because”. Thanks for the inspiration.
Using some of the stamp sets, papers and ribbons that I already own is high on my list of resolutions. I recently got a Cricut and resolve to use it as well! What a fun year this will be!
My resoultion is to clean up after each project…haha we’ll see how long that one lasts! But so far so good! And, to use up more of my scraps like your challenge!
I’m going to try to use up my card and scrpbooking supplies and quit buying more papers, tools and embellishments that I don’t have room for. I’m going to learn more digital scrapbooking skills and take better photos.
My resolutions are to try to achieve more balance, manage our family time better, and create more time for myself and my husband, and also to take better care of myself.
I am a hunter and gather and I have gathered so much stuff together, I need to get into the making of the cards themselves. Love what you are doing on the blog. Keep up the good work!
I still need to hang with last year’s resolution, “consistency”. I really do need a resolution about a clean craft room, little by little! I also have a small goal of Christmas cards ready before Christmas
Jessica, I can totally relate to your bit about over-thinking!! I’m the SAME WAY!! And as a result, it takes me FOREVER to finish a project! One of my resolutions for this year is to be more confident in myself and my abilities!! In that same resolution category I’ve set a goal of trying to sell my cards this year! Wish me luck!!!
Mine is nothing new but i am soo excited to get fit and healthy this year. I am a Breast Cancer survivor and want to have an even better life than i had before cancer. I also plan to make time for scrapbooking lots and lots of pages of my beautiful girls!
Since I spend so much time making cards and gifts, my New Year’s Resolution is to send my creations to the ones that mean the most to me. My first card went out yesterday. Now I never said they had to be on time;o)
I have 3 goals. No resolutions!! Just goals! Get my craft room organized (halfway there) and to make Birthday cards a month ahead (instead of the day of) and have other cards on hand so I can send them immediately, such as Sympathy, congrats, Thinking of You.
My resolution is to clean up after myself! I have a craft/stamp/sewing room and I often leave everything out including bits of paper, different stamps, punches, etc. etc. Then, tomorrow when I want to stamp, I just push everything out of the way and start again. When I actually take the time to clean up, put everything away, I feel MUCH more creative and enjoy the process a lot. Maureen
I’ve made a HUGE New Years resolution. I’ve created a blog “Inspired by Julie and Julia”…you know the movie based on Julia Child? Anyway, mine is based on card making and I’ve resolved to make EVERY card in thCARDS magazine for every month. This month I will make 119 cards! I’m on day 6 and still going strong! PS
No lobsters were harmed in the making of my blog! ::wink::
http://sandeeallen.blogspot.com/
I would like to use more of my scraps when creating cards and take the time to try out new techniques.
A crafting goal I have is just allow myself the time to craft. When I do get time, make time that is, it’s because I have to make something for a gift…not as fun as I feel less creative. I’d like to make things ahead of time and have them ready, for a thinking of you gift or a thank you for a kind gesture.
Charmaine
My crafty goal (note I say goal & not resolution, therefore less likely to be thrown to the side in a week!)- is to have my craft area in a state that I can USE- so I’m trying to tidy up as I go, and before I leave the room!
Cute, simple, and love the colors.
I never took resolutions at the beginning of the year, but this year I HAVE to have more attention on my health. So this is my resolution.
Thanks for sharing your creations. Happy New year from Italy!
I love all of your cards! My resolution is to scrap my pictures, I started out scrapbooking, and then I found card making and fell in love! So I need to keep all those memories for my kids and do more scrapping this year! But so far, no pages this year!
I have one main goal – to be happy. So whatever that takes, I want to do. Get in better shape, craft more, cook more!
I resolve to get my monthly file basket back up and running… the one that has the divider cards in it with a list of birthdays/anniversaries for each month. and furthermore, I will actually make and send the cards each month, even if it doesn’t get done until mid month or even end of the month. I used to do this faithfully and somewhere between child #3 and 4, it just stopped happening altogether. I didn’t even get my Christmas cards sent last year, which for me was unforgivable. so… this year, I have determined to get the monthly cards sent and make a few Christmas cards up as I go to gear up for this year!
1. I hope to sell.
2. I would love to have one of my cards published.
3. I’m trying to learn more techniques.
And I hope to win your cards.
One of my resolutions is the same as yours: try something new. I get into a rut with techniques in my comfort zone, or avoid those “messy” techniques – but I really should try new things. I’d also like to get my first print publication. I already have an ezine pub, but I would like to start getting them in print, too.
Beautiful cards!
I make cards, I just don’t send enough of them, and the ones I do send, are NOT in a timely fashion. I am hoping to get better at doing both this year.
What butterfly stamps did you use on the Spread your Wings card? It’s beautiful, (perhaps it is Designer Paper). Thanks for sharing!