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I've really pushed myself to start creating more and stop copying. So, the SCS challenges were a great place to start. I started with the IC's which was a lesson in psychiatry. I have found I am an extremely literal person. I would be a terrible impressionist or abstract artist. Just wondered if anyone else had learned something about themselves too.
I didn't think I had any good ideas that were original, but I think I was so busy looking for things to CASE from magazines that I just didn't give myself a chance. And just yesterday I discovered that even if I think the challenge isn't going to be my style, I should just do it and see what happens. I first looked at the IC challenge yesterday and thought "no way" but I just tried it and ended up really having fun doing it. So I guess what I've learned is that it's OK to think outside the box - sometimes you get really good results!
I always had problems with layouts and knowing where to start. I love the sketch challenge because it gives me the opportunity to have somewhere to start...then, the color combos and stamps are all my ideas. Also, when I do them, I don't look at anyone else's so that I am not influenced!
Nancy
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Originally Posted by nabush
I always had problems with layouts and knowing where to start. I love the sketch challenge because it gives me the opportunity to have somewhere to start...then, the color combos and stamps are all my ideas. Also, when I do them, I don't look at anyone else's so that I am not influenced!
Nancy
um, yeah... what she ^ said!!!
i must add that when i am ogling the gallery you can 'spot' certain SC but yet they are all different. when i am done with MY entry for the challenge i like to go look at the others and it is amazing how different they all are.
i recently did a 'featured stamper' challenge and much enjoyed it. in a way i thought it resembled the SC (for me anyway) because i used the cards layout as my inspiration and changed everything else about.
I learned that I really am an artist. I case's for so many years and just changed colors and stamp sets. I now know that I have the ability to create!! I love the challenges!!
Two main things: they got me out of being stuck. Like Robyn, I just changed stamp sets and colors, maybe added a layer and distressed a little more, but didn't really try much new. Secondly, they keep me focused. I tend to jump around a lot, start with an idea, then change to a different stamp, oh, now I need a different layout, oops, that embellishment won't work after all, etc. etc. With the challenges, I have at least one thing that I can't change, that is the focus for the whole project, and it really seems to help!
I love the challenges!! I've been doing them for about 3 weeks and my work has improved enormously!! iidssm (if i do say so myself).
__________________ Janet aka Granna 'Safe?' said Mr. Beaver...'Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. but he's good. He's the King, I tell you.' --The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
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I have to say I love the challenges. The SC I think have really helped me grow skill wise. I haven't done any in a long time and need to get back to it. Started the color challenges recently and really liked that as well. Think I may try and get a SC done today!
I learned that I'm not good at Caseing cards. I have tried to do the FS challenge many times and I just have a terrible time. I love the LS and Color challenges. And the inspiration....well I guess pretty much all of them. I don't always have time to do them and I may not post the results but it's fun.
I'm with you on the SC challenges. Love those and use them with my club. I also like the color challenges. Encourages me to use colors I may not think of. Everything at SCS has helped me. Makes me braver and more willing to use different techniques.
Good to see I'm not the only one! I'm definately going to keep trying different challenges. I worked on IC's last night and hope to spend a couple of hours today on CC. Maybe I'll get some great samples to show at my club meeting tomorrow night!
I ***love*** the challenges and try to hit different ones each week. They have helped me enormously (I have all my old uploads to prove it!)
What I've learned is that I really enjoy the process of making a card. Sometimes I would wonder if I was going overboard, making cards too complicated. I decided that as long as I was having fun in the process, it doesn't matter if one card takes me three days and has a half-dozen layers!
I tried, but can't do the challenges. It takes all the fun out of stamping for me. I quit my book club for the same reason -- as soon as something feels like "an assignment" my mind goes flat. Shall I blame this on the nuns who taught me? LOL
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
I have that same problem, Joan! For a girl who always did what she was told growing up, I sure have turned into a problem! LOL Good thing I'm old and don't have quite so many people telling me what to do.
Now I'm inspired to try some challenges. I tend to create based on what supplies I have the most of (an odd fear of running out of a color of paper), but now I'm inspired to try the challenges! It will get me "creating" a little more. Great thread Sarah!
God bless!
I have that same problem, Joan! For a girl who always did what she was told growing up, I sure have turned into a problem! LOL Good thing I'm old and don't have quite so many people telling me what to do.
Oh goodie. I thought I was the only one. Yes, I was disgustingly perfect as a child, so I'm making up for it now!!
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
The challenges have taught me almost everything I know about stamping. By trying the challenges and not being afraid to 'goof' once in a while, I have expanded my knowledge of technques, color schemes, and layouts. I have learned how to use less and how to use more....and how to do things in a different way. I have also met some of the most fabulous stampers and friends. I am a lone stamper.......none of my friends stamp with me......they appreciate, but don't create handcrafted cards......so SCS challenge chasers have become my stamping buddies. They are also enablers, sharing info on new 'toys' and sources of 'rubbah'.................
The challenges rock. The 'stalkers' (or challenge regulars) are a support group too.....they are often people who encourage you and make you feel a part of the group................so......................
If you have been afraid to jump in and join the challenges, dive right in. It is a learning and fun community of stampers..............
The challenges are good for me to stretch myself in my weakest points and either magnify the things that are unique about me and also magnify the things that I need to improve on. Sometimes I can do a challenge and not think it's that great and end up getting an overwhelming response...and I'm thinking..."but it wasn't really THAT good!" So I really enjoy reading what other's opinions are about it. And I ALWAYS try to find something I like about someone else's card/project so they can maximize what they're good at doing...does that make sense? But I just love to participate in the challenges! It's a good morning exercise for me!:-D
__________________ *Vicki*~ my blog "Go Stamp some Smiles"
So funny, I was thinking the same way while doing the sketch challenge and I posted on my blog. I already knew this about myself but I am very literal and I am a rule follower and I follow the sketches and don't vary from them. I'm trying to work on becoming more creative with layouts. I think my strength is color combination. My weakness is layouts and I'm hoping the challenges will help me in that area!
Actually, I learn something with every challenge I participate in -- I wish I had more time to participate in them all!
My favorite are the limited supplies challenges, mostly because I think that's when I have to be most creative -- can't just reach for whatever is in the stamp room.
I have adopted the limited supplies challenge in my life as well -- my supplies are now limited to the current SU catalogs. If it's not in there, I don't use it!
I totally enjoy the challenges......I have learned that I CAN stamp by myself...I have friends that get together once a month to stamp as a group, but once a month isnt nearly enough LOL. I have also learned many, many tips and techniques........and I have learned to comment LOL
It forces me to stamp. Having a concrete goal "to complete X challenge" helps me get started.
Some of the challenges are not to my taste- some of them are "one time only's" for me. Others become favorites of mine. Sometimes viewing cool stuff in the gallery makes me see the light and appreciate a challenge in a different light.
Sharing my work in the gallery has definitely made me more comfortable about sharing art and posting in the forums!
The card sketch challenge has allowed me to take part although I don't have access to Stampin Up supplies ( I live in Spain ), and I am non too bright using the computer.I have to adapt with the craft materials I have on hand.The weekly challenges have given me so many opportunities to expand my range and they are a marvellous learning curve. Thanks to all who work so hard to bring us these ideas each week.
The challenges have been extremely helpful in getting me to think outside the box. I've mainly done the color and sketch challenges and they have really helped me grow as a stamper/card maker. I've tried lots of things I normally wouldn't have without them.
The challanges on SCS are what really got me going with my stampin, I used to only scrapbook, and only once every month or so, then I got into the challanges and they are just so inspirering that now I make cards almost every day. They were definatly the bloost I needed to get my creative juices going. I think they are the best thing since sliced bread!
I have never posted to a challenge, but I often do them on my own and find it helps spark the creative juices. Sometimes just looking at the Gallery is over whelming and I can't pick a place to start, but the challenges give me that starting point. Maybe I'll start up loading some of my work, when I find the time LOL. I guess the answer is to MAKE the time!
I learned than just about anything goes for the challenges! I love being able to create something from using a sketch or color challenge and being satisfied with it. It definitely gets me real excited and eager to jump right in.
Just have to say thanks for posting the challenges. I'm having fun!
~Barbara
I've been stamping for quite a few years, and am a closet caser! I pride myself on doing quality work, but most of the time it isn't mine. I have been scouring SCS for almost a year now, but over the summer (I'm a teacher so I have them off) I have much more time and have taken quite a leap in my creative process. I remember being so frightened to join a swap for fear of not being very creative, and I ended up being one of the top 3 winners! I have recently begun the challenges, and am hooked! I, too, am thinking outside the box and am pretty pleased with some of the cards I have created "on my own"! I now looked with delight at each challenge. I have only done two IC, but I think those are my favorite. I do print out and use quite often the SC challenges, and the CC ones really get me to use some combos I never would have dreamed of. Thanks to all the SCSers who contribute to this website and those unsung heroes who run it!
__________________ My blog: Kind Creations
Designing for Just Us Girls challenge blog! Til the next time that we say goodbye, I'll be thinking of you! (The Rolling Stones]
So, do you guys think I have a creative side that I just don't know how to use yet or am I stuck casing other people's cards? I've heard before that creativity can't be taught. That depresses me.
So, do you guys think I have a creative side that I just don't know how to use yet or am I stuck casing other people's cards? I've heard before that creativity can't be taught. That depresses me.
I think it's in there -- just keep trying new things. I cased my demo's cards or the catty for four years, before I dared a SC. It has opened a new era for me. I may not always like them or find them comfortable, but that teaches me something about my style, which is just evolving. Now, I've jumped into CCs, too, and that has stretched me a bit more.
Even before SU, I did crafts, and always called myself a copier, not a crafter. I'm finding I have some creativity after all!
__________________ Kay
�Be the change you wish to see in the world.� -Gandhi
So, do you guys think I have a creative side that I just don't know how to use yet or am I stuck casing other people's cards? I've heard before that creativity can't be taught. That depresses me.
Of course you have a creative side! Art is 90% hard work, 10% talent. Keep casing, keep doing challenges, keep reading, keep studying the gallery, keep making mistakes. So much of accessing our natural talent is believing that it is there, giving it hope, letting it grow! I saw this over and over again while teaching college composition and literature. If I could get a student to believe he/she COULD write well, he/she did. It was amazing to see the light bulb come on! And there's a light bulb over all of us. And it will come on if we just try.
IMHO, people who say creativity can't be taught are snobs who like to think they are in some exclusive club, LOL! Maybe not everyone can be a "professional" at something--but how many of us want to be? Isn't having a hobby in and of itself good for us? People who are active in pursuit of a hobby are healthier, happier, and live longer than people who aren't. Scientific studies have proven this! So have fun, let loose, play, and persevere. Just do it!
I have not yet participated in any challanges, but I'm constantly learning things just by beind here on SCS. I can look up any question I have on any technique, I can surf galleries and get new ideas from all you creative people, and I've discovered new sources for items I couldn't find or didn't even know existed.
I'm so happy I found SCS! You people ROCK!
__________________ He set His STAMP of ownership on us, and put His spirit in our hearts as a deposit 2 Cor 1:22Jan
My favorite challenges are:
color
sketch
I've done the featured stamper a couple times but, I'm to intimitated by the talent.
I also participate in alot of swaps and get great ideas from that.
I love this site!
What have you learned from the SCS challenges?
