I keep saying I'm going to make up lots of cards so I can just pick one when needed, but it never seems to happen. Invariably, I realize at the last minute that I need a card for a specific person and start with what I think they will like: my mom's favourite paper, a theme I think would work (ie. masculine) or special occasion stamps (ie. birthday stamps), a technique I just saw on SCS and am dying to try, or, if I have no idea, I browse through my Card Confidence books or CTMH catalogues for something I like. I have a duotang with samples of all my inks, markers, stamps, embossing folders, etc and I will peruse it for a starting point as well. I recently did up a list of all the technique and CAS challenges I'd like to try and will probably use that for inspiration as well.
As for matching all the elements of the card, I find it works best for me to stick with one line and my favourite is CTMH. I have some other product and I can never figure out how to match it, so I will rarely buy anything else, no matter how cute or cheap. I do have a few stacks of other brands and tend to use them to make envelopes (I rarely do A2 sized ones so I usually have to make my own envies). I hate using my expensive CTMH paper for something like that and if I use the off-brand pattern on the inside of the envelope, I only have to make sure it doesn't clash.
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The next card is easier and I'm more able to be creative. One thing usually leads to another .... and off I go
