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I have not had inspiration for quite some time as it has been work, work, work and some difficult medical issues with a child. It has zapped the creativity right out of me. Now I find things going back to a more normal pace and I don't know how or if I can reclaim my hobby. I am wondering if anyone else has gone through this and what your experience has been. Thanks very much.
I have had a few long dry spells where I wasn't feeling at all creative, but eventually my mojo would find its way back to me. I would suggest starting with some of the challenges to get you back in your groove. Challenges are always a good starting point for me...at least you have one thing decided for you, and you can go from there.
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I've gone through similar, Its been about 3 years of crazy here. I am just now starting again- slowly. I've found making a few cards in spurts for upcoming birthdays has been fun and left me wanting to make more.
I had the same thing recently after making 40 of the same thing, I found this weekend that getting together with some crafty friends and sharing supplies has helped me get back into things and I have like 20 new layouts ideas for cards I want to try!
What usually helps me is re-organizing my craft area. Challenges, as mentioned above is also a great idea. Maybe you can start with your favorite image/stamp set, then choose a sketch.
I spend hours in the gallery here, and boy I get tons, but I also look thru my old magazines, because something might apeal to me that didnt before. I am scrapbooker too, so sometimes looking a photos, gives me an idea that could work as a card. But mostly I look online and usally it pays off.
Jenny
__________________ Jenny Fighting Breast Cancer, waiting for my day to say SURVIVOR!
I would suggest the challenges as mentioned above. Something else that usually gets me going is if I get a project that I have to do, such as making a card for a birthday that's coming up, or I've even asked some of my non-stamping friends if they would like me to make something specific for them, so that I have something I have to do, KWIM?
And just remember, that a lot of times when you lose your mojo due to stressful situations, your creativity probably won't come completely back overnight, it may take some time. But if you truly enjoy this, you'll be back.
__________________ Julie my gallery
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phillippians 4:13
Clean up your stamp room first. We're women we like to have everything organized. I guess it's the old nesting instinct.
Challenges a great, because they take half of the thinking out of the equation. Just go for it. Once you get going that Mojo begins to flow.
I agree with Robin ....
It seems that sometimes, just buzzing around the stampin' zone, cleaning up & putting things away, can be a trigger to sit down and play with rubber & ink.
Also, playing some "easy listening" radio station ... not loudly .... is another thing I use, as well as playing instrumental CD's (So I don't get subconsciously focused on the lyrics ... just feel the sounds.) ;)
Such great ideas! I recently went thru the very same thing and what helped me the most was blog hopping and seeing the latest trends and styles in card making.
I find that getting together with friends really help. If I can't do that I look at the challenges. Sometimes it takes some time but it all comes back for me. And if that doesn't help go shopping. Some times somthing new and pretty does the trick.
I find I do better getting started in my own space. I have some beautiful cards saved in my Favorites folder. If I'm in a rut, I get warmed up CASING. You don't have to choose much but you get the rush of creating something beautiful. The next thing you know, you are thinking about changing the design and then you find yourself designing a card on your own. Gallery gazing overstimulates me so going into my Favorites is juuuuust the right amount of inspiration. HTH. Kathy
I took almost a year hiatus from scrapping/stamping when I got married and then moved. I also just started off copying other designs until I got some mojo back.
Some new supplies never hurt either LOL!!
Now when I lack creativity I'll do a sketch challenge or some other challenge as a jumping off point.
Thank you all for your thoughts. I have organized my stamping stuff. I have a sketch book with each and every stamp, stamped in it. I think I will peruse that. I have never done a challenge. I am trying to find a class to get into. It's looking like I am going to have to wait til October for that :(
Maybe I will try a challenge. I did find a folder today of ideas for cards for stamping bella stamps. I will continue to look through this website, as also suggested! Thanks again. Joanne
I find I loose my mojo when I'm under a lot of stress. Once things calm down, it normally returns. I lost mine for the past couple of weeks and it's slowly returning. Sometimes I find I just need to take a break from crafting for a little bit. Then when I go back to it, the ideas will start flowing again naturally.
Do you have a best friend or child you love to keep in touch with....I only make one card at a time....about an hour for each one....I went through some life and just quit....then one day I sat in my mess of a room and made that one card to someone I love....take baby steps and know your card will mean more to the person recieving it then you will ever know....hugs to you and take care....somehow we do get through it...
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No joke, but this is what works for me. When the mojo starts lagging, when I go to bed I start imagining what my PERFECT stamp room would look like if it could be anything I wanted. Somewhere between where I would put my paper racks for my 120 different shades of card stock and where my shelves would be for my 2,556 stamps, I usually fall asleep. It never fails, that after that I dream about making cards and when I wake up, suddenly, 5 or 6 new ideas pop into my head. Somewhere, someone said "If you can dream it, you can do it." I'm beginning to think that there may be some truth in that. Dream on, girl!
I joined an ATC club at my LSS and wow that has made me want to stamp a lot. Once I get going the Mojo eventually comes back. Pick out a good sketch challenge and some papers that go together and on of your fav stamp sets and it will start flowing. Good luck. This hobby is too much fun to give up!
I had a period of this too when I was pregnant, had my son, and then moved to a new state at the beginning of the year. I found that for me CASEing cards and stamping with others helped get me going again. If there isn't a class in your area for a while, maybe you could find a tutorial from a blog you like or for the resource section here on SCS. Since you will be creating something using step by step instructions, you don't have to worry about thinking too hard about what you are doing and as you go along, you may find yourself getting into a groove again and then even trying to change up what you are doing or add to the project you are working on. Or just CASE a card you love, don't try to do anything other than CASE it but you may find yourself getting inspired to try it again only this time doing something differently. Good luck!
How'd you regain your creativity?
