Having a hard time finishing the cards

[ouweave2]

I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but whenever I start a card, I get going good with the focus picture/stamped image on the card and then I don't know where to go from there. My cards just all look like they are missing something. I have all the ribbons and brads and other stuff in my stash, but I get overwhelmed and don't know what to put on the card next.
Am I the only one with this issue? Can anyone help with some suggestions.

[craftycrazymama]

I find it happens to me when I'm under 'deadline' wanting something to be finished - and often I end up adding something I don't like & thus wrecking the card. Ugh. My solution for this has turned into something that works for me - when I don't know what to do next but I'm not convinced it's *done*, I stand up the card on the shelf beside my desk, and work on something else. That way I'm not staring at it, but it's still in my line of vision, and usually within another card or two I've figured out what to do to finish the original.
If it's just an overall difficulty with adding embellishments - maybe it's not your style? I've bought lots of different things because I liked how other crafters used them, but never liked how they went on my own cards.
I don't know if any of that is helpful, but at least you know for sure you're not alone there!
Jessi

[ouweave2]

I guess I just haven't found "my style" as of yet. I find I can copy others work but I have a hard time with original ideas. That is when I find it to be the hardest is when I don't follow anothers examples, and when I do follow what others are doing with their cards it just doesn't feel right to me. Dumb question, but how do you find your style?

[katz_r_us]

it's not a dumb question at all. It is the one that perplexed me for the longest. I think I have only recently discovered my own style. One way is to search or browse galleries, like here, and favorite the ones that you really like. Or cut out pics, or bookmark things you find online and make a folder for yourself. That way, when you look over it for ideas, you should start to see a pattern of the same types of cards that appeal to you.


I do something similar to poster 2 when I am not sure how to finish a card. Sometimes I just lay it on my desk and walk away until the next day. Or I put it where I can see it and be working on something else. Sometimes it just doesn't need anything else. Sometimes I come up with the answer on my own. Sometimes I look at similar cards to see how others finsished theirs.

[ouweave2]

I just want to say thanks for your suggestions. I love the big beautiful cards that look like they take forever to make. But my heart is really with the Clean and Simple ones. I kind of get overwhelmed with the thought of layer upon layer. But those that make them are true artists.
I love this site.

[Baytops08]

I have to agree with you Katz_r_us I too get stuck with not finishing cards. But I do they same thing I might walk away from it but leave it on the table so that I can see it. But I also pick up a magazine or look at site with a gallery (with the same theme) just to get some other ideas or inspiration for my cards.

Just remember that these are your cards and you design them they way you like and I guarantee that they will always make an impression when given out.

Best of Luck to you!

[Cook22]

Try using some of the sketches, maybe? Some of them work so well with just a couple of patterned papers that little embellishment is needed. As the others have said, maybe embellishments just aren't your style. I like them, but don't use a lot. I reckon there are better things to do try to fit embellishments when the card doesn't call for them. But some cards do - and then it's nice to have the fancy stuff.
Here's a link to all the sketches from the challenge here each Wednesday :SCSketches's Gallery at Splitcoaststampers

[megan6986]

I always use sketches, especially when I'm stuck. Also I save thumbnails of my favorite cards of the moment and make sketches from that and make notes by them of a technique or color combo I liked. Or sometimes I just look through those thumbnails and it "hits" me of what the card was missing. Sometimes it also helps to take a picture of the card and I know it may sound weird but you can sometimes see what its missing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cook22

Try using some of the sketches, maybe? Some of them work so well with just a couple of patterned papers that little embellishment is needed. As the others have said, maybe embellishments just aren't your style. I like them, but don't use a lot. I reckon there are better things to do try to fit embellishments when the card doesn't call for them. But some cards do - and then it's nice to have the fancy stuff.
Here's a link to all the sketches from the challenge here each Wednesday :SCSketches's Gallery at Splitcoaststampers

[stigmom6]

I find by sponging ink around the edges of my CS and or DSP helps my cards look finished. But like others have said it has to be your style. HTH!

[MelodyGal]

Finding your style takes time. I, too, love looking at cards with lots of detail--stitching, sponging, coloring, layers, etc. But my style evolved from trying different things, and I found that I prefer a classic look (sort of the way I like to dress).

When I make a card, I cut all the pieces and put them together WITHOUT glue until I'm happy with the arrangement. Then, I look at it and think about what embellishments would make it special. A rhinestone or pearl? A corner adornment? A ribbon? Before permanently fastening them, I look at them in place to see how they will look.

Less is more for me--so I don't add every embellishment I own just enough for balance and in keeping with the style/theme of the card.

Keep trying different things. Some may end up in the trash but most will be treasured by the lucky recipient!