thinking outside the lines...
Hello my fabulous friends!
It's that time again… Unity hop!
So there are some ADORABLE new releases, and an AWESOME sale going on right now!
If you are arriving here from Kary's blog you are right on track... if not, go ahead and start at the beginning by clicking HERE.. You don't want to miss any of the fabulous inspiration (or chances to win!)
Alright, let's be honest. We've all had those times when we feel like we have hit a creative wall. When our inner muse seems to not only fled, but burned down the city behind her. Yeah. We've all been there.
Sometimes, we know the reasons… maybe it's stress. Maybe it's exhaustion. Maybe it's that inner critic has been a little too harsh lately. Sometimes, it just hits out of the blue.
It is SO frustrating! I've been running my head against this wall for a while. Sometimes I can break through, but I feel like it is a constant battle to keep those creative juices flowing. I know the reasons behind it, and I'm not really ready to share publicly, but my question to you is:
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU BRUISE YOUR FOREHEAD ON A CREATIVE BLOCK?
How do you get over it? What things bring back that spark? How do you turn that block into a step to bring you to a new level?
I want to know!
While I wait for your ideas, let me share what I made for World Card Making Day over the weekend…
I never quite got around to blogging it, so I get to share it today. YAY!
I LOVE this heart tree with the owls. A-DORE-A-BLE! You will find it as part of this month's KOM Love and Joy for the Holidays
I love the KOMs. They are awesome! So many great images and sayings in a variety of styles. (oh, and I just saw the preview of next months… SWOON! I can't wait to have the rubber in my hands!) If you are interested in signing up, click HERE.
And, because I love to bring you tutorials..
Here's a fun little way to get more out of your dies...
When your stamped image extends beyond the edges of your die...
Lightly trace the edge of your die, specifically focusing on the areas where the image extends beyond the edge. (I don't draw ON the stamped image itself, just up to the edges.
Now, grab a pair of scissors and cut the image out JUST where it sticks out past your pencil line. You may need to cut SLIGHTLY past your pencil line to give you the movement needed for the next step, but don't get carried away.
Place your die how you want it, but slip the now cut out extended parts of the image OVER the die. This will insure that the blade won't cut it off. Run it through your die cut machine like normal….
And, look at that… you have a custom shaped die. Pretty fun, huh!
I used this deer on a birthday card for my dad. I used the NEW CHALLENGE sketch for my design. Super simple. You should totally join the challenge this month! So much fun! Click HERE for details!
The deer is from October's KOM Love and Joy for the Holidays, and the saying is from Blossom Stackers
On a side note… If you aren't sure you want to commit to a monthly kit, you can purchase this month's KOM at club price for a LIMITED TIME by clicking HERE
Don't forget---
2 of these, up for grabs!
2 of these, up for grabs!
Leave a comment on EACH blog in the hop (including the Unity blog) for your chance to win. The winners will be announced Saturday night on the Unity blog.
Your next stop is Laurel!
beautiful card!! love this deer image!! perfect for masculine cards!! nice work with the cutting..
ReplyDelete-Berina
Moxie Craftie
Love that deer! I know how you feel about the creative block:-)
ReplyDeleteGreat tip on the custom dies! Good luck with your creative block!
ReplyDeleteI love both of your cards.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards and thanks for the tut.xxx
ReplyDeleteFun Cards! Love the one with the deer it has such a manly feel ! Love them both!
ReplyDeleteLove this deer and your card is lovely. Hmm, creative block is a downer. You could try taking a blank piece of paper and a pen and just make lines, curves, squiggles etc. Then see if there any patterns you like and colour. I find it frees the brain. Hope the Mojo is back with you soon. Hugz
ReplyDeleteneat trick with the die cutting!
ReplyDeleteWhen my mojo leaves I just step away from the table, clean up and hope it returns fast!
hi there - I completely understand the creative blocks, how frustrating, right?? that negative self-talk doesn't really help either, lol. I think self-care and patience is your best bet. I started crafting in July and I have SO MUCH stuff and I end up feeling terrible because I don't know how to put things together sometimes. one of the things that helps boost my mood is just to CASE other cards. I have tried to draft sketches or ways I can use different stamps together. just keep in mind, it'll pass :) you can always look at other cards for inspiration, pinterest for ideas, too. there are online classes and tutorials available. I was thinking of signing up for a few myself! I think your card is great! happy crafting and hope you get over that creative slump
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tip! Great card!
ReplyDeleteGreat card, Thanks for the tip and good luck on the block. I find a rest is good.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your blog each time. Some times when we are out of ideas, what we need the most might be just "come back to basic." Get a piece of card stock, get your self a puncher, maybe just create a simple card with the most simple supply, you will surprise with your artwork. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteOh we all connect with the creative block. I make sure I dont try when I am tired and if stuck I often go back to a sketch I really enjoyed and use that. I love your card for world cardmaking day and thanks for sharing the tip with the deer......that is awesome.
ReplyDeleteGreat cards.
ReplyDeleteI think your cards are great! When I hit a wall, I walk away and take a break. Pintrest and SCS always seem to help get the mojo going again. I love using sketches to create.
ReplyDeleteI need a card like this for my Daddy!.... ❤️It!
ReplyDeletethat' deer card very cute.
ReplyDeleteFantastic card, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFabulous Card! My creativity has been away also for quite sometime, i will be stopping back to see what people comment on!
ReplyDeleteI so hate when I have a slump or missing mojo. I try to just play with whatever supplies I have sitting on my desk or look through some older projects I have made, sometimes that jolts me.
ReplyDeleteYour cards are wonderful and love that you shared a great tip.
Love that little banner tip. Awesome creation again this week Kassi.
ReplyDeleteWonderful cards! I find that just playing with my stuff helps with that darn block. Much better on the head :)
ReplyDeleteI've been struggling with creative block for a while now. I usually find myself reading blogs and surfing Pinterest. I then use someones project for an inspiration and try one of my own. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteI'm always inspired by my Unity stash & by the samples in the hops.
ReplyDeleteThese are fabulous cards! Love how you used the owls for a non-traditional card. Getting over a creative block? I tend to thrive off of other's creative juices, so going to a crop or having others come over seems to help "jump start" me again.
ReplyDeleteyou have such an amazing blog! I love all your creations! thanks for the little tute on the deer card! love tutorials!!
ReplyDelete