Three Birds + Four Cards
Happy Monday, everyone! It's nearly Tuesday, or at least it feels that way... I stayed up way too late last night so I'm paying for it today. :) Just tired, but it's my own dang fault.Can I just tell you it was so wonderful to just sit at my craft table tonight and just create some cards. I made all four in about 35 minutes. The time just flew right by.
I think a lot of you who commented on my novel-length post from last week hit the nail on the head. We have love-hate relationships with our blogs. Having a blog is a wonderful and creatively fulfilling thing. It allows us to share with others and we get to have some feedback on what we're creating. However, sometimes we bury ourselves too deep in the "I need to update my blog today" mentality.
I know this extremely well because I locked myself into weekly things and soon it became more about just getting things done than enjoying the journey of creating something. I also collected a huge stack of cards that I never sent out. I'd forgotten that part of the process, too. I used to love sending out cards. :)So what have I done about it? About this loss of creative motivation?
First, I stepped back and decided when I could part with to make myself feel a bit more in control of what and when I created projects. You all read that part last week. Then, I made a list of all the people I wanted to send cards to. I listed out my wonderful, caring family and friends. Everyone I've always meant to send cards to, but never got around to.
And the difference between last week and tonight? About a million times more enjoyable to just sit at my craft table and play with paper. It was a delicious feeling to not have a camcorder dangling above my head. As much as I love creating videos, sometimes I feel like I can't make mistakes and just let the creativity come. I think that's mostly because I'm thinking about how the card is made and how I'll describe it.Such a joy to sit back and create. No pressure. No demands. Just making some cards for my friends. :)
Question: For those of you who are bloggers, how to do you retain the balance between creating for creative fulfillment and creating for blogging sake? Let's discuss. How do you create balance in your life, papercrafting related or not?
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Butterfly Cards - Pool and Cream notecards & envelopes, Thoughtful Messages stamp set (Hero Arts), Amy Butler Lotus Tea Box Butterflies die-cut paper (K & Company), Charcoal chalk ink (Colorbox); corner rounder punch (Stampin' Up!).
Hello Dear Friend card - Three Birds stamp, A Little Note stamp set, and Cream notecards & envelopes (Hero Arts); blender pen (Dove); corner rounder punch, Tempting Turquoise and Kiwi Kiss inks (Stampin' Up!); Charcoal chalk ink (Colorbox).
Life is Brighter card - Sky's the Limit stamp set and Pool Notecards & Envelopes (Hero Arts); Threading Water edge punch (Fiskars); pale yellow paper from Daydream paper pack (Ki Memories); Basic Gray card stock and paper piercer (Stampin' Up!); Uni-ball white gel pen; Charcoal chalk ink (Colorbox); Coluzzle circle cutter.
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posted on February 9, 2009 9:39 PM by Kristina |
53 Comments posted in Cards technique(s) used: blender pen, coluzzle, corner rounder, faux stitching, paper piercing |
I was working as a business/taxation lawyer and had no time for anything but work. I'd think about my files at night, wake up and write a list of questions for the cross examination... I was totally into my job. All I ever did, creatively, was to purchase lots of supply that grew old and gray in my cabinets.
Everything changed when my husband and I relocated to Dublin, Ireland and I could no longer practice law. It took me a while (I even considered learning Gaelic for the license - a prerequisite for non-EU lawyers) but at the end I decided to pursue my creative endeavors, which was when I started my own blog: Creativity Prompt (linked to my name).
I do feel like I am doing stuff just for the sake of updating my blog and maintaining the general scheme, but I appreciate it, as it pushes me to create, even when I certainly do not feel like it. I am also "meeting" many great people who comment on my blog or send me private e-mails through my contact form. I love it!
When I have something else to compare this to, it keeps me in perspective. Instead of finding arguments all day (and night) long - I am finding new things to create!
How do you feel about it? Do you have something to compare it with?
I started a very lengthy piece about thirty minutes ago and decided you did not need to read all that I wrote. So I put it in a short version. I will be 60 this month. My blog has been up since late July. I have done a lot in my life, but my best advice to you is this: Make a list of priorities and put them in an order of importance. If all these things you do are important, start with one thing at a time, finish it, then move on. God gave you this day to accomplish what you can. Make the most of each day. Days should be composed of fun as well as work. I, like many others enjoy your blog. If you need it to go a different direction, then take it that way, but way all the pro's and con's for each decision. We can not do everything all at once. So take a deep breath and reevaluate what you need in your life!
Hi Kristina!
seems like the creativity came back... love those butterfly cards. :)
I maintain the balance between my blog and scrapbooking by only posting when I'm done with a project. So I never create in order to post, but I post because I've created.... see the difference? As a result, I do not post very often.... perhaps once a week, sometimes even less..... but I do it for myself in the first place and not for the readers. :)
Before I started my scrap-blog, I had a travel blog where I would tell stories about what I was discovering here in Switzerland and about the trips I did in Europe. The goal was that my family in Canada could stay tuned. There again, I was only posting when something happened... That was more often then now with my scrap-blog because it seemed to me like everything happening was worth telling... :)
Hope to see some nice projects again... but not every day! :) There are so many blogs out there. Let the other do their part too!!! :D hihihi!!
For me, since I am fairly new to the blogging world (my URL is on my name) things have only just begun. I am newly married, but also a graphic designer for a newspaper. My blog allows me to post things that I am proud of creating for creativity's sake. The only thing that is consistent with it, is I often post on weekends, since that is when I have time to make cards in general. I participate in only a few online swaps through splitcoaststampers at a time (so I don't get too overwhelmed), but the swaps also force me to make thing for other people, instead of just letting cards sit around never sent out to anyone.
I'm proud of the fact that this year, I sent out only handmade Christmas cards, and slowly been finding occasions to make other cards to give to friends for special events. For me, papercrafting is my hobby (though I would LOVE to do it as part of my job- don't we all wish that) but my blog is my showcase. It is my online tool to show my friends what I've been doing cooped up in my scraproom on random weekends.
I don't think I could ever do a daily or even every-other-day thing, as much as I want to. People can complain all they want that I don't post enough, but quite frankly, who cares. If you miss a day, you miss a day. A blog is NOT a job (or at least for most people it isn't) so you shouldn't feel that you HAVE to do anything. Sure, it is nice to have consistent things on certain days, but you don't need to have something new all the time. Just think about what you love most about your blog, and stick to that. I wouldn't want to be making a blog that causes me stress- that kind of defeats the purpose of a blog. It is your own blog...do what you want with it, no matter what anyone says. Blogs are supposed to be your outlet and to show the world what you think or do, they shouldn't be the ones causing you stress.
I'll continue to be a fan of you blog, even if you only put stuff online once a month, if that's what you wanted. You do great work altogether. Your sanity (I think at least) is more important than creating for blogging sake.
I do what I want, sometimes I create a magazine with the best pictures that I find online (abaout decorating) sometimes I make, in one day, 15 cards but I blog one each time so I have enough time to rest. I love to read so I blog my book cover too. You should try todo what makes you happy, if it doesn´t, then, simply, DON´T DO IT.
I rarely create for bloggings sake, I just create to create (or su demo/dt work) then I share everything I create, however I don't share more than one project per post and i schedule my posts out 3 days apart so I have some leeway for the days i don't get the chance to craft.
I seem to go in fits and starts! Sometimes I get inspired by the comments left on my blog that I feel I need to share something on my blog or to create something to then make a post or I feel I have not updated my blog for a while that I should add something and I seem to then make several posts or long ones! Then other times I just get busy with life in general - my 'regular' day time job or family commitments or just general household chores that I do not find time to blog and days (or a week or two) goes by between posts! However, I too have felt that I need to get this back in balance as I prefer to create first and blog second, and everything else in my life has to fit in somewhere. When I first started my blog I was intending to only update it on a weekly basis - maybe I should go back to this goal, set a particular day and time when I can blog - and then any other time in between when the mood takes me I can create! Which would then also give me something creative and constructive to share. I think my family would encourage this too, especially if they saw me away from my craft room or computer a bit more often!
Love your cards. I am such a big fan of clean, simple creations. These are truly wonderful.
I'm so glad you could find time to create enjoyng it, nd with a purpose: to send those cards to your loved ones.
I have a blog, and sometimes also feel the pressure of needing to have something new, creative and exciting to post for my readers. Its not always possible, I have to deal with it.
For the past months i've been noticing that I spend too much time in front of the computer too, and then I started to organize my days, every two or three hours a different activity.
Its been hard, but I have to start this by obligation to become (with time) automatic.
Well, sorry for the english mistakes (i'm from brazil).
Kisses
I love these cards. Thanks for sharing them with us. I'm so happy that you're feeling the joy in making cards again. That's what it's all about - having fun doing something you love. Take care and happy crafting.
hello Kristina! i love creating things too from plushies, to cards, to mini books, to "amigurumis", to anything crafty.. i blog them as soon i finish creating them not because i had to but because i want to bless and inspire others who visit my blog with the works i've done.
i'm a mother of two (andre, 5yrs and venize, 3yrs) and boy do i have a lot on my hands, my husband works at night so i really do have a lot of stuff to do in mornings taking care of all three of them. but you know the best part of it is, i get the rest of the afternoon till a little late in the evening to do my crafts.
it has been like my "secret garden" experience for the day and it has always kept me up and going in the morning.. :) ++ listening to praise songs.. (that's our little secret.. well, not anymore..)
smile and have a great day! **sheene
I started out making cards and sold them to get them out of my living room. Then I became a SU Demo (for the discount, you understand), and now I had two reasons to stamp - for selling and for my classes. So I create for me. I get inspired and I just let it happen. I have days when I have no mojo, so I veg out and give it a rest.
I blog to connect with other stampers, so I post when I feel I have something blog-worthy, meaning someone else might want to see it. I am also quite irreverent, and can see the funny side of life, so I also share other parts of my life - again, what I feel might interest someone else.
You need to remember that your blog is exactly that: YOUR blog. It is your journal, and you make it what you want. There is a wonderful post I have linked to my blog that talks about Blogging Without Obligation: http://www.tartx.com/blog/?page_id=233. Read it and see if it doesn't help you decide what's important. I sure helped me!
Hi, I just wanted to say that I really like when you have random videos with cool tips like the 'how to tie a knot' or 'how to make a heart paperclip'.
Those tips are just as fun and helpful to watch as watching you make a card. I love anything you do, and maybe you could just be more random rather than pressuring yourself to make a specific video each week, etc. Maybe that will help your creative process as well. It's more like a window to your creativity as opposed you feeling like you're 'performing' for an audience.
I love seeing what you do with the silhouette too! : )
Hi Kristina,
First of all LOVE YOUR WORK.
Just a question, why did you choose WP over typepad? I'm thinking of having my own blog and just want to get some advice from you.
Thanks in advance :)
Kristina - I think that it shows this week that you are relaxed - you need to create for you - not for the world - I just love your designs - no matter what - and I think it is a vital service that you share your completed project. While I love the music and your videos - It's all about the final product. If it saves you time and it allows you to create a plethora of cards (to not send out) - heck ya - shut off the camcorder and get stampin' sistah!
Kristina,
I have heard people say that they feel if they do not post everyday they are letting their followers down. I think this mentality leads to people just creating for blogging purposes and not for the joy of it. I post when I have something to share. Whether it be a card or something else gong on in my life that is exciting. I post about once or twice a week and if I don't it is not a big deal. People will continue to visit your blog whether you post everyday or twice a week. The important thing to remember is that you are a very creative individual and if you do not post everyday there are many other sites that people can view to get their daily dose, however they will continue to view yours as well! Keep up the great work and I love your cards! Whether you post everyday or not you are an inspiration to many people!
Brandi
Well first off my blog is nowhere near as popular as yours so if I dont show up for a week noone notices... or if they do they dont tell me about it. That being said, I have never created specifically for my blog. I have created for challenges that I wanted to participate in. Mostly I just create and then stick on the blog if I like it.
As to balance me biggest challenge always comes with work because I am an elementary teacher. It took alot of years before I realized I was entitled to a personal life. Now I set aside a certain number of hours (and money) for my class and when I have used it I let it go and if focus on what I want to. I think its just a matter of prioritizing and learning to say No, I am not going to do that, I just dont have the time (or inclination).
I have found that my blog has made me a better stamper. When I look back on things that I did even a year ago, it didn't have the details that I put into my stuff now.
I don't craft for my blog, I craft for me and share it on my blog. I think when we start to think of our blogs as chores or another thing to do today, we lose the reason we began it in the first place.
My only advice is create for YOU and share it on your blog, don't create stuff only for your blog.
Look at those!! Beautiful. This is the decision you needed to make! Take it easy. :)
First to Meow: Typepad doesn't allow you to install the software on your own webspace/server and "own" it where MoveableType, WordPress, B2Evolution, etc. lets you. I have the installed version of WP and I can do whatever I want to my blog, no restriction whatsoever - but which also means you're in charge if it's broken :)
Kristina, love your stuff! The butterflies are awesome and the stacked animals are just cute!
I use to blog everyday because I always have something to share (card, hybrid, digi, or traditional pages). Last year I made a commitment to scrapbook more and I also wanted to be published. I got what I needed to do accomplished and now, although I still have a lot to scrap, I have less pressure. Paper crafting is my relax time. But I've realized that craft time = late nighters and it's not good for the husband and me. You can see from my archives that there's no 30+ posts for each month anymore and it's all good. Now I go to my craft room 2-3 times a week (when hubby's studying) and a few hours on the weekend (when he's tinkering with his '62 Impala or studying) and we're all happy.
I love my blog. I've met some awesome gals that I'd love to meet someday in person but I don't want to post because I feel like I have to.
I actually find tons of free time to update my blog. Then again, I am not under the immense pressure that you're under with tons and tons of people visiting your blog and expecting new posts everyday heh.
The one day I find that I'm able to create the most is on Tuesdays since that's not a day I'm working out and my hubby is normally doing his own thing so I don't feel the need to cook dinner for him either. I will say that my first love, cooking, has taken a back seat to paper crafting. I rarely have the urge to cook something just for the hell of it. Instead, I find myself in the office making cards!
However, since my schedule isn't as hectic as yours I squeeze time to post pictures of what I've made becauase I know if I don't.. it'll pile up and I'll have to make 5 posts in a row. I don't like things piling up cuz that stresses the crap out of me!
Anyway.. I just wanted to tell you that I love your blog and completely understand if you can't update it every chance you get. Your blog should be something you enjoy.. not work! I think plenty of people will agree and understand if you can't make time to update. You comes first :)
You do what you love and love what you do is how I look at it. Blogging is the fancy journal you did in school. Now instead of Mom rummaging your room for it she (and the world) can find it on the web. My poor blog is usually seen by me and that's fine with me :) I read yours for ideas and a smile and thanks to you I am now a Jorge addict and a better picture taker :) See sharing what you love impacts others. Long as you do what you love ya can't go wrong and will be blessed and be a blessing in return!
Quite honestly Kristina, your blog was the very first I started to follow. I stumbled onto you while on youtube searching for a scrapbook tool usage. There you were, it is almost a year. Since then you have been a source of inspiration and admiration. You have lead me to some great musical artists as well, and your lovely friend Jen. She is very charming and very witty. I follow Jorge now too. She in turn lead me to one of her follows in the Lego a Day. You have become like friends and I tell my "flesh and bone" friends about you. They are not bloggers so they do not get it. I could keep going on about you but then it would begin to sound wierd...
So, as for your question about balance and blogging: I just started this with the help of my great techie kids. My idea going into this is only to post when the sprit moves me, so to speak. I am slowly starting and want to make it a mix of my life, like a journal as it is for others. However, I do not want to make it just another task to "do" thereby taking all inspiration and fun out of it. We have great fortunes to be able to live with the computer's ability to allow us an outlet that previous generations never had. Some did not ever have photography. Can you imagine?
"Question: For those of you who are bloggers, how to do you retain the balance between creating for creative fulfillment and creating for blogging sake? Let's discuss."
--I finally found balance when I recognized what my *true* purpose in blogging was about and, by the same token, was not about:
It was not about pleasing others with frequency of postings, or content.
It was about documenting my progress and explorations in stamp art--for me. That's all. If anyone else wanted to come along for the ride, great. If not, great.
I quit creating just for the sake of blog fodder/an audience 2 years ago.
And, that is how I got my balance and my joy back, blogging-wise.
As for "How do you create balance in your life, papercrafting related or not?"
--I take it one day at a time, and always remember that when the time comes to venture into the great beyond, I don't ever want to regret not spending enough time--more time--with the people I love. *wink*
thank goodness i haven't gotten into that routine, yet, of making stuff for my blog's sake. my posts on my blog are not consistent in a timely manner, i'm lucky if i post something once a week. all i know is that i still have the passion to create things and when i do that's when i love to share with my blog readers. i guess it's hard when you are committed to soo many deadlines that you have no "me" time for crafting. good luck on separating work from pleasure, cuz we soo don't want you to lose your "mojo".
Kristina,
I was going to leave a comment last week, but when I read through all of the posted comments I realized I didn’t have much more to add. All of the comments echoed what I was thinking. That being said, I am glad you decided to slow things down for yourself and try to regain your enthusiasm for your craft! I love the things you do and I always love seeing your creations. The number one thing I’ve tried to take away from your blog is less is more. Meaning the clean lines of your cards is a metaphor what I should be doing in my life and my cards. Have I accomplished this yet? No, but I do work at it. And remind myself of this often. I’ve been blogging for less than a year and it’s very easy to get sucked into “my blog has to be great” mentality. At first I had a counter. Then, I debated about putting up the “Stampin Top Spot” logo (you know the one, it tells you where your blog ranks.” Then, I stopped and said to myself, “This is absurd. This is not what I want to be focused on.” I post when and if I feel like it. I’ve taken most of my widgets that required any work off my blog!
For me, you wouldn’t even have to do a MACM or Finally Friday video. I can see what you’ve done by looking at the picture. Editing the videos has to be quite an undertaking. However, if this is a process you enjoy….go for it!
The Color Inspirations are great! But they are great without the round-up! I know this has helped my card making more than anything else…..no lie! So, I hope you enjoy posting them, otherwise I will be a sad, sad, girl! Sorry, I don’t mean to lay any guilt. Just want to know how much I love the challenge.
Take care of yourself and we’ll be here waiting for whatever you decide to do.
First, let me say how happy I am that you got to sit down and ENJOY making cards for some loved ones, with no camcorder hanging over your head. Let me also say that I love the cards you made! I am a huge butterfly finatic, so they are especially adorable to me.
As far as your discussion questions, I have learned not to put pressure on myself to create anything simply for my blog. I have one blog for family/friends to catch up on life and for my cards. I don't have two separate blogs because I know that I can't maintain them, nor do I want to. I have friends that photograph everything from potty training their kids to movie night on the couch. I'm not critical in any way of anything anyone wants to blog about, because it's a personal expression and to each his/her own, but I don't want to put that kind of pressure on myself. I blog when an event calls for sharing, I blog to share yummy recipes or organization ideas, and I blog to share my paper crafting with anyone who cares to enjoy. I think that balance is absolutely the key. Those of us that paper craft started the hobby because it's fun, because we enjoy it, because the community of paper crafters is filled with amazing people and we love to create and share. If that fun is diminished because of pressures to publish more or participate in every challenge on the web, then it's no longer a hobby, it's work just like cleaning the house and mowing the yard. I think the best advice I could give would be to step back, like you did....ask yourself, "why am I doing this?" If you don't have a good answer, then take a break, revisit your passion and get back to the love!
It's so cool to read everyone's comments... you have some awesome blog friends. I think that's what motivates me- meeting new people and enjoying my new friends. I have always appreciated your posts about nail polish (BTW- I love Essie!)and other things that are non-creative. (Though they tend to get my wallet in trouble!)
Oh,and I LOVE your bird card you posted! That stamp is high on my list! Best wishes as you figure out how to move forward with your blog!
Well I am far from balanced naturally so I need tools to help me get there. In order to make time for everything I want to do and need to do I have to make a schedule or it usually just doesn't get done.
I have to write it down, pencil it in, make an appointment with myself to create. Thanks for sharing your time to post your creations and ideas.
Hi Kristina,
I dont blog nearly as often as you do but when I do it regularly what I do is...
create cards and crafts as I usually do without an agenda, just for the love of it and I do as many as my heart desires. Then when I have enough I take pictures of them all at once and blog daily. It helps save the time of taking photos everyday. I can use that time I save to create new cards to either send out, sell, or take pictures of at a later time to blog about. I know its simple and may not work for everyone but it does for me. I love seeing what you create everyday but you need to love it too. That's the MOST important thing. Good luck with everything, I wish you all the best!
For me... I create completely just for the sake of destressing. I usually post projects at a later date, so I always have something to post. I don't give myself a time limit as to when something has to be posted.
You are doing a great job & keep up the good work. Sometimes you have to step back & remember why you are doing this to get your mojo back. I've had to do it PLENTY of times! lol
As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator with a full schedule, I struggle with this ALL the time. 99.9% of the time, what I'm creating is for a class, club or worshop - I have to think of lots of aspects in this type of creating (i.e. pricing, etc)
I think that I get to a point where I have to just play & create for myself, with no "class project" in mind.
When I take time to create just for me, I get refreshed & super inspired which rejuvinates me to start the cycle of working on projects for my classes, clubs & workshops.
I totally get what you mean & I think it's so great that you shared with your blog readers how you were feeling.
I'm working hard to find the balance in my blog life and home life too. I'm working hard not to be such a challenge chaser, focus more and work with the companies I truly love the most.
I'm finding that that drilling down into the things that I love the best lets it come just so much more naturally to me, and that of course, is the joy of it.
Trying new things, not being afraid to fail, not feeling the need to throw my name into every hat that comes along as far as challenges, DT searches, pub calls etc.
Focusing a little and trying to live my life more. Trying to return my stamping to a craft I love versus a list of assignments to complete, and finding I love it this way a WHOLE lot more.
I only have a few friends and a family member or two who reads my blog. I post when I feel like it on topics that I feel like posting about. I've come to realize that my blog is just mine. I enjoy posting even if no one ever reads it again. By the way, I love your work and those cards are wonderful!
Hi Kristina! What a nice thread you have going here. You are letting us really get into an exercise of sharing what we are doing here this week. What a difference your blog is already!
For me because I am a retired orthodontic assistant I have tons of time to create and blog. I miss the creativity of making retainers (yes that can be creative...bending wires is artitic LOL) so, card making has taken it's place in my heart. I love working with my hands and it was just a natural progression for me. When I first started stamping I looked at blogs all the time, and met some wonderful buddies right here on your blog! So, that is when I took the plunge into blogging. As far as posting, I simply create and if there is something I made that I think others might like to see I'll post it. Other than your Color Inspiration, I have no constraints or expectations to get something made. It is a nice balance for me! Can I tell you young ladies something? Getting older is really FUN!! You have way more time for yourself, and tons of memories of your busy days to inspire your creativity! So enjoy each moment and keep a balance! Thanks again Kristina for getting us talking......
I've been in your rut before ... you know I have Table Time Tuesday ... I just recently decided that I don't have to post it every single Tuesday. So, now when I find a recipe I really liked, or one that I've liked for a long time, I'll post that one on a Tuesday; but, not because I HAVE to, because I WANT to. I love that you're stepping back and getting your groove on again just because you want to; that's what totally makes you YOU! Love ya, sis.
I use my blogger to share my creations with others who might like to look at my work. Last year I started posting some "design lessons" based on a book I was reading. It was fun at first but then the pressure to get a couple of cards done showing the "right" way and the "wrong" way became way too much!! I started to be frustrated and not enjoy the whole thing. So, I stopped. When I celebrated my blogversary, a number of people asked me to start my lessons again because they liked them...but I just couldn't!! It took the fun out of blogging and crafting. It is all about setting up appropriate boundaries for ourselves!!
Glad you enjoyed just creating for fun...and shared it with us!! That is what we have always enjoyed from you :-)
I am a big fan of your blog and are very inspired by your work. I always wondered how you did everything you do without getting burned out. I am glad to see you are stepping back and creating things for you. When I started my blog about a year and a half ago I said I was going to post everyday but quickly realized that was not going to happen with everything else I do. Now I post when I can and it has made blogging much more enjoyable for me. I usually create things for contests or challenges then I like to share them with the blogging world. I have had a hard time fitting in the stamping world but still enjoy sharing what I do with others even though I don't have the following you do. I hope you will continue to do what is right for you.
I never sit down at the table and force myself to create. If I feel the urge, I make something, and if I'm happy with the result, I post it on my blog. Sometimes I feel nothing creatively, so I will either not post on my blog for a day or two, or I may comment on creative things I found while surfing the net, write about ways to find creativity, etc. Don't ever force it. Creating should always be enjoyable.
When I get stuck, I look for challenges on different blogs or Splitcoast. Usually something will spark my creativity, but if not, oh well. The world won't end because I didn't post on my blog for one day--I'm not THAT important! :)
Well I dont have a huge following waiting for me to post everyday with an amazing project, so I have no pressure! lol (And I was checking your blog everyday! lol)
If I feel I HAVE to get something on my blog, I feel like the creative door shuts on me. I dont mind the pressure for Stamp classes and such.
I love your style, I get very inspired by you, in fact I just posted a 3x3 version of your punched heart card, of which I adore!
Do what is good for you, and dont burn out!
Hugs!
Love these cards. Inspiring. Annie's card is so inspiring in person. U ROCK!
Wonderful! Just wonderful!
You see, once you let yourself go and have fun all your creations look just great and you're doing them in half the time..
Thanks for sharing!
IfatArt
Oh my gosh these are adorable. I was just looking at this sheet of K&Co butterflies and trying to figure out what to do with them. And here you are! Gorgeous!
I am really struggling with the same thing you are so I'm sorry I don't have any advice.
Greetings!!
Firstly love your blog, the style and all the hard work you put into is appreciated.
I've been making cards to see for years so I always make cards in mulitples and I have a base number of cards to complete each month. I generally post all of my cards (about 1 per week day) - and while I felt a bit of pressure to get it done, I realized that this was supposed to be FUN (stamping, card-making, blogging - all of it!!). When it starts to feel less fun, I take a giant step back from all of it and re-group (I'm a multi-crafter, there's always something to crochet or cross-stitch and I can ALWAYS find a book to dive into...).
I feel a big shift happening in my life - my daughter is nearly done with high school, I'm going back to college and I think that it's time to tackle some scrapbooking (yikes - it gives me the willies just thinking about it!!).
I can't do everything all of the time, but I figure if I keep my stamps clean and safe, keep my paper out of direct sunlight and away from dampness, make sure my markers are tightly capped, my inkpads stored unside down - it can all hibernate until I can get back to it.
My advice: Remember to keep it FUN!!
Hey girl -
I'm glad you're having fun again.
Good question.
1. My blog does make me CREATE more often than I did before I had it. So that's a good thing.
2. I don't do any sort of regularly scheduled thing which really helps.
3. I only post under two circumstances:
a. I've made something I love.
b. I'm doing a challenge. (I only do challenges
that really speak to me)
4. I take copious notes during my days of patterns, forms, ideas I get for cards, so that when I do sit down I have lots of things to make. That makes my stamping time much more fun and fulfilling because I'm creating something I've imagined.
5. I visit your blog in my reader every day. :)
Thanks for the inspiration!
First: Very cool butterfly cards! Love em!
Now about the blogging, I blog on a very small scale. My main activity is being a student and having a dog and a social life. But I love to create and so when I have time and I feel I have something to share or to say, I will blog. It's not professional in any way and I don't have regular readers, just friends who stop by and so on. So the pressure is not on me at all. I've never done a challenge so far because I mainly create for upcoming events, gifts or when I feel like it. I also just blog when I feel like it. It's really good to listen to your feelings and take your needs seriously, whether it is the need to create & share or the need to step back and do something for yourself. You're awesome, I'm sure you will do great. Many greetings from Germany
I am so proud of you for making that decision, and glad to hear that you are much happier!!
I work full time, and have a young daughter, and teach stamping classes (something I love doing). I have just decided to let go of some things. I don't update my blog very often, and aren't creating as much these days because work is busy. But I had to stop creating things because they were on a list, and have tried to set aside some fun time for just stamping for no reason- that's brought lots of the fun back into it. I've started to remember why I love it so much :)
Well, let's see. It's taken me days to get around to commenting so I guess that tells you about the balance (or lack of) in my life.
I work full time, have a young child, have household responsibilities that need to be done on a daily basis. I also have a pony that needs to be attended to daily. I also need to find time to fit exercise and crafting and blogging into my schedule. I've had to decide which things have to be done each day and those that don't. Unfortunately crafting & blogging fall into the latter category. I usually try to set aside crafting time for a Friday night and as for the blogging, well that happens whenever it happens! And I'm good with that!
I think when blogging 'boomed', people put a self imposed pressure to post everyday. Honestly, it's not necessary. I LOVE seeing your creations, but if you're feeling pressured to post everyday, then don't. I use Google reader (and if you don't, you should - massive time saver)so i'll never miss a post. I will miss it if you stop posting altoghether.
Please don't apologsie for not posting everyday (I'm SO over reading those)- we understand ((((((hugs))))))
Hi Kristina
I love your blog and check it regularly. With my blog I show things when I feel inspired to. There are also huge gaps in time sometimes when I post. Life can just get really busy & I don't create anything. I have a toddler so I guess that is one reason why its not regular.
I love your MACM videos but also miss your original ones when you use to just create and speed up the video with music over the top. This is one of the reasons why I love your MACM's. I know you explain everything with your Finally Friday vids but maybe go back to the music thing for MACM. Just a thought.
Again I love your blog but know that blogs are very time consuming especially when doing things weekly so admire the fact that you have been doing weekly things for so long.
Shaz
I started my blog almost a year ago and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure why I started it. It just seemed like a good idea and I just sort of rolled with it. The more I did and the more I saw other blogs like yours and Cambria's and Beate's, the more confident I became in my own abilities. Am I the world's best stamper? Absolutely not! Do I enjoy the creative journey I take almost every day? You bet I do.
As for how to balance blogging, enjoyment and practicality, I try really hard to combine the three, so that what I blog is something that I'm going to give to someone or need if I'm involved in say, SCS cards for a cause that particular month. They may also be samples that I'm working on for a workshop or a class. I try to always keep my blog promises: Recipe Thursday and General Hospital chatter on Friday's and at least one card or creative post each day, except on Sundays. If I don't though, I don't. I simply write a quick note and tell everyone I've been busy and I'll be back the next day.
Speaking of blogging...I've not done anything with mine yet today. Still, I wouldn't have traded the picnic lunch at the park with my two boys for anything in the world.
Breathe Kristina, and remember why you love what you do and the rest will sort itself out all by itself.
Hugs and smiles
Dori
I initially started my blog to share samples of my cards & digi pages. Real life took over and I decided that my family came first. I now blog to record our family memories which is a wonderful thing for my family. I've come to the realization that it's not important to please the outside world that I don't really "know." While it's great to make all these cyber friends, my family is my heart and my blog reflects those values. I'd say, definitely go with your heart to keep the balance!
Kristina, these cards are beautiful. It's so nice to hear you really enjoyed making them. I'm a relatively new blogger (since the end of Nov 08) so it's still all fun for me. I make what I want and post what I want. Actually, I've found having a blog quite liberating because my projects are well documented and photographed, so I'm not feeling like I need to hang onto everything I create. I can send it and go back to my blog to 'visit' it if I want. It's also helped me with my 'hoarding' problem...again, stuff is documented so I'm not afraid to use up supplies. :)
First off, just gotta say that I LOVE these cards!! Fabulous colors, and such cute images! Glad you got some time to just PLAY!
I just started blogging in May, and I started it for *me*, so I try to keep that in mind. Mostly I use it as a chronicle of my creative journey, kind of like a portfolio/diary that anyone and everyone has access to. That said, it is awfully easy to get caught up in the "I haven't blogged in 3 days!" mentality. I'm glad you cut out some of the things that were sucking away your joy and making you feel like you 'had' to blog, make a card, do a video, etc. I think that's exactly why I haven't started any weekly challenge or other posts...to much pressure for this gal! ;)
I love your style, and I love seeing your creations, no matter when they come or in what format...so I'm selfishly hoping that you keep this blog up, but please do it on your own terms! No one needs that extra stress after a long day at work! {{hugs!}}
~Michelle