Sunday 1 February 2015

A return to crafting...and blogging!

Hello! It’s been awhile, seven months to be precise and during that time I felt like I lost myself craft wise, none of my ideas seemed original and I had over-saturated my brain by looking at blogs and pinterest on a daily basis. It started at the beginning of last year, I was less and less inclined to go in my craft ‘studio’ and create and by March I had had enough. Enough of what I wasn't completely sure of.

I purchased a number of stamps, dies and pads in June most of which were left untouched on my desk until recently. Every time I would go in my room those purchases would taunt me. ‘Come play with us, it will be fun’ but I would always start to feel panicky and would have to leave the room, sounds silly right?

I think the fear that prevented me from entering my room was due to having ‘crafter’s block’ and then looking at the sheer amount of money I have poured into this craft and it was sitting there, unused and it is money I can’t ever get back.  For those reasons and many more I keep coming back to the idea that I should quit. My husband kept reminding me of the joy it once gave me, and I had no idea how to get it back, I’m getting there slowly but it hasn't been a quick process.

It’s disheartening to go to chain card shops in my town and find them churning out beautiful looking cards with handmade touches for a tiny price. When you factor in supplies and my time the cards that I make work out more expensive but I don’t feel that I can charge a higher price. I am then stuck with the thought that I don’t actually make cards with the intent to sell them so it shouldn't matter.

Towards the end of December I made my first card....and I hated it. It’s nice enough but I got the positioning all wrong, the white space is imbalanced and I am not the type of crafter that can throw a project that’s not working in the bin, take a look for yourself.

Cardstock – Bazzill Card Shoppe. Patterned paper – Peppermint, Crate Paper. 
Dies – Lawn Fawn, Wplus9, Avery Elle, My Favourite Things. Stamps – Wplus9. 
Glitter paper – American Crafts. Enamel Dots – handmade.

I felt discouraged but persevered and a week later made the following card.

Cardstock – Bazzill Cardshoppe. Patterned paper – Crate Paper. Dies – Wplus9, 
Lawn Fawn. Stamps – Wplus9. Chalkboard sticker – American Crafts.

I was not happy with this one either, it’s a bit wishy washy and I’m not sure going with black for the banner was the right decision, in fact, I just plain don’t like it.

At this point I really did feel like I should give up; however I saw this card a couple of weeks later by my friend Nat at Kool Kitty Musings and was inspired to create something similar

Hello handmade card by Ang Mansfield of Paper and Ribbons
Cardstock - Bazzill Cardshoppe. Patterned paper - Cambridge Court, Kate & Co - My 
Mind's Eye. Dies - Lawn Fawn. Pins - Dainty Paperie.

I love it, the colours, the pattern and the little embellishments, all of it! At last I was starting to feel more confident and proceeded to make a number of cards in quick succession (most of which I am saving for my valentine’s post) but here are a couple that I can share now!

Thanks handmade card by Ang Mansfield of Paper and Ribbons
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics. Patterned Paper - Cambridge Court, Kate & Co - My 
Mind's Eye. Die - My Favourite Things, Paper Smooches. Polaroid photo 
frame cut file #18096 - Silhouette America. 

I broke out my PTI Rosie Posie stamps and additions set for this one in my favourite floral colour scheme and had fun hand stitching the border.

Thanks handmade card by Ang Mansfield of Paper and Ribbons
Cardstock - Crafters Companion. Stamps and dies - Papertrey Ink. Ink - Memento.

I'm pleased to say that I (tentatively) think I have rediscovered my mojo, I never thought I would get here but it feels good to be back. Lastly I would like to thank you, my readers for sticking with me, for leaving lovely comments, sweet emails, pinning my cards and generally being awesome.

I hope to be back on a more regular crafting and blogging schedule for 2015 and I look forward to sharing my ideas and creations with you, up on the blog on Tuesday; 6 cards for Valentine's Day.

Happy 2015!
Ang x

PS - If you found your way here via Hobbycraft or BabyCenter, Hello and welcome!

3 comments:

  1. Hi Ang, these are all gorgeous, love the papers and designs. I am a new follower too.
    Hugs
    Linda xxx
    http://lindasimpsoncraftypieceofheaven.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am replying to your e-mail now, but can I just say it is glorious to have you back! :D I have definitely got some inkling of how you have been feeling these many months, but wow... way to tell that Mojo who's boss!
    And yep, that last card is a stunner. I love the Delft colour scheme it matches the elegance and look of that card so beautifully. I will have to pull out the Rosie Posie stamps again some time soon and see what my blue inks can do (and whether I need to buy more inks to do that look justice...). And yay to that gorgeous hello card too! That layout looks fab in those bright zingy shades! <3

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow I absolutely love everyone of these cards including the first one. It really is fab. Unfortunately we are all our own worst critic. Have a little confidence in yourself my dear x

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I love to read all your comments and will answer any questions!

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