Where I Get My Card Ideas
People will sometimes ask me where I get my card ideas, how I think up the designs. The truth is I get a lot of my best ideas from the same place most of us do… each other.
Frankenstein It and Make Any Changes You Want
I’ll usually search for cards online that are either the same theme, or style, or product. (“Female birthday,” “retro colors,” “Cheerful Daisies stamp set,” etc.) After scrolling through maybe (hopefully) 30-50 samples, and screenshotting the ones I like, my brain starts piecing together a Frankenstein version of the cards that stood out to me. Maybe I really like the background of one card, but the sentiment block of another and the colors of a third. I just put the elements together and I see what I get. I also allow myself to change anything I want along the way. Tie a knot instead of a bow. Tear the edge instead of cutting it. Five gems instead of three. All those little changes are what makes it mine in the end. And it’s what will make it yours. It’s based on the best of what inspired you, so chances are you’re going to love it.
Inspire It Forward
In that spirit, and to repay some of that inspiration that has been shared so generously with me, I’d like to “inspire it forward” with my 2024 Paper Pumpkin gallery featuring all the cards and crafting projects I’ve made this year with the 2024 Paper Pumpkin kits. I’ll continue to update this gallery monthly with each new kit, so if you enjoy it make sure to check back regularly for more photos. I also left my 2023 Gallery up so you can check that out if you haven’t seen it yet. Lastly, if you’re interested in the Paper Pumpkin subscription box delivered to your door every month, and creating your own “alternate” designs to share, you can read about it and sign up here. (All the links are also under “Paper Pumpkin” in the drop-down menu above.)
It's Now Your Design
So, let others inspire you, and make any changes you want while putting your cards together. Sometimes you’ll change very little. That’s cool (If it’s nearly identical, and you post it online, just mention the person whose design you based it on.) Otherwise, once you start making those changes, no matter how small, it becomes your design. Be proud. Show it off. Or just sit alone with it and admire your own work. Whatever makes you smile. We all inspire each other, I hope. At Stampin’ Up! we call that, “Sharing what we love.” I’d be thrilled to find out one of my cards, or an element on one, stood out to someone so much that they copied it. What an awesome compliment.
Until next time, my friends. Have fun, play around and most importantly, keep on crafting! -Steve
