Several of my sweet readers will know that they were the impetus for the wording of this poll. Several of you are curious about what is the first inspiration for me when I make a card. I think that’s a fitting question for everyone and believe me, it will be hard to answer. Inspiration doesn’t come from one place – I know that we use multiple influences, but it has to start somewhere. So I’m just as curious as everyone else is.
My poll is in the right hand side bar. Weigh in if you can and try not to pick the “You didn’t name my option” choice. There’s no way I can peg each source identically, to the “t”, so pick something close. Like I said, even though I know you are influenced by more than one thing, for the sake of the poll, pick the closest one. For me the stamp is usually the beginning, it’s my given but the designing essentially starts after that.
Remember I run each poll all week and you can see the results of earlier polls on my Crafting Poll Archive Page.
I’ll be back in the morning with a card and hope you see you then. Come on new week!!
It used to be that my inspiration came from the card I was going to make. Lately, though, it has been from a card or sketch I have seen. I can’t seem to get my own creative juices flowing enough to come up with my own idea. In so many ways that really makes me sad.
Hi Becca, I chose the paper, but actually I´ll say, it´s a combination of 3 of the things, you´ve mentioned here. As I´ve said before, I´m totally addicted to gorgeous papers and ribbons, but the colors also has a big influence on my choises, so it´s always some kind of combination between the paper, the ribbon and the colors, but it often starts with, I find a stunning piece of paper and already in the store, I get an idea about, what this would look great for, and with this or that kind and color of ribbon, it would fit perfect for this or that shape of card, and already here is my imagination working for full speed. But it can also some times be, if I find some really gorgeous ribbon, and I can remember a certain sheet of paper from my stock, and I just think, this would make an awesome card if I did this or that. That´s how I normally are starting my process, but ofcause it can also be just something I see somewhere or another card someone has made or even just a drawing or something my smll granaddaughters have made for me. The inspiration is everywhere as you say, it´s just abnout to open our eyes and see it outthere, as it´s just wonderful.
Thanks for another great poll dear, I always find it sooo much fun to see, what people are saying to these, and I agre, sometimes we really get surprised.
Have a wonderful week ahead everyone.
usually my inspiration is the person who will be receiving the card.
I contacted you with a question, that i really need an answer to. I would so appreciate it.
Thanks, Susan
re poll- i think my answer is a combination of all of these options- it usually depends on the reason for the card but then it could also be if i got a new stamp or papers or other stuff and just want to use it-hope that helps you- love your blog polls they make me think about my creativity in a whole other direction- fyi-i have chosen my stamp fror the poll
My inspiration for a card is usually the reason for making the card and the person who will receive it. A golfer gets a golf card and a teenager I use bright colors and embellish with things they love eg: shoes, music. For an elderly person I tend to use pastels and flowers.
Hi Becca Happy Monday
I just voted on your poll, it was close between 2 of them for me
I went for the “Colour combo I want to use” as I’m driven by colour so I would say 90% of the time this statment would be true for me, and the other option would be the “Purpose of the card” I think this would come into play when making a card for a male.
Thanks for the fun
Hugs Susie xx
Hi Becca another great poll! I chose the purpose of a card but is closely followed by the colour combination. Now I’m going to confuse things by saying I have two wonderfully favourite blogs….your being one of them..that goes without saying! Lol!…and I always draw so much inspiration from these. Just to add, I never copy a card outright but just take little bits and pieces from different ones.
Love Sheila xx
It’s all about the person for whom I’m making the card. I try to match their style and interest and their favorite colors with an idea or a sketch. Sometimes I just look at my old card magazines and get inspiration from them. A twist here and a tweeck there and WALA!!! a new card is born.
Thanks, Becca for all of your inspiration.
The person I am making the card for influences the choice of stamp and colours for the rest of the design. It sometimes takes me days to decided exactly how to finish a card, especially when I don’t have the proper supplies and living in the country I just can’t pop over to a store to pick up what I do need. Dianne
If I see a card online or in a magazine that I like, I’ll try making one similar. If it’s for a special family member, I look for something different than I’ve sent before – the grandkids like pop-ups and novelty cards. The stamp can be an inspiration – I don’t have many original brainstorms. I count on folks like you to keep me going!
I have voted ‘The reason for the card’ and try to find out as much as I can about the person receiving the card and start from there. I love doing personal cards that I know the recipient will like.
LOL Eileen
Morning Becca. I chose the look of another card. I visually cannot picture the card I want. Sometimes, I do see a paper I just HAVE to use. Most of the time I see one of your cards. You always think “out of the box”. You set my imagination running! Sooooooo Your cards are my inspiration!!
Many good choices, Becca … it will be interesting to see the results.
I so enjoy your polls, in a way they help me get to know my crafty self. I never thought of it before but almost always my inspiration begins with the person who will be receiving the card. When asked to make a card for someone I don’t know I ask questions about that person until someone I do know comes to mind. I can never create a card from a sketch. I am strongly influenced by the look and feel of other’s cards. I have a large library of cards I’ve seen that show layout or an element I really like. When I’m stuck I go to my library and usually find something that will get my creative juices flowing.
Blessings
Bernie
hi becca,
i am getting to the point of making a card using a certain punch or spellbinders elelment. so i will often make many of each in different colors so i can play with it. even going that direction is hard for me.
I voted for the piece of paper I want to use. Although I could have voted for all of the options listed but I used paper because that is more likely to happen than the others. As always Becca, TFS!!! :-D
Beautiful papers … inspire me!!
A relatively new inspiration for me? Challenge Blogs…all kinds. Especially if I’m stuck for a starting point.
Thanks…
Well, I have to say it is the reason for the card.Sometimes I make a card just to have, a generic one, but a lot of times it is for a specific person which I prefer to do. I know their favorite color, their style,the occasion. That makes it more fun for me, knowing who and what the card is for.
I’m inspried by so meny talented people!!!
I chose the embellishment or element I want to use. I don’t have a lot of experience with card making so I see an idea or technique and want to try it and start with that. . I have been entering one company’s challenges and they set the style, or colors or layout of the card. For me these are really challenges as most times I am doing a technique, layout or color combination for the first time. It takes me forever to finally settle on a finished card. Even when I don’t win I am gaining a lot of experience.
HI BECCA, Writing to you fr the first time……its an absolute delight to get up every morning,hurry up with household chores,and run to sit in front of the computer to see what Becca has done next!!!!(smtimes the chores dont even get done.)A teacher by profession im a stay at home mom now for the past 2 years…..after my younger one was born.During this time i started quilling,as i fell in love with it…..seeing it in a magazine!!!!!!!!learnt the technique from the net…..and i can say im pretty good at it…….wsh i could show you some of my cards……I give out my cards to friends on occassions.I”ve always asked the Almighty to show me beautiful things…….and surfing has landed me to your website.on Becca, i”m so happy to know the most creative,gifted person in you,through your cards…..which are a wonderlicious treat for the eyes and warm to the soul………God Bless You………lotsoflove varsha
LOL! Once again I can’t pick just one… it all depends. I guess pretty often it all starts with the stamp I want to use, But, it could be a certain embellishment or element that I want to try or even an embossing folder. I have never tried doing a sketch from someone else… I always do my own card layouts… guess I like total control! LOL!! And last but not least, I do most often start with a specific type of card in mind… so the purpose of the card is probably where I really begin.
Wow, this was a tough one to pick as a “just one” kind of thing. I usually start with a sketch and a piece of paper that I would really like to use, but if something doesn’t set just right, the whole situation takes on a mind of it’s own LOL. Rarely do my cards end up looking like what I was envisioning at the begining. I even start out to make one type of card but find it ends up being more appropriate for something else entirely! Guess that is why we call card making an Animal all in itself, it has a life of it’s own :) It’s fun to watch your polls and see how others harness or utilize thier wild imaginations or if I am the only one who’s mind goes crazy on it’s own lol. Thanks Becca for all the fun! Blessings
WOW… that was a hard pick… I was hoping to see an option for “All of the above, plus more!”. LOL
Upon reflection, I realized that I am mostly inspired by the purpose of the card and who the card is for. But at the same time my inspiration can come from the mood I’m in, the season we are in… or if I’m ready to move on to another season… or holiday. I am constantly inspired by other works I see.
Textures, colors, images and embellishments… oh my!
So many things to tickle my fancy and inspire my creations.
GREAT poll!
Melissa
Becca you are a LARGE part of my inspiration – Thank you. I did however, answer your poll as the purpose of my card being my starting point, mostly because I always start with the recipient in mind when I create. But like many others – I am inspired by all sorts of things, one just never knows.
I chose the purpose of the card which is always the first thing with me. that’s simply because I haven’t had the time to just go play and experiment. I truly wish I could and hope to get there someday. i also draw inspiritation from friends who make cards and what I see on blogs such as yours.
This was hard because it is more of “all of the above”. I like trying different techniques so lately I’ve been influenced by sketches and cards by others but the stamp is important and the colors and often the paper. I chose embellishments and elements because so many techniques create embellishments. I love punch art and quilling and ribbons and stamps so all of the above inspire me.
Hi, Becca, what a great poll! Although “the reason for the card” is why I am making the card, my inspiration more often than not comes from viewing others’ work and adapting the colors, papers, or design to what I am trying to create. I am usually inspired by 2 or 3 designers and try to meld something from each of them into the card I’m making. My sister is one of my biggest inspirations. She has more imagination than I do and “sees” such creative ways to make a card. I also visit various websites and view their card galleries. There is sooooo much talent out there! So I guess it’s time to get busy!
My hubby and I went to an art stroll at our Botanical Garden on Saturday. While walking, I saw a t-shirt a man was wearing and could hardly wait to get home to design a card inspired by his t-shirt! You just never know when or where inspiration will hit!
Hi Becca,
My inspiration often comes from a quotation. Each morning I check values.com where there is a daily quote. It is surprising how that quote can give me an idea and I sometimes use the quotation straight from the site.
A couple of weeks ago there was this quote by Bertrand Russell that sounds very ‘Earth Day’ but could also be used for an end of the year teacher card:
One must care about a world one will not see.
Since all cards I make are for specific people for specific purposes that’s my start. Then the image is selected which probably will dictate card size and orientation, or the message may be the deciding factor on orientation. Coloring of the image will dictate paper, cardstock, and embellishments color. That’s where I run into trouble – I should select the basics first and then do the coloring to match, not vice versa (sometimes I remember to do that, sometimes I do the image coloring over again when I find nothing in my stash will go with it!) If there is to be an addition of gift card or money, e.g., I try to design the card to incorporate a place for it rather than just lay it inside. Spellbinders Nestabilities have added so many possibilities – it’s a great time-consumer and much fun considering what to use and how. I don’t want to downplay all the inspiration I get from the many bloggers I visit and Splitcoast Stampers – I have three file folders filled with pictures of cards that have grabbed my attention that I periodically review. I appreciate your poll questions…I learn something about myself that I’d otherwise not take the time to consider. I also can now tie a decent ribbon thanks to you and your tutorials. I even created a double bow figure 8 one the other day that turned out perfect! Thanks for everything, Becca!
Had to choose the last option, as my inspiration is usually my latest purchase – whether tool or paper or embellishment (usually tool). Most of my cards are for the generic fun of it – when I do need one for something in particular then that is the inspiration. The rest of the time I need new toys to get going (or to at least find one I had forgotten about) :-)
Just found your blog recently and I am lovin’ it!
My inspiration usually begins after seeing other creations. Then I just enjoy putting it together from there, by changing colors, papers, stamps, inks, etc. Being inspired by others often helps me to come out of my small little comfy box.
Becca, you many times are my inspiration. Many times I will start out with one of your cards and then create something that is mine – other times I simply copy you and when I do and post it on my scrapbook page, I give you the credit. You are an amazingingly creative woman.
this was a hard poll because it differs from time to time but mainly starts off with the purpose of the card, followed close behind with something I want to use
Funny eh, this was the easiest of the polls for me. It’s all about the recipient. I enjoy choosing colours they like, a theme that is personal for them, words that fit the occasion and something I’m capable of doing. This makes the project meaningful for me. I can put my heart into it. When it’s finished (and I like what I’ve made) get a tremendous sense of satisfaction.
Gosh Becca, your blog is so darn fun. I just don’t know what I did with my time, before it. Hope all the Mothers had a great day and Bonne Journée from Montreal!
Oh wow, is there 2 Carol R’s – amazing. Becca, I also sent you my address. Not sure if this one is me or not.
Carol