In the Mood? A Card Maker's Dilemma!

Hi again!

I don't mean anything naughty by my post title, hope you aren't disappointed (cheeky grin). Any way what I'm talking about is being in the mood to create. When it comes to card making, crocheting, scrap booking, whatever the hobby may be I seem to have to wait for the mood to strike me. I am always curious to find out how the creativity of others works. Whether you are into baking, cooking, card marking, quilting, whatever it is you may like to do. Does it require that you feel like doing it?

One of the reasons this presents such a dilemma for me is because I want to do things that require consistency. Such as blogging for example or making YouTube videos, even being on a design team. All of these things are time sensitive and require working on a schedule with deadlines. I am striving to learn how to be creative not just when I feel like it but because I have set aside the time to do so.

I know how I am when I come across a blog or a YouTuber that I really enjoy and that can only be described as "content hungry". It is so easy to consume a ton of content that has taken the provider time to create. For me if I am following someone who is consistently putting up more content then I am more likely to read, watch, or listen to it. So knowing this about myself I can't help but think that if someone comes upon my blog or YouTube channel enjoys what they see but then realizes that they have no idea when more content is coming they may stop checking back at all. This is the reason that I am determined to find a way to be consistent.

If you struggle with this is well I would love to hear what methods you use to be creative even when you aren't in the mood. Do you do anything to get the creative juices flowing such as listen to music, watch YouTube videos, movies etc. I am employing a multitude of different strategies to find out what works for me. 

I have made this card and even took pictures as I went only to have still not created the blog post to talk about or share it!

Up to this point I have come up with the following plan of action to see if this helps me train myself to be creative when I have time for not just when I feel like it:

• I schedule time with friends via Face Book or Google Hangouts with the purpose to create, we typically pick out a video, a card style (ie pop-out, gate-fold etc), or a technique to do during our time together. This has been MOST beneficial and a great way to develop and nurture those friendships as well.  (BONUS!)
• I take advantage of any writing mojo I may come upon when I am writing up a blog post. I don't know about others but for me once I start writing and get in that mode I often find myself with more ideas about posts I would like to write and in the mood to do so. Therefore I go ahead and write it up thinking that I can always come back and edit, add pictures or whatever else I may need to do that post and that way I can work a little ahead. 
• When I do sit down to create on my own I try to either watch YouTube videos of other people making cards, listen to a podcast, listen to music to get me pumped up, or watch a movie that I have already seen. (Watching movies I have never seen is a bad idea because then I stop creating and focus on the movie but this has also been known to happen when I watch movies I've already seen especially if I am not in the mood to create.) Hmm...I think I just nixed the movie idea

These are a few things I am trying and I will update as time goes on to let you know what I am finding works for me and what doesn't. As for now the jury is still out on the best way to stay motivated and create when I need to and not only when I feel like it. Thanks for "hearing me out" !

Wishing you sunshine and smiles,
Kim :) 

Scrapbook Blessings Club Monthly Challenge: April

Hi! Today I am entering a challenge from Scrapbook Blessings Club for April. This type of challenge is a great way to give your creativity a direction especially if you find yourself a little stumped for what to do next. The challenges I have been participating in have truly made an impact on how often I am creating. Sometimes with too many choices I get overwhelmed and then don't do anything but with the help of the challenges I have some direction. I love that the challenge for this month is to make a card or a layout with a BIRTHDAY THEME, you can never have too many birthday cards!

Supplies:

• image is C.C. Designs "Birthday Twila"
• the background paper is Birthday Extravaganza with Glitter from The Paper Studio
• sequins are from my stash
• ribbon is from my stash (which I have had for over three years now-gasp!)
• colored image with Copic Sketch markers
• used Wink of Stella in clear to add some sparkle
• used Glossy Accents on her shoes
• used Signo White Pen to create the polka dots on her bows and dress

This challenge has a bit of a twist as they aren't asking you to link it up to their blog but add it to their FaceBook group which I think is a great idea and a fun way to let friends and family possibly see your creation as well if you choose to share it with them. The challenge doesn't end until the end of the month so you have plenty of time to play along, so go get your creativity on!!! You can click on Scrapbook Blessings Club and you will be taken to their FaceBook group to enter.

Thank you so much for joining me today and I invite you to come back whenever you can!

Wishing you sunshine and smiles,
Kim :)