I'm hooked on card making.
And I'm ok with that.
Making cards with these kits is really a blast. Challenging and relaxing at the same time.
Those wonderful packs of patterned papers. Stamps and inkpads. Yummy.
I splurged on the Simon Says Stamp September card kit and made a dozen cards. I ran out of card stock after 8 cards but since the rest of the kit was going strong, I went too.
Here's a video showing the kit contents and some words. The supply list is below. I just signed up for the kit on a monthly basis. I'm doing really well with not being an art snob anymore.
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The stitching makes them original! What is an art snob? Does it mean not buying scrapbooking stuff? I think the fun of art is altering the ordinary and making it one of a kind like you do! Making our own patterned paper is possible but a lot of them out there are so gorgeous, how can we resist?
Posted by: Stacy | 09/24/2015 at 01:37 PM
It's a long conversation, Stacy. Art school changes people because we come out afraid of being called a "crafter." I think over the weekend I'll sit down and write some more about this. I feel like I'm stretching myself in so many ways lately!
Posted by: Diana Trout | 09/24/2015 at 08:40 PM
When I was in collage taking art classes in the early '80s the whole art/craft thing was boiling big time. What a waste of hot air. What is always important is CREATIVITY. Doesn't matter the media or even the intended viewer/buyer. If you think about it creativity takes so many different forms: music, dance, furniture making, jewelry, not to mention paper arts like origami, paper making, etc. People love to pigeon hole to try to make themselves legitimate. In the '80s paper art was utterly unimportant to museums and galleries unless it was drawn on by a famous artist. What a load of poo-poo. Thankfully paper arts have boomed thanks to some wildly creative people who were fearless and insistent. 1001 Journals was not a MOMA project but it was shown there. Today the art/craft labeling is still about legitamacy but the only ones I hear debating it are abused crafters -- people who had their creativity crushed enough times that they "know" they aren't artists. It's so @#$%&! sad. Be creative instead. WILDLY, PASSIONATELY, JOYOUSLY CREATIVE.
Simeon Says has a great kit. I have never bought one for two reasons. They have a corporate color pallet and rarely deviate from it. Bleh. Also I'm not fond of the cute little [fill-in the blank] _every_single_time. But they do have a corporate stamp line and an artistic brand to sell. Not for everyone. But I commend you for taking the plunge. Doing something new exercises creativity in important ways.
My unsolicited advise? Stop the craft labeling. Everything you touch is this wonderful creative impulse made interesting. I enjoy what you don't like in certain cards when you talk about why they don't work. The gesso was too thin… I want to try to duplicate that misty effect since it would be perfect for a wedding card or even better tinted grey for a Halloween/goth thing. THIS is why I love your blog. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Posted by: SusanJane | 09/27/2015 at 01:12 PM
SORRY. Way too many words. Embarrassed.
Posted by: SusanJane | 09/27/2015 at 01:13 PM
Please don’t be embarrassed! I really enjoyed your comment. So much rang true and I appreciate the time and thought you put into it. I am at heart an artist overcoming one block after another. Allowing myself to give into whims - like the card kit - is only the latest :) And I’m enjoying so immensely the act of creating and the act of SENDING! So. More to say about this topic. My daughter/sil are currently visiting and Daughter and I will spend the afternoon paper crafting: she’s got none of my hang ups and loves crafting. So Thank You, Susan Jane!
Posted by: Diana Trout | 09/30/2015 at 11:17 AM