All that it takes to make a 3D decoupage card is press out the die-cut pictures, layer them up as per their numbered layers using glue dots or double sided sticky tabs, mount them in or on a suitable card and add a peel-off greeting. Not creative and no skill involved.
Owning all the card making stuff that I have also means that if I see nice cards somewhere and buy them (like the ones I got from the art exhibition) I then feel guilty because I know about the bits and bobs sitting on the shelves at home. What I don't have is things like die cutting machines and I'm never happy with cards I make from papers and toppers - I have no imagination!
I also don't want to shift everything yet again when it comes to the time to move house. But then on the other hand all the crafting stuff might come in handy when the grandchildren are bigger!
Anyway, over the last few weeks I've been using the die-cut sheets that I got from Craft Creations in the summer to make some birthday cards. They look OK (although 3D doesn't work in photos) but I know they are quick to make and it just doesn't feel like proper card making.
So........... I think I've decided not to buy more craft stuff, to use the decoupage sheets I have and then clear out most of the small bits and pieces. Then I'll search charity shops for nice cards.
...........I think I've decided.......... but I am allowed to change my mind!
Hope you all have a lovely weekend. Welcome to some new followers, hope you enjoy reading
Back Monday
Sue
Give the whole lot to a charity shop. Clear your life. When the grandchildren are old enough have some paper and paint and paint brushes ready and a jar of water and aprons. But don't buy any of it yet. Relax and read.
ReplyDeleteThat's a bit drastic! There's a Jumble sale at Eye Bowls club today at 2pm
DeleteAries women are capable of doing drastic things as you will know! I am at a lecture in Norwich today.
DeleteI agree with Rachel, and funnily enough I'm an Aries woman too 😊
DeleteThe relief when I sold all my card making, craft supplies and other works in progress was amazing.
I started out buying all the craft stuff to do scrapbooking. I still do some scrapbooking but because I have sooooooo much stuff I began to feel I should use more of it and started making cards for friends and family to save me having to buy them. I still do make cards but I find it a bit of a chore at times and like you I often think I should just give in and stop, however I still have all the stuff and I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it, so I'll probably carry on making cards only for others who don't make cards to tell me how clever I am!! Then I feel guilty! It's not really that much of a dillema to have in life though. And can I just say here, I think decoupaging your cards is indeed creative and they look great. You're clearly not ready to part with it, and as winter is coming with short days and long nights you might enjoy having something to play with. x (ps personally I'd look out on ebay for a cheap die cutting machine, its the one thing I use more than any other, with very few dies you can make all sorts of things:D ) x
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good balance, to use the sheets you have, donate other bits then maybe keep a small amount to use with the grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteWe used to make our own cards by photographing something or painting something,( this was usually by OH).
ReplyDeleteNow I recycle Christmas and Birthday Cards plus the odd calendar. Not all are suitable but friends give me theirs too.
The guilt is still there as I feel it's cheating in a way but it's also recycling and so the debate in my head goes on.
I made 20 Birthday Cards from an old calendar this week which would have cost me about £60 to buy. Was that morally defensible?
Sue
I gave up cardmaking several years ago, used to do it all, Pergamano, cross stitch, decoupage, toppers, stamping etc. I just found that after my mom died, I lost interest in that sort of thing plus it coincided with the rise of Card Factory etc. Now I buy CF cards and just pop in a scratchcard for the birthday person. Same price as buying a more expensive card but they have a little bit of fun and the chance of winning some money. 9 year old won £5 and then scratched off another square to find out that he'd doubled his money! I sold my craft stuff on ebay, some as single items, some as job lots. Everything went. I think when you're on your own and our age, your thoughts do start turning to what an amazing amount of stuff you have in your life and you really want someone else to have to go through all of that when you're not there. My life is getting simpler by the week!
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely and I find people enjoy a handmade card no matter how it comes to be made. Keeeeep crafting!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the people who say, don't throw it away yet. Card making can be a soothing pastime when the weather's bad and you're in the dumps.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I've just disposed of an entire box full of crafting materials, either on eBay or to charity shops. Like most people I have too much stuff, and I also think of the person who will have to dispose of it all one day.
Like you, I feel that kits like Hunkydory are slightly cheating, although I use them. I enjoy making arty-farty cards that are entirely my own creation. I couldn't do this without a die cutting machine.
Your cards are nice; why stop? You can always give them away.
My view is that when making cards you collect stuff to make them and then don't have time to use it all and it soon mounts up. My suggestion would be to keep a small manageable amount perhaps a years worth to cover next year and let go of the rest - you would always find a car boot sale to get more if you ever needed it and it sounds like you enjoy going to Boot sales and charity shops searching out a bargain having something to look for in future visits would be good. Keeping things just in case the grand children might like it - I wouldn't as they may not have your interest or they could use cut up old cards sent to you at the time.
ReplyDeleteA homemade card is lovely no matter how it is made - whether you are doing it for pleasure / economy or to recycle, it has much more thought gone into it than a shop bought - I don't think you should attach any guilt.
Interesting to know what you decide - I have the same dilemma with my craft stuff.
It you have the room Sue I would keep your card making stuff. I did cardmaking for a few years at a small group and then moved house and had the stroke but am keeping all my stuff for I am hoping to go back to it one day. Maybe a few of you could make them and sell them at WI and give the money to charity.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend I am just putting the washing out and then hope to put some bulbs in.
Love Hazel c uk
I am relatively new to card making and the reason for this is because I could never find a card with a lovely verse. Also my husband now has to buy the cards and I was never happy with his choice. Poor man, he did try! I don't have a die-cutting machine either as I like to keep my cards simple, nothing elaborate. My advice would be not to do anything rash as you may regret it. Keep the thought in your head and only declutter them when your 100% sure. By the way I love the cards in the photograph.
ReplyDeleteCard making is something I've never done, but yours look lovely. Personally I wouldn't bother too much at the lack of skill involved, somebody going to the trouble of making a card would mean more to me than how much skill had been involved in the process. I change my mind regularly about crocheting. Mostly when I have an overflow of wool and it starts to get on my nerves. In fact at times seeing it all makes me feel ill - I'm weird like that. Then I work my way through it determined never to buy another ball only to go and replenish stocks again when I've had a break. Choice is a great thing! xx
ReplyDeleteYour cards look lovely. I enjoy making cards. I must admit I have a lot of stuff that goes with it too. Like most crafty things, it's not so much about the cost (but that is a factor!) but making something myself, putting thought and energy into creating something that I know someone will enjoy. When I send someone a card I've put thought and love into the card and not just picked it up at a shop. That's just me. I enjoy being creative.
ReplyDeleteI hope you end up just doing what makes you feel happy. You seem to find your crafty bits on sale so if it makes you happy to create, then do it.
I am a card maker! I use stamps for the greetings and embellishments. I purchase them through Stampin' Up. My friend Cheryl introduced me years ago when we first moved to the lane where we built our house. She and I have both moved from there but she still holds classes in her home and now she comes here to Vantage House once a month to lead card classes. Love it. I have a class with her this Wednesday and the 28th at her house I'll be there to make 12 Christmas cards. Here's her web page if you want to check it out. http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/cheryl4stamps/
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to where I posted photos of Mother's Day cards I made.
Deletehttps://birdsbloomsbooksetc.blogspot.com/2018/05/mothers-day.html
Your cards are lovely! Are you on Pinterest?
DeleteI am on Pinterest but don't notice if others have pinned my cards.
DeleteI make cards. These are photographs of my paintings. Always do well at art shows. People may not want to fork out for the original painting but will happily buy a card or more. Now trying to see which one will do for Christmas, bet I end up doing another painting just for the cards!
ReplyDeleteI like the cards you showed on your blog. That's being creative. I've gotten rid of rubber stamps and some papers as I don't use them anymore .Not into scrapbooking much. Cheaper online books like Shutterfly, here in USA. Don't know if they have it in U.K. I still keep a few things for our grandchildren especially Legos! Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteI had a card moment today!
ReplyDeleteI like cards made "from scratch", too, but I think just making them at all is a nice touch. Can't help you with your decluttering decision because I'm terrible at getting rid of craft stuff!
ReplyDeleteA woman is always entitled to change her mind.
ReplyDeleteI have never been big into making my cards (other than on the computer once in awhile), but I admire those that do.
ReplyDeleteGetting rid of craft stuff is my bug a boo so I can't advise you, however you are certainly entitled to change your mind. I agree that when the grandchildren are older craft supplies could come in handy.
God bless.