• Challenge Me! -- Card Challenges

Challenge Me! -- Card Challenges

We all love to create cards, but at times, we need a little push to get our creative mojo going again. Have you ever had to sit down to create a birthday card or a thank you card, and you didn't have the idea or that creative fire to get started? I've found that creating a challenge for myself may be what I need to get that creative ball rolling.

What exactly is a creative card challenge? How do you come up with these challenges? A creative card challenge is when you decide that you will use a set of parameters as a starter for your card making. Some examples would be to use three buttons, two pieces of pattern paper and one stamped sentiment on a single card. Another challenge could be to use a specific sketch for your card or a certain color combination. You can create these parameters yourself or find one of the many challenges that others have set up.

I've noticed a reoccurring article in the last few issues of CardMaker magazine titled the Card Challenge Corner. The author, Lora Brinkman, sets up weekly challenges for you. Her challenge from the January issue was titled Inspired Threads. The challenge reads: "Go to your clothes closet and reach way in the back for that one special dress, skirt or shirt that you save for those special occasions. Found it? Good! Take a quick look at it and think about why you like it so much and commit that to memory. Now, get out your supplies and create a card that is inspired by the piece of clothing. You can use the colors, the shape, the accents or whatever you like." Now I'm inspired! I took decided to take Lora's challenge and created a card based on her parameters.

Lora has many of these challenges set up on the CardMaker magazine Card Swap message board as well. As I write this newsletter, there are 21 different card-making challenges posted. I encourage you to check out this free resource for your own creative challenge.

If those aren't enough creative challenges for you, make sure you check out the member-led challenges on the Card Swap board. While browsing the member-led challenges I found a Fun Fold challenge led by eoconnell. She posted an amazing example of a tri-shutter card. This was the first one she ever made, and she shared the resource that she found online explaining how to create this type of card. It's amazing what kind of new techniques and card styles you can learn just by seeing what others are creating. I've never heard of this type of card, and she inspired me to take the challenge.

Are you feeling a bit more inspired? When you are feeling the creative urge, and you may be stuck in a rut or just looking to learn a new technique, head to one of these great challenge corners and get creating!