Creative Blocks where do they come from?  How do they happen?  Why do they happen?  How do you correct them?  At one point in all our creative times we have suffered from this.  So I put the questions out there for the design team and StampTalk to see what a few people had to say.  I found every ones answers very helpful.  I hope those suffering from it will to.  I know for myself I am just glad when they are gone.  So here is what a few people had to say….I hope this helps….

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After a long dry spell from art (about 5 months), I am trying to get  back to it. I have a BLOCK the size of Mount Rushmore. It is still there, but during the last week, I've made myself go in my stamp room and clean, rearrange, reorganize...I uploaded a Valentine card  today that is the result of the cleaning last night. I ran across a piece of background paper I made last August with friends and a light bulb went off. That seems to be my method. When I clean I run across things I forgot I had. I even used some embossing powder that has been sitting for year on a card for my daughter. Using the heat tool again felt good!

Kim Jolley
www.itsmysite.com/kimjolley

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When I get blocked, I will do one of three things:

1. Pull out my rubberstamping books and open it (without looking) to any page.  If it is a technique that I have already
done, I will go back or forward in the book to the next technique.  Then I just play around with the technique for awhile.  Not caring if I "get it right" or not.

2.  Pop one of my rubberstamping DVD’s or videos and watch it, again looking for a technique or card that I haven't done yet, then playing around with that technique.

3.  I will go to rubberstamp websites looking for a card or technique

Judy Perry

StampTalk

I am a very strange person.  I get most of my ideas from my stash of papers and card stock. When I start going through them an idea usually strikes me as to what goes well with that particular paper or cardstock.

Or I will go surfing on the web and look at some cards and instructions that are out there. And if all else fails I start paging through my magazines.  Sometimes if you go through the old issues you will hit on something that can be used with a new technique.

HTH

Phyllis, Stamper's Mall Design Team Member

I drag out OLD magazines, catalogs etc.  Sometimes there's an old layout or
technique that I've forgot about or missed the first time.  Looking at other
things that people have done seems to wake my muse.  If you don't have any old
magazines, try websites for ideas of techniques, layouts, samples.

Good Luck!

Betty McCommon, Stamper's Mall Design Team Member

First I browse through my stamps on the computer. I have all of them in PageSage so it is easy to look at them or sort them to find something. There is also a section that I have referenced cool ideas that are in my videos, magazines and books.

I have another file on my computer called ideas. Inside may be cards I have seen or a tip I have picked up, or the contents of an email I saved for later use. I can usually find something by this point.

I also stamp out extra images when I stamp and put them into a folder for later use. Sometimes I page through and find something I want to play with.

Occasionally, when all else fails, I go into that folder and take something out with my eyes closed,  that is it. I must make something with it. I usually end up trying something strange with it or something I have never done. I have created anything from disasters to some of my favorite projects this way.

 
~~C Lion, Stamper's Mall Design Team Member

I have a binder that I stamp all my images in category order. When I want inspiration, I just sit down and look through this binder. If that doesn't do it, I look online for ideas at the Stamper's Mall or StampTalk Galleries. There are a lot of great resources online, but one of my favorite is RubberStampInfo as they have the Card of the Day and StampArtSearch with great ideas. 

Sue Lorang (sue4stampin), Stamper's Mall Design Team Leader

I take a 6-8 week vacation from stamping, usually in January after I've done all the Christmas cards, etc. I organize all of my stuff, and in doing so usually find things I haven't used in awhile. When I start to do creative things again its usually in a different direction than what I was doing; two years or so ago I didn't stamp anything on paper for about a year...just explored other items that could be used. It was great. I think everyone needs a creative break once in awhile.

Carol Hepburn
StampTalk

My advice I always give out to fellow stampers is:

If you're feeling uninspired or you look into your stamp room and then close the door without
going in then this is my solution.  Sit down at your work station with a stamp you haven't used yet.  Ink it up with black dye ink and stamp on a piece of white cardstock and start coloring it with your favorite coloring tools.  Before you know it your Muse kicks in and while you're coloring you'll find yourself thinking about how to use the image.  You'll probably end up your session with a finished piece of stamped artwork.  Trust me, it works!

Leigh, Stamper's Mall Design Team Leader
THE SHARPIE DOMINO QUEEN

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I think in summing this up….the object is go into your studio, your work area and try something.  Like everyone said even straightening or organizing your area helps.  Learn to look at things in a new way.   Challenge yourself, but most of all enjoy what you are doing.  Hope this helps everyone go create something to share with  everyone else…

I want to thank everyone who sent me something.  I loved reading them and posting them for all to share. 

If anyone has any tips, suggestions or helps they would like to explore send them my why and will gladly put those questions out there.  I love the fact that we can always learn something from each other.

Thanks,

Steph

sschirmer@stampersmall.com