Please help! I have a hard time using ideas...

[CrystalMarie]

Let me explain...

Does anyone else ever feel like this? I feel like if I use a sketch, or template, or if I scraplift... that I'm not using my own creativity. I feel like when I'm done with the page, "Yeah, I did it, but its not pretty because of me..." or "its not my own creativity on there... all I did was pick some papers. It looks good because of this or that person's sketch or template etc."

But on the other hand, I can only make really beautiful pages when I use these things. I just don't have the creativity and ideas and design sence that these amazing artists do.

I want my pages to be beautiful, and to do all these beautiful pages all you amazing people do, but I want them to be mine too, and I don't feel like they're mine unless its totally from scratch from my head.

Does that make any sense? Do any of you have any wise words to help me get over this way of thinking? Thanks so much in advance!

[Sharon1313]

I just don't have the creativity and ideas and design sence that these amazing artists do.

Crystal, I understand what you're saying... I have felt that way too in the past sometimes. But then consider this... your creativity comes about in the process of using these tools that others have created for you to use.

You may not be a clothing or jewelry designer, but you display your personal creativity when you mix and match and put together outfits from things others have designed. Same with furnishing your house, or cooking... you get the idea. Some people have a talent for creating a certain thing, like a piece of furniture or a dress. We can benefit from their talent. Same with scrapbooking.

Try to think of quick clicks, sketches, others' layouts, etc. as merely tools that you can use to display your own creativity in your photography, journaling and storytelling. Fifty years from now, your family won't care whether you scraplifted or used a quick click... they'll just be thrilled that you captured the memories.

Hope this helps!

Edited to add: Also remember that, like any other craft or art, practice and experience really make a difference. The more you scrap (and scraplift!) the more confident you'll become and the more you'll inject your own creative ideas.

[kathleen08]

I totally agree with what Sharon said, especially the part about the more you scrap, the more confident you become. Starting with an inspiration (QC, someone else's LO, a sketch), you try to figure out how to do something, or figure out why it appealed to you so much to start with.

If you don't do it already, start adding LOs that you like in the gallery to your favorites, and every once in a while browse through your favorites. I bet you will see similar things in them. Use that theme as an inspiration too!

We are all inspired from things all over ... sometimes it is subtle, and you don't even know it, other times it is an advertisement, or maybe a frame at a store that really strikes you ... so take your inspiration wherever you can find it!

~ Kathleen

[javamama]

I agree with Sharon and Kathleen. Much of the time I am in the non creative mode and I find that when I use a quick click or sketch that I actually end up making it my own and not following it exactly. I just becomes a starting point. And remember, you can always delete so play, play, play away! Good luck to you :)

~ Amie

[happybeingamom]

I felt the same way as you did but Like Sharon said we are doing this to preserve the memories in a beautiful way. So it doesn't really matter exactly how it came to be.

[omiof5]

Beautifully said, Sharon!!!

[evry]

I often feel the same way, a few of my LO's have been scraplifted, I do feel that it's not my work entirely, but never the less, it is my memory that I am perserving, no matter how it is displayed. I don't have the creativity to really think of my own designs sometimes so I hope with practice I will finally be inspired to do my own work, my own way, but until then, I enjoy admiring the work of others.

[kaybutler@mweb.]

Fabulous answer Sharon !!!! I'm going to print this out to remind me always !!!

[caprimom]

I know exactly how you feel CrystalMarie and how brave of you to be able to actually voice the thought. I have been trying to ignore that little voice that says "it's not really yours" but I LOVE Sharon's response! I will keep that in my EverNote thank you!! Now I feel a bit more like I'm creative and not just a copy cat :)

[scamptx]

Right on, Sharon!

When it really comes right down to it, there is nothing new under the sun. ;)

I grew up in a family where music was THE creative expression, where art was appreciated and encouraged. Guess what--I can't read music, and I can't draw.

It wasn't until I was in my thirties that I discovered that being an artist is not locked into playing an intrument or putting a pen (or brush!) to canvas. I began quilting, and learned that I was good with color. I did needlework and discovered that I was good at detail.

Now I'm learning a whole new skill with digital programs, and having a blast! I sometimes get the "but I'm not doing it myself" feeling because I use the wonderful kits that our talented designers make. But just like when I was quilting, I remind myself that I'm taking a "pattern" and making it my own by the choices that I make in blending, re-coloring, or even just the way I arrange the elements on a page.

My advice? Play. Play every day. Don't let what anyone else thinks stop you. Continue to grow and learn and explore. Be positive, and look for the good. Discover what's important to you, personally!

And with digital, aren't we lucky! No muss no fuss--don't like it at all? Just hit delete and start over!! :lol: :lol:

[mars4554]

i feel exactly the same way as you do. i have to use others ideas, color, design etc. after doing that for a couple of years, now my end result looks nothing like the origional and i am very happy with it. BUT it did start with someone elces inspiration. digital is so wonderful. you can twist, change color increase or decrease a design to fit your own fancy, and it will look completly different. i alway give credit when i post them, but my family just loves looking at their pics on beautiful lo's. keep on keepin' on. marsha.

[usports2]

I'm really glad I took the time to read this thread this morning. The words of encouragement that I gather from this site are amazing. You are all so talented in so many ways. I learn atleast one new thing here everyday!

[ChristineG]

I agree w/ everything that has been said and now here is my 2 cents worth.

Don't forget that templates and sketches can be flipped or rotated and moved around, there are so many avenues to inject your special brand of creativity. Also notice that most templates, don't have "stick a flower here" signs, :D so you are bringing your own style w/ placement of elements, colors, journaling and so much more, even if you use the template or scraplift exactly as is. I often find that by the time I get done fiddling, I can show a page done w/ a QC to the person who made it and it is only after I say do you recognize your QC, that they go "oh yea!" :D