Perfectly Imperfect: My Stamping Business Gets a New Design!

By | 03/23/2013

blogbannerstampingimperfectionI had such a great day redesigning my blog using My Digital Studio!!  I would love  for you to leave a comment and let me know three things:

  1. Do you like the new design?
  2. What projects, stamp sets or techniques would you like me to create projects from next?
  3. What are your favorite projects: cards, scrapbooks, or 3D gift ideas?

 

I created my original blog banner and background in a free software program called GIMP.  I was very proud of my banner and my website because I created the entire thing myself.  The original banner was created from flowers I cut from my garden separated by swirls I made on a paper with sharpie marker.  I took a picture of it and proceeded to teach myself how to use GIMP and in the process accidentally created my original blog banner.  I say accidentally because I could never figure out how I got that texture again.  So the final lesson:  Write down your steps as you do them!

I decided to create a new blog banner and blog design for several reasons.  My friend Shelly thought the banner was too big and that you should at least be able to see the headline of my blog post without scrolling.  My sister Lori  thought my blog looked like “an old lady designed it.”  (Which of course prompted my 19 year old son to reply, “An old lady did design it!”)  My niece Hannah and my daughter Katie thought that the red background had to go “immediately”!!!  With great emphasis on the right now in the immediately part.  Then my friend Meg told me that I make very colorful cards and my blog design did not have any color at all!

I’ve been having a lot of fun creating projects, creating my website and Youtube videos and then blogging about my projects.  I really enjoy teaching and sharing my love for stamping and scrapbooking with other people.  It has been a huge surprise to me to discover how much I enjoy creating websites!  I’m currently creating a site just for my downline, which I hope becomes a huge resource for them as well as becoming an active online community for all of us to share ideas and inspire each other as we grow our stamping businesses together.

I love the ease of using the My Digital Studio software in designing all kinds of projects.  I’ve used it to create scrapbook pages, cards, journals and hybrid projects.  Now I find myself using it to design elements for my websites.  You will see that I have also updated my Facebook page, my Youtube Channel and my Pinterest page as well!

The beauty of using MDS to design my website images is that I did it myself.  It’s all my own creation.  I was also able to play with different designs, quickly change a color or a font, or delete things altogether!  Another great feature is that when you don’t have just the right image, you can go to the Stampin’ Up! online store and order the digital downloads you want and immediately download them!

I used the Autumn Elements stamp brush set and the Mixed Bunch stamp brush sets to design my images.  I also used the Pretty Petites stamp brush set that I got for free during Sale-A-Bration.  The colors are Melon Mambo, Marina Mist and Daffodil Delight.  I used colors that I love to create cards with and I used big graphic flowers because I love them.  Now my blog design reflects my card making style!

It’s not perfect.  It’s still a work in progress and I’m sure I will always be changing things.  I have many reasons for choosing to name my business Stamping Imperfection.  After 25 years of teaching, I’ve learned that being a perfectionist is stressful.  Not for me, because I’m not a perfectionist!    There are actually people who don’t even start tasks because they don’t have time to make it perfect!  Then there are the people that just keep doing it over and over until it’s perfect.  The problem is…nothing is ever perfect.  Why put yourself under that pressure?

I think the most valuable lesson that I teach my students is to let go of the perfectionism.  Do your best for this moment on this day.  It might not be perfect, but your best is all that you can expect of yourself.  Partial credit is everything!  There is always more than one way to solve a problem, so don’t look for the perfect solution.  Work with the materials that you have and find a solution there.  You don’t have to answer every question.   Focus on what you know and do that well.  Practice what you don’t know and you will improve at that.  Don’t expect perfection.  Be your best.  It’s enough!

Let your perfectionism go and just be creative!  (That is Tweetable. Click Here to Tweet!)  It feels really good to create something whether it’s perfect or not.  Creativity takes courage because everything you create doesn’t have to be perfect!  Look beyond the imperfections and you will find your creativity…and you’ll be happy!  The person you give your card to will love it.  They won’t notice if something isn’t perfectly straight!  They will know that you spent your time making something just for them.  Enjoy the moment!

Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think of my new design and what projects or techniques you’d like to see.  Do you have a stamp set that you bought that you need an idea for?  Leave a comment and let me know!

I got some new stamp sets yesterday, so I’m going to go decide which one to make a card with first!!!  I will see you with a new card tomorrow!

Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment!

Happy day!  Be creative!

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4 thoughts on “Perfectly Imperfect: My Stamping Business Gets a New Design!

  1. Peggy Parpan

    Love the new design because it is so colorful. Great job, Kim. I would like to see more cards. I always like new techniques such as the triple stamping card. I appreciated getting the dimensions. Many magazines don’t give you enough info to duplicate the card. I watch all the videos you make. In fact I figured you must be retired when I saw you embossing buttons. Thanks for all you are doing I look forward to seeing your work.

    Reply
    1. kim Post author

      Hi Peggy!!!
      I have 7 more years before I retire! Both kids are in college, so this is how I’m spending my time and energy now that they are moving on! I also love making cards and trying new techniques. I plan to share a couple more that I learned from you! I made sure to include the dimensions for my card today! Thank you so much for your feedback. I’m so happy that you are visiting my blog and Facebook page and leaving comments!! I would love any suggestions you have and I invite you to be a featured artist on my blog! I would love to see what you have been up to in your stamp room these days!
      Kim

      Reply
  2. Pat

    I think that your new design is great!
    I can’t think of any new projects, stamp sets or techniques to ask for because you always have better ideas then I do.
    I prefer cards but I do some scrap booking.
    I enjoy all your videos!!

    Reply
    1. kim Post author

      Pat!
      Thank you so much for your feedback! It’s really helpful. I love making cards, so you will see plenty of those! I just got a bunch of new stamp sets and I can’t wait to feature each one this week! Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment!!!
      Kim

      Reply

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