Pressure, Continued-How to Create under It!

I've been teaching rubberstamping, jewelry making and all things in between for about 12 years now. There really does seem to be a "pre" stamp and "post" stamp life! One of the things that I've droned on about from time to time when it comes to making a card or something else "under pressure" , as in, "We've been invited to a birthday party, can you make a card in the next 10 minutes?". Well, that's usually not happened to me, I usually do that to myself ("Oh, crap! I forgot to make the card!" Once you've made cards for people, they expect that to continue! ("Hallmark-you sold out!" Although, I must caveat, their Song Cards are pretty cool!). Anyway, I've always got a box of varied papers cut up to postcard size (4-1/2" x 5-1/4") in a box. My standard cardstock is Watercolor Paper, Starwhite Vicksburg, Classic(r) Linen in Black and some manila tags.
When I'm not in the mood to make "something", I'll just work on a bunch of one technique. For example, the Bandanna Technique with Tim Holtz(tm)' Wrinkle Free Distress Technique. I've shown this previously, but then just stamped over it. In this case, the next step is to stamp images (flourishes are great for this!) with the Pitch Black Adirondack(r) Acrylic Paint Dabbers. the key with the dabbers is to dab the paint on, but then swipe the dabber across the stamp so that it is evenly across the stamp. Then, at my leisure, while relaxing or watching TV, I doodle...by highlighting with a white, opaque pen.

Finally, when I "need" to make something or "want" to make something, I can then add on the additional embellishments or stamps and voila! Here's a name plaque I just finished for Brian's cousin's baby Lily Rose for her first birthday. I've made a bunch of these. If any one's interested, email me and I can talk about making custom for presents!

The key to doing the "creative" stuff when you have the time and can just have fun...that's what it's all about. Then, you've got what you need to put it all together when the pressure's on! Homework assignment: try this with a technique...whether just doing this technique, watercolor, painting with Perfect Pearls(tm), enjoy and experiment! Let me know how you do!

I'm still tallying for the contest...make sure you have your online friends email and tell me who sent them!

Wrinkle Free Hugs,

Robin