Finding My Mojo Again......

It's no secret that sometimes even the very best artists misplace their creativity for a time. That is a comfort to me on those days when I just can't seem to make stamps, ink and cardstock come together in way that makes me smile. I've had a few of those days lately and I don't know if it's because of the yukky weather we'd been having or being kind of stressed out over a LOT of 'busy'ness in my life, but I just couldn't make anything I liked!

So, what do you do when that happens, you ask.
One of the things I do is to sit down and CASE something that someone else has made. I remake it using my own supplies, but basically recreating the original project.
Tuesday I was really struggling so I decided to case a nice, clean and simple card from the SU! Demonstrator only website - Stampin' Connection. The original was created by Kristin Moore and is truly lovely in it's simplicity. I love that style at times. If you are a demo, you can see it at this link here.
If not, here is my re-creation:

I'll do a complete supply list for you at the bottom of this post, ok?

Next, I then make a version of the card, but stepping it up a bit, or in some cases rearranging the elements to more suit my normal style or using a 'go to' sketch.
Here is version two:

Lastly, now that I've put ink to paper and actually finished a project or two, I take the same supplies and change it all up. Adding here, deleting there and coming up with something that just comes from somewhere within. I keep changing and adding until I get to the point that I know I'm done - how do I know it? Well, I can't explain it, I just do.
So, you tell me, is it done?

I tell ya', when I finished up on Tuesday night, I felt like a new woman! I'd just needed some alone time with my stamps along with an already great project as a creativity booster, and voila! - Mojo restored!
Next time you find yourself in a creative rut, try this method. Choose a project that you like, copy it, re-make it, then REALLY re-make it so the end result looks nothing like what you started with. You'll be so surprised and pleased with yourself and have three finished projects to show for it! That's time well spent!

Come back for another visit tonight after 9 pm - my Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge Card will be posted and you can check it out along with the other Operator's projects. It was a GREAT sketch this week and I LOVE my card!
Good thing I got my Mojo back!

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

Supply List (Shop my Stampin' Up! Website Online Store for All these supplies!)
Stamps: Snow Swirled
Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Rhinestone Jewels, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Stampin' Dimensionals, Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2 Way Glue Pen, Linen Thread, 1 3/8" and 1 3/4" Circle Punches, 1/16" Handheld Punch, Log Cabin and Vanilla Smooch Spritz