Inspiration at Work

May 16, 2018June 25, 2025

Hello all my artsy friends! I am dropping in today with a quick tip on finding inspiration when you are in a creative slump. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? You see all the amazing digital goodness in the store but just don’t have the motivation to create with it. So how do you get back on track with your favorite hobby? One of my favorite techniques flows from this inspiring (and oh so true) quote by Picasso:

The key to getting your creative motivation back is to start working on something. Pull out a favorite kit (or two) and just start creating. I am also a big fan of using templates to get things started, even if my final page looks nothing like it in the end. For example, take a look at this template by Cheryl of Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs (which is available in the Cascade {Dressed Up} set that is 50% in today’s SOSN sale):

Cascade Template — From Cascade {Dressed Up} by Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs

It is a gorgeous traditional scrapping masterpiece – but I used it to create this page:

As you can see, I deleted most of the photos and replaced the largest one with an artsy portrait cluster. (BTW – all the kits I used are in today’s SOSN sale – click on layout for full credits). You might think: What was the point of using a template if the page turned out completely different? But templates can be used to help with the composition of any page – even if you don’t use the specific elements as depicted. Composition is something that I think everyone struggles with from time to time – and that struggle can sap our creative energy and keep us from doing what we love. Think of the template as a roadmap for your design – something to get you over the struggle of staring at a blank page and trying to decide what to do with it.

If you find yourself struggling with inspiration, take a tip from Picasso and JUST START WORKING. Sometimes it comes back quickly, other times it takes more effort. One thing I know for certain is that it will never come back if all I do is stare at the pretty kits in the store and never crack open Photoshop because I am waiting to be “inspired.”

Today’s inspiration challenge: Scrap a page. Any page. Just do it.

Until next time ~
Judie (HeyJude)

tlpct07

I’m a creative who pulls inspiration from all corners of life—both the joyful highs and the real-life moments that punch you in the gut. Honestly, I don’t think I can pin down a single scrapbooking style for myself, so let’s just go with eclectic. My layouts really depend on my mindset. If I’m in a deep, cerebral mood, you’ll likely see something chaotic and messy. If I’m more relaxed, it tends to come out clean, simple, and structured.

My brain is usually running on several channels at once, so it’s completely normal for me to be working on a digital layout, dabbling in a hybrid project, and getting messy with art journaling or mixed media—all at the same time.

Here are a few of my go-to tools: Digital: Adobe Photoshop CC + my MacBook; Photos: Canon Rebel or iPhone; Hybrid: Cricut Joy + sewing machine; Art Journaling: watercolors, stencils, and artsticks

And when it comes to embellishments—digital or physical—I’m always reaching for messy threads, ribbons, and Polaroids. Always the Polaroids.