Sunday, November 11, 2007

It's a Conspiracy

Like so many endeavors, one must ask -- will it require talent, or simple skill and diligence? If provided the time and appropriate tools, can I create a masterpiece? A work of beauty?

Well, apparently not. And I blame Mich@els, and JoAnn's, and AC More -- all of them! They woo you with pretty craft examples, and easy how-to books. Make it seem like you are just one class away from professional results. That's right, with the right equipment you can be so amazing that you will sell out at the craft fair in a matter of minutes!

Humphh.

Today I worked on making holiday cards. I'm a bit of a rubber stamp fan (I wouldn't quite say "enthusiast"). I've done this in the past with some simple but pleasing results. Well, last spring I bought a lovely book with my 40% off coupon. I had secret dreams of becoming one of those women in Country Living or Better Homes and Gardens who made their hobby a thriving home business. You know, where you can work in your pajamas and walk the dog and wipe the kids' chins -- all while generating thousands of dollars in revenue. Well, it's dawning on me that I am no design diva in hiding. And despite all my aspirations for beautiful cards, it all fell just a bit flat. I even abandoned the project briefly to get MORE supplies that I thought would help, with no substantial change in results. And even THEN, I couldn't help but wonder if I only had that fancy embossing powder, or that expensive cutting instrument ...

I'm telling you -- It's a Conspiracy!

6 comments:

Geohde said...

I'm impressed that you had a go at making cards, I've always been far too lazy :)

J

Anonymous said...

I am with geohde. I would love to be a design diva, but totally lack the motivation to even try.

Mrs. Shoes said...

Just checking in on you. I haven't forgotten about your impending move. :)
I made my Christmas cards for the first time this year. I think I ended up spending three times what it would have cost me to buy really nice cards. And I can't even say that a kid made them despite the fact that they look like a kindergardener's arts project.

Aurelia said...

We can't all be Martha Stewart...but we CAN buy stuff at artists' markets and pretend it's ours.

Sort of like when I buy Christmas cookies and pretend that Grandma Costco made them.

Mama Bear said...

Wow...I can't even get myself together enough to send out cards, let along make them! I'm very impressed!

Bea said...

I'm resisting the siren call of craftiness. I find that a deep conviction of my own ineptitude is the secret.