Sources of Early Encouragement

I read a post today where a person felt they had to defend themselves for using another person's idea or layout in order to create their own cards.

They gave full credit to the originator of the idea and I always feel that when credit is given, it shouldn't matter that you've gotten inspiration from someone else's idea or layout or colours ... after all, something like this usually happens because the person is so amazed and impressed with what you've created.

I most certainly believe it's NOT right to try to duplicate any person's work and try to own is as my own and enter a contest or some such thing with it.

When I first began stamping in Feb 2009, making some sort of *attempt* at copying a card was the ONLY WAY I could start! 

During my whole life, I always had no creative talent at all and trying my hand at creating from scratch literally scared me so much I was almost afraid to try.  Borrowing ideas from others at least encouraged me enough to TRY doing my own.

Eventually, I was a bit braver and decided to set up a blog and challenge myself ... even if no one else was the least bit interested in what I was doing.

I don't remember just when, but at some point last fall, I came across Susan Raihala's blog and her simple yet amazing style was a huge encouragement to me, as was her comment under the Legal Stuff section in her sidebar -- and I'm quoting here --

• Content of this blog is intended for personal craft use only. Feel free to copy my cards to send to your Aunt Matilda or Grandma Jane, and feel free to make my day by telling me about it!

• Please don't steal my pictures or copy my cards for profit or contests or publication.

I also came across Jo's blog when she shared a scalloped circle card that she'd made based on instructions from another persons's blog and just seeing such a sweet card encouraged me to try it myself.  I was so thrilled that although I didn't have the same equipment, my good old craft punch did the same thing!

Without the benefit of classes that I could attend in my local area and not having any *crafty* friends to fall back on for help, what followed was a series of searches for tutorials online so I could learn more on my own and I think that's the main reason I love the various challenges ~ they help to *stretch me* out of my comfort zone!

The icing on the all this cake has been meeting other crafters as delighted and passionate about card making as I am and being a small part of a wonderful creative community!

Blessings to all who have listened to my mini *rant* :o)

The beautiful photo is by Friedrich Strauss courtesy of AllPosters.com