tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post52045584419690210..comments2024-03-28T12:15:05.971-04:00Comments on Simplicity by Lateblossom: Design Team ThoughtsSusan Raihalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03018860599601419989noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-14822540424953384042014-03-24T14:53:30.169-04:002014-03-24T14:53:30.169-04:00I think Diana really hit it when she said the prod...I think Diana really hit it when she said the product has to fit your style. I was on an unofficial DT (no free product) and we had to use only the company's products, which I liked a lot but in combination with other people's products. I had a hard time using just their stuff. Yet we allowed participants to use whatever brand stuff they wanted and didn't even had to use ours. So no one did so I didn't get inspiration from those who joined in with us. We also offered a gift out of our own pocket to encourage people to join. Once we stopped that the amount of participation dropped way off. That blog is now closed. I hate "having to" do something so DT work is not for me!Princess Judy Palmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14870980058627037243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-53614146115432412442014-03-22T04:19:52.380-04:002014-03-22T04:19:52.380-04:00How is it that you have the ability to hit the nai...How is it that you have the ability to hit the nail DIRECTLY on the head. I have never been on a design team, though truth be told haven't given up on the idea, but, at this stage of play, I am not absolutely sure I want to be locked into coming up with something with stamps I hate. I have had publications but even that becomes a chore after a while<br /><br />I am content at the moment to follow my crusade of using up all my 12 x 12 paper and make cards that my Mum and aunts love.<br /><br />This may change ......Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01692056925159395126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-1266477138488264642014-03-21T13:47:32.328-04:002014-03-21T13:47:32.328-04:00Loved this post Susan. I was given some good advic...Loved this post Susan. I was given some good advice by a dear friend when I was unsure about giving up a DT that I was not enjoying anymore but felt obliged not to drop out. She told me...when it becomes a chore, you need to move on, after all it is our hobby! And this has stuck with me. I am on a few DTs and have started my own one with Nonni and blogging friend and also do quite a lot of admin work for the sites I am on DTs- I like the mix of creativity with admin work. I don't work AT&T he moment and feel this gives both parts of my brain a work out! When I don't feel creative I do admin and vice versa!! Anyway, this is a great discussion, thank you xsandiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17286583417074966385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-27143254562072508062014-03-21T10:50:06.068-04:002014-03-21T10:50:06.068-04:00Thanks for prompting such a great discussion, Susa...Thanks for prompting such a great discussion, Susan. So much of enjoying our hobby or profession or life is about finding joy doing it ... without that joy, it becomes a chore, and life's far too short for that. I'm not on a DT, although I have done a few guest spots, which suits me to a T. I get a taste of the thrill of designing under 'pressure' and try out what it's like to comment on lots of other people's work within a fairly tight timeframe. That's enough for me for now. I admire enormously the commitment of all those on DTs and their contribution to our crafting universe ... as others have said, it is hard work and on occasion can be draining. Thanks goodness they are there! Anita :)Anita in Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12461984175063417950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-40741665323966278252014-03-20T10:24:11.484-04:002014-03-20T10:24:11.484-04:00I have and am on a design team right now. For me ...I have and am on a design team right now. For me I just like stamping and have been stamping for a good 20 years. I don't think I will ever be really famous like Tim Holtz or Dee Gruenig but it's still fun for me besides the fact all the stuff I have I need to use it. The design teams I've been on give stamps for payment and that is fine with me. Although it is a kick to be published in a magazine which I haven't in a while but that's o.k., too. My advise is just do what is right for you and be happy!<br />stamping sue<br />http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/stamping suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08190644334669574160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-75555021686334546132014-03-19T19:57:26.290-04:002014-03-19T19:57:26.290-04:00Hi Susan, this is a great post. I was on a "...Hi Susan, this is a great post. I was on a "design team" for 3 months last summer for a local scrapbook store's blog. They were doing this as a trial, and it was only a 3 month appointment. I was able to do it, because as a teacher I had free time over the summer when this was to run. Even though I did have time to spend creating for them, it definitely did take some fun away from creating cards. I felt pressure to come up with "worthy" cards. The pressure really only came from me . . . but it was there none-the-less. At the end of 3 months, I declined to continue -- I'd be busy with work again. It was a good experience, but not one I am not interested in pursuing again. Carol Celhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03773511346294888971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-19645094739196464562014-03-19T17:05:36.931-04:002014-03-19T17:05:36.931-04:00I'm so glad you took the time to talk about th...I'm so glad you took the time to talk about this DT dilemma. I gave up my blog, most challenges and any fantasies about being on a Design Team when I realized that I was spending an inordinate number of hours online and checking my e-mail to get one more comment on my most recent card project. My ego was being fed heartily, but my heart really wasn't in it at all. I was a wannabe and it was sucking all of the life, joy AND creativity out of my hobby. I still make cards and other paper crafting projects. I still enjoy seeing the inspiring work that is out there. I still pin tons of beautiful cards on my Pinterest board. I still place my cards for sale at a local shop that sells gifts and other hand crafted art. I have purged and reorganized my workspace, I actually gave up online paper-craft shopping for Lent and frankly, I am more convinced than ever that I can be addicted to anything. But you know what good has come out of this? I am enjoying making cards again. I have more creative energy not only for card making but for cooking too. (My husband and I are hard-core foodies!) I'm seeing a lot my environment with a more creative eye than I have in a long time. For me it was time to step back and take a breath. Thanks, Susan, for letting me share on this one!Suzanne Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410436139537791496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-87510004240885022892014-03-19T12:29:02.206-04:002014-03-19T12:29:02.206-04:00Susan, that was a fabulous post - everything you s...Susan, that was a fabulous post - everything you said helped me to gel my thoughts on design teams. I have no desire to be on a company's design team as I buy products from so many different companies. So I thought of trying out for the SCS CAS Challenge design team. I did the try-outs twice and both times got a spot as a guest designer. The first challenge I had to design a card for was great - I loved the posted challenge and enjoyed making a card for it. The other time was a challenge that did not interest me at all and it was quite a trial to come up with something. It made me realize that I would not enjoy being a full-time DT member - I need and want to make cards that interest me and give me joy to make, rather than feel stressed by making something that is not of interest to me.<br /><br />My advice to Joyce is to try being a guest designer first and see how she likes the process. There are various blogs out there that post challenges and pick "winners" to be guest designers for one challenge. I was picked for the Merry Monday Christmas card challenge for a week and felt totally flattered and really enjoyed it, but I sure don't want the pressure week in and week out.<br /><br />Susan, I'm glad you mentioned on-line classes. I'll second that suggestion. I did the recent on-line stencil course and learned a lot, both technique-wise and design-wise.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07741064223875062517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-53887573641825521692014-03-19T11:16:33.069-04:002014-03-19T11:16:33.069-04:00Jonah is doing as well as can be expected...no ser...Jonah is doing as well as can be expected...no serious complications, for which everyone is grateful. I'll be posting another call for cards for him shortly.Susan Raihalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018860599601419989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-48076605102739949812014-03-19T10:58:55.892-04:002014-03-19T10:58:55.892-04:00Thank you Susan for a well written piece. Never h...Thank you Susan for a well written piece. Never had a thought about being on a design team probably because I don't feel I am good enough. Getting an occasional acknowledgement is good enough for me. Like Marilyn I too teach classes and there is so much preparation involved, and checking out blogs for ideas, I would not have enough time. I am old and I need my sleep.<br />How is Jonah?OH Babshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359588296104151144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-48025984175016120242014-03-19T10:07:47.018-04:002014-03-19T10:07:47.018-04:00Well said! Another thought provoking post. I enjoy...Well said! Another thought provoking post. I enjoy being on Design Teams, it motivates me to create and it gives me something to do that I love doing, and free products is a motivator for sure~Vicki Dutcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02957439584931392315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-9138407108937773752014-03-19T08:13:06.006-04:002014-03-19T08:13:06.006-04:00Great post, Susan. I haven't been on any compa...Great post, Susan. I haven't been on any company DTs yet. I haven't even really thought of applying to them. I have been on a couple of challenge DTs though. I don't have a lot of spare time, and crafting and blogging and commenting takes time, so I don't apply to lots of DTs at once! I enjoy the DT experience. For me, one of the best things about being on a DT is that it forces me to craft. My life gets so busy and my crafting time always suffers. To have deadlines to meet means that I HAVE to take some time to play with my stamps and ink. :-) This is truly good for my mental health. I also get the added benefit of getting to know some amazing people on the DT, and I get to meet NEW crafters who enter the challenges. I don't approach DTs for my ego, although I do like positive comments as much as the next person. I join DTs for challenges that I really like, that I play in already, so playing as part of the DT is never a chore. :-)Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10593478482380900371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-26260556477329165492014-03-18T19:34:28.590-04:002014-03-18T19:34:28.590-04:00Good point, Kathyk. I wonder how many people are t...Good point, Kathyk. I wonder how many people are trying for DTs because people think they should rather than because they truly want to be on one. Susan Raihalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018860599601419989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-79477647381245798842014-03-18T19:32:34.762-04:002014-03-18T19:32:34.762-04:00Thanks so much for sharing your expert perspective...Thanks so much for sharing your expert perspective, Paula!Susan Raihalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018860599601419989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-19177520123381800042014-03-18T19:29:33.115-04:002014-03-18T19:29:33.115-04:00I. Love. That.
Thanks so much for sharing!I. Love. That. <br /><br />Thanks so much for sharing!Susan Raihalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018860599601419989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-69183595421518627882014-03-18T19:28:53.155-04:002014-03-18T19:28:53.155-04:00Stamp on, Bev! Stamp on, Bev! Susan Raihalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018860599601419989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-86395490255434222432014-03-18T19:27:11.551-04:002014-03-18T19:27:11.551-04:00Jen, I had a whole paragraph about commenting and ...Jen, I had a whole paragraph about commenting and deleted it before posting. I got so burned out commenting that it took the joy out of it for me. I'm just now starting to recover! It was truly sad because I always loved leaving comments...before I HAD to do it! I feel your pain.Susan Raihalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018860599601419989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-15534830776975942992014-03-18T19:24:49.874-04:002014-03-18T19:24:49.874-04:00I was also on both company and challenge DTs. I fo...I was also on both company and challenge DTs. I found both to be restrictive in much the same way for my experience, but as you say, all DTs are different. Some--whether company or challenge--require more than others. I love our One-Layer Simplicity Challenge, but I couldn't do it without the rest of the team!Susan Raihalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018860599601419989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-46218609076225369852014-03-18T19:21:50.365-04:002014-03-18T19:21:50.365-04:00Oh how fun to teach classes! And yes, DT's tak...Oh how fun to teach classes! And yes, DT's take a lot of time. Susan Raihalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018860599601419989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-58275965571622748632014-03-18T19:20:26.074-04:002014-03-18T19:20:26.074-04:00Thank you, Toni, and you're welcome!Thank you, Toni, and you're welcome!Susan Raihalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018860599601419989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-68521392449372603642014-03-18T15:06:47.426-04:002014-03-18T15:06:47.426-04:00Very well said, Susan! I have never wanted to try ...Very well said, Susan! I have never wanted to try out for a design team for the very reason you mention...I love making cards and gifts, but if I had to do it on a deadline, I would begin to hate it. I am just not the kind of person who thrives under that kind of pressure, but I do love to dawdle and think and create in my own time. I can spend all day in my craft room and feel happy even if I don't create a thing!Lyndahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01053586439332428741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-91688412774633193682014-03-18T13:33:36.718-04:002014-03-18T13:33:36.718-04:00Plainly another thought provoking post Susan, and ...Plainly another thought provoking post Susan, and may I say how well you put it. <br /><br />Most card makers start off making cards because it challenges their creativity and (mostly) we all either hate our first few efforts or look back on our early efforts and cringe but ... we all strive to improve at our chosen craft and love seeing what the DT's produce when a challenge is unveiled. I often find that I look at the challenge and have the germ of an idea but then look at the DT makes and go in a different direction.<br /><br /> I tried a DT once but, like you pointed out, it quickly became a chore to be endured rather than enjoyed so, at the end of my "contract" I stepped down and had an absolute blast making whatever the heck I wanted again! <br /><br />Design Teams are great places for the people with the right motivation but ... they don't suit all and you should try out because YOU want to rather than because people tell you that you should!<br /><br />Kathyk<br />Kathykhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14321893319926950229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-71316177717523984282014-03-18T13:04:29.453-04:002014-03-18T13:04:29.453-04:00The one thing I agree with, is that you have to lo...The one thing I agree with, is that you have to love the product - if you don't it's a chore and you wont ever create anything that you'll be truly happy with....that's obviously from personal experience and on hearing on what others have said.<br />Why did I join DT's ? Mainly, for the challenge - I felt I'd eased in to a groove of crafting that was easy for me to do...so, being on a DT makes you move out of a comfort zone and gives you a chance to expand.<br />Great piece...thanks for sharing!Paula Whittakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16351729522904495131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-86712659587464148522014-03-18T12:52:26.504-04:002014-03-18T12:52:26.504-04:00I saw this quote by Walt Whitman today and thought...I saw this quote by Walt Whitman today and thought of you (and your blog)...<br /><br />"The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity."<br /><br />Just perfect.golightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020452867399914882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008375791436102784.post-81113025205153701842014-03-18T11:10:30.814-04:002014-03-18T11:10:30.814-04:00Thanks for this well thought out post. If there is...Thanks for this well thought out post. If there is no joy why bother? Life's too short.LauraJane:)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03469979184747602288noreply@blogger.com