To be fair, my frustration won't change anything for most of you. It won't be earth shattering, The only thing it will do is change me. I can only use it to make things better or worse. I can choose what I will do.
I hope I have chosen to make things better. So now you ask, what is this all about? Well here goes . . .
In looking at other blogs, stores and forums, I discovered one theme. A very graphic or geometric style. Colors that didn't leave a heart warming feeling or a desire to look at more. You have seen the look with the zigzag lines, the "work zone" look, the under construction colors and more. Now please, if you love the new look, don't take it as a slam on your style. That is what this post is all about, style. In looking at some of the new products and "styles," I've discovered that I'm not very interested. I miss my distress look. The warm vintage feelings of old "memories." The inspiration to create. There is nothing wrong with this style, but it isn't my style. What to do?
I am a designer. I look for things that will inspire people. I try to meet needs that others have. How am I to do that? It isn't that I can't draw those things. Do I want to?
If asked to do it, I would try. After all, I do create custom work. But, do I really want to do that when I represent my work. How do I compete, whether for a design team or anything else? If you have to use current products, and the products aren't what you like . . .? Well you see my point.
I do think it is important to challenge yourself. To try new things. It usually teaches me about myself. I am able to create more and use even more techniques. But, do I like what I've done? Sometimes. Sometimes, not so much. So what do you do?
This whole post was intended to give myself permission to do what I love and not worry about it. I don't have to make a design team or make files that fit exactly into the current trend. There are a lot of people in this world that are just like me. They love what they make and want more of it. If they use distress techniques on the edges of papers . . . If they use more than one picture on a page . . . If they don't like geometric shapes only on their pages . . . It is not only okay, it is Beautiful.
So laying my frustration down. Not living in that moment that I can't find the new papers to my liking. I choose to find papers I do like or use those that I have. I can make my own designs on plain cardstock if it comes to that and love it. It is also okay to do everything from simple pages to ones that take time and a lot of thought. The ones that you really embellish and journal on. I love it when I look and I find things I didn't see the first time. It is like getting a surprise from an old friend.
I hope this encourages you to create not to the trends, but to what you love. This life is too short to use only what is trendy. But, to put love in what we do gives to others a little bit of that love too. Hope you have a beautiful day today and share something you love with those that you love. God Bless each of you!
These pictures are of a very simple canvas that I was asked to do for a friend. Hope you like them.
Retta
