As you scroll down through these photos, you’ll see when you get to my finished project how they ultimately combined to inspire the direction I took.

This first photo was the one that sparked me . . .

This second photo drove my color scheme.

This last photo was a winner for the sentiment, which naturally led to me reaching for my beloved Classic Block Alphabet Die set.

For the last few weeks I’ve been down in the salt mines (working on illustrations/projects I can’t share right now, of course). Anyway, when I caught a break at the end of last week, I stressed out, knowing I hadn’t done any videos for the blog during that time (something I have been trying to improve on, but still can’t seem to get significant traction on). Before I beat myself up too much, I have to remind myself I was actually working (under a deadline).

I decided to try making a video. I spun around in circles trying to figure out what to do and it wasn’t until the end of the day that I told myself to stop stressing; if nothing is coming, quit forcing it. (It can oftentimes take an entire day to develop a card idea, and then another day shooting the video, editing the footage, photographing the finished project, doing the voiceover, and finally getting it uploaded. Oh, yeah, and writing up an accompanying blog post.)

I gave up. And, jumped into the Pinterest vortex . . .

I was surfing for anything Pumpkin Spice Latté because of something my daughter and I had been chatting about . . .

It doesn’t always work out this way; sometimes an idea just doesn’t come no matter what I try. And, I hate forcing things.

How about you?

SUPPLIES:

• Latte Love by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps

• Latte Love by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies

• Bear Ware 4 by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Clear Stamps

• Watercolor Paper Pad 9x12, Canson XL

• VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne

• Set of 24, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 062 - Dark Brown, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• 070 - Orange, ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker

• Small Fine Point (23638), Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush

• Classic Block Alpha by Julie Ebersole, Essentials By Ellen Designer Dies

• Solar White Heavyweight 110 lb - 25 pk, Neenah Classic Crest Cardstock

• Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Candy Corn, 25 pk

• Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops, Gloss White

• Black MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (8-1/8 X 10-1/2), Hero Arts

• New & Improved MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (8-1/8 X 10-1/2), My Sweet Petunia

• Crafter's Companion Gemini Junior

• Scrapbook Adhesives Crafty Foam Tape, White

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links; if you see something you like, want or need, and purchase via my links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, which I use to buy coffee, which fuels my creativity and provides energy to make more card ideas. And, pay the rent.