Permission to Quit

I am not a quitter ... most people who know me well would probably agree that more often, I am guilty of continuing with challenges long past the point where any sane person would have stopped.  However, I have learned, in life and in creating, you have to be willing to give yourself permission to quit.

My intention this afternoon was to combine the sketch from the new challenge blog Our Creative Corner with Kristina Werner's color challenge.  As you can clearly see from my card, that did not happen.  After three failed attempts, I stepped back and reassessed.  I realized that I was ignoring my own creative vision in my dogged quest to complete these challenges ... so that is when I gave myself permission to quit.  I embraced my vision, and I am much happier with the results.  I'm curious ... do any of you have this experience when working on challenges? 

I stuck with the rose red, going gray and white, but skipped the old olive and so saffron in favor of a darker flannel gray.

I inked my stamps with Warm Red, Maroon and Dark Peony ink to get to the color I wanted to coordinate with the cardstock.  I used SU Soft Swirls on the crimped rectangle and Autumn Leaves Romance of Spring on the main image.  I highlighted the image with a gray sakura sparkle pen.  The hearts are both punches from Martha Stewart. 

Here's to following your own vision ... and giving yourself permission to quit.

Comments

[E.T]

this is wonderful! I am so sure even your failed attempts were beautiful, because you are soooooooooo creative!
You will and can do it everytime, never give up... just take some breaks in between to get fresh. But I think you are always fresh and lively, it shows in your work.

[Cindy Haffner]

Well you finale result is stunning, awesome job, thanks for playing along with us.

[lauren]

HOORAY FOR "quitting"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is an absolutely *astonishing* card, miss stef! i am glad you let your vision over-ride the exact specific rules of the challenge to make YOUR CARD, YOUR WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Julia Aston]

I often feel that when I try to combine challenges - I'm so concerned with the rules - I can't make the card flow - I even have this problem with just doing a color challenge - having to use certain colors stifles me! thanks for reminding us - we need to quit and go with the flow when that happens!!

[Bev]

I so agree with what has been said. It's a fabulous card!!

[LeAnne]

Ooooh, I know just what you mean about being a quitter! I have had to step back from challenges because I was becoming frustrated and felt like the creations weren't my own! Plus there are SO many I get overwhelmed. So I have decided to just do what I feel and if there happens to be a challenge that pops up that I like, I'll do it!
BTW, your card is fabulous!
LeAnne

[Amanda]

This is beautiful! And yes I often get all caught up on challenges too.

[Kathy]

Beautiful colors and love all your hearts! Nice job with the sketch!