that happens to me a lot with LTC's. Like others have said, I do look at the ones I do have and possibly get some ideas.

Quoted for truth.

I encourage you to make something ugly — just to make something!

Sometimes I have to brute force my way through art block, and often times the best way to do that (for me) is to make something with my weird misfit art supplies. It very rarely turns out good, but gets me out of my funk.

Sometimes, when left to my own devices, I just can't make anything decent or it's all loose nonsense. I have found that some of the best work I've done has been for prompts. The LTC prompt might not be giving you enough structure to challenge yourself to think outside the box. Maybe try giving yourself additional requirements like, it needs to be in the style of a specific artist or art movement, or the entire stamp needs to be 3.5x2.5, or maybe it must be a multi layer stamp, or you can only color using water color, or you need to shade your carve with cross hatching.
For post stamp carve work maybe limit yourself to one color, or make a background using crayon rubbing of different textures like concrete, worn wood, or kitchen tools, or use interesting objects to stamp with acrylic paint like a cut apple, crinkled paper, a wine cork, or leaves.

Honestly though I mostly just try to make myself laugh, whether through the name, the subject I choose, or just some absurd background information.

I have a number of thoughts about inspiration......
-Pintetrest- for LTC's also search ATC's
-I go to You Tube and watch Jennifer McGuire or Gina K Designs
-I go to Splitcoaststampers and look at the challenge prompts for the week

I am very visual, so I also try to change up colors- try coordinating colors or triads, and make something in more than one color, or use a color you love.

Try a new medium, aka acrylic paint, Alcohol inks, Watercoloring, Using Distress inks, techniques like a shaker card or a fun fold, a slider card etc

Hope this helps
Shelly

I feel similar.... like my creative energy is off!

Sometimes for me, it can be as simple as walking away for a bit ... or a while. Generally means I've maybe been trying to rush or been too tunnel visioned and something else needs my focus. Can't keep pouring out without a refill. We've all either been stuck, also are alongside you or will be.

Oh, man, I feel ya. I'm working on a tracker right now and the carve design is pretty straightforward. As of this writing, I have carved (and re-carved) it 3 times! 3! And I'm still not happy with it.

Me too. Maybe we could help each other.

ECP and I were talking about old trackers and I mentioned one and she claimed she had no memory of. Or maybe I’m the one with the bad memory!?

Anyway, we got an email saying someone had dropped out of their tracker and there was on a week or two left - and would we join. This would have been a few years ago.

The image we made was essentially a version of Warhol’s Micky Mouse.

Does this ring a bell to anyone? Help! 😊

I was in one called "pop art". We did A.W. style cards. I just looked at it and you were not in it.

Hope you find it.

Condo

Did some more searching and I think this is what you want:

Tracker #12053
Famous Works Of Art by Andy Warhol

ECP found it, it was Tracker #9517 Art Study: Pop Art

For those interested:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/gs-geo-images/447e9939-b310-4276-b0bf-3bac10f30bdd_l.jpg

I think we had about 4 days to carve, print and send it. Whew!

Thank you so much, Condo (and anyone else who searched), I appreciate your time! 🧡

DZ

And it was pointed out to me last night that it was Felix ... and not Mickey.

😮😮😮

you are very welcome. love me some fun research.......even if I didn't find the right tracker.

condo

Figured this would be a good place to ask. I was given (yippee) several partially used small containers of different embossing powders. Some have some age and I am wondering if over time have also gotten some moisture. There are chunks in one of them which are breaking down easily, but there's one that just seems to have lost its "oomph" on the stamped image final product. Is it possible for moisture to lessen the effect or integrity of the powder? Understanding it is a poor worker who blames the tools - thanks!

From personal experience, I would say yes. And it's not only moisture, but contamination over time, as it's poured out, returned to jar, over and over. It can pick up paper dust, powder used for anti-static purposes, moisture even from the air. Sometimes it really IS the tools, not the worker. 😁

Oh, you lovely enabler, you!

I have some 20+ year old powders and I also just bought a new one at the Joann going out of business sale.

I can do a comparison and report back if you want. haha I might even be able to have them both be the same brand!

I agree- test them out and see what you get. I found a really old Ranger Queens Gold EP at a resale shop- I know it’s old because of the price on it : ). It is not sold anymore, and it’s my absolute favorite gold EP ever made. It works beautifully….
And I have a white that is not quite that old that embosses really poorly…..

Take into account embossing ink, cardstock, etc….as well.

Shelly

Surely do appreciate everyone's input, and am definitely trying each one. Only two out of the dozen or so have not performed as hoped. You bet I'll keep trying!

Today's TAP's So Random deals w shaker cards. I've got the carve, background and fun "innerds," even the thin double-sided tape. What I do not have is a thin die cut frame. Any recommendations? And more thanks!

I bought a big lot of old embossing powders at a garage sale score (Yippee!) and the only thing I have noticed is that they take longer to "melt" and the red one seems to "bleed" a bit.... but I will admit that I am not the best embosser and could use more practice. Just thought I would note my personal findings so far

I have been a lucky recipient of a beautiful cool shaker card crafted by Maude.... maybe pick her creative brain! She is a pro!

Will do, thank you! Maude ... oh, Mauuuuuuddddeeee?!

I definitely agree that any moisture will clump up embossing powder...and re-using it over & over also introduces dirt, dust, hairs, lint, etc. which is a pain to pick out! I have powders that are 10 yrs. old that work just fine, so I'm not really sure it's an "age" thing....but YES-no moisture! Fortunately, I live in a very dry climate so maybe that's why mine are ok...?

I came out way ahead in the exchange, that's for sure.

I have some powders, same brand different colors. Some work great others not at all. Test different binder inks, papers and heat time/distance.

If all else fails, find a way to use it to create interesting background papers. I know YOU will/can find a way to make it work ❣️

Welllllll ... I will say it hasn't been pitched ... yet. 🙃😊

maybe a "quiet" shaker box kind of shifting sand ltc use..............

oh.........I can see a tracker comin to a website soon

There are Lego that have been waiting patiently in line for their turn at the kitchen table. We shall see ...