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Inspiration
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Apr 30, 2014 5:52pm
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When you create an LTC, do you come up with an idea for the stamp/ card design before you start carving. Or do you carve your idea for the stamp then try to create a card based around the stamp. I have seen some very unique cards and i am trying to steer clear of the flat peices of cardstock that i keep creating. I want to try something new, hip and cool. But i have no ideas! Where do you ( the ltc community of cardstock genius come up with your ideas?
Re: Inspiration
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Reply to: #844098 by Loverboy
Apr 30, 2014 6:07pm
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Have you looked at the LTC trades and trackers, for themes? Also try looking at some examples of other LTCs. I also look at Artist Trading Cards, of which there are several websites, and mixed media and art journal websites. If you want to focus on just the carve, try looking at pictures of woodcuts, or even try to trace a watercolor painting of the subject you like. It gives a nice sketchy loose feel. It really all depends on your subject.

I usually look at the trackers, and then carve something based on that. But if I am carving a series of letterboxes, I might make LTCs from those. I do prefer animals and nature, and sometimes people. I like to carve images that aren't too detailed, because then I feel in can do more to decorate the card, paint or add layers of paper to the carve, or paint a background. But that's just me.

My most recent carve is very detailed, and I am struggling for how to make it look more fun.
Re: Inspiration
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Reply to: #844098 by Loverboy
Apr 30, 2014 6:20pm
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I too struggle with creative ideas. Youtube videos are a place to start. Tim Holtz, from Ranger Industries is a good source of ideas.
do you come up with an idea for the stamp/ card design before you start carving. Or do you carve your idea for the stamp then try to create a card based around the stamp

I've done it both ways. Sometimes a good idea pops into my head when I read the description of the swap. Other times, I find an image, carve it, then work from there.
Re: Inspiration
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Reply to: #844104 by dancingpecan
May 1, 2014 2:36am
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The only time I do LTC's is when I am inspired by a theme for an exchange. It is a topic or subject that I like and I just do whatever to make it work. But the ideas do not come fully formed prior to having a subject. I join the exchange and then I am forced to make the LTC....so I obviously like the subject matter and have a stamp in mind when I join up. Creating the LTC usually involves more....colors, textures, and those decisions come later..For example. I join a Stars Wars exchange because I love Star Wars...I want to do Yoda, I have a great idea for a swampy green image, but he is already taken....so I decide to do Han Solo in CARBONATE. I have an idea to do it so it looks like metal, so I need lite grey card stock and I do my stamp in black on it...i t just all comes together during the process

-Amanda from Seattle
Re: Inspiration
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Reply to: #844098 by Loverboy
May 1, 2014 6:11am
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When I see a tracker that interests me (people on it, content) I then search for an image before signing up unless I'm seriously excited and can't wait. Once I have an image I carve, then I go to the craft area and find paper and embellishments. If I can't find anything I might go back to google for card ideas if I didn't do that already with my image search. But before that the LTCs I was getting in swaps is where my inspiration was coming from when I first started. Those cards drove me to be worthy of joining a swap (I like to make sure someone somewhere is happy with my card). Just how I felt at the time.
Re: Inspiration
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Reply to: #844098 by Loverboy
May 5, 2014 12:22pm
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I go to the craft store & look through card creating magazines such as "Just Cards" or "Scrap & Stamp". I also get ideas from LTC's I received as trades.
Re: Inspiration
Board: LTC: Trades and Trackers
Reply to: #844101 by FloridaFour
May 13, 2014 5:57am
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I like to get inspiration for LTC's from images or ideas that come from a tracker theme- when I do the trickier/more detailed carves, they take the lead in the card - rather than the card leading the carve! I do love it, though, when there are fancy paper layers and folds that are interactive- but those cards take forever to make- like at least 1/2 hour per card!