What happens when you make a mistake? Is it just time of a Design Change?

I do lots of classes each month and one of the most frustrating challenge for my attendees is what to do when something goes wrong.   And yes, in cardmaking, papercrafting, memory keeping and probably any creative pursuits, things go wrong.

So what can go wrong – here is just a few things that regularly go wrong in my craft room:

• Drop your ink pad onto your project or drop your project onto your ink pad – happens to me all the time.
• My fingers are all inky and I add ink smudges to my card.
• I cut cardstock or ribbon the wrong size.
• The stamp doesn’t stamp properly  or it smudges – notice that I blame the stamp not my poor technique on the day……
• The design doesn’t work out like I expected.
• I spill some glue, water, food (you have guessed by now that I just about live in my craft room).
• Glitter goes where it shouldn’t – which is everywhere.
• Oscar, my cat, jumps up and destroys something.
• A die-cut hasn’t cut through properly.
• I misplace a stamp, die-cut or embellishment.
• The borders are uneven.
• Stamped using the wrong colour.
• I run out of cardstock… and the list goes on.

Not even the experts always get it right.  But they are experienced at making sure no one even notices.

So what should we do when disaster strikes – treat it as an opportunity.  Some of my best card designs have been the result of a disaster.

So how to fix a ‘disaster”

1. Cover it up with a punched shape, die-cut, embellishment, sponging or another piece of cardstock or patterned paper.
2. Work a design change into your project.
3. Highlight it so it looks like it always should have been like that.
4. Repeat the ‘mistake’ so it doesn’t stand out.
5. Add additional design elements

HOW TO STOP A DISASTER FROM HAPPENING – EVEN MORE IMPORTANT

I always like using Snail Adhesive in classes just in case something goes wrong.  It is easy to separate cardstock by gently separating the pieces of cardstock – but be patient.  Double sided tape is deadly and it is impossible to pull apart cardstock that has been adhered with this type of adhesive.  Liquid glue (Multipurpose and Fine Tip Glue Pen) allow some ‘wiggle’ time which also makes it a user friendly adhesive.

When stamping make sure, the ink pad name is facing you.  Close the ink pads when not in use.

Measure twice, cut once – I am a little OCD here but still mistakes do happen.

Don’t rush.

AND IF ALL ELSE FAILS, DON’T INVEST MORE TIME AND SUPPLIES INTO A DOOMED PROJECT