I imagine that sometimes it can be confusing that I show pictures of the homes I have designed on my Facebook page, but I only show my stamping projects here on my blog. They are both a big part of my life. I can't imagine not having either creative outlet. They are quite different, and both haven't always come very natural to me. I see and feel the homes I design. They become part of my mind and I am fortunate that I am able to let the ideas escape my imagination and that other people allow me to create their dreams. Sometimes they are grand and impressive homes, but more often they are standard livable everyday homes. 

I love to design so it is not more fun or more rewarding to work on a larger homes. Knowing that what I design is someone else's dream is rewarding in itself. It is heartbreaking when a home I designed is not built and it is joyous when homeowners move into a finished home. I make a special bond with each family that I design for because it is never about what I like or how I would do it for myself, it is about them. I have to get into their heads and figure out what is the best solutions for them and how their families live in their homes. It is something that I do very well and it is what makes each project unique and fun to work on. 

The same could be said for my card designs, they are each unique and fun, but I actually have a harder time with my card designs than I do with home design. I think it is a struggle for me because I have to design with my own wishes in mind. I am not trying to please someone else. It has taken me awhile to find my style and trust my decisions on the cards I design. I find that I do my best work when I get inspired by something else and put my own spin on it. I saw a card on Pinterest by a designer named Lisa which inspired me. So then I put my spin on it.

I used the same panel size and colors, but used a different stamp set, different greeting, and added embellishments. The main thing that I love here are the colors, Pool Party, Sahara Sand, and Crumb Cake on a crisp Whisper White base. The panels are 1 1/8" wide x 5 1/4" high and then spaced to create equal looking spaces. Play with it a little. The greeting strip is stamped with Crumb Cake ink and is a skinny 1/2" high x 4 1/4" wide. I love how the card turned out and in my mind it is my own design, as I didn't copy the other card completely. In fact, if I hadn't told you about that other card, you would have only seen mine and thought it looked wonderful! My point is, use what inspires you and copy a little if you need to, but just get out there and create!