Heartedly Handcrafted Inspiration Sticks

Hello crafty friends! I started a project recently to help myself with future projects. Yes, you read that correctly. We can all use a little help from time to time with coming up with ideas and even when we do have an idea it doesn't always carry us to the very end. I have found myself staring at a sheet of paper to make a card while not having a clue where to start. I've also had those moments when there just seems to be something missing and this can help with that too.
A crafty friend shared this video

Inspiration Sticks Challenge - Art Journal Ideas - Mixed Media

and I just love it! The video is from +Claudia Rossi and she talks about a challenge her and her friend is doing/did with what she is calling "Inspiration Sticks". Under that video is a link to how to make them and she provides a link to a list of what to write on your sticks to get you started. Claudia's list idea is for art journaling, but can be easily carried over to other types of projects. My list will consist of things that I do specifically for cardmaking and therefore be different, so what it comes down to is, YOUR list can be for anything you want. When I've completed my list I will be sure to share it right here.

UPDATE: List for card-making
Scroll down for another project using this idea, "Spontaneity Sticks".
Here are some of the sticks I've made so far. I haven't decided yet how I want to store my sticks or if I want to further embellish them.

To make mine I used large tongue depressors that I coated with pastel chalk ink by VersaMagic. Then I used rubber and clear stamps with Rubber Stampede ink in the color Wheat to make designs on them. 

Once the ink was dry I used a fine tipped, black, permanent marker to write with. I had a little trouble with bleeding, but unless I were to use a magnifying glass or hold it close to my face the bleeding is really not noticeable. I would suggest experimenting with what you have and see what works best for you.

The great thing about the idea of "Inspiration Sticks" is that they can be used for anything, even outside of crafting. How often do we skip over all the sightseeing opportunities, museums, etc. in our own towns or regions. You could write down all the places to visit on sticks and then randomly pick one on a nice day. Maybe in this case you might call them "Spontaneity Sticks"  and as you accomplish each one, you might frame, or place in a scrapbook, your stick as your title with the photos you took. The possibilities are endless :)

Helpful Tip: Craftroom Workspace Organization and Convenience

     Working on a craft project and tired of the mess it generates?

     If you're like me you work on multiple projects at one time. If I get stuck on a project I set it aside to work on another and return to it when I feel refreshed and inspired again.

     Place your loose items you will be using for a project in a container. Use one container per project to store items that you made for that project and items that you do not currently need for another. For example, I make a certain type of flower(s) and pick my colors and embellishments for each project ahead of time. Having those things contained and organized makes life a lot easier, because my work space is free of extra clutter. I still may need to grab something that I decide to add as I go, but I don't have to run around my craft room nearly as many times when I've got glue, tape, ink and everything else stuck to my hands and fingers. I'm also not looking for those loose items I've already gathered that end up pushed underneath a piece of card-stock or worse have fallen to the floor and are now under the wheel of my chair.

     When you're ready to work on it again, all the items you've prepared and made will be neatly tucked away and readily available. I place my project container on a low stand beside me so the contents are easily viewed, accessible and out of the way.

     I use a basket for items I'm finished with. As soon as I'm done with something I place it in the basket. When the time comes to place the items back in their original storage spaces it's much easier to have my basket to carry them around in. For this purpose, a small cheap plastic basket with a handle works great.