Let me start off by saying, I’m really tired.

I left work about thirty minutes early yesterday because Josh and I had a date last night, and I wanted to be able to beat the five o’ clock traffic. (That didn’t happen, but I tried.) We ended up driving an hour away to Chattanooga because I wanted to go to Red Lobster. After dinner, we went to Michael’s because, with my newfound love for Etsy, I want to be crafty. Crafty with paper, of course. After $80 spent on supplies (several packs of cardstock, scissors, glue sticks, tape with designs on it, stamps, & ink [is that really all I bought?!]), we drove to Starbucks (two tall London fog teas) and then drove the hour home. By the time we got home, it was nearly ten, but I was too excited to sleep just yet. I wanted to try out my new crafting abilities!

Well, I suck. However, with a little more patience and practice–this is hard for someone who throws the knitting needles across the room after five minutes of trying to learn to knit (which I have yet to accomplish)–I should be a paper expert. I have so many ideas floating around in my head, which is probably why I didn’t fall asleep until well after midnight–and yes, I had to wake up at five. I was thinking of all of these cute designs and I wanted to try them out. (I considered staying home from work today just to work on the cards, but we won’t tell anyone that.)

My problem isn’t in design or creative abilities. I have that. Put me to work on photoshop, and I can design something pretty nifty; but when it comes to doing it by hand, I sometimes have a little trouble. I usually overcome said troubles, but with some things (*cough*knitting*cough*), I give up before giving it a chance. I’m excited about making the cards, though, and I’m trying to start out small so that I don’t overwhelm myself. Eventually, I’ll be a paper genius.

Probably. Maybe.

What are YOUR tips for making paper crafts? How do you deal with your frustrations?

(And if anyone would like to teach me how to knit, I’ll bake you cookies.)