In the last 7 years I have created so many jaw opening projects and each time I always get asked, “Where do you find the time to create such pretty projects.” Or “I don’t have time to create.”  Well today is  your lucky day.  Today I am going to share with you my secrets in where I make time to craft, because trust me I am as busy as you are.  I work full time (60 hours/week); need to cook, clean, do laundry; help my kids who are 7, 5, & 4 with there homework, do activities with my kids, take my kids to hockey and the list goes on and on.  Trust me I know.  So are you ready?

1. Plan ahead.  Yes I what you are thinking but if I know my son’s birthday is coming up January.  I start thinking about things I would like to do at least 3-4 month ahead of time.  I start thinking of themes for birthdays.  If it is holiday’s I do the same thing I think ahead of time by 3-4 months.  If I leave it to the last minute it will not be done.   I also start to plan of things I would think I would like to make.  For example, cards, decor, centerpieces etc.
2. Search for ideas:  Pinterest is my favourite place for ideas and once I think of a theme, I start searching for ideas during the times that I have “nothing to do”. Such as sitting in the school parking lot waiting for the kids to be dismissed, sitting in a hockey arena while my kids practice for hockey or sitting in the dentist’s office waiting for my turn.  You get the idea.  If it is holidays I do the same thing search for ideas on Pinterest and Pin away.  Once I have pinned everything that I would love to make for that holiday or themed birthday, I create a list of what is manageable to make.  If I have left over items that I can’t make because I have no time, I either enlist the help of friends to help or I purchase them.
3. Create a list of items.  Once I have a list of items that I would like to make, I then create a list of items I need to make the items I would like to make.  And trust me I don’t always have everything to make an item so I improves with what I have or I just order it from Stampin’ Up and it saves me 2-3 hours driving and looking for items.  When I’m creating my lists I list them all on my Iphone with the project title.  Again I create these lists when I’m sitting around doing “nothing” (see above to what I mean).
4. Grab a basket: When I am cooking and waiting for it to cook, or waiting for laundry  to finish or “watchintg tv” I grab a basket and put all the materials I need to make one project. I normally do one basket at a time to save me time in finishing my project.  Once I’m done with that project I put my stuff away and collect the next materials for the project.  This basket stays with me in the kitchen, while I’m waiting for dinner, I’ll start punching or stamping.  Then, I continue stamping or punching when I’m  sitting at hockey.  I just put it in a ziplock bag and take it to go.  I do the big tedious stuff at home in between chores or during tv time and take the rest with me in ziploc bags and glue or stamp on precut items during my lunch hour at work. This grab a basket tip helps me make time for crafting without having to constantly dig items out each time I am ready to continue a project.
5. Store finished projects in a safe place.  As I finish projects, which normally are 2 months before I need them, I store them in a tall cabinet so that the kids can’t get to it and I know where it is when I need it.

So there you have it those are my 5 well kept secrets as to how I make time to craft and complete my projects without jeopardizing my kids time, home or work time.