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.

Starting a new hobby can be a daunting and very expensive experience.  When first starting the hobby of card making you do not need to purchase everything at once.  Face the facts you will not use everything at once.  So there are a few things you need to get started in card making or paper crafting.  Ready! Here’s your supply list.

1.  Trimmer: Unless you are a confident cutter and are able to cut a straight line with scissors and don’t mind the messy fold, then I strongly suggest you purchase a trimmer.  Trimmers help make a stable, straight cut and it allows you to score your paper so it is easy to fold.

2. Ink Pads: Investing in good quality ink can last you about 6-10 years.  I’ve purchased my Stampin’ Up ink pads back in 2010 and I am beginning to refill them now.  The quality of ink leaves the image clean and crisp as if it came from a printer. I would suggest getting basic black (140931) and the 5 In Colors. The basic black ink pad would come to around $9.25 and the In-colors package which comes to $7.00 each.

3. Paper:  As I mentioned in the last post, I only use Stampin’ Up materials.  One reason is the quality of the paper  surpasses what I nomally buy at Michaels and the dollar store.  I find the paper at Stampin’ Up is thicker and brighter in color.  Anyway going back, I would suggest the Whisper White card stock (100730).  There is 40 sheets for $11.25.  You can make 80 cards with it.  I would also recommend a package of In-Colors variety pack card stock.  It would be $10.00 for 20 sheets, which could make anywhere from 40-80 cards. Depending what you are using it for.

4.  Clear Block:  I personally like to use clear stamps.  One I can see if I’m stamping the image in the right spot.  Two, it takes up less space on my shelf, and three, I’m not spending more money on the wood blocks.  For now I would only suggest getting block D (118485).  I tend to use this one for almost all my stamps.  Block D goes for $11.25.

5.  Stamps: I normally suggest 2 universal stamp sets to start with.  One with images that you can use for all occasions and one with sentiments for all occasions.  In this case I would suggest Balloon Celebration (140675) for $32.00 and Better Together (141736) for $48.00.

6.  Stamp Cleaner: When you begin stamping you want to keep your materials clean so that you don’t get multiple colors of an image.  The stampin’ scrub (126200) is good to get between your stamp to ensure it is thoroughly clean.  However, without the solution the stampin’ scrub will not clean your stamp so I suggest the 2 fl. oz. bottle (102394) for $6.00

7. Adhesive:  Once you complete your first card image you need to glue it to the card base.  So I recommend tear and tape adhesive (138995).  It’s 27 yards of double sided tape that can last you a long time.  The other adhesive I suggest is Dimensionals (104430).  These are good to add extra lift on your card.  It comes in a package of 300 pieces so they last a while as well.

Starting a hobby can be costly.  Just adding all the items on this list gives you a total of over $200. Now, how about I make your day by telling you 3 ways in how you can get this list for about a fraction of the price or even free.

1.  Host a Party:  I know what you are thinking “I hate having to convince my friends to come to a sales pitch.”  Well you are not.  They are coming to a FREE, FUN girls night out.  Similar to the paint lounge events. You spend girl time with your BFF’s, and create projects.  I provide all the materials needed and I teach your friends how easy it is to create beautiful projects and they do not need to be creative at all.  The products speak for themselves as I show you how to use different tips and tricks to create amazing projects.  In the end, your friends purchase products (and not because I forced them, but because they fell in love while using them) and you get to choose FREE products based on the sales.
2. Join Stampin’ Up:  For more information click on the link http://creativestampers.ca/index.php/about-me/join-my-team/

Reasons to have a hobby

Happy New Year Everyone and welcome to my first blog post.  Six years ago I started card making and paper crafting and in the last six later I’m still get asked the same question each time.  Where do I find the time to create my projects?  After deep thought and reflection to this question I would have to say “You need to find time.” We all lead busy hectic lives.  Whether it is being a mom who cooks, cleans, does laundry, helps kids with homework, works full time, and the list goes on, or being a student.  We need to face the facts, we have a gazillion things to do with no time for ourselves and if we don’t make time for a hobby or for ourselves, we will reach burn out really quick.

So here are the five reasons for having a hobby.

1.   Stress Relief/Clearing of the Mind:  We need to admit everyone leads a stressful life.  Trying to juggle multiple hats at once has become the norm.  I always attempt to put one day aside a week to make cards, or 3-D projects.  Let me tell you it feels really good to start pressing (or pounding) the stamp into the stamp pad or on paper and envisioning myself pounding the stress away.  After stamping a couple of images, all my worries are gone and I see the best things in life that have been hidden away due to the pressures that happened during that week.  Seeing the better things not only clears my minds and allows me to see the good,  but it allows me to step away for a brief moment and be able to come back to the stress with a clearer vision.

2.  Creativity Spark: Stamping allows me to exercise my brain. Just like our bodies need daily exercise in order to function properly, our brain needs the same amount of exercise.  I find that each time I stamp it allows me to approach my daily stresses with a clearer and more open mind.  I’m able to see my stress in a different perspective or allow me to envision a different solution.

3.  Spend time with my kids: Now that my kids are getting older (6, 3, and 2), I’m finding that paper crafting and rubber stamping is a good bonding experience with the kids.  When my kids were smaller we spent a lot of time reading, playing together and going for long walks.  Now we’ve added paper crafting to the mix.  We spend time talking about what makes their teacher so special and create thank you cards or gifts for their teachers or talk about where we want our next birthday and make birthday invitations based on the theme.  It is the best time for me to feel no pressure and spend good quality time with my kids.

4.  Socializing: Whether I’m teaching a class or getting together with fellow paper crafters, nothing feels better than getting a break from kids and the daily stresses.  Talking with adults that have the same interests not only allows me to learn new techniques but it also allows me some me time with adults.  Let’s face the facts, when you teach children all day and go home to deal with your own children after a while the anxiety level goes up.  It feels like you are doing child talk and discipline 24 hours a day and what relief it is to be able to get together with adults and speak adult language.

5.  Learning a new skill:  Let’s face facts I’m no art major or graphic designer, but being able to learn a skill is so rewarding.  At the beginning it is baby steps, but as you keep practicing you begin to challenge yourself to learn more challenging techniques which makes it rewarding to see the growth in the hobby you have taken on.

Making time for a hobby has it positive effects on your life and family.  It not only challenges you to learn a skill but it allows you to clear your mind, spend time with the kids, meet new people and socialize.  So the next time you see someone that is creating and you know it is of interest to you ask them if you can join them or look for a nearby class.  The more you participate in it the more you will get used to the routine of making time for yourself.