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Post by nana2callie on Jan 12, 2015 16:25:54 GMT
How do you find time for your hobby? I know this comes up ever so often... but considering this is Jan 12 and on my New Year plans was more crafting time and I've yet to do "anything". I think I need a better plan. Do you schedule specific time, grab a minute when you can, etc. share what is working for you please.
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sweetpe
Junior Member
Posts: 56 
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Post by sweetpe on Jan 12, 2015 17:15:13 GMT
Same here and at night I'm just to sleepy  |
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jeanene
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by jeanene on Jan 12, 2015 17:17:48 GMT
I aim to spend a little bit of time on crafting during the week. For me that means after my daughter goes to be. Even if I just spend 30 minutes organizing photos for a layout another day. It does help.
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Post by papersilly on Jan 12, 2015 18:37:05 GMT
if you make it part of your daily routine instead of carving out time for it, it will be easier. for me, I do it before work and after work before DH gets home. it's just become a habit so it's easier to do it even when I'm not as motivated.
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Post by pamc on Jan 12, 2015 18:53:31 GMT
Same way I make time for things like a shower or brushing my teeth. It's just what I do on certain days of the week. Am I flexible? Of course! Sometimes homework takes all my spare time though.
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Post by onlywork2scrap on Jan 12, 2015 18:57:36 GMT
I have been unemployed since August and start a new job tomorrow. I am really going to miss having so much free time. I don't know how I'm going to fit it in, but I'm really going to make the effort. There are usually 2 crops a month in my area I can attend on Saturdays so that will help. Have you tried to find out if there are crops in your area, or considered starting one?
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,595
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Jan 12, 2015 19:08:24 GMT
Craft area easy to get to (not in a dark upstairs corner)
watch less TV (I really only watch a few shows anymore)
I actually get more done when it's just me and the toddler home than during the day than when DH and the other 3 kids are home and on weekends. The kids either distract me with starting their own projects or it's so noisy...
always have pictures ready to scrap
that is what works for me anyway...
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angelpea
Throbbing Member
Posts: 69
Nov 9, 2014 8:06:52 GMT
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Post by angelpea on Jan 12, 2015 19:10:06 GMT
Yeah, it's tough to find time. I try to schedule scrapping time on specific days, but it often doesn't go as planned. Sometimes I have to tell my family that I'm unavailable for 2+ hours (except for emergencies) while I scrap. Other times, I squeeze in 10 minutes here to pick out photos, 20 minutes there to edit photos, another 15 minutes to pick out papers & embellishments, etc. It may take several days do finish one layout, but I still get that accomplished feeling.  |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Jan 12, 2015 19:33:00 GMT
The same way you find time to shop or watch TV or read or surf the net or watch you tube videos or read blogs or check out the refupeas. You can find the time if you really want to. I find I don't "have time" when I know I need to organize first. I have to start my creative process in a clean space and it can feel overwhelming to get there, especially after the holidays.
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Post by streetscrapper on Jan 12, 2015 19:41:12 GMT
I do it when I can, and that's usually on the weekend. My kids are grown so when DH sits down on Sunday to watch football, I scrap. When football ends, he watches something else and I still scrap! I always find a little bit of time on Saturday mornings too - when the laundry goes in and I sit down with my coffee, I'm in my scrap room - now whether or not I actually scrap is another story. Sometimes I organize, sometimes I surf the web, sometimes I just waste time! If I do end up scrapping during the week, it's probably because DH is out of town on business. When my kids were younger, I didn't have my own room and had to scrap at the dining room table. To tell you the truth, I had a whole lot less stuff and scrapped a whole lot more! It was easier to do it because I didn't have to wonder off to my room - not that I would ever be willing to give up my room now that I have one! In any event, for me scrapbooking (or any craft for that matter) is a hobby and I don't put any pressure on myself to get it done. I just do it when I have some spare time!
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Post by scrapcat on Jan 13, 2015 16:17:23 GMT
Finding time does seem like the never ending challenge. At one point a few years ago I just decided to make it more of a priority, so I spent a lot of time scrapping week nights, I can't do weekends, too busy. But I did start going to a local church crop. It's the first Saturday of every month. I try to go Jan-Mar, and then again in Oct-Nov. It has helped me immensely! But yea, like others say, I don't watch much tv, so as long as there's not a household project or I'm not dreadfully tired I try to do some, even if I literally put one journal card in a pocket! I think start small, don't commit to finishing a page, just try to do it in baby steps. I find once I get in the swing of things I sorta keep my mojo going by doing a little at a time. Don't think of "all you have to get done"!! good luck
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 13, 2015 16:21:28 GMT
I dedicate an hour each night, usually 7:30 to 8:30 or so. Now, I am empty nester, so that makes it easier. I can leave everything out on my desk for the next night.
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 14, 2015 2:20:55 GMT
Put a sticky note on your tv or computer that tells you to go craft.
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lowdertiff
Junior Member
Posts: 53
Location: Kentucky
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Post by lowdertiff on Jan 19, 2015 18:45:21 GMT
I struggle with this too. It's not that I don't have time, it's more that there are lots of ways I could spend my time and sometimes I'm more tired than creative. For me, I don't force it. If I start to dread something with my hobby, then it's obviously not working for me. Usually, I'll tell myself that I want to go spend an hour in my studio space and see what happens. Often, I start feeling creative and that hour suddenly becomes 3 or 4 that I've spent in there playing. Other times, I just have the hour to work and then walk away to do something else. Maybe if you started that way, it would be helpful. I also enjoy being able to leave my work out on my desk in progress and just shut the door to avoid looking at any mess. That way, I don't have to stress about time to clean up before I dig in and start or after I've worked for a while. I also begin the week by thinking to myself what days/times I might be able to craft. This week, for example, I plan on crafting today since I'm off work, and I will prob craft again on Wednesday evening and Friday evening. Three times a week is a schedule I can live with; of course, next week, I might only fit in one or two days. That's okay too; a strict schedule just wouldn't work for me. Good luck and happy crafting!
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Post by Linda on Jan 19, 2015 20:22:05 GMT
I'm more creative when my space is clean and organised - chaos doesn't equal creativity in my case.
having a place to leave a layout out in progress is key for me - I can work on it as I have time
today I've done six layouts while cleaning my house...I set goals - vacuum the house and then I can work on another layout for instance and once the layout is done, I pick another housework goal before I start the next one (I do lay out the photos first so I can ruminate on them while I clean).
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jan 19, 2015 22:58:48 GMT
NASCAR season starts in February, so I try to scrapbook during the race each Sunday Some weeks I'm successful, some I'm not, but it's nice doing two things at the same time. |
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jan 20, 2015 2:17:19 GMT
basically, I have finally learned that I can't just 'find time' at home, so once every couple months I go to a 12-hour crop at the scrapbook store 45 minutes away and once a year I pack my Honda Fit full of my scrap stuff and attend a 3-day crop at a hotel about 3 hours away.
I have tried to scrap at home, and every once in a great while I can scrap in the evenings at home, but only when my boyfriend is away for the entire week on a business trip. I live on frozen pizza, takeout, or cereal for dinner every night, and scrap / craft. This is the exception rather than the rule, though, so I just look forward to the times when I can scrap at the SB store.
eta: I have tried to do the 'few minutes here or there' but it just does't work for me. I need a much larger block of time for the way my scrapping process works, and for my mind to get into the creative flow.
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 20, 2015 3:02:46 GMT
I also put cable in my scrap room. That helped. My SIL always says things like, "I wish I had time for a hobby." Ugh. I always tell her we all have the same amount of hours in every day. We just choose what to do with them. If she would stop rescuing her adult children she would have time. She is in her 60's and works from home. She just needs to feel needed.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jan 20, 2015 23:09:58 GMT
eta: I have tried to do the 'few minutes here or there' but it just does't work for me. I need a much larger block of time for the way my scrapping process works, and for my mind to get into the creative flow. I can't scrap in small pieces of time either. I think that is why scrapping during a sporting event works for me. It gives me a longer amount of time and I'm doing two things at once I also can't scrap when I'm tired, so after work does not work for me |
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Post by love2scrap on Jan 20, 2015 23:51:54 GMT
Same way I make time for things like a shower or brushing my teeth. It's just what I do on certain days of the week. Am I flexible? Of course! Sometimes homework takes all my spare time though. Same here... But homework is winning class cause it's kicking my butt! |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 21, 2015 17:57:34 GMT
eta: I have tried to do the 'few minutes here or there' but it just does't work for me. I need a much larger block of time for the way my scrapping process works, and for my mind to get into the creative flow. I can't scrap in small pieces of time either. I also can't scrap when I'm tired, so after work does not work for me This is me too. It takes me a while to get in the zone regardless of whether I'm working at home or away at a crop. |
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tiffanytwisted
Pearl Clutcher
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Posts: 4,538
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Jan 21, 2015 22:20:48 GMT
Agree w/what a lot of others have said.
You can't force it or it becomes a chore, not a pleasure. On the other hand, I find if I schedule it into my day (I admit, as a sahm to teens, this is MUCH easier for me than it probably is for others) I am more likely to do it.
I look for Saturdays or Sundays where I can devote an entire day to it. Weekdays are almost always interrupted w/chores, errands, kid stuff.
I do things to get me inspired and then I find myself wanting to scrap. Browsing stores, perusing websites, etc. tend to get me 'in the mood'. And for some reason, the shows Project Runway & Face Off always get my creative juices flowing. If I watch an episode of one of those, I'm guaranteed to want to get my scrap on, lol.
And having my room organized. If the space is a mess, I don't feel creative when I'm in there. Include tidying it up in your weekly chores, not as part of your scrapping time. That way, scrapping is just enjoyable.
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Post by alissa103 on Jan 22, 2015 2:21:07 GMT
What is causing you not to do it? I know time is an issue, but do you find yourself not even using a bit here and there or don't feel like it's enough time to do anything or get creative? I ask because sometimes it feels hopeless to start a layout when I know I cannot finish it before DS wakes up from his nap or we have to be somewhere, etc. BUT I CAN prep for that evening when I know I will have more time by printing pictures or pulling papers to use, etc. I think the key is to find what it is that's not working for you and why you aren't being productive and then go from there.
Generally, for me, the more pre-planning I do, the better I am. So that means if I can edit and print pictures one evening or go through Pinterest for ideas, or pull papers to use for a layout, etc., then I'm much faster when I do have a better chunk of time to scrap or am feeling creative.
Before kids, I would scrap while DH watched a game or something. I'd bring my stuff down to family room and scrap on a TV tray or at the kitchen table to be nearby. I would go to crops sometimes, but I never got very much done at those back then b/c I'd socialize or leave to go to all the scrapbook stores, Hobby Lobby, etc. Back then I rarely pre-planned a layout and just started from scratch so it took me a good chunk of time to go from zero to a totally finished layout. And I had the time to do that, so it wasn't a big deal.
With a toddler, I don't have those longer chunks of time like that. I now try so hard to make good use of a monthly crop and I get out of the house to scrap! I pre-plan a few pages beforehand during his naps or whatever and then take those to work on. I'm much more productive at crops now. LOL!
I'm also on a kit club design team and I HAVE to scrap those layouts every month. The deadline helps me and makes DH pitch in a bit more in the evenings so that I can get them done. I know that doesn't work for everyone, but setting a goal might help those who are struggling.
I also watch so very little TV. To the point that I'm kind of clueless about what's on these days. But if I do watch something while I scrap, it's whatever is available online, Netflix or Amazon Prime.
I'm also going to a 2 day (but turning it into a three day) crop at the end of March and I hope to be productive then. I'm already pre-planning pages to do so that I can get as much done as possible. And then anything I don't complete is ready to do at home or at my monthly crop.
So for me, the key is to plan, plan and plan some more and to do that every chance I have so that when I DO have the time to actually complete a page, I can get right to it and I don't waste any time.
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
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Post by scrappington on Jan 22, 2015 14:57:55 GMT
if you make it part of your daily routine instead of carving out time for it, it will be easier. for me, I do it before work and after work before DH gets home. it's just become a habit so it's easier to do it even when I'm not as motivated. Its such a simple concept yet I've never thought of it that way. This really makes sense and I really think this idea will work for me.
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Post by carolynhasacat on Jan 22, 2015 15:30:40 GMT
I have to be in the mood. And when the mood strikes me I have to be ready (photos printed, supplies, etc). Those two things don't occur together nearly often enough.
Also, I have to not 'call it', if you know what I mean. I'm sure it is sub-conscious, but if I tell my family I'm taking a day to scrap they suddenly need a million things from me. It's better if they're out of the house and I'm free with my time.
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lowdertiff
Junior Member
Posts: 53
Location: Kentucky
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Post by lowdertiff on Jan 23, 2015 17:06:49 GMT
After reading the responses, I thought of a couple of other things I do to make the time for this hobby I love. I agree that having a tv in my studio space has helped me want to spend more time in there. I can turn on NEtflix or Amazon and listen to shows as I create. Another thing I like to do is literally set a timer on my phone or stove and see what I can accomplish in a set period of time, usually an hour or so. That way, I don't feel like I have lots of time to piddle, and I can kind of make a game out of it. Now, I don't always actually stop when the timer sounds, but that's usually not a big deal. I also try to spend my time in my studio actually creating, no internet time or cleaning or organizing allowed during creative time. That means that I look for inspiration and think about ideas and plan pages long before I ever walk into my studio. Once I go into my space, I'm instantly in the 'make something' mode. That helps me to focus and get down to business. |
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jan 23, 2015 20:30:17 GMT
"I also try to spend my time in my studio actually creating, no internet time or cleaning or organizing allowed during creative time. That means that I look for inspiration and think about ideas and plan pages long before I ever walk into my studio. Once I go into my space, I'm instantly in the 'make something' mode. That helps me to focus and get down to business."
^^^ this is part of my problem-- I have to clean and organize before I can get to the 'creative' part!! I am going to do better about cleaning up after I'm done, so I don't have to clean before I start, which makes me not want to do anything! (and since I never used to do this at all, any improvement at all will be 'better' than what I've been doing, lol!!)
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Post by Linda on Jan 23, 2015 23:08:07 GMT
"I also try to spend my time in my studio actually creating, no internet time or cleaning or organizing allowed during creative time. That means that I look for inspiration and think about ideas and plan pages long before I ever walk into my studio. Once I go into my space, I'm instantly in the 'make something' mode. That helps me to focus and get down to business." ^^^ this is part of my problem-- I have to clean and organize before I can get to the 'creative' part!! I am going to do better about cleaning up after I'm done, so I don't have to clean before I start, which makes me not want to do anything! (and since I never used to do this at all, any improvement at all will be 'better' than what I've been doing, lol!!) I find I'm MUCH more likely to work on my pages when my scrapbook desk is clean and organised and ready to go. I try and clean up between layouts and definitely before walking away from a session and I find it's helpful to choose the next set of photos at the end of a session and leave them out ready to work on |
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Post by penny on Jan 24, 2015 18:04:35 GMT
I'm the minority I think - single, no kids, so I've got it easy that way... I work shifts so I use some time between my day and night shifts, and I also use my first day off after nights as a catch up day (groceries, pay bills, laundry in, tidy the house), and then it's nothing but yoga pants and hobby time... That gives me three evenings and three days a month, and I can usually get 30 hours a month that way... I'm a slow scrapper, and by the time I get photos uploaded and printed, spend some time on Pinterest, blogs, and YouTube, it's enough to get maybe 4-6 layouts done... I don't worry so much about how many I get done, but in months that I get 6 done I begin to worry about what chores I've forgotten to do...lol
I'm another that can't scrap in little bits of time... I can get a LO planned and then come back to glue it down/finish it off, but I can do 15 minutes here and there... If there's a chore that I can't get out of my mind then I can't scrap until it's done either... I often use that as a way to make up my to-do lists... If I wouldn't be able to scrap without it being done its a higher priority than the things I can scrap through...lol
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