While at times, we have been known to disappear into the ‘scrapping’ world for hours at a time, what with all the pending holiday busyness and responsibility, there seems to be no room for even a small amount of crafting or scrapbooking.
But wait! Perhaps there is! Let’s look at some practical tips that will help you find the time you need:
1) Make a small, attainable crafting goal. You might not be able to get a whole scrapbook done by December 31, but if you make a small, doable goal you could get one section done, or even 4 spreads. Sometime after Thanksgiving but before the first of December: - Look at a current project and divide it into small parts. Pick one or two sections that need work and forget the rest. Resolve to get that small amount done. - or pick one month, one season, one concept to scrap about. It really doesn’t matter which one, pick one at random, or pick the one you have been putting off. - or choose one of the projects you fancy in this issue of Scrapbooking.com Magazine. Resolve to get that one project completed by the end of the year, nothing more, nothing less!
2) Tell someone your goal. Once you have decided on your project announce it to the world! Well, at least to a scrapping friend, your spouse, your Mom or perhaps on your blog. Ask a confidant to hold you accountable for meeting your personal challenge. Even if they fail to remind you to craft, the act of telling someone can help your own commitment.
3) Envision your goal. Spend some time each day daydreaming about your project. You could be in the carpool line waiting for your kids, in a doctor’s waiting room, lying in bed, or some other non-craft time – take those moments to envision your project completed. Look online at other versions of the same concept. Let that research be your motivation.
4) Get organized. Spend a short time each day for the first few days of December cleaning your craft space. Throw away the trash, get out the paper, adhesive, photos and other supplies you need to complete the project. Plan one trip to the craft store (buy a crafty Christmas gift for someone at the same time so you feel the time is well used!)
5) Plan a regular crafting time and stick to it. Perhaps you could commit to working a little on your project for a half hour every other night, or get up half an hour earlier each week day morning, or arrange for the kids to go out with dad or granny for lunch each Saturday.
Look at how you use your time. Look for small amounts of time that you could find to devote to crafting. If you are honest, you will find half an hour here, half an hour there that you devote to unnecessary activities (such as TV watching, excess internet searching, unnecessary house cleaning…). Reclaim that time this Holiday season! Give it instead to your crafting!
Be proactive and decisive, be resolved to meet this small, doable goal. When something gets on your to-do list, it will get done. Your scrapping is important enough to put on your list. You are the keeper of your family’s memories, and every little bit that you do adds up over time.
Happy Holiday Scrapping!
Shona Cole is the author of 'The Artistic Mother - A Practical Guide for Fitting Creativity into your Busy Life' due in bookstores March 2010. You can learn more about her work and life at www.shonastudio.blogspot.com.
