Howdy friends! Today I am talking about excuses. You know, when you want to do something but you talk yourself out of it. For instance “I want to scrapbook but I don’t have the space” of “If only I had the time and energy to create…I guess I’ll watch TV instead.” But wait! Try this: “Hey! What if I clear off the coffee table and make a couple of layouts while I watch my favorite TV show!” and “Why not put all the supplies I need in a tote or basket and I can bring it to the living room with me and put it in the closet when I am done!” Now, look at that, you have turned an excuse into a solution.
The other day I was enjoying a cup of joe on the front porch when I was absolutely disgusted by the crud on my railing and ballasts. I thought “if only I had a power washer, I would have this clean in a jiffy” but I changed it to “Why not get a pail of warm soapy water and wipe down the rails and mop the floor. The girls can help and we will be done in 20 minutes!” Well, it took a bit longer than that but not much and once you get started (which is the hardest part of any project) it goes pretty quickly.
I can understand making excuses to get out of something you don’t like but why do we make excuses to get out of doing things we love? Maybe we feel guilty spending time on ourselves, or maybe we are afraid of making a mistake, doing something wrong or wasting precious supplies. Newsflash: You will make mistakes, if you don’t you are not learning. You don’t even need to be good at something to enjoy the process, for instance I am an awful singer yet I love to sing. You are worth spending time on! Maybe you are afraid of making a mess in a shared space. Why not pull together the supplies for a small project that can easily be tucked away in a box while it is in progress like a jewelry project, cross stitch or watercolor card.
My point is stop making excuses! The next time you catch yourself saying “but” , “if only” or “I wish” stop and say “what if…”, “I will…” and “Why not…” no one else is going to make you be creative (well, except me, I’ll give you a kick in the pants!) except yourself. Don’t discourage yourself before you start. Pick something you want to do and DO IT! So, if you are feeling inspired I want you to leave a comment and tell me what you are going to make next, don’t be shy, the act of telling someone and writing it down will help you achieve it! Please let e know when you finish your creation too as I would love to see it. You are worth it! Now, go make something! Til next time happy crafting!
Good post and I love the glitzy butterfly-you do nice work.
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thanks:)
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You are so wright !! It seems you are talking about me. I sometimes discourage myself before I start because I think I won’t manage (especially because I make a living out of my art).
But one day I say ” enough ” and it turns out fine !! Ho gosh what a waste of time !!!
Thanks for your energy and it’s cool to see that I am not the only one.
Hugs
Chris
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I understand the conflict when you make a living from your art, you feel pressure to make things that will sell instead of playing and trying the things you want, it is a delicate balance sometimes:)
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Yes I agree, however most of the time I am still having such a great time !! And I discover so many things ! It never ends !
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I’m going to pull out the set of 24 Inktense pencils I just got for my birthday and figure out what in the heck to do with them. Today! (Right after I finish drying those tomatoes I have to do today!) Love your resin goodies!
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Fun, Inktense are my fave watercolor pencils, you are in for a treat! Hurry up tomatoes LOL!
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wonderful words of encouragement, love the resin work too, but I so like your drying rack from pins, now that is smart.
Hugs Elisa
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thanks, it very useful indeed!
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Your work with resin is so lovely. Yup, I can’t just sit in front of the TV, I always or maybe it’s most of the time, I do another card or design another project or write another blog post. Keeping busy in retirement is very important.
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I love to have the TV on while I craft, I like the chatter but I hardly can sit still and watch it unless it is a show I have been waiting to see, even still unless I am watching it in the evening I have to be doing something else as well:)
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Love the encouragement. Love the jewelry!! thanks
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thanks!
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You’re so funny girl! I wish you could come here and kick me in the pants. I’m always making excuses to not create. How dumb is that. I love to make thinks but ALWAYS do some kind of housework. Geeze.
I’m going to make a little T-shirt dress for my great-granddaughter. And an anniversary card for hubby (it’s today) and sew a little zip pouch. Oh, and clean up my craft space also. Oops … I sound busy already.
Okay, off I go now.
Thanks for the kick!!
Debbie
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I’m sure your house is clean enough Debbie, go play in the craft room today (and spend time with hubby of course!)
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I love your blog; I’m always amazed at how much you get done – but then you aren’t sitting at the computer reading other folks blogs!! Love your words of encouragement – and all your crafty stuff!
Kara
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I second this comment!
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hahahaha, true, it is OK to read blogs, pinterest etc but then ACT in the inspiration, don’t let it be a substitute for creating:)
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We all need a kick in the tush every now and then…….thanks for that! Love your resin beauties!
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thanks:)
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Great pep talk! I used to say I did not have the space, but since taking over the dining room table I can create every day (and I still can put everything away if needed…..)
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good for you! We can all find space if we want to badly enough:)
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So true Lindsay. I feel so much better about my day if I am creative for even just a bit! I have an exhausting job – I’m a kindergarten teacher. After work & tending to my family, I want to just crash. But if I do a little something, I feel satisfied that I did something for myslf. Whether its rolling a few beads, making some envelopes or tackling a ‘hot spot’ in my craft room, it makes a difference to do something! Great post & love your resin work!
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good for you Paula, teaching kindergarten would be exhausting!
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Thank you Lindsay, today I will begin to finish a monster project on my family genealogy book that is taking soo long since I have tons of info, way way back in time, like to the 1600’s. Have spent years looking for and finding info, have it up to the early 1900;s now, but will add the new info! Good going and have a great day!
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good luck with that;)
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Your new pieces all turned out beautifully. Great job!!
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I love the way you think and want you to know you have inspired me not only in art/crafts but in daily life in general. I think ‘what would Lindsay do?” Thanks for being here on this blog and youtube. I declare you our craft/art guru!!
Today I will be playing w/ my new Darice embossing folder frames. (I tried making my own–big fail LOL, but no matter, at least I tried.)
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aww thanks! I am glad you are making the most of each day, have fun with the folders!
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I will start experimenting with alcohol inks. Have watched tons of tutorials and have the supplies to start soooooo it will happen this weekend!
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I love alcohol inks, I think you will too!
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This was such an awesome post/inspiration kick, Lindsey! Hugs to you for that..and your resin pieces are wonderful!!!! Ok, today I WILL tackle some manila tag/bookmarks. I think about them (always), I’ve gathered/bought supplies for them (always), procrastinated (always)…Today I will stop worrying about which direction/where to start and just GO! And if they don’t turn out ‘cool’ like I want, I’ll call it a PRACTICE session. Thanks for all you do/show us!
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that’s right, it’s just a tag after all:)
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What a treat to have examples of things to do with molded objects! Thanks!
Barry and Annette “:O) in Southern California Get 10% off your next order when you are published using our rubber stamp images. Website http://www.artneko.com Discounts AboutArtAccents-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
>________________________________ > From: Thefrugalcrafters Weblog >To: ordersaboutartaccents@yahoo.com >Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2013 5:21 AM >Subject: [New post] Turn your “Buts” into “What ifs” and your “If onlys” into “Why nots?” > > WordPress.com >thefrugalcrafter posted: “Howdy friends! Today I am talking about excuses. You know, when you want to do something but you talk yourself out of it. For instance “I want to scrapbook but I don’t have the space” of “If only I had the time and energy to create…I guess I’ll watch TV” >
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Hugs, Sissee
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Thanks so much for the inspiration, Lindsay! Your resins are remarkable! Okay, I’ll try a fabric flower today. And next week I want to get supplies to paint the inside of mason jars, then get dried flowers for a neat fall table display.
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sounds like a plan!
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You have inspired me not to make something creative, but to do what I don’t like. I want to get it shape and work out regularly, so I am making myself a schedule to stick to, and taking no excuses.
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that’s great, good for you!
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Loved this one, plus everything you did!!
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You’re so totally right! I can’t believe how many things I talk myself out of doing just because of chronic fatigue (I have Multiple Sclerosis). However, when I do something – even when i’m tired – I have a much better outlook and mood for the rest of the day! (even if it is just something as simple as catching up on a chore – like laundry – which I plan on doing today!) lol You are such an inspiration! Your energy and happiness shows in your videos and is contagious!
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Thanks Steph, my dad has MS as well and he would agree, he has owned his own business since before I was born and he still makes himself go in to work every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving, he says if he stooped working the MS would get him. You take care of yourself:)
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You must have been in our heads this morning! It was threatening rain and we both said “If only it would clear up we could go for a long bike ride”. Finally after lunch I said, “Let’s just go”. So we took a chance, drove to the park and had a delightful 30km (20miles) ride..with only a few drops of rain.
Love your sparkly resin pendants!
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20 miles?!? Wow, that’s great!
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Great post, as usual! I made a background paper using spray starch, glimmer mists, and plastic wrap. Came out ok! I also tried a work-around technique for gelli plate printing – a mushy kneeler pad. Have to practice that more
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Well done Jamie!
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All so pretty Lindsay!!! Good advice too!
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thanks Jan:)
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I can’t remember his name right now, but he used to play a character named Stewart Smalley on Saturday Night Live, and he said one time he was speaking to his support group and said, “I should have done this and I should have done that, and before I knew it I was shoulding all over myself” I always think of that one when I start making excuses. LOL!!
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hahahahaha! Love it!
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Everything you said is so true I*m 5 months (!) behind on a project I actually want to do and now it has grown into a moutain to climb…. er… um… I AM going to start it tomorrow….. I have been watching your videos for a while now and you are so prolific in your work, I love all you do…. Thanks for your positive comments…
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It begins with taking the first step, just like climbing a mountain. Once you start you will have the momentum to finish 🙂 good luck Rossie!
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Great post with the perfect inspiration for me, thanks Lindsay, and I love your resin pieces!
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