Hi friends! I think that creativity is like a muscle that needs to be worked to be effective. I think you need to use it or lose it and the more ideas you try to explore the more ideas you will continue to have! The only trouble is, in this fast-paced day-in-age, how do we make time for it?
Here are ways I stay creative everyday:
- Keep a notebook/planner/sketchbook for jotting down ideas and notes. My infamous “request List” for viewer tutorials is written on a collection of note paper and clipped into my day planner, whenever I need an idea I can always have a gander there.
- Partake of portable crafts. I keep a current yarn project in my bag at all times for waits at ball practice and doctor’s offices.
- Keep watercolors in the glove box. In my car is my travel set of KOI watercolor with a waterbrush and a postcard watercolor pad. Perfect for painting on the go and I don’t even need to remember to bring it.
- TV time multitask! Keep stamped images in an envelope with coloring media of your choice and color while watching TV.
- You can keep a tray of beading supplies handy too, they even make covered bead boards that will keep your projects in place when you are not working on them.
What are your strategies for keeping fit creatively? Share what works for you! What are your struggles? Find reason TO create instead of excuses of why you can’t. Trust me, the dust bunnies will be there tomorrow and after you vacuum them there will be more next week where as something you create will stay done! I’m not saying neglect your responsibilities but give yourself a creativity break once in a while(and I mean daily) and you will be more happy and energetic in the rest of your endeavors. That’s why I always say Happy Crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 
Could you be any cuter????
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Great video …. luv your laughter & cute hair-do….
Thanks for sharing ways to stay creative, as always my work table is always messy, no matter how I tried to tidy and make some space, usually find time before bedtime or during or between meals lol….ya time is tough when its busy, but its possible.
Even sneaking in a second to cut a shape can be fulfilling lol & looking through the paper and sticker stash 😉
Thanks Lindsay for keeping creativity inspiring and FUN!
Luv you
*
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Hi Lindsay,
I found if I stamp out more copies of the image than I need, I force myself into making another card and I ALWAYS try to make that second card different in some way from the first one. I recently stamped too many copies of one Asian image on vellum for my local card group. I forced myself to turn every one of them into cards and was able to send out 39 RAKS ot OSA members because of that action.
Another thing – don’t get bogged down with your favorite games. I love Tap Tiles and every day I get 3 new challenges in Tap Tiles to play. Sometimes they are hard so I keep doing it over and over until I can win it. DON’T!! Set a limit that you will try it twice and if you don’t get it – MOVE ON!! Otherwise it will eat up your day and stop your time for making cards.
And one last thing. If you need inspiration, you can go to different web sites (like Lindsay’s or Pinterest or wherever) but once you spot something that looks like a good idea, don’t keep looking!! It’s like sitting in a restaurant and the menu is 15 pages long. By the time you get through looking at all the choices, your head is full of cotton that you can’t make up your mind to do anything. You’re all tuckered out and all the examples you downloaded are too much to do anything right now.
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I have these windows of time. When I am really in the grips of severe pain I am pretty out of it. When I first take my pain medicine I am pretty out of it. Those windows of time in between.. I am in my craft room. If I cannot get into making something., I try something. How do these water color pencils work compared to these. What kind of paper do I want to use here. etc. I can have so much fun just “fondling my stuff.” Even if I am technically not making anything my head is creating. So I am in my room every day. And I watch a lot of videos. You are at the top of my must see list. Love your videos, the way you create and the way you think. Love, your Florida friend.
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I still struggle w/ the guilt. On the verge of being an empty-nester. Working from home. Many *fewer* demands on me now than there were in the past with 5 kids, but ironically, the guilt is greater now than at any past point. If my craft studio is clean…even if there is a pile of laundry, that is my biggest *green* flag and inspiration. Am I alone?
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i am lucky that there is just me & the hubs (and 2 cats) and he dos not care that my craft area is a part of our open living/dining room space. so since my supplies are out in the open & handy i can craft while doing many other things, like laundry, cooking, ect..that to me is a huge help, and trust me..I craft a lot!
🙂
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Hi Lindsay!!! I am new to your group, Just Love you 🙂 Well I just (finally) got my own room…lol my 24 yr old son moved out 1 yr ago…then my 30 yr old daughter moved in 2 weeks later…lol Well she has found a new place and I finally got to make the bedroom into my Craft Room!!!!!! I am just starting out…and a friend shared your page….I check in everyday…Love it!!!! Learning so much from you!!! Love to show you some thing’s I’m working on…Love your videos and the way you do all your work!!
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How do I stay creative? I have a set time everyday to craft. A lot like having a set time for dinner. How long I craft depends on what I’m working on. For example today I am making embellishments so it all depends on how long it takes me to make them. And if I get inspired to do something while I am doing what I’m doing I either write it down in my craft journal or I do it while I am inspired. Each week I take a look at the week before and make my list of things I want to do and anything else that comes to mind . If I dont do something that is listed I just move it to the up coming week. And so on. I love your videos. Thank you for taking the time to make them.
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Just today I decided to bring a second art journal upstairs to use for colored pencils, and keep my water painting journal down in my craft room. That way when I’m watching your videos I can do sketches and colored pencil drawings upstairs without disturbing the dog sleeping in the basement. Now I can try ideas as you are showing me how!
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Thanks for the boost! I spend too much time wishing I was doing it instead of doing it.
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Right now, and for the last several months, is a difficult time for me and my family. I am having a hard time finding joy in crafting–and those pragmatic thoughts of “what will I do with this” keep intruding. But still, I find something to work on each day. I am greatly enjoying videos, and that is also a form of creativity. They are little sparks of inspiration for when the muse returns. I know I’m not alone in these dry spells! Thank you for being one of those sparks, Lindsay.
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Sorry, this is off subject., but have been trying to find where info is on renewing our markers, etc. with glycerin, alcohol, etc. I know it was on a video and also written down. I don’t do social media, so only looking here. Can ya help me out? Thanks in advance Lindsay
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waterbased markers info: http://youtu.be/vmOJLBjF5LQ
alcohol markers: http://youtu.be/9_oK1qqZ34E
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Thanks so much for the u-tube sites Lindsey.
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I have been in a sewing mood lately. Been making some fun little purses to carry when you are shopping or on a trip, I watch tv at the same time. But today I finally got on my treadmill and walked for thirty minutes. Now I am pooped ready for bed. I can’ t sit without doing something. My hands have to be busy,can’t multi task as good as I did when I was younger. I think I could get more done when my boys were little. The 2 cats and my English Bulldog are messer than the boys were. I have a purse for you but I need your address. Have a good rest of of the week.
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After being away from art school for 13 years and finally done punishing myself for quitting, I have brought out all my supplies and started to create again!!Lindsay, I am so happy and grateful for you taking the time to do all the tutorials!! I’m proud to see my skills improving (thanks to you). I find that I try and take nature walks each day to get inspiration….snap some photos of things interesting. Then look at them later and try to create something. I’m not brave enough yet to try something big. Have you done any watercolor/mixed media watercolors on the large sheets of paper?? If not maybe you could work one in one day :))). Thanks again!!
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Hi Lindsay, I couldn’t find your email so hope you don’t mind a general question left here. What is the white board you tape your watercolor projects to and where did you get it? Thanks.
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it is foam core board, you can get it at the dollar store for a 2o”x30″ sheet:)
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I usually do all my “fussy” cutting while watching my fav shows. I like to make butterflies, ladybugs and bees from dryer sheets for my greeting cards and collages. It doesn’t take any thought and I don’t feel like I am wasting time. Have to keep the fingers moving in some way. Crocheting, knitting is a good thing to do as well while watching tv. Otherwise, I am at my crafting table trying out a new watercolor from you!! For my greeting cards. Love your energy!!
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I don’t get home until after 6 pm so I try to do at least 15 minutes in my craft room. Anything that needs to be paper pieced gets cut in front of the tv. 🙂 I commute by train, so I get to catch up on all those wonderful Youtube videos.
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I very much like your show. The watercolor is great. I never knew how
to use them as a child.
I have two grand-daughters now watching your show. Would you, or
have you had a session on how to take care of supplies and store
them when you are finished.
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THAT IS A TERIFFIC IDEA! I will try to get a video like that done!
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Ah yes, time to create! Being retired helps with the time limits…and learning to say NO to those things you really do NOT want to volunteer for when asked! My Studio is the Laundry Room…a perfect set up in a small area, full of light and well supplied. I have my computer, printer, a small TV, long counter, cabinets, and the tops of my front load washer and dryer serve to hold my CrossOver, Big Shot, and E-Boser cutting machines, with the shelf above the W&D available for containers of different types of pens, Copics, and pencils. The small pantry we designed in the Laundry Room has become my most used supply area. There is a door Leading into the kitchen at one end and another door into the entryway to our house and view of my husband’s office at the other end…perfect for dashing in and out to work on a project while cooking, doing laundry, etc. I usually sit In The living room with hubby for an hour or so In The evening, and have my I-Pad with me and earphones to check blogs and watch Lindsay’s videos during the many ads. When hubby goes into his office, I head to my Studio as I can still watch TV there, but have the advantage of being able to create at the same time. I also use my I-Pad in the morning to read my e-mail when eating my toast and tea while on my recumbent bike….multitasking In Order to get that exercise in and save time for the Studio. Every little bit of time saved helps with time for the Studio! I hate to admit it, but I always lay in bed In the mornings for 15 to 20 min. to run thru my mind the projects I want to work on. When on my desktop computer, I save blogs and videos in files for future projects I would like to try. Also print off instructions if available. Now, all I need is time to review all those saved projects! LOL!!! Thank you Lindsay for all your inspiration!!!
Hugs,
Jan
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I spend something like 45 to 50 hours a week either in my car commuting or at my day job. I used to miss the bus so much! It was a wealth of creative, crafty time–provided a job was small and didn’t much require scissors…. Anyway, now I use that time in the car to listen to other people talk about crafting and almost always learn something new or get reminded of a skill I forgot. I also make a point of touching–just/at least touching–my craft stuff each day. I find that once I’ve got my hands on it, my fingers fly and I get work done or stuff cleaned up. I also give myself permission to walk around with my crafts while I’m doing other things–like making appointments, etc–and craft during the hold times.
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I’m 26 and have three (yes, three!) jobs at the moment. I only get short bits of broken up “free” time during the day so every night before I go to bed, I sit and do bits of a project. It helps me wind down and relax. It may take me a couple days to get one card done, but those little bits are my “me” time and that’s important when you’re busy.
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Having a couple “books” helps me – not sure if I should call them sketch books, planners, probably the variety book is a good name – the books hold sketches, paintings, inspirational quotes, might even find some coffee money in them – but one is small enough to fit in a tote for on-the-go. The other one ends up on the coffee table or craft table. A long time ago, my son called my craft table “mommy’s happy table” – and that’s what’s it’s been called ever since (he’s very grown now).
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I would like to get back on your mailing list please .I have had Computer troubles and my Email address has changed Thank You May Freebody.
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you can sign up on my blog, there is a box in the left hand sidebar to enter your email. You have to do it, I can’t, it helps prevent spam. Glad to have you back!
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I also keep a little notebook with me at all times to make sketches, write down ideas & when my husband is watching something that I don’t care for, I sit with him but may be doing something like sculpey clay or I will go to my craft room & do my own thing. I think it is a matter of balancing your time & what is important & what you enjoy.
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I would get a heck of a lot more crafty time in if my internet service went down! LOL! I have to come here to check to see what Lindsay has come up with to try, but by the time I have checked in with a few (or 30) other favorite bloggers I find I have used up what windows of time I had to actually make something myself instead of seeing what everyone else has recently made. I’m still struggling to find balance. I’ve been trying to watch/view something then if it inspires me, stop right then to try out the technique or give my spin on it. Have to talk myself out of “just one more blog” cause its a lot like my 13 year old son saying “just one more level” of a video game and losing another 2 hours!
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No problem making time for crafting here, just making time for feeding my family and cleaning the house are the problem! lol! Loved the video as always! ~Diane
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Finding time for crafting is definitely a problem for me, but I also have a problem with the “what am I going to do with this” thinking. I love making cards, as well as other things, but I can only use so many of them myself. What else can you do with your items that you’ve crafted?
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I sell them or send them to a magazine in hopes they will be published;)
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Hi I’m brand new to watercolour painting. I’m recently retired and keen to have a new hobby. I have spent time buying all the necessary equipment but I’m finding it very difficult to get motivated to start!
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