Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Stacy, how wonderful of you to be willing to make your "playroom" a shared space. I'm not sure I could do that. (Then again, since I live alone, it isn't a big problem for me!) I turned the guest bedroom of my apartment into my stamp studio the other summer. I briefly thought of leaving a daybed in there and then promptly said nope! Good luck with your project!
I've had a couple of really terrible, horrible, no good, very bad years on the family front (father-in-law, brother-in-law, and mother-in-law all passed away between Feb 2011 and last month), family in-fighting (in-laws, not my immediate family), drug intervention and rehab for one of my daughters, another daughter in and out of a shelter with her newborn baby because the father was not wonderful (to say the least), and the list goes on... To say that my mojo has been at low ebb would be understating the case, for sure! So, along with "getting my mojo back", my goals are these:
1) Clean out the corners on my purge/organize project (what I do when I'm not feeling creative) - I'm aaaalmost done!
2) SCHEDULE time for ME!!! Haven't done this AT ALL this past couple of years.
3) Start, work on, and finish small books about myself/my life to give to each of my children NEXT Christmas.
4) Actually remember to SEND cards for birthdays, holidays, etc.
Nothing big or grand, but I'll feel REALLY fulfilled if I can accomplish them! Great thread...
Sue, Wow! You have had a time of it. Your story sounds a lot like my boss's story. Too many bad things happening to nice people. I hope that 2013 is decidedly better for you on a personal level. With all that has been going on, it is definitely important for you to make time for you. It will help you to better be able to be there for those who need you. So do make that a priority!
What a nice idea about the books for your kids. It is something they can treasure and pass down to their kids.
I see a trip to Walmart or the office supply store in your future to get some sort of a tickler so you don't forget to send those cards.
Here's hoping you come back here next December and find you've accomplished all your goals.
Love this thread....here are my craft goals for 2013:
1. Re-organize! Seems as if I am always reorganizing, but my room gets sooo messy!
2. Build up my stash of cards....I need cards to have on hand to send....so I'm not working at the last minute for a "thank you" or "sympathy" card!
3. do Cards for a Cause every month.....I did a couple of months this past summer, but once school started, I've been busy!
4. SCRAPBOOK.....Really need to get caught up!
5. Spend time every week with my "toys"....try some new things.....use some tools etc. I haven't used.....
My goals are to continue to scrapbook my daughters photo's, she died last year age 37 and its taking me time to complete. Keep making my cards and use the stash I have rather than buy, that's hard, love to buy !! Also I am in BRAK and recommend that as a way of making cards and giving, you get thank you through the forum and that's good
I just want the time to craft-I have no stash of cards. Right now I am in the process of organizing my craft area so I can go in there and craft while the kids are on the other side of the basement playing. I want to make my own Christmas and birthday cards instead of rushing at the last minute.
Personally my goal is to continue to get through my clutter and learn to let go. I know this will boost my creativity and general wellness.
Specifically, I am working through my stash and creating.
1) I want to start Art Journalling/Scrapbooking.
2) Get all my current Birthday/Holiday cards out on time next year.
3) Make more cards and decide where they will go (been contemplating fundraising for either on of our teams or Project Graduation) though they may just make their way to another cause.
4) Make up all the projects I have hoarded supplies for... glassblocks, mailboxes, candles, ornaments, time to get them done.
And probably a bazillion more things I can't think of at the moment!
Oh and clean off my craft table giving everything on it a home so I can enjoy a tidy area!
Last edited by RiverIsis; 12-15-2012 at 07:46 AM..
deansgal, great goals! i really like your idea of doing cards for a cause every month. and the one for playing with your toys weekly. i would love to spend 30 minutes a day stamping, just to get into the habit, but i think that one isn't going to happen in the near future.
girlgeek101 -- i am pretty sure that for we stampers "buy less, use more" is like non-stampers' "lose weight, exercise more." LOL! But since I actually succeeded with the lose weight, exercise more one, I have high hopes that we CAN be successful in reigning in the spending by getting what we really love and then using it in fun and different ways rather than always buying the next thing that catches our eye.
The gratitude journal sounds very cool. Can't wait to see some of your watercolor work.
rainbow5, I am so sorry to hear that your daughter was taken from you at such a young age. I can certainly understand that putting together the scrapboook would take awhile as I am sure every photo comes with a special story. But what a fitting honor to your daughter's memory and a wonderful way to help to heal your heart.
bradley's_mom,
great goal! I have no kids, but can just imagine how hard it is to find time for crafty time, let alone get ahead of those birthdays, etc. But I am a strong believer in the idea that taking some "me" time on a regular basis ends up allowing you to be a better wife, mom, daughter, etc. We need to recharge our batteries.
since your time is limited, perhaps when you come up with one card, you could make a 2nd one that is similar, but still unique -- sort of like CASEing yourself. this could help you to create that stash a bit.
Kristen, I hear you! Some days I look at all my creative clutter and I just feel overwhelmed by it all. Then I think of all those hard earned dollars I have spent on the stuff and I find it hard to let it go, promising myself I WILL use them. I have to get real with myself about all that stuff.
I think your list is perfect as it really lends itself to being able to do something specific in January toward meeting several of those goals. I find that to be the biggest motivator for me, when I see myself actually making progress on a goal.
A suggestion for your "make more cards..." goal. Maybe select different destination each quarter. You get to do something nice for multiple causes and you might find that, in the process, you find THE one that most speaks to your heart.
I just had to pop back in and say what a lovely thread this is. SWLDEBBIE, you have been such a positive light to every single person who has posted on this thread. The world needs more people like you!!
1. Clean my stamp room/children's toy room and finish painting the walls.
2. Host friends for a crafting night several times this year (I'm a former demonstrator...I don't miss selling products but I miss teaching and sharing ideas).
3. Attempt some challenges on the Board.
4. master some simple editing functions on Photoshop. I was able to get access through school to Photoshop and used it to create a grey studio background for our family picture to replace the brick wall we were in front of. I found lots of tutorials and need to practice.
5. create several card boxes with assorted cards to donate to various community events.
6. Complete my community's birthday/anniversary calendar BEFORE Thanksgiving in 2013.
__________________ Rachel Schott
As my best friend says, "Stamping....it's cheaper than therapy" to which I add, "Not by much".
My mom was the proud recipient of my first handmade card. Cost $200.
By mid year I'd love to be in a finacial position to buy more crafty goodness. This last six months has been very austere. Ah life!
I was very close to applying for a design team position just recently, but then I got an email with an invitation to join one, which turns out to much more fitting to me, my style and my time. So I've got that covered already for 2013.
I'd really love to run some real life classes. A shop owner has asked me to come and have a 'play-date' with her. In the new year I'll present her my ideas of what I'd like to do and see where it goes from there.
1.. Get my crafty mojo back
2... Remember to send birthday cards!
3....Cut back on spending on craft goodies
4..... Don't eat so many ready made meals.....
3) Start, work on, and finish small books about myself/my life to give to each of my children NEXT Christmas.
I've done this for my granddaughters - to be given to them when they are 18 or older. Now I'm going to start them for my own kids as well. What a great way to pass on a legacy.
Rachel, more great things for your 2013. I particularly like the Photoshop one as I am definitely Photoshop challenged. I think it was Amy Sheffer who had a photo editing tutorial some time ago. I was able to follow that, but would never remember how I did it. I just know which saved filter I use for my posted cards. But I wish I knew how to adjust the colors better when my lighting and my camera seem to be in the middle of a spat.
Theresa, You are our hero because you have actually successfully done the big purge (and obviously survived to tell the tale!). You give all of us who all want to do the purging that it IS possible. Here is hoping that you will be able to afford some new crafty wonderfulness, but that it won't undo all your hard work from this year.
Congratulations on being invited to be on a design team! Can you say who it is for yet or hasn't it been announced yet?
Hope you are able to find a good fit with your LSS to do the in-person classes.
Sounds like it is going to be an exciting year for you.
Jo, I will keep my fingers crossed that your creative muse will show up with your mojo. I really hate when my muse absconds with mine!
Those readymade meals sure are addictive, aren't they? I am hoping to get back into cooking ahead one weekend a month so I have homemade readymade meals in my freezer. I used to do that and it worked well, but somewhere along the line I got out of the habit. So we shall see how it goes. If you like minestrone soup, I can post a link for a wonderful recipe that freezes well, as well as a 3-ingredient pulled pork recipe that also freezes well.
4. master some simple editing functions on Photoshop. I was able to get access through school to Photoshop and used it to create a grey studio background for our family picture to replace the brick wall we were in front of. I found lots of tutorials and need to practice.
5. create several card boxes with assorted cards to donate to various community events.
6. Complete my community's birthday/anniversary calendar BEFORE Thanksgiving in 2013.
7. Figure out what all the functions on my digital camera actually do! All those buttons and all I use are the auto, panarama and video functions. swldebbie, thinking about your challenges with lighting in photos got me thinking about how little I know about photography. I feel good about my staging and positioning but know nothing else.
__________________ Rachel Schott
As my best friend says, "Stamping....it's cheaper than therapy" to which I add, "Not by much".
My mom was the proud recipient of my first handmade card. Cost $200.
7. Figure out what all the functions on my digital camera actually do! All those buttons and all I use are the auto, panarama and video functions. swldebbie, thinking about your challenges with lighting in photos got me thinking about how little I know about photography. I feel good about my staging and positioning but know nothing else.
Think I might borrow some of your targets - the digital age seems to have passed me by as well...
I hope to get back into scrapbooking and rubberstamping again. I have dabbled a bit the last few years, but I miss the creative outlet. My goals this year would be:
1 to get my daughters high school stuff scrapbooked before she graduates in May.
2:Get my other 2 kids school scrapbooks caught up and current.
3: To finish scrapping 2006, I started it a while ago.
4: Hope to start & finish 2007 & 2009 (2008 is done for some reason.)
5: to be better at sending out cards and remembering birthdays this year.
6: get myself more organized
7: I forgot to add learn how to actually use my camera!
Ok now that I actually wrote it down somewhere it looks doable, but still feels overwhelming!
I need to purge some things...I keep putting that off.
Work on my website to make it more user friendly...especially the search.
Make even more cards for all the things I support.
Try to find a way to volunteer and do more for others.
Cinnistew, I don't think any of us are ready to bet our lives on the use what I have and buy less goal. But it is all about moving forward, so if we can do better next year than we did this year, I say it is a win. Let's just look to January and try to succeed for that one month. Then we can see how we did and see what is realistic for February, etc.
And you know what they say -- that practice makes perfect, so in the process of trying to improve your techniques, that gives you every reason to use what you have.
Rachel, you will have to share what you learn with us. I know all the cameras are different, but we might be able to figure out our particular cameras with a little help from our friends.
Renee, it IS doable! You have the list, now just prioritize it and set a date to finish item number 1. Then figure out what you have to do to get from where you are to finishing that item. With kids, I am sure it is hard to schedule too far ahead, but at least on a Sunday night, block out some "Renee Time" to work on your project. You will be amazed at how much you can accomplish when you are motivated and focused.
I don't do scrapbooking, but can you do some of the organizing for during some of your wait times -- waiting on kids to get out of school, waiting at the doctor's office etc? If so, make sure you have some pics and envelopes with you at all times to work through them. Or some paper and pen to draft any journalling you want to do by the pictures.
Amber, Kudos to you on the web site project. I really hate when I am on web sites that seem to forget that not every visitor just knows where everything is on the site and then has no search or index to help out (or really awful ones that don't help at all!)
You sound like such a giving person -- I love that you marry your love of crafting with a passion for giving back to your community.
Theresa, You are our hero because you have actually successfully done the big purge (and obviously survived to tell the tale!). You give all of us who all want to do the purging that it IS possible. Here is hoping that you will be able to afford some new crafty wonderfulness, but that it won't undo all your hard work from this year.
Congratulations on being invited to be on a design team! Can you say who it is for yet or hasn't it been announced yet?
Hope you are able to find a good fit with your LSS to do the in-person classes.
Sounds like it is going to be an exciting year for you.
I was moving house so it was a good time to do it. I donated most of it to a very grateful lady who will use most of it for her community. I got a lovely three page letter back from her and she wrote me that she used the SU! stocking punch buider and stamp set for the school childrens Christmas craft activity so they'd have something to give too. I had no hesitation giving up a product that I knew I was not ever likely to use. I don't concider my money wasted if the donation/gift of it was so well appreciated by so many.
several years ago I started making a monthly layout with some doable goals. Scrapbook and personal. My scrapbooking goals would be like - getting the next month's holiday and birthday cards done (so for January, I would line up my birthday cards to send and get my valentines done), how many pages I wanted to get done, and any little organizing project, or a crafting kit project. Took things in smaller steps. Alas, it was great when I did it, but somewhere along the year, it fell apart. I think I will resurrect it again this year. I love checking off what I got done and wasn't quite so overwhelming.
sdscrapper, this year you will be organized AT LEAST 1 month more before your excellent plan starts to fray. Hopefully all 12 months, but it is all about doing a little better than the last time. good luck!
Thanks for the hugs and encouragement - it'll be a better year, for sure! I'm getting some great ideas while reading everyone else's goals - I may have to make a new list!
In 2013
1. I want to learn to use Photoshop Elements that my daughter bought for me , but is still in the box . Actually I loaded the disk on my computer, but that is as far as I got :( I have no idea how to even open a file or picture.
2. I want to learn the various features of my new Cameo to make the most of the software
3. I want to purge some metal dies that have very similar shapes in the Silhouette store. I need the space the metal dies are occupying .
4. I want to learn to airbrush with my Copics.
5. I want to sort and purge some of my other craft supplies. This year I dumped all the knitting stuff and Ukrainian egg decorating supplies and I need to go through the other things to see what I will really use in the future. I always have more ideas of things I want to make than I could possibly find time to complete. And I am retired
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
I have a few thoughts on creative goals for next year, mostly out of frustration...
1. Better organize/unpack my craft room. I moved to my place in July, and have a craft room (yay!) but haven't quite figured out organization that works in this space.
2. After #1, strategically buy what I need. I joined SU as a demo in August, and don't yet have many cardstock colors. I have some sampler packs, and have started buying individual colors (which is what I need to mass produce cards for demo swaps or holiday cards)...but looking at my cardstock shelf, I have 5 shades of pink, 4 shades of green, only 1 blue, and not a single package of orange, yellow, purple, gray, and countless others. Of course, the snowflake card I want to make would look best with a darker blue, and now I'm frustrated that I only have a bright blue. :(
3. Create more cards in advance. I have yet to really start on my christmas cards this year. It's now 12/19, and they have to be mailed by Friday at the latest, but I have plans tomorrow night, so it will mean more stressful, rushed creating trying to just get them done rather than having fun and really layering stuff on like I'd prefer to really impress the recipients (especially to all the crafty friends that will get them).
4. Build my SU business - find new customers, send thank you cards to my friends/customers that order, post more projects and content to my blog, hopefully Convention, do more demo swaps, etc.
5. Learn SU's My Digital Studio. I bought it 50% off recently, but need to download it and play around with it to make stuff.
6. Print photos somewhere so I can try scrapbooking for my gazillions of vacation photos. I've given 1.5 scrapbooks away as gifts without photos in them, so this will be a new adventure to go from cardmaking to doing 12x12s with pictures.
7. Have more common cards on hand (play for fun!) and send more "just because" cards.
In 2013
1. I want to learn to use Photoshop Elements that my daughter bought for me , but is still in the box . Actually I loaded the disk on my computer, but that is as far as I got :( I have no idea how to even open a file or picture.
Here's where I started with my photoshop tutorials. They're really well written though I have so little experience that a couple of times I really had no idea what tool was being referenced! I had two windows open on the computer and bounced between. Next time I'm logging onto a second computer so I don't have to switch windows. I'm currently trying to learn to remove the glare from eye glasses. Still struggling. At this rate I'll never learn how to airbrush off 20lbs ;)
