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I'm thinking about giving up my stamping addiction. I just do not have any time to stamp with 2 little kids at home. By the time they are in bed I am just too exhausted.
It's so disappointing because I have my own craft room, I have tons and tons of stuff from buying all that stuff that I *had* to have. I really enjoy stamping when I get the time. But if I make one card every 2 weeks, that's an accomplishment. I just can't justify having all of these supplies when I rarely use it. I'm thinking of getting rid of it all. :(
Has anyone else gone through this? Any thoughts would be really appreciated.
I'm thinking about giving up my stamping addiction. I just do not have any time to stamp with 2 little kids at home. By the time they are in bed I am just too exhausted.
It's so disappointing because I have my own craft room, I have tons and tons of stuff from buying all that stuff that I *had* to have. I really enjoy stamping when I get the time. But if I make one card every 2 weeks, that's an accomplishment. I just can't justify having all of these supplies when I rarely use it. I'm thinking of getting rid of it all. :(
Has anyone else gone through this? Any thoughts would be really appreciated.
hi Susan! i feel your pain honestly, i haven't created a card in WEEKS. first, don't do anything drastic. just because you haven't stamped regularly doesn't mean you should give it all up. maybe you just need to set it aside for a while, even a few years while your kids grow.
i was actually into stamping 10 years ago, then quit for several years before picking it back up. when i did, i sold some older sets [my taste/style had changed] and did well with older retired sets on eBay. i'm glad i hadn't gotten rid of everything since i still had some basic supplies to restart my crafting.
if you have a space issue, and need to give up your craft room, then maybe a spring cleaning is in order.
it's frustrating not having time to do the things you love, but time may change your circumstance [time available, expenses, etc.].
Definitely! I have a daughter and twin boy's 13 months younger than her. It is hard to get the time to do anything. My kid's have always been home with me and don't go to preschool so there is not much "free" time for myself. Also, I'm going to be homeschooling which will give me even less time for crafting. I spent so much time and money making a nice craft room for myself and would just be really sad to give it up.
You have to remember that the older they get the easier it will get for you to sneak away and do some crafting. Unless you REALLY need the money I would keep your space and just try to take a break whenever you can. It's a way for you to do something you enjoy without leaving the house and you are still with them KWIM.
I totally agree with the above poster. If you take a break for awhile, don't sell off everything, especially your inks! You can always come back to it down the line when your children are more independent from you. It does get easier for *me* time once they are a little older
My kids are 1 and 5, and I think of my craft time as my therapy. ;) I work it in in little bits here and there-- sometimes 15 minutes after the kids are in bed, sometimes with the kids, sometimes I'll go two weeks without getting to touch anything.
Last night I glued together some swap pages and added the glitter glue, which took about 20 minutes all together. I had previously stamped the images and colored them while sitting in the family room while the kids were playing one evening. I then cut them out another night after they went to bed- another 15 minutes or so there.
I also stamp with my kids... the 5 year-old has her own stamps and loves to stamp when I do, so we do it sometimes while her 1 year-old brother naps. He's starting to like to scribble, so sometimes I'll stamp a page or two of images just for them on copy paper, and let them color on those while I color some at my craft table.
Like the posters above said, I wouldn't do anything drastic. There's no required usage for your stuff... so if you only get to do it once a month, but you enjoy it, then I'd say hang on to your supplies.
I agree, with 5 kids here, my too rare moments of crafting or simply doing something for myself are really part of my sanity. So even if we can consider that I own and buy too many stuff and invest too much money for the time I can allow to it, nothing and nobody can convince me to hang up from stamping.
My kids are 3 and 5, and stamping is definitely my creative outlet. I can understand the frustration of not having much time to do it, but I really would hold off on getting rid of it all. I konw that in just the past year I've probably stamped more than in the previous 4 combined! Now I am being a bit more intentional about that, but the kids love to stamp with me (and they are more than happy to use my "whatever was I thinking?!?" suppplies ) and we've even done some activities for birthday parties. Hang in there - it does get better!
Having kids is kind of like living through a stormy day...there are sudden downpours then lighter rain then a downpour again, then it clears up for a bit. I have 3, one in college, one in high school, and one in middle school.
I rarely had time to stamp when my kids were little except for teacher gifts, the occasional bday card etc. but I kept all my stuff (still have it all from 12+years of stamping). I personally never regretted keeping all my stuff. It was there when the clouds would part for a bit and give me time for myself. I didn't have a stamping area (which would have made it even easier to do thing occasionally), I had a cart that I would roll out.
So, now I have a bit more time (still not enough) to stamp and I still love all my inks, papers, stamps, tools, etc! {{I still use my original Basic Black pad from 1998!}} I would never have wanted to reinvest in all of that stuff at this stage. It's all there for me whenever I need it, whenever I can get to it... or not.
Hold on to your stuff a bit and see if the storm lets up and you find a "silver lining" every now and then, and enjoy your kids! You can justify it because you can escape to your creative outlet when they don't need you. (two cards a week is more that I can do now!)
And... don't ever feel badly that you are neglecting your stamping stuff to tend to them. That stuff will keep for years, they won't.
I didn't get into stamping until my children were older. There was no time or money for a hobby. I totally understand that you are so busy at this stage of life. It's such a big decision. I don't think I could part with my stuff. Good luck, and enjoy your children when they are young, they grow so quickly.
__________________ The best things in life aren't things.
Now that my boys are a bit older (youngest is 10) it's easier to find some 'me-time'.
If the space isn't an issue please don't give it all up...........maybe you can take a break from crafting for a while............and see if you're still interested in stamping later on.
And I also love the idea to involve the kids in your crafting. My oldest one loves drawing and often came and sit with me while I was stamping..........and now he wants to go to artschool when he finished highschool!!
Vronica;)
Sounds to me like you need to give yourself permission to take a break.
I use crafting as therapy, as many do, and MAKE time for it whenever I can. My boys are slightly older (8 and almost 6), but the youngest has a disability that keeps me busy. But I NEED crafting to stay balanced.
But if I were ever to feel that it was an albatross around my neck, just one more thing on a long "to do" list, I'd just lock my craft room door and not worry about it until it sounded appealing again.
You gotta do what you gotta do for yourself right now. Time passes, kids grow, pressure eases. And you may well come back to stamping with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm.
Don't sell your stuff! I too don't stamp as often as I would like because of my two boys ages 5 and 8. I am finding though that I'm starting to get more time as they are getting older. Sure, it's not hours at a time like I would prefer, but I get stuff done in little increments. It's great that you have a stamping room so you can leave a project out to work on it in shifts. I find that easier than having to put everything away because it's not so overwhelming to stamp when you have 10 or 15 minutes if my materials are already out and ready to use. And I totally agree with the posts that said stamping is their therapy time from mommy-stress. My craft room is my sanctuary from yelling/wrestling/fighting/etc of two little boys I can pop in there for a few minutes and regain a bit of calmness so I can be a better mommy. Don't give up
__________________ Kelli Born to stamp...forced to work! My avatar is my 85 pound 'baby'! He's a golden retriever named Tegan.
My kids are 1 and 5, and I think of my craft time as my therapy. ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by amymcgs
I work it in in little bits here and there-- sometimes 15 minutes after the kids are in bed, sometimes with the kids, sometimes I'll go two weeks without getting to touch anything.
Last night I glued together some swap pages and added the glitter glue, which took about 20 minutes all together. I had previously stamped the images and colored them while sitting in the family room while the kids were playing one evening. I then cut them out another night after they went to bed- another 15 minutes or so there.
I also stamp with my kids... the 5 year-old has her own stamps and loves to stamp when I do, so we do it sometimes while her 1 year-old brother naps. He's starting to like to scribble, so sometimes I'll stamp a page or two of images just for them on copy paper, and let them color on those while I color some at my craft table.
Like the posters above said, I wouldn't do anything drastic. There's no required usage for your stuff... so if you only get to do it once a month, but you enjoy it, then I'd say hang on to your supplies.
My kids are 21 and 23 and I still think of my craft time as my therapy
I haven't stamped in a while either, and actually had to buy my hubby his birthday card! I am at the other age spectrum - I take care of an elderly mom who is now in the hospital. With working full time and then spending my weekends taking care of mom's business, there isn't a lot of extra time. My upline has monthly gatherings at her house to do stamp-a-stacks, techniques, etc., so I try to go to her place to do a variety of cards and use those to send when needed.
I don't plan to sell off my things because I never know when I can sit down to create something special! So hang in there! :p
And to chime in... switch to scrapbooking, I am sure with all those kids you have tons of pics. I felt the same way...mine because I really didnt need all those cards--but I still have tons to scrap and I switched over in Feb. Your scrap pages will be all that much nicer with stampin and Stampin up dsp..just a thought
__________________ Valerie in SCN2/12-O14/10 J14/30M43/30A34/30M43/31F47/40J102/312014-293/365
Susan, my situation is so different from yours, but please don't be hasty about getting rid of your stamping supplies. I've started stamping years ago and bought so many stamps and other things along the way. In general the only time I stamped was to make my Christmas cards and maybe a birthday card or two throughout the year. I retired in January and now I stamp almost every day. I'm having fun rediscovering the stamps I bought years ago. Some of them I don't love so much, but I enjoy trying them all out. While you are years and years from retiring, your children will grow up and you will be able to grab more time to yourself. So hang in and keep all the things you love (or send them all to me - - LOL).
__________________ Mary Ann GALLERY Fan Club member since 4/08
I have two boys 4y and 2y and I have so much more time now than a year ago. I wouldn't get rid of it all just yet. Just enjoy the rare moment that you do get to stamp and know that you will have more time later. I don't get as much time as I would like in the summer but I'm in my room a lot in the winter. If time is the reason I wouldn't do it.
__________________ My Blog
Creating isn't a hobby, but a way of life!
I'm right there with you. My son is nearly 3 and every time I step into the art room he follows. Of course then he picks out stamps and wants to do it too and there goes my time. My husband is normally pretty good about giving me a few hours on the weekend to go play for a bit and regain my sanity. I've thought about giving it up a few times along the way, but then I find an hour and remember why I love it. I try to remember my little boy will one day not want to be with Mommy all the time and I'd like to still have something of my own for when that day comes. My little guy is starting kindergarten in September so I'll have time, though by then we may be expecting the next one so I'll be back to having no time at all.
Hang in there. Mine are 1 and 3. I am finding short periods of time to do some things now. I was seriously considering selling it all- instead I told DH that Tuesday night is Momma's work night. Some weeks it doesn't work, but others I get a couple of hours.
You will not regret keeping your stuff, you will regret selling it!
__________________ Lisa -
Married my sweetheart 1-26-02 Mommy to Hunter 9-3-04 & Hailey 7-26-06
Just like everyone has said, it does get easier as they get older. But also remember you don't have to make something useful, like a card, every time you stamp. Sometimes it is relaxing just to go "play". Try some new color combo's, or practice watercoloring, etc. Don't put pressure on yourself to make something. Just have fun.
Another suggestion, that I did for awhile, is to color at night. I would stamp images on plain white c/s, and then at night when I was too tired to move, I would get the colored pencils out and color. Took little effort and I could later use the images for cards.
__________________ Martha
"When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life." Jean Shinoda Bolen
I started when mine were 2 and 4, and now are 10 and 12. The amount of time I spend in my room has increased alot as they have gotten older, plus my daughter (12) has her own desk and supplies and has gotten back into joining me! I have times where I am in there all of the free time I have, and others that I don't step foot in there for days/weeks. But as a demo, I also have given myself a reason to get in there more often. I love doing my stamp camps and trying new things so I have more reason to create! I also find if I am in a rut I look at the gallery until something catches my eye, whether it is a color combo or just the design of the card and it makes me want to go try it.
You know I have 3 kids,14, 12 and a surprise 9 month old baby !!!
So I used to have lots of free time before this baby came and it's been so hard to get used to the idea of no recess at all but I stared buying card kits that some Demos are selling, so this way I have enough time to put an almost ready card and still have some connection with stamps. Just wait and you'll find the way back again!.......Gina('cause I hope, I will too):-D
__________________ If your word does not reflect your spirit and honor, do not speak.
I have 5 kids (ages: 7,5,3,2, 3-months)and find most of my stamping time is during the day!! My craft room is in an L shaped room, open to the children's toy room so I can sit at my craft desk while they play and they are still within sight and hearing as well as being able to talk to me. In the afternoon while 2 nap, my 2 daughters and I will often stamp together. They have a desk nearby that I have a little basket of ribbon, stamped images, colouring books, crayons, kid scissors ... you name it.
If it's something you love, don't get rid of it. You'll eventually find the time for it. Life is not always so hectic!!
Susan - maybe you can do what I've been doing. I used to be a demonstrator; therefore, had a LOT of stamp sets and other stuff. I don't stamp as often as I used to. If I need a card for somebody I'll sit down and make one, but rarely sit down and stamp just for the fun of it. I'm also a quilter, and that is where my free time goes. However, I knew I didn't want to get rid of everything because I DO like to stamp, so I've been slowly getting rid of a lot of stuff but keeping enough to be able to enjoy the craft I still love.
You may want to do that. Go through your stuff and decide what you can live without and sell it. You don't have to do it all at once - do it a little at a time. It's not to painful that way. :o
I still have a lot of stuff, but slowly I've been weeding it out. A lot of those stamp sets and accessories I just had to have are now happy with new owners, and I haven't missed them a bit!
Unless you're planning to homeschool, those kiddos will be in school at some point and that would give you a lot more free time. My kids were 5 and 4 when I started stamping, and up until this year, every year gave me more and more time to stamp. This year I went back to work part time, so I have less time again, but it's a lot easier to stamp on weekends because my kids don't "need" me so much. Hang in there, like many people said to me a few years ago "This too will pass"
__________________ Julie my gallery
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phillippians 4:13
Hi Susan!
I went months before w/out stamping......and thought the same thing! But...I'm now SO GLAD I didn't get rid of any of my stuff!
Hang with it for a while!!
__________________ Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb 11:1 LuLaRoe JenMarie Taylor
I'd get more stamping done if I didn't come to SCS quite so often. Judging by your "join date", your "location" and your number of posts, perhaps you have my problem as well.
I'm NOT saying give up SCS, just cut back some. Or maybe gravitate more to the challenge threads. They'll keep you connected to adults (key when you have little ones) AND get you stamping.
__________________ Sharon Rogers
My Blog: www.stampwithsharonrogers.com Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?
Just like everyone has said, it does get easier as they get older. But also remember you don't have to make something useful, like a card, every time you stamp. Sometimes it is relaxing just to go "play". Try some new color combo's, or practice watercoloring, etc. Don't put pressure on yourself to make something. Just have fun.
Another suggestion, that I did for awhile, is to color at night. I would stamp images on plain white c/s, and then at night when I was too tired to move, I would get the colored pencils out and color. Took little effort and I could later use the images for cards.
I totally agree! The coloring thing has been a life saver for me the last few weeks.
Just another suggestion... My 6 boys are 5-20 now so I have made it through the toughest part as far as toddlers. What I have always done is have a box of their stuff, whatever I am doing stamping or scrapbooking, they always have similar stuff as mine to do that keeps them busy if even for a little while. Now they have a set up in my hubbies home office with their own ink, paper, stamps, tools, cuttlekids pretty much jusy a mini set up of what I have and they use it! It has been great bonding between me and my boys and now some of them make their own cards for friends birthdays and such a couple have even completed scrapbooks. I can not tell you what joy my hobbies have brought our entire family! Do Not Give Up!
ETA:I did not read every post so hopefully this is not a repeat!
You didn't say how old your kids are, but things will get better! I started stamping when my kids were 2 and 5 years old and now they are 10 and almost 14! I have gone as much as 9 whole months without stamping anything at all, but then I always seem to return to it eventually.
One thing that works for me is that my husband takes the kids away for a few days or a weekend, to visit his brother or sister, or just the three of them go away together. Then, I have the house to myself! I usually watch a movie, sleep in, etc. but that always gives me a little time for stamping or scrapbooking, too! Maybe your husband (I am assuming you have one, sorry!) could do this for you sometimes?
Go easy on yourself, they will get older and it will be so much easier then!
__________________ IIII*IIII*IIII*IIII*IIII*IIII*IIII*IIII*IIII*IIII* IIII*IIII*IIII* Take only photographs, leave only footprints.
I gave it up for almost 2 years when I was pregnant with my 2nd baby and my first wasn't even two years old. I had NO time, NO energy. I ebayed everything except one SU set.
Then 2 years later I started again. If you can store it then I would keep it, unless you are ok with reinvesting later. But for me since there were so many new things I didn't have buying again was actually fun. I made a load of money selling everything on ebay.
I absolutely do NOT regret selling it and having to start over. Having my stuff sit there and not being used was terrible guilt for me. And my dh supported me in getting back into it and knew I would need to get all my supplies again.
I'm thinking about giving up my stamping addiction. I just do not have any time to stamp with 2 little kids at home. By the time they are in bed I am just too exhausted.
It's so disappointing because I have my own craft room, I have tons and tons of stuff from buying all that stuff that I *had* to have. I really enjoy stamping when I get the time. But if I make one card every 2 weeks, that's an accomplishment. I just can't justify having all of these supplies when I rarely use it. I'm thinking of getting rid of it all. :(
Has anyone else gone through this? Any thoughts would be really appreciated.
Just another word of encouragement: that's more than I've been able to do in the last few months. Then I'll go through a phase where I have more time, and get a bunch done in a short time. Life goes in phases, don't worry about it.
__________________ Julie my gallery
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phillippians 4:13
Oh, I know the feeling! I used to beat myself up because I wasn't making something every day like some of the SCSers, but then I stopped worrying about it and just do what I can when I can. Other than ebaying older retired sets (which I would do anyways) I am still going to keep everything.
Let me tell you a little something. My dd is the one that got me into stamping!!LOL!! MY first stamps set I bought was a foam Chistmas set from SU back in 2000 for my dd then 2 1/2 to stamp on the outside of the Christmas envy's to "decorate" them. She loved it. So I bought inexpessive stamps for her. Then the next set I bought was a big cat set from SU years latter I think in 03 or 04. WE have been stamping ever since. I joke now that she stamps better than me.
What I am trying to say is, that it might take time to stamp with young ones,but you can do it. And that they may join you too!
Just wait it out some. Don't get rid off you stamping stuff just yet. You just might regret that sooner than later.
Take a break for now, and see what happens. Good luck!!
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
I'm thinking about giving up my stamping addiction. I just do not have any time to stamp with 2 little kids at home. By the time they are in bed I am just too exhausted.
It's so disappointing because I have my own craft room, I have tons and tons of stuff from buying all that stuff that I *had* to have. I really enjoy stamping when I get the time. But if I make one card every 2 weeks, that's an accomplishment. I just can't justify having all of these supplies when I rarely use it. I'm thinking of getting rid of it all. :(
Has anyone else gone through this? Any thoughts would be really appreciated.
I feel your pain! I work 35 hours a week, a husband who travels most of the time, 3 kids and my mom is elderly and needing lots of time! I haven't stamped or scrapped in a year!!! I feel awful every time I see all my stuff and know that I will not be able to use it for a while. I try to remember that is is always there for me when I get the time - that may be in another year or a month, don't give up. Knowing it is there and will be when I get to it helps me look forward not back!
I did give up stamping for 8 years....packed all my stuff away in a box and stored it in the attic. I had my twins, and a 4 year old DD at the time, and the sleep deprivation mattered more than the stamping. I started back up again 3 1/2 years ago, and now that my kids are 15 and 11, I stamp whenever I feel like it. I don't regret my decision at all, but I know its not for everyone.
Here is a different look- My child is grown, but I always crafted with him. He sews on his own buttons cuz he learned to put the needle in and out of my counted cross stitch!! I suffer greatly from depression and sometimes get the urge to get rid of anything and everything BUT I won't let myself cuz I know the mood will balance out and I will enjoy myself, life, stamping, etc. again in an hour, a day or whatever. So I keep stamping, sorting, organizing, and finally even started a gallery. Keep your stuff, you will get time again, and when you do, you can make more sensible decisions about what to keep and what to sell. Don't feel guilty for YOUR TIME. Make sure you get 15 minutes here and there. My kid didn't sleep thru night til he was 4 - yes, 4 y.o. so I was plenty tired most of the time, but my crafts were/still are my therapy.
