The term time is a thief, is one I identify with, we all only have 24 hours in our day and a huge list of things that we need to achieve within that time. Carving out some time each week to get creative is in my mind essential for my mental health and so I really try and proiritise this by scheduling this on my to do list. Writing it down or adding this to our digital calendar is the best way to ensure that we make it happen. Life is busy and I guess that like me you find your needs are last in the queue unless you add it to the list as a priority.

With limited time to create then it is essential to enjoy these sessions and get the most satisfaction and achievement from our pastime. This is not always easy, many times I have found myself surrounded by ‘stuff’ and the time I had disappeared with working out an idea and what to use I’ve had no time left to execute that idea, leaving me frustrated.

Here are some tips and tricks that help me be more productive when the time is short, enabling me to create something in turn getting the crafty fix I need.

• Use a sketch/catalogue image as a jumping off point to recreate a design that you like.
• Start with a colour combo, this can be from a favourite fabric or perhaps a colour selector app, there is inspiration everywhere.
• When you stamp and cut out images stamp a few extras so that you have some spares on hand to pop together a quick project in another session. Die cut extra pieces when you are creating and save them in a container.
• Maybe spend a session cutting card bases and your standard layers and store them on your desk so that you have them ready to go for a few upcoming sessions. The Stampin’ Up! Paper Trimmer cuts and scores perfectly. MY GO TO FOR A4 CARD IS SCORE AT 10.5cm CUT AT 14.8cm. LAYERS 10cm x 14.3cm OR 9.5cm by 13.8cm. INSIDE LAYER 9.5cm x 13.8cm (Inside coloured Card)
• Keep a little book and pencil to make a simple sketch of a card layout you might see or colours you might be inspired by, keep this little book with you as inpiration can strike at any time.
• Craft with a purpose, think of cards you need to make for upcoming occaisions and make that your focus.
• It is far more productive to make several cards in the same style rather than each card being totally a one-off so try and batch make in your sessions. Using a production line process means that each task is completed on all cards before moving to the next process. You can batch make and still make them all slightly different with different sentiments or embellishments.
• Get others involved, if you are planning coffee and a catch-up with a friend maybe invite them to craft with you while you have a coffee and then you can incorporate a catch up with your creativity and your friend might love it too!
• Use the Stamparatus for your stamping, this great positioning tool means that you can line up all your stamps on the acrylic plates and stamp quickly and accurately every time. Perfect for your multiples and ideal for two step stamping!
• Use Stampin’ Up! Embossing Folders can make an instant impact with little work, creating texture and detail. I find it really difficult to make a card without an embossed element, they are a firm favourite in my craft space.
• Designer Paper can add distinct pattern or just subtle colour, mixing up the patterns can make a quick impactful card. A small strip of colourful paper can add a finishing touch to a project and give it a bright and cheerful lift.
• Punch Bundles make for quick crafting, great for family creative sessions. Some punches cut out stamped images and some cut out shapes that coordinate with stamp sets. Speedy crafting and again punch out spares for when you might want to create a super quick project.
• Last but by no means least for my list of tips, is to use Stampin’ Up! products for all your crafting. The coordination of the products means that matching colours is so simple and enables crafters to swap between colour families easily, with 54 colours that mix and match saving you time and ensuring a beautiful end project. Inks, Cardstock, Ribbons and Papers in 54 colours ensures your crafting experience will be the best possible!

Product List

I would love you to find the ‘Time to Create’, my weekly Facebook Live sessions happen on Monday’s at 4pm and I cover many beginner techniques there. If you are thinking of starting crafting as a new hobby to help you carve out a little time for yourself then please visit me there at Inkabelle’s Stamping Spot and see some ideas that might get you started.

I’m all about getting as much use out of everything that you may have or purchase and finding verastile ways to use our products. If there’s any questions you may have or techniques that you may want demonstrated please let me know. You can find these great products in my ONLINE STORE or by clicking on the individual product photos to shop those items.