You are not alone if you answered YES. A couple of weeks ago I sent out a link to my 9-question customer survey and one of the questions I asked was: what's your biggest crafting issue? (you are welcome to take my survey too!)
And overwhelmingly, the answer was - "how to use the stuff I have!"
Bonnie C responded:
One thing I would like to learn is how to keep things simple and basic. I've found that I've collected so much paper and "stuff" over the years and now it is so overwhelming and I don't know where to start. I feel like I did so much more scrapbooking when I had fewer things...do you?
Bonnie, I hear ya! And let me share how I have been living the past two weeks. I am on a business trip and staying with friends while I work remotely. Is this where I confess that my entire carry-on luggage was stamping stuff? I sure made that TSA guy smile!
I am very lucky that my friends have an office that I have pretty much taken over and messed all up. I have been crafting out of boxes and baskets while here:
Although it may appear that I have 'lost the plot', I have a method to my madness. Before I left on this business trip I created a system that is working very well for me now that I am here:
Choose a few products that you LOVE and work them them for at least a week.
I did exactly that. I knew I would be on the road for the next six weeks so I selected a theme (birthdays), I packed up my birthday products and accessories and that's all I brought with me. Watch my blog posts for the next while and you will see that most of them will be birthday project ideas - including my Creative Express Club theme for February! (I am a clever cookie!)
If you scrapbook, make cards or other paper crafts, try my system! It will 'force' you to use what you have chosen, open your mind to trying new ways to use your products, and you will be using up what you have and feel less overwhelmed after the week is over.
I love hearing from you - post your comments below!
Comments