What I Do When I Feel Overwhelmed by My 'Craft Projects To Do' List

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the craft projects that you want to complete?

I do.

Last week I had a moment when I felt completely and utterly overwhelmed by my 'Craft Projects To Do' list.  Was I ever going to get these projects done? When would there be time for these crafts?  How would I fit them in between cleaning, cooking, laundry, work....all those everyday tasks that need to get done but that I would sometimes rather leave for more crafty endeavors?

To battle this feeling I began by making a list of my projects.  

I then decided to not buy any more supplies or start any more projects until the ones on my list are complete; no sense adding to the pile.  This makes so much sense, but sometimes I am lured in by the excitement of starting a new project and I buy supplies when there is already so much to be done sitting in the cupboard at home.  

Finally, I cleaned up my craft area.  Over time I had managed to spread out all over my basement...one table for paper crafts, another for sewing, and a pile of stuff in the corner that needed to be put back in its place.  After a short while of sorting, putting things away, and tidying the towering piles of paper, fabric and random stuff, I felt better.  Looking at a tidy and organized space is much more calming than looking at a disaster zone.  And in cleaning up I found a previous list of 'Craft Projects to Complete' that I was able to stroke a majority of things off.  That felt better, for sure.

Paper Storage - everything back in its place

My craft table.  It is never completely cleared off, but at least the supplies I no longer need are back in the cupboard and I can see my work space.  I have already started working on my scrapbook catch-up....these pages are from January.

Once things were under control I was able to take a deep breath and prioritize.  The first thing I need to do is finish my youngest daughter's baby book (she turns three in a few weeks so it is high time) and then catch up on some scrapbooking which has fallen to the wayside while I have been working on my One Pad Challenge (click the box on the sidebar to read about this challenge).

Making a list, deciding not to add to that list, and just tidying things up really helped me relax.  I feel better now.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed by your 'Craft Projects To Do' list?

Card of the Week: The One Pad Challenge Week Nine

Another wonderful week of making cards.     

I finally got on the bunting bandwagon with this 'I love you' card.  Buntings are everywhere in paper crafting - cards, scrapbook pages, mini books.  They are so fun and such a simple embellishment; I'm not sure why it took me so long to use them.  They were the perfect thing to add to the top of this card and I will definitely be including them in my designs in the future.

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Rub-On: American Crafts; Ribbon, Floss, Button: my craft stash; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives, Glue Dots

This card is blank.  I had it lying on my table for a couple days and kept trying to add a sentiment to it, but nothing looked right.  When this is the case, I find it best to just leave it - the whole 'less is more' idea.  I love how it looks.  Very simple and elegant.

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Rub-On: Basic Grey; Die Cut: Jillibean Soup; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives

And finally, another birthday card to add to my stash; I find birthday cards the most common card I need, don't you?  I can never have too many birthday cards on hand.

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Flower: Bazzill; Floss, Button: my craft stash; Sentiment Font: Kirsten ITC; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives, Glue Dots

So, with this weeks' creations I am up to 24 cards and 5 tags.

My pile of paper to work from is starting to look a little meager.  I am looking forward to seeing what I can come up with using the remaining scraps.

Until next week, happy card making!

(To see what I created the first eight weeks of this challenge, click "The One Pad Challenge" box on the sidebar.)

Fishy

Whenever I look at this little guy, I am reminded of a silly song I sang with my girls in Mommy-Baby swimming class: The Fishy Wishy (you do the Fishy Wishy and you turn yourself around, that's what its all about, Splash)...

But more to the point.....

I always like to have a portable project on the go, and for the last few weeks this colorful, happy fish was it.  I am still working on my Garden Patch Granny Afghan, but with all the color changes, the blocking and the seaming, it is not portable at all.  Smaller projects like a crochet fish (because who doesn't need one of those?) are just the right thing to take to a family BBQ, the park, or anywhere else where I may find a few spare moments to use my hook.

The pattern for Fishy is from Lion Brand (Amigurumi Angel Fish).  I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton in Orange Chill and Purple Power.

I must warn you - I have huge balls of yarn in these colors so they will be popping up in projects many times in the future.  I already used them in my Colorful Granny Square Bag, and my Orange Monster.

It has been a long time since I crocheted a toy and I really enjoyed working on this little fellow.  I do love crocheting toys; they are quick to finish and so adorable.  And they are the perfect portable project.

Do you like my little Fishy? Have you crocheted any toys lately?

Do you have a portable project that you are working on right now?

Card of the Week: The One Pad Challenge Week Eight

Making cards this week was hard.

After battling a horrible cold and cough, I spent an enormous amount of time in the garden.  When the weather is gorgeous and the time for planting and establishing the plants is here, I need to be out there getting things going so that there are lovely blooms surrounding me all summer long.  You have to make hay when the sun is shining, if you know what I mean.  That being said, long hours heckling in the sun made me very tired which is not always that conducive to creating...

But I did manage to keep up with my challenge and make a few more cards:

I always like to have a few anniversary cards on hand in the summer months, as there are so many anniversaries during this season.

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Chipboard Butterfly: Maya Road; Rhinestones: Kaisercraft; Mist: Maya Road; Rub-On: Black River Designs; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives

Of course, I can never have enough birthday cards in my stash.  I am very pleased with how this card turned out.

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Cardboard Flower: Jillibean Soup; Orange Flower: Bazzill; Ribbon, Button: my craft stash; Brad: Making Memories; Sentiment Font: Monotype Corsiva; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives

Finally, I put together this congratulations card.  I love the button details.  I am really liking buttons on my cards lately.  They add just the right amount of dimension and fun.

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Rub-On: Black River Designs; Buttons: my craft stash; Border Punch: Fiskars; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives

So to answer the question:

How many cards can a card maker make from one pad of patterned paper?

This weeks creations brings the total to 21 cards and 5 tags.

I love this challenge and all that it has created.

Has anyone else embarked on a similar challenge?  I would love to hear how it turned out for you and how many cards and/or tags you were able to create?

(To see what I created the first seven weeks of this challenge, click "The One Pad Challenge" box on the sidebar.)

Simple Fabric Bookmark Tutorial

My oldest daughter Bridget has recently learned to read and to celebrate this milestone, and show her how incredibly proud we are of her, I decided to make her a bookmark.

My inspiration for this project came from this tutorial at Make and Takes - an incredible blog full of truly inspiring craft ideas.

I did make a few alterations to the Make and Takes tutorial so I have provided my own project instructions here.

First I gathered all my supplies:

• fabric
• pins
• measuring tape
• ribbon
• sewing machine

I had a piece of fabric 14 inches wide so I folded it in half with the wrong sides together, decided that this was long enough for a bookmark (7 inches), and cut a strip 4 inches wide.

I then cut a length of ribbon and pinned it to the center point at the top of the bookmark on the right side of the fabric.

After pinning the side and top seams in place, I sewed the edges together making sure that the ribbon was secured in the seam.  I also left an opening along the one side seam to allow for turning.  The ribbon was on the inside of my bookmark at this point, and the wrong side of the fabric was facing me.

I trimmed the edges and turned the bookmark right side out.  After slip stitching the opening closed, I pressed my bookmark and ran a line of top stitching around all four edges.  All done!

When Bridget was reading a Cinderella story later in the evening and she needed to pause for dinner, her new bookmark was ready to hold her place.

A very simple project requiring very few supplies.

And a great way to celebrate and encourage reading.     

Card of the Week: The One Pad Challenge Week Seven

It is week seven of the one pad challenge and I am still going strong.

I still love the paper that I am using - Indie Bloom by Basic Grey.

And I am still having fun combining the different papers together to make lovely cards and tags.

Here is what I came up with this week:

I have always loved grid style cards.  They are simple, clean and classic.  I am very happy with how mine turned out...it makes me "smile".

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Rub-On: American Crafts; Buttons: my craft stash; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives, Glue Dots

This "thinking of you" card opens first to the left and then to the right....a little different than most cards but something I like to do every now and then for a little variety.

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Flower: Prima; Rub-On: American Crafts; Button: my craft stash; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives, Glue Dots

I also made a few tags this week to help use some of the smaller scraps of paper that I have leftover.

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Flower: Jillibean Soup; Rub-On: Basic Grey; Border Punch: Fiskars; Ribbon: my craft stash; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives, Glue Dots

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Flower & Butterfly Tag: Jillibean Soup; Border Punch: Fiskars; Pearls: Recollections; Rub-On: American Crafts; Ribbon: my craft stash; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Journal Tag: My Mind's Eye; Ribbon: my craft stash; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives

So to answer the question....

How many cards can a card maker make from one pad of patterned paper?

This weeks' creations bring the total to 18 cards and 5 tags.

With more to come next week...see you then.

(To see what I created the first six weeks of this challenge, click "The One Pad Challenge" box on the sidebar.)

My Colorful Granny Square Bag

I just finished this bag.

Isn't it lovely? And colorful?  And bright?

I love it!

The pattern is from Lion Brand (Kitchen Cotton Hexagon Market Bag). 

Instead of Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton, I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton (which I have an insane amount of).  

And I used the following colors:

• Color A: Hot Pink 
• Color B: Hot Green
• Color C: Purple Power
• Color D: Orange Chill
• Color E: Hot Blue

I wanted a bright, cheerful bag for summer.....and that is exactly what I got.
   

When I am at the Farmer's Market this summer you will see me coming from a mile away with my colorful granny square bag.

Card of the Week: The One Pad Challenge Week Six

I can not believe that this is week six of the one pad challenge:

How many cards can a card maker make from one pad of patterned paper?

One thing that I have found in making cards from the same patterned paper every week is that my card making time is incredibly focused.  I already know what paper I am using, so more of my time is spent making cards rather than rooting around for supplies.  I also spent a few moments early in this challenge looking through my embellishments.  I have a pile of them on my table that "might just work with this paper" so I am always ready with all the little extras that make each card beautiful.

I am thrilled with how productive I have been and love the results.

This card was a perfect way to use up some of the small scraps on my table. I simply punched out different sized circles and layered them.  I love how it looks with all the different patterns together.

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Circle Punch: Fiskars; Rub-On: Pebbles Inc.; Doodle Pen: American Crafts; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives

This small note card would be perfect to attach to the top of a present.

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Flower: Jillibean Soup; Button, Floss: my craft stash; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives, Glue Dots

And I absolutely love these flower rub-ons....nothing says thinking of you like flowers.

Card Base: Recollections; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Cardstock: Bazzill; Rub-Ons: Basic Grey, Black River Designs; Button: my craft stash; Ink: Ranger Inks; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives, Glue Dots

That brings the total to 16 cards and 2 tags.

Check back next week for more cards, and maybe even a few more tags.

(To see what I created the first five weeks of this challenge, click "The One Pad Challenge" box on the sidebar).