Last year was a rough one for me - in lots of ways, including creatively. I lost all my inspiration and motivation in late spring and never managed to get started again. And I pretty quickly gave up - I would go weeks without making anying. But that didn't stop me from continuing my three kit subscriptions (2 at Citrus Twist and 1 at Studio Calico) plus buying lots of extras. So needless to say, my stash is totally out of control. I wouldn't use it all if I scrapped nonstop til I was 100.
And the reality is - I really am happier if I am having regular creative time. So I decided to set some creative goals for myself this year. My One Little Word this year is "TRY" - because I want to challenge myself but I also need to give myself permission to fail, to have bad days, to be less than perfect. (That's a story for another day.)
So here are my goals:
1) BUY LESS AND MAKE MORE! I really admire all the ladies I know who are taking a no spend approach to this year. But I know that I don't have that kind of willpower. So instead I'm going to try to use more than I buy.
To this end I cancelled my Citrus Twist kit subscriptions - both the scrapbook and project life - and kept just the Studio Calico subscription. To be honest I can't exactly explain why I chose to keep the Studio Calico subscription instead of the Citrus Twist subscription - I think the Citrus Twist kits are probably a better value. And I reserve the right to buy an occasional Citrus Twist kit that I really love.
I am also trying to buy fewer extras with my kit subscription. In January I ended up with only the scrapbook main kit, the 4x6 pad, a piece of Moonstruck vellum, and an extra pack of the kit die cuts. And instead of add-ons, I pulled some items from my stash that coordinated with the kit supplies.
This seems to be working pretty well (but I am going to try and pull less next month or with my January Citrus Twist kit (I didn't cancel til this week) so that I might use up more of what I pull.
2) Try new things or things that I don't do often. I am not hugely addicted to tools, but I do buy things and not use them. I've experimented with my fuse (almost a year after buying it) and done a silkscreen project since the first of the year as I've worked on my December album. I also managed a little handstitching on a layout yesterday.
3) Find at least 30 minutes to create every day. Experience says that I am a generally happier person if I create every day. And I have found that the more regularly I create, the easier the process becomes. And since I am lucky enough to have space where I can leave projects in process, I really have no excuse to not pull this one off.
4) Finish at least one in process project. I have December albums for 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 started. My son's senior year album (he graduated in 2013) is half done. And there are some other things. So the goal is to finish one of these things. Honestly, it is probably going to be the 2016 December album, and then I might try to tackle a second one. But regardless, the goal is to finish one thing.
5) Put layouts in albums! I have a nasty habit of letting layouts stack up instead of putting them in albums. And before long, it becomes a huge job. I spent a weekend this fall putting more than 100 layouts in albums - and that wasn't fun. So the goal is to not let that happen again.
6) EVERY DAY IS A NEW START! This is a big one for me (not just creatively). I tend to get caught up in what I didn't get done the day or week before, and never get started at all. So the goal is to start each day thinking about what I will try to do instead of what I didn't do or can't do.
So here's hoping 2017 is a great year for you and for me. I scrapped my hopes for my daughter, but they are really my hopes for all of us.
Just Start, Live in All Caps and Have a Fabulous Year. Happy New year.
And the reality is - I really am happier if I am having regular creative time. So I decided to set some creative goals for myself this year. My One Little Word this year is "TRY" - because I want to challenge myself but I also need to give myself permission to fail, to have bad days, to be less than perfect. (That's a story for another day.)
So here are my goals:
1) BUY LESS AND MAKE MORE! I really admire all the ladies I know who are taking a no spend approach to this year. But I know that I don't have that kind of willpower. So instead I'm going to try to use more than I buy.
To this end I cancelled my Citrus Twist kit subscriptions - both the scrapbook and project life - and kept just the Studio Calico subscription. To be honest I can't exactly explain why I chose to keep the Studio Calico subscription instead of the Citrus Twist subscription - I think the Citrus Twist kits are probably a better value. And I reserve the right to buy an occasional Citrus Twist kit that I really love.
I am also trying to buy fewer extras with my kit subscription. In January I ended up with only the scrapbook main kit, the 4x6 pad, a piece of Moonstruck vellum, and an extra pack of the kit die cuts. And instead of add-ons, I pulled some items from my stash that coordinated with the kit supplies.
This seems to be working pretty well (but I am going to try and pull less next month or with my January Citrus Twist kit (I didn't cancel til this week) so that I might use up more of what I pull.
2) Try new things or things that I don't do often. I am not hugely addicted to tools, but I do buy things and not use them. I've experimented with my fuse (almost a year after buying it) and done a silkscreen project since the first of the year as I've worked on my December album. I also managed a little handstitching on a layout yesterday.
3) Find at least 30 minutes to create every day. Experience says that I am a generally happier person if I create every day. And I have found that the more regularly I create, the easier the process becomes. And since I am lucky enough to have space where I can leave projects in process, I really have no excuse to not pull this one off.
4) Finish at least one in process project. I have December albums for 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 started. My son's senior year album (he graduated in 2013) is half done. And there are some other things. So the goal is to finish one of these things. Honestly, it is probably going to be the 2016 December album, and then I might try to tackle a second one. But regardless, the goal is to finish one thing.
5) Put layouts in albums! I have a nasty habit of letting layouts stack up instead of putting them in albums. And before long, it becomes a huge job. I spent a weekend this fall putting more than 100 layouts in albums - and that wasn't fun. So the goal is to not let that happen again.
6) EVERY DAY IS A NEW START! This is a big one for me (not just creatively). I tend to get caught up in what I didn't get done the day or week before, and never get started at all. So the goal is to start each day thinking about what I will try to do instead of what I didn't do or can't do.
So here's hoping 2017 is a great year for you and for me. I scrapped my hopes for my daughter, but they are really my hopes for all of us.
Just Start, Live in All Caps and Have a Fabulous Year. Happy New year.
"
I definitely look forward to seeing your recent layouts, especially the hand stitching. I don't do that nearly enough myself. I'm sorry it's been a rough year. But it's good to acknowledge you are happier if you get creative every day. Awesome goals, awesome word. Happy New Year to you. All the best. Michelle t
ReplyDeleteSo much of this resonated with me; thanks for sharing. I hope 2017 is your best year yet!
ReplyDeleteWonderful inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteLove the colors in the kit and what you put together!! Fabulous layout too!! I don't think I could not buy paper products!! Although I do make sure I try to use up lots before buying more!
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