Tips for Shopping and Creating While You Work

How many of you who love to create paper crafts - work as well?  It doesn't matter if you are donating your time, or getting paid for it - I doubt many of us are able to stay home and create all day long, project after project!!!  I have done both - stayed home while I created all day, AND I have worked full time...  If you utilize your time wisely, you can get a lot done either way!  
So, how do YOU fit paper crafting into your life?  Here are a few tips to help you get a bit more done:

• Make a list of things you need to get done - and mark off the list when you actually GET something done!  I have a huge list of things I need to finish, and by scratching off even ONE thing done, the list doesn't look so daunting and I actually look forward to getting more done!    
  
• Have a place to put your finished projects that you have made.  Don't be like me and have mini albums shoved in a corner someplace, or larger albums in a box!  Display them, put finished projects out for people to see! 
• When you are creating a layout or project, make something else with the supplies you have left over!  In other words, if you are creating a birthday layout lets say - then make a few birthday cards, or a gift bag and card, or whatever - with the supplies you already have out!
• Take things with you that you are working on, in order to get more done!  If you are working on a larger project, take the things you need to cut out, or put together, when you are on a break or lunch!  
• Only shop for things you are going to use - or have a use for!  Things like cardstock, adhesives, or things that will end up saving you money, such as punches, templates, stamps, etc!   
• Use your time wisely - if you are working on designing something, take things to work you can do during breaks or lunches to save you time!  Things like embellishments you are creating out of stamps, punches, die cuts and things; or stuff you might need to cut out!  

The "Mom" project shown here, was on my list of things to do for quite some time!  It felt really good to finally cross that off my list - as well as a few other projects I am working on to take to the Farmers Markets this year!  Shop at home first - make a list - take small things you can cut out or put together when you are sitting down, and have fun getting more things done!  

Lynda Jeffs

Memories in Tyme