Friday 27 March 2015

Getting back to the hobby

In amongst the apprentice work, the domestic stuff and the hectic champagne social life, I make time to sit at my desk now and then.  You know I cut back on the number of workshops I'm doing this year? (don't get an impression of poor me being over worked, it was two a month and now it's one...!). Well, that has freed me up a bit and I've made some cards just for the sake of enjoying my stamps, the process and the therapy. Whereas last year I found I was only sitting at my desk to make workshop cards and they weren't coming easily. I think I'd lost the hobby.
Inevitably, some of them turn into workshop cards, especially if it involves a new stamp! 
I still make cards just days before they are due, I don't think that will ever change, but I'm actually making them, not rummaging through old workshop cards for something suitable. That's a bit of a joy, it means I can use old stamps too, stuff that I've been looking at and wonder if I ought to get rid of through under use.  
And I'm spending time over indulging when I find a stamp that I particularly like...I make it appear on loads of stuff!

















I firmly believe that if you want to do something badly enough, you make time to do it, and despite all evidence to the contrary, I also believe that one should talk less about doing it and just well, do it. In my case, that then gives me more to talk about! There seems no escape, gentle reader!

20 comments:

voodoo vixen said...

I agree... I keep saying when the kitchen is done, when the central heating boiler is sorted, now the windows... then it will be the master bath... and I will never sit at my desk and just enjoy making something for the sake of doing so... so thank you Julia... I am going to sit and play and make something... anything, it doesn't matter what!!

Sue said...

Lovely cards.

Hope you have a fab Friday. Sue

Hettie said...

Thanks for the reminder Julia. I sometimes feel I only get time to do what I need to do and not just for myself!
Hugs
xx

Sharon Madson said...

These are such pretty cards, Julia. I find that I look at cards on Blogs, and Pinterest and other websites, more than actually making them! It is difficult to break that cycle! I will make cards today!

Stacy Sheldon said...

YAY for you, I think everyone gets to that point some day when you do part of what you love for money. its hard. I don't teach at all anymore but, I do still sell cards. Love the colors on the hydrangea :)

Lizzie said...

You have a champagne social life?! Wow, I didn't realise I knew anyone with a champagne lifestyle - does that mean we have to bow when we come to your blog? ;-)

I love that blue hydrangea card - it's really fab!
Mind you, the other cards aren't so bad either... The pink flowers are cute - is that a stamp, or did you make them yourself?
I agree about finding time to do what you really do want to do - though for me, that time is often what I perhaps ought to spend on tidying up!

trisha too said...

You are so right, about the talking less and the doing more . . . and in my case, sometimes, the spend less time of the computer, more time in the art room!

Beautiful cards, the hydrangea is gorgeous!

:)trisha

Helen said...

I'm the same... to the extent I don't enjoy making cards much at all any more; I needed 3 this week (how dare they!!) and raided my box for all of them... hoping to get time to play this weekend. Your cards are lovely though.

Carole Z said...

I completely agree with you am also guilty as charged. I had a week off work this week, using up unused leave, so just me, on my own at home and it was like having my ow craft retreat! For the first time in ages, no workshop to plan, no cards I had to make at the last minute and I really enjoyed crafting again...of course that will all go out the window when it's back to normal next week..hey..ho! Love love love your cards though! Hugs Carole Z X

misteejay said...

Glad to see you are enjoying your hobby again Julia. Great cards.
Toni xx

Charlie said...

Totally agree Julia. And totally like your cards. I have always worked best under pressure =0) but I do get the cards done and I am mostly satisfied with what I get done. Dont ask me why I spend hours at Pinterest only to make a card where the only thing thats similar to the card that inspired me is that it is a card LOL. but I do.

HMax said...

Less talking, more doing! Wise words but why is it so hard? :) The cards are lovely and I'm glad I'm not the only last-minuter! What is the typewriter stamp you used in these? I need that!

Kyla said...

Nice background text image. I know what you mean about making time and actually doing....not easy but usually one is rewarded, sometimes with a finished piece sometimes just sitting and listening to the radio and discovering a new play or band....either way it is the making time that is important (and as you say it gives us something to blog about!!).

Kyla

Ohhh Snap said...

Great cards! Sometimes I just sit down with some stamps and experiment just for the joy of it : ).

Princess Judy Palmer said...

What fun cards! I like the scene you created with the Memory Box dies the best (because the one card gets a blog post of its own). I've been very busy lately and feeling hectic that I haven't had time to make the swap cards that I am now behind on. I gave myself permission to let them go, accept they are late. Then suddenly I could stamp! Didn't get any cards appropriate for the swap but I remembered why I like this hobby so much. Sometimes we lose that focus methinks with too many obligations (even if they are crafty obligations).

Eliza said...

Woo Hoo do you want to have a party and celebrate, it's nice finding yourself again and really worth celebrating. I agree full heartily, love the cards. Keep it up and have fun too.

Hugs Eliza

Laura (Bookworm) said...

So glad you have had time to play -- I'll echo our friend Darnell who is always telling us that life is too short -- hope you're having an awesome day.

Mrs.D said...

I've always referred to you as 'The Lady Julia', now you have confirmed that you lead the champagne life style that is the due of the nobility . And you still have time to blog beautiful cards for us plebs. Love the hydrangea.
Chris

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Love these beautiful cards.

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