Sunday 19 April 2015

Now then, where was I?

Oh yes! I believe in my only post of last week, I bragged about having spent some leisure time at my desk last weekend. Well that nobbled every intention I had in terms of more crafting and bragging about it for the whole week. I'd like to think it was a lesson learned, but I doubt it. I was at the Artful Angels crop yesterday and got involved in a discussion about the intent to do some scrapbooking (or card making, or modelling, or jewellery making, or painting...you get the picture). We agreed that we all usually started a week with a plan that involves some time at our chosen hobby. And we all agreed too that as the week wears on, so the priorities change and our flexibility puts our own pleasure and hobby time below everything. Including hoovering or cleaning the loo. Charming. But true. 
Woodware stamp set. Love me some fruit on a stamp. No idea why, particularly!

Is it because we are devoted to our families, our homes and the work that these cause create? I am a selfish human bean; I quite often find myself sorting, sanding,cleaning something and planning a meal. And then I get all tetchy about being taken for granted and not wanting to do it. And often, the answer is a simple one. So don't do it. But actually, I don't like to settle to my crafting pleasure if it means turning my back on loose ends, unfinished chores, neglected house. It means I can't spend as long as I like and lose myself for any amount of time. And it lessens my pleasure as I have to 'finish' what I'm doing to get back to 'real' work. 
Prima stamps, cuttlebug embossing folders, buttons from my tiny collection.

Reality then, is that I've been too busy to sit at my desk this week.  My schedule did however, include conducting a Workshop over at Kraft Crazy - that's where these two cards came from - and a day at Crop yesterday. Any of you gals who work will totally get that if you don't schedule it, you don't do it. I think I'm lucky that I can actually schedule 'out of the house' crafting. The general agreement was that if you can remove yourself from all the distractions of home and family to a crop, then you will achieve something. Because there's nothing else to do but Crop. Of course, the lovely gals I was talking with didn't include talking and eating as a part of the hobby, but I felt too shy to correct them. 
So that's the trick people. Forget the provision of a Craft room at home. We need a Craft room in each other's houses so that we can be removed from our own domestic situations! It makes sense! We could try it. But there's a list of rules. If I cart all my stash to your house so that it's ready for me when I want to wander in and use it, I dont really want you to touch or tidy it in between. And whatever I say, I would very much rather not lend you any of my stuff unless I'm actually there. Oh, and I'll need a key - it may be the middle of the night when I finally decide to sit at my desk. And I really will need a room to myself, or it won't feel as if I've removed myself from my own environment. Perhaps you could take your family out while I'm there?  Yah, I can see this working. 

15 comments:

Helen said...

You're welcome any time you like, but I fear there isn't room for your stuff too...
The cards are great, glad you had fun yesterday

misteejay said...

Love the cards Julia.
I try to take myself 'out' to craft at least once a month (I would love it to be more but time doesn't allow never mind how I try to juggle things).
Crafting away from home certainly removes the guilt of unfinished chores.
Sounds like you had a fab time at the crop.
Toni xx

fairy thoughts said...

I would love to have gone to the top .... Indeed I almost did but I'm not up to it yet ... All I'm doing is looking at my stuff and thinking ...... It's a start I suppose
Janet

Dotty Jo said...

Gorgeous work - we all need our craft time, Jo x

Annie said...

You, like me, will just have to wait til this new sewing room is finished but when it is you'd be very welcome to pop in any time....but if it's in the middle of the night do let me know then I won't nip out to the loo without putting my dressing gown on ;-)
Hugs,
Annie x

Sue said...

Suppose being single makes it easier for me to have 'craft' time, although housework has to be fitted in at some stage.

Hope you've had a good weekend. Sue

pearshapedcrafting said...

Ooooh! Nice pair of pears missus! Don't want to scare you but even being retired doesn't solve the 'time to craft' issue! I know I'm lucky enough to have a craft cupboard at the caravan but I still end up taking a bag with me!! I'm still wishing Tony had a hobby...but he has joined a Mah Jong group for a couple of hours each week! Now I just have to remember not to ' waste' time with housework while he's out!! Chrisx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

When I was in grad school, I couldn't start my homework, no matter how soon it was due, before I cleaned my house. Now that I'm making art, I can't sit to work on it till my house is clean. Could be why my friends call me anal. But for over six weeks, all I worked on was the altered Kings and Queens book I made for my friend's birthday. Once it was finished, I performed a massive clean-up for the whole house. Personally, I would rather do ongoing cleaning and art, but feel I want art as the priority.

If you come to the States, I have a spare bedroom, bath, and 2 craft areas you can put your stuff. I even have a spare key you can keep forever. And I would not interfere with your "stuff," but you are certainly welcome to mine. After all, I have enough JUNK to last two lifetimes. But most of mine is NOT name brand, so you might not want to use it (grin).

Those are adorable pears, but I really like the buttons!

Carole Z said...

Lol I'm the same, some weeks hardly any craft time at all..I have a day, sometimes two each week when I don't go into the office and that's when I get some craft time...evenings no, weekends? Well I like having family time and in the summer enjoying the outdoors, but that's ok, when I do get me time, I enjoy it all the more, love your pears! Carole Z X

voodoo vixen said...

Love the pairs but the button one with the squares really speaks to me! I may have to steal that idea from you... just a heads up! LOL Chris will be officially retired in a couple more weeks and about all day long wanting food and coffee and stuff and talking to me.... I need a room in your house....

April said...

You crack me up. Those are my rules if I bring my craft stuff to your house, too. lol
April

Ohhh Snap said...

Beautiful cards! I need to practice crafting out and about. But I have mad skills at stopping my cleaning to make something : D.

Claire Grantham said...

Beautiful cards Julia, I love those Prima stamps. I'm lucky, I don't have to do that much in my house, Hubby is almost perfect, he cooks, he pays for a cleaner and he is THE tidiest man on the planet. So I get to spend at least an hour at my desk most nights, if I get home from work at a reasonable time..my gripe is more about the 'real job' that pays for my hobby, keeping me away from my desk..never happy eh? Cx

Claire Grantham said...

2

Linby said...

I just took vol exit from work and thought I would sit and craft all day - where do the days go, I do less crafting than ever at the moment. I read this post when you published it and it has taken me until now to be able to reply!!!
Linby x