Saturday, April 2, 2011

Giveaway and Ramblings....Updated with winner!

Hi Everyone,

I am so glad to be home! Conferences are great, but makes me appreciate being home more than ever.

So, I know everyone is asking about the giveaway. Hopefully I can award it today. My printer is out of ink, and the overwhelming response in comments requires me to print out the comments, and number them....I am going to Staples today to get the ink.

Being away for a few days and not crafting, has really got me blocked creatively. Sometimes when I have projects due or I am feeling a bit blocked, I make something for someone else, or something I really like doing. Yesterday, I was off, unexpectedly, and felt a bit blocked, so I put everything to the side and worked on Kathy Orta's paper bag mini album. I had wanted to make another one, and it was a good way to get me creating again...now to finish it.

I also have a few cards I need to finish, and some shopping, and some cleaning....how do we manage to fit it all in?

So I have a question...how do you stay inspired? How do you manage to fit it all in? Crafting, Cleaning, Family,work? It is a delicate balance. Reply to this post with your answer via a comment, and I will choose one and award some Lindy's Stamp Gang Goodness!
I will leave this open until next Saturday April 9.

*** Thanks for all of the wonderful feedback! I received a total of 12 comments so I let Random.org select lucky number 9, and our winner is...Julie D! Great suggestions from everyone. I will be sending you some Lindy's goodies!

Thanks for commenting everyone!

Have a productive, Creative day!

Hugs,

13 comments:

  1. Since my day job is so demanding, I don't wind down enough during the week nights to create. So I have to live and look forward to the weekends and/or days off to get me back to my creative mode. Ustreams during the week help keep me in tune and my creative energy up for the weekends

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  2. Glad you had a good conference! When I get blocked I go to blog's and do challenges with prompts, some times it works some times not, if not I go to UStream!

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  3. I stay inspired by others' work mostly, I love blog hopping and watching youtube, so much talent!! How do I manage to fit it all in...well it's not easy that is for sure!! Lots of late nights and long days with way to little "me-time" but that is okay, I love my children more than life itself so the sacrifice is always worth it!!!

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  4. Welcome home! I have always been a night person so I allow myself, no matter how busy, an hour before I go to bed to art. Even if it's just to play with my supplies.Hugs, Julie

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  5. Wow I am first to comment. I personally know what you mean but believe we must "make" time to do what we love, regroup ourselves. As woman we are natural givers but if we give give give and don't take time for ourselves we won't be giving our best. It took me alot of years to realize that and not feel guilty :). I use to think I was being selfish but it is for everyone's benefit in my life for me to not burn out. Hope that makes sence. I also love to just check out blogs, YouTube websites and magazines when I feel "blocked" Have a great day and thanks for chance to win Lindsay products I haven't had the pleasure of trying the product.
    Hugz
    Pam

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  6. (Dang this is a long comment...is there a limit LOL) Hey Laurel! I am glad you made it home safely :) I cant wait to hear about your trip. As for the answers to your questions...I guess my inspiration would come from watching others work or browsing online on blogs or just plain ole google image searches :) How do I manage to fit it all in? Oh you mean wear all my hats and the biggest ones being a wife and a mother to a 3 and 12 yr old girl. I guess that would be mostly having a supportive spouse and next setting priorities. Making art is healing for me and thats extremely important. So I have had to learn to let other things get in the back of the line. You know like laundry and cooking :) Just kidding! I agree there is a very delicate balance and one that has to be thought out every morning. Huge hugs!

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  7. Hi Laurel
    Great question I Get half way through something then I dont know how to finish it, I think the best advice is to walk away and come back even if you have not started yet, even if you dont know where to begin. Also thanks for the chance to win the Lindy stamp gang stuff. ps love your videos!!

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  8. Hi Laurel
    That's a hard question, and the answer is even harder! I think I'm inspired by all the creative genius here on YT and UStream and all the blogs. But I think my family is what inspires me to keep trying to crack that creative block. I tend to enjoy my craft when I'm creating something for someone special - my girls, grandkids and friends and family. When I worked (I recently became semi-retired) I would come home exhausted but pushed myself to get into my craft room because I knew that once I was in there, somehow I would just lose myself in my craft and get a second wind. Then crawl into bed, sleep, wake up and do it all again because it's what I love!!!
    Take care
    Jen

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  9. That is a question I have wanted to ask so many of the crafters and artists I have met over the last few years. I have spent most of my time unemployed in the last 4 years and even I have a hard time finding time and inspiration. Tho I will tell you, I get my inspiration from everyone else. :D You and so many others that I found on YouTube are my muses.

    During the times that I have worked tho, I have not had the time to create and I hated that. I am currently hoping to hear back from a potential job and hope I get it because it is part time but pays well enough to allow me to do so. That way I still have time to create (hopefully!) I really have a hard time with that battle myself. I don't know how YOU do it! :D

    Hugs to you for all you do!!!
    Pam aka Cybelemoon

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  10. I do the reward system [it worked for the kids, lol]. If I do such and such I get so much pc time [for watching ustream].

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  11. Because I have a designated craft/art area now it's much easier. My studio has one area for writing (my profession) and another for artwork and crafting. Having the two meld together has been beneficial as they often fuel one another. Art journaling has been a god-send for me. Because I don't always have time to take on bigger projects I can still get the satisfaction of a finished project if it's on a much smaller scale.

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  12. I posted a comment yesterday and I don't see it? Wonder if I did something wrong. Anyway I had said that I know what you mean about juggling all that we as woman have to do and fitting it all in. I had to learn to let some things go undone and not let it eat at me. The one thing that I would "cut out" would be taking care of me or doing things I enjoyed. I always felt "guilty" taking time for myself. I now know better :) When I get blocked the thing that jump starts me is watching YouTube esp. tutorials, reading blogs, looking at magazines. Hope you have a greeat weekend. Thanks for the giveaways.
    Hugz
    Pam

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  13. wow rambling goes along way im tired just reading it feels i never get anything in i wish i could just craft and that would be my work a job i finally love but every week gives you seven days so i just try to break them down in 7 days the best i can

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