We've all been there; often life gets in the way of crafting. So how do you deal with only having a few minutes at a time to craft and still get projects DONE? Especially with the holidays, using every moment is critical to get all those projects done (and sent out).
Break your project down into steps.
This will keep starting a new project from feeling overwhelming. I don't usually "plan" out what I'm going to do, but I will focus on certain elements at a time (like creating a background for an art journal page, or coloring an image, for example), just to get something started.
Gather your supplies and keep them together.
I have a clear, thin box that I use to keep items together that I want to use on a current project. The next time I want to continue the project, I don't have to go looking for the supplies (and wasting valuable time)! Sometimes the items are just inspiration, but it lets me see the possibilities (literally).
Keep a list of ideas that you want to try.
I have an ever growing list of techniques I want to try, color combinations, different ways of using products I already have... so when I am able to get that magical spare moment, I'm not stuck just wondering what to do. I have an idea all ready to go!
Don't be afraid to just play.
You never know what you might discover when you just play with supplies you already have. Sometimes, this "warm up" will even inspire something else that I want to try, even if I don't end up using the initial thing I created. This also helps you get more use out of your supplies (posts about this coming soon!). Having things already made let's you start putting elements together right away the next time you craft.
Take Advantage of wait time.
Do things that would require you to wait anyway (like waiting for something to air dry). Some things look better when air dried, such as texture paste, which bubbles up when the heat tool dries it. Also, when doing a project, I'm not always sure what direction I'm going with it. Usually if I wait a bit, I'm able to refocus and get inspired again.