Hello Friends!

It has been a while since I’ve checked in with you on all things crafty. Even though I share a bunch of project photos over on my Instagram, I haven’t posted on the blog recently about what I’m up to! I hope that by sharing what projects I’m working on, you’ll be inspired to pick up a forgotten project, start a new one, or simply dream up something to work on soon. In this post, I’ll be talking about which projects I’m currently working on, and I’ll also share some tips for keeping up with multiple projects. Sound good? Keep reading!

My Current Crafty Projects

Crafty Journal

My journal is where I experiment with new styles, techniques, and supplies, letting myself let go and have fun! Some days, I keep the embellishment minimal, other days I let the pictures do the talking – I love how flexible and free I can be in my journal. I made a decision at the beginning of the year that I wouldn’t make myself journal everyday, but instead, create a journal that is a fun place to create. By incorporating more creativity (and having an excuse to use my stamps, stickers, washi tape, and other supplies), my journal is my go-to when I just want to create something with no expectations.

Journaling Bible, Prayer Binder, and Church Lettering Journal

Next up on my current craft projects list is my Bible Journaling, Prayer Binder, and Church Lettering Journal. I want to be better about spending time in the Word and praying intentionally, so I’ve made these projects more of a priority lately. I’ve been trying out the Church Lettering Journal by Amanda Arneill on Sunday mornings, and I really like the process of taking notes. I also recently put together a prayer binder, and am still figuring out what I want to do with it. However, the process itself has helped me pray in new ways! As far as my Bible Journaling goes, I’m trying to experiment with simpler pages. It got to a point where getting out paint and stamps and pens and ink to study the Bible was too much work – which is the opposite of what Bible Journaling should be! I’m trying to focus back on the Word, and using embellishment to add my creativity, not the other way around.

Traveler’s Notebook Memory Keeping

Traveler’s Notebook Inserts have been the perfect way for me to start memory keeping. I usually just a have one photo on a page, some embellishment, a bit of journaling and I’m done! Working with the Studio Calico Traveler’s Notebook Kits have helped me start documenting regularly and enjoy doing it. When I get the new supplies, I am excited to print out my recent photos and get to work! If you’re trying to be better about memory keeping, I highly recommend finding a monthly kit to keep you inspired.

Crafty Planner & Basics Planner

Oh, planning. You’ll forever have a place in my crafty heart! I’ll admit, I’ve been in a little bit of a planner rut since the Studio Calico Planner Kit was discontinued. Even though I have MORE than enough planner supplies to use, it’s always fun to get new goodies in the mail to try out. Right now, I am using a Michael’s Recollections Planner as a place to scribble down all my ideas and to-dos without the pressure of making it look nice. However, I still love looking back through a pretty planner, so I’m using my 2018-2019 Ban.do Planner for that. Between these two planners, I have a nice balance of function and creativity!

In addition to the projects I’ve talked about already, I’m also having fun learning how to knit! I love that I can work on it while watching TV with the family, and it’s fun to have a material other than paper in my hands.

Now that you’ve seen what I’m working on, I want to share a few tips for balancing multiple creative projects. It can be a bit overwhelming to have a bunch of projects going on at the same time, so here is my best advice for turning overwhelm into inspiration and joy.

Five Tips for Balancing Multiple Creative Projects

TIP ONE: YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALL.

With Pinterest, Instagram, blogs, and those never-ending aisles of pretty supplies at the Craft Store, it is so tempting to start new project after new project. While it is great to try new things, it’s impossible to follow every trend that comes through the craft world! Most of the successful crafters I follow on social media (and by successful, I mean that they’re sharing finished projects!) have one to three crafts or practices that they regularly work on. Don’t think of it as saying “no” to new projects, but as focusing your creativity on the ones that are most important to you!

TIP TWO: ORGANIZE YOUR SUPPLIES PROJECT-BY-PROJECT

When I want to work on a specific project, I’ve found that having the supplies for THAT project all in one place makes getting started so much easier. For example, I keep a bunch of journaling and planner supplies in a clear organizer with bunch of smaller boxes. So, when I want to do a journaling page, all I need to grab is my journal, that organizer, my pen pouch, and whatever other supplies I’m itching to use. For my Church Lettering Notebook or Prayer Binder, all I need is my pouch of brush pens! Separating your supplies by what project they’re most essential for will help you stay organized and inspired.

TIP THREE: DEFINE YOUR PROJECTS

This is a difficult one for me. Being creative, we all want to try new projects, techniques, supplies, and ideas. And if you’re anything like me, you might be a bit of a perfectionist too. You want every page, layout, and entry to be a work of art – and let’s face it: that’s not going to happen! Having a place to play, to scribble, and to be imperfect is a necessary part of your crafting routine. Personally, my journal is where I explore a lot of techniques. The pages are thick, the writing is personal, and the journal is just for me to look at and enjoy. I also have a planner that’s just for writing everything out and playing around with my schedule. Without the pressure to make it look good, it helps me stay more organized. I then use my “prettier” planner for the craftier stuff.

Another way to define your projects is to decide what content is going where. For example, I decided that my Traveler’s Notebook Inserts would be for photos and quick notes about the day. My journal, on the other hand, includes no photos, but more detailed accounts of memories and events. I might have a page for an eventful day or vacation in each book, but the WAY I record the details is different. So, consider what goes where when thinking about your different projects. When it’s time to craft a day you want to remember, you’ll know where to put it based on how you want to record it.

TIP FOUR: MAKE A LOOSE SCHEDULE

No, you don’t have to set deadlines (unless you want to!). What I mean by making a schedule is this: decide how often you want to work on a project, be realistic, and make it happen. And, if you want to work on something on a “when-I-feel-like-it” basis, that’s totally okay! Refer back to step two to help yourself be in the best place when that inspiration comes. Make things easy on yourself and work around your life and inspiration. Personally, I know that when that monthly TN Kit comes in the mail I’ll be inspired to work on TN projects, so that’s when I print out photos from the previous weeks and get those documented. I know that Sundays and Mondays are when I need to really lay out my week, so I work on my planner those days. And while Sunday mornings at church I do sermon lettering, I don’t have a schedule for my prayer binder or bible journaling. It’s all about figuring out what works for you, and not holding yourself to unattainable standards! Leave room for inspiration, grace, and creativity.

TIP FIVE: IT’S OKAY TO PUT A PROJECT ON PAUSE

Let me repeat that: It’s okay to put a project on pause. Notice how I said “on pause” and not “in the trash”. When a project gets away from you, don’t feel guilty! The number of half (or quarter, or less) filled notebooks I have is somewhat embarrassing. But, all those notebooks helped me define and develop my craft in some way. It’s a glass-half-empty situation: look at unfinished projects as fully completed pages. A blank planner spread means you had a week that was full of living. Remember that you can always come back to projects when you’re ready, or maybe they’ll always be “unfinished”. Regardless, a project started is better than no project at all. Learn to be okay with raw edges and empty space, because it means you’re trying something new.

 

Well friends, that turned into quite a long post! I hope that seeing what I’m working on inspires you to spend some time on your own projects. And if you’re struggling to keep up with a handful of projects, I hope my tips for balancing them will help. If you have any tips to share about working on multiple projects, please share them with me and WBT readers in the comments!

Happy crafting!

What crafty projects are you currently working on? Let chat all things crafty in the comments below!