Crafting goals 2024
 

Should we post our crafting goals and hope to stay on track?
I participate in the scrapbook goal thread and we talked about goals but I thought I would post it to the wider group.

My main goal is to use what I have already purchased and buy less. I’m trying to reduce the stuff in my house. If something isn’t being used it needs to go.
I want to continue to give handmade gifts. I have a goal of 10 scrapbook pages a month. I am also going to keep track of the cards I send. I can’t keep making them if I don’t send them!

Anyone else want to share their goals?

There are a couple trips I took with 2 of my daughters that I'd like to scrapbook. Both were high school graduation trips and very fun! My oldest and I went to Alaska in 2019 and my youngest and I went to Iceland and Norway this past summer. My middle girl graduated in 2021 and wanted to go to New Zealand but there were many restrictions still, so another goal is to get there this year AND scrapbook that trip.

I also want to increase the number of cards I send. Writing is something I deeply enjoy and the people I already send to tell me how much they enjoy my "chattiness". There are many others who would probably enjoy the connection, so I'm going to seek out more people to send to (it doesn't matter if I know them - I can write to anyone!).

I am in a no-spend January and would love to try to extend that longer (given enough willpower!) to use more of what I have. I also want to again use the monthly "SheetLoad of Cards" sketch from Alicia on the "Call me Crafty Al" YouTube channel to create Christmas cards all year long.

I have been a member of SCS for many, many years but have not really participated. Since I'm now retired I have a few crafty goals:

1. No spend January through the end of March
2. Make 10 - 12 Christmas cards per month (I need 120 a year and make 10 different designs)
3. Join some challenges here and across the internet
4. Join the BRAK here on SCS!

Let's check back with each other in March and see how we are progressing????

Nicole,
your trips sound fantastic! Scrap them when you can. I like your goal of sending more cards and writing. I owe one friend a letter, a real letter! I hope to get it done soon. I joined the brak group here, but don’t write in the cards, maybe I will include a note, you have me thinking.

Plan thr NZ trip. We did a huge family trip to Disney world last summer. We took our 3 kids, a few girlfriends, and my mother. It was a graduation trip for my youngest combined with a belated trip for my middle son. We all had a great time. I am still a few
trips behind so I cost scrap that yet!

'

Suzanne,
I like the no spend January extension idea! I know myself and no spend is tough but I need to spend way less! I know I have more craft stuff than I will ever need, so I can’t keep accumulating! . I am working on cleaning out email subscriptions and social media follows. It helps to not see all the new stuff. I am committed to the paper wizard kit club. There is no monthly cost but you have to buy the kits. I can skip twice over 6 months.

I have been making one sheet wonder cards to use up paper. I need to use 6x6 paper pads. I make all the cards my mother sends, those are great for that.

Carol,
yes join BRAK! It is fun to mail cards. I just rejoined. I was doing it for while then life got in the way so I took a break.
I didn’t make that many Christmas cards, I am impressed. I make ours and some for my mother to send. I might have to start now too! 10 a month is reasonable. I might have to copy that goal. I only need 50-60.
Yes, we will check back and see how we are doing!

For 6x6 paper pads, have you seen "Kendra's Card Challenge"?


You make 15 cards using her cutting templates and card sketches. And, if you enter your cards into the challenge, you have an opportunity to win a gift card! You have 3 months to complete the challenge - AND - you get rid of 6 sheets of paper - AND add cards to your stash!!!

Thank you carol! I have looked before but not for 6x6!

It’s a great strategy to unsubscribe to emails from stores and websites, less tempting to browse around and find something that you “need”. The Kendra Challenge card is great way to make 15 cards using 6 different papers. I also enjoy Jess Craft YouTube channel, because her templates are no waste paper.
best wishes

eliana

Thanks Eliana, I will look at that too.

we are having a snowy day today, that means craft time. I have a weekend crop starting Friday so I need to pack.

I've committed to journaling this year - and I decided several journals in the "collections" style is right for me. I have one podcast tracker journal, and then a bullet journal for little snippets every day - a word of the day, a doodle, idea list, a list of things I've gotten rid of, and a few news items. One page in that journal is a pixel grid temperature tracker - we've had such insane temperatures the last few years I thought a visual would be fun.

What will you write in your podcast tracker journal? This sounds interesting!

Happy Monday all. I have a crop this weekend, I hope to get lots of pages done!

Mine is similar - USE what I have, and be VERY VERY discerning before thinking of wanting more! I'll be a bit more careful of where I look for inspiration, too - not in company emails (I've unsubscribed from all but a very very few now, despite the gorgeous card examples they feature), and instead here on SCS (where the talent is best, anyhow, if you ask me :heartsmiley:) and the one social media platform where I have long put in a search term and turned up good inspiration to get me started when I'm really really stuck - rather than going through a company's website for ideas.
I want to focus more on supplies I've run out of and/or that fill a void (I may ask for a better collection of markers for my birthday as I've got quite a few color gaps in my collection).

Good luck everyone!

Chrissy,
cleaning up my email and social media has helped a lot. I really think I could keep making cards without ever buying another stamp!

Buying less will help me a lot. I have to use what I have or get rid of it.

I think filling in your markers will help use your stuff! Good luck.

I've been on a minimal-spend-use-what-you've-got kick for quite a few months now, especially with Christmas stuff. But, despite making large numbers of cards with Christmas papers and matching embellishments, the stash doesn't seem to have gone down much!

Lynda

I agree not purchasing. My craft room shares my bed, vanity table, desk, exercise bike. I work hard to figure where to place everything. At my age, I need more stuff like I need a hole in my head. I pity family and friends to sort out my goodies.
I will be home from my knee replacement. Maybe, I can rack my brain with ideas.
You all are my inspiration.

I have two sections - a listen log where I'm writing each episode I listen to - I listen to so many that sometimes I want to go back to an episode and ask a question in a group and I can't remember which episode it was - so this has really helped. The second section is for listing podcasts recommended by others that I want to listen to. I've saved some on FB etc. but I never seem to go back to them - paper is working much better. This year I'm putting all the cover art of all my listens into pages in there too - it's already really cool looking.

My crafting goal for 2023 was to sell something I wasn’t using and “recycling” the money to purchase other crafty things I wanted. This enabled me to acquire a mini Empress electronic die cutting machine and extra plates, so I hand crank very little anymore. I also added a Fuse foiling machine and enough foiling supplies to get me through 2024. And partly due to winning a DTGD prize, I have discovered what I think is currently my favorite company to do business with. As I continue this method of cleaning out the old, I plan to save the “recycle” dollars for another big something. I will know it when I see it/need it, and will have the money saved back toward that purchase without feeling guilty about purchasing something new for a hobby for which I already own aplenty.

My crafting goal is to finish my 34 ! started projects. I have made a master list and have made a plan sheet for a few. Since I also decided I WILL buy more stamps, paper, dies etc if I really want ithem, I may not make a lot of progress, but the fun is in playing. Happy new Year to you all. 😻

My goal is to thin the stash. Here is my issue: I use a stamp a lot (say for Christmas Cards) then I am "done" with it. I wish I had someone to trade with. I guess I could sell these stamps. Does anyone else have that issue? I don't have a lot of the new stuff like the press and hot foil machines. Maybe I should start selling and saving as that is a great idea! I want to make Christmas cards each month so I don't need to rush at the end of the year. I need to make a stash of Birthday cards. I need to figure out how best to use designer paper a I can never figure out how to make it work with my stamps, like flowers or whatever. Do they have suggestions for that on any websites?

Wow, this is really a fantastic idea for a journal. It's also a great "snapshot" of what you were interested in at a specific point in time.
Podcasts are addictive! I listen when I'm cleaning or on walks, and only at those times so that I'm motivated to do those things. I was a long-distance runner for 30 years and had to stop a couple years ago due to foot issues and walking was not as much fun for me. Well, podcasts have changed my attitude towards walks.

I have no idea of any sites thst could help but what a great idea! I too struggle matching paper with stamps.

I have been posting stuff on the pay it forward thread here, it is nice to pass along what I’m not using. I have a friend who makes a bunch of cards and then is “done” with that stamp. I keep trying to use my stamps. I have so many stamps that haven’t been used for a long time.
I do like the one sheet wonder cards to use my paper.

I have to admit that I haven’t listened to podcasts on a regular basis. They are so popular and I know I’m missing a lot, but I’m resisting. I don’t look at Pinterest either. I think it would take all my time.

Listening to podcasts hasn't taken time away from anything else for me. What it has done is made mundane tasks that I'm doing anyways (and that need doing) enjoyable. Dusting - UGH! But now that I have great podcasts to listen to, I actually look forward to cleaning time!
Now Pinterest......yes, your reasoning is sound lol! It also has the effect on me of making me feel like I'm not creative, or my kids' birthday parties weren't as great as they could have been, or my house isn't decorated as nice as it could be, etc. so I strictly limit myself to going on Pinterest with a purpose (i.e. I need Valentine shaker card ideas for an upcoming card class, etc.).

A no-spend Jan. is the best idea!! I have too, too many crafting supplies already, but everytime they come out with new items I can't seem to resist and I'm worse for buying if items are on sale. Well, I'm joining you guys...No spending for Jan and maybe extending it into Feb. With all I have I really should make it a no-spend 2024.

Exactly - crafting and chores - that's when I listen! It's amazing how much content you can take in while your hands are busy! Cooking/meal prep too

I will have to look into podcasts. I know there are some my friends really enjoy .

I know exactly what you are saying, about being "done" with stamps. I have the same issue. I've been really tempted to do what I have been resisting for years, and make a Facebook account so that I can connect with others in my area. I'm with you on the patterned paper, too. Sometimes I do a fussy cut stamp over patterned paper, and I try not to be tempted by that type of paper, because I don't use much of it. (I think temptation and will power has been discussed here already, LOL.) I thought I was doing quite well, until I did a serious (honest) review of stamps and paper.

I have been doing well using my stuff, but my stash never gets smaller.

Well, here we are, mid-February!

#1 broken - note to self: stay away from Cathy Zielske and Jen McGuire YouTube channels; BUT, I did ignore the 60% off coupon from Joann's - ! really want that Empress!). Plus, an unexpected trip to NC in March will allow me to visit the Paper/Crafting Studio in Greensboro. I will limit myself to $100.

#2 broken - haven't even started!!! I have sketched out a few while watching TV

#3 started/stopped - I did start the quarterly 'Kendra's Card Challenge' but stopped after 1 card. The patterned paper I picked just didn't work with a lot of the sketches. Need to go through the stash and find smaller prints!

#4 not yet started - I need a stash of cards before I can join


I need help!!! LOL

Carol,
I have unfollowed /unsubscribed from lots of things to avoid seeing all the new stuff and it helps! I am hoping to send 40 cards before Easter, I am at one! I feel you with #2. I agree with your #3. I started doing some one sheet wonders with double sided dsp, those work well.
join brak, you don’t need a stash. You can send as many or as few cards as you request. I think it is between 2 and 4. I know I had 3 names last month, you can send more if you want. I rejoined after a long break. It is great fun!

I am at 2 cards for my 40 cards in 40 days challenge. I’m having a craft day at my house Saturday. I do have Easter cards made, I need to get them sent out. Those will help me reach my goal.

What is the B in BRAK?
Best of luck working on those goals!

Oh, woe, the pains of self control. We all are guilty one way or another.
I have the Deco Foil flakes and rolls for my cards using the transfer gel. Have I used it? Hey, no. I have the Perfect Pearls. Used them? No. I think I am an artist, Not. Acrylic paints, re-inkers, perfect pearls, embossing powder, etc. The list goes on.

Birthday RAK. A wonderful group of people send birthday cards to SCS members on their birthdays.

"...... Plus, an unexpected trip to NC in March will allow me to visit the Paper/Crafting Studio in Greensboro. I will limit myself to $100."
Carol....when in March would you be here? That's the store I go to all the time. I live down the street from it. It would be wonderful to meet more crafters.

As far as my goal for 2024, I only lasted 3 weeks without buying scrapbook supplies. Oh well. My other goal is write down every day what I did in my scrapbook room. Whether it's reorganizing, making a card, or printing out pictures. If I don't do anything, I write 'nothing' on the calendar. Good way to keep track of my non-creative days.

I like your idea of writing down what you did. I’m at 7 for my 40 cards in 40 days. I do have Easter cards made, I just need to mail them.

I went to a real sb store last week. Have so few around. I did buy the precision glue press after I tried it there. I have been eyeing it online. I continue to use my stash. I have lots of birthday cards ready to go.

Thank you. I should have figured that out.