The Goal

Hello, blog world. It's me, Seane.
I've been crafting for many years now. I spend lots of money on supplies and idea books, and I occasionally create something. I'm always making something, but it's starting to seem less worthwhile. I want to do something productive with this passion for creating!
I've been homeschooling for a few years, and it's been very laid back. I want to do more with the kids on a daily basis, not just studying but also creating. And I want to teach them the value of making something with their own hands.
I've been drawn to a lot of blogs lately, the ones with the uber-talented moms who sew everything their families need, the moms who can entertain their children with a few pompoms and some newspaper sheets, the moms who can whip up a batch of novelty brownies whenever their babies ask for something sweet.
What draws me most is their ability to make something from nothing, which is what I thought I was doing for so long. As it turns out, I've been making crafts out of supplies that I've had to purchase, as opposed to upcycling "found" materials and supplies.
In today's throw-away society, it's so easy to forget that things are reusable. Every time something rips or breaks or loses a piece, it's trash-bound and off to the store to replace it with a new one. Well, in my house, it's going to stop.
Since I've started playing around with miniatures and quilting and scrapbooking, I've been saving all kinds of bits and pieces. I've been scrapbooking for awhile, but just got interested in quilting this year, and just started minis again a couple months ago. I started to involve my kids in the process, and now they are saving everything, too!
The problem with this practice is where to keep it? And also, I continue to buy at the same rate while saving everything else, and it multiplies! So here's the goal:
I am going to combine a bunch of problems into one solution. Ready?
1. I need to create. No, I need to create. I have to have my hands busy all the time or I get stir-crazy. When I don't have something steady to work on, my mind goes into overdrive trying to fill the void with plans for projects until I have no room left for sleep. I have notes everywhere!
2. Crafting is expensive, but it doesn't have to be. I have tons of supplies already, and there are three thrift stores in my town now. We don't actually have a craft store, I have to travel out of town to get to the nearest JoAnn's and Michael's.
3. I have tons ad tons of projects on my to-do list, and on my wishlist for my to-do list. Seriously tons. You should see my favorites list of blog posts with tutorials and patterns. On second thought, maybe you shouldn't...
4. I have a love for craft magazines. I buy them up whenever I can. Let's see, I've narrowed the necessities down to 3 scrapbooking magazines, 4 miniature magazines (5 if you count the free online one I stumbled upon a few weeks ago), 1 quilting, 1 cross-stitch, 1-2 crochet, 2-3 general cardmaking/stamping/papercrafting, 2 varied crafts, and Family Fun. So I have lots more ideas coming from there.
5. I have 3 kids that are homeschooled, and one working parent in the family. Money is, usually, tight. Shopping is my joy, but so is creating. I need to find a compromise here.
6. Speaking of kids, do you know how fast they outgrow their clothing and toys? Do you realize how often they ask me if they can make something too? All. The. Time. Nonstop.
7. I'd like to lose weight, but the problem for me is motivation. I read about a woman who used crafting as a motivator. Hmm...
8. I'd like to get my house and craft supplies organized so that it doesn't take Hurricane Company's Coming to get the living room presentable. In the wake of the storm, it's usually the craft room and the bedroom that get all the debris. I'd like to find a balance.

The solution I'm willing to try:
I'll continue to craft. I'll keep a journal, here in blog world, about all my projects. I will craft using mainly things I already have or can get at the thrift store. I'll craft after I've done a certain amount of cleaning and organizing each day. I'll craft with my kids and for my kids, but also for myself and to make gifts. I'll shop to celebrate weight loss. I'll pull my projects from the ideas I've accumulated from blogs and magazines and books, making do with what I've got. Whenever I think I've come up with something great, I'll think about selling it in my etsy store.

How will it work?
I'm not quite sure how this will turn out. I know I'd like to make this my New Year's Resolution for 2011, but I'm starting early, just in time for the holidays.

I have two other blogs. Mini-Along With Me is for a miniatures project group, and Following HMITM is a scrapbooking blog. As I start to craft more, I'll add to the scrapbooking blog, too.