How do I do it?
Or more to the point, what don’t I do? I’ve have a few people lately comment on how surprised they are that I can fit in so much craft and sewing while having two small kids. This is how I do it – there is lots that I don’t do. At the moment, I hardly read anything. I’m even way behind on trash and fashion magazines, and there isn’t much reading in those! I’m not working (other than keeping the business books). I have a cleaner. I don’t do the meals – hubby is the cook. I don’t do much shopping, other than online ;-). Hubby does most of the grocery shopping. I don’t watch television without doing craft of some kind at the same time. I don’t play enough with my children. I don’t read enough to my children. I don’t talk enough to my husband. I don’t do the ironing as regularly as I should and then poor Mum does it when she visits. My older daughter loves to watch television so she probably watches more than she should. My baby sleeps a lot – more than most babies (all night, a couple of three-hour sleeps during the day – she’s only awake for 6-7 hours in 24). I don’t sleep in. My husband works from home and is very involved with the children, so I get some sewing/crafting/blogging time when he is interacting with them.
So how do I do it? I’m rarely idle. If watching TV or being a passenger in the car, I crochet (a legacy of watching my Mum knit while watching TV or being a car passenger, I think). My sewing room is all set up and well organised. If I’ve got fifteen minutes up my sleeve, I cut something out, or decide on fabrics for another project, or sew a couple of seams. Much of what I make is pretty simple, so gets finished quickly. I’ve been sewing for a long time, so I know what short cuts I can take without it affecting the finished product. Children’s clothes are quick to make! I do some craft once the children have gone to bed in the evening. Clare likes to do craft too, so sometimes we are both busy in the sewing room together.
At the moment I find that I NEED to sew and create. I need to see a finished product for my efforts. Although my girls are my most beautiful works in progress, I still need to have something that I can look at when the day (or week) ends as tangible proof of the time I put in.
So that’s how I do it! How do you fit in your crafting and sewing?
WOW! I fit in my sewing time much like you do…you could be my twin. Only darling hubby doesn’t cook–he takes us out to eat (even better as their is no dishes to be done). I send out my wash and order whatever I can by either phone or the internet. Life is too short not to do things we like.
I do, however, need to spend more time sewing and less time on the computer…
Well I got a pretty good wrap. So how is my shed chair cover, and Laptop bag coming along?
Love hubby
I thought I was the only spoilt girl who has a cleaner & a hubby who does the cooking & shopping… unfortunately I can’t say the same for the baby who sleeps alot! Wish I was as productive as you- I will blame sleep deprivation! Love your blog…
wow…. It is awesome that your husband comments on your posts. I fit crafting in around my handsome and the household tasks I am super organised but since moving I have struggled to find my crafting mojo…. I feel it slowly returning thanx to blogs like yours and inspiration from my crafty sister.
luv Abby
I am pretty much the same with 2 little kids. I do what I can when I can. I am a lot like you in many ways and have similar tastes which is why I love your blog. Keep up the good work.
Hey Lara..Can I borrow your hubby? Just for a DAY…? (JUST to do all the shopping, cooking and babycare, mind!). Oh – and the cleaner would be pretty handy, too, if you could throw that into the deal…? You’re a lucky girl!
Good on you for never wasting any time, and spending every spare minute making beautiful things!
I’m like you, with a wonderful hubby who does the cooking and grocery shopping, though sadly, not enough of the cleaning. I buy many clothes that don’t need ironing, and my husband does his own. We don’t have kids, so that’s not an issue yet. I unpick my kimonos (I use vintage kimono fabric in my work) in front of any tv I watch, which at the moment is a guilty pleasure as I NEED the English input after being around Japanese so much of the time.
Having said that, between working full time, teaching two extra kids classes privately a week, running two business, I still don’t get enough craft time in. I’m in a small Japanese apartment, so it takes me about 15 – 20 minutes to reorganise everything so I can actually make something. You’ve inspired me though, I think I’m going to have to re-organise and prioritise my apartment, so I can make the most of those small snatches of time.
I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog by the way, I found it through NikkI.