Three top tips for finding time to stamp over the busy summer period

As today is the first day of summer and our longest day I thought it would be a good time to share a few tips for fitting in more crafting time over the busy summer period. Many of my friends and customers find it difficult to find time to craft over summer. I notice that class size often dips and so I asked a few of them what the main reasons were. These were the top ones:

• The kids (or grandkids) are around for much longer and need to be entertained;
• We're going away on holiday;
• It's too nice to be indoors and (often as an add-on), I want to get together with friends

So how can we turn these around to get more crafting time?

Why not try out these ideas:

Top tip 1

Involve the kids in your crafting - get them creating with you.

Younger ones can punch shapes out for you and even scrunch up your flowers for that distressed look. Older ones can design their own cards and projects. Whilst older boys may not be very interested in making flowery cards, you may be able to tempt them to try "engineered" cards (eg. spinner and slider cards) or boxes.

Cold, wet days are perfect for making a start on Christmas cards and gifts (have you started yet, it'll be here before you know it!). Add to the wintery feel by having hot chocolate and toasting marshmallows. When the sun comes back out, you'll appreciate it all the more.

Top tip 2

Pack a small craft kit into your holiday luggage - you don't need

to take everything you own, honest. Stamp some images out beforehand using Black Stazon on either Whisper White/Very Vanilla card or Watercolour Paper, depending on what you prefer to colour with (leaving a bit of space around each image). Then pack a selection of markers (in your go-to colours) and maybe an aquapainter (no mess and if you travel with it empty, no problem with airport security). A small pair of scissors can go in the hold luggage if you're flying. When you're all walked out from sightseeing, you can rest up and do a bit of colouring and cutting out. Then when you get back home you can mat and layer your masterpieces onto full size cards.

Top tip 3

Craft outdoors! Who says you have to stay inside? Make sure that your card and paper are weighted down so that they don't blow away in a sudden gust of wind. I find my crop-a-dile makes a great paperweight :-) Make the most of the sun and have the bonus of great light for your crafting. Better still - invite your friends over and make a morning (or an afternoon or an evening) of it. Best of all - book a workshop with me, I'll come over and entertain you and your friends with some crafting projects and you get the chance to earn free hostess goodies. Email me to book your summer workshop.

If you have your own favourite tips to add, then please leave me a comment.

Now I'm off to do some crafting in the garden while the light is good ;-)

Sara xx