Crafty People I need to find my inner crafty person,how do you find the time?

[MilaMae]

I used to be creative-used to paint,read,write. I do absolutely zilch now. I struggling to even read now(used to read 2 or 3 books a week) but now I just can't focus or find the time.

I have 3 dc 6,6 and 5 and have done nothing creative since the dtwins were born 6 years ago.

I'm struggling as it is to keep the house vaguely clean,feed the dc,homework etc.

How do you fit doing creative stuff in?

ooh watching with interest...

ok i only have one DS who is 2 but at times it is a struggle. the first thing is forget a lot of the housework as it will still be their next week. the other thing that helps is to have good easy storage for toys and books and junk. takes me literally 5 mins to put it away when ever it gets to messy.

i have changed the types of craft things i do now. i once used to use my sewing machine several times a week (i also work full time just to give you perspective) but have found that i can do more i have small handdone projects. i just sit on the sofa while DS watches tv and wreakes havoc with the occasional, feeding and reading a book etc. as long as i work on something that is easy to put down then i get a bit done.

recently have been doing some needle felting making decorative flowers etc to pin the knitwear. also felted some wool jumpers and made into mittens, hat and vest all hand sewn. doing some knitting nown for a friends gift and was horrified to find that DS pulled it straight of the needle when my back was turned so he could play with them. so lucky ho have put it back on without dropping any stitches. need to make locked bag for knitting this week.

so now that DS is a little older and not so clingy i get a few things done. would like to to loads more but something is better than nothing.

i think the key is small and easy to put down/pick up.

I knit while watching tv or while on a break/at lunch when I'm at work. I have been known to knit while the kids are playing in the bath, any opportunity really!

Like Moocowme says, pick-up-put-down projects are easiest - I find knitting is a good one, cross stitching perhaps (not that I do that very often), even reading a book.

Could you set aside a bit of time when (even if you're looking after DCs), you'll endeavour to do something a bit crafty (e.g. on a wednesday afternoon let them watch TV after school and do something, or after they're all in bed). You might find time to fit in the chores you would usually be doing them over the course of the rest of the week...

DS is 18 months and has also pulled knitting of needles - 'twas lacey gloves so had to start again from scratch.

Am 33 weeks pg with DC2 and looking forward to being able to knit while BF as I managed loads while feeding DS - including a three piece Santa suit for him which my mum was convinced I would not be able to knit in time for his first christmas.

I have also cross stiched while feeding although used to panic about stabbing LO. I also read during night feeds.

My CM does loads of crafty stuff with them as well ( I do work FT as well - for another 4 weeks) and so sometimes DS and I will sit at the table and he can stamp randomly while I make some cards

I also use my lunch break at work to take knitting as well.

Sorry have just re read that and sounds really smug but I am a slattern and DH works nights so does do loads of the housework

I don't knit as it is too hard to pick up/put down with toddlers. Crochet is much easier as there is only the one stitch to find once it has been played with.
I crochet at the park/soft play while DD's run riot. I also sew in the afternoon when it is grim or they are tired as the sewing machine is in the same room as the toys and telly so I stick a dvd on and have an hour or so to sew.
I also have a veyr important rule re housework.
Once the girls are in bed, no housework is ever done.
This does mean I am a bit blue arsed fly between tea and bedtime but it means I can crochet/sew/whatever all evening.
Washing up will still be there tomorrow!

I give myself a couple of hours of crafting time in the evenings when the other stuff is done. I have 3 dd's. 8, 5 and 9 months so when the mountain of washing is sorted its time to get into a cross stitch! I find it inspires me to finish the housework quicker if I can reward myself with a little me time.

I'm an artist who has been struggling with the same issue. No time to be creative, and do housework, look after baby, and meet other like-minded people. So I decided to start a local drawing/ doodling group for parents and babies/ toddlers at home.

We are having our first meet up on 12th Feb if anyone fancies coming along. (London E1) I'm hoping the added light pressure of people coming round to doodle will get me in gear. I've got a couple of helpers to make tea and help with tidying.

It's called DOODLE BUBS on Facebook if anyone fancies joining us.

Oooh...I like making cards, and in my old house had my own craft room. With dd I would start crafting during a morning nap, and then pop her in the bouncer and chat to her whilst still crafting for a while, then just carry on at night time for a couple of hours.
Now she is 2.6 years, and I have all my stuff downstairs in the kitchen, and it's a NIGHTMARE!! Fine if she's occupied, especially in summer months, as I can watch her in garden from kitchen table, but it can get so messy all around me, that it takes me a while to reput stuff away after I've finished. I did start crafting at night, she's usually in bed by 6pm, so I could get a good few hours in then, but am due to give birth in about 9 weeks, and know that it's gonna be a while again before I actually can start up doing anything Sometimes you just want to feel like you've done something with your day, no matter how much I love being a mummy,and I really should try and curl up with a good book as well. I can usually read one within days, but have been on the same book for about 2 months already
Maybe you shoud try and set yourself 'you' time for about an hour after you've setteled the kids in bed (depending on what time they go), so it's slightly more peaceful for you to relax in x