Time for an update! So many plans, so many plans! I don’t know why I thought I would have more time this year to sort out my blog? I have some plans, but they keep being pushed to the back burners to make way for commissions. YAY! It is great getting the chance to do what I love on a daily basis and I count myself so lucky, but now I have to learn how to balance everything.
When I was working as an employee there were well defined boundaries and I can’t say that I was balancing life particularly well then either. Now, working for myself, the boundaries are far more fuzzy so it seems even more challenging getting the balance right.
I naively thought that if all the time was your own then it would be easier to schedule what you needed and wanted to do. How wrong was I? But that is life isn’t it? I’m learning as I go along and to be honest loving it!
To get the balance right today I started my day with a little bit of experimenting with inks, paints and stamping.
Whilst I wait for the paint to dry, so that I can do the next stage of the experiment, I thought I would quickly update my blog as it has been a bit quiet since Friday’s Sparkly post.
I’ve got a couple of cards in the current copy of Simply Cards and Papercraft, issue 106, if any of you have a copy of it then checkout the Cardmaker’s Challenge on page 62. As usual there are some lovely ideas and inspiration in the issue from a whole range of fabulous designers!
Oh and HUGE thanks to everyone who commented on my last Magazine Update post. You guys got me thinking, I love hearing about bloggy friends too and when I thought about it like that I felt better about posting my updates! I’m also going to try Lucy Edmondson’s fabulous suggestion and will put direct links to current magazines with my work in my sidebar, thanks Lucy!
So whilst we are on the subject of Magazines, some of you have spotted already that I’m on the new Craft Stamper design team – No Way!? Yes Way! Would you Adam and Eve it?
Thanks so much for the congratulations, and for those of you who haven’t linked up already check out the Craft Stamper Website, their Facebook Page, the Craft Stamper Blog and Twitter page.
Finally, a sneaky look at the new stamps that the Creative Expressions team will be working on for the next few weeks…
and you can check out the DT makes on their individual blogs or on the Creative Expressions Facebook page. Mmm, what shall I do with these? Mmm Cogs whirling!
Right, better go do the next step in the experiment.
Any tips on how to balance my life would be much appreciated!
Hope you have a well-balanced day!
Kim
Congratulations on your CS news Kim and your inky offerings look very intriguing so look forward to seeing what you make with them.
Fliss xx
It's so cool that you're on the Craft Stamper team, and even better that you're busy with commissions, and still finding time to play too! Not surprised time management is on your mind with all you're doing!!
Alison x
As you know, I have MS BUT in my own terms, like you, maintaining the correct life balance is often in focus. I have no answers but being aware perhaps helps us make the right choices for ourselves.
It is very encouraging to see you still find time to 'play' – which is, of course, part of your growth as an artist.
Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Kim.
Hi Kim I just joined your blog. I work in cd length portions of a day. So stick a cd in the player – get to a task – when cd finishes – change tasks. You can plan your taks to be art, home, accounts, garden. That way if you have a lot of tasks, big or little you get to do a bit of one each day. If I'm on the computer I log onto BBC Iplayer radio and listen to a play or book r comedy usually they are 1/2 hour long. When that finishes computer session ends 🙂 Hope this helps, its a fun way to manage your days. Joan
Seems you have a lot going on, Kim, but luckily they're all good things 🙂 Makes balancing life so much more easier. Huge congrats on your DT spot for Craft Stamper, that is so great, can't wait to see what you create for them! As for tips on balancing life, well I don't have any, sorry, I have a feeling I'll be needing them soon too as I'll probably be pretty busy pretty soon… 😉
Congrats on your publications, your work is beautiful. ~Diane
Oh congratulations Kim. As for life balance, I could do with some tips myself, at the moment I'm using the "housework doesn't exsist" theory – it works until you can't find anything you need lol 😀
C xx
Well congratulations to you, Kim! Balance is a good things–moderation in all things, at least most of the time!
😉
Hi Kim congratulations on your Craft stamper post it is very well deserved
Kevin xx
Congrats to you Kim on your publications and DT position! I always enjoy seeing your art.
Congratulations on the magazine cards & being on the Craft Stamper DT 😀 How cool!
Hugs
Tracey
xx
Hi Kim, firstly apologies that it has been so long since I last hopped by (I am not great at scheduling my time either and it seems like there just aren't enough hours in the day most of the time) I am so happy to hear that you are getting to do what you love on a daily basis and hopefully time management will get easier the more you get used to it. the new stamps look fabby, thanks for the sneaky peek
Lindsay xx