3 Crafting Realizations and Changes

Early this year our entire lives were in a huge upheaval.

We moved from the area where my husband and kids have lived their entire lives. We packed our entire four-bedroom home into two Uhaul Uboxes.

We stayed in a hotel for a few days as my husband wrapped up his last few days of work at the company he'd been at for 24 years.

Then we drove two vehicles with 4 people (and 3 cats in one of the cars) over 1,600 miles to our new home. (You can read more about this over at my other life + home blog.)

But during this move I had 3 a-ha moments around my crafting supplies causing me to make 3 big crafting changes:

3 Crafting Realizations and Changes

1. Crafting preferences can change.
2. I want more completed projects.
3. I have too many crafting supplies.

Realization 1 - Crafting preferences can change

I looked through my piles of supplies and realized that I had some incomplete projects that I didn't care to finish. Either the project itself wasn't doing it for me or the chosen materials just aren't my style anymore.

In fact, maybe they weren't ever.

It's very possible it was just something that I saw a lot of people in the craft doing or excited about so I thought I needed it, too.

Or maybe I did want it, but after using it or working on it, putting it down, and now seeing it months/years later, I realize it's just kinda meh.

And that's okay. Whatever the initial reason for purchasing the thing, whatever the reason to now not want the thing - the bottom line it no longer seems like something I want to spend any time or effort on.

Change 1 - Get Rid of Projects I Don't Want to Work On

I don't feel the need to hold onto or complete a project that I won't enjoy working on or I don't want the finished project.

For knitting or crochet projects - I can undo it and reuse the yarn.

For cross stitch or sewing projects - I just have to part ways, salvage any fabric that's big enough to be reused and call it quits.

Realization 2 - I want more completed projects

The number of barely started and planned out to actually completed projects is ridiculous.

I have so many started and planned and hardly any completed.

Change 2 - I'm going to focus on projects to completion

Now, I'm not saying I'm going completely monogamous and only having one project in the works at a time.

But I'm just not gonna have 15.

I can see myself having a few projects going at a time:

1. Crochet blanket
2. Handknit socks
3. Crochet/knit accessory (maybe requiring more concentration/thinking)
4. Small cross stitch
5. Full coverage cross stitch
6. Handsewn blanket

That's still a lot but that's better than before when at any given time I had 4 full coverage projects, 3 kits, 4 blankets, etc.

Realization 3 - I have too many crafting supplies

Giving myself some credit - I do have less supplies than I used to.

Years ago I sold a lot of yarn that I didn't need.

Before that it was scrapbooking and paper arts supplies - and I sold a bunch of it back then, too.

But now, I still feel like I have too much stuff.

The problem with this is that at one point I bought all of this yarn and fabric with a specific project in mind. And since that time, it's all just been sitting and I've forgotten what the project was.

Change 3 - I'm going to use my supplies before purchasing more

The problem I have with having too many supplies on hand is two-fold:

1. I don't remember what I bought it for
2. I feel guilty buying more stuff I really want now because I'm still holding onto other supplies.

So the change is that I'm NOT going keep my own mini craft store of supplies on hand. I'm going to use up - then buy as I need - then use up again.

I will keep some stuff on hand. I'll probably always have 18-count Aida or 28-count evenweave on hand since those are a few of my go to fabrics.

If a favorite yarn dyer runs a special colorway or fundraiser - I might buy a skein without a specific project in mind.

But the "oh that's a good price" shopping I used to do, doesn't really serve me anymore.

Tell me what you think

Have you had any crafting change of heart instances?

I'd love to hear from you. Even if it's completely opposite of how I'm choosing to go about my crafting.