Single Mamas -- Where Do You Find the Time!?

[Kinguk]

I would like to be able to craft on a regular basis but have a hard time fitting it into my day. Crafting is something that you need a large chunk of time for. Once I get everything out and start getting into it, little one is crawling all over me or tugging at my pantleg letting me know it's time to move on to the next activity be it a feeding, naptime, going outside, etc...

How do you find the time? What tips do you have? Maybe I just need to make it more of a priority...

[AlpineMama]

I'm pseudo-single for all intents and purposes (although I live with my husband) and I can't find the time... I figure in another couple of years I will, though. Until then, my stuff is in storage.

[rere]

I'm not single but my husband does go out of town for a few weeks at a time.At this point my daughter is almost 4 and it's much easier.

For me,nap time is the best time to work on stuff.

Do you have any place that you can leave your crafting stuff out.That,to me,really is the key.Maybe just a small table in the corner even?Then you can just do a little at a time.

Also if I'm working on something I will make it a priority over stuff like cleaning the house.

[Tilia]

I have a little table and a couple canvas organizers where I leave my crafts out. DD is old enough to understand to leave it alone. Plus, she knows that I am making something for her (unless it is for a swap). I can usually get a little done while she is awake by doing it in the family room while she plays. She does play very independantly though. Or we watch a DVD and she sits still on the couch while I get crafty. Only if she likes the movie though. Usually "Hairspray" or a disney cartoon movie.

I didn't start doing crafts again until DD was 2. Before that I didn't even try!

I also sew during nap but the housework gets abandoned.

I also sew after she has gone to sleep. I am a night owl anyway, so it doesn't bother me.

I also had to drop a bunch of my crafts that I used to like. I haven't scrapbooked in a couple years, though I still have all the supplies in the closet. I also dropped jewelry making and sold all my beads. I basically stick to playsilk dye-ing, hand-sewing, and machine sewing every once in a while. I decluttered a bunch of other random craft supplies, you know the object that you might be able to use someday, if you ever get to it.

[Kinguk]

Leaving your stuff out in the open is definitely the way to go. I have "craft days" with my friend about once a week and usually have to take my baby with me. I don't get much done but I get very inspired at her house. She has a huge drafting table and a sewing machine smack-dab in the middle of her living room, she's done all her art herself. She has a huge closet dedicated soley to her materials.

I'm living with a couple people right now but come January my baby and I will have our own place. It's going to have all my crafts front and centre. I already have the arrangement in my head. Until then, everything's in a huge cardboard box in the closet *sniff sniff

Now for my next question... When you finally get that break during the day, how do you manage to stay off MDC and get to crafting instead!? Haha