Keeping on top of the organizational needs of your hobbies is key to making sure that your hobbies do not begin to overtake your life. If you are finding that every time you clean, the hobbies pile is growing, then maybe you need to rethink your organizational strategy.
For starters, do you actually participate in every hobby for which you have supplies? If you have tennis rackets that have not seen the light of day since you graduated from college ten years ago, it is time to move on. Do not stall. Throw them out or give them away. If tennis ever fits back into your life, then you can get new rackets. Look at every hobby supply you have from the crochet needles that have never been opened to the pillowcase you started cross-stitching three years ago. Toss anything that is broken or that you have not used.
Now, you should have a much smaller pile. You should begin by sorting the projects. First you will sort them by the type of project they are. For example, you should not put the paints with the cross-stitching supplies. The yoga mat does not go with the gardening tools. Divide everything by categories.
Think about where you will put your hobby supplies. Perhaps you will put some of them in boxes under the bed or in that spare shelf in the downstairs closet. Do not just think about rooms. Now is the time to think about where exactly you will put your supplies. Once you have an idea, then you can begin to organize the projects.
For outdoor projects, you should put the items in a garage or outdoor storage shed. Look for a wooden box without a lid to toss in any sports equipment. For gardening supplies, use the same concept but get something smaller. If your hobby requires large pieces of equipment, such as snow skis, then you should hang them on the wall. Be sure that you measure and that you mark what goes in the spot.
For indoor hobbies, you should divide them by finished, working, and not started. Take the finished projects first. Find homes for them. That home may be by the bathroom sink. It may be with your mother. It may be at the local nursing home as a donation. Find something to do with all of the finished projects. They are no good sitting in piles.
Then look at the never started piles. You should get containers and box up these supplies. Some hobbies, like painting, will have a lot of supplies that are often used. You should make them accessible but box them up. If you participate in the hobby often, then you may want to think about getting a box without a lid. Otherwise, you should get something with a lid. It will be easier to stack, and it will curb how much you can accumulate.
Finally we are looking at the works in progress. You should get some baskets for them. In one basket, put all of the supplies for the individual hobby that you are working on. For example, if you are knitting an afghan, then you should get the needles and all of the yarn you will use. Put it in a basket and then put the basket somewhere where you are likely to use it, whether that is under your bedside table or next to the recliner. Do the same with all of the hobby projects. You want to make sure that you can get to the supplies you need when you need them.
The last task will be to make sure that you keep up with the system. Do not buy more projects for a single hobby until you have finished at least one of the projects that you already have. You also should be sure that you are working on a hobby fairly regularly. If you have not worked on that crochet basket under your bed in months, then it may be time to admit that the hobby is not one that fits into your current lifestyle. Otherwise the clutter from disorganized hobbies really get to you. Be sure that you go through your hobby supplies often.
By Julia Mercer
Friday, February 24, 2006
Photographing Uncooperative Subjects
By Christina VanGinkel
My two-year-old grandson was recently sprawled out in the middle of my living room floor, with a blanket we keep in the room for those evening snuggles all of us enjoy, wrapped up around him, his head on a throw pillow that originated from the couch, and a book about raising dragons held up on his chest. It was one of those picture perfect moments, which would have captured his early love of reading flawlessly. The minute he spied me approaching with my camera though, he tossed the book aside and pulled the blanket over his head! I would not say that he is camera shy, the opposite is actually true, as when the time is right (read this as when 'he' thinks the time is right!) he can be quite cooperative.
Children are not the only subjects that can be uncooperative when trying to capture their photo, pets are notorious for being just as hard to photograph. There are steps you can take to make the process of getting the perfect shot of whomever, or whatever your subject is, seemingly effortless.
Be Ready
The reason my grandson even knew I was going to take his picture, is because I had to fumble for my camera in the first place, and then when I turned it on, I realized I had to change the batteries. By the time I had everything set to go, he had too much time to become aware of what I was doing, and in that time, he made the decision to become uncooperative. If my camera had been in a convenient place for those quick but unexpected shots that are so common with children in the house, and I had taken the time to change the batteries when I last used it, I would have had a much better chance of getting the snapshot. He simply had too much time to question himself on whether he wanted his picture being taken in the first place.
I should have known better, as I had a similar experience just a few days earlier with a few wildlife subjects that were in our yard. We have a flock of wild turkeys that have decided to make our yard home this winter, and several fox squirrels too. They all think they can fit on the bird feeders we have placed about to feed the songbirds. As I walked outside, I realized that we had two full-grown turkeys and two fox squirrels all on a single bird feeder, looking very much like a bad cartoon for a busy restaurant scene! By the time I even found where I had dropped my camera the last time I used it, the moment was long past.
Each time you use your camera, take the time to place it in a convenient spot that is easy to access on a moment's notice, change the film or free up space on the memory card, change exhausted batteries, clean the lens, etc., so it is all ready to use at a moment's notice the next time you need it.
Be Considerate
Children and pets may not always want their picture being taken, even when you know that the shot of a lifetime is just a button press away. Learn to be considerate, but stick with your goal to get that shot. Do not expect either to sit still, get them occupied doing something else, such as playing with toys, or divert their attention to somewhere or somebody else, while you work on taking that perfect picture. I once had my youngest son sit and blow bubbles out in the yard, while my young grandson ran around chasing the bubbles. He was so intent on what the bubbles and his Uncle were doing; he paid the camera and me no attention whatsoever. I have employed similar tricks when trying to take some portrait shots of our family dog, who is getting up in years. My son sat amid a pile of leaves several seasons ago, and would toss them by the handfuls into the air. She was so mesmerized by them all; I ended up with a portrait of her that will remind us of her and her gentle ways for many a year to come!
My two-year-old grandson was recently sprawled out in the middle of my living room floor, with a blanket we keep in the room for those evening snuggles all of us enjoy, wrapped up around him, his head on a throw pillow that originated from the couch, and a book about raising dragons held up on his chest. It was one of those picture perfect moments, which would have captured his early love of reading flawlessly. The minute he spied me approaching with my camera though, he tossed the book aside and pulled the blanket over his head! I would not say that he is camera shy, the opposite is actually true, as when the time is right (read this as when 'he' thinks the time is right!) he can be quite cooperative.
Children are not the only subjects that can be uncooperative when trying to capture their photo, pets are notorious for being just as hard to photograph. There are steps you can take to make the process of getting the perfect shot of whomever, or whatever your subject is, seemingly effortless.
Be Ready
The reason my grandson even knew I was going to take his picture, is because I had to fumble for my camera in the first place, and then when I turned it on, I realized I had to change the batteries. By the time I had everything set to go, he had too much time to become aware of what I was doing, and in that time, he made the decision to become uncooperative. If my camera had been in a convenient place for those quick but unexpected shots that are so common with children in the house, and I had taken the time to change the batteries when I last used it, I would have had a much better chance of getting the snapshot. He simply had too much time to question himself on whether he wanted his picture being taken in the first place.
I should have known better, as I had a similar experience just a few days earlier with a few wildlife subjects that were in our yard. We have a flock of wild turkeys that have decided to make our yard home this winter, and several fox squirrels too. They all think they can fit on the bird feeders we have placed about to feed the songbirds. As I walked outside, I realized that we had two full-grown turkeys and two fox squirrels all on a single bird feeder, looking very much like a bad cartoon for a busy restaurant scene! By the time I even found where I had dropped my camera the last time I used it, the moment was long past.
Each time you use your camera, take the time to place it in a convenient spot that is easy to access on a moment's notice, change the film or free up space on the memory card, change exhausted batteries, clean the lens, etc., so it is all ready to use at a moment's notice the next time you need it.
Be Considerate
Children and pets may not always want their picture being taken, even when you know that the shot of a lifetime is just a button press away. Learn to be considerate, but stick with your goal to get that shot. Do not expect either to sit still, get them occupied doing something else, such as playing with toys, or divert their attention to somewhere or somebody else, while you work on taking that perfect picture. I once had my youngest son sit and blow bubbles out in the yard, while my young grandson ran around chasing the bubbles. He was so intent on what the bubbles and his Uncle were doing; he paid the camera and me no attention whatsoever. I have employed similar tricks when trying to take some portrait shots of our family dog, who is getting up in years. My son sat amid a pile of leaves several seasons ago, and would toss them by the handfuls into the air. She was so mesmerized by them all; I ended up with a portrait of her that will remind us of her and her gentle ways for many a year to come!
Free Gifts With Crafts
Birthday gifts should come from the heart. We all know it, but few of us take advantage of that idea. Still if you are short on money, or even if you are not, then you may want to consider making homemade and free birthday gifts. Even if you are giving a store-bought gift as well, these ideas allow you to put more time and effort into a gift for someone else. You may just find that you are able to give them these thoughtful gifts, and you will both feel better about it.
One of the best options for a crafted gift is to give love gift certificates. No, you are not giving away love. Instead you are giving away things that you can do for someone. You can take several different angles. You can give away services, such as one home-cooked meal or one night of free babysitting, or you can offer your time, such as one long walk or two hours at a coffee shop. Think about the person receiving the gift and what he or she will appreciate most. You can make these certificates really easily by using some construction paper or cardstock. If graphics is more your thing, then try printing them up on your computer. All you need to create the booklet is a hole puncher to put a little hole in the top corner. Then run a piece of yarn through. You can even cut out a heart and attach a note. This gift is one that will remind the person throughout the year that you cared.
If you are into more sentimental gifts, think about making a customized love letter or appreciation list. Think of what you love about the person for whom you are looking for a gift. Then write them all out. You can go really low-key and write all of the things you love in a list or on a piece of paper, or you can type it up. Then just print it and take it to get laminated or get an inexpensive frame for it. If you are a parent, you could have your children write in their own handwriting and words what they love about the other parent. Get a multi-photo frame and put the love letters from the little ones in it. This gift will make a wonderful one that the recipient can continue to cherish for years to come.
Another great choice for a hobby gift is to give a photo album. You can buy a photo album for only a couple of dollars. Then go through the pictures that you have in your files. Pick out some with the special person in it. Put them together in a photo album for a gift. If you are more crafty, you may even want to consider making a scrapbook as a gift. You can include dates of the pictures as well as little comments that show how much you care.
If you are giving a gift to a younger relative, you can make a little homemade book that will tell what you wish you had known. Think about when you were the age of the recipient. These gifts are great for milestones, such as when someone is going off to college. Write down 100 things you wish you had known or 50 tips for succeeding or something similar. Type them up and print them out. Then you can take them to your local print shop and have them turned into a book for only a few bucks.
When your child reaches a milestone, commemorate the occasion by writing a letter to tell her or him what you want your child to know. Perhaps you want your child to grab the world and run with her dreams. Perhaps you want him to know that you will always be there regardless of the situation. Take the time in a letter to say it and then give it to your child. Although you may not know it now, these letters can have a lasting impact.
Thinking about your hobbies or your craft skills can help you to come up with good gift ideas. Remember that it really is the thought that counts!
By Julia Mercer
One of the best options for a crafted gift is to give love gift certificates. No, you are not giving away love. Instead you are giving away things that you can do for someone. You can take several different angles. You can give away services, such as one home-cooked meal or one night of free babysitting, or you can offer your time, such as one long walk or two hours at a coffee shop. Think about the person receiving the gift and what he or she will appreciate most. You can make these certificates really easily by using some construction paper or cardstock. If graphics is more your thing, then try printing them up on your computer. All you need to create the booklet is a hole puncher to put a little hole in the top corner. Then run a piece of yarn through. You can even cut out a heart and attach a note. This gift is one that will remind the person throughout the year that you cared.
If you are into more sentimental gifts, think about making a customized love letter or appreciation list. Think of what you love about the person for whom you are looking for a gift. Then write them all out. You can go really low-key and write all of the things you love in a list or on a piece of paper, or you can type it up. Then just print it and take it to get laminated or get an inexpensive frame for it. If you are a parent, you could have your children write in their own handwriting and words what they love about the other parent. Get a multi-photo frame and put the love letters from the little ones in it. This gift will make a wonderful one that the recipient can continue to cherish for years to come.
Another great choice for a hobby gift is to give a photo album. You can buy a photo album for only a couple of dollars. Then go through the pictures that you have in your files. Pick out some with the special person in it. Put them together in a photo album for a gift. If you are more crafty, you may even want to consider making a scrapbook as a gift. You can include dates of the pictures as well as little comments that show how much you care.
If you are giving a gift to a younger relative, you can make a little homemade book that will tell what you wish you had known. Think about when you were the age of the recipient. These gifts are great for milestones, such as when someone is going off to college. Write down 100 things you wish you had known or 50 tips for succeeding or something similar. Type them up and print them out. Then you can take them to your local print shop and have them turned into a book for only a few bucks.
When your child reaches a milestone, commemorate the occasion by writing a letter to tell her or him what you want your child to know. Perhaps you want your child to grab the world and run with her dreams. Perhaps you want him to know that you will always be there regardless of the situation. Take the time in a letter to say it and then give it to your child. Although you may not know it now, these letters can have a lasting impact.
Thinking about your hobbies or your craft skills can help you to come up with good gift ideas. Remember that it really is the thought that counts!
By Julia Mercer
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