Time for creativity.

How to find the time.  It’s the million dollar question isn’t it?

I know for myself, finding time is a priority. Not just because quilting it’s what I do, but because I have to do it. It comes with being an artist or any kind. Whether you write, quilt, paint or cook, making time for something you are passionate about is good for you soul.

What is the minimum time needed for creativity?

How do I do it? Many of you know that at one point in my life, “15 Minutes” was my life mantra for creativity. As a new mother, I found out quickly -but in a very good way- what people meant when they said, “Time? Wait until you have child! You won’t have time!” In those days I discovered  that 15 minutes-a-day to be creative, was just enough time to keep me connected to my creative process. Amazingly, I could still do everything else I had to do! Sometimes it had nothing to do with quilt making. Sometimes it was taking 15 minutes to make something new, fresh and delicious for myself and family. Sometimes it was coloring with her, or stacking blocks…or writing in her baby journal.

Make a boundary around it.

Be firm and selfish about that block of time.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by life’s responsibilities but it’s worth it to find a morsel of time that you can give your self to be creative and freethinking each day.

See how TIME actually includes “ME” in it?

Permission granted!

Overwhelmed? Are you organized?

I get overwhelmed when my studio is  a mess…(which is usually) …But ~ I find when I clean, I get a HUGE boost of creative energy. Perhaps that is why I make a “great hot mess” of my studio!  So for starters, get rid of clutter. Take 15 minutes to tackle big cleaning projects, walk away and comeback alter for another small block of time. Small amounts of time used on overwhelming tasks makes them more manageable and sometimes even fun!

FUN? Cleaning?

As you clean, or go about your day, make a list of projects,or sketch out an idea, so you can come back LATER, and have FUN with your ideas!

Visualize your time, through out the day.

Think about HOW you will use that time the next day, so when you sit down to work, you are ready to go! I dream quilts, come up with great ideas in the shower, and while sitting in traffic…( I do live in NYC after all… most great thinking is done in traffic)

Keep a pocket diary in your purse or briefcase to capture those ideas. Keep a good pen and pencil on hand too, I prefer sharpies! A little COLOR can take you a long way!

Even if your 15 MINUTES is plain old, “sit down and put your feet up,” have stack of books and magazines available for inspiration.

One you start to think about  time in smaller increments during the day, you will be surprised at how you DO have the time to be creative.

Be gentle, Be confident, Create!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe is a New York City based quilter, fabric designer, and author of 15 Minutes of Play (C&T publishing), president of the NYC Metro Mod Quilters, board member of the nonprofit Quilt Alliance and since 2009 has run several community drives with BumbleBeansBASICS. Born and raised on a farm in Minnesota, Victoria’s passion for quilt making runs deep in her midwestern roots. She credits her quilting influences to her grandmother’s double knit crazy quilts that kept her warm growing up. Her biggest supporters are her loving husband, Michael and daughter, Beatrice. Follow her main blog at:  http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/

and her popular teaching site:  http://www.15minutesplay.com/