Batch prepping craft projects like you do meals

Recently this video ended up in my feed and I really enjoyed it, so I thought that I would share it:

It's all about batch prepping crafts in advance, so that when you have some time for a crafty project you have everything that you need all in one place to get started. The video shares a few examples of simple craft kits that the creator has put together, including a cross stitch embroidered journal and a paper garland kit. 

I remember a similar idea from back when I used to lurk on scrapbooking forums - people would discuss preparing their pages in advance by gathering together photographs and co-ordinating supplies in a plastic sleeve, ready to put a page together when they had some spare time. 

I thought this was such a great idea! But for me, it's not so much about preparing some new crafts that I want to try, but rather using this technique as a way to use up some of the craft supplies that I have lying around. 

I have my craft supplies stored in various locations around the house - fabric in drawers in my wardrobe, beads in little wooden drawers in my study, patterned papers in the toy cupboard and so on. As well as various unfinished craft projects, mainly cross stitch kits, that are waiting to be continued. When I want to do something I often need to gather things from all over the house, and then return the leftovers once I'm done. 

Photo credit Eric Prouzet via Unsplash

I've been having a think about the craft supplies that I have in my stash, and brainstorming some projects that I can work on to use them up. Some ideas that I have so far - bracelet making using my enormous bead stash, some kind of project that will use up tiny scrap pieces of fabric, finding a use for my patterned paper and collage supplies. 

I'm going to challenge myself to bag up five craft projects, as far as possible using only supplies that I already own, and then complete them by the end of the year. I'll include all the materials that I'll need, as well as any printed instructions or templates. As we head towards Christmas I'll try for some seasonal theming, and I'll attempt to choose projects that will leave a noticeable dent in my crafting stash. 

Watch this space to see what I come up with!