Let's Talk Tuesday: What to Pack when Creating on the Go

 

As I've mentioned before I do a lot of creating on the go. With three active kids, babysitting three more active kids, and keeping up with this amazing hobby, scrapbooking; I'm always trying to sneak in a few extra minutes of creative time. I spend hours and hours each week in the car, waiting for kids at baseball practice, or running club, or tech camp (you get the idea). While I'm sitting in the car waiting I pull out a few supplies and create. I've created many many layouts and cards (Beautiful Reasons, Book Worms & Library Rats, Always Here, Kiss Me) while sitting in the front seat of my mini van (three cheers for soccer moms).
I always keep a small bag of supplies packed and ready to go. 

Here's what I keep in that bag:

1. Cardstock (white, kraft, black) only a sheet or two of each. These are the three colors I use the most.
2. A cutting mat. I bought one on clearance at Walmart a few months ago. It's only a little bigger than 12x12 but it provides me a small surface to work on.
3. Scissors. I love these ones from American Crafts. They're not too big and they're not too small...just right
4. Adhesive. I keep two kinds in my bag, some dimensional foam adhesive and a small tape runner (I keep one extra tape runner refill in my bag too).
5. Pens & a pencil. (One of each). I love the Becky Higgins PL pens. The pencil is just a plain ole' yellow pencil...or a spider man pencil, or a jack-o-lantern pencil, or if I'm feeling really festive a silvery glitter pencil with pink hearts.
6. Paper Trimmer. I tend to stare at a piece of paper with a look of "what do I do with this?" on my face if I don't have a paper trimmer. 
7. Stapler (and a few extra staples). I love the new one from American Crafts. 
8. Small notebook. I use this for rough drafting my journaling or jotting down creative ideas or a few notes.
9. A small kit. Sometimes I create my own kits or sometimes I have a recent kit from a kit club. It depends on the time. I always have one in my bag but this is the item that I switch out most often.  

With a bag full of just these few essentials, I can create a layout or card anywhere while I am waiting for my kids at all their activities.
How do you take advantage of your extra time in the car?