Left over stamped images and elements that are piling up

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebbieinOC

I do save them up for awhile and then at some point I decide to sit down and use as many as I can for donation cards. Before I found SCS, I would donate to our local cancer center, nursing homes and some sites I found on-line. Depending on the item (background, flower, etc.), I might continue to save it, but sometimes I would just let it go into the trash. So, I guess I do both. Someone above mentioned using your elements for tags. Another idea, Jennifer McGuire just did a post on adding removable bookmarks on a card. I am sure there are groups who would love to get cards with a "gift" on the front. Here's the link to her blog post:

Bookmark Card Ideas + FREE Gift + Blog Hop - Jennifer McGuire Ink

Keeping them or throwing -- either way can be cathartic. Maybe just do a bit of both. Good luck.

I used to donate boxes of handmade cards to Operation Write Home, and now I donate to local nursing homes. The nursing homes only accept fairly flat cards, with no glitter etc, so I tend to make cards from scratch for them. The bookmarks idea is a great one though, and maybe I can start tucking a few bookmarks in with the cards, I think that seniors are the few people who still read actual paper books anymore (and I include myself in that group!)
Karen

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lylacfey

This is my prefer way to stamp and die cut. I make everything ahead of time and then dig through my baggies. If I have to set down with my dies and stamps to make a project I am just over it before I started.

I love my baggie pre-cut-stamp system so much that I have one day each month I set down and just cut and stamp. It's a good way to get rid of scraps.

I thought that was the easiest way for me to stamp and die cut as well, especially when I lacked time. That's one reason I'm left with bags and bags, and containers and drawers, full of pre-stamped or die cut images. Don't even get me started on the bins full of punched shapes..ugh. The problem is that I made too many...and in all the wrong colors. Most of my "problem leftovers" are from years ago and I don't even remember which ink color etc. I used.

My box of pre-cut and punched squares and circles are sitting next to my craft desk now and I'm trying my hardest to pull one out every so often. Trying to coordinate colors for something that was made before I started my project feels backwards to me, and is really tough.
Karen

[craftiema]

Please...Please...PLEASE!!! Don't throw them away, my niece is the director at a daycare center and they love to have random things to color, trace or examples of things that the kids can draw!

Please think of nursing homes, assisted living centers, and even churches that might LOVE to have them....maybe even schools, creative group activities after school, or in an art class...

We have several "shut-ins" that belong to our church, and they love to color...anything!!!

If you can't find a place to donate them, please offer them to your friends, neighbors, etc., maybe they can think of place for them.

Marilynn

[stampincatlady]

I’ve been saving my bits and pieces for the last 10 years (had a 10-year hiatus before that) and never got around to using them while I continued to collect new stamps and embellies. A couple years ago I finally started making striped cards with my leftover paper strips (and loved them). This year I made a decision to use up leftover images and pieces from kits, classes, card front swaps, etc. What works best for me with images is to start with the image (which means keep your image pile handy and go to it *first*). Find a color of base paper that works with whatever image you pick - not necessarily a match, just a workable combo. Go next to your scrap papers for additional layers (rather than cutting up new sheets). Move them around on the card randomly, looking for arrangements that appeal to you. For tiny images, I’d suggest mounting them on small squares and using them as “inches.” It also helps me to pre-make cards rather than waiting until I need one for a specific person/event. That allows for more freedom of design than when I’m trying to “please” a specific person or conform to a theme. I find I really enjoy the challenge of making my scraps work for me.

[craftiema]

I love the idea of the bookmarks....
I am a Library Media Specialist at two different schools (one is Pre-K to 12, and the other is K-5).

Students would LOVE getting images/words/phrases that they could add to a bookmark, or a bookmark that they could color and keep or share.

GREAT IDEA!!
Marilynn

[Dorie95]

Is there anywhere on SCS where someone could ask for certain card components? Like die cuts, certain punched pieces, stamped images to color, or just anything that's been talked about on this thread?
Maybe like ISO but limit what you ask for or send to a request to just what fits in a regular sized envie that would only need one stamp?
Might sound odd but I just sometimes need something new to me to make a card or punched pieces for a certain holiday but don't have or can't have the equipment to dIY.

[JBgreendawn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorie95

Is there anywhere on SCS where someone could ask for certain card components? Like die cuts, certain punched pieces, stamped images to color, or just anything that's been talked about on this thread?
Maybe like ISO but limit what you ask for or send to a request to just what fits in a regular sized envie that would only need one stamp?
Might sound odd but I just sometimes need something new to me to make a card or punched pieces for a certain holiday but don't have or can't have the equipment to dIY.

there is a sub forum inside the RAK group called "wish rak" and people play fairy godmother there by granting other peoples wishes. ( you start with 3) and you earn the privilege to make more wishes by granting other peoples.
as far as I know this is what you are asking sounds like to me. you have to ask to join the RAK group and it may take a couple of weeks to be approved if I remember right.

( I am not sure it still is happening but, a long time ago I used to wish for stamping bella gals because, some of them I could color their jaw lines and some I could not, so it saved me a little money to not buy every bella under the sun and find that I could not color her they were a long time ago not size consistent)

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampincatlady

I’ve been saving my bits and pieces for the last 10 years (had a 10-year hiatus before that) and never got around to using them while I continued to collect new stamps and embellies. A couple years ago I finally started making striped cards with my leftover paper strips (and loved them). This year I made a decision to use up leftover images and pieces from kits, classes, card front swaps, etc. What works best for me with images is to start with the image (which means keep your image pile handy and go to it *first*). Find a color of base paper that works with whatever image you pick - not necessarily a match, just a workable combo. Go next to your scrap papers for additional layers (rather than cutting up new sheets). Move them around on the card randomly, looking for arrangements that appeal to you. For tiny images, I’d suggest mounting them on small squares and using them as “inches.” It also helps me to pre-make cards rather than waiting until I need one for a specific person/event. That allows for more freedom of design than when I’m trying to “please” a specific person or conform to a theme. I find I really enjoy the challenge of making my scraps work for me.

Oh, I'm the queen of scraps for certain! I keep ALL of my scraps and use them for small die cuts, punched shapes etc. Nearly all of my cards use mostly scraps and they are used for mats and in my scrapbooking as well. the striped background is one that I've used for card bases and tags alike. My scraps are in large baggies, in a box by my desk and I dip into those first. It's pre-colored stamped images that are the hardest for me to use because I get too hung up on matching the colors exactly etc. I just need to get over that for my donation cards, and turn those left-overs into something that will bring a smile to a nursing home resident's face.
karen

[JeanetteRobertson]

I do stamp and colour multiples. I belong to a paper crafting group who meet once a week (well, before the coronavirus hit us!) and I take extras there when they add up and let the gang pick out what they think they can use. The rest I give to the local elementary school because the teachers have to use their own money to buy craft supplies, which I don't think is right.

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeanetteRobertson

I do stamp and colour multiples. I belong to a paper crafting group who meet once a week (well, before the coronavirus hit us!) and I take extras there when they add up and let the gang pick out what they think they can use. The rest I give to the local elementary school because the teachers have to use their own money to buy craft supplies, which I don't think is right.

A couple of years ago, I went through all my supplies and found packages and packages of large die cut shapes that I had ordered years ago (before I owned a die cut machine). There were shapes like boats and airplanes, large die cut sentiments, travel themes, people, etc...just about everything. I donated them to my granddaughter's classrooms, along with lots of stickers. I asked the teachers first, if they could use them, and they were thrilled. Also donated extra glue sticks. My granddaughter's school asks parents to supply extra pencils, glue sticks, paper etc., even boxes of tissue. Apparently, none of that is supplied by the school so the teachers have to kick in.
Karen

[MarieKarsner]

I just got rid of boxes of these "problem" as I was moving. My daughter just graduated college with a degree in visual arts and art education and starts her first real job as an art teacher in a middle school in the fall. Her classroom has zero supplies so I am collecting this stuff now and asking friends and family to donate paper and stuff they no longer want so that she can get a variety of supplies without having to spend a ton of her own money as she does not know what kind of budget she will have to work with and there is nothing to even get started with. So if anyone needs a new home for those supplies and extras please let me know! She would love to put it to good use!

[DianeinSparks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dianne Barton

I bought one of the Iris Photo boxes, with 16 small photo cases in it. I have labelled the small cases and sort my "extras" into those - eg Christmas, Hallowe'en, Children, Misc Shapes etc. I find I do go to those to check what I have before I start re-inventing the wheel. Every so often I go through them and discard those that I haven't used and have been there for a while.

This is what I do with all my extras too!

[Here and There]

Oh yeah! The bits I’ve saved drive me nuts and I tell myself I’m crazy for saving it all, but I have this deep rooted fear of needing some piece of nothing the day after I throw it out.
I’ve said to myself, “This is awesome paper, but it’s taking up too much room. I’ll just punch some shapes out of it. Sooner or later I’ll be able to use those shapes." Ahem. When is too much later????
Still, I do find my bits, particularly stamped images, are helpful when I’m trying to decide if an image is the right size, or if it will look better in this corner or over there, and is this the colour that goes best…Sometimes I want to experiment with how many images or shapes I want on a card. I also find I can grab a piece for masking.

[mouseyr61]

What great ideas!! I started scrapbooking 20 yrs ago when my parents died. I was on a budget so when my friends and i started we'd go to shop hops and the mega meets. I didn't have money but was hooked. I just bought paper and used the stores die cuts and i cut hundreds of images. When i went to friends house i would stamp dozens of images from my friends stamps. So guess what i have tons of images, die cuts and scrap paper.
I recently retired and made myself finally organize my room. I started making book marks to go in my cards.

The ideas of the striped background is something i'm going to try. Also keeping a basket by me is a great idea.
I once made cards for my vet clinic for people that had pets that died.
I will start making cards and book marks so once the world gets back to normal i will find places to donate.

[CMikolj]

I am also a junk journaler, so any scraps or spares are a useable resource. They are also great for fixing up a quick card or journaling type gift. I do try to keep them in themed groups so that they can be used quickly, but when the pile of scrap paper gets too much I do have a clear out. At the moment we are all in lockdown in the UK so I am challenging myself to use up as much as I can of what I already have. I actually used up a whole pad of scrapbooking paper the other day! :-)

[jah636]

Kids and teenagers don't have the same issue with misc stuff. Have a card making party and throw it all on the table with card bases and them create their own cards. It will be fun for everyone!

[cilla16]

I purchased small plastic drawer unit that could sit on table and labeled drawers, cats, dogs, birds, flowers. All extra pieces I fussy cut and put in those. I also have some envelopes in a box labeled with butterflies and bugs, I keep them because they come in handy when I need a quick card. What piles up for me is strips and pieces of paper that are smaller than card or ATC size. Those I wind up throwing out every now and then, Face it paper crafters are hoarders incognito!

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mouseyr61

What great ideas!! I started scrapbooking 20 yrs ago when my parents died. I was on a budget so when my friends and i started we'd go to shop hops and the mega meets. I didn't have money but was hooked. I just bought paper and used the stores die cuts and i cut hundreds of images. When i went to friends house i would stamp dozens of images from my friends stamps. So guess what i have tons of images, die cuts and scrap paper.
I recently retired and made myself finally organize my room. I started making book marks to go in my cards.

The ideas of the striped background is something i'm going to try. Also keeping a basket by me is a great idea.
I once made cards for my vet clinic for people that had pets that died.
I will start making cards and book marks so once the world gets back to normal i will find places to donate.

Well, that's pretty much how I ended up with baggies full of random punched images in all colors, along with die cuts that don't have a purpose or go with anything. I used to borrow my friend's punches and stamps, and make a whole ton of them. Went to my first Scrapbook Expo and attended a crop with my friends but forgot to bring a paper trimmer or scissors (argh!) . So I spent most of my time using the free die-cut machines there, making piles of unrelated die cuts. The problem was not the specific die cuts or punched shapes, it was the sheer number of them!!

I had a HUGE baggie of footprint punchies and managed to use some of them on beach-themed cards and a mini-album for my daughter. Thank goodness that I used tan and beige paper so they can work on non-baby cards. Still have a ton of those, along with any number of miniscule butterflies and flowers. I'm thinking I should pull those garden themed punchies out and turn them into tags. It's time consuming and fussy, but at least I'll use more of them
Karen

[rmreinig]

The trick for me is to keep them where I can easily get to them. I also bought the photo keeper and labeled the little boxes inside. One is full of different extra die cuts, the other is full of stamped images. I recently took a bunch of my half baked ideas, made them into cards and donated them. I also belong to a facebook group that has a "happy mail" option and I'm going to include a few bits in each card I send out. Especially those oldies but goodies that I thought I would use a lot.....but find that they are never the "right' color/shape/size!!

[jalh3]

I’ve started using a suggestion by Jennifer McGuire who uses Leftovers, scraps, botched stamping...to build dimension instead of foam tape, dots or dimensionals. Whether a full card panel or Teeny tiny element, uses waste pieces layered to for dimension. Depending on thickness of paper/card stock and how much lift or rise you want, use 2-5 layers with glue or tape runner. No one will ever know and it’s not in a landfill. Also die cut sentiments stacked 3-4 high with only the top layer in the color/finish you want. Again, no one will ever know the middle layer of a die cut is waste.

[craftiema]

Remember...it's easy to stamp over any image that has not been enhanced with embossing powder. Just cover the previous image with ink to make a new background and try again! Or maybe just flip it over...

[kazeka]

Well, apparently just talking about using up those odds and ends motivated me to actually turn a few of them into card the other day. I made a total of 8 cards, with variations on each design..but using the same elements. Not only did I manage to use up some left-over images and punched shapes etc, but I also used all scrap paper for the card bases..yay!

I have another 4 of a different design sitting on my craft table right now, ready to stamp with a sentiment and put in my card stash.



I realized that the trick, for me, was to get into the mind set of USING these up instead of continuing to store them. I didn't allow myself to go on to a new project until I had made at least 5 cards with only leftovers.



Thanks for motivating me to do something with these! Here are several of the designs that I cranked out, just so you can see what kind of doo dads I've been talking about. The only new-to-me item is the patterned papers cut into flag shapes. The rest is all at least 10 years old. I made multiples of each card design, so it went quickly. There is hope for those scrappy left overs!
Karen

[DebbieinOC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazeka

Well, apparently just talking about using up those odds and ends motivated me to actually turn a few of them into card the other day. I made a total of 8 cards, with variations on each design..but using the same elements. Not only did I manage to use up some left-over images and punched shapes etc, but I also used all scrap paper for the card bases..yay!

I have another 4 of a different design sitting on my craft table right now, ready to stamp with a sentiment and put in my card stash.



I realized that the trick, for me, was to get into the mind set of USING these up instead of continuing to store them. I didn't allow myself to go on to a new project until I had made at least 5 cards with only leftovers.



Thanks for motivating me to do something with these! Here are several of the designs that I cranked out, just so you can see what kind of doo dads I've been talking about. The only new-to-me item is the patterned papers cut into flag shapes. The rest is all at least 10 years old. I made multiples of each card design, so it went quickly. There is hope for those scrappy left overs!
Karen

Congrats on getting these cards made and finding a way to use your scraps. These turned out great. I am so glad you found the right scraps mojo. It should be much easier for you going forward now.

You mentioned Operation Write Home in an earlier post. I use to make cards for them too, They were the easiest organization to make cards for because you could use just about any theme. I really miss them and have been looking for a new place to donate regularly. I'm hoping it might be the Cards for Causes here on SCS.

[kazeka]

Hi Debbie,
Yes, there were so many different themes that OWH could use, and only a few specifications. I also loved seeing Sandy Allnock's web posts and card ideas. That was the first place I donated to on a regular basis, and then when my mom went to live in a retirement community, I turned to local nursing homes.
Karen

[lylacfey]

Debbie- I love your cards.

[DebbieinOC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lylacfey

Debbie- I love your cards.

Thank you so much.

[jeanne3579]

I use very few die cuts, so make them as I need them. If I by some chance end up with an extra or two (because it just didn't work out in the design the way I had hoped) and I don't use it by the end of that month's cards I'm making, then they get tossed along with any other small scraps.

[stampdujour]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazeka

Does anyone else have piles and baggies of extra stamped elements, die cuts, and partial stamped backgrounds that are just piling up? I usually stamp at least one extra image each time I stamp, and often stamp multiples if I'm heat embossing or trying a new technique. My plan is to use them on future cards but then I end up tucking them away.

As I'm cleaning and reorganizing my room, I'm finding baggies, boxes, and drawers FULL of these...eek! I'm busy sorting them by color, and then organizing them into a large tub. I plan to keep that tub under my craft table so that I'll remember to rummage through it as I plan my cards.

Am I one the only one who keeps all this stuff? If you do as well, how do you make yourself use it? It's hard for me to start with something that was already stamped and colored, and to design a card around it. That's why I almost never use pre-made or printed embellishments...because I can never coordinate papers and colors. It's easiest for me to custom color the card bits after I start with a card base and patterned paper.

Any tips? My husband says I should just throw it all out of course..haha! Some images were so old that my tastes have changed completely (as in 15 years ago) so those were tossed. I still have enough to make cards for the next 2 years though.

Karen

I found myself sorting through my art supplies during lockdown. I realized that I too had loads of bits and pieces from numerous past projects. Plus I signed of for many online workshops which only added to my stash of leftover bits. So what I decided to do with all these bits and pieces was make ATC’s. I’ve been watching and looking at ATC videos on YouTube and follow others. Then I stumbled onto the ATCAD2021 Challenge. Boy are those little buggers fun to make. They’re little 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 all those tiny scraps and bits and pieces really come in handy when your working in a tiny substrate. Any leftover piece of paper I cut into the ATC size. Now whenever I need to throw away cardboard I cut it into ATC size for backing flimsy paper.
Those of us that have these tons of bits and pieces should swap some of our stash then we should trade our little world of art.
What say you peeps. you interested in starting something like this?

[Dorie95]

I was having a "card block" the other day. I made a collage card. It was so fun, just started gluing different pieces of images I'd stamped and colored randomly onto a card front. No rhyme or reason, no theme, colors I like, etc. Added some other pieces to the inside in a grouping on the bottom or on one side where the sentiment goes. To me it was very relaxing. The cards will be donated to a senior group or kids that are hospitalized.

[TexasGrammy]

Apparently I've walked myself around in a stampy circle of sorts.  Years ago, I 'wished' I had saved a stamped image or two, so I started saving 2 or 3 or even a half-sheet of images.  Years later, those were terribly out of style, so they were tossed.  Now?  I have a 6" x 8" plastic bin filled with cello envies that contain more current images.  Many of those images are cut-out, so when I do pull from those, I enjoy the extra little time savings.  It's good to peruse the bin now & then to get some actual use from the idea.  ;)  

Here's something else I add:  If I've colored the same image before, I often leave the color map or Copic #'s list in the cello bag with the images for the next time.  Sometimes that's a nice help.

[mouseyr61]

I also sorted mine out during this last year and I have ooddles of baggies of card making parts. I saw a thread about donating cards for seniors and i made a lot of cards and was able to use some of my stash.

I'd be up to doing a swap. Count me in.

[allee's]

I keep most of mine (those that are small enough to fit which is most of them) in a binder with baseball card collector sheets. When I need a really fast card, I pull out several of these images and throw something together pronto. This has been a life-saver at times!

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasGrammy

Apparently I've walked myself around in a stampy circle of sorts.  Years ago, I 'wished' I had saved a stamped image or two, so I started saving 2 or 3 or even a half-sheet of images.  Years later, those were terribly out of style, so they were tossed.  Now?  I have a 6" x 8" plastic bin filled with cello envies that contain more current images.  Many of those images are cut-out, so when I do pull from those, I enjoy the extra little time savings.  It's good to peruse the bin now & then to get some actual use from the idea.  ;)  

Here's something else I add:  If I've colored the same image before, I often leave the color map or Copic #'s list in the cello bag with the images for the next time.  Sometimes that's a nice help.

I like the idea of making a color map in with your duplicate images (or maybe even with the stamp set) because I can never remember how I colored an image later on. With realistic and detailed images, it's a pain to try too re-create something that I did once upon a time.

Karen

 

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by allee's

I keep most of mine (those that are small enough to fit which is most of them) in a binder with baseball card collector sheets. When I need a really fast card, I pull out several of these images and throw something together pronto. This has been a life-saver at times!

Yes, that was my plan too. However, years later, I have bins and boxes FULL of these extra images...and never seem to use them. I've tried sorting and organizing by theme and/or color...and hope that helps me make better use of them. I gave away a lot of stamps about 8 years ago, and stamped sheets of images in black ink to keep for my own use. I've actually used many of those, especially the Christmas ones. However, that's about it.

Karen

[kazeka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampdujour

I found myself sorting through my art supplies during lockdown. I realized that I too had loads of bits and pieces from numerous past projects. Plus I signed of for many online workshops which only added to my stash of leftover bits. So what I decided to do with all these bits and pieces was make ATC’s. I’ve been watching and looking at ATC videos on YouTube and follow others. Then I stumbled onto the ATCAD2021 Challenge. Boy are those little buggers fun to make. They’re little 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 all those tiny scraps and bits and pieces really come in handy when your working in a tiny substrate. Any leftover piece of paper I cut into the ATC size. Now whenever I need to throw away cardboard I cut it into ATC size for backing flimsy paper. Those of us that have these tons of bits and pieces should swap some of our stash then we should trade our little world of art. What say you peeps. you interested in starting something like this?

I used to make a lot of ATCs in the past, and did a number of swaps. However, that just led to amassing even more of those bits and pieces, as it caused me to stamp and die cut tons of extras. So, in addition to those bits and bobs, I also have four small albums full of ATCs that I traded back and forth, and a full album of the ones that I made to trade myself. Oh, and two shoeboxes full of ATCs that wouldn'r fit into the albums..haha! I've started using some of the ATCs on card last year and that's a fun way to make a quick and easy design. ATCs are a great way to be creative when you don't have a lot of time to craft. It's also a fun way to experiment with products and techniques when you just want to dip your toe in and not dive in quite yet.

Karen

[octoberbabe]

I don’t make multiples of anything unless I am making multiples of the same card. Cause I know I would forget about them and like the rest of you, they’d pile up and I’d have to figure out what to do with them and find ways to store/organize them. As it is I save smallish pieces of DP and several bins of that. Need to go through those some day and purge as well. I do use them, but not enough to warrant totes full!!

[MarieKarsner]

I would be interested in doing a swap with bits and Bob's! I challenged myself last November to use my scraps and unfinished projects only! I used 3 pounds of white cardstock as well as ended up making almost 300 cards I donated
I then through out a majority of my scraps and started over. I try once a month to take 1 weekend and just use those bits and Bob's that collect. If anyone wants to swap I am game!!!

[gaylestamps]

I have several strategies, kazeka - all begin by lightly penciling on the back the name of the stamp set and any colors used. These go either into the stamp case OR into a coordinating case that I could use with it OR into a small case that I labeled LEFTOVERS BIN. When the bin no longer will close I go through and either use or discard (I really try to use them). Anytime I open a stamp case and find something inside I use it. Sometimes I use retro techniques or colors that I thought I left behind - and this is often fun for me. HTH

[Paper Junky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComradeBunny

I often take my extra images to the nursing homes I work at, but I also take them to the local elementary school. They have a maker's space in the library and even tiny images are a hit as they use them to make bookmarks.

I was going to suggest a kindergarden or elementary school. Their minds are so free and open that they don't limit themselves to what item or color "should go here" or "should go there."

[Kgeans]

1. When I create using a certain stamp/die set, I put the extra pieces back in the box with the stamps and dies. Then the next time I create, I have a head start.
2. For things that really don't "go" with anything in particular, I have a box marked "BITS N PIECES." I take this box down every 6 months and create "WHITE/RIBBON" cards. It's really basic. I choose a die cut or focal point item from the "BITS N PIECES" box. Then I emboss a white panel 4"x5.25" with a nice pattern. Then I take down my "RIBBONS" box. This box has lots of bits of various colors of ribbons (not full spools just bits from previous projects). I choose a ribbon to use that is a matching color. I'll mount everything on a white card base. The white on white is really nice. I add a sentiment and voila--a card! I love the creativity I need to use in order to pair things up. I'll make maybe 20 cards this way over a couple of afternoons. I'll put a good dent in the contents of the 2 boxes and then quit.

You need a couple of things to make this system work: 1) the boxes with labels and places to store them where they are easy to get at 2) the discipline to make sure all the pieces and ribbons get put in the boxes 3) the self-awareness to know when it's time to empty the contents and make the cards to use up the items 4) occasions to use all the cards you make (cuz it's quite a pile!)