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After reading this awesome thread by Deb, I had an epiphany. I need to completely change how I think about my supplies.
I am DONE HOARDING. DONE. I need to find joy and satisfaction when I USE it all up! That accomplishment needs to be celebrated...I will not let myself fear running out of something because I am afraid I won't find it again.
Who is with me? I need a support group! My palms are already sweaty and I have not finished the post yet! Apparently I am BIG TALK! LOL
But OK, so I just used a WHOLE SPOOL of American Crafts ribbon...and a lightening bolt did not hit the house, so it really IS ok...
I used up a packet of eylets today. So okay, baby steps but I'm trying--
I have been trying to use of my stash of stuff by making cards for soldiers and that has helped some. The companies that introduce new, yummy stuff everytime you turn around aren't helping. Now that spring is coming, all the pastels and just beautiful colors make me want to go online/go to my LSS, etc.
I'm with you too. But I'm a very strange person. I toss scraps CONSTANTLY. I throw away any paper smaller than a card front. I can't stand clutter and pieces of scrap paper seem like clutter to me.
But embellishments, well that's a totally different ball of wax. However, I need to try. I'm completely with you. I have two flowers left in a package of Primas. I'm going to use them and <gasp!> NOT order/buy more of them. Time to try something new.
Now we need to help keep each other honest, right? :lol:
Count me in! Between swaps and trades and upcoming craft fairs, I should be able to use what I have - retired DSPs, embellies and retired cs. I'm not even afraid of running out of whisper white cs for my card base. I am on a quest to use what I have before buying anything else.
__________________ Tina
- I love someone with autism. -
I just had the thought for those that are afraid of running out of favorite stuff. Use unloved stuff first. You know that roll of ribbon you had to have, or the ton of eyelets that never get used or the many flowers you have. I have done this with cardstock and eyelets and had so much fun with it.
I'm with you, use up stuff because there is always something out there to newer and better to take its place and I bet we won't even miss it.
I don't keep scraps at all......that's what the trash can is for. Even if I never purchase another craft consumable again, it will take me at least 3 years to use up what I have. I have things I don't even remember purchasing. I use very little embelishments that are purchased, I prefer to die cut my own. I'm not a ribbon person really either except in very rare occasion......no bows for me!
I love that you girls don't save scraps! I do, but only if they are bigger...more like 3x3 in line with Nancy. I have a lot of punches so I save them thinking I will need to punch from them at some point. (Gosh, what a hoarder attitude, huh??!!)
Glad to see I have a HUGE support group here!! Let's use that stuff up! I used a stamp set today I had not ever inked, too. That felt good...now to work on the consumables! LOL
You all should check out the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog. Counterfeit Kit Challenge
This is my second month participating and I have been inspired to make more pages, cards etc. than ever. The best part, it has all been done with items from my stash.
Thanks
Ang
I'm so on board with this! I think we all have so much guilt over buying new things when we have so much at home..blah blah.....well if we use up the stuff then we won't feel guilty buying new stuff...and we know there will always be cool new stuff....so get using that stash!!!!
I just went through my stash over the weekend and I am getting rid of all the stuff I know I won't use. Yep, you heard me...getting rid of it! Not selling it, getting rid of it. A bunch went to school for the art room and the rest is headed for Goodwill. Then, I will be using what is left! So glad to hear I am not alone. I think we might be starting a revolution!!
Jen, you rock! I need to do that...especially these brads I know I only purchased because they came in this DARLING little bag...LOL! You know what I end up doing...giving stuff to my 9 year old daughter who loves to craft. This does not help matters because it is still cluttering my house, just in a different location!
And I think it is funny that you called it a revolution! Love it!! Armed with our cutters, paper, and ink...we WILL USE OUR STASH! ;)
You all should check out the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog. Counterfeit Kit Challenge
This is my second month participating and I have been inspired to make more pages, cards etc. than ever. The best part, it has all been done with items from my stash.
Thanks
Ang
I looked at that blog and I laughed...goodness, how many alphabet stickers did I used to have??!! I did let those all go...I am better with purging my scrap supplies than my stamping supplies, probably because I am a total CAS scrapper and don't use a whole lot of anything but paper. (But then, I DO have a major paper problem...**sigh**)
Could everyone who throws out their scraps please mail them to me? LOL! On second thought, maybe you better not...I barely have enough room for my own. (Yes, I am a confirmed paper hoarder.)
I think this is a fantastic idea! I always get a little thrill when I use up the last sticker on a sheet or the last embellishment in a pack. It gives me a nice sense of accomplishment. And, as others have said, it makes a tiny bit more room for something new.
I wonder what it would feel like to use up the last sheet in a paper stack? Honestly, I have enough of those to build a small fort...
I think I could wallpaper my entire house several times over and still have paper coming out of my ears. I'm trying to be better about asking myself "Will I actually use this? And what will I use it for?" That has helped. I also will not buy a stack if I don't really like all of the paper. How many times have we bought a stack just for 2-3 sheets that we really like? And yet still I buy more paper........ This thread has really inspired me to try to use up the stuff I have, so I will try (but I make no promises! LOL!)
__________________ Carla
The more we thank, the more we discover we have to be thankful for.
I had another thought. You know, some of the paper and embellishments we have would be great as framed art. That would be one way to use up stuff we have and decorate our walls, basically free decorations, and stuff that could be changed out periodically. Just a thought.........Now let me add that to my to-do list! LOL!
__________________ Carla
The more we thank, the more we discover we have to be thankful for.
I am still buying new, but not nearly as much as I used to. However, I am making a definite effor to use the old - used up a whole roll of Mellow Moss tafetta ribbon & a whole pack of MM card stock last week and it felt great! Course.. those were the loose ones I had on hand -I still have more in storage. LOL! But, it is feeling great to use up some things and make more room.
I also am selling some of my packs of DSP that I have lots of, whatever doesn't sell I will put on my summer garage sales or ebay..reminds me I should put some stuff on Craigs List..
I am still buying new, but not nearly as much as I used to. However, I am making a definite effor to use the old - used up a whole roll of Mellow Moss tafetta ribbon & a whole pack of MM card stock last week and it felt great! Course.. those were the loose ones I had on hand -I still have more in storage. LOL! But, it is feeling great to use up some things and make more room.
I also am selling some of my packs of DSP that I have lots of, whatever doesn't sell I will put on my summer garage sales or ebay..reminds me I should put some stuff on Craigs List..
It does feel good, doesn't it??!! Very empowering!!
I am going to try to use up a spool of ribbon this week. It is one of the $1 bin Mike's rolls. I love it, too! I am going to do an assembly line of the same card...no sentiment so I can add one later for the occasion.
Last night, I used up three spools of ribbon on a Girl Scouts project. Two of the spools were from the dollar bin at Michael's. Now, the hard part is going to be not replacing them until I use up some more.
Last night, I used up three spools of ribbon on a Girl Scouts project. Two of the spools were from the dollar bin at Michael's. Now, the hard part is going to be not replacing them until I use up some more.
I am in the use it up or get rid of it mode. It feels so good. And guess what--when I get ready to shop again...There will be new stuff! That's the way it works.
__________________ My Blog...I cook more than I stamp!
I used to hoard my favorite stuff too, in fear that I would run out. With ALL of the product out there, it is so silly (took me years to realize it). I would save something that I loved and not use it, but two years later, it wasn't my taste or style anymore and there it would sit...unloved.
I am so overjoyed when I actually use up or almost use up a paper collection! Not only does it allow me to justify buying more (LOL), but makes me very happy to be using what I love in THAT MOMENT!
Count me in!!! I have been shopping in my stash since I joined the 'cold turkey' thread. I also had 3 ladies PM me with their addresses so I could 'share' my stuff... It felt great to make someone's day with crafty goodies!!!
I used up 3 packs of 6x6 patterned paper last month, all of my adhesives since January (had to get more!!!) and 2 spools of vintage trim. Yay for using!!!
__________________ Anna.
"Fearless is not the absence of fear. Fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you." (Taylor Swift)
Count me in!!! I have been shopping in my stash since I joined the 'cold turkey' thread. I also had 3 ladies PM me with their addresses so I could 'share' my stuff... It felt great to make someone's day with crafty goodies!!! I used up 3 packs of 6x6 patterned paper last month, all of my adhesives since January (had to get more!!!) and 2 spools of vintage trim. Yay for using!!!
Hold crafting, batman!! How many cards did you make?!! I am more than impressed! You are the Use It Queen for sure!
Hold crafting, batman!! How many cards did you make?!! I am more than impressed! You are the Use It Queen for sure!
About 20 Valentines for my son's class, 10 or so for my coworkers, 4 SB spreads, 2 sets of swaps... I use papers inside my cards, too and make matching envelopes in 99% of the cases with scraps, so I use quite a bit... The question is: does it look like I have any less paper? Nope...
__________________ Anna.
"Fearless is not the absence of fear. Fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you." (Taylor Swift)
OK girls, I USED UP my clear DEW DROPS! (Well, one container...I have another...LOL) Now, I just cannot bring myself to toss the cute little container they came in...**sigh**
OK girls, I USED UP my clear DEW DROPS! (Well, one container...I have another...LOL) Now, I just cannot bring myself to toss the cute little container they came in...**sigh**
Excellent! Way to go!
I used up some more of my satin ribbon tonight and a nice piece of my 3" wide ribbon to make a bow for a friend's birthday present. Then I dropped my ribbon box and spilled all my ribbon all over the floor. Well, at least by then I had 3 less spools to pick up.
I used up some more of my satin ribbon tonight and a nice piece of my 3" wide ribbon to make a bow for a friend's birthday present. Then I dropped my ribbon box and spilled all my ribbon all over the floor. Well, at least by then I had 3 less spools to pick up.
I tell myself I'm not hoarding; I'm STOCKPILING for when I retire and can't afford to buy like I do now! LOL That being said, I started "playing a game" when I stamp things. I've got bins, Iris Carts, you name it. I make myself use something from the "next" drawer in the bins/carts, etc each time I make a card. As several of you have mentioned - I find things I forgot I had, and sometimes it really gets the creative juices flowing and I make more cards and projects! This way I'm using some of that inventory. Alas, I'll replace it with something else, I'm sure. Doing this also helps me go "outside the box" occasionnally as I have to think about what to do with this unexpected item that wasn't part of the original plan.
LOVE this thread. I have been trying to use my goodies also. I know what you mean about saving paper because it is too pretty to use and then one day you look at it and don't care for it anymore - That makes no sense!! I have found myself making cards that could have looked nicer and if I would have used the paper I was "saving". We just have to remind ourselves that there will never be a shortage of new and wonderful supplies.
__________________ "The earth laughs with flowers" Ralph Waldo Emerson
I tell myself I'm not hoarding; I'm STOCKPILING for when I retire and can't afford to buy like I do now! LOL That being said, I started "playing a game" when I stamp things. I've got bins, Iris Carts, you name it. I make myself use something from the "next" drawer in the bins/carts, etc each time I make a card. As several of you have mentioned - I find things I forgot I had, and sometimes it really gets the creative juices flowing and I make more cards and projects! This way I'm using some of that inventory. Alas, I'll replace it with something else, I'm sure. Doing this also helps me go "outside the box" occasionnally as I have to think about what to do with this unexpected item that wasn't part of the original plan.
As part of my committment to myself, I am working on getting through my stash. In order to accomplish this, I have started my "retro" creations - I pick one set of embellishments that haven't been touched in a long time and make at least 6 card fronts from them. So far, I have 21 cards made from a bunch of embellishments that I never thought I would look at again. I feel great about it, and am slowing working through my stash. I am really hoping that by the end of the year I will be able to use up most of my stuff, and then I can start shopping again (but responsibly this time!)
__________________ Elizabeth
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