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It seems like most of us have slowed down on our buying and are trying to use more of what we already have. It makes me wonder how stamp companies can stay in business, especially since I keep seeing the same designs over and over again. Of course, many stamp businesses have gone out of business, which is sad to see, but understandable. The COVID shut down was a part of that, but I think that buying had slowed down way before then. I remember the buying frenzy that accompanied the whole scrapbooking trend back in the day, when many crafters (myself included) just couldn't stop buying!
Karen
I miss the local scrap and stamp stores! I started out as a scrapper and bought what i liked and thought I would use. Well I still haven’t use some of that stuff! I have spent the past few months organizing what I have. I am happy to say that I have been using my stuff. I have returned to scrapping and have slowed the card making.
As for stamps, I am at the point where I don’t need another (fill in the blank) set. I can usually find something that I already own.
__________________ Pia 2024 Scrapbook goals April 16/10 layouts YTD 91/120 Check out my gallery
I am moving again and feel overwhelmed with all the stuff. I have 11 large boxes of stuff, 4 alex drawers, 2 iris carts and 2 large rubbermaid containers to move. 20+ years enjoying this hobby(cards and mixed media).
I stopped "keeping" stuff for the just in case it comes back in style. Stuff can be enjoyed by someone else. Plan to take a bunch of 12x12 paper pads to ymca and local school.
I will only buy glue and atg tape.
I am moving again and feel overwhelmed with all the stuff. I have 11 large boxes of stuff, 4 alex drawers, 2 iris carts and 2 large rubbermaid containers to move. 20+ years enjoying this hobby(cards and mixed media).
I stopped "keeping" stuff for the just in case it comes back in style. Stuff can be enjoyed by someone else. Plan to take a bunch of 12x12 paper pads to ymca and local school.
I will only buy glue and atg tape.
Moving is always a great motivator to purge-crafts and every thing else. Good luck on the move!
__________________ Margot
I am a proud fan club member
The following 2 users liked this post by wavejumper:
I did a big declutter this year in my craft room, and I have come to the following conclusions
I never need to buy
DSP of 12x12 6x6 or any other size- I gave away 2 iris boxes full, I have another 2 sitting here waiting to go and I still have too much
12x12 or 8 x11 card stock -other then black or white - I have plain card stock to open my own store
glitter - I gave away over half and I still have enough to fill a 7 tier nailpolish display and some
Nuvo drops, glitter glue - I got rid of over 30 bottles, most given away but a fair amount thrown away due to them being dry - the worst being Nuvo drops
Markers, Pencils and Coloured pens - I have 6 yes 6 full 320 slot pencil cases full (3 are markers where you only can fit 2 in 3 slots but still...) and I gave away all my spectrum noir plus a good size box full of makers
prefolded cards and envelopes - I gave away some, and have a full michaels cart
foam
ribbon - I have enough to ribbon all the trees in a circle around the globe
stickers - I got rid of most of them, I just dont use them
rubons - got rid of about half
stamps - I have more stamps then most stores, having collected for over 20 years
punches - I got rid of more then half, I never use them
Basically I am good to not buy anything craft for the next 50 years and I would still have too much!
__________________ Encourage, Empower and Embrace
Last edited by jukie; 09-28-2022 at 12:37 PM..
Reason: missed a word
I haven’t “stopped” buying, as I am a collector and organizer of crafty things. Lol! But what has helped me to limit new purchases is having decided that before I buy something new-to-me, I must sell something first. By using this method, I make room for the purchase both physically and financially, and have emotionally considered whether or not I was (or am) ready to let go of something. I generally buy only unique designs or themes missing from my collection. I have also discovered that if there is something I wish I hadn’t sold or given away, I can usually find it again among the items other stampers are selling, purging from their collections.
The following 3 users liked this post by ozarkstamper:
I just noticed this thread, and have enjoyed reading the posts. A couple of years ago I stopped buying: Colored cardstock Iam currently down to a few sheets of 5-6 colors. Dies -- unless they are a match to a stamp set, and even then only buy them when they are deeply discounted or on clearance. Copic refills for the colors I rarely, if ever, use. Once the sketchmarker is done, I dispose of it.
__________________ AScrapofKindness
The following 2 users liked this post by AScrapofKindness:
My next question is what will I do about my glitter paper. I have some pretty ones I got from Walmart, but they do shed glitter. Wondering if I should share that or buy some that doesn't shed. I know the kind I have will cut easily in the Cricut and it is pretty. Trying not to spend money, so I think I'll keep it. I have a card stock pack from Hobby Lobby (Paper Studio), but I don't know if I can cut it in the Cricut.
I don't use glitter because I am always fearful one of my furkids will get a speck of it in their eye, breathe it in, or eat it. However, if you use glitter paper to cut an image out such as a pumpkin, I believe you can clear emboss over it to keep the shedding at bay, plus there is the added bonus of dimension.
What a great idea! Thank you!!! I will have to try that!
I wondered how many people bought the dies to go with their images. I don't usually buy them, due to the cost, but I occasionally will get them if it is a special one I like.
What a great idea! Thank you!!! I will have to try that!
I wondered how many people bought the dies to go with their images. I don't usually buy them, due to the cost, but I occasionally will get them if it is a special one I like.
I have an old brother scan n cut so I don’t automatically buy the dies to match stamps. I try to buy dies that are more versatile. I love stitched dies.
__________________ Pia 2024 Scrapbook goals April 16/10 layouts YTD 91/120 Check out my gallery
Does the Brother Scan and Cut have to be hooked up with a computer to use it just for scanning and cutting? Wish they were less expensive and took up less room.
Does the Brother Scan and Cut have to be hooked up with a computer to use it just for scanning and cutting? Wish they were less expensive and took up less room.
I have never hooked mine up to the computer because I am only interested in it scanning and cutting the stamped images I do have -- especially all those little bitty ones that they only give you one die for, when you can actually use a dozen of the dies.
Does the Brother Scan and Cut have to be hooked up with a computer to use it just for scanning and cutting? Wish they were less expensive and took up less room.
As someone else has said, you don't need to connect the Scan and Cut to a computer to do the scanning and cutting. There are occasional upgrades provided for the firmware (the software which runs the Scan and Cut); these can be downloaded from Brother's support site and copied onto a USB stick which can then be used to do the upgrade of the machine. So, no need to hook up to a computer, but you will occasionally need a computer (or a friend with one) for the upgrades. Those are worth having, because they can fix issues and/or give the machine additional capabilities.
More recent Scan and Cuts can communicate via wifi so again, no direct physical connection to a computer is needed.
The following 2 users liked this post by Stampnnatter:
I broke down and bought a used one. It is an older style, but I think it will do what I am wanting. And it can be returned if it doesn't work right, so it should be alright. It is the CM550-DX. I also broke down and bought a used gypsy. Now I do have my doubts with it, and know that one will be a crap shoot on whether it works or not, but it also said it could be returned. (I have the older cricuts, and love them. Doesn't have to be hooked up with my computer and I have plenty of cartridges to use with it.)
O.k., now I for real have to stop buying! lol... Dare I even say it out loud? Although, I consider these to be my birthday gifts, so that'll be alright!
I broke down and bought a used one. It is an older style, but I think it will do what I am wanting. And it can be returned if it doesn't work right, so it should be alright. It is the CM550-DX.
Congratulations! The CM550 was the first SnC I bought (I also have a SDX 1200).
The CM550 had a number of upgrades; the most useful (IMO) was version 1.7, which added colour recognition when scanning. The most recent one is v1.819. I recommend checking your machine info (it's on one of the settings screens) and making sure you have at least v1.7 and preferably the most recent one for getting the most fun out of your machine. You probably know this already, but there's a very long thread about the SnC over on the Tool & Product Talk section in Stamping Stuff. There's been a lot of discussion there about a lot of topics.
One thing to bear in mind when getting to know your machine is that it doesn't 'see' things like the human eye does. It's quite normal to find you have to adjust the lighting around your machine or give it a little help to see the thing you want to cut out, and it only works with unbroken outlines (if your stamp design doesn't have an unbroken outline, then filling in the gaps with a pencil before scanning can help big time). There is a bit of a learning curve; if things don't go as you expect, it doesn't necessarily mean the machine is faulty.
Last edited by Stampnnatter; 10-16-2022 at 08:38 PM..
Well, I did the upgrades on the Scan and Cut and that went well. I will have to try adding light to help it see the images better, as that is one of the things that is frustrating me a little. I also am going to work on a better way to resticky the mats. I tried the Krylon Repositonalble spray. Hate it! Even though I had lots of paper under and around it, it still managed to sticky up my floor, and one spray was too little, and two sprays was too much. I think I am going to clean them and try them with Repositionable stick glue that I have. I use it on my Cricut mats. You just have to be sure to run your brayer over the paper to make sure it is adhered well before using. Then when the paper isn't sticking well, you can just resticky it. I run the stick glue over the mat twice.
Oh, and the Gypsy I bought was a dud. That didn't surprise me. I'm not trying again. I read some comments online about them, and some people had them die on them after just a short time of owning them. They have already refunded my money, and I have mailed it back.
Now I just have to try to see how things go with the Scan and Cut. I'm going to read on the tool section for it, and see what I can learn that will help. There are things I really like about it; I think I just need to work out a few things with it.
Thanks for the input and friendly advice regarding the S&C!
There was a thing or two that wasn't quite as easy as I thought it would be, such as the recognizing images etc.. and I had a few cuts that were a little off. Could be as simple as a setting. I've been trying to get the cutting blade pressure and cutting just right. There were some good videos on youtube about it.
Last edited by hoptownracer1; 10-20-2022 at 09:05 PM..
I realized, as I was packing up my craft room for move #too high to count, that I am through buying organizational stuff. When I finally got a 100% dedicated craft room, it took about three years of shuffling and organizing to get it just right. I know where stuff is and the things I need all the time like scissors, adhesives and card stock are right at hand. Now I can walk through Container Store and not see anything I need or want for the craft room. Victory!
Mary Beth
The following 4 users liked this post by lutheran:
Well, gave up on the Scan and Cut. It was having too many issues, and I don't have the energy to work with it anymore. On a positive note, I think I will use my Cricut more. This has made me appreciate it so much more, as it's never given me any trouble. ( I have the Expression and the Baby one).
