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Post by workingclassdog on Dec 7, 2021 21:41:11 GMT
I think I am giving up on my scrapbooking. It's been nothing but a pain in my rear over the last few years.
I gave up my room three times now. Kids moving in and out (no fault of their own)
I have to move a mountain of stuff every time. It's hard to get into the craft when your space is gone.
Time wise I feel I just don't have the time anymore. WHY did I have time when my kids were babies? But now??
It's taking up so much room in my bedroom.. I feel like I live in a storage shed.
Pretty much not motivated either anymore.
I think of all the money I put into it and feel sick about it. Then I go back and think once things settle down I can go back to it.
Aggggg... it just makes me sick thinking about it.
Maybe I shouldn't.
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Post by papersilly on Dec 7, 2021 21:51:28 GMT
i'm sorry your craft space has been displaced so many times. if you feel like every ounce of desire to craft is gone, then it's time to let it go. maybe you can downside to just the basics and essentials if you don't have a dedicated space for now. you can also try another aspect of scrapbooking like cardmaking just to see if the desire is still there. if not, then feel good about letting go.
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Post by Linda on Dec 7, 2021 22:03:01 GMT
((((Hugs))))
It sounds like life hasn't been working out well lately for crafting.
A few ideas
- pack it all up and put in storage - revisit the idea in 6months or a year and decide whether to find a spot for it where you can use it or get rid of it.
-pack most of it up but leave yourself enough to work on a project or make a few cards (if you do cards). If you find that it's bringing you joy, shop the stored items to replenish as needed. If it still feel stressful or uninteresting after 6 months or a year - then consider donating it then
- downsize so you have a workable space that isn't overwhelming you and see if that helps (again give yourself time - mojo comes and goes)
But whatever you decide - don't focus on the money that was spent. That's a sunk cost - that money was gone as soon as you spent it and is now history. Focus on whether you're enjoying the hobby or you see yourself enjoying when time/stress allows. Focus on what you still love and consider letting go of the things that you don't. You can sell here on the FSOT board, you can sell on FB marketplace or Craigslist, you can donate or RAk. But don't feel guilt - buying the items brought you joy so that was money well spent even if using them won't.
((((Hugs))) It sounds like it's been a rough few years - creativity suffers at those times.
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,688 
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Post by Elsabelle on Dec 7, 2021 23:01:58 GMT
I understand how you feel. Years ago we moved and I lost my scrap room. After the move I didn't scrap at all. When we moved again I got a scrap room but still didn't scrap much. I had a lot going on at the time and wasn't buying new supplies online and there was no LSS. I just wasn't into it. I didn't scrap for a few years. I'm glad I didn't get rid of my stuff because I did come back to scrapping. And shopping. I still have dry spells but I'm ok with them.
Maybe give it some time before you make any big decisions. You could try different ways of scrapping to simplify your process. Maybe a year of month in review layouts using one collection or something like that.
I agree with not feeling upset about the money you spent. It was a different time and it probably made you happy. Once money is spent and time has passed we just have to let it go.
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,765
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Post by mich5481 on Dec 7, 2021 23:57:54 GMT
I find it helpful to think of Marie Kondo when looking at those scrapbook purchases - they brought you joy at that time, and maybe that was their entire purpose for you.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 29, 2024 3:47:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2021 0:35:21 GMT
For me, I get overwhelmed with too much stuff. Maybe pack things away and just put aside your very favorite things and use those. You won't have much to keep moving around. Maybe get a raskog and keep it all in there. Then you can just work on stuff wherever you want.
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Post by grammadee on Dec 8, 2021 0:56:06 GMT
Seems like a lot of scrapbookers fall into a slump when their kids get older and life does not provide as many photo op's or stories that are yours to tell. Some people change what and how they document. @jememysgirl has gone to PL style books. Others have switched to digital which, as AussieMeg will tell you--completely cuts out the clutter. If you have always scrapped "the kids" and family activities, it might be fun to start a book all about YOU? There are tons of lists of prompts on line. gramma came up with a marvelous list for us last 28-4-28. Or maybe you can think about creating some mini albums about specific events or themes? Maybe you can create a space that invites you in instead of repels or overwhelms you. Chinagirl828 and sleepingbooty can prob give you lots of advice about what you need to keep and how you could organize it so that it doesn't take up your whole home. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you find joy in your decision: no looking back with regret! |
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Post by AussieMeg on Dec 8, 2021 1:14:27 GMT
I gave up my room three times now. Kids moving in and out (no fault of their own) I have to move a mountain of stuff every time. It's hard to get into the craft when your space is gone. It's taking up so much room in my bedroom.. I feel like I live in a storage shed. How frustrating! I can totally understand why that would make you feel like giving up. The best thing I ever did was change to digital. All I need is my MacBook and I can scrap anywhere, any time. It's completely portable. A lot of people scrap on their iPad. Not to mention digital is soooooo much cheaper. Someone posted a link to a gorgeous kit / bundle the other day. It was on sale for $121. I nearly fell off my chair. That same bundle would be $10-$15 as a digital kit, even less when on sale. And you can use the papers and elements over and over again. think of all the money I put into it and feel sick about it. Then I go back and think once things settle down I can go back to it. Aggggg... it just makes me sick thinking about it. Maybe I shouldn't. I get that too! I haven't paper scrapped for about 10 years now, and I still have all of the gorgeous paper I bought over the years. Hundreds of sheets of Bazzill cardstock in every colour under the sun, and so many lovely patterned papers. Last year I got rid of most of my other supplies such as ribbon, flowers, brads, stickers, stamps etc - I donated them to the primary school where DSO works. And lets not even talk about all of the magazines I bought over the years! I can't bear to think about how much all of that cost me, so I don't think about it! It gave me joy at the time, and now I have moved onto something else that gives me just as much joy, but doesn't cost as much. |
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,105
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Dec 8, 2021 1:17:31 GMT
I was in your same mindset in 2016. I was done with crafting because of many factors, so I decided to do a massive purge of the years of accumulation. I kept the basic tools, some cardstock, and some of the items that I knew I wouldn't want to buy again (or wouldn't be able to find again) if I did want to start crafting (like my Big Shot & Silhouette Portrait). It was so freeing to gift or sell what I wasn't using. I'm glad I didn't get rid of everything because I'm slowly getting back into creating more.
As for the amount spent, it's truly best to not think about that because you will continue to beat yourself up over the amount.
Good luck with your decision!
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Post by grammadee on Dec 8, 2021 1:34:03 GMT
Another idea is to separate scrapbooking from home. myboysnme keeps all her scrappy stuff packed up at home and meets regularly with friends to scrap. |
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,688
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Dec 8, 2021 8:45:16 GMT
I think you've received plenty of great advice already about packing it up or putting it aside for a while. I don't have a particularly large space (although it's significantly larger than sleepingbooty's), as I work on a desk in my office, and keep my stash largely on the desktop and one set of drawers beside it. I like having my stuff close, it's almost all within arms reach of my chair, and my stash is small enough that I can easily flip through all of my papers or all the pink embellishments to find just the right thing. This also helps me create more efficiently, I see a lot of my stash often so I know what's in it and can make decisions on what to use and then lay my hands on it pretty quickly.
If you think the problem might be more of the mountain of stuff, rather than the lack of time or not wanting to scrap at all, I definitely second the idea of pulling out a smaller grouping of your supplies and putting the rest away somewhere you can access it when you want/need to top up your working stash. While it's lovely to have all the supplies to choose from, the reality is we can make perfectly wonderful pages with a smaller stash, and only a small space to create in.
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Post by mayceesgranny on Dec 8, 2021 14:47:35 GMT
Lots of good advice here. I was in a similar situation and just didn't scrap for a couple years unless I was going to a crop. Now things have settled down and during the past year I was able to set up my room again and get back to crafting at home. I love my space again and I love crafting on my free time. I hope you can find a way to make it work for you so you can enjoy it again.
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Post by workingclassdog on Dec 8, 2021 15:44:56 GMT
Maybe I should just wait and see what my son does. He's 26 and just got out of the Air Force (well last year), he lived on his own until about six months ago when he figured it out that now he's out of the Air Force, they are not paying his bills anymore.. lol (they paid his rent, utilities, extra overseas pay, etc.) So now that he was on his own it was a shock. We let him move back in to get his bills together which he is almost there.. got all his vehicles up to date and current, tags bought, then a few other bills. So maybe now he can focus again on saving and getting a place of his own or with a roommate. I know he seems older than your average kid.. but he was gone for 8 years. ANYWAYS, I know he has incentive to move again so maybe I will wait for that, and then decide what to do with my room.
My daughter is having a baby in June.. so it would be a shame to give it up now... I wanna scrapbook this life event!
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Post by teacherlisa on Dec 8, 2021 16:51:47 GMT
One thing to remember regardless of weather your crafty stuff is out or not, you can document and take pics. Then, as you have time you can create. I stopped documenting (like in a journal or whatever) when life got crazy and those in the moment memories are gone forever.
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Post by waffles on Dec 8, 2021 17:12:20 GMT
I’ve branched out from traditional scrapbooking.
I use a happy planner for my daily scrapbook. Some days it’s more scrappy,
sometimes it’s just a list of things I’ve done.
I do digital scrapbooking for current events that requires
more than one picture.
I still have my regular scrapbook stuff to document years gone past.
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Post by don on Dec 8, 2021 20:40:42 GMT
Don't give it up, just put it on hold. Time keeps going, but things change. This period will taper out, and you'll want to catch up on these times. You really don't want to start over by buying all new supplies and tools.
I used to think how peaceful life will be when the kids are gone out on their own ... except they all seem to return ... with others. And when they do move out, again, they can't have pets in their new place, so, because I am married, we get another critter to house.
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Post by myboysnme on Dec 9, 2021 1:15:57 GMT
I think I am giving up on my scrapbooking. I only scrap away from home. I keep enough stuff together to go when an opportunity comes along. Lately I go to mostly Creative Memories crops because that's what's around here. I use my own stuff, no one cares anymore. Maybe get some stuff together that you could scrap if you want to and put the rest away for now. |
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Post by Texas Scrap on Dec 9, 2021 1:47:35 GMT
I also went thru a phase of not doing much and being overwhelmed with stash. I agree with others. If I was in that situation again, I would do a purge and Pack up the stuff I like but know I prob won’t use right now and then keep out some basics I could use to scrap or craft that don’t take up so much room. No guilt, just give yourself the gift of space for now  |
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angel97701
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,576
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:25 GMT
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Post by angel97701 on Dec 9, 2021 4:57:33 GMT
I started card making in 1994 and scrapbooking in 1997. I have purged a few times and had spells as long as 2 years where I've not crafted much at all. I still have some paper from the early years and recently started using some of it on layouts. Christmas cards this year have been made almost entirely of scraps from layouts as far back as 15 years ago. It feels good to use the paper and supplies in new ways. I am fortunate to have a large space, but am getting to the point where a purge of stamps/dies that I don't love go on ebay soon! Now finding the time to do that!
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Post by AussieMeg on Dec 12, 2021 22:45:24 GMT
My daughter is having a baby in June.. so it would be a shame to give it up now... I wanna scrapbook this life event! Congratulations!! There's nothing like a new baby to get the scrapping bug jumping! |
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Post by cmpeter on Dec 13, 2021 1:08:01 GMT
I've gone in phases...scrapped a ton, occasionally, gave it up completely, scrapped only at weekend retreats, switched to cards only, project life only and now a mix of all of the above. I think it's normal to have an ebb and flow.
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Post by refugeepea on Dec 14, 2021 1:51:58 GMT
Maybe you could try simplifying how you scrapbook? My family album the last few years has been mostly photos in divided page protectors and a blank space or two left for journaling or a little bit of embellishment on a 4x6 or 3x4 card. I am not creative and I struggle the most with page design. I'm more of a crafty scrapper than artistic. I just want something to do with my hands that doesn't require too much thinking.
I do struggle with downsizing my stash and I very much relate to your struggle with the craft room situation. Do what works for you. Maybe you can find another outlet instead.
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Post by kiwikate on May 8, 2022 9:42:11 GMT
Bumping this thread up as I've been feeling much the same. To be honest I haven't done anything except card making in a long time. Wondering if anyone had any more ideas/updates?
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Post by lg on May 8, 2022 10:44:44 GMT
Bumping this thread up as I've been feeling much the same. To be honest I haven't done anything except card making in a long time. Wondering if anyone had any more ideas/updates? I had a couple of the things recently that got me a little more excited about my projects again (some have been sitting unfinished for 20+years) that I would recommend: 1. Watch YouTube channels for creators that do projects that inspire you. I started watching a lot of out of pocket interactive type projects and that really sparked my creativity as I was in a rut with 12x12 layouts and even pocket scrapping and just didn’t want to make them any more. For some reason adding an envelope or a flip up to a page sparked my creative juices and was something I’d never thought of!?! 2. Give yourself permission to try smaller albums and layouts. This ”idea” sparked me to create again as I wasn’t trying to fill a 12x12 layout with journaling or embellishments with only one photo or memory to document. Again I finished so many projects just by ripping apart old layouts and changing them to this more “friendly” and “inspiring” size. Think citrus twist TN album size instead of 12x12 albums. 3. Maybe try some of the “themed” or timed memory events. I’ve found the pieces TN series by AE (pieces of home, pieces of me, pieces of past) to be a great way to get a project done and dusted that is not really time specific and where I did not feel I had to be “caught up” or that I had to “catch up”. It was just a small reflection of now or then with only seven prompts I had to complete. There are many other such projects (week in the life, day in the life, thankful 30 etc), some of which you can even pick up kits for on the cheap if you want to get the “full experience”. You can do the project any time of the year, and I found the experience freeing as I chose to use my best papers, favourite embellishments and made the projects a place to house the best of the best of my stash. In finding the best pieces of my stash I also rediscovered a lot of things I’d forgotten about, and I also gave away a lot of things I just don’t love any more which made room for more new things 😁😁 |
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Post by lg on May 8, 2022 11:02:55 GMT
Sorry for the additional post but brain started going… My daughter has recently been making cards that reflect a snapshot of our life right now (little vignettes or sayings that have a story behind them) for events like Mother’s Day, birthdays etc. This is where she got the inspiration from: m.youtube.com/watch?v=XiHEboeF2cYI was thinking of turning these into an art journal type of collection with some journaling about what the card means and why the design is significant, maybe this would work for the not ready to scrap right now but still making cards peas? |
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Post by myboysnme on May 8, 2022 11:57:59 GMT
It sounds like you see your supplies as a huge burden. I find when I take a bit to organize it I fall in love with the products again.
I don't see any problem with purging what you are pretty sure you dont want or wont use. Maybe purge down to one or two boxes you can store in a closet. When you get a space to craft pull it out and if the motivation to use it is gone, donate the boxes.
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Post by marg on May 8, 2022 12:05:42 GMT
Bumping this thread up as I've been feeling much the same. To be honest I haven't done anything except card making in a long time. Wondering if anyone had any more ideas/updates? Funny you say that because I felt this exact same way last summer. Last August I told my husband I was going to quit scrapbooking and just do Project Life for the rest of the year and then only cards after that. He encouraged me to think about it and give it some time. I'm so glad I didn't just get rid of everything. Instead I took an online class, which really helped me fall in love with scrapbooking again, and then just recently doing Crop and Create kicked it into high gear. I can't get enough of it right now. My son just left home so all of my photos have more meaning now to me, too. I'm swimming in memories and loving documenting them right now. |
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Post by mikklynn on May 8, 2022 12:45:18 GMT
Maybe I should just wait and see what my son does. He's 26 and just got out of the Air Force (well last year), he lived on his own until about six months ago when he figured it out that now he's out of the Air Force, they are not paying his bills anymore.. lol (they paid his rent, utilities, extra overseas pay, etc.) So now that he was on his own it was a shock. We let him move back in to get his bills together which he is almost there.. got all his vehicles up to date and current, tags bought, then a few other bills. So maybe now he can focus again on saving and getting a place of his own or with a roommate. I know he seems older than your average kid.. but he was gone for 8 years. ANYWAYS, I know he has incentive to move again so maybe I will wait for that, and then decide what to do with my room.
My daughter is having a baby in June.. so it would be a shame to give it up now... I wanna scrapbook this life event!You answered your own question - you DON'T want to quit, you just don't have a workable space. Pack it up until you have your DS's room back. |
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Post by grammadee on May 8, 2022 14:23:41 GMT
Bumping this thread up as I've been feeling much the same. To be honest I haven't done anything except card making in a long time. Wondering if anyone had any more ideas/updates? Card making is still paper crafting. If you are enjoying that, then keep on doing it.
Are you feeling bogged down by the scrapbooking stuff? If it's the physical stuff and you can pack it away and rearrange your space to include the card making essentials and not feel bogged down by everything else, that may help you feel better. Whether you decide to store the extra stuff or give it away or dispose of it is up to you. But whatever you do with it, accept that it has been done and move on. If it is gone and you suddenly wan to scrap again, there are lots of ways to get "back in the game".
Don't "should" on yourself! If it is the feeling that you "should" be scrapping, then that is a different situation.
Would you LIKE to be more motivated? Lots of good ideas for re igniting motivation so far in this thread. Take a look at what we are doing over on the SB board. This next weekend we will be hosting a Celebrate the Peas event with lots of prompts and sketches and samples and chatter. Drop in if you are interested.
Have you put some roadblocks in your way? Got something you might like to scrap but feeling you can't until finish something eles? If you feel dragged down by needing to "catch up" before you can scrap it, just let that idea go, and scrap what inspires you! Bogged down b/c you are feeling the page you want to create needs to be special? Just do it! Photos can be reprinted. You can scrap that pic hundreds of ways until you find one you love.
If you are happy with "just" doing cards, then embrace it. You are a card maker. Awesome!
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Post by katyscrap on May 8, 2022 14:25:17 GMT
Box up everything to storage except for a small stash that you really love. You won’t feel overwhelmed with too many choices and too many things to stifle your creativity. Shop your stash and make a kit then use that only.
Change it up - I changed from scrapbooking to junk journals and I’m having so much fun! If you do 12x12, try 8-1/2 x 11 or 9x12. Try travelers notebooks or Project Life or mini books or card making or art journaling or ATC cards.
The key is to get excited about your stash and get your mojo back! If all else fails, keep the essentials in case you ever decide to go back to it and donate/sell the rest. Passing the joy onto others will help get rid of the buyers remorse. Donating to a senior home or nursing home would be great.
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