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Post by jeremysgirl on Mar 9, 2022 13:36:40 GMT
I finally went through and sorted all my pocket page kit leftovers from last year. I sorted all my diecuts by color. I also had a bunch of diecuts from my previous scrapbooking. I thought sorting by color would be the way to go, but I'm struggling a bit because I had sorted all my scrapbook leftovers last year when I switched over to PL and I literally did not touch any of them during 2021. I work well with a kit. I subscribed to Hip Kit's pocket page kit last year and each month I pulled out only that kit pretty much and scrapbooked with that and only that. Well this year, I'm trying to stretch my creativity a little by making more of my own cards, buying some stamps, etc so it's not like I don't want to use them. Just my brain isn't working the way I want it to.
I see some of you with these huge craft rooms and stashes and I wonder how you keep it all straight in your head. Maybe that's my mistake is I'm trying to remember everything I have and I just can't and it's frustrating me. I know it's my accountant brain playing tricks on me because I work so much better within defined parameters, like a kit. And now I'm trying to branch out a bit.
Anyway, I don't know what I'm looking for here except maybe some confidence that I can try to think outside the box a little bit more. Be more creative. It's funny because once upon a time, I had a huge scrapbook room and a huge stash. All the bells and whistles were on my pages and I was super trendy and I had no problem being creative. Now, I have boxed myself in a bit, going for simplicity and smallness, and I feel like it is just not quite working the way I want it to.
So this is a bit open ended of a post I think. But I'm looking for some kind of system. Like I need actual steps in place to get me using the supplies I have before I just keep buying new things and my stash grows so out of control that I'm even more overwhelmed by it.
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Post by Linda on Mar 9, 2022 14:18:18 GMT
are you still subscribed to a kit? When it arrives, can you go through your die cuts, papers, stamps etc... and pull out some that coordinate with the kit and add them to the kit? sort of like add-ons but from your stash.
If not, can you make a kit each month - pick a colour palette or a theme and pull coordinating die cuts, cards, papers etc...
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Post by jeremysgirl on Mar 9, 2022 14:22:47 GMT
are you still subscribed to a kit? When it arrives, can you go through your die cuts, papers, stamps etc... and pull out some that coordinate with the kit and add them to the kit? I have subscribed to Elle's studio, but it's not enough product to be a kit unto itself, IYKWIM. Yes, that is what I should do. Make my own kit up ahead of time. I find it too hard to just pull things as I'm going along, if that makes sense. But if I just make something up ahead of time, that might work better for me. Good idea! |
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Post by kmage on Mar 9, 2022 14:43:11 GMT
are you still subscribed to a kit? When it arrives, can you go through your die cuts, papers, stamps etc... and pull out some that coordinate with the kit and add them to the kit? I have subscribed to Elle's studio, but it's not enough product to be a kit unto itself, IYKWIM. Yes, that is what I should do. Make my own kit up ahead of time. I find it too hard to just pull things as I'm going along, if that makes sense. But if I just make something up ahead of time, that might work better for me. Good idea! I discovered after watching lots of videos, (especially Janet with RTS organizing videos, I HIGHLY recommend, just for entertainment value and to feel supported) that sorting by color almost never works for me. It is just not what I reach for. So that was helpful for me to know. I am much more of a category scrapper, not totally theme always, but more like "I need a flower here" rather than, "I need a blue thing here". I agree with linda , making a kit ahead of time is an excellent idea! I scrapbook along with Shimelle with her Best of Both Worlds kit, (this is my 3rd month) on youtube, and she gives the link to scrapbook.com for her kit for the next month, but stresses that you can also make the kit from your own stash, and scrap along with her. You would not have to even do that, you could just use her inspiration to make your own kit. Here is the link to her videos, (she is live UK time Monday and Friday) and her upcoming April kit. A lot of times I don't have whole sticker sheets either, but I cobble together like items to make it work. I like to do this the weekend before the new month, so I will probably start making April's kit in a couple weeks. Good luck, and there is nothing wrong with an open ended post, these are all good things to think about! www.youtube.com/c/shimellelaine/playlistswww.scrapbook.com/myplace/index.php?mod=shopping&u=1135013&m=wish&sscid=31k6_9cohd |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Mar 9, 2022 15:49:25 GMT
I am much more of a category scrapper, not totally theme always, but more like "I need a flower here" rather than, "I need a blue thing here". Yes, see this makes more sense in my brain. I need to maybe try the kit idea and then reevaluate whether the color sorting is working for me. Here is the link to her videos, (she is live UK time Monday and Friday) and her upcoming April kit. A lot of times I don't have whole sticker sheets either, but I cobble together like items to make it work. I like to do this the weekend before the new month, so I will probably start making April's kit in a couple weeks. Good luck, and there is nothing wrong with an open ended post, these are all good things to think about! Thank you for the video link. I will give that a try. I think maybe it might be easier if I can start with the Elle's Studio kit and then run from there with other items. I'm going to try it this weekend for January PL. |
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Post by JavaJones on Mar 9, 2022 16:25:07 GMT
I have subscribed to Elle's studio, but it's not enough product to be a kit unto itself, IYKWIM. Yes, that is what I should do. Make my own kit up ahead of time. I find it too hard to just pull things as I'm going along, if that makes sense. But if I just make something up ahead of time, that might work better for me. Good idea! I discovered after watching lots of videos, (especially Janet with RTS organizing videos, I HIGHLY recommend, just for entertainment value and to feel supported) that sorting by color almost never works for me. It is just not what I reach for. So that was helpful for me to know. I am much more of a category scrapper, not totally theme always, but more like "I need a flower here" rather than, "I need a blue thing here". I agree with linda , making a kit ahead of time is an excellent idea! I scrapbook along with Shimelle with her Best of Both Worlds kit, (this is my 3rd month) on youtube, and she gives the link to scrapbook.com for her kit for the next month, but stresses that you can also make the kit from your own stash, and scrap along with her. You would not have to even do that, you could just use her inspiration to make your own kit. Here is the link to her videos, (she is live UK time Monday and Friday) and her upcoming April kit. A lot of times I don't have whole sticker sheets either, but I cobble together like items to make it work. I like to do this the weekend before the new month, so I will probably start making April's kit in a couple weeks. Good luck, and there is nothing wrong with an open ended post, these are all good things to think about! www.youtube.com/c/shimellelaine/playlistswww.scrapbook.com/myplace/index.php?mod=shopping&u=1135013&m=wish&sscid=31k6_9cohdYes to all of the above for me. I tried to organize my supplies by color, but it just didn't fit with the way my brain works when scrapping. I sort embellishments by type (tags/frames, wood veneer, metal, enamel dots, acrylic, ribbon, chipboard, etc). For stickers and die cuts, I usually sort and store by theme/type or manufacturer and these are just stored in drawers so I can sort through and find what I want for a project or page kits that I create. I second making your own page or album kits by combining elements from your stash with new product/kits. Shimelle has some great videos for her BOBW series, and there are a few other folks on YT that I follow especially for their monthly kit-making videos: Janet from RTS Scrapbooking, Laura Alberts, Scrapbooking Quebec, Crafty Soup Video, Craft Social Kelli. I'm sure there are others I am missing, hopefully the Peas can chime in. |
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Post by infochick on Mar 9, 2022 16:28:15 GMT
Much like kmage, watching the organizing videos that Janet with RTS does were a game changer for me. While organizing by colour does work for me, I would agree with Linda that it is all about the kit and getting organized before I sit down to do something. I'm trying to cut down on how many collection packs I buy, so I've been going and picking just a few sheets of paper, and then going into my colour sorted papers and picking stuff that goes with it. I do the same with my stash of embellishments (also sorted by colours). I can grab an older collection that I might not have embellishments for and grab some things that will work with it. For me, it's actually a lot of fun to go through and grab things that are old and new, and from various manufacturers. I get a real thrill out of it and see it as a creative exercise. I think the lesson for me has been to organize in a way that makes sense for you and then the time at the beginning to find some things that go together...it just might surprise you what works together. It's always less overwhelming for me when I have picked the stuff ahead of time and makes it less likely for me to head to the store and just find something new. |
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Post by kmage on Mar 9, 2022 16:41:29 GMT
For me, it's actually a lot of fun to go through and grab things that are old and new, and from various manufacturers. I get a real thrill out of it and see it as a creative exercise. I agree with this 100% annnnnnndddd....I think sometimes manufacturer reuse/recycle things. Maybe not on purpose, but what is old is often new again, and I find myself being pleasantly surprised at what really "goes" together, and different collections that are maybe 5+ years apart that have similar tone/imagery. |
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Post by ecvnj58 on Mar 9, 2022 16:54:51 GMT
I failed at sortin things but color. I actually went and unsorted everything again. I scrap by brand mostly so a lot of my embellishments are grouped like that. I also am a huge kit maker. I get overwhelmed by too many supplies so kits help me manage it. Also I don’t buy a ton because of this. I not able to manage and use all the inventory around without making my brain hurt.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Mar 9, 2022 19:47:16 GMT
For me, it's actually a lot of fun to go through and grab things that are old and new, and from various manufacturers. I get a real thrill out of it and see it as a creative exercise. See, maybe I'm just lazy and I have to start viewing things like this. Like doing my own pre-planning is part of my creative endeavor.  |
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Post by infochick on Mar 9, 2022 20:00:37 GMT
For me, it's actually a lot of fun to go through and grab things that are old and new, and from various manufacturers. I get a real thrill out of it and see it as a creative exercise. See, maybe I'm just lazy and I have to start viewing things like this. Like doing my own pre-planning is part of my creative endeavor.  LOL...I have so much stuff that I now have no choice in needing to use some of it up...it's a necessity  |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Mar 10, 2022 11:23:58 GMT
When I scrapbook, I usually think by theme first (for the majority of my embellishments), then color (for more generic embellishments, like enamel dots), so sorting by color doesn't work for me because I wouldn't remember what color to reach to for a Birthday sticker, for example).
All of my embellishments are sorted by theme into gallon sized Ziploc bags. Labelled, and stood up in a cloth box from The Dollar Tree (it's about the size of a Kallax cube cloth box.
Also, I find if I really love or want to use a specific embellishment, I need to see it. I keep it in a shallow bowl on my desk while I scrap, and reach there first to see if it works for what I'm doing.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,011 
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Mar 10, 2022 17:47:34 GMT
Disclaimer: I don't make or buy page kits. I struggle with that way of scrapbooking - I've tried it and it's just not for me. This is partly due to my own impatience to just get pages done so by the time I've gathered what I'm going to need to make a page kit I've got the LO 90% done (or at least designed) so at that point I just go ahead and make it. Also, I start my pages with the photos and decide from there what I'll need, then pull supplies/paper/embellishments, etc. based on that. I do sometimes work from sketches. That said, however, when working on a particular set of photos, I will gather some of the core supplies that are specific to that theme and keep them together in an iris box for that project. Then I'll work mostly from that iris case for that project. The project box definitely does not contain everything I'll use - I still pull paper from elsewhere in the room, other embellishments, etc., as well as create titles and die cuts using my Cameo as needed. The project box only contains specific collections/embellishments/papers that I KNOW I'll use for that project. KWIM? Like some other peas, organizing by color does not work for me (other than for plain cardstock LOL), so a lot of things are organized by theme. Most especially my die cuts - both store bought and those I've pre-cut on my Cameo. They are stored in an old CM binder (very old) using some Totally Tiffany Scrap Rack storage pocket pages. (They're meant for the Scrap Rack -- which I don't have -- but work perfectly in my CM binder since they have binder hole punches along the left side.) The CM binder is similar in size & shape to a Trapper Keeper-style zipper binder. I bought the TT storage pages in a variety of size/shape configurations so I have pages for all sizes of embellishments. The pages are totally clear and I can just leaf through my binder and see what I have for any particular theme. It works really well for me. YMMV... ETA: The die cut storage pockets from Totally Tiffany could be used with a 12x12 binder like THIS if you don't have the TT scrap rack or an old CM binder. Link to storage pockets here. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Mar 10, 2022 18:06:57 GMT
Also, I find if I really love or want to use a specific embellishment, I need to see it. I keep it in a shallow bowl on my desk while I scrap, and reach there first to see if it works for what I'm doing. This is excellent! Most especially my die cuts - both store bought and those I've pre-cut on my Cameo. They are stored in an old CM binder (very old) using some Totally Tiffany Scrap Rack storage pocket pages. (They're meant for the Scrap Rack -- which I don't have -- but work perfectly in my CM binder since they have binder hole punches along the left side.) The CM binder is similar in size & shape to a Trapper Keeper-style zipper binder. I bought the TT storage pages in a variety of size/shape configurations so I have pages for all sizes of embellishments. The pages are totally clear and I can just leaf through my binder and see what I have for any particular theme. Thank you for sharing. This totally might be helpful for me. If I had them organized in a flip through binder that might really help. |
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Post by 950nancy on Mar 10, 2022 21:30:37 GMT
I have these clear trays in my closet. I have some random tryas that are by color, since sometimes I like looking by color, but most often I go by theme. If I have embellishments or ephemera that goes with a line or a theme, I put it in these clear trays. They are all labeled and then I also have some color stickers on my paper labels that remind me I have matching items to go with a particular line. I just use the small red, green, blue and yellow circle stickers you can buy by the hundreds. Before I used this system, I used the inexpensive 4" x 4" pull out trays from Dollar tree. They had labels on them and were great when I didn't have a lot of items (or large items).  13.1 Ephemera Storage by Nancy Tim, on Flickr |
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,011
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Mar 10, 2022 23:55:06 GMT
... Like some other peas, organizing by color does not work for me (other than for plain cardstock LOL), so a lot of things are organized by theme. Most especially my die cuts - both store bought and those I've pre-cut on my Cameo. They are stored in an old CM binder (very old) using some Totally Tiffany Scrap Rack storage pocket pages. (They're meant for the Scrap Rack -- which I don't have -- but work perfectly in my CM binder since they have binder hole punches along the left side.) The CM binder is similar in size & shape to a Trapper Keeper-style zipper binder. I bought the TT storage pages in a variety of size/shape configurations so I have pages for all sizes of embellishments. The pages are totally clear and I can just leaf through my binder and see what I have for any particular theme. It works really well for me. YMMV... ETA: The die cut storage pockets from Totally Tiffany could be used with a 12x12 binder like THIS if you don't have the TT scrap rack or an old CM binder. Link to storage pockets here. Nope, it turns out the CM binder is not the same size as a zipper-style binder! (See update above.) It's larger than that and is actually closer in size/shape to the Totally Tiffany binder in my first link above (in the "ETA"). |
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,641
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Mar 11, 2022 2:22:00 GMT
I also have an accountant brain. I sort by color for embellishments and patterned paper. Sorting by manufacturer doesn't work for me as I don't enjoy creating within a single collection.  I love kit clubs that pull together supplies from different brands/designers. I try to approach scrapbooking from my stash the same way; pulling from here and there, and everywhere! I love Linda 's idea about supplementing purchased kits with items your stash, before you even get started on creating with it. |
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,682
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Mar 11, 2022 5:23:13 GMT
I mostly sort by colour. My process is a little different than what has been shared so far, although there are certainly similarities. I go through my colour storage and pull out things that inspire me or that I really want to work on using. I don't look to see if they will match other things I've already pulled, I just pull things that excite me. I keep them sorted by colour in one of those old Iris container divided tray inserts that fits in the 13x13 containers. As I'm working on pages I only have to look through the things I have already pulled out and am amazed how often I have the perfect thing in there.
If I use up a lot of what I've pulled from a colour, I'll just go back to my storage and get some more things, and when I reach a point where I feel like I can no longer find what I want or what is left is no longer inspiring, I will put it all back and pull all new embellishments.
This really works for me as I tend to start with my photos, so I like having the flexibility to pull papers or PL cards to suit, but love not having to go through every embellishment I own to find something that works.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Mar 11, 2022 11:43:02 GMT
Whoa! 950nancy you are super organized. I think if I had your system I would pack stuff away and never see it again though! LOL. What do you do when you sit down to scrap? What's your process? |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Mar 11, 2022 11:46:00 GMT
I also have an accountant brain. I sort by color for embellishments and patterned paper. Sorting by manufacturer doesn't work for me as I don't enjoy creating within a single collection. I love kit clubs that pull together supplies from different brands/designers. I try to approach scrapbooking from my stash the same way; pulling from here and there, and everywhere! I love Linda 's idea about supplementing purchased kits with items your stash, before you even get started on creating with it. I'm going to try this approach today at the crop. I've got my January pictures printed. And I've got my kit. I think I've decided to lay out all my pics. And then to lay out all my cards. And then to look for embellishments. I'm going to just try it this way this time. We shall see how it goes for me. |
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Post by 950nancy on Mar 11, 2022 20:55:45 GMT
Whoa! 950nancy you are super organized. I think if I had your system I would pack stuff away and never see it again though! LOL. What do you do when you sit down to scrap? What's your process? When I print current pictures, I grab a few binders of sketches and see if something looks like a good fit. From there, I go to my paper. It is all categorized alphabetically by themes. I pull a pack of paper that looks good and then check the label in the baggie. It will tell me if I have any coordinating stickers, chipboard, brads, dies, stamps washi, etc. I'll pull those and toss them in the bag. Then I look for Thickers or a title I like. I'll toss those into a tote and then when the spirit moves me, I'll grab a baggie and start scrapping. For me, the key is having the stickers on the label that let me know what other supplies I have. Without that, it gets a little dicey. I also have a couple of drawers of bling that can be added if my page doesn't look finished. |
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 12, 2022 12:35:36 GMT
I sort by theme, since that is how I scrap. Random "extra" bits go into small boxes sorted by color. So, if I see my layout needs some more orange to balance it out, I grab that box. I regularly go through those boxes when I have one out and purge really old stuff it's clear I'll never use.
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Mar 15, 2022 3:32:54 GMT
If they go with a collection, they stay with the collection until enough of it is used up and the rest is re-homed. I have a couple of photo boxes for stickers, die cuts, and carded embellishments (really anything flat and 4x6 or smaller,) that are arranged in files by themes. If they won't fit in the box, they sit in a drawer.
The category that's getting out of hand for me, these days, is the stuff with words and phrases. I think I need to make some kind of master list of all the worded stickers and embellishments and dies I have, and their locations in my room, because they're freakin all over the place. I have some in with the collections they go with, some tiny ones in my "jewelry box" of brads and little blingy bits, some in with my dies collection, and most of the rest in a catch-all drawer. And then, all the worded stamps too! I forgot about the stamps. And if I wanted to, I could probably include the sentiments on some of my patterned papers, but aye aye aye it's too much.
I need to make a list. Not the papers, but everything else.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 22, 2024 14:51:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2022 15:07:43 GMT
I have these clear trays in my closet. I have some random tryas that are by color, since sometimes I like looking by color, but most often I go by theme. If I have embellishments or ephemera that goes with a line or a theme, I put it in these clear trays. They are all labeled and then I also have some color stickers on my paper labels that remind me I have matching items to go with a particular line. I just use the small red, green, blue and yellow circle stickers you can buy by the hundreds. Before I used this system, I used the inexpensive 4" x 4" pull out trays from Dollar tree. They had labels on them and were great when I didn't have a lot of items (or large items). 13.1 Ephemera Storage by Nancy Tim, on Flickr I love those clear bins with handles! I have the larger ones but have never seen the smaller ones. Where did you find them? |
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Post by 950nancy on Mar 16, 2022 2:04:33 GMT
I have these clear trays in my closet. I have some random tryas that are by color, since sometimes I like looking by color, but most often I go by theme. If I have embellishments or ephemera that goes with a line or a theme, I put it in these clear trays. They are all labeled and then I also have some color stickers on my paper labels that remind me I have matching items to go with a particular line. I just use the small red, green, blue and yellow circle stickers you can buy by the hundreds. Before I used this system, I used the inexpensive 4" x 4" pull out trays from Dollar tree. They had labels on them and were great when I didn't have a lot of items (or large items). 13.1 Ephemera Storage by Nancy Tim, on Flickr I love those clear bins with handles! I have the larger ones but have never seen the smaller ones. Where did you find them? The larger ones came from Target (online), Tuesday Morning, and At Home. The 4 inch ones came from Zulily $7.99. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 22, 2024 14:51:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2022 2:33:16 GMT
I store my die cuts in photo Iris containers from Michael's. I have one for DD, one for DS, one for the dogs, one for Christmas, one for Winter, and one for Halloween/Fall.
Within each I have repurposed bags that other embellishments came in that have the fold over seal thing.
Anyways in those I have it split up by theme - summer, spring, words/phrases, animals, shapes, tags, etc. When working on a pocket layout I can tell if I want x y z and then I know where to look. That way I am not sorting through a ton of die cuts. I can home in on specifics and not overwhelm myself.
This really helps with my flow and not slowing me down or frustrating me trying to find the perfect embellishment.
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I love kit clubs that pull together supplies from different brands/designers. I try to approach scrapbooking from my stash the same way; pulling from here and there, and everywhere!
