scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Mar 3, 2023 0:21:56 GMT
Since nightnurse mentioned impulse buys, I am thinking it would be stupid for me to go to either of the two upcoming conventions, since many of the items in my stash that haven’t been used are typically from scrapbook/stamp conventions. I love going to them, but I always spend too much, and most are impulse buys, which sometimes never get used. However, what I bought last year at convention are actually items that I am using, mostly for scrapbooking Disney trips, or card making dies. I’m struggling with the issue of the conventions: to go or not to go. Knowing that I really do have enough, I am leaning toward not going this year, but it’s still a bit hard to let go of the opportunity. |
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Post by nightnurse on Mar 3, 2023 0:45:56 GMT
Since nightnurse mentioned impulse buys, I am thinking it would be stupid for me to go to either of the two upcoming conventions, since many of the items in my stash that haven’t been used are typically from scrapbook/stamp conventions. I love going to them, but I always spend too much, and most are impulse buys, which sometimes never get used. However, what I bought last year at convention are actually items that I am using, mostly for scrapbooking Disney trips, or card making dies. I’m struggling with the issue of the conventions: to go or not to go. Knowing that I really do have enough, I am leaning toward not going this year, but it’s still a bit hard to let go of the opportunity. Oh but I love the conventions! So many things to see that you can’t usually see elsewhere. All the new products…I have to work some weekends and I usually have to work when the ckc convention comes locally but the few times I’ve been I’ve love it. Go! Maybe Leave your wallet in your car so if you want something you have to walk back out to get it, if you’re worried impulse buys. |
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Mar 3, 2023 14:00:50 GMT
So, that distant horizon of when I would think I had enough has come crashing into sharp focus! My 12-pound box of Crop & Create supplies has arrived and I've opened and started sorting it. It is enough to swamp my storage and organization system. And I'm registered for Altenew's virtual retreat in May and Condord & 9th's summer camp in June. I anticipate that by July I will both need to purge and also not have had a chance to try everything in my stash (stamps/dies/stencils).
I have a lot of solid colored card stock but only a little patterned paper, FWIW.
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blemon
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Post by blemon on Mar 3, 2023 14:09:42 GMT
I’m struggling with the issue of the conventions: to go or not to go. Knowing that I really do have enough, I am leaning toward not going this year, but it’s still a bit hard to let go of the opportunity. I've been reading this thread but not commenting, just soaking it all in. It seems to me that going to the conventions is fun for you and probably inspiring as well. You've also recently took inventory of all you have so you know what you don't need. Could you set a budget and stick to it? And then just go because it's something you enjoy doing? |
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ComplicatedLady
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Mar 3, 2023 16:03:34 GMT
For me, I have a lot of stuff in my stash. Early on, I used to buy supplies for every fad and technique that looked remotely interesting. Over the years, I’ve figured out what I will and won’t use. Instead of asking if something is in good shape or is usable, I ask if I will use it. Those are two different questions.
I have a lot of paper, stickers, dies, and stamps but I use those things (well, I need to use my stamps more.) My next purge evaluation is for watercolor supplies. I like the technique and the results, but I don’t know that I will ever take the time to learn it and do it.
Not sure if that makes sense but that is how I’m trying to approach my current stash and new supply purchases.
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Deleted
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Nov 24, 2024 4:42:09 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2023 16:23:53 GMT
I’m struggling with the issue of the conventions: to go or not to go. Knowing that I really do have enough, I am leaning toward not going this year, but it’s still a bit hard to let go of the opportunity. I've been reading this thread but not commenting, just soaking it all in. It seems to me that going to the conventions is fun for you and probably inspiring as well. You've also recently took inventory of all you have so you know what you don't need. Could you set a budget and stick to it? And then just go because it's something you enjoy doing?I was thinking the same thing as blemon Don't miss something you enjoy, go and have fun with a budget  Personally, since I live primarily cash only for 10+ years, I shop more thoughtfully. At a convention, I'd make the rounds and then go back around for what I want to purchase, with a rare immediate purchase sometimes. Generally I've forgotten at least 1/2 by the time I get back around (I make a note if it's something I really want to get back to). And there isn't any craft shopping I do that doesn't have a budget. Granted I remember the days of Archiver's Scrapfest and I'd take anywhere from $500 to $1200 with (for a little MOA shopping, too). THAT was a big deal for me. |
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Post by wonderwoman on Mar 3, 2023 20:04:47 GMT
I have been in the deep freezer for about a year and have kind of found a lot of other interest. I do get tempted when I see a new line come out that speaks to me, but like most, I have enough supplies to last a lifetime. Will I buy more? Most likely I will... I am a pretty paper addict... lol~
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Mar 4, 2023 15:07:55 GMT
I’m struggling with the issue of the conventions: to go or not to go. Knowing that I really do have enough, I am leaning toward not going this year, but it’s still a bit hard to let go of the opportunity. I've been reading this thread but not commenting, just soaking it all in. It seems to me that going to the conventions is fun for you and probably inspiring as well. You've also recently took inventory of all you have so you know what you don't need. Could you set a budget and stick to it? And then just go because it's something you enjoy doing? I could. Maybe. Each convention is at least 45 minutes or more to drive to, and I would be going alone. The conventions also keep shrinking, which is really sad to see. One has about 27 vendors, the other has 31, if I remember right. At least two booths at both conventions are Close to My Heart and Creative Memories. I discovered Queen & Co., Karen Burniston, and Heartfelt Creations at conventions in the past, and some others that I loved. I have also seen a lot of other companies that held no interest for me, and which never came again. Only two companies that I have bought from in the past will be at one of the conventions. I looked at their websites, and I saw nothing new of interest to me. I’m wondering if it would even be worth the drive and the cost of gas. And I keep wondering, “Don’t I have enough already?” |
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Post by kmage on Mar 4, 2023 15:21:11 GMT
I’m wondering if it would even be worth the drive and the cost of gas. And I keep wondering, “Don’t I have enough already?” I'm wondering why you go to the conventions? For me, I would go. I get so little oppertunity to see supplies IRL and mix and mingle with others who love them that I would look at it like an activity, one that has cost associated with it like going to see a movie (tix 15.00, popcorn 7.00, soda 4.00, 26.00) or out to eat with a friend, (easily 30.00) or going bowling (last time we went it was almost 100.00) you get the idea. So if you are simply going to shop, then I'd say stay home and peruse the internet. But if you are going for socialization (make and takes, chatting with vendors, etc) then I'd go for it. Get out of the house, make a day of it. Can you sign up for any of the crop time and take a few of your fave dies, or let you self buy one and bring some paper and use that as a time to craft? When I went to CKC I used the crop time as well and that was super fun, plus if I was crafting I wasn't shopping lol. |
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Mar 4, 2023 19:52:00 GMT
I’m wondering if it would even be worth the drive and the cost of gas. And I keep wondering, “Don’t I have enough already?” I'm wondering why you go to the conventions? For me, I would go. I get so little oppertunity to see supplies IRL and mix and mingle with others who love them that I would look at it like an activity… THAT is definitely one of the reasons I love to go. I love the card samples. Most vendors of stamps & dies let you take photos. Those selling page kits don’t. I usually take a ton of photos, not to duplicate the cards, but reminders of a particular technique, or how a die or stamp was used (that I might not have thought of doing). I enjoy the demos. It’s fun to browse, and to shop. Normally, I hate to shop. The exception is paper craft supplies. I have a room that is a great example of how much fun I find in shopping for paper craft goodies. Yes, it would probably be fun, but if “enough is enough,” then my going (while knowing there will be temptation to keep buying) just seems counter productive. |
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Mar 5, 2023 1:12:34 GMT
True joy is never counter productive.
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Chinagirl828
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Mar 5, 2023 1:17:17 GMT
Yes, it would probably be fun, but if “enough is enough,” then my going (while knowing there will be temptation to keep buying) just seems counter productive. I like refugeepea's suggestion of considering this a social outing that has a cost attached to it. Could you give yourself a budget for new supplies, or perhaps a limit to how many new things you allow yourself to buy, and then use the photos and the inspiration from the event as motivation to dig into the things you already own when you get home? |
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Chinagirl828
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Mar 5, 2023 1:34:24 GMT
This has been a really interesting discussion and I've enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts. If I'd responded earlier this week, as I'd intended, I would have said feeling overwhelmed with the amount of stuff I own and feeling that it stifles my creativity is the point where I know I've got too much. I've been feeling that way recently, with ever-growing piles of stuff around my desk which have encroached on other areas in my room.
I've been in a cycle of buying and stash building over the last three or four years. I could stop now and I'd certainly have enough, I have a lot more than I used to and I liked the pages I made when I owned less stuff. My stash certainly makes me happy though, so while there is some guilt about how much I'll actually use from what I own, the positive outweighs the negative for me. I try to think through my purchases, make sure they are things that I really want and that I'm not just caught up in the excitement of new and shiny. I keep a running cart at sb.com where I add things I like from the new releases. I revisit the cart periodically, removing things that no longer excite me or that I realise are not something I would actually use. Sometimes I see a collection used so much by everyone else that the appeal has all but worn off and it's easy to click delete. Lack of access to new supplies is probably the biggest thing that has stopped my stash from getting out of control, if I had access to the products and prices you were seeing at TM I have no doubts my stash would be much, much larger.
I'll continue to look at destashes and pick up any that I feel like I have to have but will try to keep a reasonable balance between what I'm bringing in and what I'm actually using.
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Post by volunteergirl on Mar 5, 2023 15:53:38 GMT
I have been thinking about this. It really resonates because we are downsizing our house and I won’t have a true craft room. I realized that what I have is enough. I have lost the motivation to dig through everything I have to find the embellishment I need. I have lost the desire to have all the new bright shiny things. I have come to realize that I love the process of creating but no one looks at them. I need to purge before we move, organize what I have, and enjoy creating something just for myself.
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Mar 5, 2023 20:25:01 GMT
After checking each individual vendor at the mid-March convention, I decided that I am staying home. Most of what the vendors are offering have no appeal to me, so it seems pointless to go. I’m not at all excited about it.
I am still keeping an open mind regarding the one in June. I haven’t checked each of the vendors yet, but Paper Wizard will be there, and I love their products. Tall Mouse is another vendor that I like, but they will be at both the March and the June conventions, so I can catch them in June. I haven’t checked all the other vendors, but having those two is enough incentive to at least want to go.
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 6, 2023 17:36:37 GMT
After checking each individual vendor at the mid-March convention, I decided that I am staying home. Most of what the vendors are offering have no appeal to me, so it seems pointless to go. I’m not at all excited about it. I am still keeping an open mind regarding the one in June. I haven’t checked each of the vendors yet, but Paper Wizard will be there, and I love their products. Tall Mouse is another vendor that I like, but they will be at both the March and the June conventions, so I can catch them in June. I haven’t checked all the other vendors, but having those two is enough incentive to at least want to go. Going to one seems like a good compromise! |
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chrisc
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Post by chrisc on Mar 7, 2023 12:36:39 GMT
I used to think I had a big stash, but after watching some Youtubers, I've realised my stash is not that big. However, I don't want it to keep growing, and I've already culled what I don't love, so I'm going to try a policy (with paper anyway) of only buying as much as I am using. So I am tracking how many pieces of PP and cardstock I am using, and when I place an order, I will try and restrict myself to the same or fewer.
Today I received an order I placed 3 weeks ago, which included 23 pieces of PP. Luckily my tracker shows I had used 22 pieces of PP (including a Doodlebug PP from 2002!) and about 6 CS, so I consider that a win.
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MerryMom
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Post by MerryMom on Mar 7, 2023 12:53:30 GMT
Sometimes we have to think whether the hobby is scrapbooking or card making or is the hobby shopping, looking, and acquiring? Or is it both?
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Mar 7, 2023 14:33:38 GMT
They are two different hobbies! One is the looking/shopping/buying (and organizing, I think) and the other is the crafting.
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Post by Citygirl on Mar 7, 2023 15:40:56 GMT
Thanks chrisc I just went to Youtube and now feel fine with my stash, in fact, I think I can buy more 🤣 |
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Mar 7, 2023 15:51:28 GMT
Sometimes we have to think whether the hobby is scrapbooking or card making or is the hobby shopping, looking, and acquiring? Or is it both? It has definitely been both for me! However, most of what I buy now is from just 3 companies, and just online. I have plenty of paper, card stock, and stamps. I buy adhesives as needed, but have enough to last me a very long time. I have still unused albums. I may eventually need more page protectors, but not for quite awhile. I am both a scrapbooker and a card maker. The 3 companies that I continue to buy from online are Queen & Co., Heartfelt Creations, and Karen Burniston, but I am getting pickier and buying less often these days. I discovered all three of them at conventions, but now they don’t seem to need the conventions anymore. Many of the companies coming to conventions now are newer, less well known companies, although not entirely. Pre-COVID, I would have gone to the conventions to see what those new companies have to offer. However, during the shutdowns, I organized my stamps, my papers, my dies, etc. That was a real eye opener as to just how much I have. Also during that time, DH had a nearly fatal heart attack. I started re-evaluating a lot of things after that. I want/need to do a lot more scrapbooking, and far less shopping. |
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Mar 7, 2023 15:57:13 GMT
Sometimes we have to think whether the hobby is scrapbooking or card making or is the hobby shopping, looking, and acquiring? Or is it both? Yes, this. I remember back in my early days of SBing, stalking Ebay and bidding on QuicKutz. I didn't need all those dies and alphas. I think it was mostly the thrill of sniping and winning an auction. |
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Post by sarahsprettypapers on Mar 7, 2023 17:03:41 GMT
Sometimes we have to think whether the hobby is scrapbooking or card making or is the hobby shopping, looking, and acquiring? Or is it both? Scrapbooking is my hobby, and shopping is my form of therapy. 🙂 I definitely sad shop, ha! |
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 22, 2023 15:02:40 GMT
Thinking about this issue has definitely helped me to spend less (since I first posted this question) than I would have normally done. I will admit, I have not stopped shopping completely, but I have definitely thought long and hard about possible purchases. That has helped me to trim my purchases, especially when it comes to companies that tend to be my weakness (like Queen & Co.).
I guess it is a good thing that I bought what I loved from Heartfelt Creations when I could, though. I definitely took advantage of their warehouse sales a couple of times in the past 6 months. I have especially loved their 3D flower making stamps, dies, and tools.
Their last new release will be in July. It sounds like they will be closing their doors due to family needs (they are a family owned and operated company). I am sad to see it happen to a company I love.
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Post by Texas Scrap on May 13, 2024 14:14:55 GMT
Just coming back to this thread and checking in as I am revisiting my own stash. One thing that is really hitting home for me is that I get creative inspiration with new products and seeing how others are using them. So the next few questions for me are related to the commitment I have to USE the new things and what I do with the current supplies to curate my collection so that it does not get out of hand. By that, I mean when I can't really grasp what I have in a meaningful way to use it.
So many people asked great questions around why you do what you do, what brings you joy, what is meaningful about it, etc. I think the more we try to understand our "why" with supplies and creating, that is super helpful in making decisions about buying, organizing, using, selling/giving away. I can definitely get overwhelmed with product AND at the same time, I get a lot of creating energy and inspiration from new products - right now this is especially the case with stamps. So my ability to organize, curate, keep a manageable stash are all important. I definitely do better with a subset of things to pull from when creating.
And, I also feel accountable to sustainability in terms of not wanting to contribute to things getting thrown in trash dumps. So, I want to make sure anything I am done with or not using, gets to a person or organization who will use it.
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Post by infochick on May 13, 2024 16:05:35 GMT
I have been going back to tracking what I use vs. what I bring in. I've had some interesting realizations about my process and how I shop. I still shop at a faster rate than I use my supplies, and I tend to shop more when I am scrapping less.
The first is that I have to seize the moment when I am inspired to use my old supplies. I have some VERY old items in my stash, but the last time I went through all my papers, I still liked most of it even though some if it isn't necessarily my first choice for how I scrap now. For example, I had a bunch of papers that had layouts pre-printed on them. Essentially, the idea was that one would just glue their photos down to the pre-done layout. The papers were from 2007 and the only thing I still liked were the colours. I managed to make three layouts I'm really happy with by cutting the papers out and using them as pattern paper on top of a newer background. I was thrilled to make a dent in these papers, and it was a super fun challenge. I've also modernized some of my older thin papers from my stash by using them to back cut files.
I've been making good progress with using my paper pads. I'm making a point of using papers that I I am not likely to use on scrapbook layouts to make gift tags or envelopes for small gifts/gift cards. Even if the papers are not something I would generally use on a layout, the results have been really cute. It's felt really good to make use of something I already have vs. going out and buying gift tags or packaging.
Sometimes I can make a small tweak to my stash, and it really gets me using something else. I recently bought some new mini archival inks and it has absolutely breathed new life into my stamps and I am using them way more on my layouts right now. When I'm shopping I need to take more time to think about how I am going to use something with my existing stash.
I still have work to do to get my stash down to where I am happy with the size, so I need to scrap more and shop less, but overall it feels good to be making some progress.
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on May 13, 2024 17:08:49 GMT
I am primarily a card maker. Older papers that don't fit my current style I like to use to make cards for donation -- everything is SOMEbody's cup of tea, right?
I sad/anxious shop, too, @sarahspretty papers, so laid off/unemployed is really tough. I AM stress shopping even though I know I should NOT. Mostly smaller orders and I think pretty well thought out, compared to some in the past, but....
Now, in part I'm justifying them because I am moving a LOT of things into the sell on FB/donate/purgatory (see if I miss it and if not sell or donate) piles. I think I finally have a handle on what my style is, what techniques I enjoy more, and what makes it worthwhile or more enjoyable to use techniques I enjoy less.
I am very inspired by nature and love realistic plant, flower, and animal images. Some stylized florals are ok, others rub me totally the wrong way. I prefer stamping, layered stamping, coloring (markers, pencils, and water-) and die cutting stamped images. I enjoy ink blending and layering little die cuts less. I find ink blending worth while for things like sunset/sunrise backgrounds and maybe a simple background stencil (though I'd like to experiment more with using sprays with these). I can tolerate some coloring/layering stencils, but prefer the sets to be less complicated and the images to be versatile. Die sets with many little pieces are of interest when they are unique. The Concord and 9th Tiny Terrarium set from last summer's camp -- keeping! I've never seen anything quite like it. Yet another floral? I can get floral designs using techniques I enjoy more -- bye-bye! Some of my shopping is absolutely doing things like realizing I'm never going to use that flowering branch layering die set, but, hey, look at this branch stamp and die set with leaves and different flowers that's on sale!
So, yeah, the stack of things that have helped me learn that I am never going to reach for them again is large and getting larger. And my stash was never as big as some in the videos either. But, you know, if I have some future epiphany and decide I'm bored with stamping and coloring and cutting, that it's time to go hard in on ink blending (or whatever the "it" technique is at that time), there will be new things to buy anyway!
I don't think I have this organized very well, but hopefully the sense of it is coming through.
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Post by Linda on May 13, 2024 17:15:05 GMT
I still have too much but I did a good purge and reset in my scrap space recently and made it easier for me to grab (and thus use) some of the things I hven't been but still wanted to. I also treated myself to a Gemini Mini because I wasn't using my dies as much because the Gemini Jr is noisy during online crops and feels like too much when I just need one small die cut. And I'm definitely using the dies more now.
fussy cutting images from older papers has helped breathe new life into some. Layering like Shimelle allows me to use papers where the colour works but the imagery not so much.
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Post by 0612 on May 15, 2024 2:37:39 GMT
I to have been thinking that I should have enough. Then I see a new die that I can’t seem to live without. I also tell myself that when I retire I won’t have the money so I should go ahead and buy it. I’m 72 hoping to retire when I’m 75. Cause right now I don’t have enough time to play with what I have, so i keep thinking how will I ever use it all.
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on May 15, 2024 15:25:52 GMT
0612 , dies are my biggest weakness, too. I was surprised to see this thread come back to the top, although some recent threads have reminded me that I still struggle with this issue. I have bought less, but I have still added to my stash. I went to one convention last year. I have also been to one this year. In both cases, I bought more than I intended to, but I bought almost exclusively Disney themed papers, dies, and embellishments, since I have three Disney trips to scrapbook. That was my main purpose in going, and I am (mostly) happy with what I bought. I did actually scrapbook on NSD. It felt really, really good to scrapbook again instead of just making cards. If I want to make a dent in my stash, I clearly need to do more scrapbooking and less card making. And stop buying. Recent online purchases, though, have been mostly digital files for printing and cutting. At least they don’t take up space in my craft room until I print and cut them.
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