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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 21, 2024 14:32:56 GMT
I learned a new term today, SABLE. Heard it? It stands for Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy. I ordered some yarn this morning for a new blanket project. And while it's always fun to get some new goodies, I was thinking to myself, where am I going to put it? I will drop off a bunch of leftover acrylics (I have like 30 partial skeins) at an adult care home next week to make room in my cubbies for my new stuff. But then I was just like looking through all my yarn and I realized I have enough in my stash for 16 complete projects. And I've got 5 active right now. And then of course, a pea asked me yesterday about a quilt I'm working on and haven't pulled out in like 6-8 weeks. And all I could think about is how I have enough supplies to make 9 more quilts, plus two tops in progress, and three finished tops not quilted. For several weeks now, I've had my scrapbook stuff all over my dining room table and I have one more month in my 2023 PL that despite all the pics being printed just can't seem to put together and then carry on with 2024. So my monthly kits are piling up too. I don't know I just feel so overwhelmed with my craft stash right now. I cannot justify buying a single thing, and yet, there I was this morning, buying more yarn. Now, I know from being online that my stash is not even close to what some have, certainly not SABLE. But I can with relative certainty say some of the things currently in my stash will *never* get used. I'm almost completely sure of it. I'll carry it along until the stash feels like it's choking me and then donate some things. And while I know the adult care home is more than happy to get this stuff, I still feel wasteful. Anybody else dealing with this guilt? Anybody want to tell me that this is totally *not that bad* and I'm making myself upset over nothing? Haha... Tell me I'm not alone.  |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jun 21, 2024 14:34:55 GMT
Unfortunately I can relate! 😊
Not a lot of guilt though.
You are young and still actively using your 'stuff'
I am making cards, no LOs.. bought a few new dies.. using them. Dug out some others. Using them.
Oh I do help others. Friend calls and asks, can you make such 'n such.. it gets made!
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Post by quinlove on Jun 21, 2024 14:46:06 GMT
I can only say how I feel about my hobby of acquiring craft product. I look at it as a good thing. I enjoy shopping for it. I enjoy knowing that I have it here when/if I need it. Just having it brings me joy. Like having a stack of books on a table to read at my leisure. I might not get around to using any of this stuff waiting for me. And that’s ok with me.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 21, 2024 14:48:26 GMT
Unfortunately I can be relate! 😊 Not a lot of guilt though. You are young and still actively using your 'stuff' I am making cards, no LOs.. bought a few new dies.. using them. Dug out some others. Using them. Oh I do help others. Friend calls and asks, can you make such 'n such.. it gets made! Yes I am still fairly young and so even if I didn't buy another thing I'd probably be able to craft yarn for like 4 years, quilts like 3 years, but the scrapbooks would be dead in months because I don't keep a very big stash there (which is good). So my stash is not going to outlive me. But in every other aspect of my life I've been able to size down and be discerning about my spending. Except for this Achilles heel. I'm glad to know you are in my camp too. But I don't know how everyone manages not to get overwhelmed by it. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 21, 2024 14:50:02 GMT
I can only say how I feel about my hobby of acquiring craft product. I look at it as a good thing. I enjoy shopping for it. I enjoy knowing that I have it here when/if I need it. Just having it brings me joy. Like having a stack of books on a table to read at my leisure. I might not get around to using any of this stuff waiting for me. And that’s ok with me. You seem like such a zen lady in so many ways. Totally does not surprise me you are comfortable with where you are stash-wise. |
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lindas
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Post by lindas on Jun 21, 2024 14:50:39 GMT
Guilty. Name a craft, any craft and I’ve tried it and still have a ton of supplies laying around to prove it.
Knitting, crochet, cross stitch, jewelry/soap/candle making, wood burning, quilting, etc…..you get the picture. Card making is my current passion and the one that I get the most enjoyment from. I know it’s time for the other things to go, I’m just not quite ready to part with any of it yet.
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Post by quinlove on Jun 21, 2024 15:03:06 GMT
I can only say how I feel about my hobby of acquiring craft product. I look at it as a good thing. I enjoy shopping for it. I enjoy knowing that I have it here when/if I need it. Just having it brings me joy. Like having a stack of books on a table to read at my leisure. I might not get around to using any of this stuff waiting for me. And that’s ok with me. You seem like such a zen lady in so many ways. Totally does not surprise me you are comfortable with where you are stash-wise. Aww thank you. 💚 |
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breetheflea
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Post by breetheflea on Jun 21, 2024 15:07:19 GMT
I was very happy when Covid closed everything (including the library) that I had plenty of craft supplies and books to read... Right before March 2020 there was an article posted on this board, about minimalism, and this woman (with kids) who only had enough food in her house for a few days (on purpose) and after March 13th, 2020 I wondered if she rethought that idea  Sometimes I think I have too much stuff and sometimes I want all the new things... |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 21, 2024 15:13:46 GMT
I know it’s time for the other things to go, I’m just not quite ready to part with any of it yet. Yes, I get that too. I mean my emotions are kind of caught up in my craft supplies. Do you feel that way too? I was very happy when Covid closed everything (including the library) that I had plenty of craft supplies and books to read... There actually was a thing going on on Twitter about a year ago with people stash shaming yarnies. And this one woman said that her stash of yarn was obscene. The amount of money she had spent on yarn over the years was outrageous and she had bin after bin of it. She said she felt so ashamed of it. And then her husband had a stroke. He could no longer work and their quality of life just dropped so much she had no room in their budget for anything but necessities. She had been knitting for 7 years on her stash and said she hadn't made a dent in it yet. So I think about that when I get the urge to shame myself or others. |
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Post by heckofagal on Jun 21, 2024 15:16:47 GMT
My latest hobby is polymer clay earrings (mostly). I'm leaning towards actually trying to make a business and try to sell stuff so I justify everything I'm buying...it's just hard to get to the point where I'm ready to sell. But yes, it makes me happy.
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Post by lainey on Jun 21, 2024 15:16:47 GMT
When I first started crocheting I thought I 'had' to have a stash and bought tons of yarn mostly just for the sake of it, I found that owning that much made me anxious and I gave most of it away to the charity shop. This will make me sound like a right weirdo but my brain doesn't cope well with excess, it makes me uncomfortable and I'm constantly thinking of how I can use it. Obviously (as you know) I do buy yarn and fabric but both stashes fit into one Kallax cube box each, anything over that and the overwhelm kicks in.
I'm on a mission atm to use up as much of both as I can, my yarn stash is down to part balls and scraps and I've donated some that I knew I'd never use. The same with my fabric, I've put together some fat quarters and I'm making project bags and zipper pouches (which kind of creates it's own problem though, what on earth do I do with them all?!).
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pantsonfire
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Post by pantsonfire on Jun 21, 2024 15:16:56 GMT
I know it’s time for the other things to go, I’m just not quite ready to part with any of it yet. Yes, I get that too. I mean my emotions are kind of caught up in my craft supplies. Do you feel that way too? I was very happy when Covid closed everything (including the library) that I had plenty of craft supplies and books to read... There actually was a thing going on on Twitter about a year ago with people stash shaming yarnies. And this one woman said that her stash of yarn was obscene. The amount of money she had spent on yarn over the years was outrageous and she had bin after bin of it. She said she felt so ashamed of it. And then her husband had a stroke. He could no longer work and their quality of life just dropped so much she had no room in their budget for anything but necessities. She had been knitting for 7 years on her stash and said she hadn't made a dent in it yet. So I think about that when I get the urge to shame myself or others. And she could certainly turn around and sell items she makes. |
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pantsonfire
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Post by pantsonfire on Jun 21, 2024 15:21:01 GMT
I am a minimalist when it comes to crafts. Part of it is my anxiety and OCD and the need to have an organized living space as well as not having a lot of space.
I have to be mindful of what comes in to my craft space or I get overwhelmed and then I can not relax enough to craft.
I have no trouble purging when needed to allow something new in because yes getting new items makes me happy.
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Post by gillyp on Jun 21, 2024 15:26:39 GMT
SABLE person here. I have far too much yarn, more scrapbooking/junk journal/art journal stash than I can probably use, fabric that has been waiting to see the light of day for at least 10 years, shelves upon shelves of genealogy folders and family tree photographs and boxes of embroidery threads.  I don't feel guilty as such but I know I'd rather use it than throw/donate it. A lot of stuff I kept with the thought the grandkids would want to use it and they do, to a point. They often ask to do crafty things because they know I'm not bothered about glue, paint, glitter around the place. Sometimes they will take a box of stash home and they each have two of their own boxes here that they can get out whenever they want. I've taught them both to cross stitch, crochet a bit and the eldest loves knitting and I doubt that would have happened if I'd not had things readily available. When I can get at my sewing machine (hidden by old furniture and scrapbook stash) I'll teach them to sew too. The eldest can sew her own merit badges on her riding sweatshirt. When I first started scrapbooking I would buy a new line when it came out but now, and for the last many years, I only buy with a project in mind. Same goes for yarn and I've not bought fabric since Covid. There IS an exception to the rule and I DID press pay on the laptop just yesterday for a new Alice in Wonderland range and I don't feel guilty one little bit. I might even start using it this year. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 21, 2024 15:32:54 GMT
lainey you sound very similar to me. I have anxiety about my stash too. And I don't know if it's really anxiety about my stash or anxiety about how long it takes me to finish. Because Lord knows I cannot ever seem to work on just one thing start to finish. I think maybe if I were a completer than I wouldn't feel so bad about all I have. Yet my bipolar and ADHD give me fits about hanging with the same project for too long.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 21, 2024 15:35:09 GMT
gillyp I want to be that kind of grandma.  you strike as such a laid back person. I am trying to let go of some of my anxiety about this.
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Post by quietgirl on Jun 21, 2024 15:42:30 GMT
I might not be getting the point. I just think that there should be no room for guilt in our lives over the things we like or love doing. Life can be hard, complicated, wonderful etc...and any enjoyment we get from hobbies should enhance our lives. Not turn into guilt or shame. I do understand anxiety over maybe having too much. I love yarn, and have a load of it, but there's something about having less to choose from that appealing to me. I have a bunch of scrapbook supplies, too, that I haven't touched in well over 4 years. I won't de-stash it yet, because I'm toying with the idea of a final Week In The Life before my boys move out. Anyway... Im sorry for the tangent...don't feel guilt or shame, please. Enjoy your things that help your hobbies.
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Post by jenb72 on Jun 21, 2024 15:47:57 GMT
Yes, I can relate to this. And I've heard SABLE before and I'm definitely a SABLE stitcher, lol. New and shiny are a problem for me sometimes. I don't know if I get overwhelmed with my stash, with the amount of projects I have going at once (currently under 20), or with other things in my life that cause me to shut down and sometimes lose my "stitchy bug" for a short while.
Jen
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milocat
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Post by milocat on Jun 21, 2024 15:48:12 GMT
Back when I scrapbooked. I did actually scrapbook but I bought more than I could have ever used in a lifetime and now I don't scrapbook anymore. I need to gi through my area again and really just keep some basics, but if cardstock, paper trimmer, tape runners, some basic tools that are handy for other kinds of things.
I crochet now but have very little extra.
I track my reading, so I know what I own, what I read etc. After realizing that I only read 25 - 50 books in a year and will always be adding more to my to be read list, it makes you realize how few books you'd ever get through in your lifetime. Same with other hobbies. I don't buy many books ahead of time now. If it takes a couple years to get to them and then I'm not interested it's a waste.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 21, 2024 15:52:28 GMT
I might not be getting the point. I just think that there should be no room for guilt in our lives over the things we like or love doing. Life can be hard, complicated, wonderful etc...and any enjoyment we get from hobbies should enhance our lives. Not turn into guilt or shame. Thank you! This is the right sentiment. This is the thought I need to hold onto. I do understand anxiety over maybe having too much. I think part of my frustration too is that I have multiple projects going at one time. So it seems sometimes like I just keep starting things and never finishing. (I do finish things, but it doesn't feel linear, if that makes sense.) |
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bethany102399
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Post by bethany102399 on Jun 21, 2024 15:52:30 GMT
I see this a lot with diamond painting. People post photos of their stash and it's hundreds and hundreds of boxes, like filling closets and garages with their paintings. I finally had to do something with my own small stash and had DH help me store it under the bed. It really brought home to me how much I had and got me to stop acquiring new paintings.
Fabric on the other hand… I do go through it from time to time and have a goal of it fitting in it's spot in my closet and not spilling out - I have a reuse center I can donate to. But you're right, it does seem so wasteful. I have a sizable pattern collection too but that's easier to store. I seem to be interested in patterns not to make them just to see how they come together.
finally there's the scrapbooking "stuff" allllll over the basement from when we moved in 8 years ago and then the sump pump that's in the same corner flooded within a month of us moving in. Things got moved out of the way to clean up the mess, but not in any kind of order. There's a table down there piled with stuff I need to go through, but I haven't done it. It seems so wasteful to have it just sitting there, but I can't bring myself to go down there and deal with it however much I need to.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 21, 2024 15:54:09 GMT
with other things in my life that cause me to shut down and sometimes lose my "stitchy bug" for a short while. Maybe this is why this is hitting me hard today. I've had a big disturbance this past week that was so very upsetting after a relatively consistent period of calm. So I feel like all I've done is scroll the internet the past week and it feels like yuck. So that could be why this feeling was so intense this morning. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 21, 2024 15:55:21 GMT
I don't buy many books ahead of time now. If it takes a couple years to get to them and then I'm not interested it's a waste. I solved this problem with a library card. It also eliminated the impetus to finish books I just couldn't get into . |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jun 21, 2024 15:56:13 GMT
You're definitely not alone.
And your purchases are not solely the materials themselves. They are opportunities for you to express yourself creatively. They are outlets for stress. They do not need too be measured & quantified by precisely how many projects can be made, and have been completed. Not every drop of Vincent Van Gogh's paint made it to a canvas, and yet we don't question the validity of what stash he had.
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hannahruth
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Post by hannahruth on Jun 21, 2024 15:59:55 GMT
I can only say how I feel about my hobby of acquiring craft product. I look at it as a good thing. I enjoy shopping for it. I enjoy knowing that I have it here when/if I need it. Just having it brings me joy. Like having a stack of books on a table to read at my leisure. I might not get around to using any of this stuff waiting for me. And that’s ok with me. This makes perfect sense - one day I may surprise myself and actually use some of the scrapping items I have or finish or maybe even begin some of the quilts I just had to have. I look at all the tools, stamps, dies I have and many of them never used but then think well you have to have the right tools if you are going to do a project properly. |
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Post by scrapmaven on Jun 21, 2024 16:00:06 GMT
My advice for people who have lots of craft projects/supplies is to adopt a teacher. That way you will have someone who can take stuff off of your hands and you'll feel that buying craft supplies is doing a good deed for others.  I have a lot of hobbies, but I don't always work on them. So, when I felt the need to purge I would call the kid's elementary school teachers and let them come to my scrap room and go to town in my scrap room. Now that my son is a teacher I let him raid the place for both himself and his fellow new teachers. If you're going broke doing anything then clearly you need help. However, if you can afford it and you enjoy it and it's not self destructive have fun. |
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Post by lainey on Jun 21, 2024 16:01:18 GMT
lainey you sound very similar to me. I have anxiety about my stash too. And I don't know if it's really anxiety about my stash or anxiety about how long it takes me to finish. Because Lord knows I cannot ever seem to work on just one thing start to finish. I think maybe if I were a completer than I wouldn't feel so bad about all I have. Yet my bipolar and ADHD give me fits about hanging with the same project for too long. I'm very much a completer, I feel the same anxiety about having multiple projects on the go as I do about having too much stuff. I've learnt that starting and finishing one thing is the way to go for me. |
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Post by cakediva on Jun 21, 2024 16:04:26 GMT
A little bit. I used to own an LSS with a friend. I have not been able to part with all my old supplies, even though I never intend to scrapbook again. The thousands of dollars I have invested in the totes in the basement would shock my DH lol.
And now I crochet - and the wool stash is adding up, even though I only purchase with a specific project in mind. Then there is the stocking cross stitch kit I bought last year for our future SIL, so his stocking aligns with the rest of the family LOL.
I should also add - one of our old LSS customers made herself a shirt that said "she who dies with the most supplies wins" and I've kinda stuck to that motto!
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Post by KiwiJo on Jun 21, 2024 16:05:11 GMT
Yeah I have an excess of yarn, embroidery, paper, and miscellaneous crafting supplies, and having downsized our home after retiring I no longer have much space to store it.
So some years back I changed the way I work….
I now only have one project per craft going at a time (so it’s not one project at a time, it’s one per craft - a big difference).
When I start a new project, I ‘shop’ from my stash first.
If I don’t have suitable supplies in my stash I will buy what I need.
I only buy supplies for the project I am about to start.
So I’ve found that my stash is going down very slowly because I often find it doesn’t have what I need.
Which, in itself shows how silly I was to buy stuff just because I liked the look of it!
But at least I’m no longer increasing my stash at all because now I only buy what I need for the next project.
I love donating excess when I can, to places that will use it - that’s a win-win.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 21, 2024 16:05:51 GMT
And your purchases are not solely the materials themselves. They are opportunities for you to express yourself creatively. They are outlets for stress. They do not need too be measured & quantified by precisely how many projects can be made, and have been completed. Not every drop of Vincent Van Gogh's paint made it to a canvas, and yet we don't question the validity of what stash he had. This is a really beautiful sentiment. Just a nice way to frame this discussion. |
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you strike as such a laid back person. I am trying to let go of some of my anxiety about this. 
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