swtonscrappn
Full Member
Posts: 135
Jun 25, 2014 23:58:28 GMT
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Post by swtonscrappn on Jul 7, 2014 19:51:09 GMT
I've been thinking a lot of what people have been saying about being overwhelmed with choices. My craft room is SO FULL OF CRAP that I spend so much time taking care of my stuff rather than using it. Its not just my craftroom. We homeschool, so there are the books, the science labs, the manipulatives. I have 10-12 bookcases in my house. Sigh...I need to declutter BIG TIME. And that will mean getting rid of a lot of my 'treasures'. Im going to start with my craft room and see if I can sell stuff on etsy first. Then I will probably have a garage sale at the end of the summer.
Its scary because I always have this fear that if I get rid of something it would have been perfect for a future layout...unfortunately probably I wouldnt be able to find it when I needed it anyways. So if anyone is looking for some good deals on paper and embellishments, Ill post a link to my etsy shop in the next two weeks or so.
If you dont see me, check and see if I was buried alive!
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Post by cmpeter on Jul 7, 2014 19:59:31 GMT
Good luck! I did a a couple purges earlier this year and get so much more done now.
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Post by carolynhasacat on Jul 7, 2014 20:11:24 GMT
That is scary, but I bet it will beat the feeling of being overwhelmed. Good luck!
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Post by nesser01 on Jul 7, 2014 20:16:06 GMT
I had to purge when I moved last August. I had the same fears but I went with it and got rid of the old stuff I never used. I haven't looked back!...or needed anything I had gotten rid of.
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Post by Linda on Jul 7, 2014 20:20:37 GMT
You CAN do it - and it's freeing, really.
I go through the whole house(minus DH's retreat/stuff) about twice a year and pack stuff up to donate.I usually donate at least a pick-up truck load each time but there's always more that can go - I'm not quite sure how that happens because I'm not much of a shopper but...it does.
I'm one of those people who get overwhelmed with too many choices/too much stuff for crafting - I'm not a big shopper but I have several crafty people in my life who pass along leftovers and stuff they are getting rid of. I've learnt that I need to go through it regularly and only keep what I love AND will use.
With scrapbooking - I keep a big ziploc bag on my desk and as I use a folder or drawer or sticker sheet or...I pull out what I know I won't use be it a partial sticker sheet or embellishment pack that I've used all I want to from or a sheet of paper I no longer love or an alphabet sheet with no vowels left or scraps I don't see myself using....and into the bag it goes. I have a Girl Scout friend whose troop is very crafty and she gladly takes my leftovers - I see her monthly at our area meetings so it works out well
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pamp
Full Member
Refupea #2487
Posts: 172
Jul 1, 2014 20:14:17 GMT
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Post by pamp on Jul 7, 2014 21:01:18 GMT
Good Luck!
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,393 
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Post by amom23 on Jul 7, 2014 21:32:56 GMT
Decluttering no matter what it is (clothes, books, dishes, scrapbooking supplies) always feels so good in the end. Clutter can really be paralizing. Just go for it!
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Jul 7, 2014 22:04:53 GMT
I love all the encouragement. I have run out of space and am trying desperately to resist shopping for more! It's so easy just to keep acquiring...but in the end, it just makes me feel worse. Good luck with your purge!
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Post by papersilly on Jul 7, 2014 22:29:56 GMT
I say that about all the stuff I've gotten rid of before I got rid of it. right after that, i couldn't remember what it was that seemed so iffy to get rid off. out of sight, out of mind.
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,993
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Jul 7, 2014 22:43:51 GMT
When I did a major purge about 3 years ago and it felt so GOOD! I haven't regretted getting rid of anything yet and am pretty sure I won't. Don't be afraid that you will "need" something in the future, if you haven't used the item for more than a year, get rid of it. That's how I did my purge. I was brutal.  |
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,448
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jul 8, 2014 0:49:22 GMT
I did a huge purge when we moved five years ago. I switched to digi shortly after and have been trying to whittle it all down. In January I did another purge but with lots of traditional stuff, mostly tools and such that I don't ever use (but had to have). I have a crate of "to go" items. My next step is to figure out what I can sell versus what I should donate.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jul 8, 2014 0:52:11 GMT
I have started a huge purge, too! There is a consignment sale at the end of July that I am registered for. I have boxes and boxes of stuff getting set to go, and still my shelves overflow! Where did it all fit?!
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Post by myboysnme on Jul 8, 2014 0:54:50 GMT
I am afraid to purge. I will need it before I die.
For several years I headed up a scrapbook yard sale, and sold off stuff, but these days I am the one likely to take what someone else is purging.
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Post by meridon on Jul 8, 2014 0:56:13 GMT
It will be so worth it! We moved a few months ago and I had to pack up my scrap room to get the house ready to sell. I gave away a ton of stuff and have only recently started scrapping again now that we're settled. I get so much more done now that I have fewer choices. I don't stress about finding the "perfect" combination.
I wish I was brave enough to to chuck it all (or sell it all, whatever) and subscribe to a kit club. That's it; no additional purchases besides basics like adhesive and page protectors. I know I wouldn't ever get more pages done than one kit's worth would be enough for during a month. I'm just caught up in the "but I paid good money for this stuff" trap. Who cares if it's taking up valuable real estate and sucking energy and time because I waste scrappy/creative energy worrying about the stuff rather than enjoying my hobby and telling my stories! Ok, rant over. Good luck with your purging!
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swtonscrappn
Full Member
Posts: 135
Jun 25, 2014 23:58:28 GMT
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Post by swtonscrappn on Jul 8, 2014 1:19:13 GMT
Thanks for all the encouragement! I got through the majority of my paper and stickers this afternoon. I bundled the paper Im getting rid of in packs of 100. Currently I am making page kits with stickers and embellishments I bought for specific photos. I put an entire Christmas paper stack in the sale pile...I had two of them...neither ever used  . I had enough holiday paper to last me several lifetimes. Im being brutal...I only need so many Christmas kits. I know as soon as I get rid of it, Ill forget I even had it. Hopefully I can make a bit of cash with some of it (I have quilting fabric to go through as well). What makes me really sad is how much furniture Ive boughten to give all my crap homes. As soon as I get rid of a bunch of this stuff, I can probably get rid of some of the furniture. |
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tangent
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by tangent on Jul 8, 2014 1:36:26 GMT
Haha, I just did this and I think you hit the nail on the head. I've probably forgotten what I purged so I don't miss it. Finally, my lack of memory comes in handy.
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Post by Prenticekid on Jul 8, 2014 15:03:13 GMT
Step No. 1: Stop thinking of them as your treasures. It is just stuff.
(From a recovering treasure hoarder.)
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 8, 2014 15:26:27 GMT
I use the "do I love it" method of purging. If I don't LOVE it, it goes.
Also, if it would only cost a dollar or two to replace, don't sweat it. Let it go!
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tiffanytwisted
Pearl Clutcher
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Posts: 4,538
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Jul 8, 2014 15:31:15 GMT
You can do it! And it will feel so freeing and you will get so much more accomplished in your new space. And sometimes it's like Christmas - you find things you forget you had. It's wonderful!
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Post by woodysbetty on Jul 9, 2014 2:17:01 GMT
Oh my...good luck...sending positive purging energy!
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Post by LisaDV on Jul 9, 2014 11:54:56 GMT
Good luck.
I homeschool too. It's amazing how many books we hoard. We got rid of a back end of the van load recently and still need more bookshelves to have what we kept out. I did a purge a couple of years ago for crafting items and a very small one this year, but I like my stuff. We use it for crafts and school things as well.
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Post by alissa103 on Jul 9, 2014 12:29:35 GMT
I am afraid to purge. I will need it before I die. This made me LOL!  I've purged a few times in the last couple of years. I used to do a good purge once a year before LSS yard sale, but when the store closed and we then moved, I hadn't done it in awhile. When we moved into this house and I unpacked my scrap room, I purged. Then in January I purged again because I realized I wasn't going to be able to fit everything in my new space. I had kept way too many alterables (which I really don't do these days). And too much paper that honestly I knew I'd never use or was no longer my style. I also had a ton of punches that were very specific and they just took up space. Since I have a Silhouette and can cut whatever I want, I got rid of those too. It it will be lovely once you've culled it down. The clutter is certainly paralyzing, I understand that! Be ruthless. After I did my purge in January, I even went back through my stuff and pulled out more. When I realized how much I still had, and what I really loved, some of the stuff I had originally saved just didn't speak to me any more. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 19, 2024 16:21:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 12:40:14 GMT
I'm making the switch to digital, party because I'm sick of the clutter of traditional scrapbooking! I'm ready to regain some space, and hopefully save some money.
I'm going to list stuff for sale too, I think on a Facebook scrapbooking yardsale site.
It's kinda scary because I've scrapped for almost 20 years, and it will be very strange to not have the stuff anymore, but freeing too I think.
Good luck!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 19, 2024 16:21:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 16:36:58 GMT
Good luck...that used to be my fear...needing it later...but seriously....I have gotten rid of a TON of stuff and never missed any of it.
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swtonscrappn
Full Member
Posts: 135
Jun 25, 2014 23:58:28 GMT
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Post by swtonscrappn on Jul 9, 2014 18:36:58 GMT
Just an update on the process. Ive filled two medium sized boxes with scrap and fiberart supplies. I made about 50 page kits with my various supplies (as I was going through). I went through my paper first and matched what I wanted to keep with cardstock. Then as I put it in memory keepers, I added 2 alphabets and 2 fibers, ribbons, or washi. Then I through in a few sheets of stickers or embellishments. It gave me a clearer idea of what I would actually use and what I wouldnt. Ive probably emptied 5 shelves and 6 drawers. I havent started on my books or my fabric yet (this is in my craft room only)
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Post by anniefb on Jul 9, 2014 19:10:39 GMT
Just an update on the process. Ive filled two medium sized boxes with scrap and fiberart supplies. I made about 50 page kits with my various supplies (as I was going through). I went through my paper first and matched what I wanted to keep with cardstock. Then as I put it in memory keepers, I added 2 alphabets and 2 fibers, ribbons, or washi. Then I through in a few sheets of stickers or embellishments. It gave me a clearer idea of what I would actually use and what I wouldnt. Ive probably emptied 5 shelves and 6 drawers. I havent started on my books or my fabric yet (this is in my craft room only) Woohoo! Great idea to do the page kits as you went. I think just seeing what you've got and how you can use it is a great way to start. |
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. I had enough holiday paper to last me several lifetimes. Im being brutal...I only need so many Christmas kits. I know as soon as I get rid of it, Ill forget I even had it. Hopefully I can make a bit of cash with some of it (I have quilting fabric to go through as well).
