Deleted
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May 9, 2024 5:59:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2016 21:07:09 GMT
I'm overwhelmed. I have so much scrap stuff (from 19 years of Scrapbooking.
I spend so much time just hunting for things.
I'm thinking about getting rid of it all ( donating it) except the stamps and cardstock...and just starting over.
Is it nuts?
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 5, 2016 21:48:48 GMT
Yes, it is. Perhaps a nice purge would be better. Make three piles- have to keep, I might use, and What did I buy that for. Keep moving stuff in the piles until you have just enough stuff to start over.
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amom23
Drama Llama
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Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
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Post by amom23 on Jan 5, 2016 22:39:51 GMT
Yes, I agree that it would be crazy to do that. Have you ever done a purge? That's a basic place to start. Get rid of anything you don't love and won't use.
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Post by Flibbertigibbet on Jan 5, 2016 22:55:06 GMT
I think a deep purge is in order. I stopped scrapping for a few years and got rid of everything but the stamps, tools, and stuff that j knew I would still use. I purged around 10 boxes of stuff. If you aren't going to use it I say let it go, start fresh, and get excited about scrapping again.
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Deleted
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May 9, 2024 5:59:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2016 23:16:28 GMT
No, but if you think that would help you, I'm in favor. Sounds like fun!
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Post by katlady on Jan 5, 2016 23:25:19 GMT
I will join you on the crazy bench. The thought has entered my mind a few times. I have never followed through, but I just think how freeing it would be to start over!
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Post by papersilly on Jan 5, 2016 23:35:49 GMT
I think we have all felt that way at one time or another. I was thinking of it recently but had to tell myself "are you crazy? this is some great stuff and most of it they don't make anymore". even though I like to purge stuff periodically, I am very careful about the stuff I can't replace.
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Post by myboysnme on Jan 5, 2016 23:59:25 GMT
The only thing I have ever purged is socks. I had so many unmatched socks I just tossed everything and bought new socks. Except I have yet again a few years later, an equally large pile of unmatched socks.
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 6, 2016 0:19:09 GMT
The only thing I have ever purged is socks. I had so many unmatched socks I just tossed everything and bought new socks. Except I have yet again a few years later, an equally large pile of unmatched socks. The day after I retired I donated one closet full of clothes to Goodwill. It was the best feeling ever. Fast forward seven months and somehow a part time job crept back into my life and I have very few clothes to wear to this nice office. Ugh.
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Post by ecvnj58 on Jan 6, 2016 0:24:11 GMT
I would keep the basics and get rid of the rest. Yes it's crazy but if it overwhelms you then it's not bringing you joy. I recently did a huge purge. Probably got rid of half my stuff. I mainly kept the stamps I like, paper, basic tools and some embellishments. I was really ruthless. The thing is now I have stuff I am really excited to use. So start getting rid of it. I put mine of free cycle and gave boxes away to a really nice woman. I hope it brings her joy.
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Post by mom on Jan 6, 2016 0:49:10 GMT
(hiding my head in shame)
Yes. I started scrapbooking almost 12 years ago. The first few years I bought everything I could get my hands on. And then my style changed and I couldn't find a single thing when I needed it. So when my DH built my studio upstairs, I gave away (and sold) probably 90% of my crap. I only kept things I LOVED.
Its been about 7 years since I did this and I am so much happier now. For me, less is really more.
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oaksong
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Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Jan 6, 2016 1:01:40 GMT
Rather than a purge, what about pulling out some of your favorites and packing the rest away. That way you're only surrounded by things that you like, and the other items are there to pull from if you get inspired. If you end up not missing it, then you can get rid of it.
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Post by acd on Jan 6, 2016 1:17:06 GMT
You're not nuts. It's just stuff. Time and sanity are far more precious. We were getting ready for a basement remodel and I had to pack up all of my scrapbook supplies. THAT was eye-opening - and embarrassing. I kept my basic supplies and most recent kits out. I gave a lot away, and everything I was afraid to part with got packed and well labeled. Six months later.... I don't miss any of it, I still have plenty to do with the time and limited supplies I have access to, and I am much more intentional with my purchases. Now I need to find a good home for the six boxes that are in my storage room. Again, it's just stuff.
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Deleted
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May 9, 2024 5:59:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2016 1:51:55 GMT
The only thing I have ever purged is socks. I had so many unmatched socks I just tossed everything and bought new socks. Except I have yet again a few years later, an equally large pile of unmatched socks. I just did this for my boys recently. All new, same brand, same color socks and the rest in the trash. I'm tired of dealing with trying to find matching socks. Now ask ODS where all his socks are and he has no clue. I guess his feet will get cold this winter. LOL. I just recently did a huge purge. Honestly, I never keep much on hand, I don't have space and I never want to feel overwhelmed. But there were things in my stash that I knew I was never going to use and had to literally talk myself into throwing them out. I am so happy with my clean shelves now!
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 6, 2016 2:24:15 GMT
The only thing I have ever purged is socks. I had so many unmatched socks I just tossed everything and bought new socks. Except I have yet again a few years later, an equally large pile of unmatched socks. I just did this for my boys recently. All new, same brand, same color socks and the rest in the trash. I'm tired of dealing with trying to find matching socks. Now ask ODS where all his socks are and he has no clue. I guess his feet will get cold this winter. LOL. I just recently did a huge purge. Honestly, I never keep much on hand, I don't have space and I never want to feel overwhelmed. But there were things in my stash that I knew I was never going to use and had to literally talk myself into throwing them out. I am so happy with my clean shelves now! I have never lost a sock. Is that weird? I also had my boys start doing their own laundry at 7, so I don't know if they have either. I just buy them a dozen pairs at Christmas and never ask.
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Elsabelle
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Jun 26, 2014 2:04:55 GMT
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Post by Elsabelle on Jan 6, 2016 3:39:08 GMT
Rather than a purge, what about pulling out some of your favorites and packing the rest away. That way you're only surrounded by things that you like, and the other items are there to pull from if you get inspired. If you end up not missing it, then you can get rid of it. I did something similar to this when I was organizing after we moved. I put all of the things I use most often in a place with the easiest access. I didn't purge anything. I still have all my stuff. It's just more organized and since it's not as visible I don't feel overwhelmed by it. I can't imagine the time and energy to toss everything and the expense of starting over. I'd much rather put on a movie or some music and start sorting and purging. Once you go through your stuff a lot of it will seem new again and you'll feel motivated to use it.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jan 6, 2016 5:04:39 GMT
I'm overwhelmed. I have so much scrap stuff (from 19 years of Scrapbooking. I spend so much time just hunting for things. I'm thinking about getting rid of it all ( donating it) except the stamps and cardstock...and just starting over. Is it nuts? Me about 1 month ago? You are nuts. No way! Don't do it! Me about 1 month later? We have been purging the house. If there are 25 cookbooks maybe use 2 of them keep 5. The rest are gone. Linens, towels, cookie tins. You get the idea. We have about 30 bottles of shampoo. I looked at my scrap space and there is a lot of good stuff in there. There is tons of really old CRAP I will never use in a million years. I have these huge whatever ______. Or this UGLY paper but I got it in a kit and I paid for it therefore have to keep it. And there are things I will never put on a page. Not no nor ever. Once I purge the next area I will attack the scraproom. There is stuff I just love and will always love and I will keep that. The BIG Bazzill buttons that were huge and translucent (maybe they were Rob and Bob?) they can go, too. I am half way through my life now and I need to buy experiences and memories more than I need things. I don't need more clothes. I don't need another car. I don't need more shoes (well I do need some but that can wait). I am good for makeup and perfume. It's time to downsize my life. If I haven't used something in 20 years it can go. It really can. So, to answer your question, this is me here, the super shopper extraordinare who has her own store in her basement. I have tons and even I am thinking about downsizing a LOT! Do what you do to make you happy!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 6, 2016 5:49:34 GMT
I just did this for my boys recently. All new, same brand, same color socks and the rest in the trash. I'm tired of dealing with trying to find matching socks. Now ask ODS where all his socks are and he has no clue. I guess his feet will get cold this winter. LOL. I just recently did a huge purge. Honestly, I never keep much on hand, I don't have space and I never want to feel overwhelmed. But there were things in my stash that I knew I was never going to use and had to literally talk myself into throwing them out. I am so happy with my clean shelves now! I have never lost a sock. Is that weird? I also had my boys start doing their own laundry at 7, so I don't know if they have either. I just buy them a dozen pairs at Christmas and never ask. Nope, not weird. I have never lost a single sock either, not even when DD was a baby and I was washing all those teeny tiny little socks. My secret? Mesh laundry bags for DD's socks, and washing a separate load of ONLY socks and undies for myself and DH. Funny how they never get lost when they're not washed with pants or shirts or anything that a sock could get trapped inside! It's worked for me for over 30 years. ETA: LOL, to answer the question in the OP, my vote would be to do a really good sort and purge, then organize what you decide to keep. I'm kind of still in the process of this but now I'm in the organizing and storing phases. I set up Iris boxes for every theme I have photos I know I eventually want to scrap, and sorted my items directly into those boxes and labeled them on the outside. Some boxes had to be split into two groupings, one for embellishments and the other for papers. Now when I want to scrap Halloween 2012, Christmas 2001 or whatever, it's easy to just grab those one or two boxes of Halloween stuff or Christmas stuff and take them to my table to rifle through. I still have to do a little fine tuning for some categories, like generic stickers, alphabet rub-ons, chipboard pieces and so on before those things can find a permanent home in my studio, that's what I need to work on next.
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Post by anniefb on Jan 6, 2016 8:03:50 GMT
Nope, not crazy - but I might start with a deep purge and see what's left.
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Deleted
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May 9, 2024 5:59:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2016 8:54:45 GMT
Yes, I have done a deep purge. I am so glad I did. I did regret getting rid of some things. There is always new and improved. My reason for purging was none of that stuff was for the artist that I am now. It was for an artist I was back then. I found everything so limiting and uninspiring. Example- I told my DH that I didn't like my dies any more. He said get rid of them all. I told him what if that was a mistake. He said there is Ebay. I took his advice. I did keep my very favorites. I bought new dies. Now, I love die cutting again. I do a deep declutter of my art room once a year. When I clean my room every week I will declutter things. It might be a pen I don't like or a piece of scrapbook paper. If it doesn't inspire me any more item has to go to a new home that it will be loved. I hope that helps.
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craftykitten
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Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Jan 6, 2016 11:17:21 GMT
I don't think it's nuts. Why would you keep stuff from 20 years ago if you haven't used it? If it makes you happy then there's no problem, but if it is making creating harder and less enjoyable, then I say go for it. Lisa Moorefield did an excellent article on how she downsized her supplies. I haven't quite gone that far (and I didn't have as much to start with) but it really appeals to me.
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bklyngal62
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Post by bklyngal62 on Jan 6, 2016 12:34:27 GMT
Not crazy at all, but why don't you try purging your things first. I was feeling overwhelmed with all the stuff I had. I don't have a scraproom, so I feel it was just taking over the living/dining area. I have purged so much stuff and am feeling better about it. I know I still have to purge some more, but I'm taking one day at a time.
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Post by dasmith2 on Jan 6, 2016 13:11:21 GMT
Seriously considering this,or at least a major overhaul. I'd like to be able to have everything in one area within reach and well organized. I think it would be so much less overwhelming!
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Post by kellyv on Jan 6, 2016 15:49:16 GMT
no, not nuts! you need to do what feels right for you and holding onto stuff isn't going to bring the money you spent back any more than passing it on to someone who might use it or recycling it is. i have about one fifth of what i used to have and now i know exactly what i have and where it is and it is all easy to access.
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Post by scrapcat on Jan 6, 2016 16:37:35 GMT
I totally get where you are coming from, but like others suggest a good, deep purge would help.
I've done it a few times. Sometimes it's nice to just pack some things away out of sight as well. I did that with some "maybe" stuff. Literally put in a rubbermaid tub in my garage. If I thought of stuff from it that I wanted or could use, I would go grab it. Then after a few month the rest was donated.
I definitely need to clear my work area sometimes and just have a few select items within reach to streamline and be more efficient.
Just don't get rid of staples like tools, adhesive, inks, etc. You will always use them.
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Post by Prenticekid on Jan 6, 2016 20:12:01 GMT
I did. And even more than you are asking about. I moved about 6 years ago from a home I had lived in for over 20 years. My whole adult life, including former marriage and little kids, were spent in that house. While I looked for my new house, I spent six months chucking everything - right down to the furniture. Well, I did keep scrapbooks and properly filed genealogy stuff and some books. I got rid of hundreds of books, clothes, I don't even know what anymore. And, I've never missed a thing.
I got some clarification, not just in how I scrapbooked, but also just on how much "stuff" was really holding me back. I'm not going way deep here, it was just funny afterwards to realize how much energy I put into holding onto stuff. Scrapbooking-wise, I get a lot more done now because my room isn't filled to the gills, I know where my stuff is and I only bring in stuff I actually truly love. And I use it! LOL I don't buy crap at Tuesday Morning just because it is on sale. I don't use Michaels coupons just to use them. So, in a way, it also saves me money!
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Post by scrapperal on Jan 6, 2016 20:57:55 GMT
Everyone I know who's purged their scrapook stuff feels better afterwards. If they are still crafting, they are more inspired. If they're no longer crafting, they don't have to look at their stuff and feel guilty. Now, if I could just get on board to do it myself...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2016 22:19:38 GMT
I was just thinking the same thing today, after spending time yesterday and today trying to organize and clean up my desk!
I have a LOT of past kits in bins on a shelf, and I was looking thru them thinking I could probably scrap for the next couple of years just using those. Then, add in my bin with holiday collections, and I wouldn't have to shop for a very, very long time.
Outside of the kits, my first really big problem comes in the doo-dads; i.e., the embellishments and stuff. I have so much, and love it, so don't know how I can get rid of any of it, lol.
My second big problem is my stamps. I have so, so many I'm so tempted to try and sell off at least half of them.
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Post by mom on Jan 6, 2016 23:11:25 GMT
@devildog About your stamps: you say you love them. Do you use them?
And on the doc-dads - can you purge 1/2 off them and still have plenty? Then do that.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 7, 2016 1:55:50 GMT
Instead of dumping it all, I would "shop" my stash. Go in and save what you would buy today, if you had nothing. Donate the rest.
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