S/O paper stacks vs. loose sheets

I love the idea of making small gift boxes - thank you

I buy pads and collections packs, and loose sheets too. I never bought stacks. If I did, I would buy plain colors (white, black or kraft)

I don't really have a choice and what I DO have is very limited. I only have Walmart. I've always bought cardstock packs simply because it was much cheaper to build up a stash AND what I don't love turns into cards! I think the first paper pad I bought was a 8x8 DOG themed pad! The ONLY others were clearanced paper stacks/pads until a few months ago and I had to buy some smaller and a couple of 12x12 paper pads so I could finish some mini albums I'm working on as gifts.

I did clean up a few weeks ago when WM clearanced a bunch of 6x6 pads and some very small 12x12 sets. Went from NONE that I bought (someone gave me some last year) to a BUNCH of 6x6!

We didn't make our usual yearly trip to El Paso for DH to take a class (he did it online this year) so I HAD to do something! While he took the class, I shopped at 1 Joanns, 2 Hobby Lobby's and 1 Michaels! Hated that I missed my trip but grateful we didn't have to get up at 3 am!

I only buy stacks when they appear in my local TK Maxx, otherwise they don't work out very good value for me. But when they go down to £7.99 (whatever that works out to in dollars), I find them a great way to get a whole collection. It means I can use papers without worrying about 'saving' them or having anxiety about cutting them up (you know what I mean). I used to be sniffy about them being thinner paper and single-sided, but once they're in a layout you can't really tell and I don't mind.

I buy pads and single sheets. I find a use for any papers in my stacks I don't like (similar to rlg510) so they never go to waste. I like the fact that we(in general) have more than one buying option for paper; sometimes I may need to create a card or project for someone who has a completely different style then me, and it's nice to be able to buy only what I need of a particular pattern without buying and entire pad of something I may never use again.

My uses for "ugly" papers

-I use ugly papers for test cuts with my silhouette, rather then using my good paper.
-White side for print and cuts or stamping.
-Ugly papers often do look better if they are layered.
-My kids often like the paper I hate, so I don't have to part with the stuff I really like when they make an art project.(yeapers, I don't like to share my good stuff if I don't have to)

Another thing you can do with the thinner papers you wouldn't necessarily scrap with would be to use them to make envelopes. If one side is white (or solid), use that for the outside and the pattern can go on the inside. Might as well make something you can use anyway!

I have a handful of paper stacks, but am much more likely to purchase single sheets. Occasionally I'll purchase a collection pack if I REALLY love the collection, but again, I'm more likely to just pick and choose the papers/embellishments from the line that I like/think I will use. I do purchase a lot of 6x6 paper pads as I find those much easier to use up AND I like the smaller patterns.

when I first started SBing, I got sucked into the stacks and slabs. remember those? what a waste of money. I stockpiled those things like there was going to be a paper famine. then I realized I probably only used 10% of that pile of paper (if even that much).

now I've switched to loose sheets. I pick and choose and coordinate with other collections. the only "stacks" I buy are collections and I have to like just about every design before I buy the whole collection.

I do the same thing. I have banned myself from anything Christmas & Halloween stack/collection/loose sheets after organizing my paper and embellishments. I buy loose sheets and stacks. I've never bought a collection. I can't justify buying pricy embellishments that are usually too lumpy or large for me. If I can get stacks for a really good deal like the one Joann's had, I can sell what I don't want on a local facebook group.

This thread is timely.I was looking at the paper pads I have and decided no more.
There's just to many of the same patterns in different colors and I get bored.
I prefer the collection packs. It gives me double sided paper and I can get 5-6 layouts of one pack with all the layering I do.

For those with the think paper packs, use cardstock to back your papers. This is what i would before cardstock weight pattern paper existed

I scrap 8x8 layouts so I've been buying 6x6 paper packs. However, I tear them apart as soon as I get them and file them by collection. I've been finding some at our local Ross store. It's hit and miss however.

Sorry! Yes, Scrapbook Generations. I refer to the sketches often. One of my best investments as far as classes go.

I buy a combination depending how much I like a collection. I tend to be drawn to bright bold patterns so it is actually helpful to me to buy a collection pack or pad so that I have the smaller, more subtle patterns that I need but aren't always drawn to. I also have to say that I think that pads have come a long way since I first started scrapping.