ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,037
Location: Valley of the Sun
Jul 26, 2014 21:02:07 GMT
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Nov 26, 2019 2:59:27 GMT
If I am honest, shopping is more fun than scrapbooking right now. I can SO relate to this part of your post. I like looking at stuff and it’s fun to browse at Tuesday Morning when I have time by myself. Then I bring it home, re-organize to make room for the new stuff, then look online for more fun stuff because I’m either too tired or because my ds wants me to watch a movie or sit with him while he plays on his iPad. It’s easier to shop online and multitask than it is to craft and multitask. Just last night I was looking for ideas how to color a polar bear die cut shape that I cut, saw a polar bear stamp set when I searched for images, ended up adding it (and several other things) to my scrapbook . com cart, and somewhere between falling asleep last night and waking up this morning, purchased everything I had in my cart. I need to stop impulse shopping. I really need to stop buying stamps. I have been ok at limiting paper and pocket card purchases, but I am a sucker for stamps. I need to stop buying stamps.
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joyfulnana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,818
May 28, 2017 23:43:26 GMT
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Post by joyfulnana on Nov 26, 2019 3:36:23 GMT
By the end of the year I'm usually so done with shopping for supplies that I'm ready for a long freeze. But I don't do it, so I'm not going to make any declarations this year lol.
I'm at capacity with my storage and so many choices is beginning to feel overwhelming. I've roughly tracked my spending this year and I would like to cut that by half for 2020. Ideally only shopping in the Spring when the new releases hit, iNSD, my birthday and black Friday. I do get caught up in FOMO though. I don't have any big tickets tools I'm eyeing as I have a Cricut that I don't use enough already. I think about a manual die cutter, but then that would mean buying dies and I'm not willing to go down that rabbit hole lol.
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Post by anniefb on Nov 26, 2019 6:50:50 GMT
I keep track of spending and have a monthly amount budgeted for crafty spending but got a bit lazy the last few months. Did all my accounts at the weekend and got a bit of a shock at how much I’ve spent the last quarter. So the first thing on the agenda is a freeze for the next 3-4 months! I have lots of new things to play with and over summer will be busy in the garden so hopefully I’ll hardly notice I have a financial plan I’m working towards so I just need to refocus and make sure I stick to it.
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Post by joblackford on Nov 26, 2019 19:45:49 GMT
In addition to tracking spending, I have been tracking products. Primarily this year I focused on project life cards... the number that came into my stash each month (purchased) and the number that went out (used, trashed or donated) with the goal to be more out than in. Next year I think I will also try to track stamps in and maybe some other embellishments. I've found that tracking products is more motivating to me to buy less than actually tracking spending, so I just wanted to put it out there in case others were interested. Oh, that's an interesting idea! I could definitely benefit from better keeping track of how many stamps and dies I buy/own. It wouldn't hurt for me to catalog them so I can find what I need, but it would have an added benefit of showing me that I already have 8 big floral stamps and I've only sold 2 big floral stamped cards this year, so I need to either get better at using those big floral stamps or stop buying more! I have a reasonably good sense of what I have (thanks, small space) but it's easy to kid yourself about whatever is your blind spot...
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Post by cannmom on Nov 27, 2019 15:13:46 GMT
I don't track my scrappy spending. I know I go through periods where I spend more and long periods where I don't spend at all. I'm just finishing up 2.5 years of college classes (Graduating in December, yayy!). During this time I have done very little shopping because I didn't have any spare time to scrap on a regular basis. Looking forward to getting back into scrapping more. I have a decent sized stash, so I really don't need anything. My main goal is to start using my Cameo. I will be trying to find some good on-line classes.
I also don't have any local scrap stores. If I'm around a real store I will buy a decent amount because I don't get that opportunity often. It helps that I know my style pretty well so I generally buy things I know I will use eventually.
Starting with the new year I will be chilled for a while. I'm hoping to use up a ton of stuff.
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vexedangel
Full Member
Posts: 359
Nov 4, 2018 20:14:04 GMT
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Post by vexedangel on Nov 29, 2019 3:41:03 GMT
I want to spend my discretionary money on other stuff, and have more scrappy stash than space, so I am on a low to no scrappy shopping budget.
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Post by carolynhasacat on Nov 29, 2019 13:42:49 GMT
I've been in a tool buying phase so I can create more of my own supplies. The AC releases are all starting to look the same to me and I find myself not really interested in more of the same.
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,329
Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
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Post by amom23 on Dec 1, 2019 2:26:32 GMT
My plan is to stay completely frozen in 2020 (I've actually already started) unless there is an essential I really need to have like adhesive, but I honestly don't anticipate running out of anything. Less is more needs to be my 2020 motto!
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 1, 2019 2:31:28 GMT
My only order from the 2019 winter/Christmas product offer has arrived and I finally got around to opening it. I literally got 3 sheets of pattern paper and the Simple Stories holiday binder from this year (large spine). It's very little in comparison to usual scrappy Christmas hauls but I'm so please I took all my time to think my purchase through and take things out of my cart over the course of almost 3 months to narrow it down to just what I needed. Sure, I lost out on a plaid PP that I really wanted which sold it in the meantime but I'm absolutely at peace with that loss because I simply had to take the time to think it out.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 30, 2024 5:41:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2019 5:41:44 GMT
If I am honest, shopping is more fun than scrapbooking right now. I can SO relate to this part of your post. I like looking at stuff and it’s fun to browse at Tuesday Morning when I have time by myself. Then I bring it home, re-organize to make room for the new stuff, then look online for more fun stuff because I’m either too tired or because my ds wants me to watch a movie or sit with him while he plays on his iPad. It’s easier to shop online and multitask than it is to craft and multitask. Just last night I was looking for ideas how to color a polar bear die cut shape that I cut, saw a polar bear stamp set when I searched for images, ended up adding it (and several other things) to my scrapbook . com cart, and somewhere between falling asleep last night and waking up this morning, purchased everything I had in my cart. I need to stop impulse shopping. I really need to stop buying stamps. I have been ok at limiting paper and pocket card purchases, but I am a sucker for stamps. I need to stop buying stamps. Based on this, I decided that I needed to complete a page today. I did and I am going to say that unless I need adheasive, I am on a total freeze. Embarrased to report lots of unopened stuff in TM bags, M's bags and bins and drawers full of paper, and all manner of scrappy stuff. I am happy I have lots to play with but am like a person who ate a wonderful meal and is now full.
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Post by hop2 on Dec 1, 2019 14:53:10 GMT
After a year of buying whatever I wanted whenever I felt like it, I think that I need to get more *intentional* about what I buy. . LOL I need to get more organized & set aside specific times for crafting. So while I’m not going on a freeze, I do need to get my self together and organized so I’m not buying things flippantly or things very similar to what I have. No regrets for anything this past year, I actually think it was therapy for the years of not buying. Not every purchase was bought without thought either. Much of what I purchased was well thought out stocking up for next year- and going forward.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 30, 2024 5:41:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2019 15:31:14 GMT
It's weird, I am not a gambling person or a risk taker, but esp for Tuesday morning, it is not knowing what is there. Like there might be the scrapbook treasure to end all treasures, and I need to go and see if it is there. I wasn't like this with any of my LSS (when we had them) but TM is my downfall.
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Post by joblackford on Dec 3, 2019 2:50:31 GMT
It's weird, I am not a gambling person or a risk taker, but esp for Tuesday morning, it is not knowing what is there. Like there might be the scrapbook treasure to end all treasures, and I need to go and see if it is there. I wasn't like this with any of my LSS (when we had them) but TM is my downfall. That's exactly how those stores make money! Actually that's probably why they discontinued the phone line that you could call to check if something was in stock. They WANT you to come in and check, as often as possible, because they know that we all make rash decisions when there's only a few of something and if we don't buy it it might be gone, never to be seen again. It's kind of amazing how desirable we find their stuff considering they mostly buy overstocked product and odd items, the stuff that didn't sell well in regular stores. We scramble to pick up the leftovers, which may or may not be things we would've bought for full price, mostly because it's a bargain. Not to mention, I rarely just look at scrapbook stuff. I usually check a couple of aisles and often pick up a few random things I didn't know I wanted or "needed." That not how I want to spend my money so I rarely go in any more. If I don't know what they have I don't know what I'm missing. I'd recommend forgetting that it exists. Avoiding the TM thread and hauls, and avoiding the stores, especially if you analyze what you buy there and find that it's not stuff you really use or love (which is my experience). Sure, you'll "miss out" on a few things that might've been good. But will you even know? You can always tell yourself that your store wouldn't have had whatever great find someone else is talking about (it probably wouldn't have). Unless you genuinely can't afford full price stuff, or you can go in there with really good focus and only buy what you actually came in for, or you can buy moderately and love what you get, I'd just mark it off limits.
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Post by justjac on Dec 3, 2019 19:24:41 GMT
I am putting myself in the freezer. We have a spread sheet set up to track our credit card spending and we each picked what categories we wanted and I have a category called hobbies. It does include all crafty spending including crop registrations, memberships, subscriptions, tools, and supplies. I have spent so much money this year. I was happy with the amount I created (estimating 150 layouts and 100 cards) but I'm pretty sure I still had more come in than got used.
I'm still going to buy photo paper, ink, and adhesive. Basically I'm going to shut down tool and supply spending for a while. One thing I might try is making wish lists. Then when next December rolls around everyone will know what to get me. I probably should unfollow a lot of company Facebook and Instagram accounts and newsletters.
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Post by joblackford on Dec 3, 2019 21:47:37 GMT
I probably should unfollow a lot of company Facebook and Instagram accounts and newsletters. It will make life a lot easier!
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Post by mikklynn on Dec 4, 2019 12:53:01 GMT
joblackford I am doing the same - staying out of TM. I always came out with stuff I didn't intend to purchase when I entered the store.
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Post by BSnyder on Dec 6, 2019 3:00:16 GMT
Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions? Nope. Haven’t added it up and I don’t want to. After spending the week purging, putting away, falling in love with old product and seeing how much I have in relationship to my actual output has made me realize I need to cut waaaaayyy back. I am easily spending $100+ a month and haven’t scrapped in over 6 months. What’s worse is my dh is my biggest enabler!
Do you have financial goals in mind for next year? No financial goals, but I do plan to be conscious about my consumption and waste. I am going to leave Hip Kit Club for the year. Which kills me, because I love it. 😭
Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on? Nope, I really have everything I need and much more. My only purchases would potentially be adhesive and organizational purchases so I can more easily see what I have. My other focus will be on creating more of my own kits. I love working from a kit.
Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings? I am not tracking spending. I will be monitoring my usage. If something comes in, 5 things must be used up or passed on.
Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year? I am going very chilly. I can’t commit to a freeze, but I plan to seek inspiration from those scrappers more focused on “use it or lose it,” but looking to keep my older products up to date with fresh design. And like I said earlier, I really like the older supplies I have now. In most cases, I like the older stuff much more than the newer stuff.
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Post by mom on Dec 6, 2019 4:34:28 GMT
One month and a week away from stepping into the new year (already!) and so much talk about crafty spendings, budget, class prices, etc. around here already. I thought it would be nice to have a budget discussion thread for those who want to watch their money. If you have specific plans on how to spend your money or financial goals you wish to attein, it can be a good idea to get them written down, find an accountability buddy if needed, inspire others to be more intentional with their crafty pennies, etc. Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions? Do you have financial goals in mind for next year? Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on? Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings? Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year? Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions? I have added it up and while I am not over the top in my spending, I do see that I am wasting so much with my SC kit. I just dont use it enough to justify keeping it anymore. Do you have financial goals in mind for next year? Not really but I do want to concentrate more on experiences than things. DH and I love to travel and I would like to be able to have more $$ to do that. Just cutting SC and I will save over $350/year. Thats a plane ticket to somewhere. I have cut my spending tremendously but I know I can get it lower. I barely use my SC anymore (I think the quality is starting to drop again) so thats $30ish that I can cut and not miss. Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on? I know I am getting a new photo printer for my birthday next week but thats the only 'big' ticket item on the horizon. I plan on doing OLW but using my stash. I will probably buy the class though. I really want to finish up some old PL albums that are missing various things and I shouldn't need much more than a pen for that. Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings? DH and I budget so I use a spreadsheet. Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year? I dont plan on going into the deep freeze but I do want to cut back on my subs so I will be for sure canceling SC. I am debating doing a sub to Stories by the month but not sure. I love getting the chipboard but I never use the stamps, so who knows what I will do. Overall, I know I am ready to not be bringing in so much stuff. I find it debilitating. I want to be more intentional with what I bring home.
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Deleted
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Apr 30, 2024 5:41:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2019 5:24:34 GMT
Thank you for starting this thread, sleepingbooty ! I haven't kept close track of my craft spending for quite a few years, although I am always mindful of keeping up on using what I have vs. what I'm bringing in. In general, I would like to stay on track with the minimum obligations (Stampin' Up $1,200/year**, SC DK monthly kit & basic Silhouette sub) plus a very moderate amount of approx. $50/mo in addition to that. I want to continue to use what I have that I love! **The SU amount seems high, but I regularly sell old stash + have sales that offsets the majority of this. I don't track my spending and don't need to, but *want* to - I am not a lineal thinker, but I am very aware of when my spending is outpacing my productivity and I will essentially shut-down spending until I get busy again. Also, I have space limitations in my craft room, although not in my house in general, (but I keep all my stuff contained) and that is a huge help in limiting the new stuff I acquire. Plan to continue my spending chill and looking forward to seeing others who are doing this or a freeze. Many of my crafty friends have been on total freezes or have majorly chilled, so that has helped me not feel FOMO. I am kind of sad for the industry, though, I hope there are other folks buying like mad!
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Post by cannmom on Dec 6, 2019 17:03:40 GMT
Have you added up your scrappy spendings lately? Come to any conclusions? I have added it up and while I am not over the top in my spending, I do see that I am wasting so much with my SC kit. I just dont use it enough to justify keeping it anymore. Do you have financial goals in mind for next year? Not really but I do want to concentrate more on experiences than things. DH and I love to travel and I would like to be able to have more $$ to do that. Just cutting SC and I will save over $350/year. Thats a plane ticket to somewhere. I have cut my spending tremendously but I know I can get it lower. I barely use my SC anymore (I think the quality is starting to drop again) so thats $30ish that I can cut and not miss. Do you have things - crafty or not - on your 2020 purchase list that you want to keep focused on? I know I am getting a new photo printer for my birthday next week but thats the only 'big' ticket item on the horizon. I plan on doing OLW but using my stash. I will probably buy the class though. I really want to finish up some old PL albums that are missing various things and I shouldn't need much more than a pen for that. Favourite methods or apps to track your spendings? DH and I budget so I use a spreadsheet. Plans to freeze or chill regarding scrapbook supplies next year? I dont plan on going into the deep freeze but I do want to cut back on my subs so I will be for sure canceling SC. I am debating doing a sub to Stories by the month but not sure. I love getting the chipboard but I never use the stamps, so who knows what I will do.
Overall, I know I am ready to not be bringing in so much stuff. I find it debilitating. I want to be more intentional with what I bring home. mom you could probably sell the stamps on the for sale or trade board. They are pretty small so postage shouldn't be too much.
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Post by chaosisapony on Dec 7, 2019 19:55:47 GMT
Most of the products that have come out the last couple of years haven't been my style so consequently I have been saving money!
While I don't track my scrapbook spending I know this year I have placed 3 scrapbook.com orders for about $30 each. I have gone to Hobby Lobby twice and spent $25ish each time. Like most of us I have plenty of stash. What is hard for me is that there are no local scrapbook stores anymore so I find myself buying things I "might" use because the option to quickly run to a store to grab something for a page isn't there. I have also been using my silhouette more and more for the same reason.
In the coming year I am hoping to get a new printer that will cost a lot less in ink and then I want to try make up a bunch of pre-cut stickers using printable sticker paper and Silhouette print and cut designs.
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,329
Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
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Post by amom23 on Dec 8, 2019 0:15:07 GMT
I just took the time to unsubscribe from almost all promotional emails. It's just good to clean up the inbox and you can't be tempted by a sale you never saw right?!?!
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,619
Jul 31, 2014 5:23:25 GMT
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Post by craftymom101 on Dec 8, 2019 2:47:27 GMT
This year I need to make fewer trips to TM. I have so many new supplies that I haven’t opened! Plus a Black Friday box from Elle’s studio that arrived last week, along with new stamps and spray ink from Wplus9, and past kits from Hip Kit’s Black Friday sale and Citrus Twist’s Black Friday sale! Must. Stop. Shopping.
I also put the Snowflake collection and Heidi Swapp’s new (non-Christmas) collection on my Christmas list.
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Post by dasmith2 on Dec 9, 2019 22:31:39 GMT
So I’ve been reflecting some more on my spending and I’m still deciding my budget. I’m debating subscribing to HipKit but still on the fence so I’m waiting for January’s kit to decide. I recently canceled my FJ subscription after nearly a year. I love the kits, but I want more variety. I’m actually glad I did now though!! I sent a cancellation email around Thanksgiving (11/27).. I thought it was odd that I didn’t get a confirmation email, but figured things were busy with the sale and holiday. So I still didn’t hear back ._. so I emailed again 12/6. Still nothing.. I expected a sorry to see you go reply or something. I’m pretty disappointed and as much as I love her stuff, 👎 in my book. I recently subscribed to the SCT Sampler kit which I love!! 13 a month, including shipping. I signed up in Aug or Sep and it started in Nov. You get a good amount of variety and product. So, going forward, I can use the Sampler with my stash every month for something new and at a price that’s super affordable! I’ll decide on Hip Kit later, I still need to figure out a plan to curb my online spending 😬
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Post by dasmith2 on Dec 9, 2019 22:32:35 GMT
This year I need to make fewer trips to TM. I have so many new supplies that I haven’t opened! Plus a Black Friday box from Elle’s studio that arrived last week, along with new stamps and spray ink from Wplus9, and past kits from Hip Kit’s Black Friday sale and Citrus Twist’s Black Friday sale! Must. Stop. Shopping. I also put the Snowflake collection and Heidi Swapp’s new (non-Christmas) collection on my Christmas list. I’m drowning in new supplies, but I love so many things! Lol
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Post by cumber1137 on Dec 27, 2019 21:26:47 GMT
Getting ready for the freezer. With the announcement that Kelly Purkey is closing up her shop, I'll let my subscription run out and then I'll basically be set for the year.
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Post by Linda on Dec 27, 2019 22:55:26 GMT
I cancelled my EP kit - I LOVE the colours in the January kit but being realistic - I've only used a fraction of the three kits I already have and loving a kit doesn't equal having photos that'll work with it. I'll revisit the decision when the March kit is announced.
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Post by joblackford on Dec 28, 2019 3:23:43 GMT
Getting ready for the freezer. With the announcement that Kelly Purkey is closing up her shop, I'll let my subscription run out and then I'll basically be set for the year. I hadn’t heard that about KP!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 30, 2024 5:41:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2019 20:02:17 GMT
I went to M's today, all I bought was adhesive!! Although to be fair, I would have gotten an oxide ink with my 50% off coupon if they had had any. The were all out, except broken china which I have.
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,534
Member is Online
Oct 2, 2017 23:20:46 GMT
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Post by mich5481 on Dec 28, 2019 21:13:12 GMT
Getting ready for the freezer. With the announcement that Kelly Purkey is closing up her shop, I'll let my subscription run out and then I'll basically be set for the year. Same. I already canceled all of my AE subs last month. I may pick up a few more items during KP'S last two months, or some of the SBTM kits during and AE sale, but going to quit ordering online. I need to save $$$ for my river cruise next fall, and since I plan to move next year, I need to have less stuff to pack and purge. I am planning to sell some KP stamp sets (mostly from grab bags) and various AE kit components that I'll never use (mostly anything yellow or orange, or stuff made from cork, wood veneer, or rubber. Still debating selling the acrylic words from previous kits). I will try to save that $$$ for experiences/souvenirs in Europe.
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