3.21.2011

What to De-Stash?

I really truly do try to constantly get rid of stuff... and get my house to look nice... it just doesn't stay that way.  I'm taking on de-stash/stash busting challenges as much as possible and later this week, I'll be doing a guest spot at The T-Shirt Diaries (Robin is so into upcycling, love it!) for the Spring Stash Bust.  I'm so excited, it will be my first guest spot in blog-world.

A lot of thought has gone into stash busting for me.  Standing back and looking at my space and my abundant supplies,

I've given a lot of thought as to my current crafty loves.  Once upon a time, I made jewelry... in middle school it was out of paper but eventually evolved into bead and metal working.  In yet another life, I was really into scrapbooking.  While I still scrapbook, I want to get to the point of all digital scrapbooking (ie, less paper, stickers, tools...).  My Grandma Marj taught me to crochet and I always go back to it and have recently learned to knit.  In more recent years I have improved and expanded upon my basic sewing skills and now truly love sewing.  That being said, I still have more sewing supplies than any one person needs.  So what do I really want to create?

Several sleepless nights and I think I know the direction I want to go (no, this wasn't keeping me awake, it's just what I thought about when I ended up awake for various {O-man} reasons).  I LOVE upcycling!  To me, going into a thrift store, or digging through someone's give-a-way bag is a challenge.  How can I make this better?  Repurpose this?  Make this new again?  And not just with clothes, but home decor and more.

Now that I know this, I'm giving my stash a second look.  I've already listed over half of my beads on ebay, keeping only a manageable amount that I see myself actually using.  My yarn bag has lots of little balls of left over yarn and a simple pattern to get them used up because some day, I would like to have to buy yarn specific for a pattern.  My sketch book is filling up with a few plans to use up mass quantities of my remnant and scrap fabric collection.

From March 22nd to Earth Day (April 22nd), I am pledging not to purchase any craft supplies unless absolutely necessary!  What!?!?!?!  Thread and glue are acceptable, but that is it.  Think I can do it?  I'm pretty sure IronFish would say no, but I'm determined to have reduced my stash by at least half by Earth Day.  I'll post projects, tutorials and hopefully inventory to my etsy shop all along the way.

Think you can take on the challenge with me?  I dare you to hope over and link up to the Spring Stashbust:



Please leave me a comment if you are linking up!  Don't forget to add me to your "Following" list so you don't miss a thing (seriously, I've shown you my pit of dispare...)
Peace be with you,

4 comments:

Rachel // Maybe Matilda said...

Good for you! I have the same problem . . . although I don't WANT to, I end up keeping all sorts of little bits and pieces from trying different projects (and do you start thinking of things you threw out MONTHS ago and now wish you had? That's how I know it's bad!) because maybe I'll use it someday. And my husband makes it worse because when I'm stressed out or had a bad day, he always suggests that I head to Joann to unwind ;-) Good luck to you!

Rachel @ Maybe Matilda

Anonymous said...

there are many groups that make lap quilts for verious charities I am sure you can find one in your area to give those little pieces to and as an art teacher- "we take anything" - little balls of yarn would not go to waste. Sure could use your organizational skills in my classroom.
Columbus, OH

Anonymous said...

You need to get over here an scrap girlie!!!
Alicia

Sandy Jenney - Organize with Sandy said...

Good decision! Crafting can be so addicting - all the things we want to make and do. If only that little thing called "not enough time" didn't get in the way! lol
Thanks for linking up to my Organizing Mission link party.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...