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Saturday, May 16, 2015

The Big Purge - Chapter 2

Stamps are purged, patterned paper is purged, and I am half way through my stickers.  I am really proud of the way I am cutting back the size of my stash (which will still be huge when I'm done).  I even talked my husband into putting up a folding table in the living room so I have a place to sort and organize.

So I think its time for a reward for a job well underway.  And that means one for me and one for you.  Me - I am going to break down and order the WRMK Fuse.  I'm dying to have it so I am going to use some of my sale proceeds on a new tool (which is better than a box full of new stuff for my stash, right?)

And for you - tonight I filled 9 flat rate boxes with 100+ sheets of patterned paper each.  Each box holds a random mix of manufacturers, collections, and patterns.  There are even Studio Calico kit exclusive papers in those boxes - like that navy with gold stars from Blue Note?  I had a ton of that in my stash so some it if went in my purge pile.  I'm selling eight of the boxes for $35 shipped (US only).



But the ninth box is looking for a good home.  So if you would like me to send it your way, leave a comment telling me one trick for keeping my stash under control when I finally, some day get the purge done.  I will pick one commenter at random on Memorial Day and ship the box their way.  (US only please for the giveaway just because shipping costs would be so high.)

Oh - and a second reward for me - tomorrow I am going to clear off my desk and make something!  I am really missing my time to create and am hoping that a break from the big purge will help keep me focused on the end game.

39 comments:

  1. I keep a bin in my craft room. Whenever I get something new I have to put something in the bin to purge. I usually donate my bin items to several places.

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    1. OH, that is a great idea! I usually have a bin that I put my newest stuff in so I am enticed to use it, rather than hoard it. LOL

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  2. A tip I do to keep my paper from overflowing is after I have used what I can from a kit or collection, I separate it into neutrals (for die cutting or backgrounds) and make a pile of papers to donate/sell that you don't plan to use. The sooner I detach myself from it the better! Or I look on social media for inspiration to use a particular paper from my stash! Happy purging!

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  3. Good for you on your purge! Here is my tip and remeber we are all a work in progress. I have started making kits from my stash, to match intended projects. i put all embelli's, chosen paper in a 12x12 plastic storage bin and label it. When i feel inspired I have a quick go to for getting crafty.

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  4. To keep my stash under control whenever I make a project I make sure and include older product. Since I know my style I look really hard at an item before I buy it. I have started only buying what I need for a specific project.
    Good luck on your purge and happy crafting when you get your desk cleared!!

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  5. I buy only when I need something, and use my stash!

    Nataliegracep(a)gmail.com

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  6. I try to make a card with my scraps when I am done with a project...rather than storing them

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  7. I don't have a huge stash, but I love my paper and I noticed I've been waiting for the right story and the right photos for some of my favorite papers. I changed my mindset. Truth is I love all my photos, and I use my paper and don't save it. I even cut into it too. So I guess my tip is to let go and use what you love. Thanks very much for a chance to win, it's very generous. Michelle t

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  8. Wow Juliee, you really do have a lot of stuff! Periodically I take all my papers and sort them and stack by color on my dining room table. If I come across old papers that I haven't used or partial pieces they get cut up into 6x6 and used for scrap. Bravo to you! Now get back to scrapping, I miss seeing your work.

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  9. Hi Juliee, Just remember you didn't marry your "stash". You did not say with this credit card, I thee wed. Go though it regularly and if you don't "love it" then "lose it" :D

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  10. Once a month I coordinate a kit with patterned paper, card stock, some embellies and an old scrapbook magazine. I add an anonymous card, and drop it off at goodwill. Last time the gal working there said the boxes don't hang around long. I really enjoy the process, so it's a win, win. Congrats on your big purge!

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  11. Good for you! I keep trying to purge, but have trouble letting things go. However, during NSD festivities and after over a year away from scrapping, I realized my tastes have changed. So, I am trying to harness that feeling and purge now! Only keeping what I truly love. I am still trying to figure out how to organize it all- but will be following for tips! :)

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  12. When things get out of control in my scraproom I challenge myself to use only what's on my desk and try to clear it off the best I can before I grab for other stuff.

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  13. Have more crop days with your friends!!

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    1. That would be awesome but they are sooooooo busy!

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  14. I wish I had a great tip for keeping scrappy things under control but I too usually purge periodically. I am doing better at using instead of hoarding. And I do go back and pull neutrals or similar color pallets when I am working on projects. I am starting to use up more pieces by using them in gift projects too. I can't take it with me so I'm trying to use it or gift it! I do think purging helps my creative juices flow again though. So have fun!

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  15. I bought some vertical storage units from Michaels and they seem to help with my stash. They make it easier to see what I have. Once every couple of months, I like to go through and donate what I am not using. I also like to share with my scrappy friends! One girls trash, is another girls treasure, right?

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  16. My computer was in the shop for a day earlier this week and I took the chance to do some purging. I went thru my themed stacks of Christmas, Winter, Fall and Halloween and I pulled out just over 150 pieces of patterned paper. Next was my stash of embellishments from the same theme. It felt so good to clean up and really see what I could use again. While I still had computer-less time left, I organized my scraps. I have baggies of color groups of my cardstock and then I had a stuffed drawer full of patterned paper scraps. I threw away some of the smaller pieces and strips of card stock and the same on the patterned paper, plus i ended up with an empty drawer so divided my patterned paper, Christmas/Winter/Fall/Halloween scraps in one drawer and everything else in the other. Now so much easier to go thru everything and I use a lot of scraps for matting of pictures and strips to punch borders and then it is extremely rare that I use anything but scraps when I'm making a card. Happy purging and sorting everyone. Believe me it sparks your inspiration again when you look through everything and also make it easier to get to and use all your beautiful hoarded pieces

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  17. I follow and play along with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge-so great for helping me use my stash!

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  18. good morning julie! i "date-then-donate" ...as soon as i bring home new crafty goodies..i date the items...in 6 mos if i find i have not touched or used the item, tool, etc..it gets donated! there is always a worthy fundraiser going on in my area..by doing this i keep a handle on my craft stash! marie

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  19. I think my tip for getting our stash under control is resisting the urge to get more when reveal happens, although it looks so great and exciting because it is new. I always have the mindset, I need to buy this now because it might not be available later. I am realizing now that I need to purchase only what I can realistically use up now, and not save it for "later" because for me later never happens and then I have way more than I can ever use up. (unless it is something I will keep using, like your WRMK fuse reward). I have to be a realist and not a dreamer!

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  20. Use what you have! That is my motto for whittling down my stash! Get creative! Not fond of a pattern - mist it. Too bland - add paints. Needs more - add texture with modeling paste. Use it for cards and photo mats! When all else fails, donate the ones you dislike the most. That being said - I' love a box:) THanks for the chance!

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  21. Thanks so much for the chance! A tip from me would be to have a small bin or basket where you include some older stash. If you see it you are most likely to use it. Also don't be afraid to use what you have, quit saving your items for the perfect page and just use it! Floresfour@aol.com

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  22. What has helped my stash is to stay out of the scrapbook store. I also stopped getting a kit subscription and am using what I have. Also, letting go and telling myself it is ok to cut up the paper that I've been hoarding because it was too pretty to use. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  23. I organize my paper alphabetically every year and give away what I know I won't use. I also try to make something out of older lines at least once a month. Thanks for the chance to win. 😃

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  24. Maybe just concentrate on using you stash instead of spending money on the newest paper. I do this. TFS!

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  25. One tip is don't be afraid to use lots of layers. When I use a kit to the point of being done with it, I get rid of the papers and embellishments I really don't like instead of keeping them just in case.

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  26. My first tip is to use, use, use it up! I found I was hoarding my favorite papers. Now that I'm using it I'm enjoying it in my albums instead of having to purge it years later when I no longer like it. Next tip is I have four sections in my kallax bookshelf that I'm limiting my paper to. If it's full I can't buy more. Last tip is I only buy what I'm going to use in the coming couple months.

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  27. I would donate to teachers for decorating their classrooms, then donate to social workers so they can help their children that are in the system still have a scrapbook documentation of themselves.

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  28. Great job! You will love the Fuse; I do. To control clutter - create areas for each supply type. When that area is full, no more is allowed unless more area is made by using product or donating/selling product. That seems to work for me.

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  29. I purge once a year and last time I did, I sent out an email to the teachers at school and had lots of takers! They loved the stuff!

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  30. I put all my papers together in a basket or my tote. Helps me keep organized from my stamps and etc.
    Hope you enjoy creating something today. Have a blessed day!!!

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  31. I cut all my papers down after I use them for something. They get cut into the following sizes 8.5x11, 8x8, 6x6, 5x7, 4x6 and 3x4. I seem to use more of my scraps by doing this.

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  32. good for you for purging. To help me keep on top of my stash I try to use at least one older paper and/or embellie when I used my new stuff.

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  33. That is so cool that you purged effectively! I'm envious! I have no tips, because I'm horrible at this, but I'm about to start. I really want to donate locally to a group who NEEDS product and will USE it. It would make me so happy to give a bulk of things I no longer need to someone who will put it all to good use. I think putting up the extra table to sort is brilliant! I'll be doing that too! I really want to sort and purge and keep only what I REALLY love! You're inspiring me! Way to go on getting it done!

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  34. My tip: don't enter giveaways! ha ha, just a joke and don't include me in the giveaway drawing. Once I have something in my hot little hands I have a really really hard time purging. So for me, only getting what I know I will use is the biggest help. I do sometimes really want/need a giveaway. They really cheer me up! It's like Christmas without the work! thank you for having this giveaway! You are very generous.

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  35. I like to mix old and new so I'm making an effort to use some of my older supplies. I also like to use my scraps for making other projects like a banner or a card. And lastly, I try to organize my embellishments by type in floss containers or plastic bins. If the container is full then I try to refrain from buying. Try being the operative word. LOL Thanks for the chance to win!

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  36. I would join a Facebook RAK/Planner Buddy group. You are able to send craft and planner goodies to those that have little or no stash. You can even swap too. I'm working on building my little stash, but I still find a few things to send as RAK's (Random Act of Kindness). It's fun and it feels good to share with others.

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  37. Meredith245@yahoo.comMay 25, 2015 at 7:57 AM

    I have built in cabinets to keep my stash under control. Thanks for the chance to win paper!

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