| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Oct 17 2008 : 07:36:16 AM
This morning when I talked to my sister the scrapbooker, we were talking about how I am trying to not spend any $$$ on any new craft supplies of any kind. I have more than enough to choke a whole team of horses, and I'm trying to use up what I have. She said in her scrapbook world, they call that scrapfasting - where you only are allowed to spend $$ on adhesives.
Is anyone else out there craftfasting like I am? What are some of the ways you are cleaning out your stashes - using it up, making it do or doing without? |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Oct 29 2008 : 1:14:20 PM
Alee, I still have a half yard of fabric I bought on our honeymoon - and that was 15 years ago. It's black with neon colored cacti on it. We bought it in Santa Fe, NM. No matter how much stash leaves, that piece stays.
Ann in Oswego
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher!
Craft Fasting since October 21, 2008 |
| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Oct 29 2008 : 09:51:39 AM
Alee, My mother-in-law introduced me to this older lady Gladys and she was exactly me only 50 years older! Gladys gave me some wonderful vintage pieces including some that had belonged to her mom! She passed away a few years ago and I don't know if I will ever use them. I am sure I will never get rid of them because not only are they beautiful, but they are also very sentimental!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 29 2008 : 09:14:57 AM
This is an awesome topic! I am a beginning craft-a-holic and I seriously need a craft-fast for about another month or two. I won't use up what I have in that time- not by a long shot, but I need to finish up my UFOs!! I also have those wonderful fabrics that were bought or a specific purpose just begging to be used!
Anyone find a fabric that they love so much, you can't hardly bring yourself to cut into it? I have a couple of yards of fabric that I adore that I am scared to use up!! LOL
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Oct 25 2008 : 02:10:31 AM
Thanks, Monica! Like I said, this is a real blessing for us. When DH started at that bank almost 11 years ago, they were literally bought out that same day. He signed up on Friday, and went to work for a completely different company on Monday without even knowing it. Ever since then, there seems to have been a buyout rumor every few months or so. We have always been hoping for Wells Fargo because that may have gotten us the move west we've been looking for. But the past few years have been very hard (the fact that these gurus are finally catching on to the recession when in our area things have been slowing down for more than two straight quarters - DUH!), especially since DH has lots of retired folks for clients. He cares about them, and they are all so nice. It's wearing on him, so the opportunity for something new, whether it's going back to being self-employed, or working for the new bank, well, that's a HUGE blessing to us, and relief as well - no more buyout rumors for a long time now. Nobody else has any money!
Ann in Oswego
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher!
Craft Fasting since October 21, 2008 |
| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Oct 24 2008 : 9:31:48 PM
Ann, I will be praying all goes well with your husband's job!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Oct 24 2008 : 7:49:08 PM
Go Tammy Go!
On an earlier note, DH's bank got bought out today. Now that may sound scary, we don't know for sure he'll have a job to come home to when he gets back from Germany, but this action today is really an answered prayer for us and we are taking it as a HUGE blessing! When DH's Friend called, I actually shouted and danced for joy. I almost cried. Thanks, God, and thanks sisters!
Ann in Oswego
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher!
Craft Fasting since October 21, 2008 |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Oct 24 2008 : 7:43:12 PM
I will definitely keep you posted Ann - i have been using my stash on Halloween crafts,and I have to admit that it's fun trying to create with things that I already have :) Keep the brain juices flowing...lol
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogmom130.etsy.com |
| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Oct 22 2008 : 08:08:56 AM
Hey Ann, totally understand....your husband, my husband, anyone's husband is liable to walk in without a job on any given day. Mine has aready retired once and is now working towards a second retirement..We are probably better prepared than some and I'm thankful for that. However, I do understand what you are up against....been there!
Anyhow I do view this forum as a fun place to talk and laugh..nothing serious if I can help it (already to much of that to deal as part of life)...LOL Good luck with your little system. Looks like you girls will enjoy it.
Happy Crafting...
Stephanie
www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com ~~~Crochet, Sewing, Life Collections & Recollections Blog
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.blogspot.com Vintage & Modern Fabric, Fiber & Yarn Blog
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com ~~~~~Go Shopping at my Website Catalog!! |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Oct 22 2008 : 05:34:44 AM
Tammy, if you can make it 2 more weeks, I'll send you a 30-day button. Good for you! Let us know how you do!
Linda, no one intentionally was making light of the work that alcoholics anonymous does. We were just trying to give ourselves a model to work on for our own lives. The fact that it made a few people smile in the process, in my book, is a good thing. It's a bit easier to swallow the bitter pill of reality when it's mixed with a little humor, and the laughs were directed at ourselves, not the program.
I'm glad that a 12-step program helped you (and the millions of others, too). I have a history of alcoholism in my family (won't touch the stuff myself), and have been through the ACOA program myself. Maybe that's why I realized that my craft-stash had become an addiction of sorts...
Ann in Oswego
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher!
Craft Fasting since October 21, 2008 |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Oct 22 2008 : 05:15:30 AM
I haven't bought any new craft stuff in 2 weeks! That's a stretch for me. I've even been to the craft store, but I look at the stuff and it seems like I have it already! lol My craft room if packed, so is the cabinet in my living room and the cabinet in my dining room. So I guess I can safely say that as of right now I am craft fasting too :)
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogmom130.etsy.com |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Oct 22 2008 : 04:58:30 AM
I do have to say that making light of what saves the lives of alcoholics is not my style. The spiritual experience in 12 steps means the difference of keeping love of family, staying out of jail and also not dying from drugs or alcohol. I love my farmgirl sisters and just wanted to mention my experience, strength and hope.
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
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Yes! I live in the Scranton, PA "The Office" TV show is based on! LOL LOL
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| yarnmamma |
Posted - Oct 22 2008 : 04:54:41 AM
 I think this topic is more about working on UFOs for a while (not forever) before starting new projects that need new purchases. I like the concept and it is encouraging for me. There is a good feeling for me from making do and using what I have...even repurposing is a good feeling and can require no spending.
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
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Yes! I live in the Scranton, PA "The Office" TV show is based on! LOL LOL
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| yarnmamma |
Posted - Oct 22 2008 : 04:51:25 AM
lol Steph you are funny. Made me smile! I wish there were small local businesses here for crafts. I live in the city of Scranton and still all we have for fabric is Joanne's.
There's Walmart for yarn but not fabric now.
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
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Yes! I live in the Scranton, PA "The Office" TV show is based on! LOL LOL
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| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Oct 22 2008 : 04:46:01 AM
I agree that money does make the world go round, especially for small local businesses. We should support them whenever we can! There is nothing here that suggests not buying anything ever again - it's limiting our spending to only those items that we need to finish our projects. I am a stay at home mom with a husband in the financial services industry. Any day now, because of the economy the way it is, he could come home early some afternoon, and not have a job to return to. There are many other folks in our area in the same boat. You have to have the $$$ to spend it, and right now, we are saving every penny any way we can. I'd rather spend the little extra on food from the few remaining local farmers than splurge on yarn that I then have to buy (yet another) storage box for, only to have it sit in my craft room for years before it gets used (if it gets used at all).
Ann in Oswego
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher!
Craft Fasting since October 21, 2008 |
| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 7:26:41 PM
oh paleesz....someone bring some bars or something to keep me from leaving my house..well, on second thought, someone better remove my internet service since I buy online so much..LOL
Anyone that can master using ALL of your present fabric and yarn stash before buying more I SALUTE!! Please stand as I hand you a metal of honor for restraint. 
You girls have great courage...I have to admire that.
Stephanie
www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com ~~~Crochet, Sewing, Life Collections & Recollections Blog
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.blogspot.com Vintage & Modern Fabric, Fiber & Yarn Blog
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com ~~~~~Go Shopping at my Website Catalog!! |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 6:28:54 PM
So I think the original idea here is to finish up what we have for awhile instead of buy new supplies. That's simple.
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
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Yes! I live in the Scranton, PA "The Office" TV show is based on! LOL LOL
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| yarnmamma |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 6:27:52 PM
 When my Danny boy was in the hospital last May, he came home with a homemade (machine quilted) quilt in bright kid's colors. It had a little tag saying it is donated with love from ladies in a church. It was about crib size so small but not too small for him to enjoy. It's great to have something homemade from a stranger, but with love. I said a prayer of thanks for those ladies who made it. 
Linda
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
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Yes! I live in the Scranton, PA "The Office" TV show is based on! LOL LOL
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| Carol Sue |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 6:18:08 PM
You girls are quite funny, but I am afraid I am in Steph's category, I will spend when I can for things that I need or sometimes get and don't know why.
Now you certainly may laugh at me, but there are times I have bought a piece of fabric and know that it wasn't for me. So I wait and wait and wait until the rightful owner comes, and laugh if you must, because I sure do. The owners do show up, done a few others things of buying and had absolutely no idea why, and along comes the owner. One of them happened to be what I considered a purse or maybe for crocheting. I was using it and a gal came over from church. She started crying, her grandmother had one exactly like that and had passed recently. Nope, wasn't mine. Have all kinds of funny stories like that, so there at times that one buys and has no idea why. That would be the me catergory.
Hey farmgals, do what best suits you and your needs for now. For some that is decluttering and taking an honest look, for others that is buying somemore, for others it is a mix of doing both. I periodically go through the quilt stash and do some rethinking. It is fun and for me, there is Vanessa Beehan Nursery where the material I donate goes into quilts for babies and children who need an uplift, check out the organizations around you and see what needs they have. It just might surprize you.
Saluting those craft and fabric aholics, march on girls, march on....lol
Farmgirl #39
www.Quitemoments.blogspot.com |
| Sage |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 4:42:28 PM
Hi, my name is Sage and I'm a Stashaholic. This topic is too funny but i have to say for myself, I vow to never quit because it keeps me sane (at least I think so), it supports the economy, and (LOL) where else would my daughters and my artist friends go when they need something to finish a project. I say go Farmgirls - keep on creating it makes the world a better place. Sage :)
Farmgirl sister #140
www.heritagedesigns.etsy.com |
| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 4:05:48 PM
Well, I guess this is my patriotic duty to call attention to the big picture...at least my opinion anyway..DISCLAIMER: please remember this is MY opinion and not intended to represent anyone elses opinion.
No craft fasting here..I've been collecting vintage fabric, patterns and books for going on 12 years now..in addition to that I crochet so therefore I have loads of very nice yarn that brings me great pleasure to work with and to those that receive finished items or the stash for them to make stuff....if anything, I need to insure my stash..LOL
In the case of my death....I have a list of ladies that will be notified about the part of my stash that is now theirs if they are still alive and kicking! I aim to keep the cycle going. :0)
For now though, I will continue to make my contribution of cash (however big or small) to my local retailers because if every crafter quit buying... the businesses cash flow would stop and they'd go out of business...We MUST not let that happen ladies...yes, times are tougher right now but no I do not believe that now is the time to continue to NOT spend our money...The economy just keeps squeaking due to the numbers that have quit spending...in many ways we are feeding our own downfall by NOT spending..Cash flow makes this country run smoothly...(like the old saying, "Money makes the world go round")..we must move forward and support our big and small business owners in this great country and all of the great individuals that have cottage industry businesses.
Happy Creating to you!!
Stephanie
www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com ~~~Crochet, Sewing, Life Collections & Recollections Blog
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.blogspot.com Vintage & Modern Fabric, Fiber & Yarn Blog
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com ~~~~~Go Shopping at my Website Catalog!! |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 10:33:47 AM
Hey ladies - just posted the Stashaholics Anonymous stuff! I hope I didn't offend anyone with the bartering stuff - I think it was just a misunderstanding, and I'm sorry. You are all my sisters! xoxo
Ann in Oswego
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher! |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 08:41:24 AM
Bartering is allowed - if you will use what you barter for "4)Bartering and freecycling are highly encouraged but only to finish a project". If not, then let someone else who will use it barter for it (or someone who is in denial about being a stashaholic).
Ann in Oswego
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher! |
| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 07:33:07 AM
Ann, I love you, but you are nuts!!! Just kidding! Seriously though it might be a good idea! I know a lot of us have a huge stash of various craft supplies and in the end, to be able to clear things out would probably be a really good thing! I think bartering should be allowed though because if you are trading then you are not just adding to what you already have!
Count me in!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
| tribalcime |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 07:22:39 AM
heheh--I would have to pass :P I couldnt make it more than a few days since I barter so much . Good Luck!!!
LIfe is a witch ~~~ and then ya fly !! My blogspot .http://tribalwitch.blogspot.com/ and my barter blog is at www.bartertribalwitch.blogspot.com |
| dkelewae |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 07:21:55 AM
Freecycle and garage sales have been a major contributor to my yarn and fabric stash. If I see either I pounce on it faster than a cat on a mouse! And that my dear craftstashers is why I have a whole walk in closet full of yarn and fabric. (See Step 5 of our 12 steps. LOL)
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city!
http://farmgirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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