| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 10:32:05 AM
Yes, you know who you are...
I'm Ann and I'm a stashaholic. I've been a serious crafter all of my adult life, and I have the stuff to prove it! In order to be more "fiscally responsible" this year with the economy the way it is, I took a serious look at my stash, and boy oh boy did the dollar signs start spinning in my head. Between that, and the memory of cleaning out all the craft supplies my mom left behind when she died, I made a vow that I need to "use it up, make it do or do without." The time had come for a craft-fast...
So here are the twelve steps for the stashaholic (thank you, Diana!):
Step 1 - We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our craft stash had become unmanageable.
Step 2 - We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
.
Step 3 - Made a decision to turn our will and our craft stash over to the care of E-Bay,Etsy,Friends/Relatives, or Charity.
Step 4 - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our craft stash.
Step 5 - Admitted to ourselves and to our fellow craft stashers the exact nature of our wrongs.
Step 6 - Were entirely ready to remove all unused or surplus craft stash items.
Step 7 - Humbly asked fellow craft stashers to help us remove our excess craft stash.
Step 8 - Made a list of all our craft stash, and became willing to make them all smaller.
Step 9 - Made direct amends to the space we create by reducing our craft stash by not letting it overflow again.
Step 10 - Continue to take personal inventory of our craft stash and if we are tempted to buy more crafts,promptly admit it to another craft stasher so they can help us realize we don't need it.
Step 11 - Seek through conscious contact with fellow craft stashers, the knowledge of our will for each other and the power to carry our craft destashing out.
Step 12 - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other craft stash addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
And here is our prayer:
The Stashaholics Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I already own;
courage to use them in new and exciting ways;
and wisdom to know that building an addition on the house
for more craft supplies will not be the ultimate answer to the problem.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting that I may not have that fabric
in every color,
or enough yarn to circle the equator twice,
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
Here are some guidelines, and remember they are guidelines. Last time I checked I don't think Thomas Jefferson and friends wrote anything about craft purchases in the Constitution LOL! Besides, one person bartering stuff they won't use from their stash to get stuff into their stash that they will use is a good thing!
No new purchases/barters/freecycles of any craft supplies EXCEPT:
1)new needles for sewing machines, parts for spinning wheels, correct hook/needle size for pattern (although borrowing from a sister/neighbor would be highly encouraged), batting to finish a quilting project, new blades for rotary cutters, adhesives for scrapbooking/papercrafting, etc. You have to be able to have your equipment in good working order to do your craft, right?
2)more thread/yarn/fleece/fabric/paper to finish a UFO project
3)more thread/yarn/fleece/fabric/paper to start a new project (try to use what you have in your stash as a starting point)
4)more thread/yarn/fabric/paper to start a new project for charity. 5) more thread/yarn/fabric/paper, etc. for a gift.
6) craft supplies purchased by someone else for you to make something for them (gift, barter, etc.)
7) more thread/yarn/fabric/paper to start a new project when you finally run out of stash to use! When you get to that point, give a shout and a cheer, and do a happy dance!
For frugality's sake, bartering and freecycling are highly encouraged but only to finish a project (perhaps you could barter a finished project in exchange for some of the supplies?), make an item for charity, or to start a new project when you run out of stash to use - no stash building. SWAP participation is also encouraged for elimination purposes, but again no stash building. Also, if you need a certain type of supply, a post here (to help the rest of us clear our stashes) would be most welcome.
And then there's the issue of patterns... Well, I guess it would be ok if you bought a book of patterns to use up your stash, but we all need to agree that you'd use more than a few of the patterns in the book and buy it on sale/with a coupon or barter/freecycle. Does that seem fair? There are so many free patterns online now. Besides, if you develop the "courage to use your materials in new and exciting ways", you need the new and exciting ways, right?!
Now, another great Diana idea was to give out chips for 30, 60 and 90 days. If you can make it to one of those milestones, email me your address and I will send you a special chip.
Everybody ready? FAST ON!!!!
Ann in Oswego
Times may be tough, but farmgirls are tougher! |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| tribalcime |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 5:23:47 PM
One can never have too many cloaks :P
LIfe is a witch ~~~ and then ya fly !! My blogspot .http://tribalwitch.blogspot.com/ and my barter blog is at www.bartertribalwitch.blogspot.com and www.alteredartfun.blogspot.com |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Apr 29 2009 : 05:31:17 AM
I Love the cloak!!! I'm partial to black clothes anyway (makes me look thinner)
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogmom130.etsy.com |
| tribalcime |
Posted - Apr 28 2009 : 08:40:09 AM
Had some black material to use up so I made a ren cloak... it also is up for barter on my blog. 
LIfe is a witch ~~~ and then ya fly !! My blogspot .http://tribalwitch.blogspot.com/ and my barter blog is at www.bartertribalwitch.blogspot.com and www.alteredartfun.blogspot.com |
| janiee |
Posted - Apr 27 2009 : 11:10:39 AM
lisa! had to get my tech guy at work to do something to my computer so I could see the pics! love the new work! you are always so creative with your jewelry...love love love them all!
janiee
farmgirl #390 |
| lisa229 |
Posted - Apr 27 2009 : 07:41:16 AM
YAAYYY....glad you can take pics now Lisa!! Same here with me - the weather is so nice outside that I don't want to stay inside - been painting dressers outside, planting, and helped hubby with the new walkway....
pictures are on my blog.
Lisa
http://lisa22968.blogspot.com/ |
| tribalcime |
Posted - Apr 27 2009 : 07:36:50 AM
I have been busy in yard too :) Feels so good after the long winter . I have few new pics up on my blog of things i have been up to ...and how i recycled a dog kennel into hanging displays . I finally got a camera couple days ago so i can take pics.
LIfe is a witch ~~~ and then ya fly !! My blogspot .http://tribalwitch.blogspot.com/ and my barter blog is at www.bartertribalwitch.blogspot.com and www.alteredartfun.blogspot.com |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Apr 27 2009 : 05:44:14 AM
Beautiful jewelry as usual Lisa! I haven't been on much lately - been getting my garden done and just bought some baby chicks, built a compost box, and the list goes on......
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogmom130.etsy.com |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 06:19:24 AM
I haven't had time to craft much lately. I miss being able to relax and create. Hopefully I will get back to doing something crafty very soon. I love all of your cards, Ann! So beautiful!
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogmom130.etsy.com |
| tribalcime |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 04:47:27 AM
 This is a necklace using a design from Bonne ..I have some she made me with the clasp that you can interchange the pendant pieces. this way i can wear alot of the wire wrap agates i have collected..
LIfe is a witch ~~~ and then ya fly !! My blogspot .http://tribalwitch.blogspot.com/ and my barter blog is at www.bartertribalwitch.blogspot.com and www.alteredartfun.blogspot.com |
| tribalcime |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 04:45:59 AM
beautiful cards ann !!! Hi Suzi :P  I have been super busy with hauling dirt but got a cahnce to sit down last night and make a few pieces. I broke my didgital camera so i am stuck with the scanner for awhile :( The scan is horrible ..ugh! BUT you can see the jewlery at least. It is alot prettier than the pic ..I made these from barter goodies and stuff I had stashed away .. The horse bracelet uses a neat brass tone chain and some lampwork glass beads i had .. The shell was a complete bracelet and i attached a piece of Unakite that i had to it. The gold circle bracelet I will be adding more cat charms to as i get them. Then i love this stone bracelet ...it was already like that and i added the pieces for the charms.
LIfe is a witch ~~~ and then ya fly !! My blogspot .http://tribalwitch.blogspot.com/ and my barter blog is at www.bartertribalwitch.blogspot.com and www.alteredartfun.blogspot.com |
| suzifire |
Posted - Apr 09 2009 : 11:49:41 AM
My name is Suzi & I am a "Material Girl" fabricaholic....It has been more than 2 months since I have been to the fabric store (OOOPS does online have to count?)
I am stashing for my retirement...Okay so I'm only 48 & don't ge to retire from housework....I felt I needed to confess but then I read the rest of your post...I DON"T WANT TO REFORM!!!! So never mind! love ya anyway!
"I want a world that is sane & just & clean & I am willing to do my part to make it so" |
| tribalcime |
Posted - Apr 08 2009 : 6:19:25 PM
beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
LIfe is a witch ~~~ and then ya fly !! My blogspot .http://tribalwitch.blogspot.com/ and my barter blog is at www.bartertribalwitch.blogspot.com and www.alteredartfun.blogspot.com |
| janiee |
Posted - Apr 08 2009 : 1:02:21 PM
ann! love the cards and have been missing you!
good work, girlfriend!
janiee
farmgirl #390 |
| lisa229 |
Posted - Apr 08 2009 : 08:28:39 AM
LOVE them all Ann!! I love my cricut - use it all the time. My mom just got the Cuttlebug for her bday - really cool too.
Lisa
http://lisa22968.blogspot.com/ |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Apr 08 2009 : 08:16:25 AM
Why I haven't been on the board as much lately...
Some cards:
Orange premade card. Border is painted with watercolor and stitched with green embroidery floss. Flower is die cut with Cricut, then highlighted with marker and embellished with yellow brad.
Bday card for MIL. Ivory cardstock cut into 5" card with Cricut (the machine even made the holes at the bottom). Brown cardstock die cut with Cricut into branch. Cherry blossoms (hard to see, but they are really there) were made with pale pink paper die cut on Cricut. I used this paper to line her envelope as well. Bottom of card is handstitched with hot pink embroidery floss.
Bday cards for DH. GO ILLINI by DS - premade card with letters die cut on cricut. "I" card by DD - premade card covered with blue paper die cut on Cricut. "I" is orange paper die cut on Cricut. My card is the one with the tiles. Tiles are handpainted watercolor (done by me), then cut into squares on Cricut.
Cherry blossom card for barter:
Premade light blue card. Clouds are hand painted with white acrylic paint, then highlighted with white glitter chalk. Top of sky (behind clouds) is highlighted with darker blue chalk for shading. Flowers and grass are die cut with Cricut. Flowers are then embellished with brads.
Pink premade card, stamped with leaf/vine motif. Flower is die cut with cricut, then embellished with a brad.
Orange premade card. Purple cardstock flower cut with Cricut, then hand embroidered with green embroidery floss. Embellished with yellow polka dot button. Bottom border is small buttons with a brad in the center.
Premade yellow card. Border is distressed with white acrylic paint. Center medallion: Pink paper rectangle; stamped image on white cardstock colored with colored pencils and outlines redrawn with black marker for sharper image.
Hope these inspire everyone to think spring!
Sign up for Earth Hour at my blog:
http://suburbanprairiehouse.wordpress.com
Craft Fasting since March 1, 2009 |
| lisa229 |
Posted - Mar 30 2009 : 08:50:58 AM
LOVE them Ann!!!! They're adorable!!
Tammy, I'll let you know when I'm on etsy...
Lisa
http://lisa22968.blogspot.com/ |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Mar 29 2009 : 6:46:21 PM
Thanks Lisa229! Let me know when you get your Etsy shop up and running. I'd love to take a peek!
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogmom130.etsy.com |
| tribalcime |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 4:08:36 PM
Ann those are great ! So much work involved !
LIfe is a witch ~~~ and then ya fly !! My blogspot .http://tribalwitch.blogspot.com/ and my barter blog is at www.bartertribalwitch.blogspot.com and www.alteredartfun.blogspot.com |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 11:16:11 AM
More seed packets and two "recipe cards" with the growing instructions:
Recipe cards: Cardstock, scrapbooking papers. "Zinnias" (green one) also has brads and stickers; "Sunflowers" (orange-ish one) has scrapbooking paper cut into "rickrack" shape with cricut and very colorful buttons.
Seed packets are just 3 1/2" envelopes cut with cricut from scrapbooking paper. Polar Bear Zinnias (bluish one) is made from copy paper, decorated with blue embellished scrapbook paper (thanks, Leslie!) and a clip art of a polar bear that I trimmed to fit.
Sign up for Earth Hour at my blog:
http://suburbanprairiehouse.wordpress.com
Craft Fasting since March 1, 2009 |
| lisa229 |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 06:29:07 AM
Thank you Tammy! I checked out your blog....Gunner is ADORABLE!!! Then I checked out your Etsy shop and love the crocheted purses. When I sign in to etsy, I'll have to put you on my favorites list....
Lisa
http://lisa22968.blogspot.com/ |
| Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 6:51:29 PM
Those pillows are bautiful!!
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogmom130.etsy.com |
| lisa229 |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 12:10:38 PM
OMG thank you...that makes me feel good to know they came out that nice. After I'm done with my house, I'll have to use my stash to send you pillows....give me some time.LOL
Lisa
http://lisa22968.blogspot.com/ |
| janiee |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 11:55:53 AM
Lisa, I am still so impressed with the pillows! I love the colors you used...I came back to the forum just to see the pictures again! great job!
janiee
farmgirl #390 |
| lisa229 |
Posted - Mar 24 2009 : 06:48:41 AM
Thanks girls. Sorry the last two pictures are so big - I forgot to resize them. But at least you can see detail! LOL
I got a gift card to Joann Fab for my bday, so I'm going to get the gold fabric I need to do a border around a quilt that matches the first pillows - with the strips. I'll post a picture of the top when I'm done.
Lisa
http://lisa22968.blogspot.com/ |
| tribalcime |
Posted - Mar 23 2009 : 4:11:27 PM
Hi Janie ! The lemons and cherries added so much to the necklace. One cant have too much color !!
LIfe is a witch ~~~ and then ya fly !! My blogspot .http://tribalwitch.blogspot.com/ and my barter blog is at www.bartertribalwitch.blogspot.com and www.alteredartfun.blogspot.com |
