Are they treasured supplies or am I hoarding? No matter what the name of it is, it fills up my studio with stuff. Spring time in the US means spring cleaning for the studio. But how can I get myself to use these precious things I have been saving so long? By freaking out the inner collector (okay hoarder) in me! That’s what I’m sharing each week this month for Let’s Play.
Before we dive into this play…I’ve got the winner of the $50 gift certificate for March’s Let’s Play! Drumroll please….it’s Linda Kilsdonk! Congrats Linda! Want to win this month’s $50 gift certificate to Blue Moon Scrapbooking? Be sure to leave a comment or share what you’re creating (and that gets you a bonus entry!)
These mistables by Heidi Swapp and Tattered Angels are from 2009 (and I doubt available any longer). I’ve had them that long waiting for the “right” project for them. After all, I don’t want to waste them. That’s what the voice in my head has said and guess what, they haven’t been used. The journal is from Prima from who knows when. I’ve put a little in it, but then it was largely ignored. But no longer!
What if I just used it now? That makes the collector in me panic- which doesn’t lead to carefree play. So I add an extra twist to force myself to use it. One little sentence that gets the collector to quiet down and lets me play.
Here’s the guideline for anti-hoarder play: Use it or lose it. If I don’t use it up, I have to throw it away or donate it. Once I start using something like this, it’s pretty hard to donate a half used something so that means most likely the trash for any that goes unused.
Throw it away- the collector/hoarder in me panics at that thought. Which makes using it a far better option.
I started by coloring the crepe paper with Color Bursts in the new Caribbean colors. But there is a lot of paper in that pack so I had to figure out how to use it all. Ruffles to the rescue!
Lots and lots of ruffles…while I was waiting for the colorful ones to dry, I ruffled up more pages with the black and white patterned crepe papers. And why did I feel the need to use it all? Because what I didn’t use, I was going to lose.
Watch How to get over hoarding art supplies in an art journal on YouTube.
Want to see more Let’s Play videos? You can find all the weekly posts here.
Now you’ve seen my play, let’s see yours in the link party below! For this party, it can be any play on the theme or not (since play really doesn’t have a lot of rules)!
This month’s giveaway is a $50 gift certificate to Bluemoon Scrapbooking! Link up what you’re creating (and you get a bonus entry into the giveaway for sharing your play) or leave a comment telling something that you liked about one of the photos shared. One comment per person but you can link up to 3 images of your play each week! Giveaway closes Sunday, May 1st at 8am EST.
New to Let’s Play? You can find out all about it, what and how you can share (and it is almost anything- it doesn’t have to follow the monthly theme and you do not need a blog!), how to grab the blog button, plus other info here in the Let’s Play FAQs.
[inlinkz_linkup id=617128 mode=1]
Want to put the button your blog? Just copy all of the the code from under the button.
“Use it or lose it.” Well. That’s quite a challenge for the packrat/magpie in me. I will ned to think more about this. Nice challenge, Carolyn!
Hmm! This one is a toughie for me! Ill have to get in my studio and see what I can use!!!
I love the way the Colour Burst works on the sprayed water, I will have to add these to my I want list.
I’m the ultimate hoarder when it comes to my supplies. “If I use them, they will be gone, forever!” I’m trying to get better. I love that you used the ruffle trim. That’s pretty cute.
use it or lose it is SO hard. I know too well. I suspect we all do. Bravo for your use it! Freak out onward and upward. xox
I love the attitude…Use it or Lose it! <3
I love to watch your videos because you are so energetic, smiling and make Time to Play fun.
Setting up my office with a few more cabinets to store MORE stuff. Time to evaluate and start using things. You know the things I had to have and are still in plastic. 🙂 Thanks Carolyn!
All that scrapbook paper…all those stickers…guess I’m going to have to pull all that out & see what happens with it.
I have just finished a Frida Kahlo-themed pocket letter and have been working on altered puzzle pieces and learning different background techniques for mixed media. I’ll try and link up a few pics after the kids are in bed. Mixed media is leading me to use things I haven’t for a while, so I guess I’m De-stashing too!
I love the “use it or lose it” philosophy. I’m NOT going to lose it so it forces me to use. I think your use of ruffles in the art journal is very clever. I’m going to have to try that with some ribbon that I need to use. Thank you.
You inspire me allot, I like the ruffles I have to try this one. I have extra fabric not knowing what to do with it, now I do. And yes I agree of the hoarding lol. I say I’m not gonna have clutter and by the end of the month where did it all come from and I just can’t get rid of it I might need it lol.. Have a good day.
I love your posts. I get excited to get going with my art journal pages. Thank you!
I have some of those! And a tape gun! What a cool idea! Oh, and a languishing journal, too! And yes, Color Burst….Love the use it or lose it idea!
Love this patterned crepe paper and what you did with it!
Doesn’t help that I’m a multi-crafter, I have batik silks I painted, but didn’t get the wax off, half-done crochet and sewing projects and probably 5 or so journals and sketchbooks! But what I’m really enjoying right now is my version of your cardboard junk journal – using Christmas cards, because our local authority won’t accept them for recycling. So that was a use it or landfill it situation!
I just realised, I can use my super-precious bits and bobs as part of the final layer! That way I use them, and still can see them!
Use it or lose it! That’s the best motivation ever! Will keep that in mind! I must say, I’ve sold a few things in the past that I thought I was never going to use, and then I found I missed them!
Inlinx is acting up…….again! lol… I think I got linked up successfully, though. I hope! Thank you for this wonderful challenge theme. I am soooooooo bad abt hoarding that I really need this.
<3 J
jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com
Love the colorful ruffles! So awesome to let yourself just PLAY! It has become more relaxing for me.
It’s hard for the hoarder that is in me following “Use it or lose it” philosophy. But in the last months I tried to donate all the stuff in good conditions that I don’t use anymore. I love how you can reuse old stuff in a creative way, I want to try to do the same! Thank you!
So hard, so hard, so hard. I’ve hoarded so many supplies – now they are no longer unique and I can no longer be the first kid on my block to use them! But you have inspired me – going digging.
Love this concept ! I have art supplies that I’ve had for 20 + years !! Time to use it or lose it !!