But I rarely seem to use them.
That's the problem. It's not that I can't afford them; it's that I shouldn't be spending money on things if I don't get around to using them. Steven was in my craft room on Saturday setting up my new printer (not a craft supply but a necessity as our printer died), and he commented (after tripping over some stuff) that I have an awful lot of stuff crammed in that little room.
Um, yeah...
So, my own little personal challenge for the month of May is to stay out of craft stores and actually use the stuff I already own. It's always been my intention to use my stuff; I just tend to get sidetracked and busy with other things. It helps that I have several things that I have to make: graduation cards, Mother's Day cards, baby cards. This should force me to just sit down and do it, rather than go out and look for new supplies to make some hypothetical version with the perfect materials (that ultimately don't get used). Let's be honest here: I already have the perfect materials. Some other piece of paper or whatever isn't going to make something more perfect (as if I can achieve perfection anyway).
It's just an excuse.
And you know what? It's stuff like this that makes me realize just how much I buy into the consumeristic culture. I like to think that I shun materialism. But I really don't. It stinks to admit that, but at least I recognize it.
I think part of what will make this little challenge interesting is that I suspect I'll find satisfaction in being at home and creating things. I think buying stuff to use in creative pursuits is just a way to be lazy and avoid potential failure. It's a cop out, really. When I think back to how busy I was last summer sewing dish towels, I can remember how easy it was to stay home and just work on them. There was such joy and satisfaction (and yes, sometimes frustration), that I wasn't even tempted to go out. I was too busy. Being creative.
So, to start off my challenge, I'll show you the first thing I've made:
7 comments:
That sounds like a GREAT challenge. I should try to do the same. The fact that Michael's hasn't had a 50% off coupon in a few weeks has been helping me stay out of the store. ;)
It fits in nicely with my goal of decluttering more before the baby gets here - then I'll actually know what I have to work with.
And your card looks great!
Way to challenge yourself, Anne Marie. I'll enjoy seeing what you made, and will be interested to see if you succeed in not buying more supplies. Stay out of the craft clearance at Wal-mart! =)
No doubt, Carrie! I think it was realizing how much money I dropped in Walmart on craft stuff that made me realize that I need to use stuff and not buy more! Thankfully, I rarely go to Walmart...
JoFL, I should mention that if you buy stuff at Michael's when there aren't newspaper coupons, you usually get a coupon with your receipt. Ask me how I know. ;-) Oh, and they take competitors' coupons.
I do the same thing, with scrapbooking supplies! :)
That's a really good challenge, and I should probably join you on it. I tend to get great bursts of creativity, buy a ton of stuff, then fizzle. I have to make a lot of thank you and baby-related cards for soon-to-be new mamas.
Lovely card! The edge is soooo cute.
Good luck with the cleaning out. I do the same thing. When you pick things up you have the best intentions, but you bring them home and before you know it the idea is gone and you're on to the next thing.
Danita
Danita, that's it exactly! The great ideas come when I'm in the store, then I get home and... I forget.
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