Too many options

[Kim1964]

I know that next week is resolution time, but this is on my mind today.

I haven't scrapped in months. I have all the fall activities plus a 12 day Disney trip to scrap, and I haven't touched my scrapping stuff except to cut out some bats for a Halloween party. I have loads of free time as I am a SAHM with 2 kids in school all day, so it isn't lack of time. I was cleaning up my scrapping table today (stuff got dumped there waiting to be scrapped to the point where there was no work space) and I was thinking about my slump.

I looked at the shelf that holds my 30 Cricut carts, the many spools of ribbon, the inkpads, stamps, embossing powders, and brads and I realized that my problem is that I have too many options. I am scrap-paralyzed by the choices....do I use Graphically Speaking or Locker Talk to scrap my 7th grader's school picture? Do I want to heat emboss the Halloween pages, or just stamp them? Which ribbon should I use, or should I use it at all? I get so worked up about making just the right choice that I just don't do it at all.

So, here's my resolution. No new "toys" in 2009. I will use what I have for tools. If I can't find a shape on one of the 30 cartridges I own, I'll do something else. I have enough inks that I should be able to do most things with what I have. I will actually open some of the Cuttlebug embossing folders that I've been buying and start using them. Maybe I'll even learn how to use the Cricut markers I've never opened.

Wish me luck............and happy holidays to all of you.

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

i just said this same thing to DH yesterday about my scrapping!!! I so feel your pain! Maybe we can stick together, get more scrappin' done, and keep up with this goal to use the toys we've got!!

 

[LindaBabe]

I so agree! And when my scraptable is piled so high I can't find it, it's too daunting to try. I went and got a big box this morning and swept the entire contents covering the top into the box and stuck it in the cellar. Almost immediately, with the decks cleared, so to speak, I felt like working on my Christmas cookbook! Unfortunately, I was cooking out if it, instead.

 

[lck33]

I am usually just a lurker, and i had to come out of hiding and say, I feel your pain! I am in the same boat. I think of all these great projects and then I get over-whelmed. No more I say, No more! We can do this! Let's just stick together and take it one day at a time.....

 

[pjlla]

I can certainly understand where you are coming from. There are days where I feel like I spend more time pouring over my choices for each page, rather than making a decision, finishing the page, and moving on. And I have NO WHERE NEAR 30 Cricut carts!! And I don't own a Cuttlebug... and I think I should keep it that way!!

One of the ways I overcome that situation (sometimes) and get some scrapping done is to join the challenges here on the SB. It forces me to think outside the box and outside of my usual comfort zone and do something different.

Sometimes I even make myself a few challenges at home. I challenge myself to use paper from the first drawer I look in (rather than taking the time to look at every drawer full of patterned paper!). Or I challenge myself to use the oldest piece of patterned paper I can find... or the oldest embellishment for that theme (in an effort to purge some of the older stuff I have). Or I use just what I can find in the scrap drawer... no new full pieces of paper (that is challenging!). I also usually limit myself to only two or three different embellishment per page... like one type of die-cut and two types of ribbon. Or one color brad plus two different die-cuts. When I figure out what three I want to use, I stop looking!

Good luck with your early new year's resolution. Maybe you ought to find your way over to the shopping ban thread and jump on the wagon with the rest of us for next year! Happy Holidays.....................P

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I feel your pain. In fact I packed up 5 Uhaul book boxes and 1 plastic tote of things that were just hanging around on the table. The very next morning I was able to finish a 2 page layout that just needed 2 embellies. I felt a huge weight come off my shoulders when I clean swept the table and buffet. I packed up everything but my basic supplies and it's refreshing!!

I agree with Pj, set up a challenge for yourself. One I want to do is a product challenge. Like say 3 buttons, a premade title, and 2 types of ribbon. Doesn't seem like a lot but a few layouts later you've used stock.

We've missed you here so maybe if you can get back on the DIS we can all be a source of inspiration for each other.

 

[uncw89]

I too usually just lurk! I also have tons of stuff but can't get motivated to ACTUALLY start scrapping! So hopefully 2009 will be the year for me to start using my supplies! My friend took me to a Creative Memories sale and of course I bought some stuff. This was my first exposure to CM stuff. None of my stuff is CM....anyway I told her she had to get me scrapping so maybe between the Dis and my friend I will accomplish something. I'm getting an Expression for Xmas (I also have the baby bug). I just have to use my things.

 

[New England Eeyore]

I feel the same way. I have a dedicated room for scrapping with a closet and tons of storage units, yet I still have boxes and bags piled all over the floor - every time I go in there it makes me feel claustrophobic. I feel like I want to get rid of half my stuff. As much as I feel like it would be more work for me, I may look into selling some stuff on Ebay - I will never use everything I have. And I am definitely joining the BAN wagon for real this year. I clearly don't need anything else!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I totally agree!!! I want to get more scrapping done this year!!! I've got lots of toys, gadgets, gizmos, swap items, premade pages.. it's time to put them to good use.. and paper, I have paper out the ying-yang.. and if I don't have it.. I'll have BAMB pour through her boxes in her spare time!!!!

 

[lovingthemouse]

Kim - thanks for starting this thread- I am right there with all of you. I have far too much, and if I say anything about wanting something more.......let's say I'll need my head examined!!! Some of my daughters and friends gave me more scrapping supplies for Christmas - they must be used before anything more can find an empty niche in my scrapping room!
I, for one, will join or begin the 2009 ban-wagon. Caroline

 

[hopemax]

Yep, I found this out when I made the gift books. It went so much faster, when I had one line of paper with a few embellishments. So I am definitely going to kit my pictures.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

NEE, can I send you some of my things to sell? I have so much stuff I know I'll never use. I'd RAK it, but then you all would have to find a home for it.

That is my goal when I get home tomorrow, is the spend the weekend I have alone actually organizing my stuff. Putting things in 'Yes I will use', 'Maybe I'll use', and 'No I don't care how much I spent on it, I won't use this' piles. And then finding homes for everything. Up and off my floor.

 

[pjlla]

For those of you who are trying to purge your excess stuff.... I know for me it is easier to purge if I give my stuff away and I know that the stuff will really be appreciated by the receiver. I give my extra stuff to my three nieces. They are 15, 14, and 11 and they love to scrap. I get excited when I think about how much they will love the stuff I give them. It makes it much easier to part with stuff to think about how much the girls will love it!

I give them EVERYTHING I don't want any more... shape scissors, stickers, paper, die cuts etc..... you name it!

If you don't have younger family members who might want this... how about a homeless shelter who has some sort of scrapping program.... or the GKTW organization... I know people make pages for that group. Just a thought.................P

 

[nikkistevej]

I also need to "USE THE STUFF THAT I HAVE" and not buy anymore. I have so much, I really need to make pages and sell them on EBAY-but it seems like it might be a pain. Or I at least need to scrap what I have, I am almost a year behind. I have so much though, I probably only need to buy adhesive this year. I may be joining the Banwagon as well.

 

[New England Eeyore]

NEE, can I send you some of my things to sell? I have so much stuff I know I'll never use. I'd RAK it, but then you all would have to find a home for it.

If I ever do figure out how to do it, I'll let you know. It will just be one more thing on my "To-Do" list for awhile though.

 

[SharonLovesMickey]

Wow, gals I know how you feel. Just thinking of trekking to the cold basement and forging a path through the boxes is overwhelming. I have spent the last year sorting through every paper, page, embellishment, photo, and box of memorabilia I own. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. So, I just wanted to chime in with my two pieces of advice:

1. It can be done! It has taken me 13 months, but I am so close to having everything just the way I want it that I can't even believe it.

2. I've found that the easiest way for me to get a page done is to limit myself to using fewer items. I take only my favorite papers and a few punches I like using and use only 5-8 things to create a page (that includes sheets of paper and adhesive!). When my brain isn't busy thinking about all the things I could cut, piece, emboss, embellish and glitter the layout comes to me so much more easily.

I hope that helps AND I would love to hear more about how people are organizing their things. That was the hardest part for me.

 

[rlovew]

I have lots of stuff too and definately don't need more stuff. I am still trying to organize my space and can hardly ever work in my space because I have stuff all over my worktable that needs to be put away. I need to organize it before our open house the end of January.

Rebecca

 

[aroyer]

Well said everyone! It is waaay too intimidating for me with all my gadgets, gizmos and stickers! Plus my MIL keeps telling me that I have really gotten good and then I feel pressure that every page needs to be a creative masterpiece!!! ARRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH. But all the stuff definitely overwhelms me. I have 35 Cricut cartridges, there honestly aren't any others that I need, I just need to USE them!

 

[party of 3]

i am having such issues with this. i have a tiny scrap space downstairs so i decided to move over to the other side. so now i have stuff on both sides and it's so unorganized that it's not even funny. and in my attempt to move i put stuff in boxes and bins it's just a big fat mess. i have carts everywhere. i need to just stop and sort through it all and go from there. but i don't even know where to start! i need bewitch to come in and twinkle her nose and presto all sorted out and put away really nice!!!! what do you think my odds are of that happening??!!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

About the same as the folding fairies coming to my laundry room.