stash busting - I will use my mountains b4 buying more!

greentiger

Kinski, the bunting looks great.

lovely coasters, ziggy.

loopychris, I can so identify with you, but I can't take the step of throwing out/passing on, so well done to you. This thread is ideal for forcing me to do something with what I've got rather than (always) getting something new. Trouble is, I'm finding other stuff, that I didn't realise was stash, until I decided to do something with it (e.g. I'll make Morsbags out of curtains - fairly soon I hope) and now it's become stash! However, it will get things out of the house. We've lived here since 1976, so I have collected a lot! Can't find my dressmaking dummy (nor the embroidery I did a few weeks ago) - that must have got put out some time, although I've no recollection of doing it!

Anyway I made 2 more cards - a get well card for a friend in hospital and a birthday card for my SIL, ready for June. Hope I don't lose that!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/118238315@N07/13976376977/

Florenceem

ziggy2407 - love the coasters.
kinski - bunting looks really good.
greentiger - great cards. I really want a dressmaking dummy.
emslovesmickey - great bookmarks.
loopychriss - I volunteered to make some story sacks for Church - found out tonight - they want 32! Not sure if I have enough suitable fabric for that many. A lot of the fabric that I have is bits or thick fabrics. I need thin fabrics to make bags so I can make matching fabric drawstrings. So blessed that I found my missing overlocker foot yesterday. I am obsessive about finishing edges on stuff that I make.

loopychriss

Time for my weekly update: some decisions have been made re some of my projects, as I am feeling overwhelmed and just not enjoying them any more.

Have made some miniature bits for my dolls house swaps this week, so can add those to the list. Have also stuck about 250 diamantes onto ribbon for daughter's wedding cake.

Projects I'm not going to do now:

Dolls house group swap June 2014 - something found in an attic
Witch-themed quilt for friend's 60th birthday (28th June)
Denim quilt started in 2013
Block of the month quilt started 2009
Advent calendar for granddaughter 2014 - 24 mini morsbags
Advent calendar for grandson for 2014 - mini morsbags
Finish roof on my dolls house
Paint and finish outside walls on my dolls house
Dolls house - kitchen/diner
Dolls house - lounge
Dolls house - bedroom
Dolls house - bathroom
Dolls house - attic (sewing and hobby room)
Dolls house - study
Dolls house - utility room
Dolls house - windows



1. Make 100 morsbags over year - 28 made (1st March)
2. Paint and decorate granddaughter's dolls house
3.Make 9 items for dolls house group birthday swaps 2014 - 10 made (11th May)
4. Name place cards for wedding - 0 out of 70
5. Mr & Mrs painted letters for top table at wedding
6. Dog-themed quilt to raffle for charity in the summer at dog show (August)
7 Finish strip lap quilt (red) - needs quilting and binding
8. Finish another strip lap quilt (funky colours) - needs quilting and binding
9. Finish quilt for mum's bed for her birthday (19th Dec) - needs backing, quilting and binding
10. 6 new cushion covers for lounge
11. Fragrant wall hanging for my bedroom
12. Finish cross stitch picture (I will finish one project before starting another) !!
13. Button covered photo frames (2) for friend's daughter
14. Miniature Christmas room setting in white candle lamp (for 1st Dec as a Christmas display)
15.Decopatch/button picture frame for friend's birthday (Dec 17th)
16.Decoupage 2 wooden boxes for treasure boxes
17. Journal in a jar - notebook, pen and loads of questions to answer (daughter for Christmas)
18.Journal in a jar for other daughter
19. Journal in a jar for sister in law
20. Journal in a jar for son in law - questions typed on computer
21. Miniature room setting in box - beach scene
22. Miniature room setting in box - garden scene
23.Miniature room setting in box - attic scene
24.Miniature room setting in box - not decided yet but got 4 boxes to use up!
25. Miniature scene made in wooden bread bin
26. Miniature room setting in breadbin No.2
27. Paint and recover ottoman

Not sure what's going to happen with my dolls house: I might get rid of it and just concentrate on doing room settings: I've gone OTT on buying stuff for it, so have far too much to fit into one house. So.... more decisions to be made soon.

So 'outs' for this week: 2 sheets diamantes, 3 metres ribbon, 4 dolls house swap items, 30 rubber stamps, big bag of cross stitch threads and 20 pieces of fabric.

Total now: 276 out of 500

loopychriss

Florenceem wrote: »

loopychriss - I volunteered to make some story sacks for Church - found out tonight - they want 32! Not sure if I have enough suitable fabric for that many. A lot of the fabric that I have is bits or thick fabrics. I need thin fabrics to make bags so I can make matching fabric drawstrings. So blessed that I found my missing overlocker foot yesterday. I am obsessive about finishing edges on stuff that I make.

Wow, that's a lot they want!!! Can they ask around for suitable fabric for you to make them? What size are the bags, maybe you could piece some of the bits together that you have and make patchwork bags. Glad you found your overlocker foot, it's so annoying when something goes missing that you need!

Good luck with making your bags. xx

The_Cre8tor

Ziggy - I adore those coasters and it's given me a brilliant idea for a page in a scrapbook album I'm putting together as a gift.

Florenceem - I know exactly how you feel about feeling that you might use it so can't give it away. I don't know what it is within me but I feel the same way. I'm scared silly to give things away in case I suddenly want them the following day! eeek!:eek: .....
p.s. Still loving the cards, Florenceem!.

Kinski - the bunting outside your house looks fantastic. I'm a big lover of bunting - and have it all round my craft room,my bedroom and in the spare room of the cottage!:D



Although I haven't set myself a goal to achieve (health issues are a problem, so I know I'd just let myself down on the goal, which I'd then beat myself up about ) .. BUT . . . I am joining in with the spirit of this challenge and trying to make as much as possible by using up crafty stash.

I had a bit of a sort out last week and found some card stock which I'd bought years ago from that well known craft channel, almost when the channel first started (yes THAT'S how old this card stock was! ). I'd only used a few sheets of it when it arrived and found that I didn't like the ever-so slightly satin/glossy finish to it so stuck it all in a box and had totally forgotten about it.

So in the spirit of using up old stash I made this 'Make a Wish' Fairy dress card yesterday. The whole card is made using ALL old stash. There is nothing on that card which I've bought recently. Apart from the double sided tape and the fine nib glue pen, which I used for the glittery bits - which I bought about four months ago.

(Re the blurry bit .. this is the second time I've done this - grrrr - ... I get so darn craft happy when I've made something that I can't wait to get it on my blog and consequently forget to save the photo before I put the watermark on it - so I've blurred it out so that it keeps it within the MSE forum rules. TC x )

Florenceem

You are so brave getting rid of that lot. I did cringe - when you mentioned fabric.
Apparently there are 32 weeks of Sunday club so a story per week. I must admit that when I volunteered to make story sacks - I did not know how many they wanted. Oh well - I managed to make 32 pixie hats for a School production one year. Another time I sewed aprons and bonnets for all the girls in my Daughter's class. My Daughter is a teacher and they do a themed class assembly.

emslovesmickey

I couldn't get rid of that much stuff loopychris! Although i must admit sometimes i look at my stash and feel overwhelmed with it all, but that has lessened since i started this challenge.

This morning i have made two pairs of earrings, the first time i have tried something like this.
Photo0120 (2) by slaughter.emma, on Flickr

The_Cre8tor

When I made my post last night (the one with the photo of the Fairy Dress card) ... by the time I'd written it, loaded the photograph into Photobucket and picked up the url code to put it into the post - clicked to post the reply and ... there'd been more posts than I managed to speak about. So here I am to put that right.

Loopychris - I wish I could give you a hug. In your description of 'you', I actually (just a little bit) recognised some of those things in myself, so can appreciate your situation. I think you're brilliant for being able to part with it all. That takes strength of character that I don't think I have. (Amazing list of already 'made' by the way. I wish I could be more organised and make stuff in the way you do.)

Ems - lovely bookmarks. I can see you worked really hard on those - they must have taken you quite a time to put together. Who are they destined for? (still enjoying your blog, by the way). edit to add: LOVE those earrings!! I don't normally buy dangly earrings as I don't feel I can carry them off but if they were on a craft table I know I'd buy them (and probably put them on right away too!).

Greentiger - What great cards! Love the butterfly one and the way you've put it together. That little round die cut on the ribbon really makes it all 'pop'. The BBq card is amazing! Great design.

Florenceem - you deserve a medal! I don't have one to give you so instead ...
. . . let's share a drink ---> :beer:

Anyone I've missed leaving a word or two for, and for everyone in general ... you all inspire me to keep on keeping on. Truthfully. I live with some neurological (and associated) health problems which I wish with all my heart that I didn't have, but coming here and 'being with you all' inspires me so much and makes me feel that I want to get into my craft room and do whatever I can do *that* day - a feeling which is so good for my soul. (aw shut up TC ).
Have a blessed day all. xxx.

craftingmad

Hi everyone and well done on all your progress


Florenceem - lovely cards - you really are a card making machine and putting me to shame. Well done for volunteering to make the story sacks. Good luck with all 32 of them - just think how it will help your destash total


loopychris - Massive well done on being able to let your stuff go to better homes. I have the unhappy feeling too. I have just so much stash that I am now overwhelmed but I just can't seem to think about giving it away or selling it. I was good a little while ago and got a few boxes of things which I know I will never use and was going to sell it - however I just can't seem to bring myself to actually do it I will have to get tougher on myself as I know it will be easier for me to create more lovely things with much less stash - OK firm talking to me coming up A massive well done to you for achieving so much off your list already and don't feel bad about taking things off - remember crafting should always be fun


kinski - love the bunting. I bet she loved it


ziggy - love the coasters. I have old atlases sitting my stash and think I might have to try and find them very soon Thanks for the inspiration


emslovesmickey - love the bookmarks and earrings. Massive round of applause to you for being so close your second target - another one of you putting me to shame


greentiger - I'm the same as you - I keep finding new stash which originally wasn't stash Once a crafter, always a crafter Lovely cards as well


The Cre8tor - love the card. I think I have some of the cardstock you mention in my stash as well - I too did not like the finish but in the true essence of this stash I am now determined that I WILL use it. Thank you for inspiring me




I am so glad this thread is helping so many people. I know that I love all the inspiration and the feeling of friendship it creates so a massive thank you to each and everyone of you who is making this thread what it is

craftingmad

OK I've made a tiny bit of progress. My little (10 year old) girl starts her SATS tests this week and she is really nervous so I dug out my melt pot I bought about 4 years ago (which was still in its unopened packaging) and also some UTEE (a bag of 5 different colours which I purchased at a reduced price from my local craft shop about two years ago and never once used!) and made two little "lucky charms" from some chipboard shapes I had. I made her an owl (for wisdom) and a heart (to show her my love) and put them in an organza bag along with a poem saying:-

Well - Today is the day

You'll be picking your brain

Looking for knowledge
You've tried to retain
Soon you'll be facing
Those questions you dread
And hoping right answers
Match what's in your head

There’s no reason to think

Your SATS will be tough

For a brilliant, clever student,

These exams will be easy stuff
All you can do though

Is to give it your best

Just like you always do

Good luck with those tests!

Lots of Love from

Mum & Dad x

I also made her a good luck card. My little boy (who has just turned 7) also has his Year 2 SATs coming up so I made him a set as well and his own card.


As the charms used not only some chipboard shapes but also some UTEE and an organza bag each I am classing each charm as separate item (probably cheating but hey I make my own rules and then also counting each card as one item so I can declare a further 6 items made towards my total - yippee - every little counts


The main thing is that my kids loved them and hopefully they will bring them luck in their exams


Now I'm going to go through my recent large craft shopping channel order and be really good and try and return some bits and pieces


Happy crafting