Thursday, September 21, 2006

Fifty Ways to Trim Your Stash

I think it might be over between me and the iron. Things just heated up so fast...all the way to the linen setting. We were pushing it, we knew it, and now, quick as it began there's nothing left between us. Oh, we'll probably get together every now and then, but it won't be the same...




I've read on a few blogs now that people are setting goals--stitch 50 of the projects they already own--before buying new things. But have you seen this? Love, love, love and I think I've found the inspiration for my craft room!



At any rate, I know I need to do something about the sprawl in my craftroom, so I was thinking, what's the point of 50? There's no magic in finishing 50 items, there's no rhyme or reason to the number 50 or even 25 or 10. Does it make any sense to stitch 50 charts if you have to buy the threads and fabric for 46 of those? Or, do they mean to use up $300-400 worth of what they've already got? Now that, I can get behind.

As I've been organizing the charts, I realize that I am hoarding some rather expensive kits. I have the Mirabilia Christmas Fairy, which won me over because I am so not a fairy person or a Mirabilia person under normal circs; the 2004 Hillside Sampling Folk Art needle accessory kit; a Liz Turner Diehl garden with the Madiera flosses; and about half a dozen of the Heart's Content Christmas ornament kits, and that's just off the top of my head. That's about $300 worth of product. I am going to move some of these big ticket items to the top of the stitching pile, but I am not making any promises.

I always say I'm going to go on an austerity plan and then a month passes and I'm back to spending. Why not just allow myself a few small purchases here and there rather than having to fast so I can have one big binge?

7 comments:

mainely stitching said...

Yeah, 50 is a totally arbitrary figure to settle on - but I sure had to start somewhere.

Your ongoing ironing saga has me cracking up. I only iron my linens with mine ...

Lelia said...

I kinda like your idea of stitching the 'big ticket' items first.

I was in the WIP mode -- like working on the oldest WIP. But, the thought of stitching the most expensive is growing on me.

LOL - I should just not think about it & enjoy whatever is on TOP OF THE PILE ... LOL

Anonymous said...

Firstly I have an iron only for me and my needlework. No-one else touches it!!

Secondly I have a Janlyn kit of Madonna and Child (unopened)that I will never do, anyone ready to swap?

Glenna said...

I propose my "50 plan": purchase 50 projects and complete one. Or...part of one.

Anonymous said...

You've made me wonder how many projects I have for which I have all the materials (including fabric, threads, and buttons) but that I haven't touched. Hmmm. I like the idea of stitching the expensive stuff first.

Trish said...

I think you've really hit on the point of not purchasing more stash - because we have already spent a ton on what we have, therefore, we should start "reducing our liability" by stitching the high-ticket items first.

This is something I can get behind on as well.

Michelle said...

Love the piece you posted here, so pretty! My iron and I have a difficult relationship at best.