Well, here it is, the last day of Portrait Bug week. Today, I thought I would share an article I wrote for the Portrait Bug blog entitled "Use it or Lose it." It appeared on that blog a week or two ago.
I will confess, I am a supply hoarder.
Sometimes, I feel like shopping is a scrapbooking activity all unto itself. Organizing certainly is. And here I am, surrounded by all this gorgeous stuff and I don't want to use it! I have paper that is "too pretty" to cut into and ribbon that I'm hoarding for a "special occasion" and adorable embellishments that I just like to look at!
Now, beyond the fact that it's ridiculous to have this much stuff, I have recently come across several things that I was "saving" and now no longer like. How silly! So, I've now adopted a "use it or lose it" philosophy. Here's what that looks like:
1. I like to play along with the challenges from How Much Is Too Much. This blog challenges you to use up a ton of stuff on each layout.
2. I organize and purge at least once every three months. I usually donate my excess supplies to local scrapbooking friends. But, hospitals and schools are also always appreciative of donations. And going through my supplies reminds me of what I already own, which helps me (1) use it and (2) not buy a duplicate.
3. If I love it, I use it right away. Instead of waiting for the perfect project, I use that "must have" item immediately! That way, it goes into my scrapbooks and becomes a part of my memories rather than a dust collector.
4. I keep my supplies out in the open. I'll admit that this is not an easy task in my apartment, but I know myself. If I see it, I'll use it. If I don't, I won't. Hidden storage looks really nice, but those boxes never get opened around here.
All of these changes mean that I'm scrapping more often, more quickly, and having more fun with it! Here's a recent page I created…
I really love the way it turned out. Those swirls and roses are the border to a beautiful piece of Prima paper. But, I never would have cut up that paper without my "use it or lose it" philosophy.
Try it for yourself!
Finally, here are a few photos from day two of Ranger U. I was too involved with the techniques and so I only took a few photos. It was all about Tim, embossing powders, perfect pearls, crackle paint, and distress ink. I'm a very happy girl!
Thanks for stopping by!
good philosophy- I like it!
good philosophy- I like it!
good philosophy- I like it!
good philosophy- I like it!
I love that layout. I’ve gotten to the same philosophy with my stuff. I seemed to buy more of things I really liked so I’d always have some of it, but I don’t have room for that! This 4 person family is smooshed into this house. I wish Ranger U was a little closer to my house. NC is the closest and thats a haul! Looks like a great time.
I love that layout. I’ve gotten to the same philosophy with my stuff. I seemed to buy more of things I really liked so I’d always have some of it, but I don’t have room for that! This 4 person family is smooshed into this house. I wish Ranger U was a little closer to my house. NC is the closest and thats a haul! Looks like a great time.
I love that layout. I’ve gotten to the same philosophy with my stuff. I seemed to buy more of things I really liked so I’d always have some of it, but I don’t have room for that! This 4 person family is smooshed into this house. I wish Ranger U was a little closer to my house. NC is the closest and thats a haul! Looks like a great time.
I love that layout. I’ve gotten to the same philosophy with my stuff. I seemed to buy more of things I really liked so I’d always have some of it, but I don’t have room for that! This 4 person family is smooshed into this house. I wish Ranger U was a little closer to my house. NC is the closest and thats a haul! Looks like a great time.
great article and wonderful layout! thanks for the picsof my creatie crush, tim,,,
great article and wonderful layout! thanks for the picsof my creatie crush, tim,,,
great article and wonderful layout! thanks for the picsof my creatie crush, tim,,,
great article and wonderful layout! thanks for the picsof my creatie crush, tim,,,
Thanks for a week of new posts Julie!
Ranger U looks like a lot of fun.
So true about supplies! Isn’t shopping for supplies a separate part of scrapping??
Thanks for a week of new posts Julie!
Ranger U looks like a lot of fun.
So true about supplies! Isn’t shopping for supplies a separate part of scrapping??
Thanks for a week of new posts Julie!
Ranger U looks like a lot of fun.
So true about supplies! Isn’t shopping for supplies a separate part of scrapping??
Thanks for a week of new posts Julie!
Ranger U looks like a lot of fun.
So true about supplies! Isn’t shopping for supplies a separate part of scrapping??
Hey Julie! Can you help me out please??? First of all, CONGRATS on all your cool stuff lately! =) I can’t get my Label Tulip registration to go through… it keeps saying “wrong authorization code”, but I know I’m entering the right code from that little box! THANKS!!!!!!!!! I wanna come hang out there with you gals!
Hey Julie! Can you help me out please??? First of all, CONGRATS on all your cool stuff lately! =) I can’t get my Label Tulip registration to go through… it keeps saying “wrong authorization code”, but I know I’m entering the right code from that little box! THANKS!!!!!!!!! I wanna come hang out there with you gals!
Hey Julie! Can you help me out please??? First of all, CONGRATS on all your cool stuff lately! =) I can’t get my Label Tulip registration to go through… it keeps saying “wrong authorization code”, but I know I’m entering the right code from that little box! THANKS!!!!!!!!! I wanna come hang out there with you gals!
Hey Julie! Can you help me out please??? First of all, CONGRATS on all your cool stuff lately! =) I can’t get my Label Tulip registration to go through… it keeps saying “wrong authorization code”, but I know I’m entering the right code from that little box! THANKS!!!!!!!!! I wanna come hang out there with you gals!
maybe I should take on board the ‘use it or lose it’ philosophy.
maybe I should take on board the ‘use it or lose it’ philosophy.
maybe I should take on board the ‘use it or lose it’ philosophy.
maybe I should take on board the ‘use it or lose it’ philosophy.
Ranger U is a good take!
Ranger U is a good take!
Ranger U is a good take!
Ranger U is a good take!
Ranger U is a good take!
Ranger U is a good take!
Ranger U is a good take!
Ranger U is a good take!
Ranger U would be a dream for many of us, have a great time and looking forward to see what you might share with us all.
That page is fabulous, cutting out the images from the printed paper gives them a chance to shine in a whole new light.
Ranger U would be a dream for many of us, have a great time and looking forward to see what you might share with us all.
That page is fabulous, cutting out the images from the printed paper gives them a chance to shine in a whole new light.
Ranger U would be a dream for many of us, have a great time and looking forward to see what you might share with us all.
That page is fabulous, cutting out the images from the printed paper gives them a chance to shine in a whole new light.
Ranger U would be a dream for many of us, have a great time and looking forward to see what you might share with us all.
That page is fabulous, cutting out the images from the printed paper gives them a chance to shine in a whole new light.
I finished off the last homework for your class and put it in the flickr group. So much fun. Hope you are having a blast at RU.
I went thru my papers today and purged. It felt good. You are so right!
I finished off the last homework for your class and put it in the flickr group. So much fun. Hope you are having a blast at RU.
I went thru my papers today and purged. It felt good. You are so right!
I finished off the last homework for your class and put it in the flickr group. So much fun. Hope you are having a blast at RU.
I went thru my papers today and purged. It felt good. You are so right!
I finished off the last homework for your class and put it in the flickr group. So much fun. Hope you are having a blast at RU.
I went thru my papers today and purged. It felt good. You are so right!