How many scraps of paper do I need?
And how many ink pads do I need?
And do I really need a three inch container just for green paper?
I've been thinking about these questions a lot lately as I've been organizing my art and paper crafting supplies as part of transforming Henry's old room into a guest room/studio. I have a lot of stuff, and it's been hard to pare it down.
I did move from four baskets of paper scraps down to one and I gave away two big plastic bags of ink pads (plus tossed out another bag of dried out ones). The paper was a tougher go. I planned to keep 50 sheets of 12x12, plus 20 sheets of 8.5x11 of each color (plus keep all my white/cream, black and orange). I did pretty well with most colors, except for green and brown. I don't know if it's because they were the last colors I sorted through or because I had so much to start with, but I probably kept double my goal for those colors. I still managed to give away four pizza boxes stuffed with paper. I've also made a pretty good start on culling my art supplies.
Through it all, I've tried to keep my one little word for 2014 in mind. My word is illuminate, which means to lighten and to clarify. As I go through my stuff, I realize that what I want is to have room to be able to create the art, cards and scrapbook pages which I love. And I want to be able to easily find the supplies I need for those projects. So that when I have time to sit, I can create the things which really make my heart happy and which make my soul sing. Anything else needs to be cleared away. And with that as my guiding principle, I'm making progress.
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22 comments:
The trouble I find with plain paper and card is that however much I have.....I never have the actual shade that I need!!
I did have a good sort out of my patterned scrapbook papers last week....and got rid of quite a few that I'm pretty sure I'll never use now.....some of them I'd been hoarding for years.
Ink pads though....I don't think I could get rid of any of them....just in case!!
I'm clearing my craft room, too. And maybe this is one of the hardest things. I made a good start with buying two Billy boards from IKEA and now most of the floor is visible again. :)
Until recently I was horrible about holding onto scrapbook paper and cardstock for future projects. I'm so glad I finally passed it on to my niece. It's no longer taking up space I need for other things, AND it's being used.
Good for you Rinda ... I must have another clear-out as I have a retreat coming soon and I can generally get rid of unloved stash there (as long as I don't look at other people's rubbish and bring that home instead)!
I've been having a sort out too Rinda but I'm not as ruthless as you. I am trying to do it in stages but like Jacky said, even with a good collection of colours I am often short of the shade I need. Good luck with the clearing.
It makes it so much easier when you find what you want, this I do agree with!
It's hard to part with any supplies I find. Most of mine does get used and i find with ink pads i need to replace as they've dried out from over use!! It must feel good though x
You have been quite busy with the purge - I'm sure the high school loves you now for all those donations! This is something I am needing to do again but right now I have so much else going on in my life that it just isn't happening. I'll bet that guest room/art studio is going to be phenomenal when you are done!
Great job purging those papers & ink pads Rinda! I've been following along with the Organizing FUNdamentals class but really haven't done a purge, although it wouldn't hurt. My room is working pretty well right now, so I'm ok not going through everything right away. I'm also crafting a lot this year which is helping me use up some stash.
You are brave to undertake a purge! Something I should do with yarn and fabrics, but I always think, not yet, I may use it . . .
Good for you, Rinda. I need to do the same with my paper supply. Ugh - I hate to let go of that stuff!!!
LOL! Having just finished that process, your title made me giggle. I know I still have too many stamps, but I've really reduced the amount of paper, the number of tools, and especially the amount of embellishments. I've pared down to just the things I think I'll really use, and I'm watching to see if I'm right. If not, out it goes!
I think a lot of us will have been nodding our head in agreement while reading this!
You are very welcome to come help organise my room xxx
Great to see your donations being gratefully received x
Well done you, I would find it hard to let go 'just in case'
Good for you Rinda...wish I could motivate myself to do the same. It's such a waste of creative time searching for something.
I've been going through fabric and yarn for similar reasons & while I really don't need 15 fat quarters of small floral prints in yellow tones, I have a hard time choosing 4-5 to keep.
I'm planning on making a second pass through my stash again in March. After an intense month of scrapping in February, it has become apparent that there are things in the studio that I continually pass over. It's time for them to go. And if I get on it this week, I can take them all to a charity crop for their yard sale. So other scrappers can find treasure in my discards. (I'd never call them trash!)
Good for you!!! I have a hard time parting with paper scraps because I go through spells where I use lots of it for cards. I do seriously need to get rid of my stamps since I only seem to use the digital ones...which take no physical space :)
Good for you tidying, well done indeed. I find it really difficult to give stuff up. BJ
I think it's great what you are doing. I recently purged some of my stamps and a few assorted supplies to sell at a flea market at the LSS. I find that if I have too much stuff it's overwhelming and things were truly getting out of hand!
new rule - nothing new until something old goes ;-)
My craft room is bulging at the seems but I do only have one basket of scrap paper which I do delve into a lot. I need a good cull but, knowing how much I paid for things, I begrudge just getting rid!
I struggle with this...I'm so tempted to pick up more at garage sales and thrift stores too. My goal is to clean up and organize my space before summer. I keep getting distracted though. :)
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