Thursday 5 March 2009

This used to be my workroom...

There, you see..once published, shame over!! So Debsg , publish and be proud!! Actually, this is no longer my workroom, and when we've summoned up the will to take out the worktops etc, we will convert it back to the tiny bedroom it once was. (Memories of the cot, baby scribbles on the wall...ah, me, time flies.) I now work in a similar sized room but it's downstairs and accessible to the whole family; indeed it's where our only computer lives, and gives access to the garden and garage. Rather than just boring the pants off you, I'm telling you these things because you will then immediately understand why it's a much tidier and less cluttered area than it used to be. Being able to shut the door on it and knowng that neither of my lovelies was remotely interested in going in there led me into wicked and slothful ways. Please also bear in mind that this room was created not long after I closed my shop, and so everything had to be shoe-horned in! Mind you, having made the decision not to renew the lease on the shop, I spent 6 months ordering 'one for me, one for the shop'! So my new work area is leaner and tidier and I like it much more; I can spend the whole evening in here and still be within earshot and vision of the lovelies. And I don't have to watch all the pigging SciFi that appears to grip them. I don't get that either, but the list of things I don't get about TV is now so long that you, dear interweb, don't have space for it.
I've been rummaging in my new-ish workspace this morning. My local store is having a Flea Market this Saturday and it's a great opportunity to sell on craft products that you no longer want, and pick up other stuff that you do. In theory. To sell this year, I have a few clear stamps, a handful of rubber stamps and a very mixed bag of ribbons less than a metre long. Not a lot compared to previous years for sure. But actually, this isn't because of any hideous recession that means I'm hanging onto everything, it's more because in the last year or so I have become a much more sophisticated consumer (!) and I am at last able to only buy what I know I'll actually use. It's taken ages. I still buy rubber stamps on the basis of 'see it, like it, buy it', rather than contemplate its use and application of techniques and blah..I have always fiirmly believed that if you like it, you'll use it and therefore you'll get value from it. I think actually I can apply that theory to most of my crafting purchases now. NOW. Not so much a year or so ago when I was pre-ordering paper collections, chasing the new machinery and blah blah. I'm more comfortable in my crafting skin I guess, and can finally resist the marketing. But sometimes I can't. After all, if I'm capable of the sort of untidiness revealed in that photo, I'm only human, right?
The Flea Market is at Craft Krazy, Tidworth: 01980 844010 for detail.
Ludgershall Crop is also on Saturday, from 11am, ask me for detail. This month's challenge is very straightforward: create a LO using 3 patterend papers, one of which you will have swapped at the crop. (They can be scraps, not full size sheets, of course!)

6 comments:

Angie said...

I too have become more resrained in my buying of stash over the past year and can sit infront of QVC on a Craft Day saying "rubish"or"what do I want that for",etc etc and maybe buying 1 item rather than spending money I cant afford as though it were water. I am also learning to use up scraps ...even though it seems, at first, a chore wading through them all.
I am a truely messy scrapper and I am whether Im shut away or in public view!!! Take care Angie

Jo Power said...

Wow you are so restrained. I have put myself on a ban as of today as I have 5 really useful boxes full of paper that I have brought because I loved it then decided that I like it too much so couldn't possibly use it and stickers that I know I will never really use so now I have to use at least 3/4 before I am allowed to buy anything else.

Unknown said...

Great photo. I will take a pic this weekend and load to my blog! I have been much more restrained in my crafting purchases these last few months. There comes a point when you really don't need any more stash....yeah, right!

Jenny said...

Wow great pic! I can honestly hold my hand up and say I only really buy waht I need, i lust after stuff but always ask the question - what do you need that for? Lol x x

Digi Stamp Boutique said...

This is tidy, yeah?? If not, there is no way in the world I could publish a photo of mine....unless it was a tidy day - that day varies each month! lol....because I can close the door - not that I do - but as we're in a 3 storey and my room is at the top, my little one cannot summon up the energy and so my chaos and stash is perfectly safe....hubby just looks the other way....but the floor is very unacceptable at the moment..I blame MS punches - very messy things.

I do try to buy what I need now...and analyse the use as well....I dont make cards for many people so why did I buy my £20 paper stack the other day!! Cos I liked it and it made me feel good - what life is about huh!...oooh and also bought the chocolate bar that was by the till, just to finish the trip and day perfectly - lol...that was a very smiley day xx

Sheila said...

Hello Julia,
Love reading your blog. I have been clearing and tidying my craft stuff. Too much - and I am only a "baby" to some of you "professional" crafters, so decided to use it instead of just stroking it! In the past three weeks or so, I have made over 40 cards for Cancer Research UK.
This morning we are off to our caravan for a few days and more stuff is packed ready for wet day crafting. I also leave a mini craft stash at the caravan for emergency inspiration!