Sophisticated consumerism...oh yeah..

Way back when Mr Holtz had his signature line launched by Ranger it consisted mostly of those grungy alcohol inks.  My admiration for the stuff being made and coloured was huge, but I didn't buy any.  Originally, those colours really did represent seven shades of wee wee to me.  But then of course, demand grew and other products arrived, and with them, the sort of hysteria in purchasing that parallels teenagers and boy bands, frankly.
But..time rolls on and eventually the selection of products and the colours added to the ink ranges suckered me too. I bought the birdcage die almost as soon as hit the shops..I'd of course, seen thousands of things all over the internet in the 'sneaks', the CHA product launch blogging - you know.  The hype.

I still like it. But this card, or a variation of it in different materials and stock and embellishments, is pretty much all I ever do with it.  I realise that there isn't a single die to do all jobs. I realise too that there are many, many TH fans who will take this personally and shouldn't. As much as I like this die, the repetition of the card style has taught  me something.  A couple things actually.  For workshops, this is an invaluable style of card to make when introducing inking and grunging.  And for my personal collection..I should have bought individual dies.  You know, a bird cage or set of, I already owned a set of bird dies and so it's not been the savviest die purchase I've made.   I've noticed myself examining my plans, my stash and my ability before buying these sort of dies recently.  And I often put them back...I am learning to not be too hasty in my acquisition.  It gives me time to think about quite how much use I'll get for my investment.  God knows I've got enough unused 'investments' as it is.

Talking of which:

I bought the brick wall (and shattered glass - in a set) embossing folders in a rush of 'ooh, new folders by Tim Holtz' enthusiasm.  Some of you will know how old this is..I would say certainly a year.  This is the first time I've used it and it's thanks to a Pinterest image that lodged in my brain some time ago.  I didn't Pin it, like a fool; at the time I just passed it over and thought it was time I used my folder.  Not such a sophisticated consumer in purchasing this then, either huh.  Still haven't used the shattered glass folder.  I can't in all honesty to admit to being 'over it' in terms of joining the rush when new stuff does come out either.  But I now wait for it to arrive on these shores.  I no longer look at CHA release blogs or company websites.  I'm now purchasing on the principle that if I like something, I'll get a lot of use from it.  If I'm unsure, I don't. Sounds simple doesn't it. I have several boxes and shelves that will prove that wrong.   But it's OK. Because I know now.  Sophisticated.  Moi?