Use Your Stash | Jodie York


Hello my creative memory keeping sisters!

Hands up if you are, or have ever been, a hoarder of scrumptious memory keeping products. I know I was for years. And I’m talking close to a decade here. I would want to purchase everything and once I had everything I would get great delight in carefully organizing the goodies and inducting them into my already crazy big stash. For me, that organization process was half the fun. I know you all know what I mean.

One day I looked around my little creative nook and realized that the amount of product I had largely outweighed the amount of creativity I was doing. Sure I had projects on the go but I was becoming more and more behind on those projects. Traditional scrapbooking layouts, plans for daybooks, my Project Life® albums. They were all beginning to be too much for me to face. I had lost my creative mojo because I was feeling totally overwhelmed. I would look at the beautiful, expansive variety of products that I had collected over the years and simply didn’t know what to choose, where to start.

My product hoarding had beaten me and the result? My dedication and enthusiasm for my beloved hobby/obsession/love of memory keeping had been greatly affected.

About three years ago I made the decision to try and not buy any new memory keeping products. I made the decision to try and use everything in my stash. This trying went on months and months…and months. And I was failing. I bought more and used even less. My creativity was still pretty much non-existent. And the memories of our everyday lives were whizzing by, uncaptured, untold.

Sounds melodramatic, but, sweeties, that’s exactly how it was.

January 2014. A new year, a new challenge and a new determination to reclaim my hobby/obsession/love of memory keeping. Telling our stories was, is, so important to me. And the effort to change my ways was going to be worth it.

So I made a deal with myself. Don’t buy any more product. Use, or give away, what you have. Get down to the bare minimum by the end of the year and then you can purchase a subscription of your choice, which I hadn’t done in years.

My theory was that if I gave myself more physical room I would then have more mental space to get back to the reason why I started this whole memory keeping gig in the first place which was, of course, to record, to capture, to tell our story.

Oh girls I found it so very, very difficult in the beginning. And it took a long time. But I did it. Slowly and surely. I started with the pattern papers. I went through countless 12x12’s. I had a pile on the left of the ones I wanted to keep and a pile on the right of the ones I wanted to pass on. The left always ended up bigger than the right. I went through this process three times. You can see why I had given myself an entire year to reach my purging goal. Embellishments? Oh they were a heartbreaking nightmare to go through but I did it. Over time I sorted, I used, I gave away, I let go.

Fast forward about six months. Six months of being mindful and aware and of saying “no” to myself each time I saw a product that would make my knees go weak. I was beginning to see the change. The physical change. Space! And I was beginning to feel proud of myself instead of being down on myself for my effort. I was gaining momentum. I was making it happen.

Here’s how I did it:

1. I used product. Crazy idea hey! But, I didn’t just use it I embellished the heck out of my projects. Looking back I probably went a little too far but instead of cringing when I look back on those days of creativity I remind myself that I was on a very important mission for the grater good of my hobby and I smile.

2. I created a craft box for my four babes to use. They thought all their Christmases had come at once me giving them products out of my precious "hands off kiddos" stash. I admired how they just got stuck in and used all the prettiness. Freely with imagination and fun. A huge and beautiful result of this was that they were creating. The girls had begun to become more interested in recording their own memories. It was really cool to watch. And it made me very happy.

3. I would put memory keeping bundles together as gifts for my girls friends for birthdays or "just because gifts." They loved them! What girl doesn’t love getting this kind of fun stuff as a gift? The result of this was encouraging others to create. Again, it made me happy.

4. I didn’t throw anything away. I couldn’t bring myself to do that. So with all the other products that I didn’t think were "on trend" enough to give to my babes or their friends I boxed up and gave it to my children’s school. Just the other day I was helping out in Henry’s kindergarten class and there was my box of goodies still being used 18 months later. Sharing the love. It felt good.

I began this year as a modern day memory keeper feeling fresh and free. I reached my goal and I rewarded myself with a subscription to Studio Calico’s Project Life monthly kits.

In our 2015 Project Life® album I focus on the stories I want to tell and the photographs I want to share. These two aspects of my memory keeping are my priority first and foremost. I have a healthy supply of white textured Project Life® 4x6 and 3x4 cards handy. I have limited my paper and embellishment supply to only what comes in the Project Life® kits and I use as much out of each kit as I can throughout the month. I am able to make one kit stretch over three weeks. The fourth week usually consists of the few left over’s from previous kits. Embellishing less leaves more room for me to journal and tell our story. I appreciate and use freely the products that come in the kits knowing that next month another cute little striped box will be arriving on my door step so the urge to keep product has disappeared. Phew!

But do you know what the best thing is? I’ve got my creative mojo back. I feel renewed. I can’t wait to bring the photos that I’ve captured and the stories that we have made together and write and create.

If you are like me, perhaps just a little bit or melodramatically a lot, and you have lost the want to record your memories because of too much glorious product please don’t despair. There is a way back. If I can do it any one can. The amazing, wonderful, rewarding and oh so important memory keeping gig of ours is definitely one worth changing for.

XO

- Jodie


Supplies: Cirque Project Life® kit, Odyssey Project Life® kit; various past supplies

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40 comments

  1. YSandA says…
    04/25/2015

    "Don't buy anymore product" is the hardest thing for me!! I think my willpower dissolves because if I don't get this product, it'll be gone. However, I have enough stash to last me this lifetime and then some. Also, when I add up how much I spend each month on crafty supplies, oh yea, I could have used that money for a nice trip or some other practical, yet high ticket item that I keep saying, "Oh I can't afford that, it's too expensive." Another thing I struggle is that I don't give myself permission to scrap/PL/create more often. There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day and I have to be selfless and take care of my responsibilities first.

    Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. I need to stop the inflow for a bit so I can purge and use up some stuff. After all, what good does all this stash do if I keep letting my life pass by and don't document my stories? :)

    1 Reply 0 Replies
  2. FChopp says…
    04/25/2015

    Wow you described me. Ihave too much "stuff,". When we moved last summer we didn't have enough room for a craft room for me, so it's still all packed up. But the boxes of scrapbooking stuff is off the charts! I left out essential tool and a small (ok fairly large) amount of project life supplies. I keep them in one cabinet that I use for school as well. I love the project life kits and use them almost exclusively. I really don't need anything more because like you I always have some left over. I so need to down size!!!! Thanks for sharing your story.

    1 Reply 0 Replies
  3. dptuffy says…
    04/25/2015

    Thank you for sharing Jodie! I find myself in this spot sometimes too, more of a collector than a maker at times. I love your challenge and how you came out on the other side. You're so inspiring and now I'm totally going to make bundles of goodies for my littles and let them have at it :)

    1 Reply 1 Reply
    1. qingmei says…
      11/30/2013

      Thanks so much :)

      0
  4. Houston says…
    04/26/2015

    I am in this same boat and I am trying to same exact steps that you took... I feel empowered knowing it worked for a fellow "saver"! Thank you for sharing!

    1 Reply 0 Replies
  5. Tinkerbeth says…
    04/26/2015

    I need to do this, too, but I think I'd like to hang on to my card subscription—I'm pretty good about making cards. In fact, cards may be what keeps me from scrapping. They are so easy, and no photo printing or journaling! But then I get sad when I think of all of the stories I should tell, when I see my scrapping supplies unused. I guess I need to do some more soul-searching, but I am inspired by your story!

    1 Reply 0 Replies
  6. PolkaDotCreative says…
    04/26/2015

    Music to my ears @MX5Scrapper You sound as though you are totally on top of things and enjoying the result of your efforts! YAY! Thanks for your comment. x

    0 Reply 1 Reply
    1. Lulugribouille says…
      12/01/2013

      I really like this idea of the tree! I will keep it for the inside :)

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  7. PolkaDotCreative says…
    04/26/2015

    @YSandA the amount of $ spent on product can make a girl cry :( I know. But don't forget that part of my message is also aimed at de-cluttering, purging so that you don't only use what you have spent your hard earn $ on but also to give you space, both physical and mental, to create again. Buying the product isn't the issue - USING what you buy is what we should be mindful of :) Tell you story and use your stash. Like I said in my post - if I can do it anyone can. Thank you for your comment @YSandA xx

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  8. PolkaDotCreative says…
    04/26/2015

    And thanks for sharing your story @FChopp Share you product with others and make room for you and your stories. Believe you me, it's hard to let go of so much yumminess but it sounds as though you have already realised how little you actually do need to tell your stories. You'll be ok honey :) Thank you for your comment. x

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  9. PolkaDotCreative says…
    04/26/2015

    Yes, let your little ones have their bundles. Honestly it feels so good to give it away and see it being used (even though it's hard to let go…I'll be honest lol) @dptuffy thank you for your comment. xxx

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  10. PolkaDotCreative says…
    04/26/2015

    Oh I love that word EMPOWERED @Houston !!!! Good for you!!!! x

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  11. PolkaDotCreative says…
    04/26/2015

    @Tinkerbeth if you are using your card subscription you have no problems honey. You are USING it not hoarding it. If that is where your passion and creative mojo fires then stick to your card creating and get to your story telling when you can. It's all about what inspires you. xxx Thank you for your comment. x

    0 Reply 1 Reply
    1. saramitchell09 says…
      12/01/2013

      how do you like the Canon Pixma? One of the project life groups I belong too highly recommends the Selphy. I am interested in hearing about other printers too before I commit.

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  12. amiep says…
    04/27/2015

    This is such great advice. I am drowning in product and have decided when my subscriptions run out at the end of the year I will only do one of them. A tough decision to make but one that needs to happen. I know that I will enjoy the kits more and use more from them. Thank you for your honesty.

    1 Reply 1 Reply
    1. WhamBamPam says…
      12/12/2013

      Except I have so much stash in so many places :D

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  13. PolkaDotCreative says…
    04/27/2015

    I think that's a fabulous plan @ami p Use it all up, clear some space in your physical creative space as well as your mental creative space. You won't look back. Promise xxx

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  14. 1Djc says…
    04/28/2015

    This is what I am doing now! The goal of again receiving a monthly kit keeps me motivated to continue to use it all up. I love the idea you shared about setting things aside for your kids. I am going to make a box for my 3+ grandchildren. The oldest is 2 so it will be awhile before they really enjoy it, but some classic things will always be fun for them. Your article was well done! Thank you for sharing with us!

    1 Reply 0 Replies
  15. PolkaDotCreative says…
    04/30/2015

    Thank you @DjC I'm so glad you enjoyed the read. Sounds as though you plenty of recipients for your goodies. Signing up for a monthly subscription was my reward after all those months of letting go :) Good luck with your purge. And thank you for sharing your story and plan x

    0 Reply 0 Replies

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