I have been looking at everything in stash as well as my UFOs and WIPs. Strangely enough things seem to keep multiplying. I close the door to the craft area and all the stash seems to "get it on" and I find even more surprises the next time I visit the craft room. 😆
I saw that I had missed a few items on my end of year list and I'm sure there will be more found as the year goes on. I really need to finish these things. Having them just sit in bags and take up real estate is no good for anyone. They aren't being worked on or used for their intended purpose and they aren't being enjoyed by anyone.
That's my reality check and one of my goals for this year. The other goal is to use more stash than what's brought in. I would just say yarn stash, but I think all craft stash. I mean how many decorative paper pads, stamps, paints, yarn, etc. do I need? According to the craft world, MORE! Did you ever buy something because it was only available for a limited time only? Have you acted on purchasing something because once it's gone, it's gone? Need I go on?
So tell me, why does the craft market make you feel like you have to have that item and why do they make it so it's around for a couple of months and then gone? I got caught in that web more than once and I can show you all the stamps and stuff I have that I've never used because I got it because I might want to use it someday. Worse part is, I get it, forget it and then buy something else that's somewhat similar and then may or may not use that, and then buy something else because it's limited.... and the cycle goes on.
I have found the internet and influencers has caused that panic feeling of need to buy the item or losing out on it for good. I don't remember that feeling before net. I went to the yarn store, bought something I liked and usually on sale, took it home and made things out of it. I certainly did not have the stash I do now. Even with sales and closeouts happening. I have no one to blame but me. I fall for the good marketing skills of the craft world. And there's so much to be had. I "need" it all!!!
I know I'm not the only one. I've been watching videos of people who are whittling down their stash and many have the theory that if you no longer love it - get rid of it by donating it or selling it. It is interesting to me that we had to have it at one point - probably to the point of paying a nice hefty sum for it to only turn around and get rid of it by selling it for less than was paid or just donating it. That's not going to fly with me. I bought the stuff, so I AM going to use it. I cannot in all good conscience donate it without making something out of it first. If I truly don't like the yarn, I can make something out of it and give it to a charity as a finished object. Just because I don't like it doesn't me everyone else has the same opinion. Hats, scarves, mittens, etc. are always in demand, so that unloved yarn will be turned into something that can keep someone warm.
I think it's just my generation. My father was raised in the Great Depression and my mother in WWII. I learned the "waste not, want not" way of life and find the more disposable way of life difficult sometimes. My adult children don't want the heirloom china set, etc. and things that mean something to us, don't necessarily mean anything to them so why should they want them? I know, in the end it's just stuff.
Well, this sure got off my thought of UFOs and WIPs. My brain does a dump every now and then - looks like this is one of them. LOL Before I go rambling on any more - I'll post this mess. I could start over, but who knows where the next post would go....
