Day 204 - It seems like it day 2004

This has got to be one of the hardest challenges that I've done. No. Loosing weight would probably be harder and that's why I'm not doing that!

What I am starting to learn from the little exercise of no shopping, (well almost no shopping. I've had a couple of issues along the way) is what I really like to use for scrapping and what I don't. What I'm drawn to and what can go back on the shelf.

First - it's the ribbon. I love the ribbon! I love the colors, the little tiny spools, the polk-a-dot, the lace. I thought my friend Robin was a ribbon fanatic - I think I got it to. It must have been contagious. When I pass the rack of ribbon, it's like candy. With NO calories.  It's so "yummy" and makes me happy. I like to look at it, touch it. It's so cute.

Bling: What's a girl without bling? It's the icing on the cake. Just that little bit of "pop" that completes the out fit. Same with scrapping.  It's the gems, the pearls, the swirls. The girls gots to have the bling. And if there is sale bling - OMG. Got to have it.
The pinks, the purples, the crystal clear.  Every color. Any color. Never enough. In practicality, because it's being used. Want it - always.

Stamps: I'm being a stamp-a-holic. Yep. More stamps. Never enough stamps. A bucket full of stamps and a 6" binder full of them. Some "real stampers" wouldn't think I have a lot. But for me - I have a lot. And I don't use them as often as I should. But when I see them and some of them are only $1 - heck if I use it once it's worth it. It's not like a sticker, but never "goes away" and you can use it over and over and over again.   The stamp is versatile and ever lasting. So why not even more... 'cause I should be stamping more with all the stamps I have and I don't. I still reach for the easy fix; the sticker or rub on.

The urge to shop is still there. Despite the 200 days having passed by. Because it's emotional. It makes me happy. It really does. To stand there, look at all the colors, think about all the projects and layouts I could do with this and that. It really stimulates my brain. It activates it. And isn't healthy brain activity important?
You bet! So I need to shop. 
(Yeah... I probably could stimulate my brain by reading a book or doing a crossword puzzle.  But it's not nearly as much fun! And those activities don't involve ribbon.)

Day 198 - Sometime I Just Have To Much Going On

Sometimes I just have too much going on. Too many hobbies. To much work. To many things to do at home. But the reality is I bring on all these things on  myself. I want to do them, (read, design, run) and I love the people I have met by doing them (you all know who you are). And some days I don't even know how I get it all done.

This week I've been crazy busy at work, hip hopped, ran, biked, on staff with running club (which I got up in front of every one to do our "affirmations"- very scary for me. Don't like speaking in front of people.) made cards, put layouts together, shopped for running shoes, visited a friend in the hospital, volunteered, saw my parents, drove two days back and forth to Milwaukee.  And then I wonder why I feel "rushed" and tired. I need to "slow down" and be specific in my projects.

I've just signed up for a 8 weeks scrapbook course (yeah - I know. I complain I'm busy and sign up for yet another class.) This one is finding you authentic scrapbooking voice. What makes your pages you. What products are you drawn to, what is your style, how do you design. And the base of this class is a make a layout every day for 30 days being March 1st.
OMG- can I do this?  I know I CAN. Can I make the time to do this? I can if I drop something else. But what, I'm not sure yet.
First answer would be work... but we need that one. There's reality.

Cards, they are selling so well right now, there is no stopping. Exercise - nope. That's a big no. I'm liking how things are going right now.

So I'll get up early and go long with the day. Despite the fact they are busy. I'll make it work with pre-planned kits. Focusing on getting things done. Working out at lunch time. Making to do lists, etc.

I know there are people out there with MUCH busier schedules then mine. And they may thrive on it - but not me. Right now, a little bit of down time would be nice.

Day 191 - I Just Can't Help Myself

It was Saturday, which means running club. And that was great! Immediately following was a card class at Archivers. Learned some really cool new water color techniques with stamps. The cards look like they were painted by some Japaneses artist. 
And we painted the ribbon. Yep - white cotten ribbon, misted with water and painted (any color you'd like) with ink. You know what that means.... have to have the ribbon. Well they were out of it. So I bought it in purple! I've got 10 wedding cards to do and the brides colors are purple! No inking required on that one.

Then I went to Hobby Lobby. Stickers were 50% off.  Yes. I confess. I was going there with a purpose to buy. I needed a sheet of baby stickers ($1) and wedding stickers ($1) and got wedding border stickers. Couple sheets of raspberry card stock. Some bling - pearl and clear for the wedding cards. Some lace.  $9 total.

Then I went to Joanns. Yes. I confess. I was going there with a purpose to buy.  (Sounds familiar.) K and Company had the cutest fabric flowers. Got some last week and used every single one (6 of them) already on cards and layouts. Had to get more and they were 40% off. And 12x12 paper was 25 cents a sheet. That's really cheap! Got some watermelon color, chocolate brown, a sheet of baby paper, and one wedding glitter paper. 8 sheets - $2 Total out of store was $9. 

So, on a Saturday, in three stores, I spent $20. Not bad - but when you aren't suppose to be spending it's not good.

Maybe when I become a designer.... and I get free product.... I'll do better.

I have noticed I'm a little more "controlled" and I'm only buying things that I know for sure that I'll be using. That's a lot better then having things on hand "in case" I'll need them. I could have bought a lot more paper and stickers. A LOT more. But I didn't.  (There's justification! LOL!!!)

Day 186 - I Need To Stay Out of the Stores

OK. It's just that simple. If I'm not going to spend. I just need to keep my fanny out of the stores. Because if my big butt is the stores - then I'm buying. Once I'm in there - I just can not help it! I swear! It's like a drug! The colors, the ribbon, the stickers, the ideas! I see an item and I know exactly what I want to do with it. How I'll use it. And I do! I use all my stuff. But I still have a lot of old stuff that I'm trying to work through. And I'm using that too.  I've scrapped about 16 pages so far this year. (Yes -that is a lot.) And I've been using all my stuff.
And I can't even count the number of cards I've done - and used by stuff.
I just have a lot of stuff.  But I want new stuff too.  When I buy. I love what I buy. I'm not a collector. I'm actually using it. Which is good.

Went to Joanns this past weekend to use a coupon - 50% off. So I got really cute ribbon to tie up my cards with. They look SO cute in the box. BUT... all the scrapbooking stuff was 40%.  Need adhesive - always. But the clearance aisle.  Scrapbooking at rock bottom prices! OMG I just can't resist.  So I get a stamp sets with 9 sayings, (get well, congratulations, happy birthday, have a nice day, buy me you need me- ok, it really didn't say the last one) for $4.97 - Five dollars!!! That I can use over and over and over again in multiple colors. I just HAD to. And I've already used it on cards!

 $20 later I'm finally walking out of the store.

I just need to stay out. Coupons aren't saving me here.. I'm spending more.
It's such an addiction. I guess it beats smoking or drinking. There's two things that cost a lot and have nothing to show in the end except really bad breath, or lots of wasted calories in the drinks.
At least I have a library full of books. (Which I need another condo to put them in ... I'm running out of room.)