Day 1 : August 18, 2010 - Sunday

OK! That's it! I've got to quit! I can't keep on with this. I have so much scrapbooking stuff. And this weekend, after going on a Michigan binge with Robyn, I ended up with some form of scrapbooking in every room of the house.  Kitchen had magazines. Dining room; Silhouette, laptop and printer.  Also known as "Scrapbook South".  The living room holds my newest purchases.  Backroom has albums and magazines. Bedroom; idea books. And my bathroom has two magazines.  "The Studio" our converted master-bedroom - well, that's like living in a crayon box! The only room untouched was Tony's bathroom. 

I've got enough paper, supplies, stamps, etc. I've got every tool. From crop-a-diles, to light boxes, to die cut machines, to ump-tine different bags. I have scissors, and thousands of teeny-tiny brads. Enough flowers to open a flower shop!

And although the majority of what I buy is on clearance, even then, it's a lot of merchandise even if it is cheap.

And so, as I read "Women, Food, and God" about compulsive behavior and over eating, I wonder if I haven't reached the point.  I'm I getting "fat" on scrapbook supplies?

After Robyn and I left A Cherry on Top warehouse sale, after 5 hours of shopping we were "spent'. Both emotionally and monetarily. Our hearts were racing, our minds were stimulated by the colors. We needed a smoke! We were on creative overload and we loved it! The patterns, the colors, flowers, ribbons. All oh so pretty, SO cute. And it is. But living in a 5 room condo we are starting to run out of space. (Just imagine if I had an entire basement. It would truly be a warehouses.) The albums alone, I'm running out of shelving. We need another room just for a library of albums.

As I reflect on this last shopping spree ($300-$350) I'm thinking I need to stop, cut back. Could I go one year without buying another scrapbooking item? Could I use all the adhesive I have before buying more? Could I make some pattern paper work instead of the search for THE perfect paper?

One year. Until August or Cherry on Tops annual warehouse sale that takes place in August- give or take a couple of days.

I have 200 blank cards in my closet. 250 sheets of black cardstock. More stamps and embellishments then I can count.

The woman who wanted to cook through Julia Childs cookbook ("Julie and Julia") in 365 days did it. Why can't I? Why can't I use what I have, get creative and clear out and use what I got.

I guess I don't want to fail. What if I can't. What if I can't resist? What if I am addicted?  What if I can't pass up a Michael's coupon. Put blinders on while walking past the clearance aisle.  Ignore the $100 value Jolee package for $9.99 even though three quarters of it is Christmas and I have enough Christmas stuff to scrapbook mine and all the neighbors Christmas pictures.
What if tomorrow, when I'm cropping at Archivers I feel the need, the urge, to buy it with my 30% off coupon.

 I ran a flippin' marathon last year. Talk about being afraid and wondering if you can do it!
And there were times, where during the training wasn't always the best, and I missed a run, or didn't do well. But in the end - I got the medal. So it makes me think I can do this. I can do anything I want to do. If I give it my best try.

I'll do that. I'll give it my best try to be strong, committed and creative with what I have.
I'll go to stores to get ideas, see what they have, how they altered a flower, and then I'll go back and do it.  Glittered flowers; I've got glitter mist.  Polka dot flowers, I got staz-on and a dot stamp.  Golded, silvered, or aged - Got it all. I'll scope stores and start a "wish list" to ask for on special occasions, (birthdays, Christmas). Let me say right now; a gift is NOT a purchase. If I receive it as a gift, it is not a purchase.*
And maybe next year I'll still have some of the most beautiful pages and memories.

And with the money saved... Tony and I will go on a cruise. Or at least to Niagara Falls.

In this journal I'll write about what I've worked on, how I avoided the temptations,  and wear I stumbled, but never gave up.
Ahhh... Jolee... I will miss you for a year.

*This does not include the trip to Salt Lake City, already booked and on the calendar - oh I have to shop there! So, know already that I won't be perfect. But up until then. I'll try.