Use what I have

I've been thinking about something. Not anything that has not crossed my mind many, many times before. But something I try to tell myself often and that is use what I have. I have so much STUFF.  Stuff that needs to get used, to be turned into something useful, something fun, something pretty. I know how inspiring it is to browse the thrift store or fabric shop in search of new materials, be it second-hand clothing, vintage textiles, or bolts of spanking,brand new fabric. Honestly, nothing relaxes me quite like that activity!! I love it. L-O-V-E it.

But, as I was searching through my piles of fabrics and such, I kept coming across things I had bought and forgotten I had. It was a lot actually. I thought this is wasteful. Oh yes, someday I'll use it. Will I really? I just keep stacking more and more stuff on top. With that said, I want to challenge myself, for the month of April, to create only from the things I already have. No buying supplies. Nope. I want to use up some of this lovely fabric, trims, ribbons,yarn, thrifted sweaters etc...that I already have. Just for one month. Would anyone like to join me? I'm totally prepared to go at this solo, but just thought I'd ask :)

Comments

[stephanie]

i am in! i am sooo glad you are doing this! i was just chatting with the hubby the other day and telling him that i really need to use what i have before spending anymore money. thanks so much!!
loveS!!

[~Vicki]

I'm actually trying to live this each day in one way or another and am often pleasantly surprised by my own ingenuity and resourcefulness. I'm excited to see so many others on board with the idea..and can't wait to see what amazing things come from it.

[suzy]

I am so up for this too - I have been feeling overwhelmed by my cupboard full of fabrics lately. It will be nice to turn them into the things I was imagining when I bought them, at last!

[Diana]

I will definitely join you for the month of April! I pledge not to buy any yarn or any other craft item, and will knit and complete an item from my stash!

By the way, the Irish Cream will stay fresh one month in the refrigerator. But I guarantee you, it won't last that long! LOL

[jayne]

I too have sooooo much stuff to use up! Count me in. I will not buy one thing in the month of April to make something with, just use what I've got. The thinking cap has gone on!

[Stacey]

O-o-o-o-K-k-k-kie Do-o-o-kie. I'm in. Yikes.

[Taphophile]

I've had just enough wine to make this a great idea. Given the amount I've bought in the last two months, I really NEED to do this. Count me in and pass me the smelling salts - I'll need them when my friends find out about this.

[Emily]

I can do this...and have done this many, many times. I've even limited some of my art to one container of stuff (excluding glue).

Great challenge!

[Carrie]

I always try to use what I have, but then I see something I HAVE TO HAVE, and well, it's all downhill from there!

Holy Toledo Girlie - 58 comments! You'll never get this far down!

[~Vicki]

Sorry!! to have to add yet another comment...but I have to tell you how great I think this idea is...and linked to you on my blog today about it. xoxo

[Deb]

I tried this for Lent and fell off the wagon. So count me in for April - I will only knit from stash, I will only knit from stash, I will only...

[Claire]

I need to do this too! However, I have just got rid of a load of stuff on Freecycle, but I still have some fabric, wool, buttons, paper and pen/pencils,glue...etc.....etc!

[Marieke]

Count me in as well! Strange how new things always seem so much more interesting than things you already have. This is a good opportunity to reflect on this phenomenon...

[abby]

Perfect, perfect timing.
Count me in!

[Jessica]

This sounds great. I'm just unpacking my boxes and boxes of craft supplies after our move and the last thing i need to do is buy more.
Also, while my husband is out of town this week i decided to try and eat up the stores of food in my house too, hehe. I've got a handful of vegetables, two dozen eggs, and a bunch of dried goods. I'll make it.

[webfrau]

All right - I'm in!
I'm always saying exactly the same thing myself. I have fabric of all varieties pouring out of my cupboards and more wool than I can knit in a year!

[hillary]

sounds fun but I couldn't go without thrifting for a whole month!

[Lissa]

I'd like to join you as well... the challenge will be not to spend too much in March to prepare! My craft vices are knitting and beading, so we shall see... It's worth a try!

[Melody Johnson]

Yup. I am joining your group. I am posting this link on my blog and hopefully it will start us all doing it.
Then when I go to teach my next workshop, everyone will have felt altruistic enough to buy lots of fabric from me!

[Debra]

I'm writing about this for BlogHer!! And asking what other parts of our lives can we pledge to "use what we have?"

[sasha]

I'm in! Soooooo, if I'm going to buy any new supplies I better get 'em this week :D

[cally]

I can see why you save your stuff, it's beautiful, so I shall be selfless and offer to use it all on your behalf, don't take time to think about the generosity of my offer, just pop it in a bag and post it all. yes ALL, immediately!

[Stephenie]

Thanks, this may be just the kind of discipline I need to keep me focused on one (or two) projects at a time. I just discovered the the crafty blog world, and all of my crafting urges (previously suppressed due to small children) are raging. I've been to the fabric store twice in five days. I'll be broke if this keeps up.

[Beverly]

Count me in. I'm moving in May, and I should be using what I have instead of buying more things to stash in my craft closet. Thanks for the great idea!!xx

[Debra Spincic]

Hello!
I have just set up a quilt forum on delphi called Quilt Studio and would like to link to your Challenge Idea there. Would that be OK? I think the gals who frequent the forum would enjoy joining the effort! Thanks! ~~~Debra