'Use what you have' cont.

Wow! Just wow. I didn't even expect this kind of response. For some of you, 60+ comments is just a way of bloggy life. But for little ol' me, it's a major traffic explosion! A very big THANK YOU to each one of you who left a comment.  It is really wonderful, although now I had better be sure to keep my challenge! *gulp*  Lots of eyes out there will be looking, or maybe not :) Every time the thought crosses my mind that maybe I won't be able to do this; I just look at my towering pile and tell myself, "You had better darn well be able to!" g-OLL-yyy.

My bag of thrifted clothing, waiting for a new life as??? There is
quite a bit stuffed in there!

Sooz has gotten very excited about this and set up a Flikr group you can join here.  We can all post pictures of the things we made using only what we have. She set up the group to be an ongoing thing, which means if you can't take part during April you can choose another month! Great idea, no? Thank you Sooz for all your energy and enthusiasm!! And, have you seen the new button that Suzy made just for this purpose? Look   here.  I can't wait to get that up on my blog. So perfect.

Recent fabric purchases....

Some of you have businesses and may need to purchase things for a custom order. Of course! Do it. By all means do what you need to to keep your business going. I don't want to be blamed because there is no food on the table!! ha. Some of you have said that you have made recent purchases and is that O.K.? Hey, so have I. ....uh, um, see the above photo. My challenge is for the month of APRIL. There is still almost 2 weeks left in March, hehe! Well, if I over spend in March gearing up for the challenge in April, that will be counter-productive don't you think? Yes, me thinks. I personally am going to try to not spend anything in April towards crafting. But , what I think is most important is that we catch the spirit of this whole idea. I am not legalistic about this or anything else in life! If you resist the urge to buy fabric or what-not even just once and use what you have, then super! Don't despise small beginnings. I would like (and have been trying to think this way for many years) for this to become a way of life and something that transfers over into other areas of life as well. Think of the possibilities ?!

Sorry for being a bit long-winded. If you have come this far you are very sweet*

Comments

[mijk]

Thanks, nice to be called sweet. For myself it will be a good way as well to see what I really use. What do I miss? What is really important for me while crafting. i might go and buy it even if it's april but hey it is a much more consious decision that way..

I even hope to get a good grasp of what my basicneeds are in my way of crafting

[vegasandvenice]

I licked myself on the arm and you were right... I was sweet! I would have read the whole article anyway, but now I have also learned something special about myself. I taste like kernel corn ... oh wait I just ate kernel corn. Ah well, still nice to be called sweet :)

Your idea is great. I think I would love to use the supplies I have, if I tried. I always feel like I am saving them for a special occasion, for some special project yet to come. So I buy new supplies for my new projects. Thus the stash continues to grow.

Thank you again for the challenge to turn the supplies I love, into objects I love.

[dawn]

I'm visiting via turkey feathers via weewonderful... well, you get the idea. and I'm in, for so many reasons. Thank you. no really, thank you, this is going to be great.

[Caitlin O'Connor]

I'm so excited about this whole thing - hoping I CAN turn it into more of a way of life - but even a MONTH will make a difference- if I can do it!! Be strong! (but don't miss anything that's such a super bargain sweet find that you will regret it if you don't get it, LOL!)

[stephanie]

I do tend to automatically and initially bend towards the "legalistic" side. Hey, I have a good excuse..i went to college at Jerry Falwell's school! :) But, in all honesty, this is a wonderful challenge for me because it will discipline me in an area or major weakness. Also, i am wayyy more creative when i am limited in budget. I tend you use all the "wrong" colors, etc, and end up with much more creative and inspired things! Thank you for encouraging all of us and helping us to remember what life is all about!
loves!!

[nichola]

What a great idea! I'm a busy bee with my new bar at the moment but i hope to do some crafting when i get a chance and i'll be using 'what i have'.

[amanda]

I'm going to try too. Great idea!

[Cassi]

So much fun and a great idea Toni! I'm another one with tons of stuff - I could probably go a year without buying more but I don't think I could commit to that ;) I have a couple of projects I'm working on now so I might just have to watch from the sidelines but I'm with you in spirit!

[wendy]

I am very new to this blogging way of life, which is quickly becomming addictive. I have been introduced by my daughter who has just started her own blog as she finishes her textiles degree. I found your blog this week which is now bookmarked, so inspirational with all that you create, but I don't quite know where to start, any advice would be gratefully received.

[Dawn]

Nice banner you have...
I'm still considering the challenge. It is a good one...I think it is exciting to see the interest..but I wonder about the local craft stores..will they notice? :o)

[Alicia A.]

I'm in for April too. I've got a few notion-y type things I need to go get to prepare, but this is right up my alley!

[Lindsey]

I'm in!

I'll be buying my first home in July, so I am really trying to cut down on all non-moving and impending mortgage related expenses. This should keep me honest.

Thank you so much for having the idea!

[eloqui]

Hallo - I found you via whipup.net, and...... I'm going to join in, for April.
I am looking forward to making things during all the hours I won't be spending browsing for more stuff....
Thank you for your motivation.
It's a lovely project to have initiated.

[Carrie]

I love the idea of use what you have month! So lets see: I have two weeks to purchase like crazy so I can make it through a month of no purchases?! Restock and replenish? Okay! I'm in!

[Emily]

Ah, flexibility is a good thing and it's definitely good to think twice before buying!

[Sweet pea]

It's funny, I had a similar thought the other day as I was searching throught piles of material for a certain piece. Tons of things were turning up that I had totally forgotten about and I have so many cupboards and boxes full of things that "I will use one day". Sounds like April is a good time to start!

[Christine]

Such a great idea - I am *IN!* Do you mind if I include it in my Pointy Sticks podcast that I'm recording in the next day or two? Let me know!

[Jeanette]

How scarey that I am posting right after my daughter! But what I wondered was if I noticed some Amy Butler fabric in your stash of fabrics???

[Emmie]

I found out about this at Christine's blog!!!

I'm in!!!

Emms

(oh, yes, btw, lick test determined I am sweet... thanks for noticing!)

[ailsa]

If I join the use what you have month, can I use what 'you' have?
Your stash is better than mine.
;-)

[Briana]

I'm so in! Thank you for your inspiration and I can't wait to see what everyone has made.

[Heels]

I'm joining in, but as I just posted on my own blog, I have a tiny bit of shopping to do this week first.

[Josie]

Hi, just thought I'd say "hello". I've already done something for Use what you have, I'm recently new to blogging but i did a Pay it Forward, the other week and the three items i made were all using "previously loved fabric" as another blooger puts it! , anyway pictures are on my blog under Pay It Forward, their goodies have arrived- Josie