I have been thinking a lot about all my stuff lately. Living in a big house, it's so easy to just accumulate stuff. Most of it completely unnecessary (and note that I'm not including my crafty stash in this discussion, it's another topic). My Mum has gone through a big phase of getting rid of things. Just things that you hang onto although they aren't important. My partner is a hoarder. He can't get rid of anything. Me, I'm slowly starting to come around to the thought of less is more. I have sold some of my clothes on eBay, just stuff I know I will never fit into again. Next I need to do the same with shoes, you know those shoes that are so pretty but at the same time so incredibly uncomfortable and you know they will never be worn again. And what about DVDs? I never watch DVDs anymore. If I want to watch something, I will stream it. But at the same time, I have a nagging thought at the back of my mind reminding me of how much money I have spent on all the things I own. It seems wasteful to get rid of them. But then you stop and think - are these things important? Do they make me happy? Would I miss them if I got rid of them? And the answer is very clear.
I did a bit of cleaning today, just some cupboards full of stuff that I threw in there when we moved into the house, and have not thought about since. After some re-arranging I found that I have over 30 bottles of various hair styling products. And I'm a wash and brush type of gal, I maybe use one product here and there but I think I have enough hair styling products until I die... I have 10 bottles of toothpaste. This is because I bring Finnish toothpaste with me whenever I go home. Let's not get into it, it's just better... But I didn't realise I already have a huge stash, I just keep adding to it. This is the trouble with stashing things. You will lose sight of what you have and just add to it. I'm so incredibly annoyed with myself for letting this happen. Again, it's not things I will throw away as they will be useful eventually, but I will work hard on not adding anything to my huge stash of stuff until I know what I have and I will make sure I will try to use them all up before I buy new things.
Anyhow, my card today is also a bit minimalistic. I had an idea in my head, and the card didn't quite turn out as I wanted it, but I can't quite put my finger on what went wrong. I was browsing Pinterest earlier and got a horrible inferiority complex. All those gorgeous cards out there that I wish I had made. And then my stuff turns out a bit... naff. Oh well, all you can do is practice, practice and practice even more. Maybe one day!
I made a shaker card using all the little birthday related things in Lawn Fawn's Party Animal set. It's one of those thin shaker cards so the things inside the shaker don't move around very much. It's so that it can easily be posted.
I would like to link up with the following challenges:
Lawnscaping - Inspired by Colour
CAS(E) This Sketch - Sketch #133
Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers - S is for Shaker
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Sparkle and Shine
Card: 300 gsm white card, Hobbycraft 160 gsm white card, acetate
Paper: Lawn Fawn Let's Polka
Stamps: Lawn Fawn Party Animal and matching dies
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black
Colouring: Copics, Tim Holtz Distress markers
Other: Lawn Fawn Happy Birthday border die, Ranger Ice Stickles, Stitched Circle dies, Stitched Rectangle dies
I can totally appreciate the want to declutter, I got rid of soooo much stuff when we moved two years ago and it felt awesome! I can also appreciate having a partner that is a hoarder **sigh**
ReplyDeleteLove your shaker card, the bright colours, I love Lawn Fawn!
Thanks for joining us at the sisterhood of snarky stampers for our "S is for Shaker" challenge!!
In June we moved from a four bedroom house to a three bed room apartment. We said good bye to many items and it wasn't that difficult letting go. (My craft things are another story, along with yours!) I think your shaker card is brilliantly cute. You did good. Don't let Pinterest bring you down. Thanks for joining the Sisterhood's Shaker Challenge!
ReplyDeleteI think your shaker card is darling, and whoever receives it will love it! Thanks for sharing it with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!
ReplyDeleteLove this card! The birdies in the corner are adorable! and I like your multi-colored word die cut.
ReplyDeleteWell done. So much better than I did. Thanks for joining the Sisterhood's Shaker Challenge.
ReplyDeleteVery cute card! I really love this shaker card with all the different elements in it! Thanks so much for playing the Lawnscaping Challenge.
ReplyDelete-Samantha
oh my goodness! this shaker card is awesome! i LOVE it!! i especially LOVE how you colored in the sentiment in a rainbow! so so so cool!! those two little birds look like they're going to have an AWESOME party!! thank you SO much for playing along with the Lawnscaping Challenge! :D
ReplyDeleteLove the shaker card! The little cut-outs are so fun, as are the little birdies. I'm glad you are not including your craft stash as part of your less-is-more philosophy. ;) Thanks for joining the fun at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers!
ReplyDeleteI've sort of been thinking about that less is more theory too, and like you, that does NOT include my craft stash. ;) I absolutely adore this shaker card! Love that it's a thin shaker for mailing, and that you stamped/colored/die cut the itty bitty stamps for the inside of the shaker - brilliant idea!!! Have faith in your talent and don't let Pinterest get to you! Thanks for joining us at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers!
ReplyDeleteLove your card! I'll have to try a lthin shaker...such a cool effect! Thanks for your insight on the clutter. Purging is good, although not for craft items! Thanks for joining in the fun at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers!
ReplyDelete