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Stamps? I sat down to play today, and couldn't think of anything to make with what I have. I have lots of different stamps, but do you think one of them worked? No! My husband thinks I have way too many, but none ever seem right for just that project IYKWIM? Surely out of all the stamps I have, one should be right.
I can't imagine having "enough"! As long as I have disposible income (and a Stampin' Up! Catty lol) - I'm adding to the "creative pool" of my stamp collection!
That said, I'm starting to have enough of certain types of images, but anything new and exciting goes right on my wishlist.
You should try some of the weekly challenges here on SCS, they often force you to look at your stamps in a new light and help give them a whole new lease on life, they are so much fun.
Can you ever have enough chocolate? Sappy old movies? Comfortable old jeans? There are some things that are just essentials in life.
Does your hubby ever feel like he's had enough football? Nascar? Fishing? Tools? Whatever *his* passion is???
One needs to put it in perspective. As I've said before... it's not illegal, immoral or fattening and we ENJOY it anyway! Besides... it's cheaper than therapy ;)
__________________ Pegg Thomas Socialism is trickle up poverty.
Enough is enough when you stop creating and your passion turns to dust. I have enough stamps, what I don't have enough of is paper and ink! The image remains the same, what you do with that image stimulates creativity, stretches your imagination and has you learning new techniques. Take a gander at the gallery, look at any given stamp set, the image is static, but what is done w/the image in regards to paper, ink, embellishments, color, etc. now that is ever changing and evolving.
So go to the gallery and stimulate your creativity, CASE someone else!!! All kidding aside, cruising the gallery will give you a new "eye" when perusing your current stash of stamps.
__________________ McFadden/MacHappy Ho /Kash So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.1 Cor 10:31
As long as stamp companies keep coming out with beautiful new stamps, enough will never be enough.
I do believe, however, you can have too many. The exact number of "too many" varies from person to person, but I knew I had too many when I couldn't figure out what to do with ANY of them, even the new ones. I purged (still have an obscene amount!) and felt so much more creative and productive. Now I regularly purge because I regularly buy new stuff. It's a much happier equilibrium, LOL!
A friend of mine had a great idea this year. She got a group of fellow stampers together for a "don't use it please take it" swap. Everyone brought things that were just collecting dust or that they thought they would love and just didn't use. One persons trash... I got rid of what I wasn't using picked up a few sets and have been making cards nonstop with them.
A friend of mine had a great idea this year. She got a group of fellow stampers together for a "don't use it please take it" swap. Everyone brought things that were just collecting dust or that they thought they would love and just didn't use. One persons trash... I got rid of what I wasn't using picked up a few sets and have been making cards nonstop with them.
What a great idea, but I seem to find it hard to part with sets, even if I'm not using them! I don't really think you can ever have enough---my taste changes and the new sets I see inspire new ideas. Variety is good!!!
ribbon has to be my downfall tho... i have so much ribbon.
(notice i didn't say enough or too much)
Momis Mama - I fall into the same category as you. I have TONS of stamps and ribbon. But, I'm not sure that it's enough or even too much. I am also a serious DP addict. But, as long as they keep coming out with new stuff, I'll keep buying it. I periodically clean out on the 'bay, then I buy some more with the money I make.
I do believe, however, you can have too many. The exact number of "too many" varies from person to person, but I knew I had too many when I couldn't figure out what to do with ANY of them, even the new ones. I purged (still have an obscene amount!) and felt so much more creative and productive. Now I regularly purge because I regularly buy new stuff. It's a much happier equilibrium, LOL!
That's what I need to do this weekend! I sat down last night and felt that exact way. I guess I reached my magic "too many" place. :rolleyes:
Hi!
About 3 years ago I reached the "too many" point with stamps. I have almost 6,500 images, I have enough. I did buy stamps, but I also earned them through sales promotions, gifts from family and as friends stopped stamping they'd give me their collections. I also knew I would not part with what I had so I simply stopped purchasing stamps.
Instead I stopped being a demo, unmounted all my stamps, even the rare SU ones. I then focused my energies on using what I had accumulated over my 11 years of selling for a stamp company and started playing. I felt so free, and I've been stamping more than ever before. Just because the image was made in 1998, a country cottage is still a country cottage. Creativity is about your creativeness not someone elses expectations.
It is true "too much" is relevant to the person, but stamping is more about enjoying and sharing, than competing. This is a guilt free creative outlet, so enjoy and share your passion.
I have enough in number. I mean I don't think MORE stamps would help, but maybe DIFFERENT stamps. That's why at least twice a year I clear those puppies out. I have a few I never use but also refuse to sell, but for the most part I sell about 25% of my stamps twice a year. I get some extra money for new stuff and I've not had to move out of my convienent stamp storage. *and I don't have anywhere to expand to so that's good*
I definately have diminishing returns on my new stamp purchases right now. I usually deflect the dinished enjoyment to the old ones. So I just got the new Gina K animals and I love them bunches so I'm using my other animals a lot less, probably will sell some of them soon.
__________________ My BlogMy GalleryAll dog's feet smell like Fritos. I know you don't believe me, go check... See, I told you so.
Stamps? I sat down to play today, and couldn't think of anything to make with what I have. I have lots of different stamps, but do you think one of them worked? No! My husband thinks I have way too many, but none ever seem right for just that project IYKWIM? Surely out of all the stamps I have, one should be right.
So when will enough be enough?
Oh my gosh! IKWYM! I am having a block right now.....too many stamps and not knowing what to dowith them!! I made some coaster post-it note holders to tide me over until I can figure it out or find it or get it back!!!
I'm with Ladybugstamper2. I KNOW that I have more than enough stamps. My goal now is to basically use what I have - although I can't stay that I'm not going to buy more stamps. I CAN say that I can go into the LSS or Michaels or Hobby Lobby with cash in hand (and maybe even a coupon) and not buy a single thing. Right now there is nothing that I need or want. I can look at a million stamps and identify some of my own stamps that are either identical or very similar. (I also carry my trusty PDA with me that has a list of all of the stamps and supplies that I own just in case I need to look up a specific stamp or supply.) It's kind of sad to say that going to those stores now doesn't excite me like it did several years ago. (Say it isn't so!!) I do still like going to look around though! (And going to stamp stores in other areas is still fun.) Gosh, it sounds like I might need a girls' weekend to St. Cloud, MN soon. A little "stamping rendezvous" to "spice it up"... Ha!! (Notice the similarity of stamping and a relationship with a DH?) LOL
__________________ "There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." -- Dave Barry
I do know exactly what you mean. For me wanting more is just part of the collecting that I think goes along with crafting. Some might call it hoarding!LOL!
When I buy a stamp set I can see what I want to do with it, but when I get it I usually go blank. It really depends on my mood and creativity level at the time.
I love to look at other cards here on SCS so that I get inspired. I don't copy but maybe a color combo or something gets me going in a direction.
I think the challenges are a great idea to inspire you. I have always planned on doing 3 very different samples with each stamp set, to see the versatility of each set. Although I haven't done this yet.
Sorry to say....but there is no end to wanting more stamps!
I'm beginning to understand that I don't need to have so many stamps, but I probably buy more of the accessories, punches, paper, embellishments, etc. because you can do a lot with those items. I'm an SU demo so that's really all I buy, which saves me money (and space!) because I'm not so tempted by all the other neat things out there. Not that I can't come up with a long list of stamp sets I "want" from the SU Catalog! It's just all so fun!
Thanks Kim for explaining better. I was finding that I either didn't like the art style of the stamp images or I already had an image a lot like the new set. I lean more towards cute or classic designs. I'm not a doodle or modern design type of gal. I'm not saying I'll never buy stamps again, I am just focusing my energies on papers and playing.
To stay motivated I flip through my old SU catalogs (I saved them all) or the idea portfolios. The SCS gallery is also a great resource for ideas. I'll get inspired to get out that set and make something similar to the idea. I no longer look at ideas and think, I can't make that card because I don't have those images. I think about ways to use whatever images I have to make a card using those design layout ideas.
Will you ever have enough
