?Over the edge w/ being thrifty?

[stampin stacy]

Do you ever save/recycle something to be crafty with and think to yourself, "I must be crazy"?

I was clipping the bit of hanger ribbon manufacturers sew into shoulder seams and my first thought was "yeah real ribbon not plastic".

Second thought, "Pretty colors, I can definitely use these".

Third thought, " oh no I have entered the crafter's Black Hole AGAIN"




but off to my craft room I went with my new ribbon anyway.

[southgirl]

Lots of time but then I ask ...where are you going to store it and will you find it when you want it?

[cardmaker2]

Oh yes! I have definitely cut off the ribbons you speak of I stick ribbons in small tubs on a shelf of a craft cupboard. Not saying I USE them.....

I have also done many other recycles:
~ decorative charms from candles or gift baskets
~ cut buttons off old clothes
~ pretty sparkly layers from received bought cards
~ raffia or string off of anything
~ old broken jewelry pieces that are small enough or usable for attaching


.... those are the things that came to my mind initially. There may be more


You are in good company for sure!

[bjeans]

I haven't done that much but have cut interesting backgrounds from design journals/magazines, and yesterday I trimmed the lightweight cardboard packaging from a couple dies since they look like wood. : )

[Mrs Noofy]

GUILTY!!!!! It's a deep dark hole from which there is NO RETURN!! Take it from me I know from which I speak! LOL

[BashfulStamper]

Yup, been there, done that... both the saving little bits of pretty ribbon or packaging, and also saving and never actually using. (sigh.) And I wonder why I've run out of room in my crafty space.

(I just made the decision yesterday to start moving a few things from my craft room to the spare bedroom. Shhhh... please don't call Hoarders on me!)

[stampincatlady]

I'm building a list of ways to use scrap pieces of ribbon. I hate to trim the ends of a bow or reach the end of a spool, only to have short bits of beautiful ribbon "wasted." I'd been putting the scraps loose in my embellishment drawers, which I sort by color, but recently started gathering them up into a jar to keep on my work table. I just go there first when I need a little ribbon trim. The tiniest pieces I plan to snip up into "confetti" to use in a shaker card. And, yes, I forage anywhere I can!

[jukie]

I used to do this...now I look at the item, hold it, and ask myself 'what am I going to do with you'....if I come up with a genuine answer it can stay, if not out it goes

[auntiof8]

Been there myself...cut magazine pictures out and filed them in my Scrap rack dividers, and then ribbon snip-its, into zip lock bags by solid color, then multi color ribbons in the multi color bag filed on the shelf. Always going to the ribbon snip-its bags before my roll ribbon stash. Took some discipline, but do the same thing with color cardstock remnants, in file folders...to the drawer first, then AACK! to cutting a new sheet of cardstock. I know you can relate to cutting up a beautiful new cardstock sheet.

[buggainok]

Funny thread!

I have done most of the above things.


Here is a cute story: A family was cleaning out the garage after grandpa passed away. They found a neatly labeled box that said:


"Pieces of string to short to be used."

[wavejumper]

fun thread. Raising hand. Cardboard. I save the cardboard backing from writing pads for die pocket storage purposes.

Scraps of DP-esp specialty like mirror card. I like to die cut words from it.

Tins. There is a costco mixed european cookie they sell at Christmas in red metallic tin-I save that. Good for storage.

Small silver plate. I used to get small pieces at thrifts for 2-3 bucks for pen cups and stuff. I am letting go of a bunch. I need the desk space for other things now. Shame. It was pretty.

T-shirts are ripped up to be rags for cleaning stamps

I was raised this way though. Nothing was thrown out before analysis for second life. I think the one I liked best was mom taking the face grill from a table fan and turning it horizontal and used it for a rack for Barbie clothes she made at street fairs.

[fifiwesfan]

Great thread! I save everything. Sigh. Its at the point where my sister gives me random pieces of things and says, I was going to throw this out but thought of you. lol


I made matching wall sconces out of an inner toilet towel tube, pieces of a cardboard box, and a coffee cup sleeve (for battery operated candles, of course): Toilet Paper Tube Craft; Wall Sconce made of toilet paper tube, cardboard box, coffee cup sleeve; Martha Stewart Punch | My Crafts | Pinterest | Coffee cup sle?


The first craft project I can remember making when I was a child: I rescued from the garbage a twinkies box (which had the diagonal top opening), a quart milk carton, and square box of something. When I saw them sitting on top of the trash a light bulb went off. I attached the twinkies box on its short side to the square box and stood it up, then attached a piece of string to the milk carton and the other end to the inside of the twinkies box. I made my own telephone box like they had attached to poles in the olden days. I remember my Dad coming home and asking my Mom what was doing with the garbage and she was just shaking her head and laughing. Good memory, thanks for reminding me!

[Chris4436]

I love reading these threads that make me realize I'm not alone. I find it difficult to toss small bits of ribbon, cardboard, and most of the other items mentioned. I'll tell myself I shouldn't keep that stuff, then, bam, I'm making a card and find the perfect piece of ribbon or other embellishment in my stash! The struggle is real!

[Jay_Bee]

I save all manner of bits and pieces too. My craft space is totally overflowing so a major clear out and clean up is needed - putting it off!

[lindylou1220]

At one time or another I have saved it all.

My most recent was just this past week when I was trashing an old pair of PJs with the cutest flower buttons. Yes, you know those 3 small buttons are now in my stash.


The other thing that I've been saving a lot is Bed Bath & Beyond coupons. If you're not aware of it, they accept both current and expired coupons. They seem to come with everything and I must have at least 174 so I have told myself to STOP saving them. It's not even a store I shop at often.


Shaking my head.

[STYXROCKSME]

I look at all packing, boxes, tags from clothes ect and wonder how can I reuse this on future project or card. Also my husband will bring me something before throwing out and ask if I can reuse it. All this stuff gets to be too much. I do get the bin of "stuff" and put on desk as I'm crafting to force myself to use some of it. Too funny... new homes going up. Of course I peek inside. Once the corrugated cardboard is taken off floor and toss into trash bin, I go back and cut a few pieces.

[jeaniebean55]

I think I heard this here on SCS, but it is my story, and I'm stickin to it: What's the difference between a hoarder and a crafter? ............... Shelving.


But seriously, if it's organized (not over organized ... that's a whole nuther problem, lol!), and there's room for it (I have a corner in the basement), there are items that are ripe for that project-I-know-is-around-the-corner. and I have the YouTube channels to prove it! LOL!

[stampwithjoanne]

I’m definitely a recycler and reuser. But, when my former MIL gave me a used Ace Bandage that she had wrapped around her ankle saying “can you use this on your greeting cards??” I had to draw the line and say “no.” Ha!

Other then used Ace bandages, I DO like to recycle!

[Rachelrose]

If it appeals to me for any reason, I keep it. I try not to keep things because they "might come in handy" even though I don't actually find them interesting, because there's no end to that. Oh, right, there is, and it's called Hoarding.

[stampindoe]

[QUOTE=jeaniebean55;21594046]I think I heard this here on SCS, but it is my story, and I'm stickin to it: What's the difference between a hoarder and a crafter? ............... Shelving.



Made me smile!! So true!!

[Rachelrose]

LOL.

But, really, I think the original question is somehow skewed. Are you really keeping that ribbon you cut off a dress to be thrifty? Do you see it and say "Yay! That's one more piece of ribbon I won't have to buy!" Or because, as the OP said, it's pretty, so why not try to use it. Two different things IMO.


And if you have the shelving... !

[Illinois Marge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampwithjoanne

I’m definitely a recycler and reuser. But, when my former MIL gave me a used Ace Bandage that she had wrapped around her ankle saying “can you use this on your greeting cards??” I had to draw the line and say “no.” Ha!

Other then used Ace bandages, I DO like to recycle!

OMG, can you imagine the cool mummy for Halloween that you could have made> With googly eyes?


(Just kidding. Sort of.)

[Dorie95]

I know I'm cheap (thrifty sounds nicer) but I go to Good Will on Wednesdays because it's Senior Day and I get 15% discount!

There are 2 GW stores near my house that have very nice craft areas. Lots of stamps, ribbon, paper pads (used), stickers (some are missing but who cares?), markers, colored pencils. I used to find punches and did buy different sized paper cutters.

This thread just makes me smile!

[JBgreendawn]

you know this thread could have been re-titled
" you know you qualify for hoarder status in your studio when..."

(yes, guilty of many of the things listed )
bwahahaha

[stampwithjoanne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorie95

I know I'm cheap (thrifty sounds nicer) but I go to Good Will on Wednesdays because it's Senior Day and I get 15% discount!

There are 2 GW stores near my house that have very nice craft areas. Lots of stamps, ribbon, paper pads (used), stickers (some are missing but who cares?), markers, colored pencils. I used to find punches and did buy different sized paper cutters.

This thread just makes me smile!

LOVE LOVE LOVE Savers and Goodwill. Find lots and lots of craft items at a fraction of the price.

[Allistamps123]

The handles of the bags you get at Loft are a nice, wide, grey ribbon with a fine white line. It's beautiful ribbon. I saved it for awhile but finally got rid of it.

I have two larger containers of SU ribbon I don't use enough of!

[stampin stacy]

I participated in a swap one time where you had to use recycled materials only to make your card. It was a challenge but lots of fun and for a while nothing went into the bin until I decided it would not work on my card. DH was convinced I had gone over the edge when he caught me washing the foil lids off yogurt containers but they had the prettiest flowers on them and one had "the perfect" quote for the inside of my card.

[jeaniebean55]

yogurt lids? My holiday cards had lovely die cut snowflakes cut from the saved up foil lids. These had a cool pebbly texture that looked great and if the 'use foil to sharpen your punches' advice holds with die cuts, I should have some pretty sharp snowflake dies. (The card was a mix of whites, blues and silver)

Different card: used some gold gift wrap from a couple of years ago with a TH world map embossing folder and a cityscape die cut (Mama Elephant) in black (leftover CS from a save-the-date project)


Not sure you want to share any of this with your DH, Stacy. He may be relieved to know you're not alone, or he may decide you're getting in with a bad crowd. lol!

[jeaniebean55]

Speaking of Goodwill, I picked up an old blender that I use to make paper pulp out of my white CS scraps. At some point I want to do paper molded ornaments, but I've played around with making paper for elements/embellishment on card fronts and that's been fun.

[Rachelrose]

What have you used to mold them? I have an old blender....

[JBgreendawn]

I bought a few pieces of wood and a screen and you just you press your pulp into this frame and let it drip dry. then move it to between heavy books when its mostly dry to finish pressing it. so, I have my wood frame to be just smaller than one of those not too deep plastic container ( think under the bed size depth but, not that long) type boxes. and I just keep everything in that box when it is waiting to happen.

depending on how small of scraps you save, it ends up looking something like this when you are done.
Blessed Today! ~ by JBgreendawn - at Splitcoaststampers (the mat paper behind the colored image)

( I used to have brown paper lunch sacks in a rainbow type order to toss blues with blues etc and so forth. when the bag is pretty full of dime sized scraps, you have enough for a sheet of paper) ( I only saved cardstock or specialty scraps so my "paper" was pretty thick)

[jeaniebean55]

It's a project I've seen but haven't yet done, and darn, the molds that inspired me I'm not finding on the net (they were small rectangles, 1ish by 2ish inches?) with some holiday theme raised image (reindeer, tree, bell) with a turn of the century feel to them. I'd seen them at the art store in my neighborhood (that closed last year, so I hope a place likke Dick Blick will have them when I'm ready.

This is way different than what I was talkin about, but it still might give you an idea: Amazon.com: Sun Face Flexible Food Grade Silicone Push Mold for Polymer Clay, Resin,wax,miniature Food,sweets,plaster: Kitchen & Dining

ETA: this post is about the ornament mold idea. JB is right about the paper making ... lotta YouTube tutorials on that. lotta fun! messy, but fun.

[JBgreendawn]

I have seen people make bitty things with butter molds? ( things that would easily fit on a card or tag if you did not want to make whole sheets)

and I have seen it done from wet toilet paper too so that it takes the shape of the mold.

[jeaniebean55]

StampinStacy of TX, if you're tempted to head out to Goodwill to pick up a blender, do NOT tell your DH we sent you! LOL!

[Illinois Marge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeaniebean55

Speaking of Goodwill, I picked up an old blender that I use to make paper pulp out of my white CS scraps. At some point I want to do paper molded ornaments, but I've played around with making paper for elements/embellishment on card fronts and that's been fun.

I do this. Recycle all my old white scraps back in to pulp. Then I mold them using Springerle cookie molds.

[bzzzeee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinois Marge

I do this. Recycle all my old white scraps back in to pulp. Then I mold them using Springerle cookie molds.

Oh, these are absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing your photos!

[cardmaker2]

That’s fantastic! I never knew that was a thing! So pretty

[cat_woman]

I am so guilty of hoarding everything and thinking I will repurpose it. Just this past week I actually let go of some things. I recycled a whole big shipping envelope full of acetate from packaging. It must have weighed about 3lbs. I also put a long suede skirt into the goodwill bag. I have been saving that skirt for over 15 years thinking I would make a purse out of it with the hardware from another purse I salvaged. I'm still a little uneasy letting those things go, but I know I won't use them considering how long they have been sitting in my stash. Now, to just go through all my yarn and fabric...

[jeaniebean55]

Kudos to you, Cat! I can hang on to things for a looooonnnnnggg time, too, but I also like the idea of sending them on their way to someone else who can use them. That's a wonderful thing, too. Between Goodwill, my neighborhood school, shelters and freecycle, things that I know will never turn into anything or are becoming a burden of unuse around here find there way into someone else's life. Maybe that's the fine line between being a hoarder or not? recognizing when something you're hanging on to is just really a dust collector and weighing you down. I dunno. (but it reminds me of another favorite saying: There's a fine line between creativity and crazy and I like to use that line like a jump rope.)

[Boss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachelrose

If it appeals to me for any reason, I keep it. I try not to keep things because they "might come in handy" even though I don't actually find them interesting, because there's no end to that. Oh, right, there is, and it's called Hoarding.

That’s exactly how I decide to keep something. If I can immediately envision a card using whatever it is that looks like a “possible”, I save it. I also try to write a quick note about the design of the card, making note of the treasure I saved. Problems often arise when I can’t locate said treasure...still working on that flaw in my system!


I have a weakness for cording and fancy string that sometime comes on clothing hang tags. If the knot is particularly handsome I will make a point of cutting the string rather than untying it. I’ve made some dandy nautical and western themed cards with these salvaged strings with knots.


I used to save pretty foil seals that come on some brands of yogurt (amazing plaids!). Found out they weren’t useable for my style of cardmaking and reluctantly tossed my collection. Why was it hard to toss something like that? Dangerously close to the hoarder side of the scale!!!