Mistakes? I’ve made a few, especially in the crafting department. Today I am talking about the craft supplies that I will no longer be buying because they do not add value to my life or I have other items that fulfill the same purpose. Let me know if you have items you no longer buying the comments below!
I am dropping some truth in today’s video. Please note that this is my list and some of the things I am no longer buying may add value to your life so don’t discard based on my list, you do you. We are all different and that’s why we should never just go buy what someone else likes without determining if it will meet our needs. I’d love to know if there are any items you will no longer by in the comments below!
Video!
Below are the items on my no-buy list.
1. Bulk card and envelope sets and bulk cardstock packs.
Why? Because the cards that come with envelopes are flimsy and I prefer to make my own card based with Recollections 110# cardstock and make my envelopes from the massive hoard of pretty paper I already have using my envelope punch board. As for the multi color cardstock packs I have a good stash of colors already so I am just going to buy a few sheets of the colors I need open stock when I run out. *Note to self I need to keep a list on my cardstock cupboard!
2. Dies that match stamp sets. These are just to specific and can only cut the stamp sets they coordinate with and at $25 a pop it can get really expensive to buy dies to go with your stamp sets. Instead I invested in a Scan n Cut2 machine so I can cut out anything I have stamped. I paid $250 for my machine (on black Friday) and I can cut out all of my stamp sets (for the same cost as 10 die sets!) *this machine can hook to your computer and do a lot more but I only use mine for scanning and cutting stamped images:)
3. Ribbon: I have enough ribbon to choke a horse as it is and I felt so much relief when I gave most of it away and I do not want to reburden myself with more. Also I can use washi tape or a strip of paper to give me a similar design element if I run out.
4. Craft storage. I have enough and if I need to buy more it is time to get rid of my excess. More craft storage=more craft supplies.
5. Duplicates of non consumables. I will no longer buy 15 of an identical tool “just in case” I need it for a class or I loose, break, can’t find my original one.
What items will you no longer buy?
I set out to declutter my craftroom (home and life) after listening to the audio book “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo and it changed the way I look at my possessions and helped me clean out the excess. I have more time to spend on things I enjoy because I spend less time managing my stuff and less time cleaning.You can find the book or audiobook here. I also enjoyed her book Spark Joy, it is a more in-depth book on the Konmari method. I wrote a blog post and filmed an in-depth video about the Konmari decluttering process if you missed it. I only wished I did it sooner! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 
I agree with some and not with others but the value is it is making me think about the way I store and save things. I have also decided not to save scarps smaller than 2×2 and maybe I should go higher. Can I use them? Usually I find a way but at what cost of storage. I have a t-shirt that says “I can’t go to heaven until I use all my paper”. I will live to be 200. The value of letting go is that there is room for the NOW. thanks for share this post.
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I got a Scan & Cut for the exact reasons. U fortunately I got a lemon. It broke after 3 uses and it cost me over $150 to send it out for repairs under warranty. Came back even worse. I gave it away with all the accessories that I had bought to go with it. The Brother company sucks on customer service and I’ll never buy anything of theirs again!
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oh no! I am so sorry, I luckily have never had to call customer service and my machine has worked great. Was it the first version or the Scan n Cut 2? I have heard from a couple of people the original ones were duds.
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Love the post….Thank You! I think your list is totally insightful 🙂
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Agree with your post completely ! Thanks.
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I will no longer be buying Mod Podge, or puzzle saver. I’ve made my own. Also, I took your advice and used Tack It Over and Over instead of buying that sticky stamp cushion stuff. It’s expensive. And no more paint brushes–I’ve got about a bazillion of them. I’ve now got re-inkers so I won’t have to buy any more ink pads.
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I don’t buy bulk cardstock any more. I have so much paper its a sin. I too got the scan and cut and also get dies from Aliexpress at 1.80 a pop I can afford them. I havn’t used the computer capabilities of the scan and cut either but when I need 20 of one stamp it is a Godsend for my senior citizen card classes. When I start cleaning I find so many things that aren’t being used. I funnel them to a booth in a used store and sell them at very low prices. Someone else can find a use. Also give away a lot to thrift shops.
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You are so right! I started decluttering my apartement by the beginning of the year throwing or giving away everything I don’t need. Clothes that are too small or too big that I kept “just in case” or games, that I don’t longer play. But my papers! Oh my papers! I try to use them up more and am making lots of cards using them. So they make me and other people happy. As far as you list goes, I also don’t like to buy the precut cardbases because they are too flimsy and use my own cardstock to make some. 🙂 Thanks for you post and the video, I loved watching it!
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I no longer buy die cutting machines. Have tried Slice, Cricut, and Silhouette and found them too much work with so-so results. Back to dies! I no longer buy ribbon, either.
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Thanks you for your great advice I am going to buy the book and i have already started thinking about things i have.. I am also going to stop telling myself to save this “just in case”! The just in case that hasn’t happened in years!! LOL
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Agree with all your items. I have still been buying the multicolored cardstock but have so much I don’t use I am cutting that out. Also I have never bought the matching dies (except my “crazy” from Tim Holtz) as I just fussy cut everything. Works for me but I will look into that Scan and Cut if I ever have too much money!
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Love your video today; so honest. A suggestion – package up a small quantity of unwanted items and choose people to send them to. I, for one, would be willing to pay the S&H. Although it would take some time on your part, it’s a way to relieve your craft room of unused craft items.
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Lindsay, you are so right. I have done this for years…I was a quilter, yikes, the fabric that I have is unbelievable. My plan is to start sorting through the boxes and donating the rest. I found that I really enjoy, water color painting, your video’s are 10 stars. I have to be careful about purchasing the water color paper, paints, brushes, so your right, look at what you have, use it….Don’t save it for “good”. That was my grandmother’s idea, always save this or that for good. Well, good is now…if you run out purchase more. I am, though, looking at Tim Holtz’s oxide dies, so I plan on purchasing a few to start with. Yikes, they are so beautiful and I see some beautiful landscapes, sky’s etc, your tutorial with the butterflies is so beautiful.. Thank you…..
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You nailed some that apply to me, including the envelope/card sets, ribbons, card stock, and as the prices of dies continue to rise, that Scan-N-Cut sounds tempting. And no I don’t need more craft storage boxes. Some stuff I’ve easily been able to easily clear out because of changing trends. I cleared out loads of those little grommets, and other decorative hardware that used to be “in”, though I did save a few tiny brads that make a tiny embellishment. Another thing that has helped me reduce “stuff” is the ability something I need so quickly. I don’t have any local stamp/art stores where I live, so I buy online. I buy from stamp/art businesses who have same day or next day shipping policies, and Amazon of course, and I can get anything I need/want within a few days, eliminating the need to stockpile. The one thing I really have a hard time thinning out is my collection of stamp sets – but they do bring joy!
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I could write a book!!!! Just downsized from a large home with tons of storage space – located on 5 1/2 acres – to a one bedroom apartment….freeing to say the least! Organization skills shine now in 3 crafting closets, but still have 112 pizza boxes for stamps, 66 containers for dies, 7 containers for embossing folders and background stamps, and the list goes on…all neat and tidy BUT – do want to downsize more as time allows! It really is freeing to do so. Also, looking into the Scan and Cut 2 CM350 as the dies are expensive and I love to create with them…I assume the CM350 is the one you have? I think my motto should be shop at MY STASH store – LOL!
Paper Hugs,
Jan
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yes, the less expensive SnC2, I think the other one is only available from Brother dealers but the 350 meets my needs.
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glad I saw this post. I was going to buy some of those bulk cards because I saw you use them and thought they must be ok. I have only been doing stamping etc for a short time and don’t have much “stuff” but still I have paper I don’t like. gotta learn some way. thanks for the videos. Betty
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I no longer buy anything so pretty and/or “precious” that I would feel the need to “save it for something or someone special”. No one I know personally is crafty, and they don’t understand how much time and energy goes into my cards (but they DO like them), and they wouldn’t “get” something that was expensive from something cheap. So…I save things for cards for those who WOULD “get” it, but since I don’t know anyone, those things never get used! Since your declutter, I’ve been challenging myself to use those “precious” things, whether the receiver “gets” it or not. And if it’s something I’d really like to keep, then I need to work it into an art journal page. I’m on a tight budget, and haven’t been making many cards all that long, so since I feel like I can’t really declutter, I’m finding creative ways to use what I have that I’m maybe not wild about. I’ve made a big stack of cards so far, and I’m still working on it, and a lot of them have turned out nicely, even though not with my most loved supplies. LOL, I’ve also used some “precious” supplies, too, which was harder! Thanks for the inspiration and the nudge! I’m “scared” of watercolor, since my dad was a watercolorist, but NOT a teaching type. I know how I want them to look, but don’t like most of my results. This summer, I’m hoping to pull out the supplies I have, but am afraid of wasting, and try to paint watercolor cards from some of your tutorials. It’s SO much easier for me when I can see exactly how you do it! Thank you SO much for all you do for all of us!! You are VERY appreciated!
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I find that I have to continue to let things go. It helps if I can find someone who can use it. Children’s hospitals, Foster families, school art teachers, pre schools all welcome extra materials and extra storage. Be sure to call first and give them an idea of what you have
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Thank you Lindsay! I’m pretty new at this maybe a year or so. But I see my collection growing so I hope to learn from everyone else here. Love you dedication and inspiration! Wow
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I have a question: Does this machine you mention the scan and cut, cut right on the lines, or does it leave a border like the dies do?
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I feel like I have the same issues you noted. The bulk items and those on sale – oh boy. I just moved and had to do some weeding. I still have not really organized but enjoyed all the information you provided. I will not buy any more kids items – I used to teach Sunday school and did a craft item each class. I had tons of foam shapes that I just donated to a local school. I also had foam stamps and paint that went there also. The bulk envelopes and paper and RIBBON should be on my list. I just need to get motivated to use what I have. Thanks for all the info.
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Ribbon is addictive! So, as you said, I STOPPED going to craft stores! So I don’t get tempted! LOL
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I am so with you on not settling on a cheapo alternative to something I really want. It is usually not a satisfactory substitute anyway so I end up having wasted money in the long run. Cheap substitutes are on my do not buy list, for sure. Also, patterned paper packs. There are always prints I don’t like or use in them.
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Paperpads are a waste ( 12×12) when you are no longer scrapbooking but making cards. There is always a bunch I don’t use. Linsay has a good idea in making envelopes with the ones you don’t want to use.
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Oh, I have lots of packs of C6 cards and envelopes that are not being used. I think if I use an over the edge die I could poss make them into cards with 6″ square front and narrower card backs. I love your idea of making envelopes with 12″ paper and maybe using the off cuts to decorate the card going in the envelope. Only yesterday my DH asked why I needed so much knitting yarn, I will need to have a big rethink. Many thanks for saving us from ourselves.
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Thank you for your fab video and your help. I am trying to sort out my craft room yet again ( I never really seem to finish it) but I’ve seen a few videos on you tube recently that has made me question what I’m buying. After watching several make it video’s I’m using what I have already to do something similar. Anything I see while watching I write in a notebook for later so I don’t forget, but I’ve bought very little from the list so far. After watching your video I will no longer be buying washi tape I’ve got loads but never use it, Ribbon, Buttons and packs of pre made embellishments. Thank you for getting me going again. Its nice to know I’m not the only one struggling.
Tracey.x
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Haven’t bought bulk cards/envelopes in a while but do use the ones I’ve stocked up! 🙂 I don’t mind the weight of them if I”m doing a layered card where they end up meeting my “sturdy card base” requirements, but I do like the Michaels 110lb. CS for good sturdy card bases.
I guess paper pads don’t fit the bulk CS category, but I say I will not buy anymore of those and then my husband brings home more. I’m running out of space for them and never seem to use patterned paper or even the solid colored ones enough to justify getting more of them.
I can truthfully say that I’ve never bought a set of matching dies for any stamp set. I always thought they were way too expensive. And I don’t like the look of the white outline around the stamped image anyway. That’s just not my style of cardmaking even though it has taken over the stamping world.
I do love my other dies though, and admit that I buy more than I can use. But, I love them and will probably never give up that vice. I love Memory Box/Poppystamps, Impression Obsession and Sizzix the most and also pick up other brands depending on what I like and can get on a sale somewhere. I love the word dies that have become so popular.
I’ve tried a couple of electric die cutting machines (Pazzles which was AWFUL and Cricut which I bought and never used) and I suppose it’s because I’m visually impaired that using them was difficult and stressful for me, so while they are enticing (have wanted a Silhouette) I probably will not buy another – thus my love of wafer thin dies and a Sizzix Bigs every now and then.
I’ve also got more ribbon than any sane person should have who seldom puts ribbon a card! 😦 So, I think I can safely say that I will not buy anymore EVER! 🙂
Craft Storage and Duplicate items have never been a problem for me. I don’t have a lovely craft room so don’t need all the fancy craft storage items that are so expensive. And there’s too many new items coming out all the time for me to ever consider buying duplicates of anything! LOL!! Although once in a while I end up with an item I already have and have to return it even though I try to keep my lists up to date so that doesn’t happen. 🙂
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