I'm headed into the studio today to work on a Valentine's Day project for a swap I'm doing with a friend. I'll be diving into my fabric stash which I have been working hard to bulk up lately. Well, when I say working hard, I mean clicking add to cart and checkout now. It turns out I love buying fabric. That's the easy part. The hard part is using the fabric. I have a hard time actually using the ones I love unless I have a lot of it and I wonder if I am alone in this sickness? Does it stem from growing up poor and not having much? Am I a fabric hoarder?
The truth is, I'm the same way with most of the stash in my studio. I think, what if there is another project I do later that I wish I had saved this for. I once had a teacher at an art retreat tell us to "Use the beauty". It made such an impression on me that I wrote it down. I've repeated it to myself many times over the last few years. It still goes against all of my instincts but I want to change. I'm guessing if she felt the need to say this to the class, then I must not be the only person out there with this particular condition. Today I will go in there and make myself "Use the beauty". I will comfort myself with the fact that there is always more beauty out there just waiting for me to click add to cart and checkout now.
Use the beauty girl and make me something too, lol! Your fabric stash is so vast yummy. I knew you wouldn't miss the few yards I stashed under my giant belly Wednesday ; )
ReplyDeleteyes, use the beauty. what a wonderful little saying. i sometimes do that with my scrapbook supplies. save the favorites until the perfect page.
ReplyDeleteMore of us should do that. We buy all this wonderful stuff and put it in a cupboard somewhere so we have it sometime down the road. But, we don't use it! Glad you're using it today! Have Fun!
ReplyDeleteTake the beauty you have already collected and turn it into something even more beautiful! Can't wait to see !
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel. My husband is always after me to use things. He always says you can't take it with you!
ReplyDeleteUuhhh I'd like to know where the click an add to cart is...I have a couple places I like to get fabric. I did do a little swoon when I saw your baskets full of fabric...hahaha...I'm a fabric nut, embarassed to admit how much I have, but some of it is vintage uhhhgly! Hhahahaha....I need to brighten things up a bit....
ReplyDeleteNew projects always stimulate the soul!!!!
Enjoy your blog too very much.
Blessings,
Debbie
I love that thought. It feels so good to share the beauty you have and of course make room for new inspiration. Have fun in your studio today. Patty
ReplyDeleteahhh, im a sucker for all those sweet little old fashioned prints too.....and I see you have some of the green and pink chenille rosebud,probably my most favorite of all- i wasn't content to find a square of that years ago, i had to buy a couple of bedspreads, lol. Love the look of your stash!!
ReplyDeleteWhat are your fabric sites to buy fabric? We don't have any good fabric stores around here & there are so many online stores from which to choose!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Your stash is so delicious!
ReplyDeleteS
xo
i am so like that! i keep thinking what if i find something better to use it for! but you are so right, there will always be more fun neat fabric. even vintage stuff - there is always another pile to dig through somewhere!
ReplyDeleteSo go ahead, lets use it up! Then we can BUY MORE!!!!
All of that fabric is so beautiful, but it's kinda like buying candles and never using them. I say have at it, create and have fun! I love your closet makeover -- a great little place to sit and craft the day away. Enjoy! and have a great weekend. Tammy
ReplyDeleteHi Jen,
ReplyDeleteI'm also wondering if you have some sites to recomend for purchasing such pretty fabric:)
I think I do this with scrapbook paper - I just cannot resist buying more when I'm at the store. I am going to remember your saying, Use the Beauty, and use what I have.
ReplyDeleteWow, looking at your goregous fabric stash makes me realise that I haven't been adding to mine as much as I would like so Im off to shop :), enjoy 'using the beauty' can not wait to see the end result.
ReplyDeleteI use it all I had a friend who saved every towel/good dish for when something special happened. I tell her every day is special. Use the things you love. I love your stash. My problem is I never craft anymore!!
ReplyDeleteI have quite the stash of purchased and handspun yarns that should be used but they haven't told me what they want to be! That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
ReplyDeletehow fun, can't wait to see your project... for some reason i get paralyzed trying to buy material...i try to force myself to go with more color, i am working on that. your stash is beautiful, use it :)
ReplyDeleteOMGOSH- I thought I was the only person in the world that has trouble actually cutting into a piece of fabric. What the heck am I saving it for? The Rapture?
ReplyDeleteI started sewing again today for the first time in a long time. I am planning on using some of by BEAUTY-filled fabrics. xo Diana
I'm laughing- I totally understand how "hard" it is to part with fabric! I also LOVE fabric, and always say- the fabric store is like a candy shop to me!
ReplyDeleteYour fabric "stash" is just beautiful.
I could have written this post! It's not that I want to have a hoard of fabric clogging my sewing room and spilling out into life in the rest of the house ... I just collect beautiful fabrics, and I have trouble using them ... just like you. I'm working on getting past this, and have made some progress. Here's hoping that you make progress, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely saying...I've written that down as well..and no, you can never have too much fabric..ever
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone...I'm a beauty hoarder, too...fabric, stationary, even gift bags! Love that quote from your art teacher, and your truth about there being more beauty out there to be had. I like to remind myself about the story of God providing Mana to the Isrealites each day...some would doubt that there would be more the next day so would take more than they would need, come to find out God continued to provide the delicious food, and the hoarded food spoiled. Enjoy making beauty!
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