Monday, November 10, 2008

Going Cold Turkey

I've done a lot of stash organizing over the past few weeks and I've come to the following conclusion...I'm going on a Stash Diet. Yes, you heard that right! As of November 1, I have gone cold turkey and I expect to last until my birthday in June. Is this really doable you ask? I think it might be and here's why I think so...

The Canadian dollar...well...it sucks right now :o( Even with great sales, it's not cost effective to order anything from the US. We've been really lucky over the past year or so but all good things eventually come to an end. Maybe someday it will return to the great state it was. At least gas is down to $0.879 per litre :o)

I'm almost afraid to say this but after going through my stash, I think I have reached S.A.B.L.E., or very close to it. Okay, pick your jaws up off the floor ;o) But if you saw what I just went through, you might even agree with me. LOL! I know there will be tons of new stuff coming out but shouldn't the stash already acquired be used first?

Of course, there are a 'few' exceptions ;o) As we all know, it doesn't matter how many skeins of DMC you have, there will always be one color that you don't have. So occasional skeins of floss are allowed. Magazines. Since these only last for a few months at a time, they qualify for the 'exception clause'. That doesn't mean that I'm going to buy every cross stitch magazine that comes out, just those that hold enough interest to make it worthwhile.

And finally, on Friday I received my final package from Drema :o) This was put in just under the wire on October 30. LOL! Look at all the goodies -

Photobucket

So there you have it! I'm taking on the challenge :o) Anyone else on the Stash Diet or want to be? Maybe we can sponsor each other, keep each other in check. LOL!

On Friday, I also received another little package in the mail and this was a total surprise! Suzanne made the following pumpkin fob for me -

Photobucket

Isn't it adorable!!!! If this was your first one Suz then I'd say there are many more to be made in your future :o) Thank you SO much!

I'm sorry that the pictures aren't that great but it's been so dark and dreary here lately. That and the fact that my photography mojo has been non-existent :o( I am happy to report that I have been working on Tot and I should hopefully have a finish to show you very soon ;o)

21 comments:

Shari said...

I'm right there with you Cathey. We are fighting financial stuff ourselves & over the weekend, I told my husband I think I need to just stitch what I have & not look at new stuff. Of course, I agree with you about the magazines, because when they are gone, they are gone!!!!

Irene said...

Cutest pumpkin fob ever !!! I hear you on the stash. I know I will never stitch what I have and keep buying and keep starting new ones. If we could only stitch as fast as the desingers put out new ones.

WendyCarole said...

Goodness me that was a shock. I am on a bit of one my self due to lack of work. We can support each other LOL

Chiloe said...

Good luck on your stash diet (maybe as difficult as a weight diet). Can't believe I helped you enlarge your stash !!! lol I have probably reached SABLE too ...

Great stash by the way !!! lol Too bad I couldn't enlarge .

Rachel S-H said...

That is some nummy stash!

I know this diet will be hard, but it's a good thing!

Karen said...

I think you should send all your stash to your friends in the UK LOL
It's not so difficult not to buy I have been pretty good over the last 4 months, as for magazines I think I have only bought 5 this year and they are from the States, nice fob

Annie said...

It's good to stitch from the stash you have. My little condo is filled and I never seem to want to part with anything. So I'm very selective with stash buying. I'm sure you'll find something inspiring to stitch.

Stitcher said...

I need a stash diet too but um, maybe I'll make it a New Year's resolution ;)

Love your stash haul from Drema....oh, we got the same taste in fabby...yummy!

Olga said...

Stash diet is a really great decision Cathey!
I have been on a "reasonable" diet for about half a year, now I am only buying what I need for stitching my "old" stuff and I've bought a couple of magazine :-).

Suzanne said...

Oh good, it got there in one piece! I'm so glad you like it...looking at it again now, I think I should have taken it apart and put in separator beads (this was suggested to me after I had it assembled and ready to go)...but it's a pretty good first effort! Happy Belated Pumpkin Day!

Suzanne

Lori said...

Are you mixing up your pills? LOL... fever perhaps?

Just kidding.I have no doubts that you can survive on your stash until June...

But the shops are probably sobbing uncontrolably right about now. Do you have an addiction help line you can call in a moment of weakness?

Now you are really tempting me to create a super-duper adorable pattern to tempt and tease you with. Maybe I should just keep that to myself, eh?

Ranae said...

Good Luck with the stash diet. I really want to join ya, but I know for me it's impossible.
I was just feeling overwhelmed this afternoon by all my beads, threads, fabric, ribbon, charts and misc stuff. I have way to much stuff. I think I will have to seperate my Halloween and Christmas into different plastic storage, I dont know!!! Arghhh!!
Adorable pumpkin FOB

Aussie Stitcher said...

The fob is cute. I should join you on the stash diet, but I am not going to HEHE!! Well done on the house sale, good luck with the move.

Cindy said...

I need to be on a stash diet. It's not financially motivated...but more so the nausea that sets in whenever I look at the pile of stuff that I haven't touched. I wonder how I got here ?!?!

Anyway, I'm willing to swear off stash if you are!!

Anonymous said...

Every time I go on one of these, I find something that I can't live without (um,yeah), and it opens the floodgates of spending. I've been lucky that there are so few things that I lurv lately. This spells trouble, of course, b/c the good stuff is coming!!

And then, I thought of something I really want to do with a pattern I don't own (how is *that* possible?), not that I have time, b/c ideas flow faster than the fingers can stitch. So now I'm looking forward to my LNS' semi-annual sale on Friday. I'm hopeless.

Plus, I've rationalized I'll never *really* reach SABLE, b/c I always need fabric or floss. ;o)

Good luck with your diet. I admire your effort, and public announcement. I'm sure you'll manage to keep yourself busy. :o)

Leeland said...

Wow! Nice stash!
I can't join you in this stash diet. Just can't. Can't. No way. I should though. Can't........
Lol!
Love the pumpkin fob!
You're gonna love that one: we have adopted a six months old cat from an association that protects cats and we have named her Pumpkin. I think of you a dozen times a day! Lol!
Glad that the housing problem is solved. What will you do with the pets?
I hope you're as OK as can be, Cathey.
Many hugs!
Lili

imnverted said...

Youve been tagged. Stop by my blog and find out more :o)

http://imnverted.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Ok, I know I've not read others' blogs for a week (two? NO!) but your house is sold, you have found a new home, you're going on a stash diet??? I guess I better not stay so focused on work so much anymore! *lol*
First - congrats on the house sale! I know the whole move & all is disconcerting, a lot of work, etc but I also know you & your DH have a wonderful future you're working toward together - so, it's all good.
Second - I'm glad Gram's doing ok. It'll be an adjustment for all as she moves into a new place, but .. another of those have-to things, I guess. Please give her a soft hug for me when you see her next.
Third - a stash diet??? Oh, do I hear you! I'm NOT buying any more stitching stash - not for a LONG time. Yes, I'm buying a few other craft goodies, but I can buy a lot of beads for the price of a piece of fabric or a chart. And, truthfully, it's been relatively easy ... you can do it & I'll be glad to join your support group.
Last - you asked on my blog about composition journals/books. Yep, they are the plain ol' composition books kids have used in school forever - black/white covers, stithced in lined paper. Nice way to start a journal - a book that cost $.50. ;o)
Thank you for all of your comments on my blog, Cathey! I appreciate them VERY much!

Paisley said...

You are a brave soul, Cathey! I tried the stash diet once but failed miserably. If you need support during a moment of weakness, I'm probably not the person to call!

mumzy said...

A stash diet - you. This I will have to see. You are not your mother's daughter for nothing. You know there is no way I could do that. Are you?

Sharon said...

I need to go on one of those too-trouble is I don't think I can do it. I have cut down on some-but when Needlecraft Corner posts that the next LK flips its will be Halloween themed what'a a girl to do?

But I will gladly support you,however if you have a moment of weaknes-like a commenter above I won't be of much use! LOL