The Year of The Stash - The Manifesto

You know that moment when you try to jam yourself into a too small pair of jeans for the 32nd time and decide that enough is enough? Something must be done. Well, that's where I am with my stash. It's out of control. Something must be done.

But we've all said that! So this time, I'm coming at it from a different angle. The Year of The Stash isn't about depriving yourself of the joy of fabric. It's about rediscovering the joy that you already have!

As I take on the challenge of raising two small humans in a home that seemed just the right size for two adults and all their crap, embracing minimalism and enjoying what one already has is becoming more and more important. Why not apply that to one's stash?

But I'm a rule gal. I like boxes that can be ticked. Systems to be followed. Behold The Manifesto.

Article 1 - Organization & Editing
I will take out each colour stack in my stash and rotate the fabrics regularly to expose fabrics I have forgotten are there. I will remove any fabric that is no longer to my taste. I will purge my scrap bins.

Article 2 - Birthday Bonus Club
Before buying any fabric to fulfill BBC Birthday Queen requests, I will go to my stash. I will buy only the yardage required to fulfill requests.

Article 3 - New Projects
Before beginning any new projects, I will look to the stash for inspiration. I will savour using fabrics I have collected over years and not reserve fabrics as "too special to use."

Article 4 - Adding to the Stash
Fabric may be purchased to complete a project, as can batting and thread. Fabric can also be purchased while visiting a quilt shop more than 2 hours from my home. Recreational fabric shopping will be avoided. I will continue to my subscription to Candy Coated Collection. When the limited edition Kona Color of the Year is available, I will be getting me some Highlight. When I slip up (it's going to happen ☺), I will enjoy my new fabric, without reservation.

Article 5 - Celebrating
I will keep a running count of completed projects that are stash based. I will encourage others to do the same. I will run a semi-regular link-up to celebrate my own achievements and those of others.

Phew. I think that about sums it up. It's all there in black and white - with as much positive language as I can muster! Are you feeling this? Well, get writing. Time to draft your own manifesto and link it up! If you need some more direction, pop over to How to Write a Stash Manifesto in Five Easy Steps. Whether it's January 1st or May 23rd, it's just fine. We're not making resolutions here. We're finding joy... it's an all year round quest!

An InLinkz Link-up

J

Sunday Stash - The Declaration.

This is it.

My last fabric purchase of 2015. I've even scoped out the Christmas prints at my LQS and decided that if they put them on 50% off, there's nothing I want. But don't despair. We'll have a good look at the fabric eye candy before coming to the The Declaration!

I know you're looking at this pic and thinking, "But she already HAS that fabric!" Not untrue. But I've used it up! Seriously though, the C+S Christmas quilt top is now finished (more on that later in the week) and I'm going to need backing. At 8.50$, it was worth the 1 hour drive to Avonport Discount Fabrics!

And then things got a little more spontaneous. There's a hunk of Kona Peridot for the continuing saga of Quilting Protection Program Project #1. And two ultra cute animal novelty prints. I didn't even look at much of the fabric. I came with a misson - C+S Twinkle and Peridot. Mission achieved.

Those critters got even better when I saw the selvage. I opted not to buy more just to get a repeat of these hedgies. I would like to make an all hedgehog quilt. You know, in my spare time. I likely have enough in the stash.

And now, here it is. The Declaration.

I hereby declare 2016...

Do I have the authority to do this? Who cares?! I'm doing it anyway! Very soon, I'll be drafting my Year of The Stash Manifesto. Yup. A Manifesto. The capital letters are warranted here. And you know what, you're welcome to come along for the ride.

I'm linking up with Molli Sparkles for Sunday Stash. Get ready, Sparkles. There's gonna be a lot more Sunday (Using My) Stash posts in 2016.

J