In a bid to use more and buy less, I've joined a group on UK Scrappers where we help each other to spend less on stash until we've made inroads into what we actually have! The rules I've come up with are:

• Proper consumables can be bought just before they run out (this is basically things that hold other things together in a major way - so glue, dst, o-wires and possibly staples for my Fastenator. Plus ink.)
  
• I do not need any more rubber stamps
  
• A maximum of £10 per month can be spent on "bits", any left over can be rolled over to the next month
  
• Money not spent on snacks and extravagent lunches can add to this (and so help encourage me to stick to my other diet!)
  
• Where possible all purchases will be made from an LSS, not online.
  
• Magazines currently subscribed to stay subscribed to.
  
• Paper I do not like can be turned into cards or envelopes or otherwise used creatively
  
• Honestly, I do not need any more rubber stamps.
  
• I will not buy any more albums, or covers, until I have completed 4 full albums.
  
• I will not buy any more sodding journals etc to alter because that's why I have the BIA. Even if they are nice.
  
• No, really, I have plenty of rubber stamps
  
• I will start scrap journalling properly - I have no reason to feel embarassed about doing so
  
• I will only do ATC swaps, and I will not prowl the boards looking for new ones to join as soon as I've done one

Tags: stash, scrapbooking, ukscrappers, UKS

I have created - and need upload pics of - two more ATCs - this time for a monthly swap run on UK Scrappers. I challenged myself to do two cards using the same pictures and the same sort of colour scheme, but that were different. I think I succeeded. Will upload pics later.

Tags: atc, artist trading card, swap, ukscrappers

I'm creating a set of 10 artist trading cards for a swap on UK Scrappers called Create a Witch. I have chosen to use a stamped image that largely falls on a pearlescent card. I have already sort-of scumbled over the card with ink to give it a night sky appearance, and added a moon, with some of the lyrics to Christy Moore's version of Burning Times on it (with smell changed for spell, though). Then I stamped the witch (part of a stamp of a Victorian-type lady sat at her desk, writing). For some reason it surprised me that the ink wold take solong to dry on the card, especially as the very thin base layer dried almost immediately.

Ah well, it should be dry tomorrow, and I'll be able to add the dip-nib pen broom, a skirt and a hat. Of course, I can't send them til later in the week as the post office is on strike. Again.

Tags: atc, artist trading card, swap, challenge, ukscrappers