watermemory makes

I’ve read some fascinating pieces lately on stashing thoughtfully, slow fashion, and creating a handmade wardrobe; all things that are catnip to me at the best of times. If you’d like to take a trip down the rabbit hole, you could always start with the Stash Less series over at The Craft Sessions. I appreciate just how honest she is about what she finds difficult, and where she’s (for want of a better term) fallen down.

Some time back, I had started my own challenge here, to use up a certain amount of items from my various stashes. Problem is, it was a pretty nebulous thing; what counts as an item? And how would I account for the very differing work involved in using up one hank of 1200m of laceweight yarn versus a single focal bead, or a piece of cardstock? And so, it fell by the wayside.

However, there was another, larger reason that it didn’t come to pass. The challenge came about because I felt I was not making enough, somehow (what counts as enough?) and because I felt guilty about the size of my stash. Not out of joy or wanting to push myself to do something new, but out of guilt.

Funny thing, though. Once I let go of the "I have too much stuff" guilt surrounding my craft stash, I started making again in earnest. Once I took a little step back to consider how other people approached making and stashing, I was able to see what resonated with me, and act accordingly. Life is too damned short for guilt around a feckin’ hobby.

So, for the year ahead, there are three rules: 

- work from stash wherever possible (kinda the guiding principle of the year, truth be told)

- have some fun with it

- take the occasional risk; mistakes may be inevitable, but they’re also helpful

I stash away beads, yarn, papers and fabric from my travels and from whim, more than having a distinct plan in mind. That said, my aul’ magpie reflex rarely leads me astray.. except for that summer where I became completely obsessed with that wire mesh ribbon stuff and, eh, used none of it.

Anyone for destash, on a different and entirely unrelated note? 

So, for the coming year I’ve set myself a little challenge: to fully use up 200 items in my stash. 

What counts as a stash item?

- a ball/skein/hank of yarn (even in a project requiring more than one)

- a single piece of fabric (anywhere from a 10cmx10cm patch to a 4m piece for a dress)

- a packet of beads, or a single focal piece, or a pair of beads larger than 4mm

- a card and matching envelope

And no, I haven’t a notion (oho!) if sewing threads, embroidery silks, buttons, inks, toppers etc should count, and what would be a reasonable, non-pisstakey amount.

'Course, some stash will take decidedly more work to use up than others, but balancing larger, more involved projects with wee bitteens is the whole point. I’m rather attached to what remains of my sanity. Look at it there, bobbing away happily in its little jar.. but I digress. 

Bonus points apply for

- fully finishing or frogging/undoing a WIP

- using a pattern or technique I already have on hand

- using a pattern or technique I have never tried before

- using up other parts of my stash that may not count as items in projects I’m working on

- taking progress photos that don’t look like I was also trying to mix a margarita and agitate a bucket of paint at the same time

Here’s to September, and all its lovely associations. To me it’s always felt like another beginning, a kinder one than January in many ways. It’s a time for really good apples and new notebooks and projects to carry me through the coming months. And so much tea. Oh heavens, yes.