I'll take a loaf of bread, some Tylenol and a pack of eyelets, please...

Okay, admittedly not the most clever title...but that's what was running through the frozen tundra of my mind...and I went with it.

The title refers to my recent discovery of a scrapbooking section in my local convenience market. I know that discount store chains have been peddling lesser loved scrapping supplies for the longest time and department stores have even caught the bug. I was just a little taken aback by the presence of a teeny tiny section of scrapbooking supplies in a store that never seemed to have an interest in branching out into the crafting arena before. I guess it would be a little easier to absorb if they chose to delve into different areas of crafting and not just the perceived bread winner...perhaps not. I just can't see myself buying my paper where I buy my
veggies.

Of course, I can't really see myself buying paper anytime before the second coming of Christ...so my opinion is neither here nor there...

I was under the impression that, with the decline in the scrapbooking magazine offerings at this store, that scrapbooking was a cost loss for them. I could be wrong, but the store DID stop carrying Making Memories and Creative Keepsakes last year. I asked about them (back when my brain was numb) and I was told that they just don't sell like Scrapbook Etc. does and even that doesn't do very well. Now that I think of it, it was there that I purchased my last issue of Scrapbook Answers and even then there were tons of magazines on the shelves. Many of the magazines had at least one copy that looked 'well worn', so I have to assume that some savvy shopper decided to see if it was worth her money before she/he bought. Judging by the number of copies sitting on the shelf and the condition of the 'browse' mag...I would have to say that many found those magazines lacking...severely...I know I did.

So, why the sudden interest in scrapbooking? It doesn't even appear that they are seriously intent on making many sales because the pricing on the items is outrageous! $3.99 for a pack of generic brads? $16.99 for a cheap $9.00 Fiskars base model slide cutter? I think that at best, they are praying for a miracle that manifests itself in the form of an unaware novice. But is there really enough money to be made in the twisted scrapbooking arena to justify the new interest?

Like I said, I couldn't care less because I don't intend to spend my money on scrap supplies anymore.

In totally non-related news, I've decided to do some serious purging tonight. I'm talking entire lines of paper, boxes of pens, ink pads, and lots of stamps. I know that I won't use them. I've come to a point where I can accept that now. Now I have to get rid of them.

Why this sudden desire for absolute purgation?

Well, I was trying to scrapbook earlier this week and I got tired of going through boxes and organizers to find things that I'd like. No more! If I don't have it...heck...I must not need it!
Tools? Gone! Flowers? Gone! Ribbon? Mostly Gone! Stickers? Gone! I plan to defile every type of scrapbooking product I have in my stash...with the exception of my Bazzill Cardstock (that's an addiction that I am happy to admit is long standing and purge resistant).

My goal is to reduce my stash by 25-50% and I plan to ruthlessly decisive. I know there are a lot of doubtful things said about the best laid plans...but this is a matter of creative life or death.

I will no longer be a stifled slave to my over abundance! School, church or Ebay...one way or the other...it's going! I won't do the LSS Garage Sale thing though because the last thing I need is a credit to a scrappbooking store that's worth hundreds of dollars.

Wish me luck...I'll need it.