Over the past year, I have been inspired to reduce my crafty spending and to challenge myself to use more of my stash to create layouts, mini albums, cards, and other papercrafting projects. To be honest, I overspent on cardmaking supplies in 2022 and I still have a lot of scrapbooking products that I purchased along with product that was sent to me for various freelance projects and classes.

While amassing a sizable crafting stash is fun (really fun), like many of you, I have become overwhelmed with product. It seems like new products are released on a monthly basis from some of our favorite crafting companies. Don’t get me wrong…I love a good product release, but I also know that I need to be more conscience of my crafty spending habits. There were months when I spent $200-$300 on craft supplies alone!

That is a lot of money!

And sadly, a lot of what I purchased was never used. For example, I spent over $1500 (yes, I did the math) on stamping and cardmaking products in 2022.

Do you know what I could have done with that money?

Makes my head hurt…as well as my bank account!

Did I use all of the products that I purchased?

HECK NO!

In fact, I purchased new storage bins to organize all of the extra product that I could not fit into my normal crafty storage. INSANE!

Interestingly, I have learned that I am not alone in feeling overwhelmed by crafty products. Recently, I spent hours pouring through posts on scrapbook and cardmaking forums, Facebook groups, and the like, reading comments from other crafters who feel the same way. Some crafters felt frustrated with their buying habits and feel that they need to use more of their crafty stash.

Additionally, other themes emerged:

• A lot of crafters commented that they would like to see FEWER product releases and more of an emphasis on learning how to use the products they purchase before new products are introduced. There seems to be a shorter period of time between new releases, which limits the time for crafters to use the products they purchase before new goodies come to the market.
• Crafters would like to see content creators (such as myself) use their stash and focus more on scrapbooking and cardmaking techniques versus showcasing new products in each video.
• Some crafters commented on being LESS excited about the new products that are coming to the market because most of it seems “one-note” – the same color schemes, repetitive designs, lack of diversity among product designers (companies using the same designers all of the time), lack of interesting and diverse icons, etc. This has led some crafters to rely on using older products in their stash that appeal more to their style.

So, armed with this information, I decided to create a year-long challenge that focuses on spending less and using MORE of our crafty stash and exploring a variety of papercrafting techniques.

The 2024 Year of the Freeze Challenge

Here are the deets! For this challenge, I am going to freeze spending on scrapbooking and cardmaking supplies in 2024. Instead, I will focus on using products from my stash. I recently purged my stash and have narrowed my selection of products to the items that I absolutely love.

However, there are a few exceptions – it’s important to be flexible.

1. Spending On Consumables: I will continue to purchase consumables such as adhesives, solid cardstock, pens/markers, stamping ink and refills, etc.
2. Spending on Replacement Tools: If a tool breaks, I will replace it as needed.
3. Spending on Must Have Items: If there is an item that I must have, I will give myself permission to purchase it. But, it has to be something that I will use right away.
4. NO Pressure! I can start, stop, and resume at anytime!
5. Change My Approach: I can change my approach to this challenge at anytime and make adjustments as needed throughout the year…guilt free!

Throughout the year, I will use a variety of items from my stash. If I do not have a particular item, I will need to figure out how to create what I need using the products and tools that I have available to me. Recently, after going through my stash, I noticed that I have a lot of beautiful products and fun tools just waiting to be used in a creative way! NOW is the time to put them to good use!

Also, all of the videos that I post on my YouTube Channel and Patreon community this year will feature projects using my stash. I want to practice what I preach!

NOTE: If you are inspired by the products that I’m using, I urge you to find or create similar items using materials from your stash before purchasing new products!

Want To Play Along? Let’s Go!!!

If you are interested in participating in the Year of the Freeze Challenge, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. How Long Will Your Freeze Be? You DO NOT have to do a year-long freeze! In fact, you can challenge yourself to do a 30-day, 60-day, 90-day or half a year freeze. Maybe try a bi-monthly freeze or a seasonal freeze…it’s completely up to YOU!
2. Decide What Products to Freeze: Make a decision about the products you want to freeze. For example, you may suspend purchasing only scrapbooking supplies, or perhaps only patterned paper and stamps. Maybe you need to freeze purchasing online classes and focus on starting and finishing the classes you already purchased. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
3. Start, Stop, Resume at Anytime: Feel free to start, stop, and resume your freeze at anytime – it’s okay to be flexible with this challenge.
4. Prepare: Take some time to prepare for your freeze by purchasing your most needed items, organizing your space, and letting go any products you no longer enjoy. I also recommend creating kits using items from your stash to help streamline the creative process.
5. It’s Okay To Shop – Guilt Free! If you come across a product that you must have…buy it, guilt FREE! Focus majority of your efforts on using products from your stash, but give yourself permission to indulge occasionally if there is something you really, really, really want! NOTE: It’s okay to purchase consumables (i.e. adhesives, solid cardstock) during your freeze.
6. Make Projects: Once you are ready, start making your projects! Challenge yourself to exclusively use items from your stash. Don’t forget to use your tools (i.e., punches, dies, cutting machine) and crafty resources (i.e., magazines, books, blogs, social media, videos, classes) as you make your projects. There are is a ton of creative inspiration to explore!
7. Focus On Learning: Use this time to practice papercrafting techniques or teach yourself how to use a specific tool or product.
8. Most of All…Have Fun! This challenge should not be stressful! Have fun and enjoy making beautiful projects from your crafty stash!

Let’s Go!

Now that you have all the details, it’s time to start the 2024 Year of the Freeze! Be sure to join me LIVE on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel today at 2:00 pm CST as I talk more about this challenge and watch me make a 12×12 inch layout using items from my stash.

To join the livestream, click HERE!

Here’s to a full year of reduced crafty spending, making gorgeous layouts, and using our crafty stash!!!