www.paperartistsonline.com

It pays to go through your scrap bins. I found a ton of lace that Marianne had on a PAO RAK table, an 8 x 8 patriotic kit that included gold letters and tons of embellishments (now to find photos for it), an unopened package of EZMount stamp storage panels, a sheer blouse that was too large for me that I was going to cut up and make flowers - which fits me now, I'm sorry to say, 3 art journals that I had started and put aside, ephemera that I could have been using had I known where it was, 2 baskets from my IKEA shelving that are now EMPTY, at least 10 of the super large zip lock bags, and some beautiful large patterned paper scraps.

I was ruthless and if the paper wasn't large enough to at least matte a photo it went. With the patterned pieces I used the "do I love it, will I use it" selection process. As a result, I have one Iris drawer (13 x 13 x 3) of neatly cut solids and 1/2 drawer of patterned paper and 6 x 6 pads (that are still here on sufferance, but may also make the trash cut). I realized as I was going through those pieces of paper that it was the history of my scrapping life. Some of it made me smile, some of it made me say "What in the world were you thinking." There was even some old CM gingham paper that I'd been searching for and couldn't find, and some old CM triangles. Anyone remember those things??

I hope this inspires someone else to use it or lose it! It's a great feeling.

Isn't it fun to unearth those hidden, long forgotten treasures. Unfinished art journals and lace!

I'm doing a redo of my crafting area and hope to find some of those lost items I know I have but just can't find. They have to be in there somewhere.

It's like Christmas all over again!

I think that's exactly why I find myself keeping so many little bits and bobs - I love finding all of those things again. And sometimes I even use some of them.

My scrap box just has paper in it, and I'm 100% certain that if I dig deep enough, I'll find some CM triangles. I was looking through what I thought were empty hanging file folders the other day (because I was going to re-sort some papers), and I found a ton of that CM rickrack. I feel like it's been so many years since I eve THOUGHT about that stuff, that it should be an instant toss. But it made me weirdly happy when I found it. And that's probably why I still have it.

I made a bunch of cards yesterday while at Helen's house.... used up some embellishments that I wouldn't be using on a layout... perfect for cards... they're pretty and they'll be going to someone who needs a card...

I'm now on a roll with making cards.... and I'm sure I'll find places to send them... or give them to folks at work.

Great use for those little tidbits like CM rickrack... *grins*

Why do I not remember the rick rack? Have I blocked it???

I think they were long die cut strips of Rick rack style paper. I am absolutely certain I still have some of it in my CM pizza box.

I remember seeing that rickrack paper but never got into CM at all. The colors were so basic and solid and those pages! Of course now with sprays and dyes, the rickrack and triangles could be any color you want.

What great finds, Pam. Lace, I don't even remember what it was!