Last night, I had to laugh at myself. On the Cross Stitch Camp Facebook group, folks are showing what they want to stitch for Winter Camp. Almost everything someone shows, I think . . I need that chart! The challenge is a one color project. I have a very small space for my redwork wall. There probably isn’t room for more than 8 pieces on that wall and I have at least double that number of redwork charts. No. I don’t need any more one color projects.
In another group, someone showed A Quaker Welcome by Lila’s Studio. Of course . . it’s sold out because everyone else saw it too.
The X-Stitch App has saved me once again.
Look what I already have!
A quick check of my list reveals I purchased this in August, 2021.
When I see a chart I think I want, I always go back to my X-Stitch App to make sure I don’t have it. The problem, and it’s a minor problem, is that there are a few charts I didn’t add to the app but I don’t want to go through the massive undertaking of checking all the charts to be sure they’re entered, especially since I’m not buying any new ones!
Sometimes, I see a chart I think I can’t live without, I go back to the app and I don’t have the chart but I see a dozen more charts that I DO have and I want to stitch.
Yesterday there was a Hands Across the Sea chart that I thought I might want. It’s one I’ve thought about getting several times so I checked, I don’t have it but I see so many Hands Across the Sea charts I have, that I do want to stitch . . why buy more when I’ll never have the time to stitch all the ones I already have?
It’s a mindset! I will fail. I will see a chart I think I MUST have and I will buy it but I think I’m doing quite well considering how badly I was doing just a month or so ago.
It’s the same thing with linen . . not so much with floss. I’m loving changing up the floss on some of the things I stitch and I can always find a suitable substitute for floss, but when I see gorgeous linen, I want it. I feel like it won’t be available when I do need more linen but the truth is . . even if that color isn’t available, there will likely be a color available that I like even better.
It’s a very hard lesson for me to learn but, I’m learning not to buy, or at least – to sensibly buy.
Elle says
I think you should put a $5 bill in a jar every time you think “I should buy that”. Count it on December 1st!
Cindy F says
I’m with you on seeing all those fabulous charts everyone is posting. There have been so many I love! I have found that for some charts I purchased awhile back, I am not crushing on as much as when I bought it. I like them still but not absolutely loving them. This has taught me a lesson just to put things in my wish list and wait…so hard to do…lol I have an Owl Forest as one of my WIPGOs so I will need to figure out which one which and I’m having a hard time deciding! lol
Sherry Bobak says
I looked up Hands Across The Sea Samplers on Etsy and cannot believe how many different charts came up with the same name. So confusing.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
It’s best to start at their website.
They do have a ton of samplers but it should be easier to see them all on their site, then you can either order directly from them or find the chart you’d like on Etsy or at a local or online shop.
Joan says
I bought so many things last year it was ridiculous. I am doing what you are doing-checking my X stitch app and not buying much. I also sold a bunch on a Facebook group!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Good for you! I think all of us who are either not buying, or have committed to buying smarter, will be much happier with ourselves.