The number one question I get all the time is…

What do you do with your retired products?

People are surprised when I say I keep using them…but I do.

As a Demonstrator I could get carried away with buying everything in the catalog…Who wouldn’t want it all, right?

But who could afford to buy everything they want all the time?  Not me for two reasons.  The first reason being the obvious – financial reasons.  The second reason is space! I don’t have unlimited amount of space to store my stamp supplies.  I have a third reason –  how will I ever use all the supplies in my lifetime?

Before I place my order I look through the catalog once – all the way through.  Front to back.  I ohhhh and ahhhh at all the new stamp sets, samples, embellishments, papers, etc.  Then I put it down and go about my day.

The next time I pick it up I start making a list of EVERYTHING I want….EVERYTHING if money and space were not an issue.  That list is looooong!! Really long.  I slip the list inside the catalog and go do something else.

NEXT, I look at all the samples I see on facebook, instagram and pinterest.  Then go back to my list and start crossing off items.  I get real honest with myself and think about each item on my list –  am I really going to use that set…what am I going to use it for?  Do I have something similar that will work just fine instead?  This step will more times than not cut my list in half.  Or almost in half.

Now I start to place my order…as I start entering in my items I will look at the items and verify that I really think I am going to use it.  If it makes the cut it stays on my order.  I have one general rule…

I purchased only what I love.

That being said…I do have the complete set of Stampin’ Write Markers and all the Classic Ink pads as well as all the Blends.  I also have every color card stock.  That way I have every color available to me when I need it.

Then when Stampin’ Up! retires an item I don’t get upset…I purchased it because I loved it and I am not willing to part with it because I am still using it.  Remember I create and send cards every week to Seniors across the United States.  I volunteer with Bring Smiles to Seniors and send hundreds of cards out every month.

Check out their official Facebook page.   They also have a group page you can join and check out.

Do you have a stash of cards that are collecting dust?  This is a great way to use them.  Either donate them to Bring Smiles to Seniors or send them to Seniors yourself.

If you have any questions regarding this organization please don’t hesitate to ask.  It’s a great way to Bring Smiles to Seniors!! #bringsmilestoseniors

Check out some of the cards I created this week to send (yes, these cards I did use retired and retiring products):