Yup, still trying to use up those 6 sheets of Rebecca Designer Series Paper! I decided that if I have any hope of using it up, I'm going to have to create some scrapbook pages since it's easier to use large quantities of patterned paper on them. The layout ideas for these two page come from AnnMarie Bryant who runs a great Facebook group: Scrapbooking the day away! She provides monthly challenges and offers a space for scrappers to share. This month, she is doing daily layout ideas.

Once again, I used the Rebecca DSP with Sahara Sand (still available) and Chocolate Chip (retired) cardstock. I added brads from the Hodpodge Hardware kit (retired). The circles are cut with the Layering Circles dies (still available). The two lettering stamp sets are both retired and stamped with Regal Rose and Chocolate Chip ink. 

To create the stitching around the outside, I used my old tool kit that Stampin' Up! used to sell when eyelets were popular. There is a plastic template in it to help you punch even holes. I poked through all the holes and then used a Sahara Sand marker to draw a line through them to look like stitching. 

While the stamps and paper are no longer available, Stampin' Up! has many great options that would work as well! I hope the pages inspire you to create your own layouts and use up your stash!

Since I am focusing on using up my stash in the month of April, I will also be talking about some issues that come up with really old supplies. My first topic: the shelf life of embossing powder.

Does embossing powder go bad? This question is raised often in various rubber stamping communities and the opinions vary. Some people will say that embossing powder absolutely goes bad after a couple years. Personally, I have found that it depends. I have a number of powders and many of them are from 2005-2010. Most of these powders are generally fine. 

However, as I've delved back into stamping, I did notice that I was getting poor results from my white embossing powder. I finally purchased a new jar so I can share some comparisons with you. 

The jar on the left is my new jar and the jar on the right is my old jar of white embossing powder. It is hard to see in the picture, but there is a definite difference in color. The older powder has a yellowed look to it. You can also see that the older powder is clumpier. Now, often embossing powder will clump and it's not a big deal. However, I think the extra clumps in my older powder represent the general clumpiness of it, to the point that it does stick evenly to my image when I apply it. 

In this picture, the top image uses my new embossing powder and the bottom uses the old embossing powder. Again, you can see a difference in color between the two. However, you can also see the difference in coverage. While it is normal to have an uneven application when using a bold stamp, the one on the bottom has much larger spaces that aren't covered and just looks lumpier. This is representative of the way this older embossing powder has been acting for me since I have started stamping again.

My final decision is that while some powders may still work fine after years, others may not. If your embossing powder isn't acting the way you expect it to or isn't giving you as nice of images as your other powders, you may want to consider replacing it. 

My efforts to use up this package of Rebecca Designer Series Paper from 2006 continue. It's amazing how difficult it can be to use up 12x12 pieces of paper when you are making cards. For today's trio, I used some retired stamps and some current stamps as well. To match the paper, I used ink and cardstock in Regal Rose (retired), Close to Cocoa (retired), Chocolate Chip (retired), and Sahara Sand (NOT retired!). 

While many of these products are retired, Stampin' Up! offers a great selection of current stamps, papers, and accessories that could be used instead of these images. I hope that if you're in the market for new stamping supplies, you will check out my Stampin' Up! store.

To frame the sentiment, I used a piece of Hodgepodge Hardware. These awesome kits were also available around the same time period as the Rebecca DSP. They contained a number of brads, metal frames, buckles, and fancy paper clips. Each tin contained about 200 pieces. I still have two of the kits. 

I attached the metal frame for the sentiment using a piece of pink grosgrain ribbon from the same period. This roll is almost gone! I'm hoping to finish it sometime this week. Maybe then I'll feel like I'm start to make a dent in my stash. Who are we kidding? It will take a lot more than one finished roll of ribbon.

The card base is Sahara Sand cardstock with a strip of Rebecca DSP added to one side and another piece of the pink Grosgrain ribbon attached along the edge. I added the layered image on top. 

So many people tell me that they have lots of stamping supplies that they never use. I too have lots of stamping supplies that aren't getting used. In fact, I have an entire drawer of solid-colored retired cardstock, tons of old eyelets, rolls of washi tape, and stacks of old ribbons. If this describes you too, April is your opportunity to dive into your stash and rediscover the treasures in your stash. 

On my Facebook group and Instagram, I am hosting the #ProjectUseUpMyStash challenge. During the month of April, post pictures of evidence that you've used something up from your stash - like an empty ribbon roll, empty cardstock package, the last unusable scraps of a pack of designer series paper, or whatever else shows that you've used something up. Also, post pictures of your creations using old stamps and accessories. You can post them to my Facebook group or on Instagram using the hashtag #ProjectUseUpMyStash. Every time you post, I'll enter you into a drawing to win a $20 gift certification for Stampin' Up! product that you can use in May or June. (Redeemable only through me and only to residents of the United States.) 

​So dig into your hoards of stamping supplies and let me see what you create! ​

The weather is chilly and perfect for remembering last Christmas. The Cup of Christmas stamp set (2019 Holiday Catalog) was perfect to highlight these pictures and I'm back to trying to use up my stash with the Holiday Thyme Designer Series Paper. I used the retired In-Colors Cranberry Crisp and True Thyme as well as the current Old Olive for this page. Additionally, I used my Cricut to cut the numbers and the retired Priceless stamp set for the steam flourishes coming out of the cups. Quick and easy page of Christmas memories!

A few years ago, I made a goal to try to use up my stash of papers so I would have room to add new stuff to my collection. But it's REEEAAALLLYYYY hard to not buy new stuff when there are so many shiny new stamps, papers, and inks available. Needless to say, I didn't get very far before I eventually broke down and started buying new inks, papers, stamp sets, and dies. 

As many of you know, I was an Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator from 1998-2008. During those 10 years, I amassed a lot of supplies. I had complete sets of ink pads and markers and a healthy stash of cardstock and designer series paper. 

​That wooden container is designed to hold 48-52 ink pads. Stampin' Up! has gone through a couple of color refreshes since I was last a demonstrator. As I have been adding the new colors to the box, I have been kicking out the old ones and am quickly running out of room in the area surrounding the box. ​

Since I became a demonstrator again in March, #ProjectUseUpMyStash has taken the back burner and my retired stash is starting to get dusty. So, in an effort to conquer this mound of paper, I am going to regularly share projects I make with retired paper.

​No, you can no longer buy the paper. Although if you really fall in love with a piece, I might be willing to share. But maybe you have your own stash of papers fallen to the wayside while your head was turned by all the new pretties in the Holiday Catalog. Let's start using our stashes and sharing our creations with the world. Nobody's going to know, or care, that your paper is 5, 10, or 20 years old. They will be too excited by the beautiful handmade cards, pages, and projects you've shared with them. 

So, dive into your stash and get crafting! Leave a comment below sharing what you come up with or use #ProjectUseUpMyStash on Instagram.