How to become an excellent Stash Acquisition Specialist

There are a few things that I think I'm good at: lifting heavy weights, baking cakes, driving really fast. The activity that I am the very best at is buying stash. Specifically, charts and fabrics. In fact, I am so damn good at it that I have divided my stash up into four or five discrete boxes and distributed them throughout my toybox apartment to fool others (Fiance) that I am actually a paltry stash acquisitionist.

LIES.

Ask me how many Heaven and Earth Designs charts I have. Go ahead, I won't fib. Really, that low? Okay, deep breath...

I SHALL NEVER TELL!

What I will say is that while there is no such thing as too much stash (Fiance will scoff at this but I shall point to his fishing minivan that doubles as his everyday vehicle with a raised eyebrow), I am happy to report that I have enough projects to keep me busy for a few years.

So why do I buy more if I have so much? Irrelevant question.

What only you understand is that there are certain standards that a cross stitching fiend must rise to. For instance, my lifelong goal is to paper every inch of my free wall space with a finished project that radiates with love. Since I live in the aforementioned toybox apartment and have three projects on the wall, I am well on my way. When I marry Fiance, the long suffering man of my dreams, we shall move into a larger abode with more wall space and thus the standards rise. Additionally, with the variety of threads, fabrics and designers out there clamoring for our attention, it is our responsibility to support and nurture their businesses and help the stitching community grow. I'd say it's rather generous of us, no?

In fact, I feel so generous that I will demonstrate my stash purchasing abilities for you all.

1. First, I surf facebook for the latest update in my favorite stitching groups. If there is a chart that someone has stitched that I adore or some fabric that is quite lovely, without any time to waste I zip over to the website.

Enablers on Facebook, the best kind of stitching friends

2. Today, I feel like buying some fabric. Luckily, Dawn Munday at Crafty Kitten has a 10% off sale on her website (see, the stitching community is exceedingly generous!) so I select my fabric, change the currency and browse the lovely colors.

 

Those cotton clouds look simply divine

3. Hmm I like the looks of that Sunlit pool. Into the cart you go!

What an excellent addition to my "paltry" fabric box

4. Since the shipping is going to be high, may as well make the best of it and combine multiple purchases! Also, now is the time to try out something I've been interested in for a while - hand dyed threads. Why is now the time? Why do you ask so many questions?

Spring Crocus. It's environmental.

5. And another fabric jumps in the cart... Seriously, I don't know how this happens to me!

It's going to be so fun to sniff them when they arrive.

6. Okay, enough is enough. I am on a budget, after all. I'll just have this purchase applied to my August stash budget. Time to check out!

7. Now it's time to wait by the door and check my mailbox obsessively every single day, mostly to get to the package before Fiance, that wonderful man, asks me why I need more threads and cloths.

Your turn!