Eeny, meeny, miny, moe

I'm an avid scrapbooker. I always knew I would be, which is probably why I avoided it for so many years. For a long time, it was the only craft my youngest daughter showed any interest in. And as I have a way of wallowing in crafts that is almost obscene, I stayed away from scrapbooking so that she would have a creative outlet. Something I wasn't over shadowing her in.

It wasn't like I had nothing else to do. I've always considered myself a craft traveler. There are few craft or artsy type things that I have not attempted at one time or another. I've sewn, crocheted, done stain glass, some wood work, writing, drawing, design, photography, worked with clay, made jewelry, experimented with making my own perfumes, made home remedies, REALLY got into baking, and so much more. That is just the stuff that I can remember off the top of my head.

Any time I start a new craft I am devoured by the need to master it. Once I have, I start looking else where for satisfaction. Maybe I should consider myself a Craft Gigolo. lol

When I did start scrapbooking I went insane. I bought every clearanced item I came across. Purchased huge lots of assorted scrapbooking items I didn't need. I also get a lot of scrapbooking lots from bartering on my website. The result is that I have a dedicated scrapbooking closet that is so stuffed full of stuff you can't open the door without fear of an avalanche.

Over the years I've been scrapbooking I've developed my own style of layout and design. I've figured out what I like (and will use) and what I won't. And I have a shitload of "won't" in my closet.

I started gathering things together than I could give away and ended up with a pile of scrapbooking stuff easily worth $250-$400. A rolling bag, new unused scrapbooks, stamps, punches, papers, thousands of stickers, books on layout, you name it and it's there. Really, all you would need to do was add photos and shake and you'd have a completed scrapbook, or two.

I posted the lot on freecyle to give away, asking that the responders to tell me why they wanted the items. My easy come, easy go philosophy, doesn't include giving it to people who can afford to purchase it on their own. I'm a little selfish, in that I want to know the person getting it will use the items and be thankful for them.

As expected, I got TONS of responses. I've narrowed it down to two that I like. Oddly, they are both women about my age or a little older.

The Contestants

The Non-Scrapbooker

This woman has worked 2-3 jobs most of her life. But always been determined to start scrapbooking, so she's kept every little thing she might want to use one day. She's currently only working one job, the night shift, and finally has time to scrapbook but no funds to invest as she's supporting her husband.

Quote from her email: I've got 20+ years of things I've been saving and not one scrapbook to show for them. My husband actually laughs when I take something home as a memento. "Oh,is that for your SCRAPBOOK? Heh-heh..."

The Half-Assed Scrapbooker

This woman went on disability three years ago and can't afford to get her grown children the type of gifts she use to. So each year she cuts out things from newspapers, magazines, napkins, and decorates pages in photo albums she buys at second hand stores. She gives the albums to her daughters and they spend days reading all the notes and comments. It keeps her busy and allows her to still give to her children.

Quote from her email: When I gave my 2 daughters their photo albums. they spent all day just going through all the pictures and how I desiigned their ablum. My daughters very so happy that the look forward to next chrstmas, I made them happy and that makes me happy. So if you decide on me, I will greatly put all to good use and I can begin this years photo albums.

The Conclusion

I've already told all the other responders that I had picked out someone else. And I don't have to make this decision tonight, so please send me your thoughts or preferences. Who would you pick? Because I have to tell you, with out a little help here I will fall back on my own method of selection.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe . . .