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Just a reminder - be sure to
check my previous post for responses to
your comments!
check my previous post for responses to
your comments!
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I was just typing a response to a comment that Sherry left on my previous blog post and it occurred to me that perhaps what I'm doing might be of benefit to some of you. Some of you may know that I'm a compulsive reader of organizational books and may also know that not a whole lot of what I've read has sunk in and been acted upon, mainly because it's too difficult to be bothered with...or, just simply doesn't work. Just prior to Christmas I found this book at the local library and couldn't resist reading it ('Decluttering At The Speed of Life - winning your never-ending battle with stuff' by Dana K. White). The boil-down of the book for me was the thought that everything in your home should have a 'container' and anything that doesn't fit in that so-called container does not have a place in your life (there are many different definitions of what qualifies as a container). For some reason that thought struck home with me and has sparked the current shovel-out of my sewing space, and has overflowed into other areas of our living area as well.
As an example - I have a Rubbermaid tote that has been overflowing with lace 'bits' for more years than I care to count. I have NO clue how long it's been since the lid would actually shut on that silly container. And it's not the only one!! So....I dumped it out and went through it all, piece by piece, and got rid of a lot that I knew I would never ever use (but was keeping, just in case a major miracle happened). Now, wonder of wonders, the lid works (who knew?)!! The simple premise in the book is that from now on no new lace can be added to that container without getting rid of something out of there so that it will never overflow again. Simple. Easy. Doable.
The book is very readable and filled with great suggestions, so I highly recommend it. Now, onward to the next container!
As part of the ongoing destashing attempt, I came across a piece of a quilt that I had been bequeathed at some point. It's a commercially quilted whole cloth so not a bad thing to finish cutting it up. So far I've turned some of it into these...
As part of the ongoing destashing attempt, I came across a piece of a quilt that I had been bequeathed at some point. It's a commercially quilted whole cloth so not a bad thing to finish cutting it up. So far I've turned some of it into these...
Six pincushions!
by my maternal grandmother) to each one,
along with a fancy button from my stash.
Stay tuned for what else I might have
created from that chunk of quilt!
Today's quote..."Friends are like the walls of a house. Sometimes they hold you up. Sometimes you lean on them. But sometimes it's enough to know that they're just standing by"
You are getting through all your 'stuff' at breakneck speed aren't you. That does sound like an interesting book. Sweet little pincushions and how special to be embellished by some crochet crafted by your maternal grandmother.
ReplyDeleteBreakneck speed? Hmmmm - if said speed involves a tortoise, maybe. Every area I go through ends up involving somewhere else....oh.....look!.....a squirrel.....
DeleteI've heard of that book but never read it... well done for sorting through your lace, I'm afraid I might have just put it all in a bigger box!!! Love the pincushions - what a great idea! xx
ReplyDeleteThere was a time I would have looked for a bigger box too, but living in a confined space means I don't have the area to expand into. The book, btw, is a great read if you can get it at your local library (or have it brought in through inter-library loan).
DeleteOutstanding! Fabric, trim and button usage!
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful.
Thank you - they were fun to make and happily used up some of three different types of stash. Win/win!!
DeleteI applaud your container-ing! I have been stalled in my organizational efforts for so long, it is really beginning to wear on my attitude. Action must be taken soon, or I shall be moving out to the barn.
ReplyDeleteoooh boy - well, at least you HAVE the barn to expand into! I don't have that option...lol. The organizational book is the best one I've read - well, maybe not the best, but the most useful. It's doable for me, which many of them simply aren't.
DeleteYour declutter book sounds like a good one, Mary Ann.
ReplyDeleteAnd your pincushions are lovely.
Thanks for the tips and ideas.
So far it's working, but it seems to be taking forever!! Of course I keep stopping in the middle and taking take to create something with some of the stuff I'm culling - not exactly the way to make progress in a hurry!
DeleteMA I read your comment reply and now this post and I completely agree with this approach to organizing and decluttering. Since moving and downsizing I am continuing to function with “something new in and therefore something out”. I bought a new pair of shoes and donated a pair to make room. I buy a craft/sewing item and something has to leave so I don’t get overwhelmed with too much stuff ever again. Thank you for sharing your adventures of lace container lid fitting...You are my inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought other people might benefit from the system I'm now adopting. It's the first thing (despite reading a ton of organizational how to's) that actually makes sense and is doable. I'm definitely inspired to carry on, despite the fact that it seems to be taking forever. Next 'up' is to tackle the bookshelf...or the filing cabinet.....
DeleteFunny thing is I just bought more containers to store things in today. Love your pincushions!
ReplyDeleteLiving in an apartment means there is only limited space so I simply can't add any more containers...another incentive to adopt this system. Once I get everything pared down and 'containered' I hope I never get overwhelmed with 'stuff' again!! You heard it here first!
DeleteLove the quote! Knowing me I'd just buy more containers! Naughty!
ReplyDeleteSee my response to Lorraine (above) - which explains why adding more containers is just not feasible. I've actually (shhhh) gotten rid of three containers already!!
DeleteHi Maryanne beautiful work ,those pin cushions are very elegant and so lovely,i wish you luck with your declutering,seems alot of people are decluttering at the moment including me,lol xx
ReplyDeleteThe pincushions are stashed away in the 'Christmas box' (dare I say it??) for next year. January seems to be the month of many of us to tackle our decluttering and organizing, doesn't it.
DeleteI haven't read that book but I have spent the last two days and one evening picking through my fabric boxes. A few haven't been opened since moving here. Needless to say, I found fabric I'd forgotten about. It's all sorted, boxed and labelled. Not much got thrown out as I'd given away lots before moving. Now I can find what I want easily. Good idea making the pincushions.
ReplyDeleteFunny how we manage to forget some of the items we have in our stash....I'm finding all sorts of things that I had totally forgotten about too. I'm looking forward to the day when I can see what I have at a glance. I've done shovel-outs before, but not like this one, so there's hope!
DeleteWell, I confess... I'm not sure I would have signed up for the Crazy Quilt workshop, but I was disappointed to see I checked my e-mail too late to do so. Funny how that is. Maybe another year. I'll watch this space. :)
ReplyDeleteYour little pillows are adorable! So many ideas you give me!
And thanks for the book recommend. I just found it on Hoopla and downloaded it. I'm going to try to listen to it when I next sit down to crochet. I can use the decluttering inspiration.
Kathy runs the class more than once a year but I'm not sure when her next one will be. Unfortunately she only gives people three or four days to register and it's hard to catch that window of opportunity. Glad you found the book and hope you enjoy it - it's one of the best (of many!) organizational books I've read.
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