I mentioned in my previous post that I was going through my stash of crazy quilt 'fodder' and downsizing dramatically. Well, you might be interested to know that 2 garbage bags are outta here and that's just the fabric alone (need I say, I have a LOT?!!!). Don't worry, I still kept some.
Then I turned my attention to the tote bin I had filled with bits of lace. The lid was perilously close to not going on so it was past time. Most of it was 'bits' that were saved for CQ but not useful for anything else. I kept the longer pieces that would maybe be useful for adding to baby dresses along with a few sentimental pieces of knitted lace that my maternal grandmother made. Still more than plenty for making crazy quilts!
Next up was the shoebox filled with small lace bits - I kept a lot of those but cut out motifs I might use from the larger bits and got rid of the rest. Funny thing - the shoebox lid now closes! Interesting concept.
Today I'm delving into a shoebox that's filled with broken bits of jewelry and embellishments. I could have likely dumped the entire lot and not missed any of it but my conscience dictates that I at least go through it.
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Don't worry, I am not giving up on crazy quilting entirely and I've kept things that I know there's a chance of getting used. I don't foresee doing any more large projects and will instead concentrate on small things like greeting cards and perhaps some of hearts for the 'I Found A Quilted Heart' initiative. I suspect, beyond the aspect of needing the space for other things, that I burned myself out when I was on staff of the crazy quilt magazine. I came up with a project four times each year I was involved and the idea well has dried up. Being able to just do small things is appealing now.
And don't worry that I'm wasting money on all the trash stash I've gotten rid of...most of it was dumped on gifted to me or came from thrift stores back when thrifting was really cheap.
The space I gained from doing all this shoveling means I can now move my more-often-than-not-on-the-floor yarn stash into drawers and, gasp, actually be able to FIND what I'm looking for. Same goes for the fabrics...what I have kept I love and I know there's a good chance I will use it. Even better? I won't have to paw through it all in order to find what I know I have somewhere if only I can find it. In theory, all of this should mean that no longer will I buy fabric or yarn because I'm certain I don't have anything suitable for the project I'm contemplating, only to discover that it was lurking somewhere all along.
- THESE would be a great use for brooches and would look pretty on a collar or on a tote bag.
- THIS looks to be a very quick and easy pattern for a scarf that would be perfect for spring and summer. THIS one too! Or how about THIS one?
- And...just because I've been going through my yarn stash, THIS might be a good idea.
- And THIS is so pretty!
Today's quote: "Don't waste words on people who deserve your silence. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all"
This confirmed winnowers salutes your effort while being surprised at the extent of the stash if this is just the recent downsizing. I find that the immediate reward is being able to find things. Saves a lot of irritated pawing through materials.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, my stash continually astounds even me! I can manage to stuff an awful lot into a very small space it seems. I am so looking forward to actually being able to find things AND to actually know what I have.
DeleteI'm coming to the conclusion that the tons of stuff that I've saved for when I have time greatly outweighs the amount of time that I could possible have even if I lived to 100. Time to let go and decide what I really want to spend time focusing on and that doesn't take up the most amount of space.
ReplyDeleteExactly my thoughts! My kids do not want to have to deal with all the 'stuff' I have crammed in this sewing room and you're right in saying that living to 100 won't help me get rid of it. So, I must stay focused. At one time my focus was crazy quilting and now it's landscapes and things for my grandies. There's no sense in holding onto previous 'lives' if that makes any sense.
DeleteI think it always feels great to do a good de-stashing. It always makes me more creative. When I have too much stuff around it starts to crush my inspiration.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Half the time I can't find what I know is there somewhere and other times I just completely forget I had it in the first place and go and buy duplicates.
DeleteSounds like you have been very productive on the destash front Mary Anne and I hope that you enjoy your new found space! Hugs Christine xx
ReplyDeleteLooking at my shelves it doesn't look a whole lot different than it did, but it's what's IN the various boxes and containers that's a whole lot better.
DeleteYou really have done so well with your "bashing of the stash!!" I keep talking about it, but haven't as yet tackled it head on..
ReplyDeletetypical!! Since I have finished page two of my journal and cannot figure out where to begin on the 3rd -- ["reclaimed fabrics and butterflies"] What constitutes reclaimed anyway? Hmmmm.
I should begin the BIG REOORG and CUTTING BACK....
)
WE had such a great day yesterday with a flying visit from my son and family (and baby dog "Lucy") that both DH and I napped this afternoon! Phew, fun, but tiring--("We is olde Father William..")
Anyway, I like those fabric signs... ;))) hugs, Julierose
The fabric signs made me smile too - and how true some of them are!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed your visit but I agree that sometimes they're tiring on us 'more vintage' folks.
Very nice progress 2 bags of stuff!
ReplyDeleteBroken jewelry to toss? How?
I have yet to get rid of one bit. sigh.
I'm on a roll! It takes a lot to get me started but once I do I stick with it.
DeleteI still have yarn in bags on the floor, and I promise you I have been using lots up. I think this could be a never ending project around here.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I've been using lots too but still had bags/totes that I was tripping over. Now all but what I plan to knit next is in drawers out of my way.
DeleteWished I'd lived closer to your scrap treasures. Then again maybe not. I have used far more scraps than yardage this past winter. I do need your courage to purge. About to start cleaning out Greg's place. It's going to take every heart nerve I have not to bring carloads home.
ReplyDeleteThe scraps I got rid of were pretty much all 'fancy' fabrics (meaning laces, silks, etc) and not much use to anyone unless they crazy quilt. Most of it was small too so not very useful for actual sewing.
DeleteI appreciate the term 'heart nerve' and understand it all too well. I have kept a lot of 'stuff' from my mother and grandmother and most of it has no real use beyond taking up space. I've kept some of it still but I mustered my courage and got rid of the rest. I doubt I'll miss it.
Dear MA…How very smart of you to cull your supplies. I am proud of you. You have over-achieved the 22 items for April. Your supplies are making me swoon. I too have the same overstuffed bins and boxes however I have already gifted so much to the local thrift stores. Most of the fabrics I donated are now desperately needed by my Days For Girls charity. As it always seems to happen! Winter is happening here today. More rain is needed though.
ReplyDeleteI have a real horror of leaving a ton of 'treasures' for my kids to go through when I'm gone, hence some of the shoveling out and the using up. However, having said that, there doesn't seem to be much difference in how full the shelves are!
DeleteOh, Mary Anne, I wish I could be convinced to get rid of some of my crafting materials. I'm not even really crafting right now because my hands are hurting again. sigh. For the time being I think I'm going to box up my books that take up space in my craft room so I can store craft stuff on the shelves instead. It seems a little backwards, but that's my mindset at the moment. You do challenge me to continue to consider downsizing my stuff in this new place.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's so much as I'm getting rid of crafting materials as I'm making room for the excess stash that's been sitting on the floor in the corner. At least now I can actually see the floor!!
DeleteAs for books - I need to go through those too and see if I can part with some of the crazy quilting ones I no longer refer to. I want to keep my embroidery books but most of what's in the CQ books is repeated in the others anyway.