The disaster I refer to doesn’t require the government to step in and save the day, not does it require the aid of the Red Cross, but rather, it is a disaster of my own creation. This disaster will be rectified in time, but a disaster just the same and one that will surely cause frustration and delayed crafting time as I search for that “one thing” that is here somewhere and that I must have. This unsettling event is the beginning of our basement rehab and the condition of my temporary craft space (and I use the word “space” loosely for you can see there is very little space).
Holy crowded, Batman! My poor dining room is stuffed wall to wall, as well as our hallways and a corner of the living room. And these are just the items that I think that I’ll need for the duration of the basement construction. You should see the boxes that are stored in the garage.
One of my metal racks still aside my wine rack which has been transformed into a holding space for other tools.
The floors are littered with boxes that contain patterned paper and cardstock, and somewhere under the slew of papers, there is a piano in there somewhere. HA!
I really don’t know HOW I’m going to work in these conditions, but I will. One thing that has become apparent as I gaze upon all these boxes of supplies is that some purging needs to be done. Do you have a craft space that could use some purging? If so, how do you select what stays and what goes? What do you do with the things that need to go? I’d love to hear what you do with stuff you no longer need or want.
Thanks for sharing in my disaster today. I hope you have a fantastic Sunday and that the rest of your weekend is awesome.
14 comments:
Oh, Lynn, this is fun! Let's play find the piano! Lol...it will all be worth it in the end. And is there really a such thing as "stuff we don't need?!" All of it...we need all of it!
Just a couple purging ideas!
Many women's shelters would welcome craft items, and traumatized children especially would enjoy the patterned paper and solid cardstock. You could throw in some cheap kindergarten scissors and paste and really brighten some children's lives. Some shelters also offer activities like art therapy and having a women make a scrapbook page representing her family's hope for a new start could be very healing.
School art departments are chronically (and criminally) under-funded. Get to know the art teachers and you will find a willing and grateful recipient of anything you want to de-stash!
Sometimes it makes it a lot easier to get rid of stuff when you know it will be making a difference elsewhere!
Other ideas include making some blog-candy boxes! It could be a lot of fun - have people sign up for the draw and keep showing pics of what you are putting in the candy box! Then send it off and start over again.
So far as what to get rid of - I know my taste has certainly changed from when I started buying all this stuff. There are stamps and papers that I now wonder "what was I thinking?" I would keep the best of the tools but get rid of multiples - for example I went through several eyelet setters before I found one I love, same with "anywhere" hole punches, etc.
Hope this helps you to de-stash, and I really feel for you in your temporary craft space. I went through something similar about 5 years ago and still shudder when I think about it!
Good luck!
Wow Girl! I'm sure that you are hoping that basement is done like tomorrow???
When I purged I just put aside stuff I knew I would probably never use (stuff maybe sent to me that wasn't my style) or stuff that was sitting around for over a year. I let me daughter pick through some of it and the other stuff I sold off.
I still have a ton to get rid of and I've also had sellers remorse on some of it, but I just replaced what I sold LOL!
Good Luck! You can always offer to swap someone some junk for your junk ;-)
Wow, you do have a little handicap for stamping until your room is done. I bet it doesn't hinder your beautiful creations. This would be a perfect time to go through what you have and purge. Then when your dream room is done, you will only take what you truly what and need back to your space.
Oh, I can't wait to see it!
Paperclipping.com had a purging drive and info on where to send extra supplies. Also, I know various Children's hospitals will take the supplies. Hang in there!
The inconvenience now will hopefully be well worth it when your basement is finished~ how exciting! And I bet it won't hamper your creativity one little bit. As far as purging...I'll just have to read the advice of others.
Oh my ... good for you for taking pics. I would be afraid to bring my craft supplies up from the basement to the diningroom.
It will be worth it in the end, though, redone basement & craft studio--woohoo!
The craft supplies that I no longer use, go to either the kids or to teachers for supplies.
I have wads of fabric, too that I have issues parting with--sigh.
Oh you poor thing--I am sure the sacrifice will be worth it in the end. I have given lots of stuff to our local nursing home and to our church. Tools like paper cutters, extra scissors, etc are greatly appreciated.
When sorting through my things I made several pkgs up for my nieces and nephews with their parents permissions--they all love to stamp.
My rule of thumb if I haven't used it in a year--will I ever? Some paper I hoard--so beautiful it is hard to cut--no more, I make myself use it before I buy more.
Good luck with your redo!
LOL Wow! Your room looks like my dining room! I truly need to organize my craft space! We have a spare room that could be utilized but I keep hoping the baby fairy will visit so I hestitate to change it.
Been there, done that! DH has played 'move the craft room' three times now - NEVER again! lol... Okay, so purging... DD is marketing director at YMCA Trout Lodge/Camp Lakewood. When I need to purge a little or a lot, the camp kids get my supplies! Let me know if you need a hook up - DD is in St.L. several times each week! Good luck, sweetie - hang in there, it will be worth it when it's finished! See you Saturday!
I feel your pain! I have the same problem you do in 2 rooms! I find myself not wanting to part with anything and I am moving! There is no place for all of my stuff in the new place so I am going to offer it in a garage sale and then off to schools, churches, church camps and Goodwill! Good Luck to you and if you find a perfect place for loved but not used stuff - let us all know and we can bombard them with stuff! Renee
P.S. I have the exact same kitchen table as yours! Don't you just love it except when stamping and the grout gets in the way! HeHe
Oh Bless You, Lynn! I know you'll LUV your basement renovation in the end. Just remember that the "meantime" is only 'that ... the meantime'. ;) BTW ... that's often what my space looks like after 2 or 3 stamp sessions .. so just think of it like that .... or come on out to TX until the "meantime" is finished. Hey! That
s a fab idea!
~Bev
This is all just the basics, right? LOL Good luck! I hope that basement renovation goes quickly!
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