| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| City Chick |
Posted - Jul 16 2012 : 6:20:54 PM
I have so many things that are just cluttering up my life. Magazines, books, cook books etc. Then there's the craft materials. What do I really want to concentrate on? Embroidery, crochet, jewelry making, scrapbooking.... the choices are endless and I probably have the craft materials for it as well.
I feel like all this stuff is overwhelming me and I need to focus. That would cut down on the cluttered feeling as well as me feeling overwhelmed. I can't do it all.
How do i decide?
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My new blog - http://citychickadventures.blogspot.com/ Come visit me!
Farm Girl #790
http://pinterest.com/debbie_s/
https://twitter.com/EllieFunt
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| 21 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Simplepleasures |
Posted - Jul 20 2012 : 9:06:19 PM
Ha, I was just thinking the same thing, so today I started going through stuff and only keeping out things I truly love then the rest of the stuff is going on a table in the garage for a few days and see if I miss it. I will sell some stuff on craigslist or donate to good will.
Michelle |
| City Chick |
Posted - Jul 20 2012 : 04:56:07 AM
Thank you all. You've given me so much to think about. I think my hormones are playing a huge part in the overwhelmed feeling. Maybe next week I can make a plan of action.
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My new blog - http://citychickadventures.blogspot.com/ Come visit me!
Farm Girl #790
http://pinterest.com/debbie_s/
https://twitter.com/EllieFunt
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| crittergranny |
Posted - Jul 19 2012 : 08:32:54 AM
It doesn't do any good to put anything on craigslist for me cause no one wants to drive 120 miles to pick something up. But for some of you ladies in more populated areas there may be something local to post on facebook. In sweetwater TX there is a Sweetwater trade facebook page where people are selling little and big stuff left and right. Makes me jealous...LOL
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
| doll58maker |
Posted - Jul 18 2012 : 8:42:05 PM
You are right (again) Bunny. Stick around, girlfriend, I think you are my muse. The truth is I should get busy and get an online shop going and do craigs list, ebay and I actually have a small storefront that I don't use for anything but storage. I had been meaning for years to get rid of my spinning wheel and now I find out its worth big bucks, and I might want to spin. so, there you go......what to do. Every time I do get rid of something, I end up wishing I had it back. Lets face it, I am a hoarder.
hugs to all my sistas
Glenda #3534
www.gypsyglenda.com |
| Lorie.Vance |
Posted - Jul 18 2012 : 1:55:18 PM
My problem is that like many of us, I love it all and although I need to just pick a couple of hobbies, I like the choice of being able to do many of them when I get the itch. I've resorted to just keeping enough stuff to support one or two small projects from each of my hobbies. I swap out some of my furniture (small tables, lamps, pictures) every few months so I feel like I have new old stuff and feel refreshed. I keep most of it in the carriage house.
The Vintage Garden Girl @blogspot.com |
| crittergranny |
Posted - Jul 18 2012 : 11:44:10 AM
Well we just need to have a big ole huge swap. I mean we are probably the only ones who would appreciate and could actually use what the others have. The barter is nice but the postage is too much for most stuff. I don't think there are any farmgirls within 200 miles of me except maybe CJ. Oh well I'll just keep plugging along.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Jul 18 2012 : 10:55:43 AM
This is such a hard thing to do...so many things you think someday I might use so you get yourself in a trap of hanging on to them, putting them away & then years later finding them & wondering why you kept it...lol...I had to down size when we moved here 4+yrs ago...it was so hard...I gave up over 2000 books...which for me was super hard.........cleared out all my school (teaching) art supplies I knew would never get used down to just my silver smithing, stained glass & sewing........i went thur all the cook books ( had tons) & copied only what I knew I would cook/make or do someday........that said seems in just a little over 4 yrs I now have alot of stuff once again & since I am moving in the near future have to really down size my stuff...though I hate it the stained glass stuff will have to go, as well as all the doll house stuff I do for christmas charity..............so don't be surprised if you all see things in the barter section from me for the next few months...........Michele'
Chickens RULE!
hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com |
| Bearclover |
Posted - Jul 18 2012 : 10:11:21 AM
Glenda, with your antiques, what about an auction house. You won't get top dollar but you will get something. Short of opening up an antique store or selling stuff one thing at a time, you won't get top dollar anyway. An auction house may help you sell everything at once. I'm sure somewhere within 100 miles of you is a decent one.
Hope that helps.
Farmgirl number 3738
My blogs:
www.curiousorangecat.com
www.bunnyrose.com
My shops:
Handmade stuff http://www.etsy.com/shop/CuriousOrangeCat?ref=ss_profile
Fabric www.bunnyroseco.com
Not all who wander are lost.../
Plan to improvise |
| goneriding |
Posted - Jul 18 2012 : 08:19:32 AM
I'm starting to feel unwieldy too. The good thing, I can take my things I don't need and sell in my booths (I now have TWO!). So, now, I cast an eye at things, first thinking if I really need it and then thinking, well, maybe I can sell it! Win-win, as I see it. Actually, my focus has changed with my selling and the house isn't as cluttered, due to the selling. Another good thing, when people throw things out, I can rescue good items for sale, as in a big dog carrier, practically new, which hubby found in a dumpster. Sold that baby for some good money!!
My website:
http://twohorseswalkingdesigns.com
http://antlersantiqueswindchimes.weebly.com
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| Rosemary |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 11:15:25 PM
Deb, what do you see yourself being/doing when you close your eyes and dream? Pick ONE THING that will get you closer to making that a reality and give the rest away to people who would love to have the things you never use, but can't afford them. Then you will be happier for two reasons. |
| ruthie218 |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 7:29:34 PM
My craft room is very small and I alot of stuff . I am trying to down size but very hard because were going to move to an area that is very rural. So I have brought extra stuff to use when we move and it was a great deals. What to do.
Ruthie Ann
http://simpleindianagirl.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl sister#4072 |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 5:40:22 PM
I'm trying very hard to down-size. I'm having a major problem parting with my goodies. My husband is the one who is doing great with it. I would have never thought that!
I'm working on it each day.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| doll58maker |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 4:18:25 PM
Well, I have found my people!! lol I have the same problem. I have too much furniture but don't want to just give it away. I have so much craft stuff I am just overwhelmed and can't decide what to work on. I have a warehouse full of stuff that is either left over from when we had a business (desks, file cabinets, chairs, etc.) and I even have a large inventory of stained glass that I could not give up when I closed the shop and moved. I have so much stuff that I can not figure out where to start. I am in a little town that is full of junk stores. I rented a big portion of my building to....guess what....a thrift shop! I gave him tons of stuff for nothing. Still have stuff. What I don't understand is, why, every time I start a project, do I have to go buy something I don't have!!!!! I have books I can not part with. They say the difference in being a hoarder and a collector is organization. I have got too much stuff to organize it. Where to start. Well, at least I know now that I am not the only one out there. The problem is what you said, Laura, you have to give it away and even then they don't really want it. I have antiques I know are very valuable but how do I find out what they are worth and how to find a buyer for them. I just keep hanging on but it is definitely time to unload, I've already made up my mind to do it but now I have to figure out a plan. And on which crafts to work on and which to give up? I don't know. I have done oil painting, watercolor, pastels, acrylics, gouche, sewing, ceramics, stained glass, more sewing, drawing, journaling, cardmaking, knitting, crocheting, oh Good Lord...........I need to do Ebay and Etsy but the reason I don't is that I absolutely hate wrapping, packing, going to the Post office, for such a piddly few dollars on each thing. And that's after you've cleaned, photographed, researched, and written up and posted each little item. Is there any hope for me?
hugs to all my sistas
Glenda #3534
www.gypsyglenda.com |
| crittergranny |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 09:43:15 AM
You ladies have some good tips. I lost both of my parents, my Mom in 2006 and my Dad in 2008. We did then and still do now live on my Dads ranch and in his house also cause we moved in with him to take care of him. Anyway I have stuff from both of them who were not married for 30 yrs before they died, so there is 2 households worth of stuff + my own. All 4 of my children moved out in 2003 and 2004 leaving stuff and tons of homeschooling stuff. My Dad was also married 4 times and there is stuff left behind from all of his wives. My parents stuff also included all the stuff their parents had. I sometimes feel like the family museum curator. It is just so hard to sort this type of stuff because it has significant value. Not to mention the paperwork from the estate stuff and from my 2 businesses. I have my small home here and another cabin in which 2 of my daughters have moved into last Jan. Basically I just work through it and it helps to put a number in my head like say 12 and I put away or deal with however 12 items at a time. My nephew just moved back to the ranch recently too and he is helping me with some of this stuff. It doesn't help that we are so far from any kind of thrift store or anything either. I was brought up by parents and Grandparents that went through the depression and was taught to not waste anything and to recycle. So I try to find good "homes" for the stuff. I think I'm getting somewhere but like most of you ladies I only have so much time to dedicate to it. And it seems nobody wants used stuff these days, they all want new. Even get offended if you offer. Just so strange to me cause when my four kids were little I was so grateful for any old bag of clothes or especially homeschool books. I was so suprised when my kids moved out and I could not find anyone that wanted homeschool books. I ended up giving 11 boxes of them to a local church school and they didn't seem very appreciative at all once I brought them. Kind of hurt me cause they could have said no thanks. I still to this day wonder if they didn't just carry them to the dumpster. Probably about 2000 dollars worth of them. So anyway just sharing cause I know where you ladies are coming from. I will send up a prayer for you all, and please pray for me too.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 06:42:58 AM
Me too, Deb!
As far as "stuff" goes, I do a major reorganize and recycle process in January and February. I make aprons and sell them at Farmers Market and Christmas Bazaars. Jan/Feb. are my "down" months and a great time to do that. I go through craft supplies, fabric, etc.
As far as my life goes . . I'm in the process now of making some changes that are long overdue. I was talking with a friend just the other day about being to the point where I'm ready to do certain things. But because I'm a "senior" citizen I'm trying to not make any rash decisions that will be detrimental to our well-being.
I'm working on it too!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
the "Purple Thistle" http://www.ceejay48.etsy.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 05:26:09 AM
Deb, I am in the same boat. My girls finally got me to pick out some books to get rid of. I posted them on the barter, but no one was interested. I am going to donate them all to Hospice. There is a care center nearby that is in need of books for families that have a terminally ill family member.
I have sworn an oath to my husband (in a funny kind of way) that I will not buy yarn unless it is for a current project. I have a crafting journal to keep track of projects I want to do, so it will keep me from stocking up prior to finishing others.
I don't have a craft room or any closets in the old part of the house (that old of a house). I have one bedroom closet and it's packed with craft items. Prior to moving, I had a "craft" room. Here, no such luck. The clutter of it bothers me too. I try to do so many rows on a current project and read whatever magazine I can each day. However, it doesn't always work out.
On days like today, I'll have very little extra time. I have to water the gardens, even though we got rain 2 days ago, I have to harvest whatever is ready, possibly can more relish....you get the idea. Plus, the temp today will be very hot. That puts a damper on all my outside work. Hubby relies on me, as he works full-time outside the home, and works outside as well. When he gets home, he does not want to go back out.
I haven't been to my front porch lately either. I typically keep a stack of magazines there. I try to recycle them also, or give to schools or the kids for art projects.
With the girls painting the kitchen cupboards, I am trying to go around and organized all the drawers again. The kids are very good and keeping things neat and tidy.
I try to set an amount of time during one day. Sometimes, I set the timer and warn the kids to leave me alone so I can get it done. I tell them it better be blood, vomit, fire, etc. to ask me for anything. Then, I am able to gain some head-way on decluttering.
Good luck and keep us up to date. I posted some small projects I finished on my blog - the boot pile, the water jug pile up. Have fun and post some updates on your blog too. :)
Farmgirl #800
http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
From my hands: http://pioneerpatchworkhomespun.blogspot.com/
From my Camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pioneerwomanatheart/
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| princesspatches |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 03:54:21 AM
Just remember......"It's just STUFF"! Don't keep things be cause you MIGHT use them. Or you MIGHT do that project. Or you MIGHT need it it someday. I go through my craft supplies quite often and face the harsh reality that I will never do some of the projects I thought I would. So I get rid of them.
I figure if I ever truly run out of embroidery projects or a quilting project.....I get to go to the store and buy a new one. Or you will just make-do with what you do have. Amazing the creativity that comes from 'making-do'.
If you are keeping household items or clothes....my motto is "if it is in a box, your not using it enought to keep it. It's gone!" My kids and family love this lifestyle. We do not have cluttered bedrooms or closets or basements. The kids have a few very 'nice' items that they truly love and are very content. My hubby (he was married twice ----both were hoarders) loves living in a de-cluttered, simple home.
You can do it. Set aside a day or weekend and just do it. You'll feel great in the end.
Good Luck
Arttie |
| City Chick |
Posted - Jul 17 2012 : 03:52:02 AM
Thanks all. It's not just the physical clutter, it's all these things that I want to do, try, make. I think I need to "specialize". Find a couple of things I enjoy and weed out the others. Gardening, canning, photography are things I enjoy and will continue doing. More like simplifying my life. Make sense?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My new blog - http://citychickadventures.blogspot.com/ Come visit me!
Farm Girl #790
http://pinterest.com/debbie_s/
https://twitter.com/EllieFunt
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| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Jul 16 2012 : 8:51:37 PM
Watching "Hoarders" on netflix ALWAYS makes me want to declutter and clean... when I get the itch to do some deep cleaning, I just fire it up, watch for about 10 minutes, and suddenly there's no help for the abuse my trash can gets.
~*~ http://silverstarfamilyfarm.blogspot.com/ ~*~
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.”
~Erma Bombeck |
| melody |
Posted - Jul 16 2012 : 7:52:40 PM
You just have to wake up one morning and decide TODAY is going to be the day to de-clutter. It's an incredible feeling getting rid of stuff-We had a rummage sale a while back...the first in probably 5 or 6 years. Whatever we didn't sell (everything was marked really, really low!) we loaded up the van and donated EVERYTHING left on the tables to Goodwill.
You know....I don't miss any of it!
Melody
Farmgirl#525 |
| Emily Anna |
Posted - Jul 16 2012 : 7:08:45 PM
Ugh! I did that before I moved. It's a tough job to downsize. I came up with a list of questions like.....Have I used it in the last 6 months? Do I absolutely love it? Do I have a specific purpose for it? I think I had 5 questions. If an item couldn't be answered positively to, I gave it to Goodwill. It took a lot of pressure off. Good luck!!!
Emily |
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