Hi there;)
I was feeling like I’ve been neglecting this happy place and thought I’d briefly drop in.
I’ve been busy. A really good kind of busy.
I went on retreat with friends, aka Camp Runamuck. Nothing happened.
Not even bothering to unpack my suitcase I did a turn around to Whidbey Island with family. My heroes, brother-in- law Jeremy who is fighting ALS and sister-in-law Hallie had the best idea of renting a large house on the island where all of the friends/family support team known as Team Newby could congregate for the next few weeks. I’m sure nothing happened or is happening there either besides cow tipping and sunset watching.
I’ve also been tidying.
I can guarantee if you’ve hung out with me in the past few weeks, you’re either sick of hearing about me tidying or/and are also on the bandwagon. I blame Rachel.
Marie Kondo’s idea of tidying in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is simple. You bring EVERYTHING from one category into a room with you, touch each item and ask yourself, “Does this bring me joy?”
The author goes through the categories in a very systematic way. I kind of created my own, but she wants you to do it all at once regardless.
It starts with clothes, ALL of my clothes and me together in one room. Then it was books (easy) and on to the kitchen. I even brought out all the wedding bowls and platters so we too could be together in one room. Marie has a whole chapter on how to deal with gifts.
I hit the fabric relentlessly. Three mounting bins of it I purged. Obviously I’m now running out. Works in progress (WIP) got sorted and tossed.
The clear out was major, but then I stalled, mostly because I was thinking garage sale, IG flash sale, consignment shop or other ways of disposing of these ‘valuable’ items besides Goodwill, but the items were all still in my house, taking up room.
So yesterday I loaded it all up and made a whole lot of people happy at Goodwill;)
It felt so good to make this move and this dumping stage gave me the momentum to start again.
Next is paper.
I did a little warm up to this paperless life last night while watching the Sounders game.
Some of you might recognize your business cards here;) Because one index box apparently isn’t enough, I had TWO full of business cards and passwords to various sites that didn’t even work when I went to sign in. I know how to get ahold of you all, so out they went and my cute retro index box will now house the cards for my studio’s loaning library;)
Anyone else doing this? Any tips? Life-changing?
Just curious.
Happy Week Peeps!
Hi Katie,
So, I too, have the book and have been tidying. I was relentless with clothes, books, and fabric I did the kitchen in a minor way- need to hit it again. And then I hit a wall and haven’t been able to do the mementos or papers. It’s a psychic wall and I need to climb over it. I’m hoping this summer will be the time. But your post has inspired me! Thanks and enjoy the “Kondo-izing”
You’ll get there and feel so good!
You mentioned your brother-in-law and his ALS previously. It was interesting to see a photo of him–my, he looks so young. But I was amazed by his beautiful smile. He looks happy. He is very brave. How is the family doing?
I will comment in a separate posting about your ‘tidying.” It doesn’t seem right to have it here.
Thanks for your kind words;)
Re tidying. I read the book you reference and while some of it was useful I felt a lot of it made more sense if you were single and living in Japan where space is at a premium.
And some ideas just didn’t make sense. For instance, her vertical drawer storage. This only works if every drawer is full and then as soon as you remove an item the whole row collapses. It almost needs stand up dividers.
It is hard to get rid of things–and her section on gifts is helpful.
I don’t love all of my fabric–but some of it I need as filler.
I, too, have given away a lot of fabric–several times. I donate it or give it to a friend who re-distributes it to a variety of people/places. My only stipulation is that she not sell it! Value Village is a good spot or the Salvation Army thrift shop.
I gave away all of my Asian fabric, most of my batiks, and lots and lots of multi-colored prints. And I am ready to do a further purge. Selling it is time-consuming and really I don’t need the money. I try to buy more carefully but I have to admit that I sometimes end up purging almost new fabric. I am working on more careful buying but with so many fabrics not being reprinted I worry that I will miss something. Also, my taste in fabrics has changed, so what makes me happy before doesn’t work today.
I do like how you’ve organized your remaining fabric, especially having your prints and solids together. I considered this but ended up separating them. I may go back and follow your lead.
There is more than fabric to organize–zippers, thread, purse hardware, sashiko supplies, embroidery, leather, paints, dyes, batting, pillow forms, scissors, pins, needles, scraps, interfacing, rulers, mats, decorator fabric, silks, pressing etc. Let’s face it, quilting/sewing is a messy affair. And there are lots of small bits to corral.
Sometimes, too much fabric can be overwhelming. Too many choices make it hard to choose, but then sometimes what you think you need isn’t there and that is also frustrating.
What to do? Perhaps some of your readers have suggestions.
I enjoy your postings and look forward to more of them.
My life really did change after purging a TON of stuff as this author suggests. It is kind of magical! Congratulations.
That’s so awesome to hear. I’m waiting for the magic.
Fiesta teapots! Tell me they were in the keep pile. If not, i’ll send you my address! LOL
Your brother-in-law has a wonderful smile. What a beautiful family.
Someone at Goodwill scored the teapots. They are such poor design that they burnt your hand. Certainly not joyful!
Purge purge purge. I always feel more creative when I have less. It makes no sense, to me, but it’s always true. The extra weighs me down.
Re: Beautiful Jeremy and ALS: I have some very specific, realistic, positive comments to offer. I don’t know if we can be in touch other than this way. . .
I don’t think you’re alone in the less is more theory. I don’t want anything to go into the studio that won’t be used.
Dear Katie….I’m new at this game but have been a quilter for 40 years….life has changed for me as now im an amputee as a result of a horse riding accident 24 years ago…. Reading you post inspirers me to do what you have done… My sewing room layout has to change to accommodate the wheelchair as needed…. Look forward to you next post. ?Vivienne
Good work! I am just starting. However, my daughter who is a Minimalist and my granddaughter who is even more so have been on the bandwagon for several weeks. Diana is reading the book for the third time and she says that has gone deeper with each reading.
Hugs, Joan
Sent from my iPhone
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Hooray for tidying! I’ve recently read “The Happiness Project” and while it’s not the best book I’ve ever read in my entire life it has had an impact (a positive one). I’m looking forward to re-reading it! Good luck with your ongoing sorting.
I like clutter and found it tremendously liberating when I admitted this to myself, instead of feeling under pressure to be tidy all the time. I won’t be reading that book! (I’m not a blogger, just sew for fun and follow several blogs, including yours, in case you were wondering…)
I love sewing! You are so clever! Just wondering if you would like to visit my blog:)
This post was inspirational! 🙂
I ordered that same book by Marie Condo- then couldn’t wait for it to arrive so I bought in on Kindle! I haven’t made the progress you have but I AM getting rid of big boxes of stuff. I peeked at my stash- just could not do it! I did pull a few pieces to donate to a charity- probably about 10 lbs of fabric but I’m just not ready to let go of the rest yet. Maybe when it the rain stops……
My over achiever friend bought it on Kindle and read it in one night and started tidying the next.
Thanks for the book idea! I’m going to read it — at a point in my life where I need to simplify for lots of reasons but never thought about the “joy” it might bring?!!
Hope you read! You’ll love it;)
I love the tidying up book but honestly am afraid to start and it’s all because of the fabric. This is the third year for my fabric spreadsheet which just keeps track of how much comes in and out. I find that helpful but to get all my fabric in one room is an overwhelming and intimidating concept. Did you manage it in one day? I have been consciously sharing and donating all year and I still have more than I will ever use.
I never thought of mixing solids and prints and might just give that a try. I have a lovely glass doored cabinet and I would like to get all the fabric in it except for things I have already kitted.
I love having all the colors together. Even the solids;)
My daughter recommended this book and it comes at a perfect time as we are downsizing and moving from IL to PA. I don’t want to have boxes of junk to pile up and have to sort through so I am purging before packing and that feels great. I am stymied by my sewing studio so it’s still set up, mostly. I did put away some things to sell the house and they are in storage so I can’t purge them further. I have not finished the book but just knowing that living with less, as we have while the house was being shown, makes me feel more peaceful and calm. I do miss my books which the Realtor said should be in storage. I think it’s sad that to sell a house you have to remove all bookshelves but she must have been right since we sold it in one day and it is definitely bare.
Oh good that the house sold so fast! Good luck with the move.
I haven’t seen the book, but just did my closet : ) I don’t think I can get rid of bins of beautiful fabric. Perhaps the browns lol !
my friend took my browns. I bet she won’t use them either;)
I’m trying to tidy! Apparently my biggest problem is having time to do it. So, I’m not following KonMarie’s rules to a T but I’m working on it. I’ve had to divide my clothes into subcategories. I plan to just keep plugging away as I have time! Honestly tho my craft supplies (mostly fabric and yarn) are going to be last *if* I can even bring myself to do it. I organized it better late last year but I don’t think I want to get rid of much.
the time to do it in one swoop is definitely challenging!
I read that book and found it interesting. I applied the theory to clothing and got rid of about 50% of what I had. Very helpful but didn’t feel it worked very well for me in other categories.
Maybe you didn’t have anything to get rid of;)
love Marie Kondo, I’ve always been an organise, tidy fanatic but Marie has got me disposing!
me too;)
I may have to try this. I have a bit of a hoarding problem.
Haha, I think she has a chapter called “storage experts are hoarders.”
Lol that sounds perfect for me
I am so envious! I have got to get that book….your fabric stash is so orderly and beautiful. My creative side always sighs with relief when I do the tidy two step: organize, then discard! I’ve got to get back at it. You’re inspiring me…..
Especially come spring it seems nice to clear out and get ready for new colors and ideas!
It’s necessary to keep the juices flowing.
Okay so I just discovered you blog and I am in loooove. Photos are amazing. Would be amazing if you could check out my blog tooo xxx
Ooh I want this book! And the answer is ALWAYS charity over garage sales. I detest holding garage sales!
They always seem like a good idea until you think of the leisurely things you could do on a Saturday;)
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through Jeremy’s journey. My sister fought the ALS battle and it is not an easy one. She was diagnosed at 35 and died at 40. She always had a smile on her face and was so easy to be around. We miss her terribly.
That’s Jeremy too;)
Yes, Marie is my new hero. Life-changing. I think the greatest two faults of the book is that she doesn’t really address the creative lifestyle and tidying, and she doesn’t know what it is like to live with kids. Loved your post. Here’s mine on what I did with my library. http://pioneerperfume.com/2015/04/14/feng-shui-for-book-lovers-how-to-pare-down-a-library/
Inspired by your tidying to get my own slightly smaller stock of fabric in order!
Thank you 😀 TTS
So happy to see others wallowing in books and fabric! I’d love to tidy mine but I never have enough shelves for all the books and fabric is so difficult to organize. Do I file by color, patterns, fabric composition, purpose? I’m in a quandary!
Haha, too many choices:)
I’m so proud of you! 🙂 It really does lift a weight to give up those things that do not inspire us — that we hold on to just perhaps because we spent money on them. Your stash looks amazing and like you is very inspiring. I was just clearing out and organizing some more things today when I saw your post (it didn’t help that I helped to buy out the inventory at The Quilting Loft closing sales, lol). Happy tidying leads to happy quilting.
It’s amazing all the stuff I still haven’t gotten to. I just brought up the first box of paperwork today.
I hope you’ll come visit me in my new space;) I always enjoy your calm presence in my classes.
Katie
I recently went through my clothing and it feels so uplifting. And I know what you mean about taking up space…..I couldn’t wait to get them out of my house.
I just ran into someone yesterday that I wish I would have thought of to give them all too;)
I’m thinking I need to give this book to my sisters. LOL. I have a feeling they wouldn’t appreciate it. I’d like to read it though myself.
I love the “spark joy” book too, re tidying, and thank you for writing that you just took all your “no joy” fabric to Goodwill, because that’s what I’m going to do too, after days of looking at mine and thinking I should sell it. Trying to sell it was Definitely not going to “spark Joy”!!!
Just love your pictured 7th quilt zig zag quilt.Let me know if you wnat to sell it as i would gladly send you potage too!
Sorry. Got too excited. LOL. I meant to say want, not wnat ans postage.