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Post by jenn on Sept 11, 2011 15:32:33 GMT -5
I read an article in a house magizine (can't remember the title), but it was about East meet West). This couple had a home designed that was small and stunning. They have a koi pool, one room and a bath, kitchen and an open living space that blends the living room dining area, and a home office. They wanted a place they could live forever... not an oversuffed home with clutter. No massive tv - just a quite place to reflect away from the busy San Diego lifestyle.
So do you ever wish that you did not have so much stuff, noise and clutter in your home. Just enough to meet your needs and not one thing more?
Maybe I am getting old, but I feel like downsizing the clutter (even SB stuff - especially dies, stamps etc). I envy their home.
Jenn
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 15:47:08 GMT -5
It's not "getting older", Jenn! I believe it's the occasional realization that "less is more". Every so often, I'll get myself in gear, and work on a drawer/a shelf/maybe even a room, and ask myself, "When did/will we ever use this?", and get it (whatever "it" turns out to be) out of the house as quickly as possible. It does help to have the motivation (even momentary) to do this!  |
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Post by craftygirl on Sept 11, 2011 15:59:41 GMT -5
I saw that article too. I get in purging moods too and try to declutter. It is easier here. Several charities actually drive vans around and pick up your donations curbside. I love that and usually have a couple of boxes every time. I try not to fill the house back up again, but I don't seem to be that successful. There are days that I would like to get rid of more, but then some days, the little things with sentimental value bring a smile. There are definitely times when Less is More.
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Post by Cat on Sept 11, 2011 16:11:18 GMT -5
Jenn, I know what you mean.....I have Wilton pans from when I decorated cakes years ago. Why I'm I keeping them? I thought I might use them again......I'm not going to use them....they are just clutter........I need to get rid of them. Thanks Jenn you just helped me to make a decision.....  Cat |
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Post by jenn on Sept 11, 2011 17:34:54 GMT -5
Cat,
I was thinking the same thing about all the dies that I will never use... especially the 4 by4 dies and exclusives.
Jenn
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Post by craftygirl on Sept 11, 2011 18:06:13 GMT -5
I think it feels good to get rid of things that you are going to use, too. You get free space. If you give it to someone else you get to make them happy. If you sell it you get some money. We have growing teenaged boys, so lots of clothes, books, movies, toys and such to pass along to new homes.
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Post by Cat on Sept 11, 2011 18:12:58 GMT -5
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Post by Basketlady on Sept 11, 2011 20:50:24 GMT -5
Ha! I'm standing in the corner with Cat.
I just moved a month ago and this house is double the square footage of the Boston house. It is bigger than we need, but we wanted to live in this particular neighborhood. But I have to say, I LOVE having more room. We all have space now and aren't on top of each other. I don't have to watch the Disney channel if I don't want to and I've found that there's more places to put things, so there isn't as much clutter. I LOVE the lack of clutter!
But I am getting rid of a bunch of the kids' old toys and clothes. I'm finally ready to let go of some of their stuff--I've given up on the idea of any more babies. I'm past the sadness of that and am now purging!
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Post by Cat on Sept 11, 2011 23:10:57 GMT -5
I have thought about; mind you I said, "THOUGHT" of getting rid of some of my larger fonts that I rarely use. But you all know if I got rid of one it would be the one I needed on the next project. I just can't justify getting rid something I can use or might can use at a later date. I'm a scrap supply hoarder / collector I admit it..... . I have an addiction to card making and maybe even scrap booking given a little more time. {Susan I have never bought / collected stickers so I can't share.....but I would if I had any} I read once ..."A well lived in house is called a home."  After more than 28 years in our house I would say it's well lived in. Cat |
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Post by luv2scrap on Sept 11, 2011 23:44:50 GMT -5
I like to think of it as re-evaluating your needs and reorganizing your life. I got rid of so much when we moved and still am finding things as I unpack to add to the give away boxes. I think it is a life cycle.  |
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Post by crazy4pink on Sept 12, 2011 0:36:05 GMT -5
I have a hard time letting go of things, especially gifts other people (husband, mother, sisters, etc) have given me. I get into the purging mood but then the sentimental side showes up. Plus, I see the money that was spent on the stuff and I think that holds me back from letting go of it. We did get rid of soooo much junk when we re-modeled 5 years ago. And I totally loved the space left over on the shelves and in the drawers. Now we try to limit our purchases to what we need. Except for scrapbooking! I need it all, as long as I can fit it into the space.  Cindy |
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Post by jenn on Sept 12, 2011 6:47:02 GMT -5
I guess that after all the upheavel and stress of the last few years, I am craving a quiet well ordered space. I finally realized that I will never be a scrapper... I make cards enjoy it, but I will never scrap... after all it has been 7 years since bought stuff with the intention of starting. So maybe it is time to get rid of the stuff I will never use and stick with cards.
THat goes for books I will never read, stuff that I do not use.
Maybe it will be the start of a less stressful life?
Jenn
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Post by craftygirl on Sept 12, 2011 8:17:03 GMT -5
Jenn
It seems you know the answer that would work for you. It seems you aren't going to use the stuff and would feel better without it. You could find it good homes, which makes me feel better about getting rid of stuff. There is an article in this month's Woman's Day about organizing closets and de-cluttering. It might help you. And I think you could apply to your whole house and space, not just the closets. Good luck!
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Post by sbartist on Sept 12, 2011 8:45:24 GMT -5
Since we plan to move into a much smaller place (probably more than half the size we live in now which is about 1400 sq ft), we have been purging and selling stuff. I have already gone through my SB stuff and gotten rid of stuff I didn't think I would need that is just taking up space like stamps (never could get the hang of them), most of my Sizzix dies (I did keep about 5) and other scrap supplies just collecting dust, like the Epic 6 which I was able to sell.
I broke my Revolution and I am not going to buy another or send it out for repair. My Slice just bit the dust, but I did buy another, because I don't own a Cricut and I had already invested in Design Cards which don't take up much space.
Unfortuately (or fortunately), I keep adding to my QK collection.
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Post by luv2scrap on Sept 12, 2011 12:04:40 GMT -5
Jenn, Take time to really think about your decision and if it is still the right one for you GO! with it. I gave up many of my crafts and let go of all the books and supplies I had except for some of my quilting things that I am putting in a box to give away. I always thought that my DD may be interested but have came to face the fact that she isn't a craft person and now I have more storage space. |
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Post by jenn on Sept 17, 2011 11:22:52 GMT -5
Jenn It seems you know the answer that would work for you. It seems you aren't going to use the stuff and would feel better without it. You could find it good homes, which makes me feel better about getting rid of stuff. There is an article in this month's Woman's Day about organizing closets and de-cluttering. It might help you. And I think you could apply to your whole house and space, not just the closets. Good luck! Actuallt, this is what I do for a living - declutter and organize homes, but after doing it for a living, I have no energy to do my own home.  Jenn |
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Post by midmiscrapper on Sept 17, 2011 11:38:24 GMT -5
I *try* to do this de-cluttering you speak of every so often! It feels good when I'm getting it done, but it just seems to be a never ending task in my home.
As far as de-cluttering the scrap area....I've done that too. Now, no doubt I still need to narrow it down more, but I just evaluated what I truly use and what I bought as eye candy. I sold my stamp stash ~7 years ago and focused mainly on scrappin. Now I find myself buying a few stamps here and there, but no where what I used to!
Pam
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Post by jenn on Sept 17, 2011 13:31:54 GMT -5
That is exactly what a lot of my stuff is... eye candy. I was looking at some new dies the other day and had no use for them, but thought they woukd be fun to own because I like looking at them. I have no room for eye candy.
Jenn
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qkmary
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Post by qkmary on Sept 17, 2011 13:37:55 GMT -5
Hi Jenn;
I have been purging and cleaning also. My inspiration is watching Hoarders on TV. Then I look around at the crowded closets and purge much to Steve's dismay at times. I had these beautiful oak bookshelves which were not the right size for holding my 12x12 scrapbooks. I got rid of them and got the small Expedit from Ikea and the difference in clutter look is amazing. The right furniture for your stuff does make a difference. Sometimes it is not what you have but how you store it.
I have things that I know that I will never use in this lifetime or the next. However, as you found out first hand I am a scrapbooker and not a card maker. I have to confess I keep going through the 18 foot stack of paper and giving away that ugly 10 year old paper that I had to have 4 of; because there never would be anything better come out. I have sold a few QK shapes, but will not sell any of my Alphabets. There are a few cutesy dies that really need a new home, but.....I know I could/would regret. (Like selling my witch die).
I know you like to make cards. So I say go for it. Just don't get rid of something you will regret later on. I make an occasional card but I use my scrapping stuff so for me the two are same product crafts.
I have a small house which I regret buying to this day, but it is what I have. Someday just 2 hundred more sq feet would be nice. I think our world has to much clutter and noise in it. I just thank god everyday that I have what I need to survive. I put a small garden in this year and had a blast growing my salad veggies and felt so much better thought wise about the world. It helped me realize that if you take care of what you have, you won't have time to worry about what you don't have. Then what you don't have will not matter.
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Post by AnnaMatrix on Sept 17, 2011 15:00:18 GMT -5
Such wise words, Mary! I've done massive purging of my studio for a consignment sale (going on this weekend) at my LSS... Yet, I still have lots more I could get rid of - just ran out of time to gather and price it!! But the sale's an annual event, so I'll start my collection for next year!  It's funny that I have no trouble purging other areas of the house - if I'm not using it, I want to donate it so that someone who needs it will have it. My studio - I definitely suffer from the "eye candy" effect!!  Unless I REALLY don't use/like it, it's hard to part with... This aquisitiveness and greed for creative supplies leaves me feeling guilty at times, but I try to do my best! I rationalize that I'm helping Dani's business, that I need a wide array of materials for my work - I have a million of 'em!! Gail |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2011 15:44:58 GMT -5
Well said, qkmary! I should print out your reply and post it in every room in my home...as an inspiration to purge a bit more! |
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Post by luv2scrap on Sept 17, 2011 19:58:35 GMT -5
This post has now got me purging more. This week we gave away so 2 book shelves, 2 garage/basement storage shelves, a bed frame and head board , books, Cd's DVD, VHS Movies ( yes we still had a collection we never watch ) , 2 rocker recliners that we kept just in case we needed extra seating in the L/R that were just taking up room in the Men's Cave making it more cluttered, a set of table silver and saving pieces we got for wedding presents that we never used as I don't like silver, it's just more work in a busy life, toys I was saving for my grandchildren except a few. Not a penny for any of it just found a new home. There is more to go. Once we get all the pictures and mirrors up that we are going to use in this home the rest is going. Then lastly my craft room.
I feel so much better and some of the rooms are so much bigger looking and now I almost have storage for everything we decided to keep.
Thanks Jenn and everyone else for the motivation.
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Post by jenn on Sept 19, 2011 6:50:14 GMT -5
I feel better now. I am going to get rid of the eye candy dies. I wil never miss them... neber used them and often wondered why I bought them.
Hi Mary!
Jenn
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