Monday, March 01, 2010

Craft Room continued

I was flipping through Oprah's magazine--the one featuring clutter reduction--and came across a woman who buys cosmetics because "they're pretty." She has spent well over $30,000 on hair and make-up supplies. She vowed to get rid of 25% of her things, but only gave away 5%.

Anyone who's seen me at camp, or for more than seven days running, knows that makeup purchases are no vice of mine. However, I recently retrieved my cross-stitch database off our oldest computer and have been adding my new purchases--the stuff that was piled on the filing cabinet in this photo. (Oh, by the time I took the photo, I had shoved it into a basket. I had to; the big pile kept sliding off.) My project list has topped out at 413--that does include stuff I've stitched. I just never get rid of anything.

Fortunately, when I multiply 413 by $8 (an average chart price), I only hit $3304, which seems completely reasonable--especially when you compare me to the makeup hoarder. I have been collecting these things for twenty years, after all. ($165 per year. A lot, perhaps too much, but well within my means. She had to have her husband bail her out of $15K of credit card debt.)

If I were on Clean Sweep or Mission: Organization or one of those shows, they'd probably "let" me keep 25% of those projects. I'm considering getting rid of 25%. Unlike so many of you, though, I am hard on my charts. I travel with them. I write on them. They're still perfectly usable, but I'm not sure anyone would pay for them. And I don't want to trade because the last thing I need is something in return! I'll think about this more and let you know what I decide. (Suggestions welcome.)

In other organizing news, I found the perfect baskets to hold my in-progress stitching, my kits, and my finishing pile. They're from Target's new re/Organize store brand. I unsuccessfully tried to find a photo online, but you'll be able to see them soon. I only have two more weeks* to get things in shape before my niece comes over.

*She's not coming for three weeks but we are taking spring break in Tampa.

11 comments:

Alice said...

Anna, your collection is perfectly reasonable! Way cheaper than hoarding makeup. Scary... I think there are a lot of pretty things in the world, but I don't feel the need to own them! I am hard on my charts too. I don't think anyone would want them. I guess you could just offer your used charts for a price that would cover postage. That would de clutter your space a bit and make someone else's day. I can't wait to see your baskets, I am a huge fan of containers.

Catherine said...

If you don't think anyone would pay for them and you don' want anything in return, you could try some type of grab-bag give away. Just a thought!

I'll have to check out those baskets from Target!

Catherine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
vee said...

There is nothing wrong with hoarding patterns says she who should delete her eBay account! I try to keep my craft room down to a dull roar, but empty shelves look unnatural to me.

Donna said...

Years ago on Mission Organization I saw them deal with a serious quilter. They had her deplete her fabric stash by 1/3. For every two pieces of fabric she loved, she had to find one she could let go of. I used the same technique when I moved in 2005 on my fabric stash (not my linen stash - two different things.) It was easier than I thought. I let go of about 100 lbs of fabric. And you know I didn't still need that red race car fabric I had purchased to make curtains for a 5 year old who was now 16.

Miriam said...

That's not so bad for a pattern stash, particularly over 20 years! Next question: out of the 413, how many have you stitched?

Charlene ♥ NC said...

A giveaway could be fun - maybe a sort of trivia game with the winner receiving the prize chart.

Anonymous said...

I think the grab bag would also be the least hassle. Perhaps you could group the charts by subject and have a sign up for each particular kind to keep it more interesting.

Mary in TN

Aussie Stitcher said...

I like that grab bag idea, but you would need to be compensated for the postage in some way.

Michelle said...

The baskets sound great. Can't wait to see. And I think getting rid of 25% (particularly the 25% you're not going to use) is reasonable. Maybe a giveaway? Although mailing could become a bitch on that if you have a lot.

Jenna said...

The problem with a giveaway is when/if you have charts that no one wants. LOL. So, you'll want to have a backup plan for anything that falls into that category. After all, one person's treasure...