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:
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.
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!
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.
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.
That's not so bad for a pattern stash, particularly over 20 years! Next question: out of the 413, how many have you stitched?
A giveaway could be fun - maybe a sort of trivia game with the winner receiving the prize chart.
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
I like that grab bag idea, but you would need to be compensated for the postage in some way.
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.
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...
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