:: clutter! your days are numbered… ::
Honestly, I haven’t been staring at my computer, working on my side redesign exclusively for the past week! lol. Saturday ended up being my self-imposed Computer Break (because I had been fiddling with the site layout too much. I must learn self-control in the area of tweaking little code snippets!). Instead I set to tackle the *dundundun-dun* Mess.
The upside of my compulsive antiquing/thrifting/yard saling/bargain-hunting is that I find some really amazing treasures that have proven to be very useful. It has fostered a greater resolve to not spend so much money, and recycle/reuse. The bad is that it gets to a point where the stuff starts taking over my room (and eventually my little corner half of the basement). Clutter depresses me. It chokes my urge to sew, create, or generally have anything to do with my room besides work on my computer, exercise, and sleep.
I took everything out of my closet, sorted, re-boxed, threw-out and bundled up to give away and sell. I went through all my papers and put aside large stacks of vintage ephemera to package (for the popular Vintage Paper Packets I sold out of last autumn!). Even my bed was pulled out, vacuumed under (the dust bunny population was not happy…). Now I just have to go through my fabric and clothing that is stored in the basement. That scares me! Not because there is so much (though there is…), but I tend towards keeping rather than getting rid of when it comes to old clothing. But what if I need it, you know, later?! is what the excuse is to resist the decluttering.
So, all this to say that in celebration of my newly-organized room and the new site, I’m having a little Springtime Giveaway!!! This little packet consists of a 1930s Vogue Guide to Sewing*, a vintage dishtowel embellished with openwork (teatime picnic, anyone?!), and a cd to while away the springtime hours (in this case, the Emma soundtrack, which I love!). Oh, and there’s a little goody attached to the outside as well…
* I must confess, this is in rather sad condition (it came to me that way), but I couldn’t bear to just toss it. I think it would prove useful for collage–or even tearing out the pages and framing them!
Comment in this post between now and Wednesday evening, and I’ll randomly draw a name on Thursday. Be sure to comment with your email (it won’t be published) so I can contact you if you win!
This week we’re going back into the 19th century with Vintage Monday! I love this illustration from the mid 1850’s; I mean look at the skirt’s flounces!! I sercretly harbor a desire to have a three-flounce skirt, only probably at a more manageable length (I am nicknamed “Casey the Klutz” for a reason…). And look closely: the flounces have stripes. Which is even better, in my opinion!
Thank you all again for your sweet comments about the portfolio site and blog–you all are such dears!
Posted on April 28th, 2008 to giveaway, inspiration, life, vintage inspiration.
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:: happy may day! :: »33 lovely thoughts to “:: clutter! your days are numbered… ::”
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:: clutter! your days are numbered… :: « elegant musings says:
[...] in this post between now and Wednesday evening, and I’ll randomly draw a name on Thursday. Be sure to comment [...]
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Jeannette says:
Hi,
The new site is coming together. I completely understand how you feel about not being able to work on your projects because of clutter. I will stop what i am working on and go to the spot that took my focus and just start. Then eventually I am back out shopping or have packages being delivered and i am back unfocused (lol). The new name is professional and will add more glamour. Keep up the great work.
Jeannette
jpettiford@nettascreations.com -
Christine says:
Gah, I know what you mean about sorting through fabric. I recently had to reorganize/sort through my stash as I couldn’t close the closet door in my sewing room any more. I finally got things situated and sorted, only to discover MORE fabric hidden away in my bedroom closet. *sigh* But what if I need it later?
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Tina S. says:
I still can’t part with quite a lot of my clutter, especially my fabric and books! I always have that “what if I need it later” problem!
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Leah says:
Oh I have exactly the same problem. I can’t focus unless I tidy up first. And the mess accumulates surprisingly quickly!
I love the new site/layout! It’s lovely.
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Eithne says:
I don’t know how you’re able to declutter, I’m just terrible.As soon as something goes in the pile to be thrown out I figure out a possible use for it!I’d love some of your clutter!
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blaze says:
Clutter definitely depresses me too. It adds so much un-needed stress! Way to attack it!
And it is very nice to have you back!
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Amy says:
Ha, I definitely know where you are with sorting through fabric! I attempted to reorganize my sewing area over the weekend and tried to act as if the many boxes of fabric/clothes didn’t even exist… at least there’s always next weekend!
I love the site redesign, by the way!
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Jassy says:
I want stuff! Ha, pretty direct, but I decided not to beat around the bush and also, btw, thanks for responding to my last email. I haven’t got the will to start working on clothes yet, perhaps when I have children to make them lovely smocked things. I still haven’t decorated my apartment, and I’ve been there a year and a half!
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MercurialMagpie says:
Oh, what a great idea! I can’t wait for the semester to end (I’m a full-time grad student) because on my list of summer projects is cleaning up clutter, sorting through, giving away. I like your idea of “sharing clutter”! Hey, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, truly.
Thank you for being so inspiring. -
oonaballoona says:
you have described EXACTLY what i wanted to do today… and, sadly, did not. many, many things conspired to stop me, least of which my own femininity. blast. tomorrow. for now i’m working on my musical swap
your new site is lovely!
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Renee says:
Congratulations on the big move and minimizing your stash! It must of taken a lot of work, but I am sure, totally worth it!
Looks lovely. -
Jenny-Rose says:
Oh I like free… :>
I love spring-cleaning and de-cluttering! Feels so good! I often think it’s really more fun to get rid of stuff than keep it. -
Janet says:
How do we always end up with so much stuff? I moved 10 months ago from having 1 room in a shared flat, to a 3 bedroom house all of my own, and it’s completely packed full of stuff already. I’m moving house in 2 months and I don’t know what I’ll do! A lot of days like you’ve just had, I think, and some painful getting rid! Well done you!
(you don’t have to include me for the prize as I’m in England, I just wanted to comment anyway) -
Bridget W. says:
Oooohhhh! Pretty!
It would be nice if I was one of those people who liked going through stuff and organizing, but the reality is that I like it better when other people do it much better! -
elizabeth of course says:
Ooh. how pretty. Things then had so much more class.
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Rosie says:
This post and the lovely weather outside my door should inspire me to do some cleaning today : )
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Lizzie says:
Hi, I just found your site and I think it looks great! Spring cleaning is good for the soul. Lizzie
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Laura says:
Hi, short time lurker here, I found you through my friend Anna (gracefullady).
Your new site looks great! I’ve enjoyed seeing your projects and been inspired to sew again by seeing all the fun, creative things you post. THANKS! -
Sue Cahill says:
I just went through my stash and tried to organize, it is so impossible. I kept finding things I had forgotten about and wanting to do something with them I couldn’t stay focused on the task at hand. Thanks for sharing with us.
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April says:
Your new blog design is lovely, Casey!
I’d love to be entered in the drawing!
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Erin says:
Hi! A sewing fiend friend of mine just sent me off to your site - I love the design. Congrats on all that clutter-busting!
I feel inspired to tackle my own clutter now, soon as finals are over. P.S. Love the picture of the books!
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Gillian says:
Wow Casey you have been industious! I have been meaning to have a clear out and a clear-up forever and just never get round to it! I know what you mean about mess stifling creativity though - it gets to a poing (very quickly) where I just can’t stand it anymore - particularly in my working spaces. I do hope you are well and thank you so much for popping into my wee blog!
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Sam says:
“Clutter depresses me. It chokes my urge to sew, create, or generally have anything to do with my room besides work on my computer, exercise, and sleep.”
Wow. I feel like you pulled that directly from my brain. I just finished doing costumes for our show at school, Beauty & the Beast, and haven’t been home at all so everywhere I look is just mess. But the computer’s not cluttered, so I’ll sit there. Or I’ll take naps. It’s been taking a lot to get me motivated.. senior year’s almost over! BUT now I have the fun and exciting and quite intimidating task of working on my prom dress.. ee!
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Mel says:
I’d love to win this competition!!! Love your website, thanks so much.
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Lorrie says:
Hi Casey! I love your new site layout! I would love to be in your drawing.
Lorrie -
Abigail says:
What a lovely, lovely prize!
Congrats on the decluttering and organizing! My room could certainly do with a good spot of that. The inspiration has been waning a bit recently, and perhaps a good spring cleaning would set things right.
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Donna says:
Your new site looks great, it works really well. I love the collage motifs and the typewriter style text.
I’m in the middle of some serious re-organising/de-cluttering just now too…should be doing that instead of blog reading!!!
This 1850’s dress reminds me of an image I found while going through my source images box, as soon as I saw it I thought of you…I must email it to you!
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Laura says:
There is nothing like a clear out/up. At least once a week I put something into a box to move on to a new home, I feel this keeps the energy in the studio moving and fresh. But I also have a pile of goodies that I know I should move on but can’t just incase the right project comes along! Happy Wednesday
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Annie says:
Oh this is so fun! You’ve totally inspired me to start on my spring cleaning :).
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Jennifer says:
I can totally relate about the clutter. It’s completely anti-productivity, and it gets me positively crabby. But when I have to start throwing stuff away, I have hesitations galore. I’m sentimental, so I have a hard time letting go of stuff. And yes, I do use the infamous “What if I need it later??” excuse on myself a lot too.
But it’s gotten better in recent years. After having to move from apartment to apartment every year, I’ve decided that being on the minimalistic side has its perks. -
jo says:
i’ve been on decluttering mode lately, it’s so liberating!!
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laura says:
i hope i can still participate! i have no idea what time it is where you live. (:
decluttering is something i like, too. i’m just about to move and i’m happy to have a good reason to sort things out now.
