Hoarding - Springing Ahead

whitewing

A few years ago I went on a scrapbooking course with my friend. We were due to make an actual scrapbook each. I made the cover (badly) but never finished the scrapbook itself. I never actually finish anything in an actual lesson anyway that's practical. This has been sitting in my cupboard for years, never completed, and is the wrong shape and size. So I have binned the front and back cover. The pages had eight by six inch photos on it - decent photos but not ones I would want to particularly keep as we have copies anyway. So I have made the photo pages into telephone notepads, and they look great.

I also had some 12*12 scrapbook paper that I won't use as the pattern is too big. I was going to give it away but I have realised that it will be perfect for wrapping books, dvds and cds. As that is what DH and I get for each other, I shall be able to use it up. So I am pleased about that.

I have chucked some very old artificial flowers. The modern ones are so much more realistic and they were grubby.

Ames

I've not been on for a couple of days but I have been (slowly) decluttering amongst dealing with emails and abusive phonecalls.

I'm dreading dealing with the scrapbooking (and knitting and other craft) drawer and box. Magazines are slightly higher up the list, I'll be asking for advice when I get to them.

GQ, I like the idea of the 'lost or stolen' test. I've got to about page 70 on the first hoarding thread and I've been using Jojo's 'get rid of a body or fight off zombies' test and one of my own - I'll be moving house fairly soon and so I'm asking 'is it worth paying someone to move it into the new place?' and treating everything as the one item that pushes the man and van over into another hour.

I used to hoard vouchers too. I had a Harvey Nicks one for ages, that was 'too special' to spend. Eventually my purse got stolen with it in. What a waste.

Lobbyludd, I have a problem with damp and mould too. I'm in a long thin flat, the lounge has two outside walls and the other's attached to an empty flat, and the bedroom has three outside walls. I do my best to keep furniture off the walls, but it's not really possible. It needs proper ventilation but who knows when the council will get round to it. Add in no heating and that ost of the windows don't open and it's impossible to keep on top of.

I've just about got the bathroom sorted. I've just got one small basket to sort through (in reality I suspect it'll just all go straight to the bin). I bought a long power extension cable today so I can put an electric heater in there. It's a small room with two fans for ventilation so perfect for drying clothes. I've done it before but by running a shorter cable across the hallway from the only socket in the flat that's at chest height. Not only a trip hazard, but having the plug join hanging at waist height is dodgy as anything. The new one can lay along the floor flush to the wall (or as flush as I can get it around the crud). I think if I can get that all set up I can get my clothes sorted through and thinned out. Which means that a lot of the bedroom will be sorted out almost without having to do anything.

Sadly though, that's not all I bought...

I got a pack of jumbo microfibre cloths as the old ones are seriously manky.

I got a pack of flannels to replace the disgusting ones that I've thrown out from the bathroom.

A pack of purple bin bags to use for clothes for the charity shop so I don't get confused with rubbish.

A cheap set of kitchen knives so that I can throw away the old rusty ones, which I daren't use so don't do things that need knives...

A pack of new knickers. Hopefully when the constant laundry/bathroom gets going I'll find plenty and wont need to buy new anymore. Although I've dropped a couple of dress sizes so maybe not.

And a book for my book club. I've pulled out three to CS without even having to look hard, and need to find another three. I want to buy two books for research for a writing project, so that'll be three in and six out.

I know I said earlier in the week that I was going to concentrate on the lounge, but I think the kitchen will be next. I want to get the worktops sorted. The bathroom being done has given me a boost, and the kitchen is the next easiest to tackle. They'll also be the easiest to keep up to. And they're the most important for health and hygiene. I've moved my shampoo and stuff into the bathroom - it's easier to wash hair in the kitchen sink than the bathroom one because it's bigger, but I think having the rooms for the right purpose will hep with the mindset of hoarding.

lobbyludd

great going Ames, it's ok to change plans as you get further along - I did bathroom and kitchen first too and I'm leaving the knitting/fabric/craft things until last - as that is emotionally hardest for me, and frankly there's enough to keep me occupied for a while before i get there! just trying very hard not to add to them and when I need a craft treat finish one of my many ongoing projects rather than start a new one.

mould is a terror ds is asthmatic and it sets him off so I'm constantly en guarde.

your purchases are fine, just remember to release the things they are replacing

I am very happy to have repurposed a lot of stuff this weekend to make our home fit our lives, rather than buy new, and have to get rid of old. I've finished a lot of things I've been holding onto bits and bobs for, so the "left over" can now be released. Some of it is simple things like hanging pictures, other is more complex but still took much less time than cleaning round and churning the stuff from here to there.

Ames

I was quite proud that I didn't buy more. I was in B&M and they had loads of cute storage options. I usually buy them thinking they'll help me tidy up, but they just add to the clutter (something I wouldn't have realised if it wasn't for this thread).

For instance, they had a nice little set of drawers that would be perfect sat on my desk for rubber bands, paperclips etc.

I don't have a desk, just a computer table with no space left.

The last little set of drawers committed suicide by jumping off the ledge they were on and were last seen slipping out of sight under the computer table.

So the last thing I need is another little set of drawers. When I've given the old one a burial (in the bin), and cleared space for a new set to live safely in, then I can get them.

There were other things too, oh so many pretty little jars and containers. Which is partly why I'm doing the kitchen next, as I'm sure I'll find lots of pretty jars I'd forgotten about. And if not, when there is space and an identified need, then I can buy more.

I nearly got tea towels too, but I think some will be unearthed in the next day or two. Again, I can buy them later if I need them. They're hardly an item that's about to disappear from the shelves!

I forgot to mention, I also bought chocolate. But that's not going to be hoarded for long...

I agree about craft stuff. I went manic a few years ago and decided to open a home made jewellery store. I have loads of stuff left (the idea bombed fairly quickly), but some of it cost quite a bit. Hopefully when I've got rid of the worthless crud I'll have time and space to ebay the craft stuff, even if it's just in bulk lots, and get back a little bit of what I spent and let it have a new lease of life instead of languishing in drawers.

Life would be so much tidier if crafting weren't so addictive, and full of pretty things... (am I the only crafter who's bought stuff then decided it's 'too pretty' for anything but a really special project?)

GreyQueen

:T Great going, Ames!

Having a move looming on your horizon is the best possible reason to declutter, isn't it?

My block of council flats consists of tiny 1 bedroom units. Each flat is 240 sq feet. To help you envisage, the largest room is 9 x 12 ft, the kitch is 6x 6, the bedroom has about 4 feet of floor not covered by a standard double bed and the bathroom is about as small as a bathroom could be and hold a suite. The door opens 90 degrees before smacking into the WC.

Life at home is accompanied by frustration and lots of sidling. And that's on the good days..............:rotfl:

Given that all the flats are equally titchy, you'd think that no one would be hoarding but it's amazing what you see when people are on the move. And you typically see it because they fly-tip it. I mean, 40 black sacks left in a pile?! That's almost enough to fill the bedroom. People really had that much stuff they didn't value enough to take with them? And bulky things like broken clothes airers. I barely have room to keep a working one.

Errmm, don't want to insult your obvious intelligence but, if I understood clearly, you're planning to put an electric heater in your bathroom on an extension cord to dry clothes? This is making me a bit anxious for your safety. I have to talk to our chief electrical engineer a lot at work when a conversation with a tenant had thrown up what sounds like an unsafe practise.

You're risking an electrical shock if have the electric heater anywhere where there's water, and most higher wattage appliances shouldn't be used on extension cables at all; the instructions to the appliance itself should tell you. IMO, a trip hazard from the cabling could be the least of your worries. Please be careful, pet, we don't want to read about you coming to harm in the newspapers.

Today's cunning plan is to pootle on the web for a while (am still eating breakfast) and then get cracking on the bag where I keep hoarded gift wrapping papers and tags etc. Will be sure to find some stuff which can go. Why, I even managed to get rid of some pretty off-cuts of sticky-backed plastic the other day.

And I do know exactly what you mean about too-good-to-use craft materials. I have this issue with some papers and also with paints. Because the paints were expensive and I didn't want to waste them on a project which wasn't 'worthy'. So I kept them and when I found a 'worthy' project, they'd dried up and were completely unusable. 100% wasted - doh!

lobbyludd

(am I the only crafter who's bought stuff then decided it's 'too pretty' for anything but a really special project?)

this is me and fabric , I have loads, bales and bales of the stuff (I do sew a lot, but not enough!), there is a lot that is too good to cut into unless I find the "perfect" thing to make. I do understand how daft that is.

roundtuit

:hello: Hello.
I'm still here and stuff is still slowly leaving the house or being put where it belongs. And it is getting easier - although I haven't actually started on any of the 'hard' stuff yet.
Christmas 2013 and 2012 are being unpacked - don't think DS will need to buy shower gel/body spray for the next 5 years or so . I did have a 'moment' with some packaging - a really sturdy box, very nicely decorated, but with a useless flimsy see-thru lid. Oh that box did look like it could be used for something.....but with no lid???.... it's in the recycling bin :A. If I find I need a pretty box some time further along the journey I'll buy one, yeah? :cool:. Deep breath...
My friend sent over a meal on Thursday - and was in shock when I returned the washed crockery yesterday!!!! Plus I gave her a bath foam and body lotion set that I'll never use. :T
My goal for the weekend is to replace the lightbulbs in the hall and landing as I'm now tired of counting the steps in the dark to make sure I don't break my neck


In fact I'm going to do it now:


Step 1
replace lightbulbs
feed birds
recycle 5 plastic bottles
load WM


Back soon
Rxx

noelphobic

I went through 3 drawers and 3 shelves on my living room unit yesterday. it's still not in great order but a lot better than it was. Lots of wrapping paper and gift tags and I also have some in the dining room and some in a plastic drawer in the spare room. I'm going to put it all in the spare plastic drawers. That way, when a birthday is coming up I can go straight there and not end up buying more because I can't find any.


My son moved out months ago and still has stuff here. I've been putting stuff to one side for him to go through. I found some PS?Gameboy etc games and he didn't want me to throw them out because they could be worth something (which I doubt!) I've told him that he either gets rid of them, takes them to his flat, or, if he insists on keeping them here they have to go in the loft. I've been busy with job applications and he's been busy with his uni application so not done anything with them yet, but going to box them up for the next time he comes. I know he hates the fact that he hasn't been able to bring anyone home for years so he has a vested interest in sorting his own stuff out so I can get on with my own!


I've also got loads of paperwork relating to his bank accounts. I opened most of them for him when he was little but the paperwork is in such a muddle that we're not even sure which accounts are still open. Some of them were getting really good interest but the rates have dived to next to nothing so he needs to sort that out, especially if he does end up going back to uni, as he will need all the money he can get.


I've got a hospital appointment tomorrow morning and there's a recycling bank just around the corner from there. I can't remember what items they take but will try to put some books and clothes in the car. If they don't take them there I will leave them in the car until next time I go somewhere that does. If I get a charity bag through the door in the meantime I can always get them out and donate to them.


I've bought a few items of clothing lately, mainly in the hope of getting one or more job interviews. I have got rid of a lot of clothes over the last 6 months or so but need to get rid of more.

ginnyknit

Morning all. Sounds as if everyone is doing well :j Some greats trides being taken mentally and physically. Im another craft hoarder but I do spend ridiculous amounts of time housebound because of hubby so am crafting hours on end. My enforced retirement meant I could stock up and so far it has actually worked well for me as I have made a lot of DGs's necessities from birth and gifts for the last 4 Christmas's with very little outlay.

Off to check fleabay as latest bits are up today :T only a few pounds but always useful for my one debt overpayment. Then I can start moving boxes into craft room and find all those things I have lost in my bedroom.

whitewing

Not only do I buy 'pretty' stuff for non-existent future projects, I also buy a lot of stuff for a monumental project that I don't have time for.

So having made loads of gift tags, I have now found 4 packs of plain cardboard gift tags that were to be used for my friend's grandchild's birth, She is now approx 8 years old. I don't know yet whether to give them to nursery, or to decorate them and use them as part of a mother's day hamper for mil. The latter probably. Either way, they will not survive in this house past the summer.

I also have an artist's carry case that is empty bar a couple of parchment craft tools. I was encouraged to buy it by my friend who I now realise is more aspirational (and better off) than me. It's one of those things that promises to be useful, and even opens up very nicely, but somehow doesn't fit with the kind of stuff I do. I know I should give it away, I hear myself thinking that I should give it away but it seems that it should be repurposed. I just found myself thinking about whether I could fill it with sweets for my brother, but he doesn't need sweets.

Actually, I have just had an idea. I could use it for MIL's mother's day hamper of stationery, and fill it with things that DD and I have made. It will work well and keep it all together and then she can get rid of it when she doesn't want it any more. Yes, I feel pleased about that now.

I also found a load of very pretty half-made parchment craft envelopes. I was making them, with cards, as thank you notes for my wedding years ago, but ran out of time (as I was way too ambitious with the card design). I am going to finish them off and make some simple but beautiful notelets and they can go for Mother's day too.

DD's aunt is moving house, so we ought to make her some cakes this afternoon. I want to make more effort this year to mark occasions - the thought is always there but doesn't always get translated into reality.