YES….I am a craft hoarder….. there….. I said it! It’s been driving me balmy for weeks, no, months now…..and it’s sucking all my creative juices dry….. I know I have a bad habit of collecting things like a bower bird…..just in case it will come in handy…and I can never find it when I need it anyway….and when I do discover it, it’s like having something new because I forgot I even had it… ….and I put things off ….and off…..and off……(c’mon….let’s be honest…you know what I’m like so you know what I mean!!!!) And I
have been trying to address this over the past few months with subscribing to organisational newsletters and printing out lists and diaries, doing procrastination workshops….the 21 day change-your-behaviour program…...reading so many self help books it would make your eyes bulge…….you name it, I’ve done it. Hence you will have noticed my spasmodic posts and blog hopping since before Christmas……this has really been getting me down, so on Friday, I went and had a chat to one of my bestest buddies
Jen ……you know, the type of friend who will be brutally honest with you without being hurtful and who will help you discover what’s going on inside the good ol’ grey matter without even trying…..just by talking like great friends do….better than any therapist, I’d say!!!!! And she reminded me of the parable of the Ant…..who could lift his own weight, and who could build huge anthills but just took it one grain of sand at a time…..bit by bit……slowly slowly, without self-criticism, without self-loathing, without condemnation until before you knew it, the anthill was built. Well that was enough to get me started………I have been dreading going into my craftroom that is bursting at the seams as I just didn’t know where to start…..so I did just that……started…..one grain of sand at a time…….
..without self hate (even though there were a number of times I felt like chucking it in, because I just didn’t know where to move ….) so I started small and kept positive….you’ll notice the plastic containers on the cutting table…….my first attempt at organising the masses…..that’s stuff that was coming out of the white cupboard that just isn’t functional as it’s too crammed….so that went into the garage to store other garage-y ‘stuff’. .
Without self criticism, even though I don’t like what I’ve created and what that’s made me feel like ….. I can’t bear to get rid of the many MANY magazines I’ve collected over the years…….(well….they cost too much, don’t they??? and I love all of the ideas ….that I rarely get to see, mind you, because I can’t get to them!!!!!) see where I’m going???? I’m on the right path….I can’t get rid of them just yet, but they’re moving to a new home until I’m ready to part with them….the umbilical cord is being cut….slowly slowly…….
Without condemnation…..even though the teetering piles of goodies often fall to the floor…..they have been moved there from the white cupboard that has been removed as a temporary measure, until I relocate the mags and add some new shelves where the cupboard used to be…..(see?? Plan in action….one grain of sand at a time!!) I’m getting somewhere!
Now you probably can’t see much difference yet as it’s still a work in progress, but the sewing machine has been moved from the cutting table to my new sewing machine table (which is now at the right height for sewing…aaaaaahhh!!!) and my ironing pad and drawers are below where the shelves will be (where the old white cupboard was.) So please forgive me for my tardiness and inconsistencies of late, but I’ve had to come to terms with who I really am as opposed to who I would really like to be…(a super organised, neat and tidy designer who has it all under control) ….AND be content with it…. I’m the ant…..one grain at a time!!!!! I’ll be back tomorrow with signups for FNSI and photos from our first Monday sewing group day for the year!!!! xox Sugary hugs :o)
..without self hate (even though there were a number of times I felt like chucking it in, because I just didn’t know where to move ….) so I started small and kept positive….you’ll notice the plastic containers on the cutting table…….my first attempt at organising the masses…..that’s stuff that was coming out of the white cupboard that just isn’t functional as it’s too crammed….so that went into the garage to store other garage-y ‘stuff’. .
Without self criticism, even though I don’t like what I’ve created and what that’s made me feel like ….. I can’t bear to get rid of the many MANY magazines I’ve collected over the years…….(well….they cost too much, don’t they??? and I love all of the ideas ….that I rarely get to see, mind you, because I can’t get to them!!!!!) see where I’m going???? I’m on the right path….I can’t get rid of them just yet, but they’re moving to a new home until I’m ready to part with them….the umbilical cord is being cut….slowly slowly……. 
Without condemnation…..even though the teetering piles of goodies often fall to the floor…..they have been moved there from the white cupboard that has been removed as a temporary measure, until I relocate the mags and add some new shelves where the cupboard used to be…..(see?? Plan in action….one grain of sand at a time!!) I’m getting somewhere! 
Now you probably can’t see much difference yet as it’s still a work in progress, but the sewing machine has been moved from the cutting table to my new sewing machine table (which is now at the right height for sewing…aaaaaahhh!!!) and my ironing pad and drawers are below where the shelves will be (where the old white cupboard was.) So please forgive me for my tardiness and inconsistencies of late, but I’ve had to come to terms with who I really am as opposed to who I would really like to be…(a super organised, neat and tidy designer who has it all under control) ….AND be content with it…. I’m the ant…..one grain at a time!!!!! I’ll be back tomorrow with signups for FNSI and photos from our first Monday sewing group day for the year!!!! xox Sugary hugs :o) 
25 comments:
Sugary hugs back at you Wendy. I completely know what you mean. I have a whole 14' x 16' hobby room devoted to me and my crafting, and it is stuffed to the rafters. It is so full that I bring things into the house to work on them. I too know about not being able to find things when I need them...so I just go out and buy more. Because it is a shed outside, I will be waiting until spring and nicer weather when I can remove things and rearrange them before bring them back in. In the meantime...I will work inside. Congrats on all achievements, however small they may appear. You will breathe more easily as you go! xox
Oh the damage we do to ourselves with critism and self-loathing !!! One grain, one pile at a time. Many times the hardest part is just getting started. You have made a wonderful start. Contrary to what you see, I see a huge difference. And now that the hill has begun, you just keep going. Re-organizing is like dieting: it didn't take one day to get where it is - it can't possibly take one to undo it again. Congratulations on your success thus far. You can do it and you will. Give yourself a fair chance. Love'n'hugs my dear friend.
We all have to start somewhere - and you have started - that is - as you say - the hardest part of it all.
Good Luck with it all...
Oh sweetie! I know what you mean - I am the WORST at hoarding craft items!!! I got through MOST of my sewing/quilting items that were out in the lounge room at the end of last year, but I still have a heap in my room ... and then, yes, there are all the magazines, lol! And not just quilting mags!! I have YEARS worth of 4 or 5 different cross-stitch mags!!! My problem is that I see one pattern in the mag that I love and want to make ... and then I've decided it's a keeper :) Doesn't matter whether I loath all the other patterns or not, lol! ... Keep at it honey!!! I'd come and give you a hand if i could ;) If you need someone to chat to while you're going through it all to get your mind off the sheer enormity of the job, just give me a call luv! Would love to help out there :p Lol! Hugs!!! xxx
You are being a wonderful ant, Wendy, one little step at a time. That is one of my favourite help lessons, better than any program, book or whatever. Keep at it, you are achieving and you will reach a place where you are content - Jen will keep encouraging you and will see the progress each time she visits you. I have been quite concerned about you as I noticed how quiet you had been around the blogs, so it is good to know you are ok and moving forward.
Take care my gorgeous friend. Cant wait to see you - in only a few weeks now. YAY !!!
Big loving hugs. xxx
You are doing well Wendy, just one grain of and at a time..
That's what I need to do. And be brave and get rid of some stuff too.
A great tip for craft magazines is that if there is just one or 2 projects you love.. cut them out. Take a razer blade and remove them from the magazine and pass the rest onto someone else. Put the pages you want into plastic sleeves and a binder. This not only helps cut down on the clutter, but makes finding the patterns you want much easier.
I have also discovered that when cleaning out craft supplies that I am a bit attached too, it helps to be giving them away to someone you know that will use them. Usually I will give old things to the goodwill, but it's much harder when you have a bit of an attachment.
Oh Wendy, love your post...we are all in the same boat...I like to think of it as - I want my friends and family to remember me as a clever, fun and crafty person - not a neat person (how boring). I let my room get messy and then I do a tidy up then I let it get messy again...a bit of yin and yang....xxx
Good for you! One step at a time for me too...
Good work on getting started. I think all crafters are hoarders in some shape or form. It's in our nature.
I must admit when I saw the title of your post I thought there might have been mention of chocolate cake or something like it in your confession. However as I scrolled down I saw pics that seemed vaguely familiar to me ... OH MY GOODNESS!!!! THAT COULD BE MY CAVE!!!! Except, and I think you'll be pleased to hear this, mine is nowhere near as organised as yours. Yes, sadly for me I am talking about the 'before' shot. We've said before how alike we are Wendy girl and now I see it more and more LOL. I salute your resolve in posting pics and I thank you too as you are giving me the nudge of encouragement to tackle my own creative space. You're absolutely right my friend ... I too will conquer this HU-NORMOUS job 'one grain of sand at a time'. Thank you for sharing dear one ... and if I'm feeling brave I might even post a before shot of my own ... perhaps, maybe????
Love ya!!!!!!!!!!
xxx
I'm also a crafter/hoarder!!! Just like a receipe in a weekly mag, I cut out a pattern remembering the pattern sheet! & either pass them to the Op shop or recycle bin if many have been removed....just like a weekly mag!also keep "cedar balls" in magazine/book files to keep the silverfish away!! cleaning out my sewing room has been this weeks project, its nearly finished as I also could not find things I know I have. Its a nice feeling when its finished. Good luck!!!
Go the ant!! You've already accomplished so much, honey...proud to be your buddy. {{{love ya!}}}
Jen
xxx
I'm so proud of you Wendy and I know that you will get there with the sorting and tidying. Just breath and take one step at a time. Big Cyber Hugs X
I am in the process of re-organizing my quilting room...our rooms look so much alike, but add a longarm to the mix in the middle of the room!!! Since I quilt for others, I am trying to quilt as well as organize at the same time! I'll be an ant with you!!!
Thank you Wendy for your honesty. It sounds like a lot of us are the same way! I am tackling my room at the moment . Jenny was right to compare verse about the ants, .it continues on with ..." Be wise"" which you have now passed onto us thru your post .
it can be hard sometimes finding that middle line of having what you need and keeping stuff we don't.... but there is also nothing wrong with keeping things that we don't need simply because we like them.... the other line which is wobbly is having a space that we can create in versus too much stuff around to be able to do it... Just don't beat yourself up...xx
You are doing brilliantly Wendy; well done on the progress so far! Xx
Great job Wendy!!!! Great friend Jenny!!! A good sort out does make you feel lighter on the inside too. Just starting is definitely the secret.
So happy for your steps to chaos freedom! We shall journey together.
Glad Jen was able to show you the way. Good luck with the rest of the tidy. xx
Gotta start somewhere. This looks like my room at times
Glad I am not the only one who hoards crafty stuff!!! I have been having nightmares about where I am going to put things when the container arrives.. in my dream I decided I'd better start a shop because I have too much, lol!! xxx
WendyGirl - what a burden you have been carrying in your heart & seeing with your eyes every day... I hope you can feel the gigantic hug I am sending your way... thank you for being so brave & sharing this with your readers...
I definitely agree that more of us operate in a mess than would ever admit it... And it's such a hard thing to find the balance between acquiring patterns/mags/fabrics etc, & then actually making something lovely with it... I think most crafters would agree that they have more of the 'stuff' than will ever actually make!
Yoda Jenny is right, the ant philosophy, or the "rome wasn't built in a day" idea - just do a little at a time and do always remember to acknowledge the good in each small step... it will take some time, it seems you have a cheer squad supporting you all the way!! x
This post touched me being a natural hoarder myself. Once you have made up your mind to declutter, it does get easier, but as said, is slow. My declutter has been a 3 year process and it took a health scare to kick start it.
You will get there!
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