Working For Space

When I walk into my crowded junque/fiber/guest room I feel completely overwhelmed and a craving for space seeps into my soul. The only way to find open space is to dig through the mess, decide which items to keep, which to toss, and step by step, build my different space.

Where to start, how to start on this desired path is difficult, but this is the direction I must go. Decisions must be made as to whether something is a treasure or an albatross. The rule is to donate or dump and every day something will leave this room, small or large, something will go. (For instance, why do I still have that old iMac and 50% of the books?)

I’m starting in the closets, sorting through binders of old patterns, piles of discarded projects and detritus of the last 10-30 years. In the end, my hope is for a few empty shelves, a room with open space, no clutter, a new peaceful space to spin, knit, work, read and enjoy (and maybe even sit).

I'll keep you posted.

Comments

[Jennifer]

Margene - I'm also doing a big cleaning project and it feels so good to purge. I spent 7 hours cleaning my basement on Monday and am scheduled for more tomorrow. Good luck with your cleanse. Just think how much you'll enjoy your craft room when you're done!

[Jane]

Thank you for having the courage to show us your space. Mine looks the same, but I live in a studio apartment, so it's also my living room. I'm going to try to join you in your project!

[Alison]

I'd quite like to play, too. I could make excuse upon excuse for the state of my studio - but the truth is, the pigs would be offended if I called it a sty. I do need new storage (not just the remnants from the rest of the house), and I probably can't do much about it until the new year, but one thing a day: that, I think I can do.

[lisa]

Wow, what potential there is there! Did you see the Harlot's re-do of her tiny room? She made a wall of shelves, I think from Ikea. You pretty much have that going on... I keep thinking I should do something in our tiny room (nursery? sewing room?, it's about 6 x 8 or so, 2 doors and 2 windows. My knitting books and mags are all elsewhere, but it'd be nice to have it all in one spot. Maybe when I'm over this nasty cold I'll join the effort too!

[Joyce L.]

We've been doing this for our whole basement, to make room for a new bathroom to be built. The bathroom is now finished (and beautiful!), and the basement looks roomy and good. Then two sons moved out in September, and one of the bedrooms will be my new space. It's so nice you are showing us your space, and we can see the progress along with you. Thank you for the inspiration!

About the books on the sidebar--some of them have no stars. Is it because you have not finished them yet, or because you didn't like them as well?

[Manise]

I am so with you on this and need to do the same.

[Carole]

I'm coming to visit when my room is ready for me! Go, Margene!

[Beverly]

I've got my usual mid-semester chaos going on, and I finally realized that I need to purge in order to have, well, order. I'm thinking of donating the knitting/crochet books that I rarely use to my library. If the books are there, I will still have access without having them taking up space on the shelves...

[Kim]

We must be on the very same wave length! I just told Ken yesterday that I am going to toss 50 items every day (ala fly lady style) until I feel less burdened and paralyzed by "stuff".

xoxo

[Knitnana]

I think we ALL have this problem...unless we're the sort to buy just enough for one project and stay monogamous to it until it's done! (and I don't know too many of us who do that!)

Thanks for helping me see my own *mess* I think, since my holidays will be somewhat quiet, I may spend them doing my own redo.

I'll be looking foward to seeing your efforts develop!
(((((hugs)))))

[Brenda]

The work of cleaning out a space can be a slog, but it's so worth it in the end. I love the feeling of taking charge of my space, having a peaceful, roomy place to enjoy. And, extra bonus of knowing where every item is so you don't have dig through the mess to find the one thing you are looking for.
We're planning on doing the same to our entire house, one room at a time, because we plan on selling in the spring. I have the entire winter's projects mapped out. Hopefully I can stick to it!

[Vicki]

Now that our activities are going to be less outside and more inside, it's time to whip our spaces into shape! Mine's on the list, too! Good luck, Margene -- it'll be a lot of work, but so rewarding in the end.

[jennifer]

holy books! did you know that you can take your big load of books to golden braid and they will give you store credit for the ones they want and donate the ones they don't? I always had a credit there which came in very handy for gift giving!
good luck digging out :)

[Susan]

I think that room has replicated itself at my house! Maybe if you clean yours out, mine will feel guilty and clean itself.

[Alison]

Thanks for showing this. Mine looks the same. It's the books I find hardest to give up. If you have any special decision-making criteria, please let us know.

[Judy]

I DO hope Susan's idea works, and that it becomes epidemic. It is a brave thing you are doing.

[Marcia]

Brave woman! I won't show my "fiber room" to my closest friends and relatives! Not unless I throw all the stuff into the fiber closet
first! Mine has a huge computer desk, a treadmill, and a never-used electronic piano. Plenty of bookshelves, but they are filled with books on the Civil War. WTF? I'm afraid to open that closet door, by the way. Inspire us....show progress pictures!

[Laurie]

Oh, thank goodness...you have a room that looks just like mine. LOL! I need to retool, too, and probably use the basement...but the basement is much, MUCH scarier place. Eek.

[Cheryl S.]

Is that a hank of yarn, or a long red wig? It feels so good to de-clutter.

[Cayenne]

Oh, good job and good luck! I love organizing. It's one of my favorite things, so ironically I'm a little jealous. It's such a satisfying task. That room looks like it has great lighting and will be a wonderful fiber retreat.

[Sharon]

I think the secret is just to stop buying "stuff!" VERY hard to do with all the beautiful yarn and patterns out there. Organize.. then knit from the stash--I need to take my own advice!!!

[Shelley]

Wow-what a mess, looks just like mine!

[linda-kay]

Now thanks to all of you, I know that I'm not the only one! lol There must be something in the air because I feel the same way. Yearn for order in the chaos! Margene, please keep us posted on your progress! It will help provide some of us get motivated! :))

[Elaine]

Now *that's* a project! But it's doable!! Honest! And you can do it. Take it in bits: an hour at a time, a surface at a time, a corner at a time, 15 minutes at a time; whatever works. Be ruthless! Pretend you're moving/downsizing to a studio apartment... And then, when you've accomplished this monumental task (feels like it, doesn't it?) VOW, absolutely VOW, that for every one thing that comes into the room, 2 things must go. Not necessarily the same type of things, but 2 of anything. Trust me, it works. Can't wait to see your progress!! Good luck, and have fun!

[elizabeth]

This is a big task, but you'll feel so much better when it's done! I was looking around my son's room and it needs a purging too. There are things he never plays with and never will again and they don't have to go away for good, just to the attic. I need to push him on that this weekend!