Times they are a-changing round here as both girls will be at school in September and I have a new job which I secured last week. I am going to be working two days a week as an english and maths tutor for apprentices while continuing my other two days delivering courses for families in schools in english and maths too.
There won't be as much time for crafting so I have decided to have a life clear out. What will I actually have time to do? How will I be able to do family and work? These are both questions I am asking myself at the moment so the first thing to do is to par down what I have in the house - less stuff means less tidying and more head room, right?
Over the last two weeks I have sorted the yarn down to just good stuff. All scraps have gone as reported. Today it was the turn of the fabric drawer.
I kept a range of lining for skirts.
I bagged and sorted two quilt packs, one in red tones...
and one in blue/green tones...
I chose the usable fabrics for clothes and quilt backing.
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| Three cottons, brown corduroy, ribbon edged, cotton gingham, ribbed jersey,white cotton, stretch cotton, spotty cord, grey jersey, sage cord, red viscose, blue shot silk, green suiting. |
I kept a bag of felt bits for applique.
I kept an unusual group for making a messenger bag I have had my eye on for a while - but I don't know when, maybe I need to collect a few more bits yet.
I bagged up other projects already cut out with their notions.
Then I placed them all in the drawer under the bed.
My attention then turned to clothes. I got out every item of winter clothing and made a selection of the ones I would wear AND which went with other things, then recycled the rest. The same with my summer ones. Then the same for the girls.
It has all been so liberating. Six bin bags of 'stuff' is leaving our home for either the tip (grrr) or recycling in one form or another.
So The top floor of 'Three stories High' has been done. Let's move to the next level shall we, physically and emotionally...
Thanks for sharing my life changing moment. Lots of encouragement is needed this week I think. Love Jo xxxx
Congrats on the new job and the having a good sort out, I really need to get control of the clutter around here.
ReplyDeleteClare xx
What wonderful news, congratulations on your new job well done. Well done on de-cluttering that is always hard. Enjoy the 'ME' time while you can.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your new job Jo, what a great challenge. When you are done with all your house, could you please drop in at mine? Cx
ReplyDeleteWell first of all congratulations on your new job, I hope that it goes really well and that you enjoy it. I hope that your youngest enjoys school when she starts too! It sounds as though the sort out plan is going really well so far, it is so much easier to do it when you are on your own and you can just get on with it isn't it. I know that it is annoying throwing things away totally, but better out of the house if they are not needed or useful, and if they are for the tip you probably can't or won't use them anyway, and the other things can go to the charity shop and will be well received I am sure. Also, don't beat yourself up too badly about the tip things because an awful lot of that is recycled too! I am sure that you will do a great job with it all, and when you are done and ready to do some crafting you are all set now, just pull out the bag for the project you want and you can get started, that will be lovely won't it! Have a good week and remember to take some time to relax at the end of each day! xx
ReplyDeleteVery impressed by your clear-out. Sounds like you are planning well for your life changes. Yes, I struggle with sending fabric to the tip too, even clothes that are worn out.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new job Jo, and I wish you the very best with it, as well as for all your preparation at home towards the transitions that the near future holds for you and your family :)
ReplyDeleteYou're doing a wonderful job of organising and I admire your skills greatly; all of this will certainly make the next weeks much easier for you. It's a step at a time isn't it - enjoy each one, xoJoy
Everyone needs some time to themselves to sort out things both mentally and physically. I am so glad you are using this time to do what you need for yourself. It sounds like you will have a lot on your plate once school starts up. I am so happy for you with your new position, well done.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
I'm completely with you here Jo. Mr K and Little Sis went on a road trip last week and I took advantage of having a really good sort out. Friends were saying I should take advantage of my 'me' time and get out and do something more glamorous but four bags to the charity shop gave me a lot more head room. They're now back and I still haven't finished the big 'sort out' but it has certainly been therapeutic. Well done x Jane
ReplyDeleteBravo, Jo! I am excited for you! This season of your life reminds me of when my youngest daughter started kindergarten and I began working as an elementary teaching assistant...a job I thoroughly enjoyed. I admire your thoughtfulness as you launch into your new schedule. I am cheering you on as you say "yes" to the most important ways to spend your time and "no" to those that divert you from being most productive and content. xx
ReplyDeleteI agree that clearing the decks is very therapeutic. I'm always amazed at how much there is to get rid of even though I consider myself quite a tidy person!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new job! And well done in embracing the imminent change with some de-stashing. Nothing ever stays the same, does it?
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations on the new teaching job! Yes you will be very busy in September and a great idea to get organised ahead. I don't know why clearing out makes us feel so good but it does! Just being able to find everything in busy mornings really helps! xx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jo. I am sure you will enjoy your new job. I think a life clear-out is a terrific idea and you did very well with yours.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Big changes, exciting times. And you'll start it all off with a wonderfully organised home, hooray! Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased for you Jo. That's exciting news. And you've cleared up so much stuff too. Keep at it.
ReplyDeleteYour family will miss you too and will love being back with you soon.
Congratulations on your new job Jo :-) It might be a bit of a shock to the system at first but you'll soon find time to get crafting, where there's a will there's a way :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the CK bag, I'm sure you can make one just as lovely x
Oh, how exciting! Huge congratulations on your new jobs for September. I can just imagine how satisfying that big clear out must've been. I always feel better after a big sort out, tidy house, tidy mind and all that. x
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