A thank you, an apology and some wrap up!

Hi gang!



Thank you, ALL, for participating in this challenge.  It has been super fun and, well, challenging!  It is clearly called a challenge for a reason.



I need to apologize for falling off the face of the planet at the end of the month.  I was *really* sick for about two weeks, missed 5 days of work and spent most of my time sleeping. I know many of you also had some health challenges as well - so I am assured to be forgiven.



Finally - let's wrap this this up!  I'm really interested in hearing feedback from folks about how you liked the challenge.  Is it something you'd like to do again?  What suggestions would you make about it?



How do folks feel about running it via a blog?  Would you rather just have an email group? 



I have learned a lot throughout this process.  And, I'm committed to doing MORE!  So anyone who wants to do this again - or even a modified version of it - lets connect and figure out where to go next.



I told you there would be prizes.  And there are!!!!  Winners will be announced via a separate post.



Much love to you all!

final craft room sweep

20 paintings, sculptures, drawings
1 stack receipts
2 playbills
1 set play-doh
2 books returned to their owners
15 erasers
1 shirt
1 pillowcase
1 spool wire
1 router
1 pr scissors
1 tube glue
1 pkg ink
34 pens
1 bottle suntan lotion
1 paintbrush
1 toy
1 stack gift cards
1 stack articles
1 stack journal/notes 2009-2012
1 stack ruined printing paper
1 pad vellum
1 notebook
1 set placemats
3 spools thread
2 bottles ink
1 stapler
1 calculator
1 $10 check for 2007 poetry reading
=80 things

more with the craft room

Hurray! After 6 months, I finally put up the new shower curtain, and got rid of the old one. And I cleared out the hanging mail sorter in the hall - got rid of 1 year's worth of acupuncture receipts. And threw away a jar of "intestinew" that I tried 2 years ago - it only made things worse.

I also went through 2 plastic tubs of materials from print making class 6 years ago, and got rid of:
1 stack of cards, notes, ticket stubs
1 guitar pick
5 paintings
1 sketch
box of tampons
1 set of patterns
1 pile of ribbons
1 package dried out sculpey
1 box of mints
1 bag of glitter
1 bag of wood shavings
1 pad palette paper
1 chapstick
1 pile of card stock
1 resume
1 novel draft
3 article printouts

= 26 things

Pretty soon I'll be done with the craft room, and move on to the basement! (so scary...)
Happy Friday!
-lisabeasta

Craft room clean up

This challenge is such a great motivator!
Sorting through all of my fabric scraps and getting rid of the list of things in this post took about 1 1/2 hours - so much less time than I had anticipated.

Okay! I've gone through more of the craft room yesterday and today, and threw away/gave away:

1 burlap coffee bag
1 set of pipe cleaners
1 package tulle
1 bag of onion bags (I thought I would use these for texture in clay...)
1 bag of ribbon
1 bag of quilting scraps (in the category of "string too short to use")
1 tongue depressor craft from my nephew
1 sound proofing sample
20 maps
1 stack of cards/notes/tickets from Paris
1 box of chocolates from Paris (3 years ago...)
1 CD
1 paint tray
1 sculpture
1 terrarium
1 palm pilot (circa 1999)
1 sansa disc player
6 calendars
1 whistle
3 magazines
1 bag scrap fabric from abandoned project
2 pr worn out gloves (1 driving, 1 welding)
1 abandoned knitting project
4 skirt linings
1 dish towel
1 unraveled scarf
1 ripped dress
2 patterns that didn't work
1 worn out wallet
1 music box from inside toy
1 tshirt
1 worn out sheet
1 heating pad liner
1 abandoned monster project
1 bunch felted knitting swatches
7 sweaters that did not felt
2 pr trimmed jeans legs
2 bouquets flowers
=77 things
Which brings me to 443 things.
I gained 5 new things over the last few weeks: (2 books, 1 painting, and 2 shells)
So, a net loss of 438 things.

Today is the 23rd, so I think I should be at 276? And I think the end goal is 496 net. But I don't know if I can keep up with the pace for the rest of the month, so I'm purging whenever I have the time/energy/inclination.

A few more days...

Hi! Just got back from vacation.
Today, 1/20, I got rid of 24 things:
8 photos, 1 i-pod mini case, 1 pkg valentine's pencils, 1 sheet expired stamps, 1 pkg expired lactaid, 2 notebooks, 1 pkg post-it flags, 1 calendar, 1 pile of receipts, 1 pile of business cards/addresses, 1 pile of notes, 1 pile of greeting cards/letters, 1 pile of postcards, 1 pile of artist cards/brochures, 1 year of loose leaf journal entries (2012)

I've been away for a few days...
on 1/16 I purged my office a work and got rid of 42 things:
10 pens
30 postcards & notes
1 plug to speakers I threw away 6 months ago...
and 3 files

on 1/15 I purged my office at work and got rid of 15 things:
3 files of old policies
3 files of old negotiations
1 binder
1 box of binder tabs & sleeves
1 database file
and 1 box of empty folders

I can't seem to get the notes from my other days straight, so here's the whole shebang for the last few weeks:
one day I purged my desk at work, and got rid of 28 things. I cried over the trash can, thinking of old friends I miss...
3 xmas ornaments, 1 poster, 1 pkg candy canes, 6 tiny buddhas, 1 set faded Mad Man magnets, 1 strand mardi gras beads, 6 travel magnets, box of office supplies (tabs, paperclips - returned to supply room), 3 lanyards, 3 old hand creams, 1 bottle old nail polish remover, 1 broken charge cord, 1 mouse toy

Another day of purging at work, about 32 things:
3 drawers of files (about 30?), 2 boxes of tea.

Purging the kitchen, I got rid of 12 things:
6 mis-matched tupperware, 2 leaking water bottles, 4 phone books

And purging the craft room, tossed 41 things:
6 boxes, 1 book, 1 map, 5 pieces driftwood, 3 feathers, 1 plastic doll, 1 slinky, 1 broken clock, 1 set drink decals, 1 pair of jeans, 2 game pieces, 1 pkg envelopes, 3 hooks, 1 bunch pussy-willow, 1 jacket, 1 painting, 1 glasses case, 6 picture frames, 1 gift bag, 1 bunch business cards, 1 bunch ticket stubs

On a trip to Goodwill, I donated 74 things:
56 books, 4 frames, 1 stuffed animal, 1 change organizer, 1 wax scenter, 1 xmas ornament, 2 toy cars, 4 vases, 1 teapot, 1 teacup & saucer, 1 dress, 1 box gift cards.

I think that brings me to 366 things so far... (I don't think David is officially participating anymore, but he's very supportive.)
Good night!

CAJ: A long overdue update!

Hi all,

Sounds like we've all been having a challenging time this past week or so...

I've had some interruption with some health stuff (which is now all fine!) and I know a few of you have also been dealing with health issues of your own or with family members.

However, I'm pleased to hear that everyone is still motivated to do what they can - when they can!  As mentioned in a previous post, it is progress not perfection.

I had to do some major catch up since I was out of town for a few days...  so here you go!

I got rid of:

32 pieces of jewelry
2 irons
1 printer cartridge
27 books
45 plastic containers left in the garage by a previous roommate which the landlord said can go out with recycling.
1 oversized cardboard box in the garage
1 metal tray
1 plastic file box
3 old notebooks
1 ream of printer paper
42 pieces of clothing, towels etc... some trashed, some donated
2 glass candle holders
2 old phone books sitting on the front porch that no one else bothered to throw away either
1 foot spa
1 child's flashlight

The trash and recycling are out and everything else is in my car.  I'm heading to Goodwill shortly to donate.

If anyone is counting...  that was 157 items.  :)

Also... I had 57 pieces of junk mail that I recycled the other day and 16 miscellaneous kitchen items that I forgot to write about.

So it the course of a week's time I got rid of 230 items!  Holy Cow! If I were really counting that would cover me through January 25th.  But I'm going to push myself to have a daily routine this week and get rid of the designated number of items each day.

We'll see how it goes!

CAJ: Progress not perfection....

Hey gang,

Wow!  What a busy week!  I am so far behind in giving you updates.  My apologies.  :)

Here is a super quick update - more to come.

Day 7 - 7 books which I brought to my work book swap shelf.

Day 8 & 9 I recycled fifteen Ms. Magazines I have had since college, plus two lids to plastic tubs for which I keep thinking I will match the bottom to the top, but that hasn't happened.  Out they go!

Days 10, 11, 12 and 13 are all covered by getting rid of makeup items.  Some old - to be thrown away and some brand new which are not my style/color but were free samples which I'm giving to a friend who has said she will enjoy them.

I am bringing those to her RIGHT NOW so that they are out of my control/possession immediately.

Tomorrow is the 13th - and my goal is to identify those items before I go to bed tonight so I don't have to think about it tomorrow.  I'd like to be about 24 hours in advance on this rather than 24 hours behind.

How's it going for all of you?