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?

ANJ My first 6 days...

Hi All,

I've started the cleaning challenge as well although I don't know how often I'll be posting my progress.  I'll do my best! January is a perfect month for me to do this project.  I'm always ready to declutter after the holidays.  Here's what I've purged during the first 6 days:

1 bag of sippy cups (why I still had them in the house? who knows...)
2 broken Christmas ornaments
3 worn out kitchen utensils
4 socks with holes
5 STACKS of magazines/catalogs (approx. 50 issues in all)
6 expired items from the fridge

So far I'm ok with decluttering.  My bigger challenge will be getting the kids to part with some of their items.

That's all for now!

CAJ Day Six: my PICKS! (See what I did there?)

Hey there kittens!

Yesterday was a long day and I didn't get to my items until the very end of the day.  However I did manage to get rid of a bunch of junk mail.  It was more than 6 items and I had my roommates witness it to keep me honest.

Side note: It is kind of funny how my roommates try to "encourage" me to push the envelope (so to speak).  When I shared that I was counting the number of pieces of junk mail I was purging, G-Man inquired as to whether or not I should consider a PILE of mail as an item - as opposed to separate items.  It is a good thing I'm making the rules for this challenge!  Quite frankly, the amount of paper and junk mail that I have accumulated is what is going to save me from going crazy on day 31!

Since my mail bin is in the foyer this counts as my hallway/entrance section for the week.  For those of you keeping tabs, I had decided to do a different room/area each day for 7 days.

In no particular order they are:

1. Bedroom
2. Hallways/Entrance
3. Bathroom
4. Kitchen
5. Living Room/Dining Room
6. Junk Room Craft Room
7. Attic

I've done Bedroom, Craft Room, and Hallway/Entrance so far.  Today I will purge items from the Living Room/Dining Room area.  Most likely it will be books from the book shelf.

Hope you all are having fun with this.  I know I am!

LB Day 6 - cat toys and party favors

9 cat toys
1 pile of string
1 1/2 box of 2014 party crackers
1 broken water bottle
= 12

Goodnight, folks!

CK Days 4 & 5

Days 4 & 5

I sorted and donated excess mittens, gloves etc from my "winter hat & glove" basket.  Putting away the Christmas tree let me sort and get rid of broken decorations. Room for more next year :)

Days 6,7, & 8 are in a abeyance due to a road trip to deliver a daughter to school and a son to a job interview.

I will catch up when I get back.  Everyone is doing such a great job.

DCW Days 5 & 6

Over the past two days I've become convinced that Carlene should become a Life Coach.  She's clearly inspiring, motivating, and engaging the family and those beyond the family.

Yesterday, (well, actually, I planned it yesterday and executed it today due to my emotional clutter on Sunday), I removed 5 different types of items from the bathroom.  Banished from the house were 3 containers of old bathroom reading material, 1 bag of old toiletries, and 1 bag of outdated medicines returned to pharmacy for safe disposal.

Today I brought 6 outdated/expired prepackaged foods from the pantry directly to the outside trash can.

At the beginning of this adventure, I debated focusing on one place or being random.  I didn't intentionally decide on an approach.  Consequently, its become a random purge.  Some days I count single items, sometimes I count groups of items.  I'm focusing on being successful at this challenge on whatever terms I can manage at a given point in time.  Carlene asked me how I was feeling.  I'm trying not to think about how it feels, I'm just trying to focus on action.

CAJ Day 5, feelin' ALIVE!

Hi gang,

Today I was at an all day conference at which I had to present and I am totally exhausted!  Fortunately, I threw away some extra stuff late last night which I think can count for today.  My roommate G was my witness for my forward planning.

So for yesterday and today I threw away a HUGE pile of crappity-crap-crap.  Neither G nor I can remember specifically what it was but I can tell you a few items:

1) Folders of outdated paperwork from events & conferences.
2) A bit of swag someone gave me.
3) Stack of outdated bills
4) Old to-do lists

Additionally, I returned a few other out of place items to their homes. 

This means that the desk in the junk room/office/craft room is now usable by other people! 

LB Days 1-5

Saturday, 1/4/14 - signed up, with David!

We went through the magazine rack and liquor cabinet.

We needed to get rid of at least 10 things each to catch up.

22 magazines

2 six packs

2 bottles of unused cream liquors

1 cutting board

=27

- 3 notebooks for pottery class (I hope that I can maintain a trend of REDUCING the number of items in my home!)

=24

Sunday, 1/5/14 - purged bathroom cabinets!

This is a chore I've wanted to complete for years. And I stored the remaining things by their uses in boxes and baskets - hopefully adding to my time and sanity each morning.

David is cleaning the kitchen floor and living room rug today - so I'm more than happy to do his share of purging!

2 gingerbread house kits

1 Dick  Blick catalog

1 bag of old bags

6 bottles expired herbs

1 bottle beta fix (my fish died 4 years ago...)

5 old bars of soap

1 bottle 5 hour energy

1 "ripped freak" fat burner sample package

1 travel toothbrush

1 emery board

2 rusty razors

1 pr rusty tweezers

1 broken key ring

8 4-year old chapsticks

16 dried up containers of moisturizer

1 6-yr old bottle of face wash (burns my skin - why do I keep it??)

1 mostly used deodorant

2 8-yr old packages shaving cream

2 5-year old samples of face cream

2 1/2 packages dried out moist towelettes

1 1/2 package dried out shout wipes

1 1/2 package dried out cleaning wipes

2 1/2 packages feminine products

1 /12 package 4 year old Lactaid 

1 package dried out Listerine tabs

1 broken spray bottle

1 stained cosmetic travel bag

1 toilet chain - the wrong style for our bathroom

=63 items

total through day 5 = 86

DCW Day 4

Today, I focused on the area around my usual seat in the living room.  I filled 3 bags of stuff to just throw away and one mouse pad from conference swag.  The stuff consisted of broken swag, pamphlets, various plastic bits that might have been important at one time, a half-box of bendy straws, a broken mini umbrella, decrepit cat toys (or at least I think that's what they were originally), and a fair number of clumps of lint, dust bunnies, and cat fur (shed).  While doing this I also started a container for mail that I might want to keep (obvious junk mail got thrown away), things that belong somewhere else in the house (dishwasher, bedroom, bathroom), and returnables.  This way I didn't get (too) distracted by these other things and not complete today's challenge.  Now, we're all off to see The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug.

PC & WC Week 1 in NJ

Willa
Day 1- Dried flower bouquet.  Day 2 - 2 paperbacks to PO.  DAY 3- 3 Things of Science Kits.                
Paul
Day 1 - 1 Magazine, Day 2 - 2 Magazines,  Day 3 - 3 Magazines

Day Three.... Three Drawers cleaned out !

Day 3= Released into the Wild

Today I was not as ambitious.  (Taking 3 cats to the Vet in one trip is adventure enough. )  Consequently,  the purge was 3 books released back into the wild at a local Irish Pub.

CAJ Day 3 - three items and my strategy

Well, all this snow is certainly making for a lot of progress!

Today I got rid of:

1) An old notebook from 2003 which contained a random assortment of work related notes as well as a few personal notes.  The best part was seeing some of the "to do" lists in there.  They are not that different than my to do lists these days.

• Laundry
• Vacuum Car
• Clean Room
• Empty Fridge
• Grocery Shop

Am I the only one who needs to remind myself to grocery shop or do the laundry?

2) Three new to partially used bottles of hand sanitizer.  I never use the stuff - but I can't resist a freebie at the health fair tables they would have at my old job.

3) A bottle of conditioner which smelled funny and had been in my bathroom cabinet for a long time.

Additionally, I went through a book shelf and found 27 books to get rid of!  Since they haven't left the house yet I'm not counting them as any sort of item... But I think I will get it into the trunk of my car so I can drop off at the used book store after the snow melts and I can find parking in the city.

I started thinking some about my strategy and I think I'm going to try a room rotation for at least a week.  Here are my seven locations for the next seven days.

1. Bedroom
2. Hallways/Entrance
3. Bathroom
4. Kitchen
5. Living Room
6. Junk Room Craft Room
7. Attic

 I'll let you know how it goes!

Day Two - Two+ items

Last night almost got away from me!  My roommates & I were home due to the snowstorm and got caught up in a hilarious game of Scrabble.  The next thing I knew it was 11:48 at night!

Fortunately, my roommate G realized it and asked about my two items.  I quickly ran into the kitchen and opened the drawer of random weapons, implements of destruction, utensils and selected the following items:

The pink spoon is from a fro-yo place I went with my best friend. (I have a small obsession with spoons.)  The adorable clear plastic spoon is from powdered medicine which my acupuncturist gave me. (Did I mention my obsession with spoons?) The two blue cups are from the tops of medicine bottles.  They weren't mine - but roommate B said I could recycle them.  No one knows what the red thing is.  The spatula device was just weird and no one has ever used it.  The shaker top to the spice jar was one of those items that "I might have a use for later." We are unsure what the silver scoop thing with the pointy edges might be.  (An eye gouge for small animals?  A mean melon baller? G suggested it was a zester. Any thoughts?) The other metal clamp like thing was also purpose unknown.

So there you go!  More than two items.  I'll be curious to see how many folks throw away *more* than the days required items during these earlier days.

I will say that when I woke up this morning I thought about the little clear plastic spoon.  I had a small pang of missing it.  Are you wondering why I have an attachment to spoons?  Particularly little ones?  My family will understand this....

My grandmother, Dorothea Helena Fredericka Quaritius Carlson, loved Dairy Queen and similar ice cream places.  Back in the day, they had little pink plastic spoons which (I think) were used for kiddie cups.  Today - you might think of them as "tasting spoons" at an ice cream shop.  Anyway... she had a couple in her utensil drawer and my sister and I would use them sometimes. 

I find it almost impossible to resist a tiny spoon.  Particularly at a fancy restaurant when they use a silver demitasse spoon with coffee.  I am just tickled pink (ha!) by them.  And I think of Grammy and her little pink spoons.

Day 2 = 2 bags of Sundries

It took me awhile to decide on Day 2 ' s purge. I ended up with two 13 gallon trash bags of sundries including old mail, broken hangars, and non - recyclable clothing.  Despite the cold, both bags are at the curb waiting for either the trash truck tomorrow am or the snowplow.  I also started a container of found money - money found while purging.

Day Two - Strategies!

Greetings on this snowy day!

If the weather has you home from work today why not use the time to think about some strategies for approaching this challenge...

A couple of you have shared some thoughts and questions on methods.  There is the methodological approach of one room at a time or one drawer at a time.  Alternatively, the random approach has some appeal as well.

Let's explore some strategies because the later days of the month might prove to be challenging!

One area at a time:
If you like the satisfaction of seeing results quickly - this is a great approach.  With efforts concentrated on one space one can visually realize success fairly soon.  Having a defined approach can be helpful for those who are easily overwhelmed or distracted thus decreasing wasted time on the decision making process.

One type of item for a period of time:
If you are part of the Carlson Clan chances are you have books everywhere throughout the house.  Think about it... are there any rooms in your house that don't have a *single* book?  Again - if initiative or decision making on the approach is challenging, maybe you want to choose one type of item for each week. Or, maybe it is a type of item for a particular day - Monday is books, Tuesday is kitchen utensils/appliances, Wednesday is clothing... etc... etc...

If it is helpful - I can give assignments!  Just shout out in the comments and I'll tell you what to focus on for any particular day.  Take advantage of my bossiness assertiveness and quick decision making skills.

Activity inspiration:
Are you going to shovel today?  Take a look at your shovels.  How many do you have? Are they all in good working condition?  Do you need as many shovels as you have?  Could a neighbor benefit from receiving one of your shovels?

Maybe you are cooking a nice warm stew to keep you warm on this cold day.  Take a look in your kitchen cabinets and drawers.  How many wooden spoons are there?  How many do you need? Are any of them stained, cracked, splintery?  What about your refrigerator?  Any mystery items in there?

Use your activities and routines to help you identify what can be jettisoned.  While brushing your teeth take a look at what is in the medicine cabinet!

Gifting:
Take a walk through the house and in each room look for an item that you could gift or donate.  Knowing that an item will be put to good use often makes letting go of it easier!

Trashing:
Take a walk through the house and in each room look for an item which is broken, unusable, or should have been thrown away previously.  Hypothetically speaking, one *might* find under one's bed an empty container which recently contained delicious, satisfying, buttery Spritz cookies made by one's best friend which were eaten in one sitting very late at night and the container was so cute one thought she just might have a future use for it, but actually it is just trash taking up space under the bed. Again, I'm just throwing out ideas here...

Totally random:
Sometimes all that matters in the number of items.  (Does the thought of the end of the month terrify you?!?)  Set the timer, grab a bag or box and walk around the room trying to get to the number items before the buzzer goes off.

Competition:
Is your spouse also participating in this?  Have a race!  See who can get to the number of items for the day the quickest.  If you set up a competition, let me know & I will arrange for prizes.

Those are just a few ideas for now.  I hope you'll return to this post as you get further along in the month and need some inspiration.  If you have other ideas for approaches, share them in the comments!

And now, I'm off to shovel for a bit and will take a look at what might be in the garage while I'm there.

Day One............one thing gone.  I think I am going to do drawers first.  One each day.  :)

Happy New Year! Day One success?

Hi all,

Today I threw away a old turkey baster/brush in my kitchen.  Really... when was the last time I needed to brush something on my food?!?!

I also purged my purse/wallet of old receipts and outdated things like an expired AAA card.  I'm not counting them since it is the type of thing I try to do periodically anyway.

I also made a purchase today - which I've been trying to avoid.  But it was related to organization so it seemed like an acceptable purchase. 

They are see through zip bags and I can use them to keep things organized in my purse or tote bags.

I hope you all are having a wonderful new year!

Day 1 Item 1

One stinky, raggedy, blanket is thrown out.  It is -13 F so it will be a quick trip to trash can. 

The spouse is throwing out one bag with stale swag.