tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post5251196289001901189..comments2023-07-25T11:48:39.285-04:00Comments on The Free Motion Quilting Project: Estate Junk Clean UpLeahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-78105328163600732162016-01-30T03:27:03.214-05:002016-01-30T03:27:03.214-05:00Even though I'm reading this post almost FIVE ...Even though I'm reading this post almost FIVE years after Leah wrote it, I can say she's absolutely right and I appreciate her sentiments! It's never too late to have a good clean-out of your 'spaces' wherever they may be and whatever they have hidden away in it. We ALL hoard way too much STUFF and generally forget we even have it. That "one day I'll need it", tends to NOT happen. No one can be that organized to remember every item they have 'stashed' away in a closet, empty corner, or bottom drawer. IF you think you're hiding it so no one sees you have it, then you probably won't see it to remember you HAVE it, either! So, GO FORTH and minimize your 'clutter'. You'll feel lighter, cleaner and happier when you've reduced the EXCESS - I guarantee it. We'll never call it junk, 'cos it MAY have a use, well, perhaps - but, it'll be in another lifetime. :) In the meantime, you'll enjoy the newly cleared space around you - and be able to SEE what you have, so you won't end up buying 10 Pyrex baking dishes...so, I'm heading off now to the Salvo's to drop off 'goodies' for someone else to hoard! Hurray!!!!!<br />Carol Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01424683039171516212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-29519292299861890742014-07-28T10:13:36.047-04:002014-07-28T10:13:36.047-04:00This post was mentioned on the Stashbusters list t...This post was mentioned on the Stashbusters list today (July 28, 2014). I have my own "dispossession" stories (my parents died in 2002). Though I think I have my stuff under control, when I really think about it, I know I am long over-due for a serious, in-depth sorting-out -- not only in my studio but also throughout the whole house. My husband is a minimalist and I am a maximalist. Nannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09239289676429380866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-81729508665858356892014-07-28T02:40:19.859-04:002014-07-28T02:40:19.859-04:00"What We Leave" has been a topic on the ..."What We Leave" has been a topic on the Yahoo group Stashbusters recently. Many of us joke that we have enough stash (and nations and sewing machines and, and, and) for several lifetimes. I have reread this entry and shared the link with the group. Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope that 3 years later things are settled - and you've written a codicil to your will for your sewing/quilting things. Aloha, JoAloha, Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17976346192531670950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-28557732217209451742011-08-07T11:03:41.047-04:002011-08-07T11:03:41.047-04:00I love estate sales, not only do you pick up great...I love estate sales, not only do you pick up great things from time to time (for love or profit!), but you learn more about our time here on earth, and how NOT to spend it! My folks have been wonderful, now in their late 80's, they have been getting rid of their "stuff" over the course of the last 10 years... their house now looks a bit bare compared to it's earlier "cozy clutter"... but they did it knowingly, and told all us kids that the last thing they wanted was for us to have to deal with their "stuff"...Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11182124143893766166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-7093428715176985052011-08-06T17:21:57.657-04:002011-08-06T17:21:57.657-04:00Thanks so sharing your experiences. I will be dea...Thanks so sharing your experiences. I will be dealing with the same thing some day. But I'm afraid that 10 16-ft trucks will be needed to be even be able to make the dent to move and see what's there. Feel free to follow my experience as well. It's strange how it affects us and makes us take such a hard look at ourselves isn't it?<br /><br />http://quiltingrevolution.blogspot.com/2011/07/operation-downsize-part-1.html#commentsQuilting Revolutionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16525963009816943007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-39911555305525799742011-07-26T14:35:24.275-04:002011-07-26T14:35:24.275-04:00I'm assuming your grandmother came from the ge...I'm assuming your grandmother came from the generation of the depression - or at least children of that time - When it was unthinkable to throw away something of even mean use! My parents were the same when we downsized them, though, I think, in more modern times, they were better at giving away things - from a renewed involvment in charity themselves. Another thing - they grew up learning to NEVER ASK for help... from family or friends. If you couldn't do it yourself - you didn't DO it! - In our area, it is very common to have estate sales - and to just let people in to buy the things that may seem worthless to you, but have value to others. It's good that you have had this exposure at this age - rather than in middle age - when many of us learn the terrible truth about too much stuff!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11182124143893766166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-26334880133542629432011-06-30T16:48:06.297-04:002011-06-30T16:48:06.297-04:00wow! I do know how you feel. We owned a few busine...wow! I do know how you feel. We owned a few businesses over our almost 29 years of marriage, and there was a lot of stuff! I won't go into details, but the decision to sell our home and the building for our business was made, but first we knew we had to clear the business stuff out. I remember moving my brother a couple of times. He's single and had so much JUNK you would not believe! And for what? He had all this brand new stuff that was never used and he wouldn't give it away. I knew then we'd have to deal with our things now, before anything ever happened to us, because I knew our kids would not appreciate having to deal with all that someday. Having the ability to sell stuff on craigslist over time was a blessing for us, and some of it we just gave away for free to somebody in need. When it was time to sell our home, I started out by going through holiday decorations that I'd had for years. I figured I can always buy new ones. Financial constraints have put a halt on me purchasing large quantities of fabric, quilt magazines and such. I have been very diligent about either recycling things, bringing unwanted quilting items to our quilt guild's sharing table, and the rest goes to charitable organizations. A friend that lost her mother recently, donated her mother's clothing to a shelter for battered women. Homeless shelters appreciate donations of quilts that maybe no longer please us but are still in great shape. Excess quilting supplies and sewing machines or craft supplies are welcome at senior citizen organizations; they use the items to make new things to sell in their gift shops to pay for expenses and such. I have alrady told my DH that our girls (daughters, DIL and granddaughters) can have first pick at any of my sewing/quilting/crafting stuff, the rest goes to wherever they see the best fit for it. In the meantime, I've been really keeping things pared down to a minimum so when that time comes in the FAR future, it will be simple for all involved. But of course I will be sure to leave behind at least some quilt tops for another generation to complete!Keep Stitchin'https://www.blogger.com/profile/01789588483186678013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-81696410446900871092011-06-30T16:28:00.412-04:002011-06-30T16:28:00.412-04:00Two years ago I went to a lecture at the book stor...Two years ago I went to a lecture at the book store by Julie Hall, "the estate lady". She actually lives here in Charlotte. I bought her book,THE BOOMER BURDEN, and read it cover to cover. It opened my eyes big time. She said that when she goes into a home, about 90% of the things in the attic go directly into the dumpster. I still struggle ridding myself of things..my things, my mother's things, my grandmothers things. But after reading this book, I am trying. Thanks for a great blogpost.O'Quiltshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15350950712546652314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-74147433260935387192011-06-30T13:05:41.427-04:002011-06-30T13:05:41.427-04:00Everytime I am about to declare our 3 bedroom home...Everytime I am about to declare our 3 bedroom home too small for our family of five, I have to purposefully remind myself that I like my small home. I have to be vigilant about what comes into the house and pretty regular about culling items too. Since my 8x12 sewing room doubles as the pantry and has 2 doors to hog space, I really have to edit the stash and shopping impulses. I also decided last week that I only make wall quilts, crib or lap quilts, or smaller projects. Anything bigger is just too hard to spread out and see.<br /><br />Now if I could only teach my hubby a thing or two, since his garage is so full of man-junk you can hardly walk in it.Amy @ Amy's FMQ Adventureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18249397590865683398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-62776423353547346932011-06-29T20:48:06.349-04:002011-06-29T20:48:06.349-04:00Old sewing machines - no problem if in working ord...Old sewing machines - no problem if in working order. Give them to refugees. The children and men get taken care of with sports groups, classes and employment, but the women are left at home. <br />I know my old machines are getting a fresh life and a real workout.Helen from Hobarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03628963168654748707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-62085636181666802232011-06-29T20:34:12.091-04:002011-06-29T20:34:12.091-04:00Oh, my goodness. I am going thru the same thing wi...Oh, my goodness. I am going thru the same thing with slightly different circumstances. 4 years ago my 89 year old mom was run over in ASHEBORO, NC! She recovered pretty well but never went back home to leave. For the last year or more, my sister and I have spent a day a week dealing with stuff, cleaning and finally getting the house on the market. Mother is in assisted living in Ashboro. <br /><br />There were many things that we had wanted as young homemakers, but now have no interest at all. My dad's hand made wooden furniture or accessories, as you say, hand turned bowls. Neither of us want the sewing machine--we each have several. We have sent load after load to the dump--mattresses and garbage. <br /><br />My husband is dealing with the same thing at his parents home. Even less that anyone wants but his dad saved every ball cap he put on his head in 90 years on the earth!<br /><br />So far, I have not undertaken the purge for myself. There is a sewing stash. Art stash. Art materials stash. Pottery collection. Glass collection. So much. Too much to saddle my daughter with.<br /><br />I don't know whether to laugh or cry as I read your post! It is too close to home and you are preachin' to the choir!Willahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07073487753859710683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-33824673760820506582011-06-29T18:31:53.479-04:002011-06-29T18:31:53.479-04:00We cleaned out my grandmother's house a few ye...We cleaned out my grandmother's house a few years ago and encountered the same thing. Often older people accumulate things by way of gifts, they are thrifty and don't want to throw things out, they get too tired or infirm to try to get rid of stuff, and they don't dare give used stuff as gifts. It is hard.<br /><br />I had a change of heart with my quilting supplies about 18 months ago and have only purchased exactly what I am going to use - current project only -, have donated some stuff, and trying to sell a few pieces. We accumulate for lots of reasons but I think quilters have all these ideas and projects and it is a kind of optimism.<br /><br />It was very considerate of you to help your dad and hope you had some good memories.sewmuch2dohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892704203283187616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-59566669758558691332011-06-29T17:42:38.680-04:002011-06-29T17:42:38.680-04:00Thank you for this blog entry. We dealt with my mo...Thank you for this blog entry. We dealt with my mother-in-law's house last year; she had lived there over 60 years and was a great believer in keeping everything. One thing I will say--she WAS organized, so that helped. Still, not a job I'd wish on anyone. I have been trying to downsize my things for years, but have watched my husband accumulate and change our lovely basement family room into a warehouse of computer parts, etc. This is a sick society based on materialism and it has made it harder and harder for people to let go of THINGS. But it CAN be done. I figure if I just concentrate on downsizing my own stuff, maybe my husband will get the bug, too. Thanks again for sharing, and for the validation of my sentiment that simpler is better, and very freeing.Linda Wulf Koenighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05923385161588309971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-19688427366630297422011-06-29T16:47:28.835-04:002011-06-29T16:47:28.835-04:00Thank you for a great blog. This has been on my m...Thank you for a great blog. This has been on my mind for the last couple of months. I was thinking about this with the floods in the midwest. I asked myself "What would I take if I only had 24 hours to pack?" <br /><br />I know that this problem is coming with my parents and my husband's parents that is why I am trying to spend some time this summer cleaning out my stash and making quilts to give away. At least they will be going to someone who will need them. <br /><br />I love your website.Donahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06716928393682990861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-77481099540059035802011-06-29T15:57:03.338-04:002011-06-29T15:57:03.338-04:00Oh how true, how true. And I agree, don't accu...Oh how true, how true. And I agree, don't accumulate what you can't use. <br /><br />When I first moved out on my own after school, my family had me make a list of things I thought I'd need. Everyone got a copy, routed around in their homes, and when all was said and done there was nothing I had to buy but a sofa. Sure, none of it was brand new, but it all worked and I replaced what needed replacing when I could afford to do so.<br /><br />This past year, we have been cleaning out my Great Aunt's home. She never had children so it fell to her nieces and nephews to take care of things. Fortunately, one of my cousins was moving out on his own so he got a lot of the furniture and things. Everyone else claimed what they wanted (I got her featherweight and the currier and ives dishes that held so many dear memories) or needed. As others found things I could use, they were set aside. I got all the brand new packages of sheets (must have been two dozen), pillowcases (another dozen) and handmade linens (hankies, dresser scarves, etc.). My family knows that I am the only one who makes handmade items and they are glad that someone could use them (even if I am going to cut them up and put them in quilts). <br /><br />I guess what I am saying is be discriminating. Don't get rid of that old sewing machine that you used to sew your kids' halloween costumes to hastily - it might mean something to them when you are gone. You never know which memories will be treasured by your children, so always ask before you give something away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-795742214575986062011-06-29T15:54:26.083-04:002011-06-29T15:54:26.083-04:00Great post... it should be sent to a magazine as s...Great post... it should be sent to a magazine as suggested. I'm doing all this, downsizing and have put my stash, machines, etc. in my will. When mom died, she had saved things too, and it was so difficult to deal with it all. Don't want my kids to experience that!Elsie Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739927333538419518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-59179486247082424632011-06-29T14:26:46.451-04:002011-06-29T14:26:46.451-04:00Hi Ranell - Thank you so much for the offer to com...Hi Ranell - Thank you so much for the offer to come to CA, but I've decided to focus solely on teaching online. It's a full time job just to blog daily, deal with email, and help Josh pack orders, and traveling away from my home and family is just not fun for me.<br /><br />It was a hard decision and is still hard to say "no" especially because I love to teach so much, but I've gotta set limits or I'll end up burnt out and hating quilting - and that is NOT what I want to do!<br /><br />Thanks again and good luck with your personal cleanup. I'm off to work in my studio myself!<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />LeahLeahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03674869334249298532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-39954902983352305892011-06-29T13:57:53.139-04:002011-06-29T13:57:53.139-04:00Hey Leah,
My mom is still alive and lives in much ...Hey Leah,<br />My mom is still alive and lives in much the same situation as your grandma. At 88 she still has toys we played with as kids. I am also in the same situation as you are with my studio. Lots of storage space and all of it totally full. It's a sickness. I love all my stuff, but enough is enough. <br />I am starting in July to be the VP in charge of programs. Are you interested in coming to California to do a lecture and workshop based on your experiences with your blog and your machine quilting? I would not be booking until the latter half of 2012 and the beginning of 2013. Let me know if you are interested and we can talk.<br />Thanks for your comments. I find in you a kindred soul.<br />my email address is llenar.nesnah@gmail.com<br />Thanks<br />Ranell HansenRanell Hansenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11027312085953804817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-3348761858849320332011-06-29T12:17:06.692-04:002011-06-29T12:17:06.692-04:00I am dealing with a similar situation, even though...I am dealing with a similar situation, even though my elderly parents are still alive and I have been sorting, throwing away JUNK, and YES! It is overwhelming! I just moved them into a small apartment, so I could be closer and be their caregiver, and it is a constant stuggle to get my mom to throw TRASH away. She keeps EVERYTHING. UGH! I so totally understand!Linda Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11376005238398666520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-70825303653520779722011-06-29T12:10:45.609-04:002011-06-29T12:10:45.609-04:00I've dealt with this twice - with my mom (not ...I've dealt with this twice - with my mom (not too bad) and my MIL (the house from hell). At some point in the future, we'll be dealing with my FIL's house. It is not uncommon for older folks to hoard items, especially those who lived through the depression and WWII. It can be a monumental task! With my MIL, who suffered from dementia, we had to go through every paper and flip through every magazine because we never knew where we would find money or important papers (like the pink slip to her car hidden in a Family Circle magazine!) My husband and I are determined that our children will not go through this. We routinely clean out! And my granddaughters are getting my sewing machines!Marshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17694387412536502256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-77141425395319146242011-06-29T11:13:53.685-04:002011-06-29T11:13:53.685-04:00What a GREAT reminder to "deal with it now&qu...What a GREAT reminder to "deal with it now". The group I do charity quilting for gets large donations of fabrics from time to time, from people who have decided they aren't going to sew any more and they don't want to leave the mess for their kids to clean up someday. I know how hard, physically and mentally, the labor of love was that you just undertook for your dad. Bless you.pcflamingohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03206688121231793996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-48851306449335561842011-06-29T09:55:30.008-04:002011-06-29T09:55:30.008-04:00I helped my parents and in-laws move to smaller ho...I helped my parents and in-laws move to smaller homes and have to decide with to do with all the "stuff" they had accumulated and vowed to do something with all my junk. That was over 5 years ago and here I still sit on stuff I will never use. Maybe you have given me a jump start to get to cleaning out the closets and basement in my own house.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15327282482525374694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-13770885239040990072011-06-29T09:54:30.809-04:002011-06-29T09:54:30.809-04:00Nice to have you back Leah; Josh did a great job w...Nice to have you back Leah; Josh did a great job with his recipes...nice drinks....lol. Sewing machines; some things just aren't worth the time and money anymore....it's too bad, but you can only do so much...Marjorie's Busy Cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06652147996698707692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-25164272010891954572011-06-29T09:38:01.837-04:002011-06-29T09:38:01.837-04:00Leah,
I so understand. My mother lived in Switzerl...Leah,<br />I so understand. My mother lived in Switzerland and I am the only child. When she unexpectedly died 6 years ago, I had 3 1/2 weeks to empty out an apartment in which she had lived for over 25 years. The Swiss don't have estate sales or garage sales, so I had to find people who wanted the stuff. Some things I shipped home, but the rest of it went to a dump. After that I became much more unsentimental about "stuff" and did a major purge of my own things.<br />I have gone to a few estate sales that included fabrics. Bought 13 yards of fabric for 3$ recently. Score for me, but sad to see all these people rummaging through what was obviously the deceased's passion.<br />MoniMonihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09455067186211515342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7302142022228564326.post-36323212400132159602011-06-29T09:17:12.044-04:002011-06-29T09:17:12.044-04:00It was awesome you went to help your dad with his ...It was awesome you went to help your dad with his overwhelming task. I have been on an organizing binge the past month & your post inspires me to keep going. The first room I tackled was my quilt room because it was in such disary I didn't even want to go in there and do what it is I love. And damn, if one of the things I had never used and threw away is something I needed a week later. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on something we will all face someday in some form or another..Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665032489326745558noreply@blogger.com