Hi folks..after years of being the world's most avid collect-a-phobe ranging from teddy bears to china novelty teapots of which there were many adorning the walls of the family room and the old dresser in the kitchen...I bit the bullet...decided enough was enough...embraced a new philosophy and took my first tentative step down the minimalist road to prove that you can teach an old dog new tricks...packing up my cherished furry buddies in a huge box which now resides in the loft leaving just a few special friends sitting on a bedside cabinet...
sold all the teapots which I travelled far and wide to collect...lots of holidays in the Yorkshire Dales always included a visit to
The Tea Pottery in Leyburn...apparently it's still there...home of the eccentric teapot but only one survives...
currently living in the old cubbyhole/photography studio collecting dust. Declutter is now my mantra and I aim to get all the rooms in the house finally knocked into shape...but oh bother that philosophy doesn't seem to apply in the cubbyhole...the minute I step over the threshold I can't seem to throw anything away...a bit concerned I may be a descendant of Mr Jekyll or Mr Hyde...for instance the packaging from some home decor bits and pieces had me betwixt and between on whether to bin them or store them away for future use...
and bingo...a lightbulb moment...I've realised that the problem lies not with the clutter but with the lack of storage for such items. Do you think hubby would sanction the construction of a mezzanine level in the cubbyhole or would he be dashing off to the solicitor to instigate divorce proceedings...I have a sneaky feeling it might be the latter...but never say never...I've got years of experience of planting the seed and making him think that all the bright ideas were his.
In the meantime I'll leave you with a sneaky peek of what caused the clutter consternation in the first place...
and I'll see you all tomorrow over at the Craftwork Cards Blog with my monthly project.
Hugs Kath xxx
My problem has always been storage. Nothing to do with the fact that I have too much "stuff". However, I have been good this last week and had a good sort out of my wardrobe so its off to the charity shop tomorrow before I change my mind and start going through it all again! X
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Kath. You must have taken a few deep breaths whilst doing this. I was like you last year, when I did the same. The loft is now squeeking under the strain. Your sneak peek looks interesting. Have a Good Day. Hugs Rita xxx
ReplyDeleteMy husband is more of the hoarder. Every year I ask for a skip for Christmas. Every year he refuses!
ReplyDeleteBless you Kath, It's so hard to let things go.. Well done you! they are still safe just in the loft... Love the look of that sneek peek...Have a great day...Hugs May x x x
ReplyDeleteWow Kath that is quite something to do and I am intrigued to find out more... what's love got to do with it..??!! (there's a song) You really are having a blitz at home with all the new decor too and I even notice a new photo ;0) x
ReplyDeleteWhat a wrench Kath you are really a woman on a mission!! Susan x
ReplyDeleteHa ha I used to collect teddies and still have a collection of tiny teddy ornaments in my spare room. Once people know you collect something they are forvere buying them for you too. I did get rid of lots of teddies though but some I just couldn't part with. Also had a huge collection of Brambly Hedge plates, cups etc and sold them all some years ago, just kept the vase. It's nice to keep one thing to remind you. Love the plant the idea, make him think its his, I'm sure I do that too x
ReplyDeleteGoodness-that was brave of you! I have been on a de-cluttering mission and have stopped at the craft room door! I keep hinting about bookshelves etc but none have appeared yet.
ReplyDeleteMichele.
Hi Kath, my DH is a worse hoarder than me, so somehow that makes it OK for me to have a craft room filled to the rafters with 'stuff for recycling' - lol! I admire your resolve though...... love the look of the sneak peek. Hugs, Anne x
ReplyDeleteMeant to say, it is spooky - I collect teddies and teapots too - we must be kindred spirits! A x
ReplyDeletevery proud of you Kath - I wish I could declutter - but it seems to be against my nature!! More of a hoarder I'm afraid! Love the sneak peak and good luck with the mezzanine seed plantation xx
ReplyDeleteHi Kath, well done on the declutter. I've been try ing to rearrange my craft stuff. Sorted out my stamps and found I had 15 large clear boxes of them. Why am I always drawn to new stamps when I have all these? I was supposed to be sorting them and parting with some but I just couldn't do it. So back in the box they went.
ReplyDeleteI need help!!! Hugs x ChrisB
Hi Kath, I think the younger generation has it right, buy it use it then chuck it, especially with clothes. We were always told to take care of things and they'll last a lifetime, no need for that nowadays, they can be replaced quite cheaply. Wish I could have saved money in the same way I've collected junk. Good luck with the rest of the house, Love is looking good...Trish
ReplyDeleteI would just take a trip to Ikea for another expedit if I were you - I hate to part with anything so my husband bought me a cabin in the garden to house my growing stash!!! I love it and now have enough space for everything (for now).
ReplyDeleteI admire you for being able to part with your precious collections, especially the teapots. I know what you mean though when you HAVE to declutter it's very satisfying. Good luck with the seed planting!
ReplyDeleteValxx
Interesting sneaky peek Kath!
ReplyDeleteI have too much stash here. I keep trying to get rid of some of the stuff I'll never use. Maybe some day. I'm sure I could work better if I did some de-cluttering!
Kat xx