Week #3, Sort & Organize Fabric Bins...

This week, for me, will be a piece of cake as my fabric stash pales in comparison with my yarn stash.

 

As of now, I have an 18 gallon tub (stuffed full), a box, & a bag recently gifted to me by a friend...

 

My goal will be to whittle it down, so that it fits into the one 18 gallon tub.  I am going to use the same mindset that we used with yarn in week #1.  Take each piece, unfold it, feel it, inspect it.  Then ask yourself our same one simple question...  "Do I love this fabric??"  If the answer is no, then it goes into the purge tub/box....

 

I am keeping a few things in mind though, as I sort, which may be saving graces for some of these pieces.

 

1) I have a box in the closet of pieces I for a quilt I am making our daughter.  So, if a piece isn't "my style" I will ask myself is she would love it.  These will go into the box of quilting bits (NOT into the "Fabric-I-LOVE Tub")

 

2) I make eye pillows for my Etsy shop.  So, again, if a piece isn't "my style" would is it both thick & soft enough to use for these pillows??  Is it large enough to get @ least one eye pillow out of??  IF so, then these, again, will NOT go in the "Fabric-I-Love Tub", but rather in some sort of other basket/box, to use solely for these eye pillows.

 

(Fabrics that lie to see another day by fitting into this category will be given an expiration date.  I tend to make ~20 pillows every couple of months, so perhaps 3 months for the lot??) 

 

3) Is it worth passing on??  If not, I have a trash bag that I use solely for scraps.  This trash bag bits will eventually become the 'stuffing' for this cool little ottoman from "Made by Rae".

 

*BUT* other than that, they must be really & truly LOVED by me to stay in the house.

 

Now, as I said, this will *not* take me a week.  I am thinking two days tops...  So what of the rest of the week?? 

 

Well, I am going to sort through my WIP's (work-in-progresses)...all of them.  If I am no longer feeling that project, it goes.  If I really, truly think I might finish it, it can stay...for now, *BUT* will get an expiration date.  If it isn't finished before that expiration date, it really must go.  Again, I am not sure about the expiration dates, as I am not entirely sure what sort of WIPs are laying around, but none will be by with more than a year.

 

What are you working on this week...?

Destashing, phase two...the "PURGE" tub.

I don't know about you, but I am LOVING this!!  I feel so much free-er already, and the more I purge, the better I feel & the more strict I find myself becoming.  I am really taking a good look @ anything & everything...

For now though, I am working hard to stay *focused* on this week's mission, destashing my yarn, but my MINIMALIST eyes are *wide open* & totally scoping it all out...

Here is the update from my end...

I am super stoked!!  I went from three *bulging* tubs, that would ONLY close if another heavier something was set on top of them, to three tubs, each with modest quantities of delicious yarns in them (between half and three quarters full) & one *overflowing* "purge" tub!!

Never before has my stash been under such scrutiny as it was this week & never before have I been so brutal.  No, brutal isn't quite the right word...honest, with both these yarns & myself.

At any rate, I am riding high right now & ready to finish line this thang!!  So, let's discuss the handling of our "purge" tub.

Here's my plan (aka what I will be doing tomorrow!).  Dump it all out & investigate what you have.  I am guessing mine is going to be a pretty random mix of acrylics, wools & wool blends; some partial skeins, some whole skeins, some multiple skeins; some with labels & some unknowns.

My first order of business will be to seek out any itchy 100% wool yarns, those will go into a pile & will become dryer balls.  ;)

I may list a few on Etsy/Ravelry...  Perhaps I can make a bit of dough to put towards this sweet needle set I am going to splurge on.  Our family didn't really do "mom/dad" gifts this year, and my husband & I didn't get gifts for each other either, so this will be my 'late-Christmas/awesome-job-destashing' gift. ;)  BUT, as freedom in my end goal, I have put some thought into which yarns would even qualify for this option...

1) It must be quality yarn,
2) It must be 2+ full skeins/a more expensive yarn ($20+) complete with labels
3) Each yarn listed will be stored in a separate "for sale/trade" tub & each have an expiration date of 1 year.  As in if it/they are still around next January, they *must* be gifted/donated.


From there, I am going to see if I can put together any sort of 'sets'...  Perhaps a "pinks" set or maybe "neutrals"....maybe it'll be more by type, "superwash merinos"...?  I honestly have no idea right now, but if anything comes of this part, I really want to do a couple of blog giveaways.  Wouldn't that be fun??  Actually, I am wondering if it would be or not...what if you are all hard core destashing along with me, should I play the part of the 'virtual temptress'??  

Anything that doesn't "fit" anywhere else will be offered up for grabs on our local homesteaders site/donated to a local thrift store.

How is your destashing going??  Remember to rock out @ *YOUR* own pace.  This is YOUR journey, own it!!

photo credits, streetartutopia.com

PS.  Don't forget to join in on our "*15* in 2015: A Knitting/Crochet Challenge".  We are already up to *15* members on our facebook group, too perfect, right??  ;)

*15* in 2015, A Knitting/Crochet Project Challenge...

Back @ the end of December, with the New Year so close @ hand, there were all sorts of "challenges" popping up on facebook, pinterest, etc.  A few I am joining in on.  The "52 weeks to an Organized Home Challenge", the "52 Weeks Money Challenge", and the (50 books this year) "Ultimate Reading Challenge". While those are all great & wonderful...my "thing" is crafting.  I did a bit of poking around online to find a cool knitting/crocheting challenge, and while I did see loads of knit-alongs, I didn't find any sort of fun year long challenge.  So, I made one...ha!

*15* in 2015...  Fun, quirky, inspiring, challenging, but I don't think too overwhelming, as *YOU* actually pick the projects, based on where you are.  While I didn't have too much trouble coming up the initial 15, I wanted to include 5 "Bonus" projects, for those who really rock out.  Unfortunately, my brain was done...ideas were getting lame...  If you have any project ideas, please post them!!

You DO NOT have to go in order.  You DO NOT, technically, have to craft 15 *different* projects.  If you can meet two or three of the 'challenges' with one AMAZING amazing project, mad props to you!!

As you work your way through the list, post photos on our facebook group page.  Be sure to let us know which "challenge(s)" they meet.

Without further ado...the magical *15* for 2015!!

1.  Knit/crochet a project for charity.  (There are a lot of *free* patterns online/Ravelry!)

2.  Knit/crochet a *set*.  (This could be coasters, a hat & scarf, nesting bowls, etc...you choose!)

3.  Knit/crochet a project that uses more than 500 yds.

4.  Knit/crochet a project using colors you have NEVER combined before.

5.  Knit/crochet a project that is TINY.

6.  Knit/crochet a project that is ridiculous (it can be ridiculously AWESOME!)

7.  Knit/crochet a *pair*.  (This could be socks, mitts, mittens, gloves, slippers, pants, etc...you choose!)

8.  Knit/crochet a project that involves learning a new technique.

9.  Knit/crochet a project that scares you, just a little.  (You know what you have been avoiding...a sweater             using fingering weight yarn, fair isle, socks, cables/bobbles...this is the time to go for it!!)

10.  Knit/crochet a project that you have been wanting to make for forever, but haven't.

11.  Knit/crochet a project that uses *1* skein.

12.  Knit/crochet a project that can be part of a costume.  (There are so many fun ones on Ravelry!!)

13.  Knit/crochet a project inspired by a book, tv show, or movie.

14.  Knit/crochet a project using a yarn that has been in your stash for way too long.

15.  Knit/crochet a project that is oversized/GINORMOUS!  (Again, look on Ravely. I have seem patterns                 for giant strawberries, olives, clouds, etc.  (or) go crazy & knit/crochet a blanket!)

Ready....set....go!