Cleaning Up, Clearing Out...

Since I've begun cross stitching again, it became vitally apparent that I needed a better system of organization for the needed supplies. The way it stood, as of a few days ago, is that the needed items were lurking in various and assorted zip-loc bags and storage bins, stashed here, there and everywhere. My project bags were hanging on the back of a doorknob filled to the gills with dissimilar things. I needed to get with it and straighten out my mess! How could I ever be efficient working within such chaos? I couldn't! This cabinet in the sewing room revealed more clutter. Clearly, the upper shelves serve as a repository for batting scraps, but the lower shelf, which is 24" deep, had become a pit for discarded, misplaced and abandoned oddments! Getting things in order required a deep breath and coming to grips with reality. I was motivated! It took a few hours and some firm resolve, but I was able to get the designated "needle work" space organized for its new purpose. I disposed of a LOT, re-homed a few things, and FOUND more than a few treasures that I'd thought were lost forever! It was time well spent.

However, in true If You Give A Mouse A Cookie fashion, one thing such as this leads to another...

... and so it goes. I found a few things that needed filing from out of that cabinet; which led to another, even larger, clean out! Still riding the high from the first successful purge, it was time to bring in the shredder and a large, industrial strength trash bag to tackle the stuffed-to-overflowing file drawer. You wouldn't believe the amount of useless, outdated and extraneous paperwork that was lurking in there. I could BARELY (no exaggeration) lift this bag off the floor when I was done.  

The results speak for themselves, whew! Now I know what I have, where it is, and can put my finger on whatever I'm looking for in a nanosecond. Did all of this take up a huge amount of valuable time? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely! Now, to tackle those batting scraps and pieces; I've had, in the back of my mind for some time, the idea to stitch them up into usable quilt sizes so that they're ready to go. There's no time like the present; but, I'm going to allow myself a breather first, it's on next week's "to do" list!  One step at a time. What's weighing you down? A simple reorganization might be just the thing. 

Life is Good!