This is about scrapbooking (which I do), but it could be about quilting. Sounds like my house - yours, too?

Ten Things Every Scrapbooker Should Know about The Cost of Craft Clutter.

Robs you of your energy. Just looking at that pile can make you tired.
Zaps your creativity. It is hard to create with it hanging around.
Leaves you overwhelmed and anxious. Just the thought of it.
Steals your storage space.
Makes everything harder. It is harder to create. Harder to see what you have.
Gobbles up Time. It takes a great deal more time to deal with all the craft clutter.
Spends more money on storage materials, organizational books, or perhaps even a professional organizer.
Robs you of peace and beauty.
Affects your relationships with other people. Maybe you feel self-conscience about having other people over because of the craft clutter. Maybe you close the door to your craft room. Or don’t invite friends over to craft for fear of ridicule.
Leaves you with guilt. Just thinking of all that unloved craftiness can make anyone feel a little guilty. Maybe even a little defensive.

To this day my husband’s still lovingly teases me about it, referring to my craft room as “the dining room.” He is too cute!

:oops:

Yep. Mine is cross stitch. Oh if I only had all the money I spent on it for quilting now. I never did get into scrap booking. Sis did and she's getting rid of now. :?

It's true. Clutter can be debilitating, dangerous, and demoralizing.

Clutter's Last Stand by Don Aslett is a wonderful book for giving one "permission" and motivation to get rid of clutter.

BRETT QUILTS---- Thank you so much for this great post. Truer words were never said. Clutter does rob me of energy and creativity.

I am doing much better on this than a year or so ago. I am getting a lot of pleasure by de-cluttering and giving away crafts materials and tools that I know I am not putting to use -- they're going to a local nonprofit art & craft materials warehouse that re-sells to local artists and provides workshops and classes for students and summer camps for kids. It's a great feeling.

You sound like Flylady, gently reminding us that clutter clings to our mental body and drags us down.

I gave away a lot of "impractical" fabrics that I'd been planning on using for large doll clothes. Since I'd been planning on making them for my little girls, I thought it was time to let go of them..a friend with little girls snapped them up. My "little girls" are now over 50 years old and one of them has her own grand kids!!!!

I need to get this book. My house is so out of control. It's so hard for me to let go of things, however, watching the shows about hoarding has been very helpful because it has motivated me to get rid of things I haven't used in months/years. Although I am far from having a house that looks like those on TV, I very well could have one someday if I don't take action now. And, I need the space for my quilting fabric and tools.

I just emptied out a bookshelf of hardback books. I was dusting them and thought why am I keeping these? No one will read them again. The shelf is empty, I can get rid of the bookshelf and the books are on the way to the library used book sale. This got me to evaluate just what I have stored and why.

I have been giving two of my kids things I don't do any more one always loved some Christmas craft books I had the other started doing beading got rid of a few books to them and keep a stash for each with things (Crafts) I do not use any more.

Sorry it posted twice.

So true.....but we continue to do so....

One episode of "How Clean Is Your House?" and I am ready to get ride of all the 'scraps' that I swear I'll use. :) My husband jokes about buying me the series.

PS
"How Clean Is Your House?" is a British show where two women come in and declutter and scrub a person or family's home. Sometimes it's down right disgusting... with mold, dust, and worse everywhere! (My craft room isn't that bad, but it makes you want to clean immediately.)

Update: The bookshelf was moved DD's house. DH has yet to notice the case and books are gone. Move one tool from his shop and he knows as soon as he walks in. :roll: He'll eventually notice and I'll say what bookcase? Are you sure there was one there? He'll look confused and then catch on. :lol: :lol: