Tuesday, February 17, 2009

PATTERNS

As many of you know, I am in the midst of a major clear-out in my house. And because my parents are moving in (mom is here, now) we now have cable installed. I don't watch it much, but I have happened upon a show called "Clean House" which, if I could afford to wait on, I would apply to. (Oh, the terrible grammar I have just thrown at you...)

The target couple/family exposes their cluttered mess and invites the crew to badger and cajole them into selling their possessions at a yard sale. The proceeds are matched, up to $1000, and used to fix up what remains in the house. Other offers are made along the way, when an item is hard for the clutterer(s) to get rid of.

Sigh. Could I EVER use that kind of help!!

My worst area is the room that houses my crafts. (yeah, yeah, my whole house qualifies, but the biggest concentration is in one room) I've been spending time up there, sorting through boxes. I've hit the pattern boxes now.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself if you are ever in my situation, to determine just how bad your disease is:

1) You have just opened a box with loose pattern pieces, instructions, and envelopes. They look as if they might have been sorted at one time. Do you:
a. Wad them up and toss them in the trash. Your time is too precious to sort them out.
b. Sift a bit, to see if there are any "whole" patterns mixed in with the loose pieces.
c. Sort through them meticulously, making piles of each pattern number, checking off each piece on the instructions pages, just in case there are any valuable patterns in there that someone could use somewhere in the world.
d. Close up the box and add it to your "save for a rainy day" pile.

2) Your children are grown. There are baby and toddler clothes patterns. You:
a. Toss them into the giveaway pile without giving them a second glance
b. Choose two or three that are just too cute to part with, and put the rest in the giveaway pile with a little tear in your eye.
c. Make a pile of them to sell on etsy.
d. Sort them by size because someday you will have grandchildren.

3) As you sort, you realize you have purchased the same pattern over and over. Sometimes in different sizes. Sometimes not. What to do?
a. Give them all away. It's obvious you are never going to make the clothing.
b. Save the size you are in and give the rest away.
c. Save one in each size and put the rest in a pile to sell.
d. Save them all. Maybe you'll need them when you start up your own clothing store...

If you answered "a" to all three questions, send me the medication you are on because I want to try it.

If you answered "b" or "c" you are still living in a fantasy world called "denial" (I'm still being dragged kicking and screaming from it myself)

If you answered "d" to all three questions, give it up and check yourself into the funny farm I've been living in for the past 40 years.

9 comments:

storybeader said...

I chose A, but hey, they're not my patterns. But really, do you think you'll ever use them? You've moved onto other things.... Good-luck - hope the room stays as a craft room!

Anonymous said...

That made me smile. Since I don't sew (much) I have 3 patterns - 2 for skirts for my daughter and I, 1 for halloween costume components. We have a stack of skirts and costume bits now.

If I ever get a sewing machine I may be in trouble but for now, I can easily say I'd do A. I'm not nostalgic about my craft supplies and, having a small apartment, I purge regularly and don't buy much. No meds, sorry.

Now, what I need is a hand to keep what I DO have organized and clean and in it's place.

Orion Designs said...

I chose A also -- I've done it in the past, several times.

The thing I learned is that once the item has been thrown away or donated (aka out of sight), I usually can't even remember what it was.

Maybe that will help you decide :)
V

Anonymous said...

This was really funny! Since I don't have a lot of patterns, I applied this test to magazines and found that I mostly came up with C's. Looks like I'm living in fantasy land next door to you! ;-) How fun! Maybe we could be friends!

Deronda designs... said...

I'm getting so much better at A's. And actually enjoying being able to see the things I need.

CB said...

I have the same problem with my clay. It just keeps piling up, there are just so many different canes one can make, and all those colors you can buy hehe. ;)

DVArtist said...

Hi Jael A is for me as well. I have an award for you off my blog.
Nicole/Beadwright

Laurel said...

Oh, Jael, I so feel for you! While I don't have the impetus of parents moving in like you do, I'm trying to prepare for moving to a different state - sometime in the next ten years, at the rate I'm going! OH, the stufffffff!!! I got rid of about 25 grocery bags full of books over the weekend - most of my fiction library. It feels good.

Jill said...

I absolutely love Clean House - especially their Messiest Home in America contest. Why? Because no matter how bad the kitchen table/jewelry studio is, it's never been as bad as any of the folks on this show. Make me feel like a regular Martha Stewart! lol