Tag Archives: spring cleaning

Before and After: Closet

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I wrote about spring cleaning a few weeks ago so I’d like to show you my progress. One of the things that needed attention was my closet. Sadly, it was a big mess of mostly unworn, ill-fitting clothes and shoes that just hung there.

Embarrassing! Not only that, but it was a pain to find and put things away.
Behold, the after photos!

I can’t help but gush on and on to folks about how much better it is! How nice it is to be able to see everything I have! How great it is to be free of all that stuff! Look I can actually walk into my walk in closet! Amazing right? Right?! Oh, I’m doing it again aren’t I?

Here are some tips on how you can control you clothes clutter:

#1 Work a section at a time. I started with my pants then skirts then… you get the idea. I laid out each in turn on my bed so I could see what I had.
#2 Try on everything. I’m serious! Taking the time to reacquaint yourself with what you own is essential. Also, I tried everything on with both flats and heels and kept the most versatile pieces.
#3 Ask yourself 3 things: Do I wear it? Does it fit? Do I love it? And be honest!
#4 Don’t hold on to the past. It’s that hopeful place where we keep our pre-pregnancy jeans and the size 2 cocktail dress that we’ve never worn. Ever.

I call this my “I have a dream” section. Sure, hang onto those “before” jeans if you’re a new mom. But if, like me, your kid is due to graduate high school next year? Not so much…
Also, don’t keep anything with the goal that it will look great once you lose that last 5-10-15 pounds. When you reach your weight goals, THEN reward yourself with a shopping trip!

Good luck! And If you have the chance, post a photo of your before and after pics!

Ten Minute Tasks (printable)

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It’s that time of year where all the things I’ve put off because of the holidays and birthday month are all needing to be done. Instead of stressing out about how much needs to be done I’m going to chop up all those chores into tasks lasting only ten minutes.
I even made a lovely printable list for myself to get organized.

10 Minute Tasks
Click here to download (opens in word)

Spring Cleaning: Sewing Drawer

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I have a big redecorating project to gear up for. The kids are getting a new look in their rooms and so I’d better take a few minutes to clean out the sewing drawer.

It’s pretty bad you guys.
So, like before empty everything out of the space so you can take a good look at what you’ve got.

Yikes!

Group everything into one of three categories. Keep, Donate, or Trash. Then toss the trash and throw the donations into the trunk of your car right away, otherwise they will gather dust in the corner of your garage if you are like me.
Group the rest into piles of like objects.

Here’s a shot of my notions.
On to my fabric

Again, sorted by colors:

Ah! So much better! And, it only took me about 30 minutes.

You’ll note that the pillow stuffing didn’t fit back in, but, that’s ok I’m going to make pillows tonight anyway.
Now if it will only stay this way.

Spring Cleaning: Art Cupboard

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Got one of these?
Let me see, moldy play-dough, dried up paint tubes, really dirty paint brushes, leftovers from about ten different projects. I’m sad to say this, my friends, is my cupboard. So it’s all me.
No getting out of it by blaming the kids.

So, first things first.
Get everything out of the cupboard. Everything.

Evaluate what stays and what goes. Soul searching might be required if you are getting worked up about whether or not to toss that picture frame that you bought but then decided you hate. But you can’t just toss it out! It’s perfectly good!
Ok Ok, breathe.
You’ll make three piles.
Keep: the things you know you will use
Donate: The things you don’t use but are still in good shape.
Trash: The things that are used up or beyond repair.

See easy right?
Ok, pack up the donation pile and go put in the trunk of your car right now or it will sit in the corner of the garage until your husband yells at you about it.
Then go throw out the trash.
Ahhhh. So nice!

Next you’ll group like things together.

So, that’s where all the putty knives were?

Oh, and perhaps a fourth pile might be necessary: Stuff that needs to go back to the supply closet at work.

Uh huh, busted.

Now that you have all you things in piles you’ll put them in organizers then put them in your cupboard. Done!
Well for you maybe. But if you’re like me you’ll need to go one further and create sub-categories!
Yeah woowhooo!
Let me elaborate:

You’ll note long handled brushes in one section, short handled brushes in the other.
Hot, yes!?
My paint was the same story. More sub-categories!

Sort by color…

then I arranged them into bins.

You guys, look at all the room I have for more paint!


Wow! What a difference an hour makes.
Next up the sewing drawer! Dundunduhhhhhhh