2014 - destash thread The Year of the Great Purge

[luvmarypoppins]

I made some good progress. I sorted out 3 boxes from the hall closet. This resulted in one big leaf bag full of mostly papers to throw out.

I found 2 cards for the ds. One had $20 and one had $6, both birthday cards. They were happy.

More to sort next week. I think that is mostly stuff and not papers.

 

[4 Ears]

Dug out the winter clothing.

DH said to send one of his hoodies back to Maine to which ever kid wants it. Just too heavy for down here.

My thickest pair of PJ pants elastic is gone. ya know, the elastic is dried up..

So although 2 articles of clothing are gone, 1 will be replaced.

That's all I've got now. How about you??

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Yesterday I took 2-55 gallon trash bags of clothes, one box of books and one large box of random household items to Goodwill.

I also took 3 large flat rate boxes of scrapbook pages and paper to the post office to mail to a friend.

And I went to the dry cleaners.

Today we finish deep cleaning the kitchen.

DH is taking the week of Thanksgiving off and we are doing a huge push for the end of the year.

 

[pjlla]

Yesterday I took 2-55 gallon trash bags of clothes, one box of books and one large box of random household items to Goodwill.

I also took 3 large flat rate boxes of scrapbook pages and paper to the post office to mail to a friend.

And I went to the dry cleaners.

Today we finish deep cleaning the kitchen.

DH is taking the week of Thanksgiving off and we are doing a huge push for the end of the year.

Good job! You are definitely making good progress!

******************

Well.... I made BACKWARDS progress yesterday by stopping at two of my favorite thrift stores! I came home with 7 articles of clothing (but only 3 for me.... 3 for DD and one for my Mom), a Disney mug to (hopefully) sell, a small piece of Fiesta (couldn't pass it up for 90 cents!) and a "knick-knack" that I plan on painting and using around the house (so yes, the absolute epitome of CLUTTER!). But all is good otherwise! I have a bin that has been slowing filling to go out the door (hopefully this weekend) and I am finally nearly done with a furniture project that has been sitting in the garage since September (and it is a gift so it will be gone over the weekend).

Baby steps, as usual!......................P

 

[dtr_angel]

I really need to make it a point to check in here more. I do better when I am more accountable!

So much to do, so little time! How is everyone else doing?

 

[OhMari]

I really need to make it a point to check in here more. I do better when I am more accountable!

When I think about how far our house has come since this time last year, I get excited. But we still have a ways to go... Our basement is SO CLOSE to being DONE DONE DONE. I washed & sorted a bunch of winter clothes to donate. I tried to call the local shelter and Salvation Army to see if they can use them, along with some other household goods but no answer and I forgot to call today since I was busy. Hopefully several boxes/bags of stuff will be gone next week.

I finally remembered to call the formal dress consignment shop yesterday. I have a bunch of prom dresses, 3 bridesmaid dresses, and my wedding dress to go. They need to be newly dry cleaned and new style. I'm guessing most of them aren't 'new style' since I graduated high school in 2002 Dry cleaning is at least $20/dress and I only get 50% if they sell so I'm not sure what to do. I might take them by the shop and see which ones they would even take before I pay to dry clean them. I know for sure the wedding dress will be expensive to dry clean but maybe I can at least make back the 100+ to will cost to clean. It's been in a bag for over 6 years and I don't see the point in hanging on to it if it's never going to be worn. I'll keep my veil which hopefully won't go out of style and that can be passed on to someone else.

My biggest project lately has been sorting and organizing 30+ years of pictures to scrapbook. Over the years I have bought a ton of scrap booking supplies with the intention to scrap but never got around to it. I am caught up on my 2 year olds scrapbook, but not my own! I finally brainstormed a way to combine all the albums of pictures with other stuff so I went ahead and ordered the album and other things I need to do the project last night. It's going to take my some time to complete but it will give me something to do over the winter.

I think after I get done my scrap booking projects I'll work on organizing my big closet and the new closets in the basement. I think I need a bunch of space bags. I have a box of clothes in each size packed away that my son has outgrown but they are taking up so much space in my closet. I'm hoping some space bags do the trick. They are probably better for long term storage than cardboard boxes anyway.

So much to do, so little time! How is everyone else doing?

My wedding dress has been in a box for 33 years.

Scrap booking would be an awesome job for someone. I am the same way, I buy books, but never get around to scrap booking.

Still have not sold our house. We have an open house next weekend". We had one 2 weeks ago and no one came. It is getting pretty discouraging.

 

[Shanan]

My dad is having a living estate sale the weekend after Thanksgiving. I am taking 2 boxes of collectables (Roseville pottery, Depression glass etc) to sale. He can keep the proceeds I also have 6 boxes of clothes and other stuff in the truck to take today at lunch. Also went through garage last night & got 3 boxes of stuff to throw away. Still have lots to go through but glad to get that out of house

 

[Iowajes]

My wedding dress has been in a box for 33 years.

I donated my wedding dress after my wedding. I have never regretted the decision. Especially because I know the person who ran the event where people got dresses (mostly prom, but a few wedding) and she told me in detail who got my dress, what her reaction to finding a dress that fit her was, etc. It just made me feel SO good. And I loved my wedding dress. Prettiest dress ever, IMO.

When I was trying to make my decision, I asked my Mom what she did with hers. She said she paid to have it preserved and sealed in a archive box. I asked what she did with the box. She told me it was in the attic. So I said "and what will you do with it?" She told me "Oh, nothing. I figured after I died, you girls would look at it and think "oh" before putting it in the goodwill pile."

I decided I'd rather donate the dress while it was still in style.
(I did NOT give it to goodwill, but rather an organization that specifically collected and distributed formal gowns.)

Oddly enough, possibly even ironically, I have a collection of bridesmaids dresses cluttering my closet, but can't seem to part with them. For some reason I feel like it would be an offense to the bride if I gave them away.

 

[pjlla]

I donated my wedding dress after my wedding. I have never regretted the decision. Especially because I know the person who ran the event where people got dresses (mostly prom, but a few wedding) and she told me in detail who got my dress, what her reaction to finding a dress that fit her was, etc. It just made me feel SO good. And I loved my wedding dress. Prettiest dress ever, IMO.

When I was trying to make my decision, I asked my Mom what she did with hers. She said she paid to have it preserved and sealed in a archive box. I asked what she did with the box. She told me it was in the attic. So I said "and what will you do with it?" She told me "Oh, nothing. I figured after I died, you girls would look at it and think "oh" before putting it in the goodwill pile."

I decided I'd rather donate the dress while it was still in style.
(I did NOT give it to goodwill, but rather an organization that specifically collected and distributed formal gowns.)

Oddly enough, possibly even ironically, I have a collection of bridesmaids dresses cluttering my closet, but can't seem to part with them. For some reason I feel like it would be an offense to the bride if I gave them away.

What a GREAT thing you did! How many wedding dresses ever REALLY get used again? They either go hopelessly out of style or don't fit the next generation!

My Mom had hers cleaned and preserved, but of course, when it was time for me to marry the dress was very dated and didn't fit me in any way, shape or form! I was sad because I am the only daughter, but my Mom encouraged me to find MY dress and not look back. Then she surprised me at my wedding shower with a beautiful wedding day purse made from her dress. I was stunned that she cut up her dress, but it really was the BEST of both worlds! And again, that dress wasn't destined to be worn.

That being said, I dutifully packed up my dress and preserved it and there it has sat in the back of the closet for the past 22 years.... and it is VERY dated looking now (it has sleeves AND a butt bow!! )... and my feelings would NOT be hurt if DD never considered wearing it.... but now I know what I'd do with it!!

I also still have the remainder of my Mother's dress.... I keep thinking that some day I may be able to make my GRANDCHILDREN a christening gown!

But really... wouldn't we all just be better off to sell or donate our gowns while they are still current??

Anyhoooo.... finished my current furniture rehab project and I really like how it turned out. Giving it to its intended recipient tomorrow and I will post pictures of it after that! (She lurks here sometimes, so I am not posting any info about it yet!) And that means one piece of furniture out of the house, plus all of the supplies I used up to make it!

Busy all day tomorrow, but hope to get some clutter cleared on Sunday.........P

 

[njmom47]

Checking in since BBBS came and took 4 bags (clothing and stuffed animals) and 1 box of books. Thank goodness they take books, but only 1 box per pickup. That just motivates me to get more stuff together for another pickup. Took a bunch of dds stuff for my mom to take to the thrift shop, gave some clothing away to a friend for her dgd, and since we are having a new kitchen floor put in, we have to clean/declutter the kitchen. I am really excited about that!
We also have 3 of dds prom dresses (she grad in '11 so they are somewhat current) that I should look into donating. Unfortunately, one has a pull in the front so that one really shouldn't go. The other is SO unique and SO my dd, I just can't see anyone else wearing it, but....we'll think about it.

 

[Iowajes]

I keep thinking that some day I may be able to make my GRANDCHILDREN a christening gown!

I've seen this a few times and I think it is a GREAT idea. It is probably very hard to cut up your wedding dress; but styles change so much- what else will it ever be used for?

I actually know someone who did this for her own children; she made a baptismal gown out of her train.

 

[MAJPLO]

Ahhhh. I didn't get as much done in my half day off work as I wanted, but something is better than nothing! I got rid of one bag of trash, organized the kids' school papers into binders, and threw out a ton of markers that don't work anymore. I spent about $20 on drawer and shelf organizers and reorganized our school supply/craft area. I also reorganized a drawer in my closet that i use to store travel items and kids' uniform pieces (baseball pants, socks, belts, cub scout neckerchiefs, slides, etc.) Looks better, works better, so I feel a little better. Tomorrow I will clear off a desk that has been collecting clutter! And hopefully get to destashing some of the kids' books. Or maybe the top of their dresser!

ETA I also had two boxes picked up for donation yesterday. In today's decluttering I filled another donation box and added to my "to be sold" box. Yay I've been trying to sell my two crib bedding sets but I think I may just take them over to the consignment store instead.

 

[MAJPLO]

I've seen this a few times and I think it is a GREAT idea. It is probably very hard to cut up your wedding dress; but styles change so much- what else will it ever be used for?

I actually know someone who did this for her own children; she made a baptismal gown out of her train.

I really love these ideas. I may ask my grandmother for her wedding dress and plan to make it into purses for my daughter and my cousin's daughter when they get married.

 

[dtr_angel]

My wedding dress has been in a box for 33 years. Scrap booking would be an awesome job for someone. I am the same way, I buy books, but never get around to scrap booking. Still have not sold our house. We have an open house next weekend". We had one 2 weeks ago and no one came. It is getting pretty discouraging.

Mine has only been in the dress bag for 6 years, but I didn't have it cleaned right away. We were outside for part of the wedding, and it rained. I'm almost afraid to look at the bottom of the dress. It's going to be expensive to clean! I'm sorry you haven't had any luck with your house. Any prospects on a new house for you? DH and I have been looking online constantly for quite some time but we just haven't seen any that are anywhere close to what we want. Maybe it's a good thing we aren't ready to buy yet.

I donated my wedding dress after my wedding. I have never regretted the decision. Especially because I know the person who ran the event where people got dresses (mostly prom, but a few wedding) and she told me in detail who got my dress, what her reaction to finding a dress that fit her was, etc. It just made me feel SO good. And I loved my wedding dress. Prettiest dress ever, IMO. When I was trying to make my decision, I asked my Mom what she did with hers. She said she paid to have it preserved and sealed in a archive box. I asked what she did with the box. She told me it was in the attic. So I said "and what will you do with it?" She told me "Oh, nothing. I figured after I died, you girls would look at it and think "oh" before putting it in the goodwill pile." I decided I'd rather donate the dress while it was still in style. (I did NOT give it to goodwill, but rather an organization that specifically collected and distributed formal gowns.) Oddly enough, possibly even ironically, I have a collection of bridesmaids dresses cluttering my closet, but can't seem to part with them. For some reason I feel like it would be an offense to the bride if I gave them away.

I wish I could've done that! I would gladly give my dress away to someone that can wear it. That must be a really good feeling I don't feel guilty giving away bridesmaid dresses, I just have never really known what to do with them. I live in a small town so besides just giving them to goodwill, there really aren't many other options. There is one formal dress place that I just found out not too long ago that does consignment but it hasn't been around long. I guess I should've just donated them to Goodwill while they were still in style but since they were pretty expensive I thought that I should at least try to get some money out of them.

What a GREAT thing you did! How many wedding dresses ever REALLY get used again? They either go hopelessly out of style or don't fit the next generation! My Mom had hers cleaned and preserved, but of course, when it was time for me to marry the dress was very dated and didn't fit me in any way, shape or form! I was sad because I am the only daughter, but my Mom encouraged me to find MY dress and not look back. Then she surprised me at my wedding shower with a beautiful wedding day purse made from her dress. I was stunned that she cut up her dress, but it really was the BEST of both worlds! And again, that dress wasn't destined to be worn. That being said, I dutifully packed up my dress and preserved it and there it has sat in the back of the closet for the past 22 years.... and it is VERY dated looking now (it has sleeves AND a butt bow!! )... and my feelings would NOT be hurt if DD never considered wearing it.... but now I know what I'd do with it!! I also still have the remainder of my Mother's dress.... I keep thinking that some day I may be able to make my GRANDCHILDREN a christening gown! But really... wouldn't we all just be better off to sell or donate our gowns while they are still current?? Anyhoooo.... finished my current furniture rehab project and I really like how it turned out. Giving it to its intended recipient tomorrow and I will post pictures of it after that! (She lurks here sometimes, so I am not posting any info about it yet!) And that means one piece of furniture out of the house, plus all of the supplies I used up to make it! Busy all day tomorrow, but hope to get some clutter cleared on Sunday.........P

Wow that is such a good idea! My mom had her dress preserved in a box (she got married in 1980) and although I think she probably would've loved for me to want to wear it, she didn't push it on me. Hers was long sleeved and I got married in the summer so it wouldn't have worked anyway. I never thought about getting it turned into something else for my wedding, maybe if she has a granddaughter one day we can have something made for her wedding.



Called the shelter yesterday and they are full of donations right now. They said they would be giving things away and clearing things out next week so the week after they would be able to take more. My mom also said she saw/heard they were collecting warm stuff for winter so I'm going to go through the closets and see if I can come up with some hats, gloves and blankets to add to all the clothing & kitchen stuff I already have to donate. I can't start my scrapbook project until I get my order in the mail. Yesterday I started organizing the box of photo cds I had. It's going to take me a few days but I'm organizing all my digital files and then burning them to discs and backing up online. So exciting to finally getting around to things that have been on my to do list forever!

 

[dreamin_disney]

I reduced the price on some of dd's tops and I ended up selling 5. Made $10. also posted some toy set she had and almost sold it but lady said she couldn't meet up her child got sick but to let her know if its still available. hope it sells and her child feels better

I posted a few more things on FB and craigs list.

I tried working in my room and its nice to see the piles get smaller. DD has more stuff to sell but I told her to keep it in her room until the first of the year. My goal is to get rid of her stuff that's in my craftroom right now.

 

[njmom47]

So today, dh tore up half of the kitchen floor.
Hm, I recall the woman saying it would take 2-4 weeks for the new flooring that we ordered to come in. So we will have a plywood floor until then. I guess if I asked him to wait, he might not do it at all.
But that did force me to get rid of one cabinet, and repurpose the other one to make a shoe rack for myself. Dumped about 50 magazines in the recycling dumpster, put a few things on Freecycle, got rid of 2 bags of trash, filled up the "shredding" basket, and started a new collection (clothes and shoes) for pickup.
ETA Forgot to add I cleaned out the medicine chest and am boxing up extra baking dishes for dd#1 to take with her, AND I cleaned out under my bed.

 

[jojosam]

My de stash is one that has been forced upon me, but I'm finding it quite therapeutic. Husband has decided he no longer wants to be married, so I am in the process of boxing up items he can take with him once he's settled into his new place. My kitchen cabinets and counters have never been so neat and clean!! 5 boxes of glasses and dishes plus several small appliances have been cleared out.

 

[pjlla]

My de stash is one that has been forced upon me, but I'm finding it quite therapeutic. Husband has decided he no longer wants to be married, so I am in the process of boxing up items he can take with him once he's settled into his new place. My kitchen cabinets and counters have never been so neat and clean!! 5 boxes of glasses and dishes plus several small appliances have been cleared out.

OH my! I'm so sorry to hear this. Take care of yourself! But I'm glad you can see the bright side.....................P

 

[pjlla]

Well.... if this works properly, here are pictures of my most recent furniture make-over. It was an old night table that I got for free from a FB yard sale and I decoupaged it with pages from books about whales and dolphins (DD is studying to be a Marine Biologist). I brought it to her over the weekend and she is delighted with it. It is a printer stand now!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

So one more thing out the house, at least..... along with the remainders of a can of polyurethane!....................P

ETA: Wowza, those pictures are HUGE! I tried to add one of the top and it was GINORMOUS, so I deleted it.

 

[StephMK]

My de stash is one that has been forced upon me, but I'm finding it quite therapeutic. Husband has decided he no longer wants to be married, so I am in the process of boxing up items he can take with him once he's settled into his new place. My kitchen cabinets and counters have never been so neat and clean!! 5 boxes of glasses and dishes plus several small appliances have been cleared out.

I'm so sorry but glad you find a bright side.


pjilla - that cabinet turned out so cute! I love it, very creative!


I destashed 2 more small piles of things from my closet. I also went through the coat closet and collected a handful of vests and 2 winter coats to take to school.

We may be having company in 2 weeks and she has never seen our house. Hers is immaculate so I will be doing some MAJOR projects to get ready for her to stay with us. I'm excited for her to come and also that this is the exact push I need to get some projects finished.

I plan to declutter after work this week and save the painting/fix it projects for this weekend. DH has scheduled a guy to fix our kitchen ceiling finally! A very long time ago, I took out the old fluorescent light and the wooden box cover. BIL put in can lights for us but we need the ceiling around it drywalled and some minor repairs.