You may have been wondering where I've been this past week. Well, I've been immersing myself in Zone 1 (the dining room) and it's been hard work. This is a tough zone, a very heavy duty working area of our home, and there is serious Clutter Overload here as you can see. I admit that I've struggled with my newly adopted Home-♥-Loving mantra as it really has felt like a hard slog this week to be honest. I've not exactly been feeling the love. However, although I am nowhere near finishing the job, I've made some good progress.
I had Little Man off school for two days, suffering with vague viral symptoms. Isn't it funny when a child describes their own symptoms? We've been dealing with a "weird tummy", "wibbly legs" and a "heavy head". I know just what he means though, that's exactly how I feel when a virus hits.
He's been unwell with a slight temperature but not dreadfully ill, and actually I've loved having him home. In between extended flat-out bouts of weird-wibbly-heaviness on the sofa, he's been helping me out with Little B, allowing me to crack on and Get Stuff Done. Many piles have been dealt with, and much recycling, sorting, reorgansing and rearranging has taken place. It's taken some doing.
The above photo was taken in the early summer, it's the back end of our dining room. This shelf (along with another small cupboard) holds the Little People's art and craft supplies, and it's always been incredibly hard to keep this area under control. Stuff often spills and tumbles from the shelves onto the floor (often aided by Little B's mischievous hands) and I've lost count of the many times I've spent scooping up fallen items and shoving them haphazardly back onto the shelves.
Two months ago I purchased this little pine chest of drawers from the second hand shop for £20, and for two months this little chest of drawers sat empty.
Now it has replaced the open shelving (hooorrrah!) and it's drawers are full of well organised art and craft materials. Gosh it took some sorting!
I went through the huge array of pens, pencils, scissors and brushes and organised them into these jars....
....and Little Man did a great job testing out the colouring pens so we could dispose of the ones that didn't work very well.
Now everything has a logical place to live, and the Little Ones each have a folder to store their art work in.
Much scribbled-on paper was Secretly Recycled.
But some scribbles were just too darn sweet for words and definitely for keeps.
Over on the other side of the room, progress has been slower. The clutter over here is Serious. I've managed to empty, sort, reorganise and repack this one cupboard (gift wrap, greetings cards, ribbon, envelopes, papers, labels, brochures, catalogues), but the other one (which is jammed with yarn and sewing supplies) has yet to be tackled.
And then there's Those Shelves. Man. They send shivers up my spine. Baby steps right?
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ps see you soon with some bright and happy yarn and blanket stuff. Promise x
pps I just remembered these archive entries re The Shelves of Doom...take a look at them way back here and here. Lordy. Where HAS all the stuff come from???!!!!
I know the clutter is a nightmare for you, but it makes me feel slightly better to know that I am not the only one who has shelves and cupboards that get out of control. I was going zone by zone through my house as well and it was looking great. Then I went back to work last week after staying home to recover from knee surgery for the last 4 months. I woke up this morning and was overwhelmed. Only 5 days and the house is in chaos. Doesn't take long. I will be doing some home-loving today too. Take care Lucy. You always make me smile with your posts.
Posted by: Kashi Griffith | October 08, 2011 at 04:18 PM
Ooh, de-cluttering, that's what I've been doing today - in fact, I just took a little tea break from my de-cluttering, but I'm now thinking I really should get back to my own Shelves of Doom, lest I end up fixated to my computer screen for the next hour!
Posted by: Emma | October 08, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Great craft drawers: what a good idea.
And I love the ConnieVan picture drawn by your child, complete with bunting. He obviously has your artistic talent.
Best Wishes
Primrose
Posted by: Primrose Beresford | October 08, 2011 at 04:27 PM
Oh Lucy! Most of us would be quite happy to pop in for a cuppa and browse your bookshelves and breathe in the wonderful, colourful, lovingly creative, warm and beautiful home you have. We all have bits we would like to hide, but coming to accept that everyone has them lowers the stress about them somewhat!!!
I know the virus thing...couldn't keep up with FLYlady the last 2 weeks coz of one! Love to Little Man, hope he is better.
K x
Posted by: KayElleC | October 08, 2011 at 04:32 PM
I love the fact that your house is as chaotic as mine, well done for keeping up with the house loving, I just cannot even think about starting. Preferring instead to hide away in my little craft room and make more things to clutter up the house tee heee.
Posted by: Sue | October 08, 2011 at 04:33 PM
An amazing blog, you have a beautiful and happy, colourfull life! Hugs from Romania!
Posted by: Roxana | October 08, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Great job! I hate this, too, but always feel so much better when I do it.
Posted by: Lee | October 08, 2011 at 04:54 PM
Please know you are an inspiration and most probably not just to me! I WILL get on top of my mess (and three kidlet's mess) and make my life more orderly!
Posted by: Faith | October 08, 2011 at 04:54 PM
Those pictures from way-back-when-it-was-tidy are just perfect motivation to get it all tidies again. They look just lovely when they are neat.
I am a clutter-whore as well. But I am pleased to say I am also working in baby-steps to clear my bedroom for the Great Redecorate. Which will be awesome, but a lot of work.
Keep it up. The rewards will be well worth the effort. You'll feel even more satisfied when you've tackled the BIG clutter areas. Especially those shelves. They do rather stand out! ;-)
Posted by: Sibyl | October 08, 2011 at 04:57 PM
Good job with your organized drawers - you'll get through the other, too. Your little one's description was awfully cute!
Posted by: Lisa G. | October 08, 2011 at 04:57 PM
Well Done! It's all starting to take shape and you can definitely see the difference that you are making in the areas you have sorted already. The craft drawers are a great idea with all those handy little baskets. I should really make a start on my own de-cluttering sometime soon! Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend :O)x
Posted by: Jackie | October 08, 2011 at 05:00 PM
We have the exact same clutter issues in our house too - I mean serously where does all The Clutter come from? I don't spend my days buying bags full of clutter at the shops but all of a sudden the house is just full of the stuff! I did some serious clutter removal in the kitchen today and it feels great!
Keep it up, you are doing great :)
Posted by: Gingerbread Girl | October 08, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Sometimes cleaning/clearing/reorganizing can be quite daunting. It's amazing how much better you feel with each progressive step that is made! It's nice that you had a little helper this week, though I am sorry that he hasn't been feeling well. Best of luck with the shelves! I'm sure it'll look lovely when you finish them!
~Lacey
Posted by: Lacey | October 08, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Great job so far. I can relate as I am a hoarder also. I have so much STUFF here there and everywhere that it's overwhelming. Crochet things in particular and magazines and books. I love it all though. You just might inspire me to give organizing a go! Love your house!
Posted by: kelli woodall | October 08, 2011 at 05:04 PM
A24..........Those shelves....hmmmmmm.
Posted by: Reality Jayne | October 08, 2011 at 05:05 PM
You are brave even attempting FlyLady - I tried the online thing and it drove me mad - plus my inbox filled up with spam :(
Good luck with those shelves - I've seen worse ;)
Posted by: VintageVicki | October 08, 2011 at 05:13 PM
Gosh, even your clutter is pretty and colorful! :)
Posted by: Bethany | October 08, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Oh how I love to have a peek inside people's houses, especially when there are colourful treats to see! Well done with the sorting, those arty supplies will be even nore tempting now. :)
Jess xx
Posted by: Jessie | October 08, 2011 at 05:16 PM
It must be the time of year. I've been doing exactly the same thing with my girls' bedrooms. They were really grotty, but look fab now. It does give you a great feeling when it's done! xx
Posted by: Serendipity | October 08, 2011 at 05:17 PM
Alot of hard work there!!
I am ready now to tackle my own "stuff"!!
Posted by: penelope dubois | October 08, 2011 at 05:22 PM
Lucy, you should have joined my sisters Reality Shot Thursdays at www.mockingbirdhillcottage.blogspot.com. This post was perfect for that. I am redoing my kitchen so I have stuff everywhere, but is the kitchen of course. I know how you feel.
Meredith
Posted by: Meredith | October 08, 2011 at 05:34 PM
even your messy muddles look pretty and colourful ;o) well done on the sorting!
little man's drawing is magic ✰ you have some very creative children there :o)
xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
Posted by: amelie | October 08, 2011 at 05:37 PM
Hello Lucy! That is a real home! I can recognize the "landscape" it's similar to mine, here in my one bedroom home. But what a wonderfull thing when is all done, clean and clear!
Whit love
verónica
Posted by: verónica | October 08, 2011 at 05:51 PM
Oh boy, know how that feels, its kinda homely though isn,t it!!!!!!!!
I have so much art stuff & craft stuff & yarn stuff & fabric stuff..................the list goes on & on & on :D
Have a good one!!!!
Karen x
Posted by: karen | October 08, 2011 at 05:55 PM
OMG, this is how my office/extra bedroom looks! Only your clutter even looks better than mine because the colors are so cheerful. You've inspired me to finally get my act together and do something about it.
And I love your plants on the window sill. I'm gonna need some plants. ☺
Posted by: Terri @ Terri's Table | October 08, 2011 at 05:58 PM