While there hasn't been a lot of time for my quilting and dollmaking, I've found that having a creative mind has helped me grow my business, so I'm being creative..just not with fiber and thread.
However, I have found much joy in destashing. I have a big pile of stuff to send on to Mollie so she can parcel it out on Etsy or use it in her artsy creations. And every time I fill another box or bag, I feel more free. Free of the old stuff that is holding me down. And to reward myself for that, I occasionaly go to Cosmic Cow in Lincoln, Nebraska~The best quilt shop in town, and treat myself to some yardage. I just grab some bolts and say..I want this! :) Then, I bring it home, wash it, fold it and put it in an empty place where previously there was stuff that I had looked at way too many years.
It does a body good to let go of the stuff and just replace it with a few really nice things. And instead of fat quarters, a large stash of which I have given out to sisters, friends and am currently trying to use up, I'm buying whole yards. Something I've always wanted to do! When you buy a fat quarter, you never quite have enough, unless of course you are using one of those fat quarter patterns.
And as much fun as I've had with fat quarters and as many memories are attached to them from my busier quilting days on Quiltswappers and other online quilt groups, I'm excited about being a yardage collector instead of a fat quarter collector! So, anytime I cut most of a fat quarter up, I throw the excess in a bag for Mollie, who uses the little bits and scraps! I used to keep them all. And every time I'd try to use them, the pile would grow bigger. So, now periodically, I get rid of the entire mess of little scraps and I let out a big sigh! Ahhhh....
Try it! If you don't feel energized when you go to your corner where your quilting supplies are or your quilting room or cabin... oh..the dream, the have a quilting cabin on the lake... Back to earth, Anne.. If you don't feel excited when you see your stash, then start trading it off or getting rid of it. No regrets! There is always more fabric out there!
Anne
