Craft Supplies and Books, Books, Books!

"Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough."

(Author Unknown)

Moving is the ultimate chore. After I moved back into my parents' house in August, my room was full of boxes, bags, and clothes that needed to be put away. By the time September rolled around (when the first set of photos were taken, below), I was able to have stored some items in the attic, donated bags of clothing, shoes, and accessories, and had my space fairly well-situated.

Now it's December and I regret to inform you that I've retrogressed. It's difficult to organize when there's little time during the week to get anything done at home, and when weekends are always full and hectic, especially this time of year! However, I can share the progress I've made on craft supplies and books.

Craft Supplies

I successfully organized my craft supplies in one area. I haven't used them in quite a while, but hope to soon. I won't have time for any Christmas craftiness, but I have some DIY wedding projects in the future which I cannot even begin to think about right now. Some day, I'd love to have an arts and crafts room or mini ceramics studio... or how about 3 gift-wrapping rooms like Spelling Manor?

Let's call this the Creative Center

Cart with drawers under desk

Close-up of cart

Craft tools

Yarncrafting supplies

Felt/polyfill

Smaller desktop drawers

Glitter/glue

Stamps/ink

Books

It's easy for me to let go of clothing, which I do at least once a season; but I contend that keeping books I'm not currently reading is not the same as keeping clothes I haven't been wearing. But for the sake of space and the love of knowledge and storytelling, I have decided to let go. I've been giving books to friends based on requests* -- Christmas gifts, anyone? -- and will donate the rest to a library, book drive, or one of the organizations I work for. I'll hold on to a very small collection, mostly cookbooks, so that I'll have room to grow again.

Reader #1

Reader #2

Reader #3

Reader #4

Reader #5 and Reader #6

In several months I'm going to have to move again, and I want to take a pared down number of possessions from this place, especially since there will be (and are already) many new things to bring along... and I might be living in a shoebox in Brooklyn.

I can't believe Christmas is almost here. Tomorrow, Thursday, December 22, is the Winter Solstice -- the shortest day and longest night of the year -- and also the first day of winter. Although it means that the coldest, seemingly longest season is only starting, after tomorrow the days will get longer and the nights shorter!

*If you're interested in free books, please let me know and I'll provide you with a list to choose from.