I have a craft loft - all mine, but includes quilting, sewing, knitting, bookmaking, scrapbooking, card making, Dungeons & Dragons, ... So a lot belongs in here. Luckily it's a large enough space. So I will focus these 21 days on all the sewing / quilting related items and areas, then use your guidance to re-organize and de-clutter the rest over the following months. Thanks for the wonderful and supportive guidance through all aspects of quilting.

@Rowanstarr

6 ай бұрын

I have similar problems of having too many hobbies. I just added a bunch of plants to the mix.

The fastest way to declutter is to MOVE. I am in the process of moving into a skilled care facility and have to get rid of everything. 🤣🤣Love your videos

@AnniePA1960

6 ай бұрын

That sucks. But we're all headed there.

@more5347

5 ай бұрын

just read this as: moving into a skilled SHARE facility.....

Hi from Western Australia. My Squatters were an ants nest. They come in the house in hot weather. This is my second challenge. Being organised really increases productivity. Karen Many thanks for your leadership ,

Never heard the term "squirrels" before. Now that I know what they are, I am able to confront them and make them behave. Thanks!

I keep reminding myself “be kind to yourself”

I had fun with my extension gripper tool. Stuff falling over the back of the work table. Oh, that's where that went to. What's that pink plastic thing? Oh, I think it's part of the plastic leg that fell out of one of my dolls. Now table is cluttered again. Looking forward to tomorrow. I did recycle cardboard that was covered in notes I don't need. Threw out permanent marking pens that dried out. At least I did something.

Hi 👋 from South Aussie- I’m recovering form 4 weeks of Bronchitis and Croup now also have an UTI 😢 so my start to “de clutter “ is falling behind - I’m trying to do 10min twice a day - I know I will get there in the end - thank you for this encouragement

@mgpogue481

6 ай бұрын

Me too! Coughing since Thanksgiving! Came back twice as strong Christmas eve! Friday before Christmas UTI/bladder infection! Broke a 46 day exercise streak but just knocked the crap Out of me. Now surgery scheduled for this Friday has to be postponed as my body isn’t well enough! I am reading the challenges and doing them in my head and giving myself grace to do them when I can. I wish I had a clutter buddy…get well soon! ❤

@janiesoito4494

6 ай бұрын

​@@mgpogue481Wishing improving health for you. UTIs suck. They sneak up on me and just drain me while I am in denial about how sick I am. Hoping you improve soon.

@daisy8297

6 ай бұрын

Wishing you better health very soon. Pace yourself, take time to recover. I didn’t do the declutterring challenge last year as I had just had open heart surgery, but this year is MY year for the big declutter 🥰

@maryhuiatt8518

6 ай бұрын

I'm also behind due to taking care of my parents and waking up with a cold on Jan. 1st. Oh well, I plan to still do the challenge when I can. Like someone else wrote, any progress is still progress!

@ninadukette3340

6 ай бұрын

10 minutes is more than nothing. All efforts count. I am making a pile for selling.

My sewing room becomes giftwrap central. I'm ready to clear that out and put it back in the attic for another year. That alone is a huge improvement!

Oh yeah, so many things in my sewing room, that definitely do not belong there. Oh my!!!Well hidden, but THERE! 🫣

This is my fourth year doing your challenge and I’m surprised at how much I need this challenge every year! Yes, I’m more organized in many areas, thank goodness, but day one and two are always needed. Thank Karen again.

I can't believe what a difference two days makes. I have found new homes for lots of my sewing stuff. I cleaned up my sewing machine and really enjoying the process. I can't thank you enough for running this challenge each year.

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

That is awesome!

Like yoir color series, this decluttering series is applicable to more than just sewing!

You look terrific Karen!😂 Happy New Year 2024 🎉

I wish I could do the day 2 challenge, but my sewing room is also our storage room. Numerous large non-sewing items cannot be removed. And I recently cleaned and oiled all my machines, so I’m good there. I do need to do laundry though - several loads of bedding now that my holiday guests have gone home. Looking forward to hearing the challenge for day 3.

I didn't realize how many plastic ziplock bags I had and small plastic totes half full. Yikes. I found a small tote with nothing but pens, pencils, and markers non for sewing.

Using a timer has really helped me...not just in decluttering but also pacing myself as I sew quilt.

Hi Karen, I cant start decluttering till next week when the 2 grandsons currently residing in my sewing room leave for Melbourne on the big Island. Then its where to start to find anything after its been used for sleeping and a dumping ground for all there stuff.😂

Happy New Year 2024 Karen, you are such an inspiration.!

Well here is my start to 2024 Karen , l we put our home up for sale ,had to decluder my sewing room. So all went into boxes and out to my nieces basement ,I was so sore from this , stagging your home is so devastating, I have done it many times but at 74 and downsizing did me in ...torn muscle 15 hours in hospital , 5 weekes in pain ,and got cold /flu in between it all try coughing with a torn muscle. So want to do the decluder with you ,will watch but all my stuff is in Boxes at my nieces , So will watch and learn what to let go ,I have been watching you since you started taping ,some times its because I need help sometimes just to hear your positive voice Thank You Karen for all you do . We took the house of market !!

Today is the day to pack up my sewing room as we are moving! I am going to use today’s declutter challenge before packing so nothing ends up in my new sewing room that shouldn’t be in there. Thank you for this timely challenge.

@jaineparr4773

6 ай бұрын

Been there, just surfaced from that! It wasn’t nearly as painful as I expected. Think of me, a complete stranger actually cheering you on. Go you! Rah! Rah!

@user-eu4ts3si1u

6 ай бұрын

@@jaineparr4773 Thank you for your support 🤗 I can always use a new quilting friend-especially one that understands the path I am walking!

@chrystewhisenhunt

6 ай бұрын

3:31 I’m in the middle of moving as well! 😂 Thinking we could have chosen a less busy time of year to move! However I’m ready to be a bit brutal in paring down my stash.

@user-eu4ts3si1u

6 ай бұрын

@@chrystewhisenhunt I didn’t choose the timing but I am grateful that God provided the smaller, one level home at this time in our lives. Do you have a move-in date?

@chrystewhisenhunt

6 ай бұрын

@@user-eu4ts3si1u we’re actually living between the two houses for the rest of this month. We chose to move closer to our son and his family. We feel very blessed also - God provided the right house for us within walking distance to the kids. I hope to move my sewing room Saturday. 👏🏻😁

Found a lot of printouts for things - a pile of them! They will be recycled for the woodburner kindling starters. Had them since the 1990s, so time for more room. Genealogy things including photos are now in the family folders. Seems my sewing room is a dumping ground when husband doesn't know where I want things - like 3 packets of vegetable seeds! Ugh!

Karen, thank you for this challenge. I did it mid year in 2023 so I am in pretty good shape in my sewing room. Other areas of the house definitely need some work! Following your plan helps me stay focused. I am so sorry to hear you have Trigeminal Neuralgia. I was diagnosed in 2007 and have had many surgeries and procedures. I am now on drug therapy with good/bad days. Sewing is my salvation because I concentrate on sewing and not pain. I wish you well in 2024 and again thank you for all you do for the sewing/crafting/other world! Looking forward to the next 18 days!

I was gifted two truckloads of designer fabric swatch books last year. my challenge this year is to use them up. already done zippered pouches, tote bags, 3 quilts, a variety of bits and bobs, and have a life time supply of beautiful cotton and linen tea towels. I HAVE to get moving, because I know another pile of books will be here in the spring. thanks for inspiring me this morning.

I just had new flooring put in my house in November so it was the perfect time for my machine to go to the shop for a spa stay. They had it for 7 weeks! I just got it back on Saturday so I could start the year sewing. Everything had to leave the room and gradually be added back in. It was the perfect time to declutter the entire house. Now I have new robot vacuums learning the house so they are running daily. My house is so nice and clean, for the moment.

Squirrels! You know me so well. Lol Thank you!

I love my dedicated planners, but when I have random thoughts and ideas I just jot them down in an inexpensive composition book. I will hereafter call it “squirrel”, lol. Perfect name. Thank you for this!

This is kinda funny… I found 3 quilt planners!! These books talk about organizing & mapping out a plan; luckily they are not by year. Called a friend & she’ll take them all to her guild. Yes!!

The squatter taking up space in my sewing room is a fort built by my granddaughter underneath my sewing table! hahaha I have a dresser and bookshelf that fit under the table. Those items are out in the room so I do lose floor space, but that is a tradeoff I will take for now. I worked on a stack of HSTs last night -- enjoyable and relaxing to spend time at my machine. I'm so glad you include that in the to do list. Onward!

I did day 1 and made pics before I started. Pretty much just cleared a path to the sewing machine, then wiped down my machine and sewing table and the storage units next to my table. Sewed in the afternoon since the fabrics were still lying where I left them. Making a gazillion 9 patches! Ugh!!! Day 2 shouldn't take long. I don't think there's a lot of stuff in there that isn't sewing related so more sewing time!! YAY!!

LOVE your blouse...

I have been sewing in my dining room, as my new sewing room has not been finished (only taking over 10 years!). Everything was put away for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so now I have to go find where I stashed everything! I think I will start cleaning out my new room and just set up everything even though it’s not finished. So frustrating!

I keep finding new stuff moved from my husband's side of the basement to my sewing/embroidery machine side of the basement. I wish I could say I was shocked to find a hand-operated drill and fingernail clippers tied together with dental floss...

Once again this challenge can help us non-quilters to get rid of those odd pieces of paper, the long ago needed to be repaired items, the files of papers for the history projects you've been working on, and the list goes on. . . . I like the term "squirrels" that get in the way. If you write down those ideas, you can re-schedule them and give them the time they deserve just like you're giving a certain room the time it deserves NOW. Keep up the good work that you do Karen! I really enjoy your videos.

Next is the catchall or drawer organizers.

Had a 5 month interruption because of remodeling my adjacent Bathroom. Dust everywhere 🙄 Christmas boxes still to mail 😮 sewing again now and doing luggage tags for my girlfriends on a cruise😊 Still pretty organized from last year, thanks to Karen!

I finally found it! I have been looking for the 2024 declutter challenge and just found it tonight. Unbeknownst to me, I had actually been working on it! Awesome! I have been dealing with health issues as many of you have; congestion, low energy, okay one day, awful the next since December 28th. I need to move forward, and I will take my time. Here's to you ladies and gentlemen! Onward an upward! And thank you Karen for leading the way!

I emptied 2 drawers from my sewing desk which held several patterns. I am going to sort them by season and see what patterns I no long am interested in. Make these a give away.

I’m getting out of the hospital today and can’t wait to start this challenge.

ughh.. I just finished 3 queen sized quilts Christmas night.. I don’t want to go in my sewing room yet.. It’s a disaster and I’m still recovering, but I NEED to do this, so I’ll feel truly refreshed.

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

The trick is just to do it 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes at a time. Follow the prompts and stop. I once cleaned a room 15 minutes at a time for over 3 months. It will happen just with a bit of effort.

@shannonjenkins9251

6 ай бұрын

@@JustGetitDoneQuilts Thank you.. I can do 5 or 10 minutes.. I can do 5 or 10 minutes .. I can do 5 or 10 minutes.. ( I need to keep telling myself to work up the umphff ) !

I was pleasantly surprised that there was indeed a sewing table top under all the clutter. Make me feel good just walking in my room. I have a routine with my machine of cleaning out the lint every 3 bobbin and put in a drop of oil and change the needle. Today I sew. Ready for day 3. 🙂

Day 2 will have to stand in line as I am still working on day One...which is just fine by me...I can only manage 2x15 per day--so i am the "snail" in this challenge for sure...hugs, Julierose

I've got to make several more trips to Goodwill (I have already made one trip with a full load). I'm 75 years old. I'm taking my time with this (I don't want to hurt my back). The State Extension Service wants any fabric I don't need or want anymore. I gave away a small ironing board I didn't use anymore (last Saturday). I still have four (4) ironing boards (one small table model, one over the door, and two free standing). I may give away one of the free standing ones (I have not made up my mind on which one). Yes, this does take time.

I LOVE these short bursts of declutter tips! I did the big challenge last year and benefited from it all year long. Great refresher, thanks!!

I loved your idea to declutter your bulletin board. It can be sensory overload when it’s full of photos, fabrics, etc. I added a beautiful fabric background and viola!

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

You’re right. It all blurs together and you see nothing

I am doing well, don’t have a buddy to help and started early due to being lonely over Christmas. All I have left are three ikea bags to sort mostly UFOs and a few draws and one cardboard box, i have even managed to clean my window sills lol. Working on a ufo large quilt for a few days before tackling more, and made some scrap baskets from my scraps in colours to match contents and sorted my scraps into those

I am already behind...I had to declutter the daughter's room today...I will catch up on the sewing room tomorrow.

I don’t sew much, at least not quilts. This challenge encourages me to just clean an area that needs it, cleaning out those squatters in other rooms.

I'm pretty sure I avoided today. I found so much to do outside of my sewing room. I already have a declutter project to work on but at the moment it is such a mess I don't want to. I'll get it done. I even challenged my sister and sent her the link to join the challenged. She will have a different time.for her starting because she is Nicu nurse and works nights. And really after a 12 hour shift there isn't any time left to do anything.

@FoD1975

6 ай бұрын

Aw, just do what you can sweetheart. Did you watch the little video before the declutter started? Karen is so understanding and lovely. It’s only a short video, and I’m sure it’ll make you feel a bit better. 💕 Take care, Deb x

Yay, this was already done in my sewing room last week!

Got all my sewing machines and notions put away and easily accessible for projects. Fabric is still on the list however it’s nice to have all my things tidy and ready for projects throughout the year. I am enjoying the daily challenges!

I hear you say squirrels and I cringe. Anyone who has ever had squirrels invade their attic space will probably agree...lol. I have my grandmothers Singer Featherweight from 1951 that I use more than any other machine I have, and I set reminders on my phone for every couple of months to do maintenance (oiling) so I don't forget. This machine is a family heirloom and I want to make sure I treat it as such so my nieces or nephews will also be able to use it one day.

I had little trash and no squatters. But i have a huge mess in my sewing room which i call my journal making area 😆 this is getting scaled way back this year. It is threatening to take over the room and i only wanted to make a couple.

I’m starting tomorrow. My space is small and mostly organised but my cutting table looks like a tornado has gone though it and dumped everything on my cutting table. So I will spend half an hour or 2 x 20 min starting to deal with the mess and chaos that is. Hopefully that’s enough time to catch up. I go back to work next week so will attempt to get as much done before I go back. The destashing will be a much bigger job.

Well, I was wrong about trash but I don't think I have too many squatters. My room is so small there's no room for my sewing, never mind extras. But I will do what I can because I did find a couple yesterday. Just cleaned my machine and put in a new needle a couple of days ago. But I have a lot of fabric that needs to come out of totes and be put on the shelves so I think I'll do some of that in its place. Having a plan like you are giving us is really helpful.

This one is harder when you sewing room is a craft room... I do many other things besides sew, and that means tons of project pieces, bits of this and that. We are also currently moving my craft room as the bigger room is becoming a nursery! We've got till March to get it done. Lol

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

This is when you need to make hard choices on how many hobbies do you want to do? smaller space, smaller capacity

@Craftyredo

6 ай бұрын

@JustGetitDoneQuilts You are very right! I purged a lot of supplies that I just don't use anymore. Like bead and jewelry work, water colors, and paper crafts. I'm an artist by trade, so the drawing, acrylic painting and sculpting supplies had to stay. Lol However I did move out some squatters in the form of unneeded furniture.

Well, I went through all my craft books and donated seven. I don’t feel very accomplished. I just had my sewing studio built so it’s not too bad but the spare bedroom is a disaster so that is where I’m concentrating on purging. Blessings.

We use the squirrel term at work when an idea or topic threatens to derail our progress, soI was happy to hear you use it as reference. Got trash out and items that don't belong. I just moved in my new space so wasn't much that hadn't already been through from what belonged or trash. But I did move the tools that we used to hang items on the wall. Easier for things not stay when my new space is external from my home.

My surprise find is my passport. I thought it was gone forever. Hoping to visit my son who is in the Air Force and staioned Germany this year before he comes home in 2025. I was thinking I needed to apply for a new one. Saved me much time and energy

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

Getting a new passport is now such a hassle

Ugh...how did I let it get so bad.? Yet, I'm thankful for your videos to help me , gently, to work through it. Squirrel got me yesterday and we t to the shop for their 20 percent off fabric! So now I have just a little more to organize ❤😅

This is a brutal step for sure. I will bring my tea into my sewing room and get started

I am so grateful for your organization and encouragement!

Thank you, Karen! This is my second year joining you on the challenge. I continued to use your method throughout the year and so this time around, it isn’t as bad. BUT, I still have those scary places in my sewing room that need some serious attention (over stuffed closets, towering stacks of plastic containers not organized, and containing many items that are really just clutter). So, that’s my focus this year! 😅

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

It gets easier every year.

Love ur shirt !!!!!❤

Well, since I will be taking a bedroom as a sewing space this month, the squatters are the bedroom furniture and extra air mattresses! LOL :) After a call to our local humane society to take those away in a few days, I can really start the layout of my space! None the less, I set up my sewing machine in the dining room yesterday so it's ready to get busy on the UFO's!

Doing the 5minute time . great idea thank you

Thank you Karen, it's a great challenge. Day 1 garbage, I thought I had that covered, but I went through my room anyway and ended up finding many things I could throw out. One was an old pen that didn't work very good. I always hated using it but kept it because technically it still had ink in it. Well, I decided that it does not belong here anymore. I have lots of pens, so out it went.

Is the quilt behind the stored sewing room the adding machine tape scrap quilt? Could you do a quick video just to show the final result?

@jenniferwiles1499

6 ай бұрын

I would like to see a video on that as well

Hello Karen! Happy New Year!!

Karen: I purchased the same polka dotted coffee mug as you, when I was vacationing this summer in the Maritimes. Happy Cleaning! Paula ❤

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

It one of my favourite things

Thank you for the inspiration

Hi Karen😃. Happy new year!

Love this time ... I love your organization skill.

Well unfortunately, I have no sewing room again this year. 😕 🤦‍♀️Hope to have a full space to myself *She shed* soon, for me to keep all my stuff in. Hope sometime I can try out this challenge, along with other stuff.. I'll keep watching tho & try out what ever I can do along the way. . ❤

Welcome 2024 and a happy New Year Karen. Thank you for your challenge. Take care and stay safe 🙂

My Quilty friend suggested putting on gloves when I have to touch something that will bring up memories with it. Works great! 👍💞☺️

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

That's a great idea!

I have tubs of old pictures and some Christmas decorations.. I have to figure out what to do with these things… gosh! This is a big project for me. However, I will clear off the sewing/cutting area.. 😮

Oh my, it’s easy to identify the item that doesn’t belong in my sewing space. Finding a different space to put a queen sized bedspread is going to be challenging. The bed it belongs to is a guest mattress leaning against the wall of my shared space. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I am always eager to see the next challenge. This is a great one because I can overlook things that have become squatters so I will go in tomorrow to see what needs to leave my craft room. Loving these challenges. Thank you

❤Love this, Karen! You are an inspiration to me! Day 2 here I come!

Half a dozen extension cords from using at retreats, back in the garage, along with packing tape, not sure how that got in there.

There are some projects that I need to finish and get them off the shelf ... especially getting frames for the best part of my grandmother's quilts that are not usable due to ill treatment and also that she used donated fabric that was already in very used status. I hated to part with them so I am just cutting out the best parts and framing them. I can then let go of the rest. Two quilts to go but I never think to get frames to complete this. I need to prioritize this on my next shopping list!

Good morning. You've got me thinking about my 10 foot quilt frame in my 10 by 12 foot room. It is adjustable but I''m undecided whether to reduce the size or sell it. I may need to flip a coin. My squirrel yesterday was wanting to go to the gym but alas, I remembered it was closed for new years holiday. I had issues with my machine yesterday but fixed it after a long delay working on it and will finish my Jan. 1 project today. Watched the college football playoffs (Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl) - great games both. Hope everyone's day goes well. Off to the gym I go.

aargh I'm already 3 days behind 😜

I wondered how others are handling multiple hobbies in 1 space? My sewing space is also my hobbie room. I have jewelry making, wire wrapping, garment sewing, quilting, crafting and diamond painting that I can think of off the top of my head. I'm redoing my space to have zones for each activity to be done and stored along with an additional room adjacent if necessary. I may have to do each prompt several days in a row to get through them all. Anyone else have a better idea? Currently almost everything has been moved all over the house and brought back just dumped in the floor. I may have to remove it all to start all over at this point, it's so overwhelming. Maybe set up 1 hobby at a time.

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

or decide that you space can't handle all the hobbies and you declutter one or two. We only have so much time, let it be chaos free

❤

My husband has been squatting in my sewing room since he started working from home 15 years ago. 🤔 Not sure where to relocate him.

By hook or by crook …I am first to comment on this video….enjoy your day.

@Cathy_MidwestHome_Hens

6 ай бұрын

😂

Kate from “The last homely house” recommended you.

Can anyone tell me what day on was about. This is the first time ive seen this. I am getting floors done in my house and i have been able to consolidate 2 full book cases into one. I am excited about it.

I will do it as soon as I am done with the flu. I love the decuttering challenge!!! I also love the squirrels lol Lately I have been eating the frog though lol lots of frogs here lol

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

Oh no. Miss you in our chats

@ravensmokedancer8242

6 ай бұрын

Miss you too!!@@JustGetitDoneQuilts

I signed up for the challenge but struggling to with day 2 because we are I. The middle of some home renovations that are now behind schedule and a lot of things had to be stored in my craft room. So I have a lot of stuff that can’t be removed and are in y way of reaching things I will need to look through for this challenge. This challenge will be extra challenging for me this year. Sigh. 🙁

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

Some years are like that. Perfectionism is a nasty thing. So just relax and do what you can

Unfortunately I do not have a dedicated space for sewing and have to use half of our tiny dining table in our equally tiny room (10'x12') and then stow away everything when we eat. My fabric and notions are spread around the rest of our tiny bungalow so I am going to concentrate on my boxes. My lovely but annoying squatter is my husband who commandeers the other half of the table unless I am actually putting my quilt sandwich together. I would be interested to know if anybody has good ideas for sewing in a tiny space and organising when stuff has to be spread around? Actually I suppose that I am actually the squatter!

@JustGetitDoneQuilts

6 ай бұрын

watch my videos on small space sewing kzread.info/dash/bejne/eIyHycqnitK9pbA.htmlsi=2dWP6CrkxsqPCqnp and kzread.info/dash/bejne/k2WqrbNylpaphso.htmlsi=xNgcjgLDclmmtZMa

Where is the FB page? I don't see a link to it.

Why are my husband’s records in my sewing room?

@madgevanness4011

6 ай бұрын

My fabric scraps tstu (too small to use) I’ll stuff in a tough fabric to make a dog bed.

Love this idea. But please! Do not ever put clothes in those drop off bins! Especially clothes that are stained or needing a fix. They end up in landfills in other countries. It’s a huge problem in other parts of the world!

Spent 2 hours with a friend measuring and labelling unwanted fabric for Marketplace. Yes, you’re. That was toooo long. Zzzzzz now.

❤