I’m taking part in Karen’s annual Declutter Challenge and have found a number of things to straighten up or get rid of. I’m a book lover, but I long ago joined my blogging friend Melanie in limiting the number of books to the shelf space available. Despite this I found about 30 books that will be passed on because I don’t use them any more.
See that almost-empty space? I got rid of about 1/3 of my books!
However! One of the other “declutter” categories was mementos and I had no idea I had so many. They’re little, so they’ve been stored in a dresser drawer too shallow for anything else and I hadn’t thought about them.
There were all these pins, mostly from QuiltCon in various years, though some from AQS shows as well:
And all these nice enamel pans from many other quilt conferences and one art museum:
I threw away the cheap button pins and put the enamel pins back in their box. I always think I should make a hanger to display them, so maybe this is the year for that project.
In the same drawer (different section) were my show ribbons, another thing I don’t know what to do with. I just left them for now. I know some people leave them on the winning quilts, but since I give my quilts away that’s not an option.
No, I’m not sure why they’re all “upside down” when viewed from the front of the drawer!
I’m enjoying the decluttering challenge. And now I need a decluttering plan for the rest of my clutter, not just the quilt room. Maybe start with my desk? (No, I’m not showing a photo!)
Zippy Quilts 
It’s fun to look at your bookshelf and see which books I have too. And in your box of ribbons, the big black and turquoise swirly one — I used that fabric as backing on a rainbow disappearing 9 patch!
I just had to declutter my sewing room because it was going to show up in the background of a Zoom call — I am enjoying its new neatness and I hope I can keep it that way. 🙂
Yes, it’s always fun to see that someone has the same fabric, despite the thousands of them out there. And “if only” I could keep the neatness–ha!
I too have way too many books and not enough bookshelves. A lot of them are still on my to read list as well so can’t quite get rid of them yet. I’m not overwhelmed yet thankfully but a lot definitely have to go before I bring anything new in.
Not sure about all the badges and ribbons but my Dad was in the scouts for a very long time and they used to get badges and pins for different camps they went on and he had this crazy woollen camp blanket that was covered in badges and pins. Perhaps you don’t have to make something new to put them on just find a nice old blanket at a thrift store
Thanks for the reminder–I had Girl Scout badges and pins, too! At one point our daughter worked for the Girl Scouts, so I gave her my scout stuff to display in her office, which was a good use for those mementos. Not sure yet about these enamel pins, but will add “do something” to my list…
Well, good on you, Zip! I have collected really nice enamel pins over the years plus a few select ‘cheap’ election year pins (most notably my McGovern 72 one!) My favorite enamel ones being a collection of 5 different guitars from when we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe in London (the original!) way back in the 90s. I ended up pinning the pins and spot-tacking some really cool sequined and embroidered patches onto a denim mini-pillow middle daughter made me with old jeans during her sewing learning years…best way to keep a collection of pins IMHO!
Aha! Denim would be a good base for the heavier enamel pins. Thanks for the idea!
I also have a collection of enamel pins…a large collection. I started a blog post sometime ago to share about them and never finished it. Maybe I should do that. I like Laura’s suggestion…the denim pillow. I could be a crazy quilt pillow, or any quilt block. My show ribbons are stored in a decorative box…I have no idea what to do with them, either. Books? Well…they multiply like scraps, don’t they? Ha, ha! 🤣
Books do multiply, and I love books! I’m waiting to see your post about the pins!
You will probably be waiting a long while, Zippy! 🤣
I’m not participating in the challenge but I just downsized some more books too. It is hard and I had to tell myself I haven’t made one thing out of a Debbie Mum quilt book ever so why don’t I pass them on so someone else can make something?
It was fun to see what you are decluttering/working through and wishing you much success and progress on the challenge 🙂
Thanks. And yes, it can be difficult. I have occasionally gotten rid of things I later needed; I just have to remind myself that they are the exception. Huh.
Oh my! I just had the same conflict between myself and some Debbie Mumm books! I have made a couple of her designs, and I did let some of her books go. However, I also held on to a couple of them. Silly me! She just has the cutest designs! 😁
Yes, that’s why I held onto them so long they’re addictingly adorable designs! 😀
There’s a history to all this pins and ribbons. It must have been good to revisit the memories and accolades.
Strength to your arm for the rest of declutter challenge
I really appreciate Karen’s declutter challenge, and feel like I got a lot done. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I love seeing what you’re doing with your declutter project! I’d love to peruse your books, but would have to admonish myself not to “borrow” anything. 🙂 I hope your books found great new homes. As for pressed badges… I completely agree about tossing those collected at QuiltCon. What else is there to do with them when returning home?! As for pins, I think it’s nice to keep them all in one place. A pin-holder is a good idea. Ribbons: I can tell you what I did with all mine 14 years ago. I laid them all out on a table, so every ribbon could be seen. Then I climbed on a ladder, took a picture, and then threw the whole pile into a garbage bag, never to be seen again. I’ve got that picture though! Keep up the good work. You’re doing fabulously!
I think a photo of the ribbons is a great idea. They’re not doing anything in the drawer except taking up space! Thanks!