Now Playing: "Cruel Summer" - local radio
Current Mood : Sweaty again !
Whoo. Takin' a bit of a break - the back and underside of my hair is soaked, I'm sweating so hard. But I did it ! Well, about 75% of what I wanted...
I had two HUGE tubs of Barbie props - we're talkin' those huge 106qt./100l monsters - that used to reside at the bottom of the Lab closet. As you know, that space is now cubbytown ! So I had major reshuffling to do. Yesterday, I moved the drawing tools that were in the closet to the hall linen cabinet, and the ironing tools into an empty drawer in the bathroom. That mostly freed up the closet shelf - still have to find places for some fabric bags - but there's no way it could hold two of those big tubs ! It kind of did, but it was a half on/half off proposition for both of ‘em, and if one tipped in the night, it'd scare hell out of the whole house. And I'd *really* hate myself if one toppled onto Beloved or Dearest. Or Velvet-kitty. Not acceptable.
So today's task was to winnow down what I could, with a more realistic eye towards what I was doing with my dolls, not what I planned to do ‘someday'. Dragged both tubs down and started the sorting. I had so many plans that never happened ! F'r instance, I had at least 30 (**30 !!**) of those school playset desks, for Barbie, not Kelly. Also three aquarium ‘underwater coral and plants' pieces I'd intended for a ‘mermaid' photo shoot, bought cheap at yard sales. Since I have a minor obsession with doll seating, there was an overabundance of doll chairs, too. With an eye towards the dollhouse more than anything else, I started keeping track of how much I was keeping, and wondering how I amassed four high-chairs and six strollers, but only one crib.
I'd hoped to get it down to one monster-tub and a box, but not quite. It's now one tub, a laundry basket, and a small box. The laundry basket holds most of the future dollhouse furniture, the box keeps photo props, favorite chairs, and stands, and everything else is in the tub. Whew ! Importantly, I kept everything I really loved. What got gone was the ‘someday' stuff. It's about ¾ of the other tub, and after one more sort-through, it'll get donated. Unless someone here needs about 20 student desks !
The ‘keeper' stuff is safely in the closet, where it won't hurt anyone or scare the cat. I'm happy for that, and the fact that the bulk of the shuffling's done, with all the doll and fabric stuff still in here. I still have some things to find spots for, but the big, heavy, sweaty work is done. And I'm really proud of me. Lab looks much better, I really love what I have, as opposed to glomming on to everything like a greedy kid, and it's mostly manageable. I'll have a nice donation that'll hopefully make someone or several folks happy, and that's the best thing.
In other news, I got the spray paint for the cubby boxes. We already have a green not far from the Lab's walls, and a royal blue left over from previous projects, so I bought red and orange. Might as well go for bold color ! Unfortunately, we have rain and high humidity forecast for most of the week, so I'll probably occupy myself with attaching the silver grommets and rope pull handles to the boxes. Still have to go through my trim and ribbon box for that - yep, I actually do have decorator rope stashed away. Ended up with some from notion grab bags and yard sale ‘take the box/bag for a buck' scores. I pretty much have *everything* stashed away !
Hit a thrift store, but the only find of interest was a lovely blue velvet dress for $1. Didn't buy it, but I'm considering going back later this week. I need to check the fabric stash first, because ( all together now) I probably already have it.
