ic Kathe With an E: My Dirty Little Secret

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

My Dirty Little Secret

Now that I find myself
with time on my hands
I decided it was past time
to whip this house back into shape.

One of the most embarrassing rooms
is the second guest bedroom/ my craft stash room.
At one time this room was my office.
We thought we needed two guest rooms more.
So, that is what it became.
 Now, anything that we can't find a home
for right away, gets thrown into this room.
(ooh a Michael's coupon. Expiration date, 3/13/2012)
Everything from crafts to crap
finds its way here.
Shoved and pigeoned-hole
wherever it can be stashed.
 
We call this room 
The Budgie Room 
because we have some vintage 
bird art on one wall.
 Most of the time, should we have guests,
we put them up in the main guest bedroom
and shut the door tightly on this eyesore.
Out of sight, out of mind right?

The only saving grace for this room
is that the daybed and dresser
were Craigslist finds.

It was time to roll up my sleeves
and make this room liveable again.

I emptied out the dresser and the closet.
I very carefully threw everything
into piles that only I understood.
Believe it or not,
I actually considered this photo
as progress!

I once told my youngest son,
sometimes things have to get real messy
before you can see the beauty.

An hour and a half later
this is the beauty that I found.
 One large bag of trash.

I was ruthless and if I didn't
love it or need it,
into the bag it went.
Everything now has a place.
I can actually find what I need
should I decide to tackle a craft.

Of course, not is all as it seems.
I need to discuss with Mr. B
what we are doing with the non-functioning printer
and the rest of this side of the room.

Good news is though, you can't see this
side of the room from the hallway
and, it will soon find new homes
(or the trashbin).

So, I can keep the door open,
let the sunshine in,
and, it can actually be used 
for its intended purpose,
a second guest room!

Well, until the day comes when I decide
to convert it back into an office for me that is :-)


Don't forget to take advantage of my
Ad Space Sale  

Going on now!

Regularly $10.00 on sale now for 

$5.00!
There are only a few spots left! 
 
And don't forget to come by on Tuesday's
for the link party.

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62 comments:

  1. I need a crapola room more than I need a second guest bedroom!

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  2. Well done! And I agree, sometimes you have to get REALLY messy before a masterpiece can be created!

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  3. I do have a craft room and it looks like that also! My mind goes a mile and minute, with difficulty actually finishing a project before thinking or buying a little this or that for the next project. It's my ADD.

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  4. Kathe I have way worse rooms then that!!! Not proud of it but I do need to get them clean.

    hugs, Linda

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  5. I wish my house was as clean as your "dirty little secret" :)

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  6. Wow...you and I were sharing a brain this week!!! I have been cleaning, weeding out, and organizing the last 2 weeks! Yours turned out great!!! Doesn't it just make you feel so good??!?!! It's like a huge weight is lifted when you conquer a space! I'm feeling on top of the world because I conquered just about the whole house!!! :-) What is it with men wanting to keep old printers and such? I'm looking at one sitting in the middle of my office floor that I TOLD him doesn't work anymore. I think he thinks if it sits there long enough that somehow it will magically regain consciousness! It's too heavy for me to move it myself, so he and I are going to have to have a little come-to-Jesus meetin' tonight! :-) I hope you can take a little time for yourself now that you have made such huge progress. Congrats!

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  7. Good for you! It looks great!...Now can you come on over to my house? *winks* Vanna

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  8. We all have a room of shame. We moved to a new house a few months ago and I have turned one of the two kids' rooms into a room to put everything I don't have anywhere else to put. It's far more worse than yours.
    I found you via Crafty Soiree.

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  9. Great job Kathe! i am glad you got my room ready for me!

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  10. "Ruthless" seems like the only way to go when throwing out stuff. I'm looking for a little motivation and your before and after shots just may be the nudge I needed. My mind always opens and the ideas start flowing when I have destashed my creative space. Hope you are feeling inspired!

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  11. Well done! I started to store my crafts in the basement just for that reason.

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  12. As someone who has boxes, bags and bins of my 'stuff' crammed in about 4 different spots I'm envious of your space...even if you have to share with an occasional guest!

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  13. I like seeing the before and after pictures of a project. You really feel as if you got a lot of work accomplished. You did a great job and this is exactly what I need to do with my son's room. It is being overtaken with toys! Thanks for the motivation and I am following you now.
    I would love for you to follow back.
    Jillian
    http://puzzlemecomplete.blogspot.com/

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  14. Kathe we all have one of those rooms I think. I know I sure do. It always feels so much bette when we get them organized though. Thanx for sharing at THT! Hope your week is going well.

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  15. Wow, great job!! I love the sense of accomplishment I have when I finish a project like that!
    Would love for you to share this at my very first linky party. My sister and I are working together over at “Think Tank Thursday”…hope to see you there!
    http://www.saving4six.com/2012/10/welcome-to-think-tank-thursday-1.html

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    1. Thanks so much for linking this up at our very first "Think Tank".

      This week's party is up and running. We would love if you would visit the "Think Tank" again this week!
      http://www.saving4six.com/2012/10/welcome-to-think-tank-thursday-2.html

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  16. Good job. I need to do the same with my guest room. When we had a guests a few weeks ago all the excess went to the garage. Somehow, it has made its way back.

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  17. I can totally relate! Stopping by from the Live Laugh Linky party :)
    Blessings,
    Jacy
    www.artbyjacy.com

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  18. Looks awesome! Thanks for linking up!

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  19. Looks great! Would Mr. B even notice if the printer was missing? If not, throw it out.

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  20. Great job!! It's so easy to just shut the door, but usable space is worth the effort!

    Kristy @ Shona Skye Creations
    http://shonaskye.blogspot.com

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  21. organizing and cleaning a room
    is like losing 10 lbs.

    makes you feel so light

    i bet you walk in that room
    10 times a day
    just to enjoy how nice it looks

    thanks for sharing
    your dirty little secret
    at Fridays Unfolded!

    now following you!

    {alison}

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  22. Nice job. I love how much more open it looks with the clutter gone. Thanks for the motivation to get my room in shape. I would love my dresser to look as pretty and uncluttered as yours.

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  23. Oh my! I have a guest room just like this:( I need to grab my trash bag and dive in. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. well done! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop. xo P.S. Have you entered my latest giveaway?

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  25. Thanks - For making me feel normal ;) Stopping by from Think Tank Thursday

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  26. Our spare room often looks like this... mostly extra overflow craft stuff til I get to the project... or while in process.. looks great!

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  27. Hi Kathe!

    You have nothing on me! My guest room has four big bins of OLD family photos that can't be kept in the garage. Two extra kitchen chairs and two upholstered dining chairs. About 83+ extra sofa pillows that didn't make it into the six ginormous wheeled bins in the garage.

    All this in a 12x11 room with a queen bed, LONG dresser, chest of drawers, small writing desk, and antique sewing cabinet.

    The worst part is that it looked like that the last time I had company! AND that's where they slept because the little casita/guest house is used as a tv room because it has all the family room furniture from our other (larger) house :[

    I think that every home has a junk drawer (or two) and maybe a junk room to boot! I know my dear old Auntie did... Is hoarding genetic?

    xoxo Bunny Jean

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  28. Great job!! We found you from Chic on a Shoestring. I could use a craft/sewing room.
    We would like to invite you to visit our blog at: http://thebusybhive.blogspot.com
    Have a great weekend,
    The Busy Bee's.

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  29. I'm so glad I'm not the only one that has a dirty little secret! My hubby and I spend one entire day last weekend working on our garage and we are only 1/3 of the way done! We have promised that this weekend we will continue and not get derailed. I should have taken a photo last week...(but truth is that I was too embarrassed!)
    Girl....You've got hootspahhhhh! Thanks for being real. Your transformation is a shot in the arm for me!
    smiles,
    Carolynn

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  30. Wow, we could be twins! I have that same problem. We also have a couple rooms that get all the crap we don't "want" to deal with right now. Usually it is the designated guest room that I lovingly redid 2 yrs ago. I need to get on the band wagon and get it cleaned back up. Thanks for the motivation!

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  31. My computer desk is my crapola station. For the life of me I can't keep it cleared off and presentable (people always want to "check something" online). My computer desk is located in the guest bedroom (we only have two bedrooms in our "lets scale back" new home)And like you...it only takes minutes to straighten. I'm feeling inspired though.

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  32. Checking out Elaine's party I have the same little dirty secreat but here I sit on the computer
    It looks great
    Cathy

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  33. Great job Kathe! I think we all have a dirty little secret now and then. My sewing room has become the most cluttered since we moved in 3 and 1/2 years ago. In need of a good dejunking. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  34. I found your post through the You Are Talking too Much link party. I love your honesty and showing your guest/craft room! My dirty little secret is my closet... it collects the family's out of season clothes, toys that need to be hidden/gotten rid of and any other stuff we don't have a place for. Your post is helping motivate me to be ruthless to and get it cleaned out! Thanks for sharing!

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  35. LOL!!! Love the expired Micheal's coupon! I have a few of those laying around. and my craft room needs a makeover DESPERATELY!!! I pick away at it about 30 minutes a day.. Then I find something in there that is way too fun to play with ..... hahahahahaha!!!

    Way to stick with it! Looks nice and clean and ready for guests!

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  36. I feel as good as if I had cleaned one of my own rooms! Much easier watching you!

    Found you through Coastal Charm, and I like your blog very much!

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  37. Great job decluttering Kathe! I've just gone through my house and done this and it looks SOO much better for it and my head is clearer too!!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  38. lol, we have a garage full of crapola, and that is saying it nicely!!

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  39. Thanks for sharing your dirty little secret room on Simple & Sweet Fridays. You're motivating all of us to get busy and get organized!

    jody

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  40. My craft stash room looks way worse than yours, so no way am I gonna photo it - you did a good job on the clean up!

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  41. My guest bed is covered with autumn decor waiting to be installed on the front porch after the renovation is complete in a couple of weeks... but my guest closet is filled to the brim with craft supplies... I'm always a little embarassed when trying to make room for my guests in the guestroom... I think I'll follow your lead and "edit" my stuff! Thanks!!

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  42. I just started a blog about honesty, so good for you for revealing your 'dirty little secret'! The truth is, NO ONE has a clean home all the time. It's so refreshing when people are willing to show the 'behind closed doors' version of themselves. (And sadly, I'm working on a similar post to yours right now, but my 'before' pics might put you into a state of shock!). If you have a minute to check out my blog, I'd be honored! http://journeyintohonestliving.blogspot.com/2012/10/would-real-lauren-cormier-please-stand.html

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  43. Nice Kathe,come and do my house now too in your spare time.

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  44. Looks all clean and spiffy! Great job! Thanks for coming to party with us at Whimsy Wednesday!

    Kelly,
    Smart! School {House}
    www.smartschoolhouse.com

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  45. I love that you posted the befores! Noone does that, and I truly appreciate it!!!

    We are renovating and i seem to have more befores than afters. ;)

    Hope you will come by and say hello if you have a minute. I cant wait to look around some more.

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  46. Good job, Kathe, but your dirty little secret is "littler" than it is dirty! You should see the TWO bedrooms I'm using as "storerooms." They've been nibbling at my conscious . . . but now that I see change IS possible, I may take a big garbage bag into one of them and at least do a first step.

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  47. I wish I had ONE guest room! I love how you "ruthlessly" got rid of stuff you didn't need or want - that's something I need to work on! Thank you so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout. Hope to see you back tonight! - Trish

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  48. Nice to know I am not the only one with a dirty little secret. Although, my entire basement is just that.

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  49. OK, I love the part when you say you separated it into piles that only you can understand! There is something so exhilarating about tackling clutter and discovering the beauty beneath the "stuff"! Inspiring post and I love that you keep it real! We all have dirty little secrets! If not, we aren't being honest with ourselves!

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  50. Our office is just like this... a dumping ground. It's not a room we have a lot of use for, mainly just to pick things up off the printer (my hubs and I both have laptops that we mostly use while we're sitting on the sofa in front of the TV). Right now it's a complete disaster because I got all of my fall/Halloween decorations out a couple of weeks ago so all of my "regular" decor didn't have anywhere to live. Into the office it went! I really should dedicate a couple of hours to cleaning it up, but I know once the holidays come, it'll just collect stuff all over again! It's a vicious cycle! I hope you have better luck keeping your space tidy!

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  51. Another one with a craft space that looks way worse than yours. I am hoping to tackle it this weekend. You have inspired me. Thanks for sharing on Tout It Tuesday! Hope to see you next week.

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  52. I think we all have one of those rooms, I agree about the it gets worse before it gets better or as I call it the Storm before the Calm. It looks great.

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  53. Great job! I think most people have a room that looks like this - you can come check out my before and after (super embarrassing!) on my blog http://herestohandyandy.blogspot.com/2012/10/october-overhaul-craft-room-clean-up.html

    Thanks for sharing! :)

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  54. I am just jealous that you have a "stash room"! And I didn't think it looked all that bad to be honest. But, great job of getting it all cleaned up!

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  55. Oh girl. I have so been there. I have to re do my craft and home decor storage room once a year (so far). I hope to skip it this January. So far, I'm okay. I want to make it through the holidays without a tornado hitting.

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  56. It seems craft rooms seem to get that way. Doesn't it feel good to get something so spiffed up and clean. Looks wonderful.

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  57. I really love a woman who can share her dirty little secrets. We all have them, we just don't like to talk about them.

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  58. Great transformation Kathe! I love when things get messy in the process of organizing and I totally get what you mean when you said that photo was progress :) Thanks for sharing at All Start Block Party last week.

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  59. I have so much I would like to do, but with a 1 year old and being pregnant, I try to stay focused with the day to day!

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