Hi everyone. We’ve been feeling better this week. I managed to finish knitting the hat to match my neck warmer. The hat pattern is the Benefaction Hat, a free pattern by Knit Picks. I modified it, as always. No stripes for me. I’ve started on the fingerless mitts now.
It’s been a busy week with lots of people. We’ve had a lot of company coming and going. I spent Tuesday baking and hosting a games night for our young friends.
I’ve been mentoring a young lady who is going to be a vendor in a craft and bake sale this weekend. She is quite excited. We spent yesterday here baking…she baked, and I coached her. Truth be told, she knew how to do it. She just needed the recipes! She spent today baking at her home. We are ready to go. Due to bad weather her mother is stuck in another city. We offered to help out in this case. Should be a fun, but long, day tomorrow. Hopefully her mom will be home before the end of the sale to see her daughter in action.
I sold a couple of big furniture items this past week, which has made for a busy time here. We’re taking furniture apart, moving it between floors, and then reassembling it. Slowly, but surely, we’re whittling down the mess in this house. Suddenly I realize how crowded this house has been. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the next home. I simply have to decrease the amount of hobby stuff I have!
We had an in-depth conversation today about how heavy certain items are and whether to sell them or move them. The old IKEA bookcases came up. They are heavy and cost a lot to move. But the new IKEA bookshelves aren’t as sturdy. This is a tough call, because sometimes the older ones aren’t strong enough for my needs! If we had to put them in storage as well as move them, well, it just wouldn’t be worth it. On the other hand, what would we replace them with?
I changed my Instagram account from private to a business account this week. If you’re looking for more information on my rug hooked items you can check over there. Also on my Facebook account. Search for JLT Studios in both places.
Here’s an idea re the bookshelves, etc. Check around at places like Staples or other outlets that carry real office furniture, which is usually sturdier than the furniture built for home use. See if they have any “floor models” that have been out on the floor for a long time. These are often a wee bit damaged, like a couple scratches or a slightly bumped corner, and if you ask they might sell the piece to you for a significant discount. Our best shelving ever (even has doors and a solid back) we got from Staples for about 80% off. One door hung a bit crooked–we took it home, took off the door and rehung it–perfect! Saved hundreds of dollars. Sometimes they also have stock that has been sitting boxed for a long time and are willing to strike a deal. Yes, Ikea does the floor model thing, too–but their furniture is usually more battered (so many people have checked it out) and of lower “home grade Ikea” quality. Another idea is to check estate sales for quality furniture (at yard sales, auctions, lower-cost used furniture stores). We have a great solid-wood desk and a solid wood/glass paned display case we got at places like that for just a few dollars. Wait until you’ve moved to look for these kinds of items, to save on moving costs; it’s a great excuse to travel around your new area and get to know the area and meet people–or you could ask the kids to start keeping an eye out for items for you, maybe. If you have to live out of boxes for a while it could be well worth it. (Yep, been there, done all these things) 🙂
Thanks for all the really good ideas Norma! I’ll mention them to Hubby for sure. Hadn’t thought about Staples’ floor models!