I heard a funny noise the other morning, but didn't think too much about it, perhaps it was the traffic on the road out the back. But later in the morning when I went to hang some freshly ironed clothes away, I saw what it was. The wardrobe shelf and clothes rail had parted company with the wall, and was hanging by a screw! Oh dear, what to do now?
Ooops, it gave way
I had an electrician around the following day, Callum, a nice young man just starting out in business on his own, to replace the light fitting in the front porch. Perhaps he would be able to recommend someone who could help. Yes he could, there was another tradesman who he knew and had worked with, so passed on his phone number to me. I must admit that I find this recent spate of home maintenance a bit of a trial to organise, it's not something I have had to do before. Something else went wrong recently too, which completely overwhelmed me, but that's another story.
So the day that Brent was coming to look at both wardrobe fittings, the other one in the sewing room had collapsed earlier and looked in danger of doing it again, I spent hours removing everything. Various items were taken off the top shelf, shoes were bundled into a big bag, and clothes were stacked on the bedroom chair and on top of the bed.
That wasn't so bad, but the wardrobe in the sewing room was much more of a challenge. I had a basket full of project bags sitting on the floor at the wardrobe door, which had to be moved, and umpteen RSC projects in bags piled up beside the basket, waiting to be completed.
This is just part of it
Inside the wardrobe were our winter clothes, they all came out. Who knew that Robin had so many jackets hanging up including two sets of bright yellow vinyl wet weather trousers and jackets? The hangers were cleared, then I had to deal with what was on the wardrobe floor. Four large plastic crates chock full, and bags containing unfinished projects, or materials gathered for new ones. And quite a few fleecy backings too, I noticed, and batting.
How did it all fit in the wardrobe?
I couldn't resist peeking inside this one - string pieced blocks, sashing cut ready to go, chickens to stitch, and several lengths of fabric for backings. I'd completely forgotten all about these. There was even another bag of neutral strings hidden away. Everything was piled up - so much stuff I had put away and forgotten about.
I'd forgotten all about this bag
Tradesman Brent called around, we discussed what needed doing, and he will also trim back a tree for me which has a branch growing over the top of the clothesline. He will come back bright and early on Friday morning he told me. Oh dear, that means I have to move that big pile of clothes on hangers for the following two nights so that I can get into bed.
The wardrobe fittings are now fixed, Brent added an extra piece of timber behind them for added strength. I was a bit mortified when he asked for a soft broom so he could brush a few spider webs away! But as someone told me, a few whispy spider webs means that the home is warm and dry, according to a real estate agent. So that has to be good, just sloppy housekeeping I guess.
Arrived bright and early on a cold wet morning
So now things have to be put away. The bedroom is almost back to normal, and it is a chance to sort through Robin's clothes as well. But the sewing room is another story. I really need to go through those crates and umpteen bags before they get placed back. And sort out all those rain jackets which Robin had tucked away.
With so many RSC block sets discovered, don't let me start any new ones next year! I knew I had a few, but there really are a lot more that I realised. Plus several assembled RSC quilts piled up on the chair waiting to be layered, pinned and quilted. Oh dear, wish me luck with all this!
24 comments:
Oh best of luck with all that sorting and storing, Jenny!! It is amazing when you find forgotten things you stored what you find!! Lots of nice projects to catch up with, though. Cute chicken;))) Hugs, Julierose
Nothing like a wardrobe malfunction to inspire you to clean out the closet. When I deep clean a cupboard or closet, I always find buried treasures too. Those string blocks will become something beautiful soon…. Glad you found someone to do all your fixit jobs for you.
So happy you are able to get your home 'back to rights'! Isn't it amazing what we find that we have squirreled away? It will be fun re-discovering your projects. :)
I feel your pain. I have so many unfinished projects too. However, it is a good excuse to have a bit of a sort out and prioritise what to work on first. At least you won’t get bored and your wardrobes should be nice and sturdy from now on. It’s also nice to know that there is a good tradie in the area.
your closets was perhaps telling you it was time to remove some things? We all have too much gathering in closets - I bet if I turned on the lights in mine and really looked I would find cobwebs in the corners and a spider or two also. I have jackets hanging that no longer fit me that need to be taken to a second hand shop to find new homes.
Glad you found someone to do your repairs and cut the branch over the washing line.
Good luck with tidying your wardrobes…
You found someone to do great stuff to make and finish quilts.
How nice to have found a good handyman to help with any new maintenance issues that pop up. I really need to get inspired to clean out my sewing room again. I always have several RSC block sets in the works, but it keeps me from getting bored for sure.
I'm so glad you found someone to help you with those maintenance chores! I suppose it's good to have something like this happen to spark a little clean out. I need to do the same thing. The string blocks look like they'll make something pretty!
Oh my, what a job to have thrust into your schedule. OTOH, collapsing shelves is probably what it will take for me to tackle my closets - I open the door intending to get started, look at all stuffed in there, shut the door and walk away. Well Done on the cleanup.
Think of it as an early start to spring cleaning
I have suitcases, camera bags, shoe boxes, and clothes, and a couple of boxes of photos and documents. they would all need to go if I had the same problem.!!! But so good to find the blocks and more. A Good handyman is like a tall man at the supermarket when things are on the very top shelf.
Good luck with the sorting! I'm doing some of the same kind of work in my basement. It takes quite a while and lots of small decisions, but it feels good when it's done!
An enforced clean-up is not top of the list of "want to do" but at the end it will be worth it - make a list as you go so you don't forget all those projects....again.
I dread when I need to clear things out in order to fix something. I know I am going to find loads of items that need to be used, loads almost finished and lots of my various stashes. You will be completing those projects you found before you know it.
God bless.
I am sure Gemma was only to happy to help with the sorting if only to find a new comfy spot to have a snooze
No fun having to get the maintenance done, but definitely good value in giving you the chance to sort through a lot of items. There are always exciting discoveries when this happens.
Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy for a bit. Don't stress over spider webs, they can put one up overnight!
Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise. It is a chance to work on forgotten projects and clean out items that are no longer needed or wanted. I'm glad you found someone who could do the work. I've been waiting for Hubby to rehang a basement shelf for months now.
What an adventure to empty closets and find lots of treasures and remembrances. Sounds like a lot of work to me, but you seem to have found a silver lining in it. I can't imagine doing it all myself. Kudos to you!
Wow Jenny, time for a spring clean in the cupboards! Sounds like the young lad was extremely helpful, that’s so lovely. Good luck with all your UFOs! I’m looking forward to seeing them completed. 😘
When I moved the sewing room, I unearthed a few projects I'd totally forgotten about. I was glad I did that, as I got to see what I had tucked away and needed to brought into the light of day, LOL A good clear out feels great when all done and dusted. Glad you've found reliable help there, Jenny. And our house must be very warm and dry!
I'm sure you found some treasure tucked away in your wardrobes. You will have fun finishing off some of your projects. It will be fun for us, seeing what you chose to work on.
Well now you can sort a few orhan block quilts or bags to use the blocks, I'm glad it wasn't a wardrobe malfunction of another embarassing kind
Oh gosh, Jenny! I'm sorry, but this made me smile. I couldn't help but think of the song "There's a Hole in the Bucket." Do you know it? About Liza needing to fix the bucket, and one thing leads to another - in a big circle - that ends with needing to fix the bucket so the next thing can be done. I'm truly sorry that you're having to go through everything unexpectedly, but on the positive side, you'll have a good handle on your storage afterward. We all know that good feeling of purging and being organized so as to move forward on what needs to be done. Keep being positive as you dig in, taking "one bite of the elephant" at a time. Before you know it, it will be done and dusted ,and you'll be feeling great!
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