What defines success?
I no longer have a clear answer. We spent days sifting through boxes and tubs with a brutality that neither my daughter nor I have ever embraced; purging two households into one manageable one. If there were duplicates one of us released the copy. I have a fully stocked kitchen and some of my daughter’s had seen better days.
Dogwood blooming finally.
So, we decided to do a yard sale. I know, I can hear the “I told you so’s” from here. It was a lot of hard work and my house still looks like a tornado hit. I have let go of so many hopes here but each time I put something on the pile, I felt lighter.
Made bowl cozies for the sale. Sold 4
It turned out to be a perfect day for it. I had missed the community yard sale due to my carport repair and we are so far out of traffic’s way that I had hoped a lot of free advertising would help. It didn’t.
My driveway is 60 ft. long and 13 ft. wide. I borrowed a few small tables from a neighbor. When I returned them the next day, I paid with homemade banana and pumpkin bread. We had two bookcases filled and more tables loaded our driveway. We brought forward the table and red umbrella from the back deck to draw in attention. I had extra help enlisted to keep eyes on shoppers and answer questions.
She’s making progress.
Was the sale a success? Depends on how you look at it. We sold almost nothing with the top shoppers being my sister and Crystal. One or two other items found new homes and we gave away as much as possible. I met a few neighbors and had nice conversations with others that did come by.
Vintage set along with lines will be listed online.
It turned out to be a fun afternoon with my sister, niece, daughter and fellow blogging friend, Crystal sitting around the table talking about everything imaginable. We had a pizza lunch and kept hoping for someone to stop by. We are one mile down in the park so not a lot of traffic here.
Orange flowers gifted by Sabine @ https://incahootswithmuddyboots.com/
What was left was sorted the next day into boxes. I loaded those that were ready into my car and when I couldn’t get anymore in, drove it to the donation center. We’ll load it up again this weekend. As soon as we can get an appointment at SCRAP, we will be dropping off more crafting supplies.
Our one customer with two of us trying to sell her something.
We lightened our load so my daughter can have a much smaller storage unit. At some point it would be nice not to have any at all but this kind of purging takes time. I still have a lot of velour, flannels and fleece as well as dressmaking material. It will all find a new home…I hope.
I’d call that a success. How about you?
From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself
*Two huge bags of fleece were donated to a neighbor making dog coats today and Friends of the Library can’t take my books. Onward.
insearchofitall 
Comments on: "A Successful Sale" (106)
MAJOR success. Our neighborhood has a Facebook page and I have sold and given away things on that.
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Great idea! Thanks
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It looks like you have such useful, sellable, and some really beautiful items here Marlene. It sounds like a fun day was had by all, but also lots of work, and I wish you sold more. Did you advertise in your local rag which is also posted online? Yard sale junkies read the ads and do circuits, often showing up before the clock actually starts ticking……
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I haven’t found those places here to advertise. Our local paper wanted $45 to put in an ad. Now it’s all going to the thrift stores. Out of here. Thanks for stopping by, Cinday. The comradery was worth the work. 😉
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Yippee Success for you Marlene! It’s a ton of work to do what you accomplished! Good for you! I hope all is well. xo
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Success is subjective and also depends on the aim(s). You may have spent energies and time with little financial return – on the other hand you got to have time together and talk. Also, you had committed to give away some things, so that will happen sooner or later.
If you have time and energies, it may be worth trying to sell some online (ebay, gumtree, craiglist etc). Good fabric may sell. In other case things may be donated to charities or via online sites like Freecycle.
I have been thinking of you and what you said in your previous post, in particular about being one own’s worst enemy 😉 the idea (realisation) stuck so much in my head that it came to me quite a few times when I was “acquiring” stuff. While it didn’t always stopped me, at least it did in some instances, and also made me much more aware of the problem! So a heartfelt thank you for your inspiring words! I started to let (some) things go ❤
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Thanks so much for joining the conversation, Judith. There will be much listing online this week. I will also be measuring the dressmaking fabric and posting it. I probably gave away 20 yards of fleece yesterday to a good cause. I have a craigslist account that will be used but the gathering of people was so much fun it was worth the work. And we were forced to really look at what we had and did we need it anymore. This has been an ongoing process for over a year now. You would think it would be done but life has put me on notice so we are all moving things around. I’m glad I was able to offer some perspective on accumulation. I will NEVER be a minimalist but definitely looking forward to a simpler lifestyle. All the stuff does weigh on a person. I’m spreading the wealth around now. 😉
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I think that it’s really difficult if the place of the sale is not prominent, meaning on a busy main road. I have noticed that folks will often attend an “estate” sale more readily than something labeled as yard or garage sale. Yes, that is a white lie in your case but sometimes you need a little help drawing folks in 😉
Does Powell’s buy used books? Or do you have a Half Price Books anywhere near. It again is sort of a pain to have to pack and transport things but you may be able to get a bit more than free if you can make the effort.
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I’ve done the Powells thing but my daughter would have to take them there. She scans in the ISBN # and then she finds out if they will accept them and what we can get. For now, what’s in the driveway needs to go before management has a fit. ;( The estate sale will happen soon enough. Even there, we are just too far away. I don’t blame them. I don’t like going out of my way either. Thanks for stopping by, Deb.
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I give you a lot of credit, Marlene. Hosting a yard sale is never easy. There’s a website called Nextdoor.com where you can register your address and you’ll stay apprised on crime in your area, activities, etc. When we downsized my parents, I sold a lot of things through that site and it was easy peasy. I love the last photo of you! ❤
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I did list on Next door. I have been on it for a couple of years now. I figured I’d dress to be entertaining if nothing else. 🙂 Just dropped off the second load and heading out to organize more. Bigger ticket items will be listed online this week. Thanks for stopping by, Jill. Hope you are doing well.
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You are a brave woman!
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Maybe just not so smart but the second load is going away in a few minutes. Thanks for stopping by.
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We’ve moved ourselves often enough to have shed belongings over the years, which is why we try to stay vigilant in not letting more stuff accumulate. It’s difficult because all those possessions like books, fabric and other treasures represent a part of ourselves and our dreams to be creative. I always thought that the sale itself was the easy part, it’s the getting ready and then cleaning up afterwards that take a lot of energy! Be kind to yourself and remember that it took a long time to acquire all those things. It will take some time to reverse the process. It will all work out … just give it time! 🙋
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Thank you so much, Sabine! You are so right. I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired. It’s the letting go of all the dreams that is taking a toll. Dropped of a second load and can probably do one or two more. Nap first. I’ll be glad when it’s somewhat tidy again. Then more purging. 😉 See you soon maybe. Hugs.
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One day at a time will get you there! And don’t forget to take breaks to help digest it all! Be well Marlene! 🙋
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That’s good advice I need to take to heart in my own case.
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We are gradually downsizing from being a family with four children, and two adults ( one of whom has tools all over tha place) to a smaller footprint. We have given away tons, had two dumpsters, and are only now getting control of what we have. If the kids took away what they have stored with us we’d shake around tha place like two beans in a can.
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You made me laugh, Lou! Two beans in a can! 🙂 It does take time. We never notice the accumulation but then all of a sudden, it’s overwhelming. I remember tools all over the place. I never said a word as usually it was the sign of work being done and I wanted that to continue. Bit my tongue a LOT! 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Lou.
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Location, it seems is key! That was a disappointing outcome Marlene, but as you say the process was worthwhile and the day itself made amenable with good friends and family around. I hope you can find a way to continue to off load your excess and make a bit of money too. Here we can call in a second hand dealer or an auction house if the other venues fail us. You don’t get a lot of money, but even a little helps. Onwards! 🙂 ❤
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You are so right, Pauline. This is really just the beginning. I could use a little extra cash after the expense of the carport. There is already someone interested in my house but who knows. I think it will sell fast when I’m ready. We just need the daughter to find portable work. 😉 Then we will go visiting. 😉 Location is the key and it’s different for different needs. Being so far down the hill makes it safer here but not great for business. It was so fun to have people to visit with all day. So rare for me. 🙂 Thanks for the visit, Pauline. Hugs.
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Well, darn! I had hoped for a hugely successful financial day for you and your daughter. Still having a NICE with good friends is also a big success.
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My sentiments exactly. I trust that everything works out as it should and we are passing things on. Thanks for the visit, Linda.
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I think it was a success because you have it all separated now from what you are keeping. You have the new lovely order in your mind for when its gone! Sorry to hear more people didn’t find you.
We live on a very busy street. Our neighbor had to go into care immediately, so her family set her things out in the yard to sell. Cars stopped by constantly, but they hardly sold a thing!! Prices weren’t too high. But not charity shop prices.
I have no time for a sale. So we loaded up our 15 passenger van more times than I can count and sent it away. We were also selling/emptying a vacation spot bunk house/garage after 25 years of there. I think the charity shops thought we were burgled house for the! :o)
It sure feels great when its gone doesn’t it? I remember it fondly in my head now, but its no use at this time of life, and the kids wouldn’t even take it!!
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Thanks for the laugh, Eliz, I needed that today. I too have donated so much stuff that the thrift store asked us not to come back for a LONG time. We spread stuff at every donation place we could find. I too think it was a success. Just to go through an pare down is a massive task even though it’s still ongoing. I am not going to miss most of that stuff. We had a great time visiting with people and I don’t get to do that often either. My kids already have claimed what they want and the rest needs to be rehomed. I can’t imagine a 15 passenger van but I’ve loaded my suburban many times. I think the stuff is growing duplicates while we sleep. 😉 Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation.
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Frustrating not to shift more, but I’m glad to note that it doesn’t seem to have made you despondent. I have found that shifting things can be a matter of timing; maybe things don’t go so well in the middle of summer, or around the winter holidays. Of course, when you need it gone, you need it gone…
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I’m just glad we were able to get through so much and pare so much down. Since my daughter will inherit all of my stuff that she wants, I’ve let her pick and choose what goes and stays. My son is already loaded and has most of what he wants from here. The rest should be to help others in any way it goes. Yard sales usually bring the neighbors out but seems this part of the neighborhood had other plans. ;( No matter, we had fun and the thrift shop is full again. 😉 Yes, we did need it gone NOW. She is paying $190 for a storage unit and I have no where here for her stuff to go so we are making short work of letting go. She unfortunately moved in Feb 1 and it was cold and wet here so she just stuffed it all in boxes and tubs. Now that we have reasonable temps for a short while, time to purge. You know the drill. I swear the stuff is breeding in the dark of night. 😉 We will list the rest and so what happens. Onward. Thanks for the visit. Thinking of you and hope you are on the mend.
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Selling stuff at a garage (yard) sale can be lots of fun but also hard work to prepare. Giving it to needy orgs is also fun and rewarding. Sounds like you accomplished both. Good for you. 👍
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You are absolutely right, Steve. It was a win win. We are simplifying life and passing on things others can use. How could that not be a success. And the conversations were priceless. Thanks for joining the conversation.
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Conversations are fun. Wish I had more time for them…or could type faster!!!🤓
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I admire your ambition. I must have about 65 boxes in my basement marked “miscellaneous.”
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Oh my! At least you have a basement. I live in a trailer and there is no extra storage unless we rent an outside unit. That means we really have to pare down. Thanks for stopping by.
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Just sorting out what is to go and what is to stay is a major achievement. Well done!
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I so agree with you on that subject. 😉 Always more work ahead but it will come along with time. Thanks for the visit.
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Well, I wish the sale could’ve been more successful in terms of selling but you are the eternal optimist and can see the good in a less-than-perfect day. We have the same situation–we live so far out that, unless we can manage to have a sale on the community-wide day, it’s not worth bothering–no one will come. We take our garage sale leftovers to a thrift shop that supports the local SPCA so I always feel good about that. Good luck as you continue this process!
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Thanks Kerry, So you fully understand the situation. I have not seen a thrift store for the animal shelter here. There isn’t an animal rescue close by me either. I would rather donate to them if possible. Now that you bring it up, I’ll do some research. Thanks so much for the input. It was a good day in the end and we have let go of so much. Now if you have any ideas of where to send the fabric to, that would be helpful also. Not quilting cotton though. 😉
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People in the UK swear by car boot sales. When I have done them I am lucky to cover costs. So now it all goes to a charity shop . Well done though on clearing stuff out.
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There was no way this would all fit into the back of my car! 😉 I am so ready to let it all go, except for the quilting stuff for now. That may change soon enough. I’m so tired from this process, I can hardly catch my breath. I’ll be back at it after this short break. Sigh. Glad you understand. Thanks for the visit, Cathy.
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That’s what I discovered: so much work and not enough payoff. It’s more valuable to me to just give stuff away now. But needing those extra dollars could make a difference in my motivation.
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There’s an old saying “Save food in the stomach of your neighbours” and giving things away seems a close proximation.
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That’s a very interesting saying. Wonder where it comes from? I’ll have to look it up, if possible. Thanks for stopping by.
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Hey Marlene, you’re a brave last having a yard sale. I’ve always wondered how we very easily collect stuff, and then it’s so hard to part with all that stuff. Happy sorting and have a great week!
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Thanks, Missy. Moving my daughter in with me to help me precipitated the paring down. Since she will inherit most of my stuff, this will save a huge estate sale. Trying to tidy up loose ends early. 🙂 It is a lot of work though and hard emotionally. Have a wonderfilled week ahead as well.
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Take care, my friend 😊
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I think you were successful! Even if you didn’t sell a lot, the whole process of purging is a great relief. And you know the items have gone to good use. And, you met some new people and had a good time. Now… take a well deserved break!
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We have begun the rest a bit and work a bit of continuing to sort and load. My third trip to the donation drop off today after appointments. Car is loaded for the third time. Sigh. I thought it was a success as well. The purge continues. Have a Wonderfilled week, Jennie.
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Purging is almost as good as chocolate. Best to you, Marlene.
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Especially when you find chocolate in the back of the drawer you are purging. 😉 You made me laugh here, Jennie. Thanks.
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Yes! I’m so glad, Marlene. 😀
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If you have linens like towels, washcloths, and blankets you might consider seeing if a local veterinarian or animal shelter would accept them. I always give those bits to the vet I take the boys to.
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I’ll keep that in mind, Erin. Had not thought about it but I do have some. We were just washing some up for donation. I can’t get to our animal shelter but there are plenty of Vets close by. Great idea.
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Bless you for giving so much of your items to to others, you have made their lives a bit easier! All of that hard work is paying off for you two……..deciding what you need and what you are ready to get rid of, that takes a lot of mental and physical work. Now that you have seen the rewards of feeling lighter, it makes you feel energized to keep going (at least this is my experience) and the less you have the less you have to clean. Win – win! I am cheering for you!
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Thank you, Wendi. Yes.we are on a roll now. Looking for a simpler life at this point. It feels so much better. Thanks for the visit.
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I concur with your other readers in counting the day as a success. I’m faced with being overrun with stuff and needing to do something–I’m just not sure what at this point.
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I started small with a box at the back door and every time I found an item I thought needed to be re-homed, it went in the box. Then when the box was full, it went in the car. When the car was full of boxes, they went to the thrift store. This time was a bit different as my daughter is trying to downsize her storage to save money. We are being brutal about it here because we are finding our goals and values have changed in the last year since I’m a short timer. Things don’t matter so much.
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Any attempt at organisation has to be seen as a success 🙂 (I would have left your sale with about a thousand things…..) xxx
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Wish you had been here, Jill. I probably would have given it to you just to pass it on. 🙂 I think just the culling out was a successful endeavor. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are doing well.
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I had that exact problem. It was so hard to be there all day long and not constantly pick things up. I had a box in the very back and once an hour or so I’d pick up more stuff and add it to the box. By the end of the day it was heaped!
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You are so uplifting, Marlene, and always leave hope and gratitude in your posts. Congrats! and what a lovely fllowering dogwood to have.
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I admired the dogwood as well. I had them when I lived in Virginia, but not at my present place. I miss them.
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Thank you. I’ve loved the Dogwood since living in Georgia as a child. I didn’t realize they would thrive in the PNW so I’m grateful to have this one still alive.
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Thank you for those kind words, Cynthia. The Dogwood is only 3 years old so it’s taken a while to set nice blooms. You can hold what I know about gardening in a thimble so I’m grateful it’s still alive. 🙂 Appreciate the visit.
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Marlene, you sound tired. I’ve organized tag sales/garage sales as fundraisers, twice for Design Response and once for the boy’s preschool. They are a huge undertaking, requiring time and energy. I’m glad you’ve been able to sort and purge, donate and perhaps sell. At the very least, you were surrounded by family and friends and that’s a win right there. As for your bowl cozies, I’ve been dying to tell you: I saw several for sale at Butchart Gardens gift shop for $19.99! I knew you would get a kick out of that. I’m pretty sure they are made by someone on the island. It’s finding the perfect venue that can make all the difference. That said, the seamstress probably only makes $10 of that $20. It’s so hard to make money creating beautiful things. Love to you from Edmonton.
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Yes, I’ve been very tired but still working at it. Everyday a little progress. Daughter’s storage unit is half empty already. More to go. Yes, a venue would be lovely but it’s more fun to make them as gifts for special friends. If the lady gets $10 of the $20, she still doing well. I was asking $8. No time for sewing these days. Maybe soon. We had a little rain last night!!! Shock! I won’t have to water for a day or two. 🙂 I think H heard from SCRAP as she went to rest so I’ll hear shortly. I don’t care where it goes, it must go! Glad you are having a good visit and a change of scenery. Hugs to all.
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Marlene, that was one of the best days I’ve had in months. Sitting around with your family in the sunshine was beyond wonderful. I loved having the chance to tell them how beloved you are in your blog world, because you of course never brag about yourself to them. I want them all to know how rich your online neighborhood is. You are all beautiful people and I felt welcomed and appreciated among the others, whom I don’t know as well as you. How lucky to be able to call them all family. Thank you for that day.
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oooh! Crystal I am jealous! I can only imagine how delightful it would be to spend the day with Marlene! I’ve mostly lurked here on Marlene’s blog, but I’ve seen Marlene comment on blogs (I read) often. Her insight and sense of humor are always a delight. I’ve even been blessed to have had her comment on my blog! Which is/was an unexpected pleasure (gift)! I’m so glad I quit lurking and joined in her community of followers!
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I’m glad you quit lurking too! Marlene is one of the best people on the planet.
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We were tickled to have you there. It gave the day some diversity in the conversation. That’s what I call a success. Usually, only my son reads my blog. He doesn’t comment. 😉 Life goes on. 😉 Thank you so much for enduring the torture of the sale. It will be the last one. I’ve made 3 full suburban loads to the thrift store already. More to go. ;(
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Success is a word I don’t use any more. It’s too generalized. Too subjective and sometimes rejective (if there is such a word). What I do know is that you worked with love to consolidate and join, you met neighbors and gave away items that can be used by others. You wrote a post that entertained and informed. You are living each day gloriously. I call this — PERFECT.
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Well said!
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❤
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Thank you, Eliz. Have a wonderfilled weekend.
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Thank you so much for those kind words, Pam! I agree with your take on the word. We are hauling so much out of here to donate though I swear it’s growing more as we sleep. 🙂
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Hmmm, that could be a horror novel…. ;-0 🙂
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That was my thinking too. 😉
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Success! Great idea and oh what fun… 🙂
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Thank you, Bette. I agree. It was a success in my book. Thank you for stopping by.
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Sounds like a success. Yard sales (we call them garage sales) seem to have gone the way of a lot of things since markets and Thrift Shop shopping took over. More is the pity. Still you must feel a bit lighter?
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I just keep filling up my big beast and taking it all to the thrift store. We had to try but That taught me a lot. I’m only beginning to make a dent. The scope of this is monumental since my daughter is clearing out most of her things too. Thanks for stopping by, Amanda. I call it successful too. 😉
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Keep at it. It feels better when the load is lighter.
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Good company and good conversation all add up to a successful day Marlene.. And while you may not have sold many items, I am sure the donation centres and charity shops will benefit greatly from your goods..
The main thing is that you both purged.. lol. and dug deep to clear out and up-cycle things you have duplicate and have no further use for.
It creates a great sense of satisfaction when we clear out the clutter..
I have been doing such a task this morning on accumulated paper work, Clearing our Writing bureau out of all the paper and flyers that get pushed in there.
Next week we are moving furniture and are redecorating, So gearing myself up for the task lol..
We had a wonderful holiday, the rest is now over lol, as we got back into the garden etc..
Loved your photos Marlene..
Great to see you all..
Much love my friend and take care of you.. ❤
Sue
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I with I could say we are done, Sue but we brought another load out of her storage unit today to go through and purge. My house looks like a cyclone hit. I’m getting rid of all my clothes making fabric as soon as it’s measured and bundled. This will probably go on all summer. Sigh. Redecorating sounds like a fun way to instigate a thorough tidy up. I love a project. Especially when it’s done. 😉 Love and hugs, Sue.
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Any time I have fun I call it a success 💛
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A person after my own heart!
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I agree, Val. It was a lot of work but graced by a lot of fun with family and friends.
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Well at least you organized and purged. In my experience, garage sales are more work than they’re worth. But it’s one way to get things out of the house, closets, drawers and into the daylight. One step closer to Goodwill 😀 How do we amass all this ‘stuff’ ? LOL, After storing things for 3 years between our sale and moving into a new home, I said never again. I just try really hard not to collect ‘stuff’ that doesn’t have a purpose/need. xoxoK
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A good portion of the stuff is from my daughter’s place. Since she will be living with me permanently, there is no need for 2 sets of stuff. She will inherit all that’s here so she got to decide what to keep and what goes. I’m offloading crafting materials that I will never get to use and keep only what I’m sure I still want to do. You can’t imagine the chaos inside right now. Her unit is almost empty. I’m on my 4th trip to the donation drop off. More to go. Thanks for stopping by. Miss you. Hugs and love. M
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Success is all how you look at it, and this was a fantastic success: purging. Garage sales, taking things to donation centers. And the ENERGY it requires. Wowza. Kudos to you! There’s something so gratifying and freeing about purging. Let me tell you. Back in May 2017 (has it been that long already!?), I dedicated it to decluttering. I reduced my wardrobe from probably 200 pieces to 33 (a power number). I got rid of books (I just keep the ones I know I’ll re-read or reference for later), and unnecessary household items. I still have a long way to go but it feels good, doesn’t it. All that stuff weighs you down, I have discovered. You become lighter and lighter as you release and unattach. 🙂
I hope you’ve been well. I’ve been traveling and it was the end of the school year and all kinds of (wonderful) crazy and I haven’t been by in awhile. I’m glad to be back. 💜 Have a wonderful week! Sending big hugs. 🤗
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Thanks for stopping by, Cynthia. I do understand. I haven’t been able to keep up either. All this purging of 2 households is taking all the energy I have. Just filled a huge box with fabric I’ll never get to sew and have posted it for free. If I get no nibbles, It goes to a donation center. Sooo much more to go. It looks like a cyclone hit here. I have never been into clothes and have just what I wear. Books went in a box so big, we needed help to get it out of the car. More to go there too. I think we could make a career out of this. I’ve been at this for quite some time and now my daughter is doing it too. I’m hoping it will make us feel lighter. I’m surprised how many relate to this. Have a wonderful week as well. Still trying to catch up myself.
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What a lot of effort for the no-shows! But. You had to go through everything anyway because you couldn’t fit two households into one. That was so sweet of you to bring your neighbors home-baked fruit bread for the loan of the tables. I’m sure they would have been happy to loan them anyway! The bowl cozies are cute. They would have all been gone if you had had more shoppers.
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It was a perfect weather day too. I was hoping there would be lots of people but alas, just friends and family. 🙂 What a tragedy. 😉 I’ll eventually find homes for all the cozies. Friends and family buy them to give as gifts. I mostly make them to give as gifts anyway. My neighbor needed a little extra kindness so the borrowing the tables was a good cover. Thanks for stopping by, Luanne
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Aw, well, that was really nice of you. Cozies and bread and friends and family. You are a fine person, Marlene!
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Certainly a lot of work but successful to move on some things that you wanted to part with!
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Good to see you, Jan. We are moving ever so much on. Trying to find an outlet to some non-quilting fabric. So far it hasn’t been a pleasant experience. I have a lot and many donation centers won’t take it. No one makes clothing anymore. Nor do I. ;( We are still in purge mode that may take all summer. Hope you are doing well. Thanks for stopping by. Miss hearing from you.
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Marlene, this lovely woman in the UK could be able to help you. http://timetosew.uk/
or these people- https://thesewcialists.com
Sorry I couldn’t see any contact e-mails.
A lot of young women sew clothes and have a “sustainable” sewing movement. They hate fabric waste and they promote donating fabrics to places around the world. If she doesn’t know herself I’m sure she knows someone who will help you donate clothing fabric. I was a part of these groups until they got too political- younger women who think old ladies don’t know what’s up- LOL! So I politely bowed out.
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I’ve been looking for something like that here but it would be cost prohibitive to ship. Thanks for the links.
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They should know someone near you- Like The American Sewing Guild https://www.asg.org/
may know a place near you.
I think you are in the Pacific North West? There are places near you- people who would help. The sewing guild is in every state, they may know donation places.
I’m sorry my vision makes it hard for me to read a lot of these websites, I’m legally blind.
It was just a thought- not for you to ship- but find a sewist near you who would use the fabric. Many young sewists under 40 give lessons to others and teach- fabric is always appreciated.
Here is one event I donated to last year- https://textilecentermn.org/donating-books-materials/
It is 60 miles from my house, but a friend was going to Mpls and brought it for me! Since then I found a lady here in my city!
Sorry just a thought. I will drop my “helpful” (or not) suggestions now! :o)
I hope you find a solution- young women are finding sewing clothes again- it makes me smile!
(((HUG)))
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Thank you so much for all the information. I am in the PNW. As someone with low vision, I understand. I’m going to the eye doc today and hope I can still pass with enough vision to still drive myself to the grocery store. My daughter will take me to the eye center this afternoon. Hand work has become more difficult without adequate light. The quilting fabric will be easy to pass on but the sewing fabric was a bit tricky. Even the craft material. My daughter put in 2 calls to an organization for an appt to drop off. They never bothered to get back to her. It will work out exactly as it should. Thanks again for all your help.
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I do think you were successful.😊 It’s difficult to sell things nowadays everywhere it seems, no one wants second-hand or at least doesn’t want to pay for it. I used to sell stuff and books on eBay but stopped a couple of years ago when I couldn’t even get 1 Euro (!) for my books. I decided then that I could just as well give them away if I don’t want to keep them. That funnily works every time.😉 Around here public libraries have stopped taking books, so I simply put them in front of my house, when I come back they’re all gone. This works actually well with other stuff too.
Just last week I gifted my neighbour’s grandkids with my old digital piano because I treated myself to a new and better one. You should have seen how happy they were – that’s more worth than money in my opinion. 😊
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It’s a strange atmosphere these days with no one buying anything. I gave away most everything and took the rest to different donation centers. I have more books to donate again and our library donation center can’t take anymore. If I could leave stuff outside for people to take, I would be we are not allowed. We will have to find somewhere for them to go though. It’s always nice to have someone happy when you gift them something. I hope the world comes upright soon. Not sure how much more of this awful we can handle. Thanks for the visit, Sarah.
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I think my landlady doesn’t much approve of her tenants putting things outside for others to take with them, but there’s nothing she can do about it. 😉 Also it doesn’t happen very often, mostly when people move. And it’s amazing the things you can find, lots of stuff that’s too good to land in a land fill.
It’s always a pleasure visiting you, Marlene, I just wish, I could do it in person! Take care and enjoy the summer! 🙂
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[…] she is even more sincere, generous, and wise in person than she seems on her blog. Marlene wrote a great post about the yard sale. She also handed over some bowl cozies that she made specifically for Tara and Brynnen. These are […]
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Yard sales are sooooo much work. I’d almost rather gather it all up and give it to charity. Once, loooonnng ago, (I was 25) when I was moving, I rented a table at a flea market. It was $25.00 Stuff was priced to sell, I barely had anything to pack up at the end. Flea Markets get lots of foot traffic and people loooove bargains. So that might be an option. At least you got it all corralled into one place and out of closets, draws, boxes. Cheers dears xK
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I so wish we had flea markets here. Not a one. So we gave it all away. It had to go. I will never do another yard sale here. Hugs to you, K 🙂
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I once had an old fashioned jumble sale in the local memorial hall here. I wanted to reduce things in my home and to raise money for the children’s charity World Vision. It was the same mix of success mixed with so much left over, for people also donated items too! I had to hire the hall as no one flows past our door on this road, and only during Halloween do we get more than one visitor a day. For only on 31st October does that happen, as I make an effort even though I know it’s not really a British tradition. We’re more “Bonfire night” and fireworks, although around here I’ve not seen much “Penny for the guy”. I know some actual witches and others who don’t approve, but that I’ve lived in this house for over 20 years and put an effort in most years, so I think there’s another generation turning up now with their kids in expectation. “mwahahahahHAHAHAHAaaaaaar!” LOL Oh and they only get vegan sweets and fruit.
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There are areas here in this country that still call them jumble sales. I was trying to raise a little for the Animal Shelters here. I guess where I live, there are more people that cannot pay for anything so it all goes to the charity shops. Thanks for the visit. We don’t even get children begging on Halloween here. It rains every year and so few give out candy anymore.
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