Saturday, June 1, 2019

June Decluttering: 30 Books

Family Room Bookcase: Before
My June decluttering challenge is to declutter 30 books!  Averages out to one book a day, no matter how it is done, one book a day, several books at a time done a couple of times a week, or, even, all in one go (although, that's highly unlikely for me!).  I wrote about my collection of books, here.  The goal now, is to thin out the collection. 

Of course, if one does a search online about what to do with books (other than read them), one finds all kinds of ideas!  Books are stacked and turned into lamps, side tables, and shelves; some are hollowed out and made into planters, jewelry boxes, etc., others are made into decorative items known as stamped books (or stamped, stacked books), where the covers are removed from two or three books, the spines are stamped with words like "Home, Sweet Home", and the whole tied together with twine or ribbon and decorated!  Then there are all the ideas for altered books and book folding! 

I tried book folding, once - I made a Christmas tree one year with a book that I had received as a gift, which I was not going to read again, and I put it out with my Christmas decorations, now.  I enjoyed that and want to do a folded heart, too.

I am also intrigued by the stacked, stamped books.  Of course, these then become decorative clutter and that's a whole other topic!  I plan to make at least one stamped, stacked books set for myself (I don't have letter stamps, but I have stencils with my scrapbooking supplies), as a fun craft project.  I won't consider that as book decluttering.  However, if I make others to give as gifts, then, that will be part of my book decluttering!

Living Room Bookcase - Before


Here is today's decluttered book:

6/1 Decluttering
I know at least a couple of others are joining me in my book decluttering challenge.  I'm looking forward to seeing what they declutter.  Anyone else wants to join in the June book decluttering challenge? 


14 comments:

  1. I'm afraid my books are thrown into a closet! But I did give away lots of children's books before we moved a couple years ago. Andrea

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One of the good things about moving is, it forces us to get rid of a lot of things we don't want to move! Well done on giving away a lot of children's books. :)

      Delete
  2. I'd never heard of stacked, stamped books. Of course I had to look it up! They do look nice, but that would sort of defeat the purpose of getting rid of some clutter lol. I'd be holding onto all the books just in case...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, well, one would have to give away the stacked, stamped books to declutter, but, I'm thinking, if I put 3 books per stack, that would be 10 holiday gifts, using what I have on hand! :D

      Delete
    2. That sounds like a good idea for gifts Bless. I did wonder when I was reading your post whether you were heading towards keeping all your books under the heading of 'crafting supplies'!

      Delete
    3. Ha, ha, Eileen, the thought did cross my mind! :D One of these days, I need to declutter the craft supplies, but, not yet!

      Delete
  3. Keep up the good work. I didn't declutter any books today, but I did get my husband to go through his T-shirt drawer get rid of some because it was getting hard to put laundry away. It is very hard for him to part with things, so I consider this a major accomplishment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Live and Learn, and well done, Ward, for decluttering your T-shirts. Maybe you can transform those decluttered T-shirts into a T-shirt quilt for him - that might make it easier to part with them. :)

      Delete
    2. There are a few ladies on Etsy who make t shirt quilts. They’re expensive, but look so nice and get good reviews.

      Delete
    3. T-shirt quilts are fun to make, I think.

      Delete
  4. I am in! It is a relief to know I have been challenged to get rid of some books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to have you join in, Anne. :) I am agonizing over each and every book, but, I am determined to declutter 30 books!

      Delete
  5. I am toying with this idea, after seeing a post over at A Bracelet of Days, and then coming over here to see more. Honestly, at present, my tendency is to acquire one more bookcase instead. But I'll keep mulling while I watch all of you declutter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Acquiring another bookcase is a perfectly valid solution, Susanne. I am not sure if one can ever have too many books, but, honestly, just how many knitting books do I need? How many cookbooks? At one time, I felt I should keep all the books I ever bought, but, now, I am wondering why I am keeping them, especially if I am not likely to re-read them. I'm not ready to give them all away, but 30 books (less than a tenth of what I have) seems reasonable, to me. Maybe you can cheer us from the sidelines as you watch and mull. :)

      Delete

Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. Your comments are much appreciated. Please comment in English. Thank you.