Memorabilia -- Use It or Lose It!

What do you do with those special items that have been passed down to you? Put them in the hall closet and hope the door will shut? Probably not a good choice for several reasons. First, you are unnecessarily creating clutter; second, if the item is very old and unstable, you will further the aging process; finally, and most importantly, what's the point of keeping these special items if the only time you enjoy them is when you move or get the bug to clean out a closet!

This summer my grandmother passed away and I was the recipient of many beautiful things, especially table linens. My grandmother enjoyed entertaining and her tables were always draped in an impeccable manner. As I started to sort through everything to see what I actually had, I found napkin-sized linens on which my grandmother had painted picnic scenes. They are so neat and I could not just stick them back in a closet for another 50 years.

But the dilemma was, what should I do with them? They were too precious to actually use as table linens, so I decided to have them framed to display in my daughter's room. I visited a local frame shop only to discover a vast range of options for preserving any and all types of mementos. For my project, the shop owner recommended conservation framing. The linens were very old and starting to discolor. The conservation frame process includes hand-stitching the fabric to a suede board, use of acid free mattes (very important because acid from papers and plastics can migrate onto your memento), and image perfect UV-filtering glass. The painted napkins turned out wonderfully and look great in my daughter's room. Now, every time I am in there making the bed or putting away laundry, I am reminded of my grandmother's big heart and gentle smile.

My Aunt Marcia has a particular knack for finding creative solutions for our family heirlooms. When my grandfather's health was failing, he always had a hand-stitched quilt over his shoulders for warmth. Family members had a very strong association between that quilt and my grandfather. After his death my aunt had the quilt taken apart and the pieces of fabric made into teddy bears for grandchildren and doilies for his daughters and daughters-in-law. In addition, a frame was presented to my dad containing his father's Bronze Star, the Executive Order, and the article from the newspaper, all arranged under glass using conservation techniques.

Many mementos are suitable for display, given the appropriate treatment. Things that may be considered include, but are not limited to: garments worn for a special occasion, a lone piece of china or silver, and special awards or medals. There are many conservation or preservation solutions available. Costs will vary depending on the size and detail of the project, but consider it a worthwhile investment in the preservation of a small piece of your family history. So run, don't walk, to your attic, closet or wherever you have hidden away a precious memento and find a way to put it on display now!

Copyright 2003 Bridget Messino

About the author: Bridget Messino is a Professional Organizer and co-owner of Clutter Free Living, Inc. Her work frequently appears on many Internet sites and on her own organizing site Clutter Free Living as well as in her monthly Home Organizing Newsletter How to Be Clutter Free. Subscribe to the FREE monthly e-newsletter by sending a blank e-mail to cflnews-subscribe@topica.email-publisher. com

---

Organization and the Opposite Sex

In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More

The Problem With To-Do Lists

Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More

5 Reasons to Organize Your Home Today

Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More

Spring into Spring

Hasn't time flown? Already we're into the last quarter of... Read More

Clear Your Clutter and Free Your Life

Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make... Read More

Is Your To Do List The Problem?

You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More

Making Life Easier, with NLP Chunking!

You know, in psychology there is a rule, especially within... Read More

50 Ideas to Organize Your Home

"Organize" is a familiar word heard on many of today's... Read More

Tired of Endless Chores and To-Dos? Stop Running Around in Circles and Enjoy Life Again

Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More

Secrets to Eliminating Emotional Clutter

Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More

7 Little Things That You Can Do to Organize the Kids Rooms

1. Sink to their level. Get on your knees in... Read More

Clutter Clearing Tips that Work

Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than... Read More

Breathing Life Into Dead Spaces

"I don't have enough room!" -- this is a common... Read More

Do You Have A To-Do list?

I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More

Basic Organizing Principles

So you've decided to get organized, but you just don't... Read More

Four Easy Steps to An Organized Closet

The National Association of Professional Organizers has dedicated January to... Read More

10 Simple Steps to a More Organized Household

1. Divide big jobs into smaller jobs. Make a list... Read More

Clutters Side Effects: How the State of Your Home Affects Your Life

Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with... Read More

Digging out of Paper Clutter - part 1

Digging out from under stacks of paper might seem like... Read More

Relieve Vacation Stress By Planning Ahead

Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end... Read More

The True Definition of an Organization

The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More

Clutter & Creativity

Take a look around you right now. Look away from... Read More

Making Space - Letting Go of Clutter

To make room for new things to come into you... Read More

Ten Signs That Your Life Is Cluttered

How do you know if you need to clean out?... Read More

25 Tips and Tricks for an Organized Move

Worried because you're moving soon? This really doesn't have to... Read More

Addiction to Clutter

Clutter is a big problem for many people. At a... Read More

Organizing Tips to Help You Conquer the Laundry Monster

Laundry. You sort, you wash, you fold, you blink ?... Read More

Managing Mealtime Madness

It is 5:00 pm and Cindy has no idea what... Read More

Family Management Tip #2: Choosing the Right Organizer for Your Family

What method do you currently use to organize your family?... Read More

Clutter is Postponed Decisions?

Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More

3-Step Clean Sweep Program to Organize

3-Step Clean Sweep Program 1 -... Read More

Letting Go Of Your Excuses

At this point, you have probably run across some belongings... Read More

Clutter Campaign - Commit Your Time

Decide When And Where To StartDecide when and where to... Read More