Your "before" desk photo made me laugh !
In a good way that is.
What a task. I know you are glad to have it done. So far, if I have a blotty paper/brush cleaning paper that does in the end has no redeeming qualities, I have just stenciled a design over what is there to change it altogether to save it. Of course, you have been in it for a long time and have more hanging around than I do, so it is easy for me to do that at this time.
I hope you find your guitar !
I've looked everywhere I can think of for the guitar but still no luck.
Sorting through that mass of papers was a fun project and, as always, the sorting/reducing feels really good.
Did you look in all the books?....... LOL... just trying to help from far away.
I looked in my altered book and the 2 I have on the table for cleaning brushes etc. I have tons of books in the attic but I wouldn't have hidden it in the ones on the shelves.
I looked in the card drawer and on my desk. I just can't imagine where else I would have put it. The paper pile was the most obvious place. 🤷♀
I had it a couple of days ago.