Sorting And Organizing

"The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable."  Robert Henri

Does this ever end?  I'm on to the next big job of sorting out and organizing.  One job that I dreaded tackling were the files that I have in my workroom.  Once upon a time they were neat and organized.  I am just tired of knowing I have information or a pattern or idea of something located SOMEWHERE in the piles of papers.  It's going to be a process, but I have begun to tackle it and making great progress.  I'm at the point that I have weeded out many of the things I know longer am interested in and many things that are copies.  It should be a few more days till I have everything sorted out in a way that will make it easy to find the information or ideas that I have saved as reference.  


Once this job is completed I'm moving on to tackle the cabinets and other storage in the room.  With the  amount of space I have now I can continue to move things around and spread them out to make it easier to locate materials.  With solid doors on the cabinets (which I thought of removing) I'm thinking of placing simple labels or coming up with something a bit more creative to mark them.  With slatboard on one whole wall, the materials that I want easy access to are right at hand.  I'm so glad that years ago I invested in the "elfa" storage system from the Container Store, though I need to reorganize many of the wire baskets.


Happy that I'm making progress. I do like to work on more then one project at a time but, I find it difficult to work when too much mess is around me.  I'm hoping to make a video of a "tour" around my space to share.  

It's Not Junk To Me

"To be truly creative, you have to work beyond what you know.  Pushing the envelope is what being an artist is all about."   John Ferrie

It snowed again yesterday and through the night.  Some people will think I'm a little crazy when I say the winter really does not bother me, but it truly doesn't!  We are at a point in the season that you must realize that we may still get snow but it will be short lived.  But once the weather starts improving that the time to get out and get back to visiting the flea martkets in the area.  There are several in the area that are worth making a visit too.  The most famous is the "Kane County Flea Market" located in St. Charles, Illinois at the county fair grounds.  This one happens to run year round, but is a "MUST" when the weather improves.  The buildings are used during the colder months and have a good variety of vendors.  BUT, in spring, summer and fall when vendors set up all around the fair grounds, that's the very best!  I like to frequent several resale and "second-hand" shops around the area too, though I'm itching at getting out to the flea markets.

Yesterday while out shopping I came across a new publication that I would like to share for anyone else who likes to get out there and "hunt" down that great find.  The publication is called "FLEA MARKET style". The editors of the issue are Ki Nassaur (www.junkrevolution.com) and Matthew Mead (www.matthewmeadstyle.com).  I recommend it for anyone who likes flea markets, vintage, recycling, reusing and finding bargains.  It's filled with ideas and information.

It's put the bug in me to get out and start searching for those wonderful little finds.  It's worth a look!
I have discovered some wonderful blogs and sites related to this that I will be sharing with any readers out there.

Message To Readers

How did you find your way to this blog?   I"m curious and hoping that you will help me find out how you found your way to read my blog.  Are most of you finding it through Facebook?  If so you can add your name as a "follower" by way of "networked blogs".  But you may not be a Facebook friend or fan and found your way to the blog in another way.  So in the sidebar I have recently added a widget by Google.
Just click on the icon with the word FOLLOW after it.  This will take you to a box that lets you sign in to follow the blog.  By doing so you can then easily leave comments.  I would love to hear  what you have to say and what interests any of the readers.  Either way, I hope you will become a blog follower!!!

On To The Next Round Of Things To Do

“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” — Walt Disney

(Red tulips and baby's breath in cut glass vase)

(Just some desserts)

Just one or two more things about Valentine's and such.  We had a very enjoyable visit on Sunday with family and friends.  With everyone's help we had a  wonderful spread of foods to share.  The sun was shining brightly even though the temperature has still below freezing.

Now it's on to getting back on track with creative projects, sewing, quilting and working around the house. It's about time to start the "spring cleaning".  With all the closets cleaned out and reorganized, the general cleaning work can begin. Looking forward to getting out to some "resale" shops and the area flea markets for some interesting "finds" to be use when the basement family room is finished.

Happy Valentine's Day

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.  They must be felt with the heart".     Helen Keller

Wishing you a day filled with love.

Heart #12

"Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts".    Greek Proverb

(Handmade paper heart shaped book. Covers are collaged with pink tissue, pearls with an image embossed with a rubber stamp. Pages have inclusions of flower petals and glitter.)

One more day till Valentine's Day!  We're in the process of getting the house ready for tomorrow.  We are having a Valentine's Day Brunch Buffet tomorrow with our kids and another family, who happen to be very close friends to all of us.  Everyone is helping out by bringing something.   I still have to get the dishes and glassware out and arrange the buffet area and decorate the tables.  Which means I haven't much to share with you in today's post.

Hearts #11

"Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart."   Unknown

( Altered journal, collage, no-bake clay embellishments colored with Perfect Pearls)

Two days till Valentine's Day!  This is a really, really late post today.  There was much going on today.
Finally getting a short post set to publish to the blog.  After that I'll be watching the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.  While watching, I'll be frosting the butter cookies that I baked last night, cutting the Krispies treats into heart shapes and making some fluffy cream cheese frosting for the chocolate buttermilk cupcakes.  Sounds yummy to me, how about you?

Have you made your valentine's yet?

Hearts #10

"A hundred hearts would be too few ... To carry all my love for you".  Unknown

Finally posting photos of the heart shaped ornament/card that I made to share.  Now that these two are complete it may be time to do more, maybe a different size, all one color palette or different materials.

Using a Sizzix Big Shot and a large heart die, I cut several hearts from a variety of patterned and plain papers.  If desired, the plain papers can be embossed using an embossing folder or left plain to write personal notes.  Use other die-cuts, stickers or any other related embellishment on the pages.  Adding a touch of glitter will make it sparkle.  From the ribbons, I hung a heart charm and some beads.  In the first photo the card is closed with a thin metallic ribbon (Kreinik).  Place it in a cellophane bag or other unique envelope and deliver it to that special someone.

So I'm set to bake my butter cookies tonight and decorate them.  Another treat that I'm be making are strawberry flavored rice krispy hearts for the family.  They were a big hit last Valentine's Day.  In place of the ordinary marshmallows, Kraft has strawberry flavored marshmallows at this time of year.  I add a little more strawberry flavoring and sprinkle on tiny white, pink and red hearts from Wilton. I use a couple different size cookie cutters to cut the treats into heart shapes.  Place them in a cellophane bag and tie with a pretty ribbon or cord.  Give the sweets to all your "sweets"