As you may remember I am on a one woman mission in this flat to clear my clutter inspired by Karen Kingston's book 'Clear Your Clutter'. I'm a slow burn kind of girl though so it's more a little and often methodology in this house. I am not buying (much more) stuff - seriously everything that gets walked up those flights of stairs is either food or something I am going to get my moneys worth out of by enjoying it or learning from it many times over. There's the advice about thinking twice before you buy and I have really taken it on board. I spent a good five minutes looking through a basket of gorgeous branded nail varnishes at the market yesterday (they were a steal £1!) before checking myself and thinking about the 10 or so I have in the fridge that I very rarely use - I hate my hands with varnish on - it's purely for the feet for me! See I am learning!
The other thing touched on in this book are unfinished projects and I have them in abundance, I am forever beginning new projects. In fairness I do manage to finish quite a few but the stale 'energy' surrounding the ones I don't....well enough is enough... whilst I'm sorting through my possessions and addressing what I keep and what I don't it's time to pick up the crafting projects that have remained untouched for weeks awaiting supplies and time... That's where this little dude comes in...
I sewed him all up last night and I love him... he's a little bit soggy as we speak as I made the mistake of handing him to Ruby after a cookie so he was therefore within a few hours of his short life covered in chocolate and then thrust under a cold tap but he's a beaut. I've got more where he came from. Full write up on the book in which his pattern was gleaned to come later this week. I've also been buying new 'lenses' on my hipstamatic iphone app so expect more of these kind of stylised photos of things I make - much easier to get onto the blog and quite alot of fun!
But on the subject of de-cluttering - here are the books I am saying goodbye to... Lianne - Random Family is yours - I know - I have kept meaning to pass this back to you ever since you leant it to me (about 3 years ago) but there has never been a good moment - particularly as you jumped ship and moved to Monaco! All these went to the charity shop. Books, for me are a frequent indulgence but unless they are useful or constantly referred to or frequently revisited then....see ya! They are taking up space - we are hoping to move soon and I don't need all this read and unread material hanging around....ever.
I don't think it is any coincidence that with getting rid of 'stagnant' stuff I'm getting more creative bits and pieces done and Gwyn is making music again. I got rid of a boot full of things we no longer wear or use at the tip on Friday - just before Gwyn went to work we got rid of 4 bin bags full of worn, tired, unused clothes and shoes. I'm hoping that none of these things get replaced and we move towards a more uncomplicated way of living with alot less random and unwanted stuff... sure I like to buy things I enjoy looking at and using but I am not joking when I say that over the course of the last few years we have accumulated a fair amount of bits and pieces that fall into neither of those categories.
And following on from this I want to make a mention of the guy at the tip who helped me and my sister unload. He was so happy - so happy he turned my morning around where I'd been feeling frazzled and stressed and generally not on top of it at all and his sunny disposition and manner just picked me up. He started talking to George through the opening in the boot and asked what the babies name was and I said "George" and he said "me too!" and I thought he was taking the piss quite frankly but it emerged that he was a truth teller (do you think I'm probably a little cynical when I required proof in the form of a fellow colleague???) George, you made my day, I want to be as bright as you and inspire the same in others....
Anyway - sorely tired this Sunday after Friday night and a late one yesterday (I attempted sewing up some bootees yesterday night at about midnight after making up the little guy...I did them back to front because I was so tired....idiot) and today we went to Brighton and back to see my nana - who had only until today met George once I'm ashamed to say....(blame car trouble and chickenpox, it's the truth) I'm sat at my laptop with a glass of rouge, a laundry mountain...both the 'too be washed' and 'too be ironed' and as we have the idea of moving to Brighton and 'settling' a list of research 'to do' as long as you know, the longest thing and I better get going so I can make some informed decisions about 1) my future happiness 2) our future employment prospects and consequently our financial situation & 3) the childrens education....
Brilliant...no pressure then!
Finally - a George pic from today - none of Ruby - she's very camera shy at the moment - probably mentally scarred from the children at the park saying she had scabies last weekend...I hate some kids...I know...a taboo... but I really do.
I sewed him all up last night and I love him... he's a little bit soggy as we speak as I made the mistake of handing him to Ruby after a cookie so he was therefore within a few hours of his short life covered in chocolate and then thrust under a cold tap but he's a beaut. I've got more where he came from. Full write up on the book in which his pattern was gleaned to come later this week. I've also been buying new 'lenses' on my hipstamatic iphone app so expect more of these kind of stylised photos of things I make - much easier to get onto the blog and quite alot of fun!
But on the subject of de-cluttering - here are the books I am saying goodbye to... Lianne - Random Family is yours - I know - I have kept meaning to pass this back to you ever since you leant it to me (about 3 years ago) but there has never been a good moment - particularly as you jumped ship and moved to Monaco! All these went to the charity shop. Books, for me are a frequent indulgence but unless they are useful or constantly referred to or frequently revisited then....see ya! They are taking up space - we are hoping to move soon and I don't need all this read and unread material hanging around....ever.
I don't think it is any coincidence that with getting rid of 'stagnant' stuff I'm getting more creative bits and pieces done and Gwyn is making music again. I got rid of a boot full of things we no longer wear or use at the tip on Friday - just before Gwyn went to work we got rid of 4 bin bags full of worn, tired, unused clothes and shoes. I'm hoping that none of these things get replaced and we move towards a more uncomplicated way of living with alot less random and unwanted stuff... sure I like to buy things I enjoy looking at and using but I am not joking when I say that over the course of the last few years we have accumulated a fair amount of bits and pieces that fall into neither of those categories.
And following on from this I want to make a mention of the guy at the tip who helped me and my sister unload. He was so happy - so happy he turned my morning around where I'd been feeling frazzled and stressed and generally not on top of it at all and his sunny disposition and manner just picked me up. He started talking to George through the opening in the boot and asked what the babies name was and I said "George" and he said "me too!" and I thought he was taking the piss quite frankly but it emerged that he was a truth teller (do you think I'm probably a little cynical when I required proof in the form of a fellow colleague???) George, you made my day, I want to be as bright as you and inspire the same in others....
Anyway - sorely tired this Sunday after Friday night and a late one yesterday (I attempted sewing up some bootees yesterday night at about midnight after making up the little guy...I did them back to front because I was so tired....idiot) and today we went to Brighton and back to see my nana - who had only until today met George once I'm ashamed to say....(blame car trouble and chickenpox, it's the truth) I'm sat at my laptop with a glass of rouge, a laundry mountain...both the 'too be washed' and 'too be ironed' and as we have the idea of moving to Brighton and 'settling' a list of research 'to do' as long as you know, the longest thing and I better get going so I can make some informed decisions about 1) my future happiness 2) our future employment prospects and consequently our financial situation & 3) the childrens education....
Brilliant...no pressure then!
Finally - a George pic from today - none of Ruby - she's very camera shy at the moment - probably mentally scarred from the children at the park saying she had scabies last weekend...I hate some kids...I know...a taboo... but I really do.
Labels: clear your clutter, Karen Kingston
Yay for de-cluttering! I had a yard sale this last saturday and got rid of a lot of unwanted/unused things, and the rest I didnt sell Ill be donating this week! Feels good to clear out the house. Also, took me a minute to realize what nail varnish is. Cause we call it nail polish. Funny!
Posted by: Sara Jane | 04/26/2010 at 09:33 AM
The little dolls are amazing!!!
Posted by: Anastasia | 04/28/2010 at 09:51 PM