A Layout, A Blog, & Accumulation
Hello Monday.
Above you see a layout I worked on this weekend. It's got a little bit of everything I am loving right now (or have loved for a long time): paint, square-punched photos, and hand-drawn boxes + journaling. My friend Margie will be teaching how to put it together (along with other pages) in some of her upcoming classes. You can email her for more information on when and where the classes will be held.
Last night I was checking in on some of my favorite blogs and ended up on Karen's (one of my all time favorite scrapbookers and all-around good person). I noticed she has some really cool project kits you can order: Interactive Scrapbooking and Snapshots of a Good Life. Just looking at the images of the projects made me want to make something.
I spent a good deal of time on Sunday cleaning up and clearing out all over the house. Are you ever surprised at how much accumulates over time in the craziest places like under the bathroom sink? Do I really need four different bottles of body lotion? It must be something about always thinking I am going to find one that is better than the one I always grab (kinda sounds like that whole "get real" thing - get real that all I ever really need is just one bottle of lotion). Live and learn...the key being the learning part.
When I get to this point where I am really wanting to simplify I tend to re-read some of Leo's posts from Zen Habits. One of my favorites is A Guide To Creating A Minimalist Home. Now if you have seen photos of my office you know I am not even close to living in modern minimalism. But I like the idea of it. I like the idea of having space and room to breath and less things to clutter & clog my mind, leaving me open for more creative thoughts + actions. And sometimes there are things we want that just aren't going to happen...
Such is life.
So here's my organizing goal: no shuffling stuff around or moving things from one pile to another. Make a decision, give it a home (or put it in a box: goodwill, garage sale, recycle, etc), and move on to the next thing that needs to be rescued from a pile. Even this is easier said than done.
Two more things for today: (1) I haven't forgotten about my follow-up Question & Answer post about organizing albums. Look for that in the next week or so. (2) Also, check out an audio interview I did with Jamie at Cereals on Art + Craft.
I too love the idea of minimalism, and dream of de-cluttering, but I think I'm too much of a bower bird. Plus I have too many art supplies!
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With 4 boys I am always trying to declutter, it's an ongoing thing and I hope I will eventually get there. I do have room on my book case for another scrapping book though!
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Okay I am going to have to try this layout! ALI and Making Memories does it get any better than this! Loved ya at CKU-ARGH you scallywag!!!
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Yeah!! In a few weeks I have plans to decluttify my closets as part of my spring cleaning week. Its so nice to have all the windows open. I like the idea of the fabric scrapbooking, as well.
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Your shuffling papers comment made me think of a book on tape that I just listened to and really liked...don't know if you are into that sort of thing, but I thought "Getting Things Done" by David Allen introduced some organizational strategies that were new to me and are truely designed to leave your mind unencumbered and free. http://www.davidco.com/store/catalog/GTD-Unabridged-Audio-CDs-Of-Getting-Things-Done-p-16358.php
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Love your layout with the squares and hand-drawn boxes. I need to get organized! I am a great one to just shuffle things around.
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Great post! Enjoyed the links to the minimalist home info. I'm with you, Ali--wonderful and calm to look at, but not the current state of my own space! Good to know that others fight the clutter-bug, too.
Interesting how people's "words" connect to the idea of simplification, paring down, less-is-more. I recently experienced a great sense of my "word" (which is "movement") when I organized my office/ scrap room and donated MANY items I wasn't using. I worked with a professional organizer who talked about the need to keep things moving (either by using them regularly or purging them) so that one's space (and life!) don't become stifling and stagnant.
And in an unexpected benefit, it's incredible how much more fun and how much easier it is to scrap, because I can actually FIND things!
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Hey girly - that is THE coolest layout.
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Piles are definately my biggest cleaning challenge. When people complain of dishes or toilets, I always comment on how much more challenging pile management is! Now to organize my art stuff! Yikes.
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It's so funny you had this post about decluttering ;) I see it as a constant process, it will never end... helas...
But actually now, for the last week or so, I have been totally into some big reorganisation in the house. I organised a lot of things in old shoeboxes and labeled them with Dymo, and I even made a "pile-of-paper-system" hoping that we will be better in filing away the papers more regularly ;)
And I even got to tidy up in my scrapping-stuff :)
So yes, things feel so much better after a big reaorganisation, and I feel it is easier to work. And I really hope for the good and positive chi to go through the house :)
And at least I hope the new system will last!
I love your layout! It's gorgeous!!!
Have a lovely day :D
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I have read the comment in bloglines about the gift but don't find here .. And then I have read that it's a mistake ... I was thinking that I'm crazy
LOL
Kiss from Spain
Marie-Hélène
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I must make time to read your linked posts. I love the idea of having less clutter but can't seem to get there. Thanks for posting about your self-forgiving approach to it... you are a very sensible woman. ;)
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My word for the year (thank you for that) is Simplify. Decluttering and clearing the house is part of my simplify plan. What I'm learning is that it's not a "do it once, never again" sort of thing, but more of a lifestyle. I'm only gradually accepting that because completing goals is a big motivator for me, and this one will never be "completed."
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I've been decluttering closets and drawers for the last couple of weeks. Whew! What a lot of junk! The goal for the next couple of weekends? The basement. Yikes!
Sue
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I love the picture you took of Chris reading to Simon and he is reading GO DOG GO-that was one of my son's most favorite books at that age. Your photo brought back a great memory of parenting. Thanks, Ali You are so awesome! Have a great day.
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Loved the layout...my quest is to now find the 2 x 2 punch...the website was out by the time i checked it out!!!
In the process of de-junking my scrap room and re-organizing...just knowing there are other gals out there doing the same thing is inspiring!
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Saw this and it reminded me of your saying "it is ok"
http://www.multipolarprojects.com/
pretty cool!
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Good post!
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I'm in this stage right now. Forced, but necessary. I am preparing to move soon. So...the decluttering begins. I have always been a packrat of sorts, but now I wonder WHY I kept half of the things that I have... so I have my piles... keep, store, give away. And, like you, I am amazed at how many things I have under the bathroom sink. For me, it is those little travel sized items or gift basket bathroom items that always seem "too cute" to use. No more...time to take them out and USE them.
Also, I am going through my scrapbook/craft items and want to donate a bunch. Do you have any charities you might recommend going through, other than just the goodwill??? I'd prefer to give them to someone to actually be used.
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I know it is hard to believe, since everyone thinks everything is so much bigger down here in TEXAS...but not if it's "all full up" with stuff!! What is it with us artsy folk? We loves us some pretties! Seems I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to organize, reorganize, purge, find homes for, display, display again (because, you know, a. it's easier than dusting, or b. it's christmas already!) Anyway, good to know I'm not alone in the struggle! Sure wish we were all back at the Fort sittin' around laughin' and drinkin' and far far away from the notion of organizing anything except the wine bottle within easy reach!! Miss you girl!
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Stunning LO, I also love the little things you mentioned and at the moment I have a thing for acrylic/acetate! I promissed myself I use it more too :) thanks for sharing!
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Just wanted to say thanks for the link to ZenHabits. Went there and something about it just changed my life! Have an awesome day!
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Declutter...A wonderful concept,and an idea that I love. Unfortunately, both my husband and I are "terminal clutter bugs." I sometimes don't even SEE the clutter until I trip over it!
I do MUCH better at work than I can manage age home. My work space is reasonably organized and relatively clutter free. The only explanation I can come up with, is the fact that I'm being PAID for the time and work, and can't let myself waste the company's money by letting myself be disorganized.
So, if that's the case, then the question becomes...how to translate that to my home and "allow myself" the same kind of environment at home, that provide for myself at work.
Ali, thanks for always giving me something to consider. It's good for the brain cells.
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