Clothes that don't Fit - Clearing the Clutter Challenge

Why is it that we hold on to clothes that don't fit, with the promise of one day wearing them...or is it just me?

I have told myself over the years that I would slim down and get myself into these clothes again, and I've come to the conclusion that while I am getting fitter and loosing weight something still has to go, and there needs to be a closing date. 

When I looked at some of the styles I realized that it was the fabric I liked so rather than keep it as the original item I would re-purpose it. I've been getting quite attached to making journals and book binding, been inspired by Art Journals by other artists.  I have made a few on my channel that you can look at HERE

Others clothes I've packed for charity.  Looking back on some of the pieces the clothes reminded me of the summers I spent seemingly without a care in the world, not imagining my life years later, or the responsibilities I would have - perhaps I am hankering after that care free life again... perhaps it will come in a different form.

 What are you holding on to that doesn't quite fit?

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What's in the Bag? - Clearing the Clutter Challenge - Day 1

Thought I would start with clearing out my bag as a challenge, I take my bag/s with me most places and I usually chuck most things in it and end up with a lot of ‘just in case’ items, then have to use move every thing to a bigger bag.  These are the three I have been carrying around at the same time, each with a set of different items,

 

I realised when I really looked at the contents I was also carrying around quite a few non essential items, and that the bags didn't reflect my personality.  

I’ve taken to carrying things just in case and I realised it was time for a clear out as I couldn't always find what I wanted. 

My son does a very good take of me looking for something in my bag and he always shows me as rummaging with my head down. I realised that alongside what I call my 'hand bag' I was carrying additional bags for those oh so essential items.  A clear out came at the right time, I don't think I'll ever be a small bag carrier and will just make a point of carrying what I need in future. When I get to the sorting bags challenge I might have to loose these three.   If you carry a bag, what does the contents say about you?

Happy New Year - January 2012 - Try something new

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With the New Year comes new challenges, goals, dreams desires, and I am really excited to seeing what seeds will bear fruit.  This month I will be having a clear out - 30 things in 30 days, I will be going through all my belongings and seeing what can be re-purposed, recycled, given to charity or sold. I love collecting things and have many things that you think 'that will come in handy for something', and then 5 years later you still haven't used it. I find it especially with mixed media, there are so many things that you can use within your creativity that enables you to hold on to different supplies.

For the month of January everything will need to have a specific purpose, and properly stored and labelled.  In short I want to be more organised and having a clear out is one of the best ways. I will be doing a video update as well - we will see how this goes, might just be a weekly one to begin with.   I have definitely found that doing the challenges has made me more accountable and 30 days goes so quickly

Thanks for all the comments and support for my blog over the years, looking forward to new adventures, and making friendships with so many talent artists around the world, it's really a blessing, and I know that there are definitely exciting things ahead for us all as we step out of our comfort zones and have faith that he who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it......

What will you challenge yourself to do for January?

Try Something New - December Update 2011

I have come to the end of my December 'Try Something New for 30 days' Challenge which was to write a minimum of 100 words a day.  I have written a combination of 14 stories and poems and a total of 17,177 words approx.  I have far exceeded what I thought I would do and feel very blessed to have completed this challenge, its amazing to think of what you can do when you put your mind to it.  I think that I will still continue to finish the rest of the stories on the list over the next few months, and  I would like to also start working on some illustrations for the stories and will be sharing my efforts over time.

As this year closes I have been not only amazed at how fast the year has gone, but the lessons learnt, the doors that closed as well as the ones that opened.  I have learnt this year more so that you get what you put into life, it is meant to be lived to the full - I have always known it but for some reason didn't really 'apply it'.  I don't always make the most of my time, and do have my moments of inactivity, but I know that all the things I ever wanted to do can be achieved by just making an effort, however small!  It is better that you make an effort than nothing at all...  This afternoon I spoke to a cousin who I haven seen for over 10 years, you would think we live on different sides of the world, she lives around 18 miles from me.  Our children have grown and don't know each other, I made a promise to myself to make the effort to renew relationships and friendships and especially for Sekani's sake get him to meet up with all the cousins he hasn't seen for a while or even met.  So I am saying goodbye to inactivity and hello to making the most of everything and with another challenge under my belt, hello 2012!