Clearing the Clutter Challenge - What's happening in the Garden? Day 27 and 29

Well, what can I say, nearly the end of the challenge and I have been quite on it (for most of the time).  I know we all have that part of the house, or our space - somewhere that needs clearing, organising or just plain dumping.  Wanting to make a fresh start and catch up with yourself.  I have unearthed many delights I forgot I had.  I will be posting for previous days to let you know how I got on.

Today's challenge was to sort out the garden and I have combined this with day 29

Its amazing what the wind can do, we have 2 New Zealand Cordyline australis palms in our garden I planted about 8/9 years ago, didn’t realise that we would be constantly picking up the fallen leaves, but they do look glorious in the summer with their lovely smelling flowers. When you open up the kitchen window you get a whiff.. 

 

Once fallen I have been using the leaves to tie plants together, when you split the fallen wet leaf they are quite strong and you need scissors to cut them width ways.  I haven't come up with any creative weaving ideas for the Cordyline Australis.... here is more information about the plant if your interested... .  They have also been useful as ground cover to protect the roots of some of the plants, I haven't yet tried to dry them and use them in an art piece....
 
The back of the garden got quite a bashing in the high winds. I have been thinking of converting the shed into an art space, at the moment it has a lot of things that also needs sorting, but thats for another day!

 

The other thing that needs work is the plum tree, it should have been cut back at least 2 summers ago, so we will be cutting it back this year. Hopefully we'll get a better crop of plums, though the birds have fed off the ones we couldn't reach.

Speaking of the birds I hung some fat balls, I love hearing them sing and thought I would take part in the RSPB big garden Birdwatch this weekend. It is an opportunity to see which ones are coming into the garden.  The RSPB also suggest ways in which you can make your garden or space more bird and wildlife friendly. I am hoping to get some pictures of the birds that are our regular visitors, and may be inspired to get some ideas down for the shed come studio! What outside jobs have you been putting off?

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day - 237 - 243

Kindness

When was the last time you were really kind to yourself, treating yourself as you would a close friend?  Do you appreciate yourself and show it, taking time out for you to recharge and renew your batteries.  Sometimes because of what's going on around us we can leave ourselves till last.  This week how can you make a point of taking even 5 minutes out of your schedule to reflect? 


Day 237

Reflection 

Prepare for the journey, you are not alone 

Quote

A traveller am I, and a navigator, and every day I discover a new region within my soul. ...Kahlil Gibran 

Scripture 

....who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s...Psalm 103:5

Day 238

Reflection 

Don’t waste your time on unnecessary pursuits that do not bring you closer to your dream 

Quote 

Work of sight is done. Now do heart work on the pictures within you. ...R.M. Rilke 

Scripture 

He who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgement, but has passed out of death into life...John 5:24

Day 239

Reflection 

Be yourself, it is enough to let your light shine

Quote 

The most important thing is that you love what you are doing, and the second that you are not afraid of where your next idea will lead. ...Charles Eames 

Scripture 

I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies....11 Samuel 22:4

Day 240

Reflection 

You are wonderful 

Quote 

Love lights up the world… with its generous flames. ...Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Scripture 

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes...Psalm 19:8

Day 241

Reflection 

This was meant to be

Quote 

Life is a work of art, designed by the one who lives it. ...Unknown 

Scripture 

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry...Psalm 34:15

Day 242

Reflection 

Miracles happen every day 

Quote 

You have to operate from the sense of everything is new and you’re starting again. ...Nicole Kidman 

Scripture 

Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; and they have no storeroom nor barn; and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds

Day 243

Reflection 

Nothing can compare to the gifts you have to bless the world 

Quote 

An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail. ...Dr. Edwin Land 

Scripture 

ow we have received, not the spirit of the world, but  the Spirit of which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God....1 Corinthians 2:12

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 230 - 236

Understanding

Understanding comes through experiences, the 'Aha' moments and sharing with others.  It can be hard to understand why at times we go through the hard times with the feeling that it will never end, but one day you are able to look around and celebrate coming through.....  

My favourite reflection this week is Day 230, 'Time to wake up and smell the chocolate' - I love dark chocolate especially the 85% Cocoa one (and it's good for you!).  The quote by Jeffrey David Lang, on Day 235 really spoke to me 'There will be times in life when impossibility is felt, but then there are dreams - and dreams allow us possibility. and is reminding me that I need to give my dreams the right foundations.  And the scripture that will keep me is Day 236 from Psalm 139:5 - Thou has enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me.  

What area will you be focussing your time on this week?

Day 230

Reflection 

It’s time to wake up and smell the chocolate! 

Quote 

I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.....John Muir 

Scripture 

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace..Psalm 37:37 

Day 231

Reflection 

Time to change your style! 

Quote 

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. ---C.G. Jung 

Scripture 

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you..1 Peter 5:7

Day 232

Reflection 

You are a dear friend and much loved 

Quote 

Every time you don’t follow your own inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness. ---Shakti Gawain 

Scripture 

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me for I have redeemed thee...Isaiah 44:22

Day 233

Reflection 

You inspire others to be who they were called to be 

Quote 

Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us. ---Roy Adzak 

Scripture 

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me  with songs of deliverance...Psalm 32:7

 Day 234

Reflection 

Step into the light and shine like the star you are. 

Quote 

There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it.....Mary Little 

Scripture

Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted...Matthew 5:4 

 Day 235

Reflection 

You can become whole again 

Quote 

There will be times in life when impossibility is felt, but then there are dreams - and dreams allow us possibility. ...Jeffrey David Lang

Scripture 

Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His loving kindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments...Deuteronomy 7:9

Day 236

Reflection 

It’s time to take action 

Quote 

Art is about paying attention. ...Laurie Anderson

Scripture

Thou has enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me...Psalm 139:5 

Clearing the Clutter Challenge - Day 12 and 13 - Ephemera and Magazine cuttings

 

Nearly half way through the challenge and understand just how big a challenge I set myself.  Want to make it as practical as possible so that I don't find myself being overwhelmed and lose interest along the way.  Being flexible I understand the most important thing for me to do now is to for each area decide what needs to happen to it.  I had half hoped to be super efficient and have all the areas locked down by the end of the month, but I have not been feeling it, and had lost enthusiasm, was change too bigger price to pay!!  

 

Rome wasn't built in a day, and my collection won't be cleared in a month but it can be better organised the Pottery Barn has some interesting 'schedule systems' ...little and often rather than all at once and fizzle out.    How too when the cares of life come and weigh down on us we feel as if we need to solve the problem there and then, but often taking a fresh set of eyes, talking about it, looking at the possible benefits that may come out (lessons we can learn) then we can see the problem in a whole new way.  

One of the things I knew about the collection was that I wanted to clear it, and knew I had to look at the individual area, why was I keeping it, what could I use it for, could it go to a better home, how long would it take to clear....then when you do have 15 spare minutes it can go to one of the tasks on the list that has already been identified.  So, back to the list.....

Ephemera 

I have got quite a lot so after going through them decided to use a lot more attachments to my paintings and journals, looking at ways to use more of it in my work especially some of the smaller pieces of work....I will also be using more in the journals and assemblage art that I would like to do. You can find some free printable ephemera at Sweetly Scrapped to get you started.

News paper/ Magazine cuttings 

I had seen some of Teesha Moores work and wanted to do some myself with the cuttings.  I put them all in a large folder, and will separate them into categories to make them easier to find.  Some of the images will go into my source book and I want to find a space to put my dream board.  A virtual way of combining the images that I like as been the pinterest board.  Do you have a dream board? Are you are on Pinteres?  leave your details and we can have a look.