31 Days Fall Challenge: Week Three ~ Hidden Clutter... Part 1

So here we are into the third week of the 31 Days Fall Challenge...Making Your Home a Haven.  I'm really thankful that Courtney decided to host this challenge.  It has helped me so much in just 2 weeks. I know that there are lots of different challenges and blogs out there in "cyber world" for wives and moms and women in general, but I like something that really challenges me spiritually and practically.  We always have room for improvement and should remain teachable throughout our lives.
Here’s week #3′s Challenge: List a few of the spots in your home that make you visually stressed. Now go buy something for that spot – like a basket to put it all in! Work on cleaning up clutter. Throw things away.

While you’re at it – clean up some clutter in your spiritual life. What gets in the way of your peace spiritually?

Well, as I mentioned, I've already been working on the clutter in my home.  If you are a regular reader here, you know that I've mentioned tackling the clutter and having a desire to live in a home that is comfortable, organized, welcoming, and clean.  My biggest clutter zone is my garage and that's just from moving many times in short periods and then storage for all of our church/school/ministries and family of 6.  However, I would like to minimize it all, not just for ease, but to be less of an eye sore when I see it.
Anyway, I looked around at my house and I must say that I've got things pretty much the way I like it to be.  We have church Bible study and prayer at my house every Wednesday now and I've finally got a handle on keeping the house presentable.  However, I do have some weak spots and these will be my challenge for this week.
Here's spot number one:

 This bookshelf is in the corner of our "office" room.  My husband Marco uses one side and I have the other side all set up as a craft space.  This is not a room that has a door that you can close to tuck away the clutter when company arrives.  When you walk into our home, it is the first open space to the left - the front room.  This bookshelf has become a catch-all for my school things for my little guy, crafts and such for the kids and for church, etc.  I also have a box of framed pictures that need to either be hung or re-purposed.  The box on top of it is our church projector that we use and then the gift bags are from parties we've recently had.  It all needs to get straightened out.  My husband has boxes of books in the garage and he needs to go through those.  I think I will encourage him to do that this week so that I can spruce it up for him.  This spot has been on my nerves for a while, but it doesn't ever get done.  Now is the time!
Here's spot number two:

This mess is inside our pantry.  Out of the picture, but to the right are shelves that keep our canned goods, pastas, etc.  That is fine and in order.  The shelves that we're looking at WERE in order at one time, but have gotten out of control.  Part of it is that I've done a lot of entertaining lately and instead of putting things away properly the first time, I just stuff it in there and make sure it won't fall out.  This will be handled this week for sure.  I will post pictures for you all  hopefully before next Monday!
There you go.  Two spots that really need my attention.  They may not be anything that bothers anyone else because they don't even know it's there, but I know what is happening and it bothers me.
Tomorrow, I will be sharing with you Part Two of Hidden Clutter.  I will be talking about the clutter that's different...the clutter that is weighing down our hearts.  See you then!

You've got to move it, move it!!

I woke up with the feeling to create something this morning. However, when I walked into my studio, it wasn't very inviting. It was a mess. I'm not talking about an "I've been creating all kinds of beautiful art so things are all over" mess. It was just a mess. My tables have become the 'catch all' for the other things that need to go upstairs and my daughter and her friend were working on their art journals, so things were just out of place.

This is my work table (the one without a cover). What a mess!

See? Things are really looking crazy!

I started to straighten up...and the next thing you know - I am moving furniture around!!

I got to dusting off the shelves and throwing stuff away. I wanted my sentimental things to be displayed properly!

I wanted my paints and stamps to be within arms reach.

Everything looks and feels so much better. It may still look crowded to you, but I know where everything is - so that's what counts. I will be giving you a close up look at some of the stuff in a later post.

After that project was done I got busy on dinner. I kept it simple - baked chicken thighs, zucchini, and a green salad. Also got about 4 loads of laundry done while my girls helped by folding them. Over-all it was a really productive day! I'm getting ready to head out to church. We have prayer meeting during our mid-week service and I will especially be thinking of my friends, Kim and Tracie and their family. Their mother has been battling cancer for some time now and I know that these final days are precious to them. My heart goes out to them.

Reuse, Reduce, REPURPOSE!! Toy Storage...

My little guy is just now getting into playing with little plastic toy soldiers. He sets them all up and then he gets all involved in the war or uses his nerf guns to shoot at targets... I guess it's a guy thing, 'cause I just can't relate. haha. I saw him carrying his little soldiers in a plastic grocery bag and I thought that just wouldn't do. I got a ziploc baggy for him, but then realised that wouldn't last either.
So, this mommy decided to look around for something to ALTER. =) We had a jar of Trail Mix that was empty except for a layer of very sad, rejected raisins that were never going to be touched. I dumped them and cleaned the jar and then got busy with my Cricut and Xyron machine. Done in about 10 minutes! It's simple, yet practical!

I made his name in Don Juan font - 2".

Close ups =)

I think he likes it! I'm always on the hunt for better organization and decorative storage. I will show you what I got at Goodwill for $2.99 later on - it's going in my craft room and I can't wait to use it. =)

My Studio Before and After...

BEFORE:
So, let me tell you. This is going to be a continual work in progress. I love my space so much now and I am always going to be watching for affordable, yet practical and functional ways to improve my space. I've posted some pics already, but I thought I'd post them all together here.

I had a futon against this wall here and my guy decided that it would be great in our room upstairs. No complaints from me. I have been eyeing that space for some time. Unfortunately, I was using the futon to store some things under it out of sight! That's okay. Time to purge. It has to happen if I'm going to really do what I need to do.

This is where it starts to look worse before it gets better. I started pulling everything out. Whoa!! What on earth?? Okay. Filling up the garbage bag. Also, I had some gift cards for Michael's and I have been holding on to them since my birthday in November. I finally saw that the Jetmax Storage System along with all of their storage type items were 40% off. Now, I've always got a coupon, but this meant that I did not have to use a coupon to buy each piece one at a time. I already had the wall unit where I store my ribbon, some paints, stickles, some chipboard and some primas. Initially, I bought two of the cubed shelves, but realized that I did the math wrong. When it said it measured 24" across, I thought it would be perfect to store my paper. Duh. The cube itself was NOT 12" and besides, I'd need a little more room for 12" items to really fit. So I had the hubs take one back and get two more paper shelves and a set of drawers. I used all of my gift cards and I was very pleased with the results.

The table without the cover is my SPOT. It's where I work. Everything else needs to be neat and I need to be able to SEE what I need right away. I want a place for everything and everything in it's place. =)

AFTER:

Here is my desk finally cleared off and organized to the way I like it. In front of me and within arms reach are the things that I currently use the most. I have not been scrapping as much lately. Instead, I've been stamping a lot, working on my art journal and working on future etsy items. I've got my stamp pads in front of me, my pens and markers, paint tray, current art journal, and most used tools.
I love looking at this photo and seeing that most of the items pictured (about 75%) were things I bought at Goodwill, yard sales, clearance or received as a gift. You CAN have nice things without breaking the bank. =)

I've organized the paper that I had by name brand mostly. I kept my solid colored cardstock completely separate. In the cubes I have stored my instructional books on the bottom (sketches, becky higgins, etc.) on one side and my copies of Artful Blogging and Where Women Create magazines. Most of my magazines get thrown out, repurposed or passed on, but I keep these magazines as they are quarterly, which means they aren't cheap, and I can always refer back to them for inspiration. I also have my Cricut Cartridges - I own about 5 carts - along with my Cuttlebug and assecories in the other cubes.

This picture was taken from the landing on the stairs. I still need to get some things hung up. I didn't want to just start hammering holes all over until I got things the way I really wanted them.

I know that the space may still look cluttered to some who like a nice, empty space. However, I feel good about the way I have it. There's a mix of needed supplies, works in progress, gifts and swap items that remind me of friends and family near and far, little notes, drawings and trinkets given to me by my children... It all just needs to be here. It's my inspiration. However, what did not need to be here was clutter that was not going to edify my creativity, trash, excess product that could be given to someone else that would better use it, outdated things that just needed to be thrown out, etc.

I am on a JOURNEY and I don't need any stumbling blocks. Long post, I know, but thanks for visiting me and hanging out. =)

3in30|January|Week One

As you know, I am really working at keeping my new blog fresh and up to date. I've combined my art and life blog into one to make HE{ART} so that I can share it all in one place. You can still find my old blogs in the side bar - but I hope you'll become a new follower of this blog.

Well, I came across another challenge that I think is really going to be a motivator for me. If you are interested in joining in - it's not too late. This one will surely help me conquer some goals each month. Here's a word about the 3 in 30Challenge taken from the hostesses blog:

"3 in 30 is a joint-venture between Meghan Tucker {The Tuckers Take Tennessee} and Ashley Pichea {AP Freewriting}, overflowing from our own accountability relationship. We want to encourage and challenge you to accomplish your goals!...Let's break down our lists into bite-sized chunks, and letís check up on each other over the course of a month. Together we can accomplish our goals!
It takes 21 days to create new habits. Each month (approximately each 30 days) weíll start fresh with no more than 3 goals we want to work on. Throughout the month weíll provide weekly link-ups and opportunities for daily encouragement and accountability."
You can click on the 3 in 30 button in my sidebar or one of the above links to join in the fun!

I am a definite list maker. I've always preferred to write it out on paper too. I like that feeling of scratching something off the list.
I know I can use my phone or computer, but I prefer a good ole fashioned notepad. Here are my three goals for this month:
1. Daily Quiet Time (any of these ways)

• Bible Reading
• Devotional Books
• Devotional Blogs (reading/writing)
• Music (listening/singing/meditating)
• Scripture Memory (little loaf verses)
• PRAYER

2. Begin/be more consistent with some habits towards health goals

• Portion Control
• Less to no SUGAR/"WHITE" CARBS
• WATER!!! At least THREE 16 oz. bottles each day.
• Exercise 3x's a week minimum - ANYTHING GOES!

3. Operation De-clutter and Organize the house so it feels more like HOME.

• Scrap/Craft Room
• Garage
• Closets/Drawers (clothes)
• Game Closet
• Toys
• Kitchen

I've been doing quiet well on the daily quiet time. I've craved it more than ever and I am loving it. I am definitely on a JOURNEY as to knowing my Savior more.

I haven't done much towards my #2 goal. It doesn't help that I've started out the first week of the year being sick. Not giving up.

I have been doing a lot with #3!! My studio is at the front of our house. It is actually the front room. My husband and I use it for his office and my studio. However, I have a hodge podge of shelves and plastic containers and tables that really aren't very "pretty". I had a birthday gift card for Michael's, so I did use it towards some paper storage. I only wish their cubes would hold 12x12 items as well. Anyway, it is looking horrible right now (as you can see), but it will look better when I'm done. My main concern is that it looks nice, since it's right out in the open, and more importantly, that it's functional. I need to SEE my supplies so that I will use what I have.

Well, there it is. What are your goals for this month? Leave me a comment so I can come read about yours!
We had a futon in here, but my husband took it upstairs for me to have more room. =)
This is from the landing looking into the room. I've got lots of work, but I hope to get all the clutter OUT of here!!

Philippians 4:13~I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Reverb 10|Day 20| Avoidance

December 20 – Beyond Avoidance.
What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)
(Author: Jake Nickell)

____________________________________________

I am going with the practical answer on this prompt and going with the thing that first comes to mind when I hear the word avoidance. De-cluttering/organizing my home and garage is what I've been avoiding. Marco and I have moved several times since we've been married and each time we move, I think that I am going to REALLY simplify. Then moving day comes and I am just too exhausted to even think of it. Now that we are a family of 6, I realize that it's not going to get any easier if I put it off any longer. We moved into this house in June and I did start to organize and purge,,,somewhat. Besides the size of our family and all that comes with each individual, my husband's and my occupation both lend to lots of "stuff" - mostly books, papers, files, LOTS of classroom stuff, etc. That's in the garage. Toys that one child outgrew, but now the next one is probably ready for, holiday decorations, oh...whatelse? Lots of STUFF.
Then there's my craft studio... I do manage to keep it looking really nice and inviting, but I REALLY want a new system where I can get things managed better so that I can USE what I have. It's a small space and it's our front room of the house. The thing I have the most of is paper and I really want to find a great system for easy access as well as an easy way for me to organize it. I'd like to invest in some organizational shelves or something like that, but it's got to look nice and be functional.

The other things I'd like to purge in this house would be clothes that everyone seems to be hanging on that no longer fit, board games we no longer play (we've got a ton), and kitchen items.

Yes. I am going to tackle this. As a matter of fact, the more I typed, the more inspired I became. Yes. This is it. I must simplify. It would be such a burden removed from my life. Then I can focus on some of the other, deeper issues that I've been avoiding...like my weight... *sigh* O_O