Piles of Paperwork...

Image courtesy of MentalFloss.com

I thought computers were supposed to minimize paperwork? Doesn't seem to work that way around here. See a great pattern? Print it! A little needlework inspiration? Print it! A remodeling idea? Print it! 

I've got stacks of paper all over my studio rooms, and it's time to declutter it. That's part of what I'll be doing today. I'm taking these projects in two-hour bites. I set a timer, and when it alarms, I stop and go to something else. Remember "eating the elephant"? Small bites. It can be done.

Once I put in my two hours, I can reward myself with something fun. I think I'll decide what my next project is going to be and pull all the supplies together. No guilt here. I've earned it! 

(Not So) Silly Habits Mean A Lot...

I haven't reported on my decluttering efforts lately, but I have been busy. Yesterday I took 8 boxes, three rolls of vinyl fabric and a few furniture pieces to St. Vinny's. Using the standard for allowable deductions, it amounted to nearly $1200 value in donations! 

It sure made a difference in the amount of "stuff" I've been looking at, but more importantly, it can make a big difference to people in need.

I've also filled a large tote with packaged fabric that will soon be on its way to my friend in Arizona who owns a 501(c)(3) who will make sure it goes where it will have the greatest impact. I have a bit more of that to package and then it will be mailed out.

Lastly, I have one more box that's filled with crafty things that I'll take with me next time I go to Portage, so that my dear creative friends might be able to use the contents for items they make for craft shows and sales. More things away from here.

So, even though I haven't mentioned it lately, I have been a busy bee, and it sure feels good. While there's still much to do, taking a few minutes each day amounts to huge changes by the end of a week. This is a small habit that can make a big difference. I like this plan, so I'll definitely be more consistent with this in the future. 

(Note: Silly Habits Mean A Lot is another song title. I couldn't resist. )

Sale Day...

 

Handsome and I drove to Larsen today to set up my tables for the Purge & Splurge Sale at Primitive Gatherings. Everything went smoothly, and all I had to do was finish the elastic installation on the new sleeves I put on the "Princess Bride" muslin I'm hoping to sell. 

We were there a total of two hours, and of course I had to stroll through The Gathering House to see what everyone else is selling! I'm going to need to put my blinders on today so I don't bring home more than I brought!

 

 

So if you look back at the first photograph and follow a row all the way to the back windows, you'll find my booth right next to the back door. It's a great location with lots of light (and space). I'm hoping that there's a traffic bottleneck right in front of my booth as anxious buyers wait to purchase what I'm selling. hee hee I made a few more signs to more easily identify my offerings and pricing, and I'll add those as soon as I get there.

You know I write my posts before midnight each evening, so by the time most of you read this, I'll be at manning my space. I'm leaving home around 6:45 am to be there by 8. The show doesn't open until 9, but there are ladies staying on premises now, and they'll likely get up early to shop before the rush. I want to be ready.

If you're in Wisconsin and are looking for something to do, you might want to join us! The address is Primitive Gatherings • 8567 South Loop Rd • Larsen, WI 54947. I'll be there from 9 (8)am until 4 pm.

 

Wish me luck! I really don't want to bring anything home, so I'll be wheeling and dealing on the fly! I'll let you know how I did on Monday. Have a great weekend!

I'm Working On It...

 

 

This is a wonderful plan to downsize and declutter "stuff". I really wish I'd applied this decades ago. Life would be easier now, for sure. Even so, I'm not giving up at this late date. I'm going to work on ticking all the numbers on this list. What do you think about it?  

I'm taking a class with my sister this morning, and then helping her with her other sewing project this afternoon. It's going to be a play day! Have a great weekend.

2023 Word of the Year...

While I admit I'm still decluttering in keeping with my word for 2022, it's time to unveil a new word for 2023.

This year I've chosen "BUILD" as my mantra for the next twelve months. Build my business. Build my inventory. Build my website. Build my relationships. Build my health. This word represents so much positivity for me, and I know my goals are achievable.

Do you choose a word each year? Do you make resolutions? Are they achievable? Do you get pumped thinking about what you can do each day to reach your goal(s)?

My youngest sister, Jan has a group (Treasure Trove of Gratitude) on Facebook that focuses on just these things. If you're interested, you could click HERE to join in to be inspired. (Let her know you heard about her group from me, please.) I find that spending time with like-minded folks always gives me an extra boost.

Speaking of goals, I set up a plan for the next few weeks to build my inventory for the February show. I've listed the items I want to have in stock, as well as the quantities I'll need. Now I have something visible to help me track my stock.

You know where I'll be if you're looking for me. I started early, getting the trash to the curb, taking the dogs out and then feeding them. Don't even get me started about Claudette and Crystal. (Another cat showed up in the barn this week. Calgon take me away!) 

I've had my morning cuppa, so I'm off to get busy. Have a great weekend, dears. I'll be sure to update you with my progress here and in our Facebook group (Brynwood Needleworks). We have 434 members right now. I think we'll have a drawing when we reach 450 members. If you're already a member, I'd love it if you'd invite a friend or two. This year, I'll be teaching some virtual (free) classes there, as well as setting up private group (paid) classes. That's where you'll hear about those things first.

Gildings, Gleanings & Such...

 

 

Yes. One entire day spent organizing this small shelf unit. I sorted, labeled and packaged threads and embellishments for eight hours (and this isn't even all I have of these things!). 

 

I sorted and mailed off fabrics for donation, and then I tackled this shelf unit because, truthfully, it was a hot mess. I've been working in the fabric studio, too, and will have more fabrics sorted to purge in the next week. Lots to do, so this is just the beginning, but I will have caught up with my declutter program by the end of this month. I admit, I got a little behind on that project with the multiple medical interruptions over the past few months. I plan to finish the year with a bang!

 

My sister, Di will be here for a few days next week and our plan is to bake and can more goodies for the pantry. We both love being in the kitchen, so this will be a grand time for the two of us. I'll be taking lots of photographs for you.  

I'll share more progress in the fabric room next week. Some of the yardage will end up in my Etsy shop, while the rest will be shared outright or donated. I'm going to feel so good when I finally get it done.

Happy Weekend (I know...already!) 

 

I'm Still At It...

This is something I need to remind myself. I've been pulling, purging and packing. I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it. There will be a lot leaving by the end of this month. How are you doing?

Okay. Just A Little Peek...

A Little Closeup

It's a little difficult for me to photograph a sparkling thread closeup, but I gave it my best shot for you. It's just a little peek so you can see a bit of what I've been working on. You'll definitely get to see more soon, but I wanted you to know my needles are still busy.

I managed to fill another box to declutter yesterday, too. I'm blessed with oodles of things I don't really need. A little from the kitchen, a little from my studio, a little from my closet. I'm feeling better about it by the day.

I'd also read that whenever a box is delivered (Amazon order, or something like that), you might consider filling it with items to donate. I liked that idea, so when an order arrived today, it was that box that I filled with donations. It felt really good, so I'll definitely continue that process.

More of all the same for today. (It snowed a bit last night, so I'm not going outdoors, except to feed and cuddle my Barn Girls and air out Tag, Bella and Carly.) 

One more thing - I can't believe it's already Thursday, and the weekend is nearly here again. How is time passing so quickly? I feel like I need to get busy! See you again tomorrow.

Hearts and Flowers...

My Latest Embroidery - A Floral Heart

 

This project was so enjoyable. I free-embroidered flowers on linen ground fabric, and then sewed it into a stuffed heart. It measures approximately 6" at the widest part, and about 6" high, fitting perfectly into my vintage ironstone bowl. 

I'm thinking I'll create more of these (with different flowers) that can be used as a spring/summer bowl display throughout the warmer weather. This design might also look nice mounted on a finished dowel stand.

I may also add a border of handmade colored cord around the outside seam. I'll make up a length of cording, which I can preview by pinning it in place to see how it looks. I do like it as is, though, too.

I'm working on something new right now. Our younger daughter-in-law contacted me to ask if I'd teach her how to do a specific project. I was so tickled she asked! Of course, I will, but I want to try her idea a few different ways to see what might work best, before I try to show her. It's going to be another fun process, and I'll look forward to sharing it with you in future posts.

Along with that, I'm also pulling fabrics and choosing items that will leave here this month. I'm finding this declutter thing to be very freeing. It's nice to have more breathing room, and I'm looking forward to seeing how different it feels around here next December. 

Are you participating in the DeClutter Challenge with me? Are you focusing on a specific room, or do you have loftier goals? I'd love to hear how you're doing! 

January DeClutter Goal Reached...

January Accomplished!

 

Goal: 22 Items • Actual: 53 Items

Last year, I pulled a number of bolts of fabric that were coming out of my studio - one way or the other. They were first previewed by a friend for trade and/or donations. These were bolts that weren't chosen. 

My second option was to list them for sale, but after stumbling over them in my fabric studio for nearly three months, I decided to give them to another worthy cause. My younger sister has taken to quilting! Just before Thanksgiving, she came to visit me so that I could give her some pointers. She ended up creating seven beautiful quilts for her grandchildren. Now she has the "bug", and I want to help fuel her new interest.

Before she left the farmhouse yesterday, we loaded 45 bolts of fabric into the back of her vehicle. She was thrilled to have all that fabric, and she said her head was just swimming with ideas for new creations...from napkins to quilts. She couldn't have been more grateful, and I was happy to regain the floor space.

I also pulled a few items from my closet (with more planned for February), and some duplicate kitchen tools are now in a donation box that I'll add to until the box is full. Then, I'll be taking that to St. Vincent de Paul to benefit others.

I'm feeling pretty good about now. My fabric studio is pure chaos, so I'm going to continue pulling fabrics for preview, sale, and donation. I'm going to pull notions, as well. I think February is going to be busy, but I'm excited to think about how fabulous my creative spaces will be once this is done.

Another Year, Another Fresh Start...

My 2022 Word For The Year

It's time for new outlook; .a new start to a new year; a new Word For The New Year to guide my thoughts. After much consideration, I decided that "DeClutter" would be my word for 2022.

We've been in the farmhouse nearly six years (I know. Hard to believe, right?) and I'm still tripping over things for which I'm unable to find a place. Too much still in boxes. Whatever will I do with all the books that once lived in our Florida home's library? I think we may need to finally build some shelves for them. Other things will find new homes, and I'm still working to move fabric out of the fabric studio.

The truth is, things take up as much space in my head as they do in our home. 2022 will be the year I/we do something about it.

I also changed up the look of my blog header for this season. It's a little more in keeping with the weather outside, and the typical pursuits that fill my days. Of course, I needed to include an updated version of the dogs! (The outside girls will be in the header for next season, I promise.)

So this is where it will begin. Perhaps I'll share the process with you, stopping along the way to capture a few photographs - "Before" and "After" images so you can see the difference improvement. It begins today.

I'll let you know how the first effort goes when I come back on Wednesday. Tomorrow is still Taggart's day. He's looking forward to it. I'm off to grab a quick coffee before I tackle my first room. See you later!

My Word For 2016 Is...

Brynwood Needleworks - 2016 Inspiration Word

I know this word means different things to different people. Perhaps for you, "Peace" signifies harmony at home or with family. It could mean World Peace, or in some cases, a "Peace that surpasses all understanding". It can also mean tranquility and calm.

I'm not going to define how this word will work itself in my life in the coming year, but I do know that I will keep it ever in my mind as I go about my life in the next year. "Peace" will be my inspiration for 2016.

Unofficially, "Declutter" will be another word I'll keep front and center this year. Many blogs begin the new year with posts about decluttering your home, your life and your mind.

White House Black Shutters did one in 2015 (which I only just found), but Ann Marie says she's going to do it again this year. I think I'll check back on her posts to see her suggestions, but I'll be working on my own plan at the same time.

Brynwood Needleworks - Clutter

I have a genetic predisposition to hoarding. Both of my parents were "collectors", and while I do love many of the things in our home, I'm tired of them owning me.

Decluttering will steer me toward "less is more" in the new year. More time for family, friends and creating. Less time cleaning up, dusting or finding places to keep those things I no longer have to have in my life. I'm looking forward to a new year, and a new outlook.

You may even see a new look to my blog in the coming months! I've been thinking about doing a little "remodeling" for a while.

What's your word going to be for 2016? I'd love to know!