Clearing My Clutter 17

Another 15 minute burst of Clearing My Clutter. I attacked my wardrobes. Out goes some outfits that I have not worn for years.

A suit I wore for work, which I like the jacket, but the trousers did not fit right; they were too baggy on the hips. I am an apple figure you see, and there are not many trousers that do fit, but these one's were particularly baggy, like jodhpurs. Where the trousers go, the jacket goes too. I'm a matching set person. Well up to now, until my perfectionism is curbed a bit more.

A lovely outfit that has seen better days. Black skirt and waist coat, with embroidered jewel coloured flowers and an emerald green light cotton blouson top. Very gypsy like. I saved it for fancy dress. Hey! How many fancy dress parties do I go to? Yer, exactly. And how often would I want to be a gypsy? Yer, Yer!!! Out Out damn Clutter. The next fancy dress I go to, I'll get something from the charity shop.

A selection of tops not worn for ages, some a bit small as well. Some other clothes, I can't even remember what they are, and they're still in the hallway, waiting to go! What does that tell you?

Thanks again FlyLady.

Clearing My Clutter 16

Car in garage. Now... Shed cleared out! I'm on a roll. On Sunday morning I tackled the garden shed. I have not cleared it out properly for about 3 years. My husband was complaining that he could not get in. So I spread all the stuff on the lawn. Decided what was going where: charity, work, tip or back into shed. Then I asked hubby to clean out the spiders, which he did gladdly. We decided what went back in and he put it away. Monday came and dear hubby took the tip stuff, only to be weylaid by a neighbour, who kept an old shuvel. No problem. A few bits went into the garage, that's ok, only need them a few times a year. Hubby will take stuff to charity and I will take stuff to work.

We got rid of: 2 shuvels, a broken fork, an old mop, 2 pairs of duff secatures, old rusty and clapped out edge cutters, 2 bin bags of plastic plant pots, retractable washing line, other bits and evicted dozens of spiders.

Tonight after work I cleared out a drawer. Why did I need so many cardboard book postage packagings? I was selling some of my books on Amazon, but have decided that it's more trouble than it's worth. So out goes the cardboard to be recycled.

I've been reading 'Sink Reflections' again, and become invigorated. Also, I've been reading FlyLady's e-mail messages, which help keep me going. Well done FlyLady.

Art Course 2

Here are images of my Great Grandmother. The original is a print of a faded photograph, dated around 1865. I have worked over the top, in pencil crayon, marker & gel pens and in water colour. She starts out looking like an English rose and becomes more afro looking.
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The moderator.... They say.... Yes!

So that's level 1 acheived. I am now considering level 2. Although there are other things I'd also like to do.

Art Course

My art course is now complete; I am relieved and happy to have achieved this as well. I just hope the assessor is satisfied. It is level 1 and I'm toying with the idea of doing level 2. There are other things I want to do so this might have to take a back seat. Here is a soft pastel picture of my Nana and Grand-dad, taken from an old photograph. It turned out a bit cartoonish and I quite like it.
And the photo it is taken from > > > >

Clearing My Clutter 15

I finally did it.

By chipping away doing 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there, I have finally got my car in the garage. It feels so great to have achieved this; I am telling everyone. It has spured me on to clear more clutter. I can’t wait to tell my neighbour, who has been watching my slow progress from time to time when we are both out at our garages. He showed me a way to protect my car from the sides by putting some pipe lagging on a length of plastic pipe and attaching this to the wall, and hanging a tennis ball from the rafters to let me know when I have driven in far enough. So these tricks are next on my list. I still have clutter to clear, but hey, what a whiz!!! I will post a photo soon.

Clearing My Clutter 14

Today I lightened my load. I answered a wanted add on FreeCycle and the young lady came to pick up my lawn scarifier, which I have not used for about 6 years. She got more than she bargained for, as I took the opportunity to off-load more Clutter. She was happy to also take a TV stand, CD player and a few other bits. She would have take the plastic garden chairs, but she ran out of room in her car. I hope my Clutter becomes treasure. That's a bit more room in my garage. Maybe I will have my car in it by this winter.

I have signed up to FlyLady e-mails and I find there are lots of great ideas to help clear my Clutter. One particular message struck home. FLYLADY: Are You Having Anxiety Attacks Getting Rid of Clutter?

My Tip of Hope here is - Go to: http://www.flylady.net/ and see for yourself. It has helped me to just give clutter away. The clutter is doing me no good and the time and effort waisted in trying to sell is just not worth it. It is still a slow process for me, but I'm getting there.

Clearing My Clutter 13

Favourite photo from my recent holiday in Alaska.

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All the items from my previous post have now been disposed of. However, my office is as cluttered as ever. So time to get back to work. I have another load of stuff on the edge of decision. Decision between, whether to sell on Ebay, give on Freecycle or just take to the charity shop.

Him indoors is away this week, so I can pull things out and make the place untidy, while I decide what to do. I am also finishing off my Artwork for my college course. We are exhibiting soon! So, that's all over the lounge floor while I am alone. I've got till Sunday to get the place ship shape for his return.

I have been gaining inspiration and motivation from Flylady, as mentioned in other posts. I am also motivated by career prospects and the desire to move on in life. The old stuff has got to go.

Clearing My Clutter 12

Well.... I managed to extract myself from the TV and cosy chair and my knitting. I cleared some clutter off to local charity. I do hope they make some money out of it, and someone else finds a bargain.

Done some scanning this-after. My first wedding album. The marriage ended 20 years ago! I am to throw out the album and select a few photos to keep; the rest will be deleted. I am also, finally parting with the wedding dress. I kept it to use as a christening gown. Fat chance eh! I'm well into menopause territory now! No descendants to pass on to, so off to eBay or charity again.

It is so hard letting go of stuff. I have treasured and find giving some of it away quite painful. Tiny Tears is in bad shape and not worth the space she takes up. However, I have loved her. Tressy and Action Girl have a nice little selection of clothing. Collectors pieces? Not worth much cash. I should just give them to charity as well. Not yet. I'm checking out eBay again. I don't really have the time for eBay. So they clutter my office, which I have just cleared. I really must keep a check on this and get rid.

Clearing My Clutter 11

Happy New Year 2009.

I managed to clear the bedroom, ready for visitors over Christmas, and up to now I have kept it clear!

With renewed vigour; I have set about clearing my garage again. Not much change since I last photographed it in Nov 2007. Oh, some of the clutter has changed, but there's still just as much. My fridge has gone and so too has the manicure table. I have selected a pile to go to the local charity place and plan this afternoon to pay them a visit with a carload.

My aim is to have my car in the garage by the end of January. So I must be off now and get to it.

Mobile Phone Cosies

Trying to use up small odds of left-over wool. These are going on our stall next week and I hope at least one goes. I have made 3 so far. They're really simple, just 34 stitches in rib for 4 or 5 rows, then garter or stocking stitch until the right length for my mobile phone. I have reduced the stitches before casting off to give it a slightly rounded finish to the bottom, instead of pointie corners. I included a row of holes on mine, but it's not necessary. I could have used ribbon to thread through, but chose to twist some wool into a rope and make a bow of it.

You could follow a baby mittens pattern, and just make sure big enough for your mobile. You would really need to experiment, depending on wool and needles used.