Clearing My Clutter 21

Started on the Neighbourhood.

After jet washing the patio, I did not get round to doing the back path. However, I did start on the garage parking area around the corner. I got out my trusty hoe and big brush. The area is made up of paving bricks and has become quite a mess. Moss has got in to all the gaps between the bricks, and soil, which the ants keep bringing to the surface, has provided good anchor for seedlings and weeds. There are even Ash tree saplings growing, (likely from the 100 year old tree in my back garden).

It was gone 2pm, so late enough on a Sunday to make some noise, I think! So, a hoeing I went. Quite enjoyable to be uplifting the mossy growth and dislodging the weeds. I brushed up the debris and tossed it into the neighbours' green bins. I only managed to do approx a 12 foot wide strip about 3 car lengths across, but it is enough for now and took me about half an hour. Not much time at all. I'll have another go another day. Anyway, who knows, maybe some neighbours will have a bash, like the people at the back with the new fencing, as mentioned in an earlier post of mine. I am pleased with the results so far and have come in feeling physically wrecked, but quite pleased with myself. OH! Please... allow me to pat myself on the back. It spurs me on to do more.

So that's a bit more clutter cleared, I'm sure it will help again, feng shui wise. This area is connected with my career and wealth.

Clearing My Clutter 20

Not so much clutter, as yucker!

I Jet washed my patio and garden path today. It was getting quite yucky and slippery. It took me 3 hours with a quick coffee break, provided by my DH. I could have done with a comfort break too, but that would have meant stripping off my water proofs and wellies. Should have got a photo for you, but you'll have to take my word for it. I was covered in splashes of muck all over my face and specs. I felt like Margo out of 'The Good Life', in my yellow plastic pants and top. I now feel a great sense of achievement. This will hopefully lead on to my jet washing the passage from the back garden round to the front and will help Feng Shui wise in eliminating waste stuff from my life.

My DH also cleared some clutter today. He bought some new garden furniture last week and broke the old bench up, then took it to the tip. The next thing to tackle before summer is gone completely, (not that we've had much), is the over-growth of all the shrubbery. My DH has been doing the gardening tasks these past few years. I used to do it all the time, but found my working life so full, that I've did not seem to have enough time and energy left for the garden. I am now getting more involved again. We have a Mahonia that has turned into a prickly monster. Not looking forward to that one!

Aqua Afghan

This is a continuous granny square. I used arran wool, which is a bit corse, but looks nice and will keep someone's knees warm. Just the right size for wheelchair travel, or as a lap blanket. This method of crochet of continously crochetting around the square if not as effective as my usual little squares stitched together. It is quicker to produce, but does not lay flat unless on the carpet, like in the above photo. It is my first one in this style and I am thinking about trying it again and aiming to reduce the rippled effect. It looks quite good here though and will be great as a warmer. It is awaiting a buyer in our Art & Craft department. Sorry if anyone reading this is interested as up to now we do not have online selling. If however, you are interested, you could leave me a comment.

Crochet Blanket 4

The buyer of my brown afghan has reported that they are enjoying it. She was going to give it as a gift, but has decided to keep it. Her husband does not understand. I can just see her in front of the TV on a cold winter's evening. Wrapped up nice and snug. I bet he even asks to join her! Maybe she'll be back for another.

Crocheted Blanket 4 - Afghan in Browns

This Afghan has been made from oddments of knitting yarns in varieties of brown. 100 squares and approximately 100 hours. I like the contrast of shades. It is big enough to use as a lap blanket or a small throw on the back of a settee.


Wow. This blanket has just sold for our Art & Craft Stall. The buyer will be paying £12.00 at the end of the week. I know if you go by the hours worked it is a grose underpayment, but you can't charge high prices; people won't buy. I'm glad it's going to someone who appreciates how long it took and the work that went into it.

Clearing My Clutter 19

You'll never guess what has happened. After clearing away the clutter from the side of my shed and cutting back my neighbours ivy; my neighbour has replaced the fence panels that divide our gardens and taken down all the ivy to boot!!! WOW, I would not have thought that the Feng Shui effect would stretch to this. Whoopeeee!

OK OK so I may be getting a little carried away here, but it's so good to see the ripple effect in practice. As Karen Kingston has said in her book 'Clear Your Clutter' - that when you start clearing clutter, those around you miraculously do so too.

Clearing My Clutter 18

Today was clearing the side of the shed day. Well; most of it anyway. I cleared a load of rubbish, which went to the tip with the help of my DH (Dear Husband). Just some gravel stones to clear, which can easily wait for another day. The plan is to have a good space to store my wheel barrow, which has been inaccessible on the other side of the shed, where I had made an area for composting. The trees that screen off this area have grown so big, that it is now inconvenient to access. I like the trees so the area will be out of bounds, and I plan to keep it clear of rubbish, so that come the day when the trees have had their time I will be able to reclaim the space.

I have also cut out some of my neighbours Ivy, which was growing through and over the fence and blocking my exit route through the back garden gate and down the passageway. This will help in Feng Shui terms; with the flow of chi and releasing of waist products from my life.

It feels really good each time I clear some clutter. I feel refreshed and energised to do some more. The small sense of achievement helps me to continue, even though I rest in between activities.

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.