De-Clutter Project 2014 - Week 4

As I was frantically searching through my desk drawers looking for something this week, I came to realize that I need to de-clutter/organize my supplies.

So, I went to the dollar store and picked up some inexpensive plastic baskets to sort/store things in. It looks much better now, and I might actually be able to find what I'm looking for when I'm looking for it.

Into the trash went all the pens that no longer work, along with the dried up markers and glue sticks. The screw driver and pliers finally made it back into the tool box where they belong.

There were a lot of other items that were moved to their rightful places: knitting needles, doll accessories, buttons and yarn. How did all that stuff get into my desk drawers? Anyone care to guess?

I have to get into the habit of putting things away in the 'right' place, instead of just opening the closest drawer and shoving it in. That bad practice is what got me where I am now and necessitates the De-Clutter Project in the first place.

What area do you intend to tackle this week? What do you think you will find? More importantly, what will you do with it?

Focus on Life: Week 3

Week 3: Minimal Colour

This week introduce yourself to every one and capture

a black and white photo of you! 

Hi, my name is Bonnie. Let me start off by saying that I really dislike having my photo taken. I look like a washed out rat. And I usually appear crabby or have my mouth open or have a idiotic smirk on my face. I avoid cameras whenever I can.

This is a photo of my reflection in a mirror.

It's so true, isn't it, that we are very critical of ourselves and see flaws where others do not? Why can't we look in a mirror and see the beauty? All I notice is the black circles under my eyes and the age lines around them. And the hair...why can't I ever get it to look as nice as it does when I leave the salon?

Let's share, via comments, what you see when you look at the photos of the other participants. I bet the results will be much different than our own perspectives.

Grow Your Blog Giveaway

The date is getting closer for the second annual Grow Your Blog event! I'm excited about being involved this year and, hopefully, boosting the number of followers of my blog. Participants last year reported a significant increase in their blog traffic and readership.

To celebrate this day, I am putting together a gift package that will include one of my hand-made Tree of Life pendants, plus a few other surprises. All you have to do for your chance to win is comment on my Grow Your Blog post on January 25th. The cut-off date to get your name in the draw is February 14th. From all the entries, one winner will be randomly selected and announced on February 15th.

So, stay tuned on January 25th for your chance to win! You do not have to follow my blog to enter, but it sure would be nice if you did. *smile*

De-Clutter Project 2014 - Week 3

I've spent a lot of time in bed this week. You can't get very much de-cluttering done that way. But I've been recuperating from a sinus and lung infection. I have an excuse. The linen closet will have to wait until next week.

Those antibiotics can really knock the stuffing out of you but as I lay there, fuzzy headed and teary eyed coughing up a storm, I realized that I could do a bit of clean up in my moments of lucidity.

The headboard of my bed is a bookcase (junk collector). Perhaps I should take a few minutes to sort through the miscellaneous books and other items that have gathered there. If I get dizzy or tired, I’m already in bed. I can just lie down again.

Here are a few things that I found and what I did with them. This is so embarrassing! Please try not to laugh too much. *smile*

1. Table centrepiece from a doll convention I went to about eight years ago: I still can't part with it for some reason, so it went into a big bin of other doll stuff to be sorted through 'later'.
2. Large red pillar candle, cranberry scented, unwrapped: That went into the candle bin.
3. Several empty plastic applesauce bowls: I brought them home from work to recycle and they did not make it to the bin, until now.
4. One porcelain Christmas ornament, broken: Into the trash.
5. Two stones: given to me by a child at our camping trip last year: Into the trash. I feel kind of bad about doing that but it had to be done.
6. One mini M&M dispenser, with candy, unopened: It was part of a package deal at the cinema over the holidays. I took that to work for a co-worker to give to her daughter.

7. A Belgian Milk Chocolate bar, 400g: That's a lot of chocolate! To eat or not to eat.
8. Four different tarot card decks and two tarot card instruction books: I'm going to learn how to use them some day. They went on the top shelf in my workroom.
9. Several sewing patterns: They went into their designated bin.
10. A small collection of trinket boxes, each with a piece or two of jewelry in them: I put all the jewelry in a small cardboard box until I can get a proper, partitioned box to store them in. I'm keeping two of the trinket boxes and donating the rest.

I could go on but this is too painful. It doesn't sound like I'm getting rid of much, I'll admit, but I do seem to have a vague strategy in place. I seem to be consolidating 'like' items in one spot. That's progress!!

What area do you intend to tackle this week? What do you think you will find? More importantly, what will you do with it?

Focus on Life: Week 2

Week 2: The Silhouette

A photograph with a subject(s) captured in a shadowy outline

with little or no detail against a bright background. 

Going to work each day before sunrise and coming home each evening after sunset did not give me the opportunity to capture any outdoor silhouette images this week. The challenge was how to take such a photo inside at night.

I experimented with a couple of different techniques before finally getting the effect that I wanted.

For me this represents a helping hand. This particular one helps me display jewelry at shows. More than that, it reflects my willingness to offer a helping hand to anyone who needs it. My ability to do so is quite limited but I step up to the plate whenever I can.

It also signifies my willingness to embrace the offer of a helping hand when given. I have learned to accept the kindness of others and am grateful for their care and concern.

The hardest part for me, is the willingness to ASK for a helping hand when I need it. My independent streak has often prevented that, but I am learning to be humble.

I look forward to seeing the silhouette photos of the other participants.