Organize or Die Trying

Okay... I did tell my friends that I was going to get organized this year or die trying, but tonight it came a little too close to a reality.
So far, I've been very good about giving things away to people who can make good use of them. I set a goal of saying goodbye to one large bag of things weekly. Today alone, I parted with 5 bags!!!
So I decided that I had earned some new storage to replace a wobbly open shelf.
I went to my local craft store where they were having a 50% off sale on storage pieces. I selected three 3-drawer pieces and a wheeled base unit. I brought in the first of the 3-drawer chests and began to assemble them.
In all the excitement of assembling new storage, I didn't notice that it had an off smell. Excuse me, let me make that accurate, an AWFUL smell. It was like a pungent toxic mix of acetone based nail polish remover and gun cleaner. Either can make you ill... together? Better storage space or not, I think breathing is preferable to organization.
Tomorrow, I am off to return the units and try again. Maybe something or good old fashioned wood.

Hidden Treasures

The proverbial "spring cleaning" offers the obvious reward of a cleaner, tidier, better organized space. When you are organizationally challenged with slight rodent-like tendencies (okay, okay... I am something of a pack rat), there is also the possibility of rediscovering treasures.
Today as I was working toward my goal of decluttering my life, I uncovered several treasures. Among them were a large Olfa cutting mat, a package of textured poster board in vibrant colors, and scarlet hued organza ribbons. The highlight --> was finding a pencil and ink drawing I had done many years ago. It was a piece that I thought was lost in a flood one winter while I lived in Boston, so finding it was a wonderful surprise.
Recently, I've uncovered some other hidden treasures as I sort through my 'collections'. The best of the treasures aren't those that readily present themselves but the thoughts connected to the process and the items. I rediscovered my voice as a person with insights and thoughts to share. I rediscovered my vision as I reflect on why I purchased many of these materials. And I rediscovered my sense of purpose and accomplishment by setting a goal and sticking with it.
Perhaps the greatest treasure rediscovered today occurred while I was taking a break from my task. I was found by a dear friend on Facebook where he left a number which I called immediately. I am still surprised by how familiar his voice sounds after all the years.
I wonder if it is mere coincidence that I have been singing Dan Fogelberg's "Auld Lang Syne" for the past few weeks.

Crafting in a Tiny Space

About a month or so ago I watched a woman on television. I tuned in because she was listed as an organizational specialist. She said a few things that made a bit of sense (don't keep things that you don't use, put things where they belong, etc). But then she said something that made me wince.
Essentially, she said that if you have limited space then scrapbooking was not a good choice of hobbies because it requires several supplies. WHAT??? Because I don't have 2,000+ square feet I should take up stamp collecting? Her suggestion was absurd. While you have to adjust your hobby to your space, you shouldn't give up your passion because of cramped quarters.
I confess that I am completely addicted to crafting materials. I love tools, paints, polymer clay, fabric, yarn, and did I mention paper? I am obsessed with paper of every size, color, texture, weight, and pattern. I'm reasonably certain that if I piled up my paper stash it could be an NBA power forward. I guess I don't need to tell you that this is problematic when you share @ 800 square feet with a brother and two dogs.
Since I resolved months ago to spend more time creating, my journey of 1,000 miles is going to be organizing my supplies. This is going to require sorting through the wreckage, donating supplies to a senior center, and designating spaces for whatever I will keep.
If I don't blog again for a long while send in search and rescue.

Resolving Not to Make New Year Resolutions.

I am not generally a believer in making New Year's resolutions. Yes, I believe in resolving to make ourselves, our relationships, and our lives better... I just believe that resolving these things should begin immediately. Being a natural born procrastinator, it is tempting to delay making change but why create artificial beginning and ending dates to being our best selves? However, in keeping with tradition, here are the things that I've resolved for 2012:
1) Be sure to celebrate special events! My resolution is to look for the special events that aren't marked on the calendar. I'll give "just because" gifts... just because I am thinking of that person or have seen something I know they would like... why wait for a birthday? I am now in the habit of keeping champagne chilled throughout the year... if we keep our eyes open, there are so many things to celebrate!
2) Eat a healthy diet! My mother likes to say "moderation in all things except chocolate". I've long been a believer in this theory although I discovered that it is wiser to have a moderate dose of chocolate occasionally to avoid an immoderate dose and the requisite remorse it brings. Allowing yourself to have treats once in a while is good for the soul. When you think of things are forbidden fruits, you increase their ability to entice.
3) Exercise regularly! I suspect that I am not about to renew my gym membership, but dancing to the radio (or even the tv) is still dancing. Go speed shopping at the market (try not to run over too many other shoppers though). When you aren't completely exhausted at the end of the day, take the stairs or park farther away from your destination.
4) Become more organized! I have all too often purchased the same item multiple times... too often because I can't find what I need when I need it. I've begun organizing my supplies in clear plastic boxes of an appropriate size. I have also begun labeling the non-clear boxes that house some of my larger supplies. And all those duplicates? I'm donating them to people and organizations who can make good use of them.
5) Improve my finances! Just by practicing point number 4, I can save lots of money by not purchasing multiples of the same items. In July, I made my life easier and cheaper... I took a back to school inventory while packing for the summer and shopped accordingly.
6) Make time to play! One thing I've learned in my half century or so on this planet is that you have got to take care of yourself. Having terrific health habits is negated if you don't make time to relax and do something you love. My creative time is my play time. Sometimes just taking ten minutes to stamp butterflies that will be used in cardmaking later, is just what the doctor ordered. Sometimes, just splashing some iridescent paint on a piece of white cardstock or gluing glitter on chipboard is remarkably therapeutic.
7) Be yourself! I recently looked in the mirror and didn't recognize the face that was looking back at me. It wasn't the age of that face, it was the disheveled hair and the unkempt appearance. I've never been high-maintenance, but this face was highly ignored. I realized it was symptomatic of losing sight of myself. I had gotten so bogged down by the stress of trying to make everybody happy that I was making NOBODY happy. It's time to reclaim me for my own sake and allow others to take me as I am.
8) Stop being my own biggest critic! There are enough judgmental people in the world who are delighted to point out my shortcomings... why am I helping them? It's time to toot my own horn and celebrate the strengths and weaknesses that are uniquely me.
9) Cherish friends and family more often! I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people who like and love me. It's time to focus my attention on them and turn down the volume on the nay-sayers. It's time to thank them frequently and let them know how much I love and appreciate them.
And so, Happy 2012! May your fondest dreams be realized by happiness, health, prosperity, and joy!

Coming Clean: part 1

I just checked my email and was THRILLED to see an email from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. Aside from being a wonderfully talented artist, she is one of the hosts of PBS's Scrapbook Soup and for me a great source of inspiration. You see, for many years I've hidden a part of my true self being the unassuming mask of a kindergarten teacher... but deep within, there was an artist waiting to be awakened. Since I haven't blogged about this secret alter ego I suppose I should explain a few things:
Growing up, I knew I wanted to be an artist. My mother told me that even as a little kid, I would save everything to use later in my art. If someone had a box of candy, I wanted the shiny or ruffly wrappers for some then unknown purpose. I think I may have liked broken jewelry better than the 'good' stuff, because I could use it for something else. My first Barbie was merely a mannequin for outfits I could sew, knit, or weave for her.
When I went to high school I took every art class that I could get and arranged to hang out in the art room during my study halls. Because I was generally a good student, most of my non-art teachers allowed me to multi-task craft projects while in their classrooms. My poor, dear mother dreamed that I would become a doctor, but I had other ideas. I took studio art and art history classes while at the University of Connecticut and later transferred to Parson's School of Design. I finally graduated from Western Connecticut State University before they were accredited to give me a BFA, but I was sure that I would be a designer of some sort. I did some freelance graphic design for a few friends and I began knocking on doors.
Well, I wasn't very good at facing rejection and ended up waiting tables. My mother suggested that since I had a degree and since there was a national teacher shortage and since I didn't really like waiting tables, that maybe I could see about getting an emergency credential. Before I knew it, I was teaching third grade in Los Angeles. I had gone from being a wanna-be artist, to the art director of my bustling classroom. While teaching the kids to read and write and do mathematics, I was also teaching (and practicing art). Being a teacher could be an enormously creative job that largely satisfied my inner artist.