Waste not...

A bit of ink left on the back of a stencil goes a long way... in fact it may even present a result of far more interest than the original intention - especially when applied to the paint spattered reverse of the birthday card you are making... Then if you apply a little stamping, some tape and a dash of loving care and attention you end up with this. Rather like it if I say so myself.

I've never really been one for throwing things away truth be told. Birthday cards, bits of string, concert tickets, toys, drawings... all help to feed the memory, each containing a small part of the story of me.

I wonder what a psychologist would make of my art stash - tiny scraps of paper with interesting patterns, ribbon, acrylic skins, rusty bottle tops, beads, random words from magazines... It's almost as if the hard drive of my brain reached its maximum and had to download somewhere!

Sharing with Paint Party Friday - hello friends - what's in your art stash?

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I'm running my art course again online if you are interested in participating. There's an early bird offer on until Monday - details here.

Keeping control of the To Do list

I've been great today. I made a huge list to carry me over the next few weeks. It's all about getting organised. I banned art  (my universal distraction) from the equation until I had accomplished a good sized chunk from the mountain of tasks.

The universe was with me - for did not she dictate to my Muse that she must go on vacation for a few days? The poor Muse was distraught (she had some serious plans for me this evening that involved getting glued to a great deal of paper and ruining my nicely varnished fingernails with acrylic paint). In fact, the Muse was so cross that as she left, she slammed the kitchen door... which dislodged a picture from balancing on a shelf ... which fell onto a pile of paperwork underneath.... which unsteadied the filing trays underneath... which caused the whole lot to come crashing down over the floor.

The Muse legged it, while the Universe looked on and smiled (this chaos being her intention all along). Now, I could have just shoved it all back from whence it came, but no dear readers, I did not. I removed it to the lounge and spread it across the floor and began to SORT THROUGH IT... Yes, I know that might seem strange for those that know me, but this house is beginning to resemble that chubby kid from Willy Wonka who eats too much and blows up into a big balloon. I fear one false move and the fragile skin will burst and where will we be then? Bedlam I suspect.

And so, things began well, but I'm sure you've guessed. Yes, they stalled. The West wind began to blow and up flew the 'to do' list and darted out the window. I chased it down the garden path, but that pesky breeze wanted to play. Last I saw it was headed in the direction of the coast - probably fancies a paddle.

And so:
I forgot all about the list
I got bored sorting through mountains of paper.
I had paid work waiting for me (on a more tightly controlled list kept trapped inside a hard drive)
The Muse only leaves when you don't want her to
I got distracted by my favourite art board on Pinterest
I thought I might just write a quick blog post...

But help is in the air. Goddess Leonie is providing an e-course in decluttering and getting all zen. I felt it might be worth the investment and hope there will be other sufferers like me there to hold my hand. We'll see.... The Goddess haven beckons...