Discovery & Autumn Decor...

 Continuing in my Discovery Journal with Roni of Ink Stains I am pleased with these two pages.  This time I did not concentrate on some new undiscovered technique.  I merely selected two pieces of cardstock.  This top photo is really poor as it does not show the cloud themed blues in the paper. 

 This blue cardstock is just a great shade of true blue.  I added some direct inking from the stamp pad.  Both of these pages really take me more into the "discovery" angle of this journal.  I discovered it is very difficult for me to focus.  I am always doing too many things at once and these pages really brought that forth.  I "discovered" some old stamps I forgot I owned so I used them and that was fun...mouse and butterfly and dragonfly.  I used a playing card to represent my favorite number...5.  Mostly this exercise got me to thinking and I do believe that is a huge part of my "Discovery Journal" that I am making.  As the days fly past so quickly what is it that truly makes me happy and what is it that I still wish to do?  Ahhh...discovery...

 I am not one for decorating my home even though I love how others go all out.  Mr. C is a year round Bah Humbug and does not enjoy any holidays so I keep it to a minimum.  Many years I don't put out anything.  This year I wanted to visit with my little treasures I keep in a box.  So many of my things have a very sentimental value to me and I treasure them.  The black with orange cat is something my Grandma crocheted and made decades ago and I just keep it because she made it.  There is a skull ring that Mr. C found in the desert many years ago when he took me for a dirt bike ride to an old abandoned talc mine.  We both laugh every time we see this ring.  It brings back memories of a great weekend together...and he almost bounced me off that darned motorcyle (I was much younger and lighter back in the day).  :o)

Here are my Halloween treasures...some old some not.  Many of these are just small momentos of years past but I like them and they each have a wonderful memory for me.  When I keep my treasures small and in one area it isn't so bad for Mr. C and that way I can still enjoy them too. 
I think this is why I truly love to see and enjoy all the fabulous decorating so many of you do and then share through blogging.  I never really cared much for Halloween as it was SCARY to me.  Now I see that it is so many more things...glamorous, funny, glittery, themed i.e. fairies or wonderful witches.  I am entranced just looking at all the amazing things you each make and decorate with.  Thank you for sharing such wonder.
Our weather is gorgeous...some sunshine, some cooler temperatures, some refreshing rain, some glorious colors emerging on shrubs, vines and trees...all giving infinite inspiration and I am truly grateful.
May you each enjoy much creativity in this the Autumn of the year...

Sorting, Eliminating & Organizing...

Today I entered my wonderful studio Mr. C built for me totally intending to create something. Hmmm...where did I leave off last evening? Oh yes, I was sorting and clearing my table top. But, I did not finish so that is what I began again today. It was going so well that I really dug in and this is a peek at my worktable around noon. The piles are shorter and I can see over them.

All this sorting, eliminating and organizing began last week because I want to find some unfinished projects and complete them or decide if I even want to still make them.

Mr. C knows how I always cram 10 pounds of stuff into a 5 pound bag, box or bin. I always deny that but as I was literally cramming a huge bundle of black lace into a shoebox sized bin I thought what am I doing and why am I doing this. Could it be that I have too much stuff? NO! But it might be that I am always saving all my stuff for later. Later? When is that? When I no longer am able to use it or enjoy it? Well! I better sort, eliminate and organize what I have so I know what to use.

So this is how my studio table looks. I feel so much better for filling the trash can, the recycle bin and the donation bag.

Now I not only can close the containers that were bulging before I can also lift them without a crane.

I am vowed to myself to use my stuff and enjoy creating with it NOW. On that note I have found all sorts of supplies for Easter to make cards and other goodies. I also have several birthdays and other celebrations coming up that need proper gifts and cards and now I am much more prepared to know what I have and what I may need to supplement from the store. I am feeling rather excited after my morning treasure hunt in my very own studio.

What are you saving? What are your best treasures?

Happy creative week to all...