In my lengthy efforts to purge my studio of unnecessary clutter and saved ephemera I am taking bits of time to deal with items when I find them. No longer adding to piles of "I'll do that later" that never seems to happen. Kind of like the old saying, "Free Beer Tomorrow".
I came across an enormous pile of saved magazine and calendar pages. So I gathered my envelope template maker, double sided adhesive, scissors, some blank cardstock and got busy right then and there. In just a couple of hours I had forty (40) cards and envelopes created and ready to use in my weekly Random Acts of Mail. I had a few postcards created and ready to use in Love Notes. I had a few paper pockets ready to gift to others and some very special large cards for friends. All the scraps went into the recycle bin and now I have a lot less clutter piled hither and yon in my studio. I actually felt a burden lifting from me as I cull supplies and put them to good use. If I am no longer going to use them I am donating to my local Hospice Gift and Thrift. Eventually my studio will be less crowed and less overwhelming and messy. I will feel good and accomplished when I enter and therefore I shall be able to be more productive. More on this in a future post...
We are still having rain and damp days and nights. The sun might peek at us this afternoon. Hopefully long enough to take the recycle bins down the driveway for pick up tomorrow am. I must keep my eyes closed as the yard is simply a huge mess of branches and debris and mud puddles everywhere 360 degrees around our home. I am not able to do any yard work at this time so it is making me very sad to see such a mess. I know it eventually will get done but until then I shall merely EMBRACE the rain and be grateful for our ground water to fill our well.
I am praying that all are safe in the storm areas on the East and West Coasts. Mother Nature is certainly creating a new normal in weather patterns. May you each be safe and warm and cozy in your homes or at worst case in shelters. Mother Nature is proving she is no match for us mere humans. Her power is far beyond our controls.
Now I do hope you are making something wonderful in whichever medium you prefer. Creative Bliss to each and every one...
What a great use of your saved magazine and calendar pages!! I so need to do this too...I have a huge stash that I've saved and still haven't found a use for :( Mother Nature has been good to us the last few days...I think she's busy with the East Coast :) It's been chilly but sunny skies and no snow. Have a great evening my friend!! Big hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
You are such an inspiration! If I do a quarter turn in my chair I can see a container labeled 'ephemera' that I know I will never use. I keep it just in case I might want it someday. Oddly enough, I don't suppose I have looked inside it more than once in the past two years. If I were to take the entire thing and dump it in the recycle bin I know I wouldn't miss it.
ReplyDeletewow, you have amazing skill to produce so many beautiful art cards! They are amazing, Mother Nature is truly a force to be reckoned with,,
ReplyDeleteI plan on following your lead with my craft supplies when retirement hits. I'm glad you're receiving the much needed rain.
ReplyDeleteHow nice of you to donate this wonderful so called scraps....and to put to good use!! We've had freeze mornings here in Florida but the days do warm up. Actually, my kind of weather...I'm not an 80's kind of gal when it comes to temperature! HA
ReplyDeleteGood for you Sherry. I am cheering you on. Everytime I make some new little mail art or such using what I've already got makes me feel awesome...even though a dent in the supplies is not even noticeable when you're talking a little postcard or greeting card. But I know!
ReplyDeleteyou have been creative and I know how lovely your cards are having received one that I treasure. We can`t win with weather can we last year you were so desperate for rain think you even did a rain dance and now you have too much.
ReplyDeleteYou truly a very sweet person..
ReplyDeleteMy dear keep well and stay warm ..xx
I'm having a mental block here. I'm embarassed to ask what your random acts of mail is. This is an interesting way to use magazines. I love to browse through Midwest Living and often wonder what I could use the great pictures for. Also, I think I have kept every calendar I ever bought that had great pics in. I have used several in decorating over the years. I would have looked back through your posts but there is no tag list.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your rain!!
xx, Carol
Looks like "keeping stuff" is what we all love to do. After all, tossing those lovely images just doesn't seem right. You've made a beautiful use of them, and reduced the clutter at the same time. Win, win! Tidying up... an ongoing task in the sewing and craft areas.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards and envelopes! You're such an inspiration! Happy you're getting that much-needed rain at last!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great idea. I am feeling the same way about saving ideas for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWe are still waiting for all of that promised rain down here.
A lovely idea, and a helpful idea, for you not to feel bad about throwing out, what can be used..I know the feeling Sherry :-)
ReplyDeleteI`m to have visit from Mathilde , going after her in Copengahen tomorrow, and we are here, wednesday evening, for 3 days together, untill I bring her home again. Have a nice week, dear.
Dorthe, xx
Good job! I know that feeling of relief when you get around to actually doing something you've been meaning to. And there's nothing like a dry spell to make you appreciate rain and not fret about its downsides - mud etc. We had some lovely rain last week, much needed.
ReplyDeleteYour words are ringing so true with me Sherry - use it, now, or deal with it. Stacks and piles, begone! I wish I had a magic wand, but instead, I am just being disciplined!
ReplyDeleteI love this post...
Many hugs,
Jillayne
Hi Sherry, it's always so wonderful and accomplishing to complete projects on the drawing board. I have the piles or files of projects for tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes however. I've been purging and reorganizing too.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got the much needed rain. We are sunny and mild temps. Not much winter here. Hubby thinks we will have an early spring this year.
Have a great day my friend. Happy Creating, xo
You are doing it exactly right!!!! go girl! Glad the rain is topping you up! :)
ReplyDeleteYour envelopes are such treasures and a great way to recycle. Beautiful! I need to do some more cleaning and purging as I know it would feel so good. I'm glad for your rain, sorry for your mess.
ReplyDeleteYou are brilliant! Your new cards are lovely. You always come up with such cool crafts! You really are sticking to your "use what I have" theme.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely day!
Terri
Great idea! I have an envelope template and I hardly ever take it out and use it anymore! When I get back to the island in the spring, I'm not only going to take it out, I'm going to leave it out to make sure I use it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea and how wonderful to have 40 cards and less piles of stuff! I am currently making packs of notes to give as gifts for birthdays and special occasions as a way to get through my stash. Keep safe in the wild weather.
ReplyDeleteYeah!!! What a great thing to do. I joined a facebook group called Scrappy Camper Sisters Come Clean 2016. Been going through stuff myself. Here's to a good year of letting go of stuff that doesn't serve us. thanks as always for sharing.
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ReplyDeleteWonderful idea, I am sure the Hospice Gift and Thrift will put them to good use.
Hugs Diane
Great idea to use the ephemera to make cards to send to friends. I too must go thru my room and do the same especially now that I have moved my craft room to a smaller room.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet RAK to donate to the hospice gift and thrift. I think I will look up one near my home and do the same. I have tons of good crafty items that I am sure they will put to good use.
Stay warm and safe. Ana
I've just looked through you blog. Lisa sent me to see it. You have so many wonderful creations and what a kind heart. I'm sure all your work is greatly appreciated. Love that table you did and the clothes for the little girls are just darling. Thanks so much for all you do. Hugs, Robin
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry, I visiting from Lisa's blog (A Mermaids Crafts). What a beautiful mermaid you sent her and how very sweet of you. Your beach scene is lovely too. You are inspiring me to start going through my "stuff" and weeding it out. I have saved magazines forever and this is a wonderful idea to use them to make cards.
ReplyDeleteLove what you made and now I know what to do with a lot of my "set aside stuff". Ha
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