turning clutter into meaning

Things I've learned about us by packing up all our crap: 1.) Our house may look neat on the surface, but move things around and the truth comes out: we are pigs, 2.) No matter how much we get rid of, we still have waaaayyyy too much stuff. Sewing new journal pages helps to clear the mind and release frustration from too much dust up the nose.

 

 

 

 

 

Some of these paper scraps I've had for 5 years or more--Years!! The only thing better than tossing stuff you've been hoarding is finally putting it to use! So liberating and highly recommended.

Comments

[Kate Robertson]

Oh I love all these stitched pages. It is also making me thing of some of the things I have saved and a way to use them. Thanks for the new ideas.

Kate

[Lynn]

So we sew all our hordes of stuff and then we have hordes of journals stuffed with horded stuff! Do you sell them? Use them and then toss them away? How do we avoid hording more stuff? I do not have the answer as i do the same thing.

[mary ann]

pigs are one of my favorite animals and your family is no exception.

may your liberation continue to expand as you move out of one life and into another.

xo

[littleblackkitty]

You do have a point, Lynn! Actually, as someone who tries to live simply, Im not into hoarding...unless its art related! And in the case of art, I have to stick by philosophy of art: to be an artist, you really dont have to be another Van Gogh. God made us creative beings; its who we are. All you really need is a good imagination and a pile of junk ;-) I guess Im always thankful to be able to use my pile of junk...maybe in my warped mind, actually using it justifies its existence! Youre on your own with what to do with the art after that because I dont give it a second thought. Which brings me to my other philosophy of art: art/beauty doesnt need a purpose, meaning, use, storage container, it is its own justification. ;-)

xo,

debra

Debra Cooper

My Artist Blog: A Little Imagination and A Pile of Junk

Shop littleblackkittyart on Etsy

[Cindy (Junque Art)]

oh my goodness we are so doing the same thing right now. i am almost done cleaning, decluttering, depersonalizing our house to get it on the market next week. on the surface our house looked neat and tidy, but oh my gosh after weeks of going through things i had things every where! the last few days have been spent in my art room and wow, i really did not realize how much i had hoarded. but instead of throwing out a lot of the paper that i have had for more than 5 years, i signed up for Mary Ann's ROTD journal class so i can make something cool with all of my paper! love your pages and i can't wait to sit down and create some too! : )

[heleen]

Verry pretty!

[John]

It is interesting that you would say all you need to create is a good imagination and a pile of junk when from my perspective I am staring at multiple boxes stacked to our ceiling from only part of your studio.....shouldn't that piffy little statement be changed to ‘all you need is a good imagination and piles and piles and piles of junk’. Did I mention my favorite box is the one labeled 'dangly things'.
love ya- Your Dear Husband

[Darlene]

Ha. With the home purchase and moving again. YES. AGAIn...For the last time. (I've already told Willy he will have to pry my cold dead hands off the front door knob if he makes me move again after this...) I'm so overwhelmed and don't even know where to start. Your post has reminded me to just take a deep breath and keep going. ROom by room, saving the studio for last. lol And I have to say- John's comments echo Willy's thoughts I am sure. I love and miss you both and Maisey and Soren! Once you are moved be prepared for us to descend upon you like a plague of locusts!

[Chris]

I love what you've done here. Kudos!

[Jo]

I read those stories about hoarders and say "tsk tsk, thank God I'm not like they are". LOL. I'm just like they are with my art supplies. My studio is getting so cramped that I can't get around without twisting and contorting my torso in ways that weren't intended. Making 2 ROD journals took care of only a bit of the paper hoard, but I see a future hoard of unfinished ROD journals. There's no escape for creatives.