Cross Stitch

     A couple of years ago I went through the KonMari Method of decluttering.  I can't recommend it highly enough.  That being said, one of the results of the process is letting go of things that don't "spark joy" for you.  A lot of what wasn't sparking joy was unfinished craft or handwork projects.  I had several started but never finished cross stitch pieces that I released.  The piece pictured above is one of them.  This little jewel, even in the unfinished state still made me happy so I kept it.  The image of cottage roses in an antique, blue transferware pitcher spoke to my love of vintage and cottage décor.  So, gentle reader, I kept it.  I didn't work on it.  I left it unfinished and waiting for completion.  In an effort to add variety to my "stay busy" handwork this unfinished project is getting a chance to be all that it can be.  I'm going to finish it up, create a frame for it out of pieces left over from #WindowFramed series.  I'll share a pic once completed of course.  The ultimate completion of a project isn't the only time I get satisfaction from a piece.  Sometimes the potential, the savoring of the idea of how it will look eventually, is enough to have me keep a piece waiting.  The stored energy of creative beauty builds until we both agree its time to finish up.  Time to allow it to be what it was meant to be.  Time to fill the space it once held with more creative potential.  This patiently waiting loveliness is a battery fueling my imagination when the space around me seems dark and uninspiring.  

Be Well,

  

Tidying with the KonMari Method

Tidy : arranged neatly and in order. What a delightfully old fashioned word, tidying. Why am I bringing this up now you ask? Well I had a book pop into my world a couple of weeks back. When something appears more than once in a seemingly random place or situation I pay attention.  This time it was the book , The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up-the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing by Marie Kondo.

 

Here is SweetPea, post tidy





Organizing, sorting and arranging has always been something that I do. Not unreasonably I think, but maybe more than the average bear.  So when the Tidying book came up I thought there wouldn't be anything really new for me in it, but not true. I've always loved the quote from William Morris "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."  What Marie Kondo's book has shown me was how to make that a reality.

 

Dish towels receive the same care as more glamorous items

 

 

I should say at this point that once I fell into the book and concepts I forgot to take photographs with my big girl camera so these images were taken with my phone.  Some photographers manage to create amazing images with there phones. That isn't one of my super powers yet but I think you'll be able to see some of the results with them.

 

 

Basically what Marie Kondo or The KonMari Method has you do is evaluate everything in your home by category, in this particular order to hone your skills, Clothes, Books, Papers, Miscellany and then Sentimental items. You gather all the items in a category and touch each item and determine if it brings you joy.  If it doesn't then discard it, throw it away, give it away etc.  Once you have discarded then you can tidy the category away.  Ideally you have all like items in the same area or place. 

 

Quilts and throws

 

All knitting items in one old chimney cupboard

 

Second bedroom with all items in the closest removed prior to tidying

 







 

There is much more information in the book about why this particular order and honoring the things you release and the things you keep.  Being mindful in your home and having your things work for you and not against you.

 

 

Dotty embraces the joy of an empty "in" basket

 

So that's what I've been up to for the last couple of weeks.  KonMari recommends going through the process quickly ie: 6 months.  Once I got started that's all I wanted to do around here.  I "kondoed" everything.  It made me more mindful in other areas of my life as well.  I'm eating healthier, taking better care of the things around me because what I have around are things that bring me joy. Once you've done it, your done for good. You will be more mindful about what you bring into your life and home and you'll never have to do it again.

 

Give it a try.

 

 

Until next time my friend, keep the joy.

 

Kim