A new year. Always a good time for reflection and for resolutions, I suppose because it feels like a brand new beginning. If you think about it, though, every day is a new beginning. And the moment we are in now is the only one we’ve got. Every day should be appreciated as new beginning.
Budding plants always remind me of fresh beginnings.
What are you doing to make the most of the new beginnings in your life? Have you made some New Year Resolutions? I hope you give it some dedicated thought…how do you want to live the rest of your life? Now is what you have to work with. Make the most of it.
One thing I love to do is organize. It makes me happy. I told Youngest Daughter if I am ever in the nursing home and need something to occupy my time, just give me a jumble of beads to organize. It will make me happy and, when I’m done, they can be mixed up and given to me again. I’d be just as happy doing it the second time.
My craft room is in need of some major organizing and I am resolving to get it done. I am using the room differently than I did five or ten years ago. When the room was remodeled in 2004, I designed it around my scrapbooking hobby. Now my creative direction centers on Putz houses and Christmas ornaments. I need to organize my craft space for what I’m doing now.
I have a long list of things I want to do with my Putzing. I would love to make a series of Putz houses, one for each month of the year. January would be a New Year theme, February would be a Valentine’s theme, etc. A set of four Putz houses for the four seasons is also on my list. And then there’s the Dr. Seuss Putz houses I would like to make. And the larger Putz houses, and the tiny Putz houses…lots of ideas whirling around in my mind.
How do I accomplish all that when my craft space is so unorganized? Not easily, I assure you. So decluttering, organizing and refitting the craft room is a big item on my list of things I want to accomplish. Maybe the resolution is “get organized” and one of the ways to implement that is to work on the craft room.
One step at a time. I spent yesterday and today organizing the items I have listed in my Etsy shop. Every Putz house got a number which will make them easy to find when I am filling orders. It is a good feeling to have that done. Now I am going through drawers and cabinets. Clean them out, organize them, use the available space in the best way. I need to think about my space in terms of prime real estate where I put things I use every day, secondary real estate where I put things I need less often, and the outer limits where I keep things I need only occasionally.
DH brought up an 8′ table from the basement to the craft room so I could organize my packing supplies. The table fits across the east wall, so it’s out of the way, but accessible. I put my packing boxes and the box of extra cardboard that I use for making bases under the table. On top the table is my light box setup for taking photos of the things I list on Etsy. Also on top the table are the boxes that store my Etsy items. Neatly available when needed.
I organized my file drawer today. It is to the left of where I sit to craft. Took everything out and started over. Getting that done is giving me incentive to do more! I’ll keep plugging away at it. And when I need a rest, I’ll take it! Like Ski. He’s good at resting. Though I probably won’t use the nearest box.
I glanced out the window the other day and saw the dogwood blossoms. They are on the tree all winter. They always give me hope for the new beginning that spring brings us each year.
Are you organizing a particular area in your home or in your life? What are your favorite resources for motivation?
~~Rhonda
5 Comments
I am also cleaning out closets, drawers and organizing and throwing stuff away I don’t need….It amazing how much we can accumulate in a short amount of time, LOL….I am making progress here….Nothing to do outside so it’s the perfect time to work inside…I should have it done before time to go outside and work…
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY….
When I decorated for Christmas, I also decided that I would go through my brother’s clothes that I had stored in the attic. I had held on to them thinking I might make a quilt with them. I faced the reality that I didn’t have time and that I wouldn’t be able to “cut” them. So, we went through them, kept what we wanted to wear and donated the rest. It is nice to wear some of his shirts to remind us of him. God has helped me to achieve that and I’m thankful. He will be gone 8 years at the end of this month. I too had to put my tiny computer/craft/sewing/doll room back together. I’ve pitched some things. I want to paint it soon. The color is too dark and somewhat hard to create in. I’m thinking of removing the closet doors (where my clothes and shoes are among other things like yarn) and replacing them with drop cloth curtains. Painting the wood trim white and painting the walls either a pale dove gray or a pale turquoise. For some reason the turquoise has always brought about a feeling of creativity. Whether looking at a fabric, bead or vintage Christmas item in that color – I always feel inspired. Perhaps that is what I need in here. I’d like to replace the poor ceiling light with a ceiling fan that includes a better light fixture. Love your blog. It is has always made me smile. I enjoy the peace and calmness in your writing, your family, and your creativity. Look forward to it. Thanks 🙂
Dee, good for you! Keep up the good work. I recently read the book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo. It is a good book to read for motivation while organizing your own space. It makes me want to lean more toward free space rather than cluttered space. I am a sentimental keeper. But this book is helping me realize how unneeded stuff holds me back. And how much is really not needed. I probably won’t ever go to the author’s extreme. I’m just wired as a keeper. But I am happy to let go. To keep less. Keep me posted on your progress! ~~Rhonda
Jennifer, I enjoyed reading about the changes you want to make. I am glad you were able to make positive choices about your brother’s clothing. That had to take courage. I hope you are able to paint your room soon. Environment impacts us more than we realize. I’m glad you know which color makes you happy! Paint soon! You will be glad you did! A fresh start for the new year! ~~Rhonda. 🙂
Thank you for the encouragement!