Cleaning Up the Studio

 

I spent the whole Sunday cleaning up my studio / home office (the space where I write and create my visual journals). I had to be very quick and unattached as  I went through baskets overflowing with God-knows-what  and piles and piles of paper.  As usual, I was amazed at the amount of junk I have managed to accumulate over the past year. Receipts, crumpled notes, rusty screws and paper clips… I don’t even know why I  hold on to these things. I am such a clutter bug! Fortunately, my resolve to clean up was stronger than usual. And so, before the day ended, I have filled up a couple of trash bags with a year’s worth of trash. Hurray!  Now, ladies and gents, I present to you my  much tidier workspace.

 

 

I am so happy with these  transparent acrylic cases where I put my washi tapes and various ephemera for journalling. Now I can see everything right away.

 

 

Meanwhile, I love re-purposing old chocolate boxes as stationery holders.

 

The large drawer unit on the left is a classic from Ikea, while the two smaller ones on the right are from Wellworth. These are where I store my various kunkurantings.

 

Aren’t these macaron boxes from Carolyn Robb adorable?  Now they’re home to my stamps.

 

I hope I can keep this space tidy for a long, long time.  *crossing fingers*  How about you? What were you up to this weekend?

 

 

Food for Thought:

“Out of clutter, find simplicity.”
― Albert Einstein

 

The Weekend List: DIY Dog Bed, Leaf Wall Art & Chicken Pasta

This weekend is all about DIY projects and tasty meals.

I will start off with this beautiful-looking dish put together by a young woman named Chungah of Damn Delicious.  It’s her version of Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta and it just looks delicious!  See the recipe here.

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Next, I will do a bit of decorating by following the instuctions of  Molly from Almost Makes Perfect.

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Lastly, I will convince The Hubby to make a bed for our 10-year old Kofi.  This project by Dana of Ruggy DIY should give him an idea. Isn’t it just perfect?  See the detailed DIY guide here.

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So these should keep me busy over the weekend.  How about you?  Have anything lined up?

 

Food for Thought:

Oh, I just want what we all want: a comfortable couch, a nice beverage, a weekend of no distractions and a book that will stop time, lift me out of my quotidian existence and alter my thinking forever.

-Elizabeth Gilbert

 

The Painted Town of Zalipie

Have you heard of the painted town called Zalipie? It’s a pretty little  town in Poland that looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale book!

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The houses, sheds, bridges… almost all the structures you see in Zalipie are adorned with the most colorful floral paintings.

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The tradition actually began inside the homes, when owners painted the ceilings and walls in an effort to conceal the smoke stains left behind by fireplaces. The result, folk art magic!

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The homeowners  started painting the exterior of the houses and the artistic  habit spread around the community.

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If I ever get the good fortune of  going to Poland someday,  I will certainly find a way to visit Zalipie! See more of this pretty village in this video:

 

 

Food for Thought:

“There is something particularly fascinating about seeing places you know in a piece of art – be that in a film, or a photograph, or a painting.”
― Sara Sheridan

VIDEO: Living With Liselotte Watkins

DISCIPLINE – LIVING WITH – Liselotte Watkins from Discipline Design on Vimeo.
Liselotte Watkins is an illustrator from Sweden. She is currently living in Italy with her family. Here, she talks about her creative process, and how having her children around helps her in her work.  And may I say I JUST LOVE HER HOUSE!

 

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Food for Thought:

 

“When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do,

our work takes on the quality of play and it is play that stimulates creativity.”

 

— Linda Naiman

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