Thursday 1 March 2012

Clutter

First thing on my agenda today.....was to tidy up the mess I left in my studio yesterday.......it really was quite bad, even by my standards and I'm normally not worried by a bit of creative mess. Sometimes I find I can't think clearly when the mess is overwhelming, it feels like a cluttered workspace = a cluttered mind. Anyways, it's all ship shape now and it allowed me to think about what was lacking in that niche in my Altered Book.

After much thought...all of five seconds.....it came to me that actually it didn't need much more in the niche, it was the niche itself that was the problem. I had painted all the Tim Holtz tissue wrap that was in the niche and it kind of blended in with the colours on the page.....it really needed to be a contrast. Next step, rip out existing Tissue Wrap and replace with new.....ahhh, much better. Then it dawned on me that my niche needed a frame.....poor excuse for more washi tape but it worked....now I love my niche and it's contents!!!

I just want to step back in time a little bit to the period when I was selling everything off in the shop. Many customers asked me if I would sell my artwork and old class samples. The reality was that there were some pieces that had sentimental value to me, a couple that I really liked but then what the heck was I going to do with all the rest so I agreed to sell them off and donate the money to charity. Last week, I finally got around to opening the envelope with all charity pennies in it and sent off a cheque to my chosen charity, The Isobel Hospice which is where a very special lady, my friend, Tricia Livings spent her last few days. Initially, Tricia was a customer of mine but she soon became a dear friend and gave me some wonderful advice when I was going through a very difficult time. To those of you who liked my work enough to part with your hard earned cash, thank you so much, collectively you raised £550.00 and donations like this make such a huge difference to the everyday care of patients at the hospice.

On a lighter note, I'm off to pack my suitcase.....I'm flying to Holland in the morning for a creative weekend with my friend Lia Sauer, owner of De Craftorij in Ede. I am teaching three classes there and I can't wait to see her new shop. Not sure if I'll be able to blog whilst I'm away, if not, will fill you in on Tuesday.

Lin

10 comments:

Gabrielle said...

Wow! £550 is an incredible amount to give to charity - especially one so dear to you.
I love the new niche - I love how you have revisited it until you were happy - I think that's a lesson for us all!
Happy packing and have a safe, and very fun, trip xxx

Helen said...

What a lovely gesture - wish I'd known I might have had to partake!
Have a great trip to Holland. The niche looks fab now (not that it didn't before too.)

Minxy said...

Aw if i had of known i'd of bought some of your art too, What a lovely thing to do, im sure your friend is smiling down on you x
Have a fab time in holland x

Trish said...

I love the niche changes - perfect! Great job with the charity money - very kind of you to donate.
Enjoy Holland (say hi to my sister, Jenni - I am sure she'll be there lol!)

Kirsten Alicia said...

Wow, what a great donation & to such a wonderful cause as the hospice. Well done to everyone who bought your work.
Your niche is perfect now & I love the washi tape frame.
Have a safe journey to Holland & a terrific time once you're there.

Anonymous said...

Well, Lin, some good and some bad from me tonight: the good first ----- aren't I a lucky girlie that I AM one of the people who managed to get in there and buy a couple of pieces of the art work? I'm so thrilled to have been able to do that, and will treasure them (once we get together, and I manage to pick them up -- ha ha ha!!!). And the bad: RATS that I won't be in the classes in Holland. Such a shame that I will be in Holland just a week later and miss all your class fun. What a bummer! Have a WONDERFUL time with the welcoming Dutch students . . . . . my turn will come one of these days!
Love to you from me -- Sally xoxo

Sarah said...

If I could buy shares in clutter - I'd be well made! LOVE how the book is progressing and the niche is a beauty... must be so nice to sit and play and lose track of time - because you can! I;m off to Ede next month and wil be stroking the stash there...have a great time and enjoy the pancakes...Sarah having a late WOYWW peek and blog nose on Friday!

Unknown said...

Wow, great amount raised Lin. I love your book, who could live without washi tape!

yoursartfully said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Fabulous fundraising ... Hope Holland was good ... the above was me ... doing a test ... I think we may be sorted XXX