out with the old, in with the new *

There's something so funny about dragging stuff out into your yard, marking it with arbitrary prices and sitting around while strangers come pick through it. Don't get me wrong, I've been known to peruse a garage sale or two or two hundered, but when it's your stuff sprawled out on tables it feels a bit odd. I found myself discovering new love for long forgotten objects whenever some other junk junky showed the slightest interest. Then there was that moment when a gal stopped by at the end of the day to put things from my garage sale into her mouth and I initiated a spur of the moment "everything that you put in your mouth is free" sale.

Over all (minus the knick knack licker) I had a happy and productive weekend. I can see the floor of my garage and walk into my walk in closet. Best thing about the garage sale is that with the dispersion of my unwanted crap went my guilt for having so much unwanted crap. Now I'm free to shamelessly scavenge other people's garage sales (see pics).

working girl *

Today at work, someone introduced me to a group of people as an "office lady," and I'm pretty sure I heard a little part of my soul shrivel up and die. I do work in an office and I even like it (most days), but I guess ever since I started the whole 8 to 5 deal I've considered myself an artist with a day job. I wish I had more time and energy for art and craft- to be honest I can't seem to finish anything lately. As my friend Kate so adequately put it, "This whole making money thing is cramping my style."

I know there are a lot of people out there who are right there with me- so what do you do to stay productive and motivated?

within reach *

I once heard an artist say that her best inspiration came from within 50 ft of her house. I must admit- I sometimes find myself dreaming of a romantic country side or charming city scape, and neglect to remember all the little details that make my locale so delightful.

Yesterday, I decided to do a little creative exercise and captured some images from within 50 ft. of my door. I got a couple of new ideas for print patterns (which I will share soon), and enjoyed getting reacquainted with my little landscape. I'm thinking about expanding the project into a full-on neighborhood index, with sample collection, mapping, illustration, and perhaps some ethnography. The urban pioneer?

You might want to embark on an intimate expedition of your environment. After all, you never know what you might find in your own literal or metaphorical backyard.

shadow boxer *

As much as I would love to claim the attitudes of a clean and organized minimalist, I regretably cannot. I have the tendency to clutter and collect, and my love for teensy treasures knows no bounds. Some of my largest, fondest memories take residence in the smallest of objects.

The two images above are of shadow boxes in my house. I made the hinged window boxes a couple of years ago, and discovered the small wooden boxes (top) in my garage holding nails and other woodworking notions. There are lots of unique ways to display your little gems, so I say, break them out and give them a special place in your home.