One of my favourite websites is Apartment Therapy (inspiring, diverse)

One of my favourite DIY websites is IKEA hackers (creative, curious)

Put them all together and you have a stunning take on the Expedit! I love this concept; I’m a big fan of wall mounted storage to instantly make a space appear larger.

IKEA Expedit, Rejiggered IKEA Hackers | Apartment Therapy.

“It’s so sad when what you leave is just a mess.

My MIL thought she was keeping the family’s history safe, storing heirlooms for generations and keeping the stories and traditions alive for each item’s use. But there are only 2 grandchildren, neither of whom really grew up knowing of those stories, traditions nor caring about these items. And my SILs aren’t into the family history nor into any inherent value the items might have for ‘retro fashion’.

In recent years, my in-laws were increasingly reluctant to throw anything out or rationalise any of their space. Everything is crammed in – dried flower arrangements from the 80s (amalgamated from those given for meaningful occasions now forgotten) stand among the photos on top of the entertainment unit full of videos no-ones watches, CDs no-one listens to, cassettes no-one remembers…the glass and china cabinet, the linen closet, her wardrobe, all are the same: full of memories no-one can unlock any more because my FIL has Alzheimers and most of the last 50 years are a blur.

We have scraps of notes for a family history, never followed up. Scraps of anonymous photos and handsewing, kept because ‘someone’ made them or was in them, we’ll never know who. My SILs aren’t interested in helping me clean up. FIL wants to sell what he can, and there’s little that’s saleable because of how it was all kept, jammed in with the plastic bags and the pantyhose, the handcreams and tissues.

I keep thinking we’re dealing with losing her just 2 weeks ago; we shouldn’t also have to deal with 20-year-old misshapen Tupperware, 10-year-old takeaway containers, 6 bags of old medicines; 2 cupboards of chipped kitchenware that are 40 years out of date and not used for the last 10………..

It’s heart-breaking. “

I’ve held onto the learn to crochet book.  Year after year, I’d lament my failed efforts.  Year after year, I’ve hung onto hope I will one day learn to crochet.  All I ever wanted was to be able to craft an Afgan rug (sometime known as granny rugs).  I can’t be that hard… can it?

Late last year, I  finally realised that that book represents who I want to be.  I want to be a skilled crafter who whips up pretty rugs in an evening while watching The Two Ronnies.  That’s why I couldn’t let the book go.  It held a dream of the person I wanted to be.  Once I realised that, things changed.  I set about becoming that person.  I booked into crochet lessons.  Four lessons, with the promise of having the basics at the end – enough to be able to craft that frickin’ Afgan.  I hoped.

The short version of the story is that after the lessons, I still felt ill equipped and was no more skilled.  The book, the beautiful new red anodised hook and the super soft baby blue wool had to go.

And last night, I thought, I’ll just try once more…

…BINGO…. I got it.  It’s like riding a bike.

I can finally crochet!  I get it!  Well, DC at least

It’s like Dr Phil says: Today will be a changing day in your life!!

What are you holding onto with hope?  What do you own that holds a promise?  What have you conquered?

I have been really looking forward to 2012 for all the new and creative things it brings but also being able to let go of some old.

I returned to my home and office after two weeks away and I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw with my fresh eye. My home is lovely!  Inviting, welcoming, organised and creative.  It’s not as cluttered as I thought (despite my profession, I love ‘stuff’ and am a bit of a collector so have to work at managing it).  All those niggly little unfinished jobs and paint touch ups really didn’t matter.  The bigger picture is solid.

So here’s an idea for you.  You’re back at your computer, office, study, kitchen etc after a break away. What does your fresh eye tell you?  What are the first three things you notice? Is your eye drawn to the pile of paperwork stacked in a corner, or the framed photographs on the wall? Is your desktop strewn with clutter or your bedroom overwhelmed with clothes not yet put away?

If you haven’t had the opportunity to holiday away from your space, what friends would say if they walked in for the first time? (This is not about judgement but about numbers- what are the common comments you might hear from others?).  Id love to hear how the New Year is treating you and your space – and if you have any reflections on last year (or the year ahead!).

This one’s so easy!  All you need is a huge, enormous cyclone fence (or Nanna fence, as I call it), and a besquillion disposable red drinking cups. The kind you see on TV/movies from America.

Then spell out your greeting….

This one is from the beautiful Hawaiian Island of Kauai at the front of a school.  Nice.  Simple.

Are you decorating this year? Is it your favourite part of Christmas?  Or are the decos still hiding away somewhere….

Is your workroom overcrowded with clutter? I’ve hijacked Peta Pledger‘s blog for a week and have some super useful tasks, direct and tips  for you to get organised and deal with your clutter.  Don’t you want more time for the creative stuff (I know I do).  So get organised!

time-to-get-sorted-lissanne-oliver-is.html

top-five-storage-solutions-by-lissanne.html

prioritizing-your-time-by-lissanne.html

evernote-your-stuff-by-lissanne-oliver.html

make-your-stuff-earn-its-keep-by-lissanne-oliver.html