Overwhelmed!

Ugh!  The discards were overtaking my room and I just couldn't think anymore, so today is clean up day.

And of course when there is clean up--there are more discards.  No, one or two items day here. 

Here are the discards from the past few days. 

And here is a preview of what is going to Salvation Army or the trash. I'll post an updated photo tomorrow of all the stuff leaving my home.   

Happy Halloween

26. Pens

It may not look like much but it is sketch of an awesome idea for a layered mosaic.

I used the bad Pens from these cups to sketch it.

24 & 25 Bookmarks

24. Wire bead bookmark.

From this:

I recycled all the pieces--except the little beads and the fishing line so it is "technically" a discard.  At least it isn't hanging in my room anymore.  That thing has been moved from place to place for many years.

I'm beginning to see some empty spots from my discarding.  Now there is some motivation.

25. Well, not exactly....I skipped a day.  I don't think I even discarded anything.  But I did do something totally creative.  I finished and hung 3 stained glass panels so I can get them listed on my Etsy shop.  Here is a sneak peak at one. If you want to see others check out my shop, kirBEart on Etsy.

Here is the real #5:  Another Bookmark, but different than the last. 

You can't really tell from the top left photo how tall the pile of magazines and books was.  I got rid of a good 2 1/2" stack.  I really need to do a little organizing this weekend; and, a Salvation Army run (I haven't pulled anything out of the bags). 

Check out the copyright on that Print Shop Deluxe manual I kept for years and years even after I didn't have the software anymore. 

Now it is part of my screenplay idea book that is on the right and the rest of the pile is going in the recycling bin.  

By the way, the blogger app on the iPhone doesn't let me put the pics where I want them, or add labels, and this is why sometimes it takes me a few days to post. 

23. Roses and Overalls

I have a favorite pair of patchwork overalls that I would love to wear backpacking, but they're cotton. So, I am going to make a pair with suitable fabrics for backpacking.  I cut some fabrics from the day's discards to use in the overalls.

The day's discard also included a Vera Wang skirt that was ripped and frayed at the seam.  I comtemplated

Duvet cover and an old shower curtain that I haven't used in at least 10 years--but I "love"

it.

I made these fabric roses with some remnants.

22. Upcycled Hair Scarves...

...from a favorite shirt that just doesn't look good on me. (The rest of it is going to Salvation Army.)



I made these with only a pair of scissors-no sewing or glueing.

Oh, and the polka dot tie looks great as a band around my new black hat.  

22. Kumbaya

I absolutely love this!

However it sits outside unused no matter where I go (got it years ago when I lived in Wisconsin). Much of the time it isn't even the centerpiece where it sits, and it doesn't exactly fit with the home decor.

21. Smell Good Thingy

Such a fight to get discard Partylite items but I've never been a fan of this style anyway, so away it goes.

20. Curling Irons

Only because they are broken.

Still counts as a discard. Only thing creative is the photo. Still getting my Etsy kirBE.art shop going and that is where my creative energies are flowing for now.

20. Psych! Book Sculpture

Never gonna read it. So I turned it into a....something.

A craft book, The Repurposed Library, that has projects on what to do with old books, had patterns for vases. I made my own pattern. Can you tell what it is-or was supposed to be?

I need new blades for my craft knifes.  I didn't worry about making it perfect because I am just gonna toss it anyway.

19. Knick Knacky Book Art

Created this from one of those little gifty books.  

15 Thru 18

I kept thinking that I had to write something which was slowing/stopping the postings. From here forward I will just post and write when I have time.

15. Desktop Publishing Collage

I kept the Home Office Book--turns out there is some info in there I can use. 

16. Communication Textbook Photo Collage

Skipped a day...

17. Origami Whales

From that pile of craft magazines on the left. 

18. Cover Letter Photo Collage

Although I have seen this book at the dollar bookstore, I had a difficult time cutting it up because it is still useful for someone.  So I only did the photo collage. 

Now I am all caught up on my postings. Whew!

14. Cherished Clutter

Day 14 was spent getting my discards posted, so again...just a discard. But! It was a rough one.

I almost pulled it out to keep today; but, the truth is: as long as I have had it (years), it has never warranted a prize place on my wall. It's been tucked on shelves, hung to fill space, and it was never used what it was intended for.

Maybe it will make its way into another creative discard before I drop the bag at the Salvation Army.

Back in the Saddle 10-13

I got a little behind.  I had a backpacking trip come up last minute and it jiggled my schedule.  Although I still got rid of something everyday (except one) There were a few days I didn't do anything creative with my discards, and I am going to let that be okay on occasion--especially if I am still discarding things.

Here is number 10. Textbook Haiku

Cut from letters of an old beginning algebra book.  I only cut one of the books because the others can be freecycled.

Day 11. I got rid of some clothes. I didn't have time to do anything creative with them because I was preparing for the trip and finishing my alcohol stove.

I skipped a day while backpacking.

Day 12. Candle holders.

Day 13. Vases

Coming Soon!

I've still been creating.  I just haven't had time to post due to a last minute backpacking adventure.  Come back tomorrow and I should have them posted.

Coolin' off the toesies after 4.5 miles.

9. College/Collage Text Books

I wanted something somewhat quick and easy today so the leaded glass candle holders (that I refuse to destroy) that I have been contemplating for a week were not good targets; and, the old dead markers that I thinned from the markers designated for the visiting Say Say (neighbor baby--well toddler) weren't inspiring me at all--even with a ready glue gun--so I decided to get rid of the college text books that cluttered up Say Say's toy shelf.

Once I opened one of the three books that I chose for discarding I was inspired.

Two collages today.

I tossed the markers.  There are plenty more pens for me to play with later. 

8. Cellophane Hat!

Started with this...

Cellophane wrappers from bouquets of flowers that I was going to use for some "creative wrapping."

Ended up with this!

A cute little hat!

7. ART!

Day 7 was spent building my photo light box and then snapping photos of my fused glass pendants, so the day's discard was simple.

I used the trash from the making of my light box to make a little art sign. Then I pumped a little more creativity and made a photo collage.

  

5. and 6. Denim and Wax

Today is a twofer--two discards in one post, and two creations for one. I forgot to do the project on Saturday night.  I kept trying to figure something to to get rid of and then I got caught up in something else and forgot, so today I did two.  I picked the object for #5, but then I was having a tough time figuring out what to do with it, and finally came up with this:

Which used to be this: 

I have too many candle holders.  I love candles, but truly I have run out of places to put them (safely) so there will be more projects with candle holders--especially for those that I got by default because I sold Partylite.  The whale head is from a cherished teapot that broke and has been in my broken glass/dishware future project chest of drawers, and I now have a better idea of what I can do with it when I am ready.   

For Day 6, I chose a piece of clothing (as punishment for missing day 5).  It was either shape it into something and give it away, or make something new with it.

I decided to upcycle it, but that meant I had to clean off the kitchen table to sew.  (I know for sure that I don't need a dining table in an RV because it simply becomes a dumping ground for I'll put it away later.)  

I created two objects for this project and I took pictures during the process so I can do a tutorial for it on my other blog. I'll post a link here once I get the tutorial posted. (Those little flaps on the handle actually button to the handle and don't stick out.)

The liner is from an old drape for a sliding glass door that I made for my house in Colorado.  I have been dragging that around for 10 years and now it has a stain right about in the middle of it--so it is fabric again.  

Then, since I had the sleeves left, I thought I would make a wine bottle bag.