approaching joy

I'm Featured :: DIY Date for a Cause

I get up every morning determined both to change the world and to have one hell of a good time.  Sometimes this makes planning the day difficult. -E.B. White

Today, I'm offering you Joysters a chance to have a good time while changing the world by crafting for a cause for kids with cancer.  Intrigued? Interested?  In a rut?  Need to make someone smile?  Want to get that warm place in your belly that comes from helping someone else?  Click here to see what Louise and I have cooked up for this coming month's DIY Date.

This is my friend Ashten and her cousin Asher who was recently diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma.  Asher is not at St. Jude's but at Arkansas Children's Hospital (which is a fabulous place as well).  You can find out more about Ashten and Asher on Ashten's blog Barefoot N' Running or on Asher's Facbook page The Brooklyn Project.  This picture just reminds me that sick little people are still little people; they want to have fun now and grow up to be big people one day.  

Also-
I just checked and the DIY Date site is currently down (she's in the middle of a redesign-yay!)  Until it's back up, Google "happy cart crafts st jude" to see what we've got in mind!

What to give a friend on the move?

Warm welcomes, everyone! Our good friend, Paige, has been so kind to me as I begin my blogging adventures, and has generously allowed me to sit around the table with you today, and let's just say I couldn't be happier.

As you've heard here, Paige is moving and tackling the sometimes-daunting task of organizing, packing, unpacking, and styling her next abode. Adrienn has done such a lovely job guiding us in baby steps to a fresh, clutter-free, and efficient use of our space. And me, I'm thinking about what to give her?

I am always searching for the perfect gift and always wishing I had more time to think of something extra good. You, too?

So let me offer some of these little brainstorms I've had in thinking about great gifts for our friends moving near or far. I've moved nearly twenty times, and these are just a few of the goodies I'd like to take with me.

1. BE GLAD FOR THIS MOMENT TINY TEXT BOWL -  I love being surrounded (and reminded) with powerful words, and I find this thought particularly poignant for our besties transitioning and handling so many tasks and emotions. It's a super cute 3" size, perfect for jewelry or love notes, and it's $22.

2. WRAP IT AND MAP IT - This one's from Martha herself. She's so good. When you've found just the right present, why not wrap it in a map from your home city? Or the new city with a little tag noting the distance from you to her/him? No distance too far for friendship.

3. CAN'T WAIT TO PLANT MY FEET AT YOUR DOOR - Great design is everywhere, even in rubber doormats. How about a super stylish new welcome mat for your friend to put right outside? Crate and Barrel offers this one for $16.95.

4. MOBILE LOVE - If you have a little more money to invest, this metallic IPad leather sleeve is really beautiful. Dewdrop Designs sells this one for $55, and I adore the translucent leaf image!

5. THIS IS WHEN I'LL SEE YOU NEXT - Circle the date of your next girl getaway on this awesome calendar set from Monkeymindesign. In true quirky Etsy Shop style, the artists say that it is "inspired by modern fabric prints and design, this calendar is full of patterns, geometric shapes and color. Displayed all together, it will really jazz up a space." It's also automatic, stunning wall art for your pal's new pad. A total steal at $12.

6. YOU'VE LEFT YOUR MARK ON ME - I know, I know snail mail is so rare these days, but don't you love fine stationery? I'm a sucker for embossed stamps like this one. Tiny Prints offers this one with a great modern edge. This one tops the list at $69.99.

For our dear Paige, I wanted to do something homemade, handmade. She's been so supportive (and patient with a newbie blogger), and she's totally embodied the feel and look of her blog. She's the real thing. So, for you, I've crafted my first official DIY (though I have made similar gifts for lots of great occasions).

I'm a big fan of totes, particularly natural canvas ones, because you can use them for everything, they stand the test of time, and they look great at the farmer's market, the library, and at the beach (some of my favorite spots).

Paige has put a lot of thought into her blog, and I want to give her a little blog branding love she can take anywhere.

You'll need a canvas tote, masking/blue tape, fabric paint, paintbrush, iron, and your design on iron-on paper*. Iron-ons are so fun, and you can transfer any image/text onto fabric with them. The style of paper I used required me to reverse the image before printing. Just follow the instructions on whatever style paper you use (some need mirror image, some do not).

I added a chevron to the bottom with masking tape (remember that the paint will go in the space not covered with tape). I learned the hard way that I need to cut clean edges for each piece to keep the paint lines crisp.

Iron on your design, using your hottest, no-steam setting. It felt so good to see the paper peeling away to reveal JOY underneath.

I added some of Paige's cute asterisks around for a bit of whimsy. Using the foam brush, I painted on the lime green being careful along the tape edges. Oh, the satisfaction of removing the masking tape and seeing the grand reveal of a crisp, clean line.

And, that's it. She's got the design and branding on the front and the back and a whole lot of room for all the blogging accessories a great writer needs.

I can't wait to give it to her. Don't tell her what it is, okay? I hope you'll give this one a try, too. I promise, you can do it. Thanks for the read - it was lovely to be with you. I'm over here if you need anything! Fairy godsister, MJ

 

didn't MJ pick some great stuff!!! & that bag?!?! I'm super pumped about it!!!! On a totally different note: Ms. Chandace is the winner of the giveaway announced Monday! When asked to describe herself Chandace says "I am a wife, mother and nurse. Being a dreamer makes me wonderful at being those things.  If I won the lottery I'd pay someone to remember to pay my bills and hang up my clothes!" {disclosure: Chandace and I are friends in "real life" but I didn't think there was any reason to exclude her from Adrienn's sweet offer.} Congratulations dear!!

Footprints in the snow.

This winter we took our son out in our garden to experience walking in snow. We were holding his hands but still he needed to concentrate a bit more then usual and  it was quite a challenge. Not to mention that it was already getting dark a bit too.

Your vision of an organized life should be also a bit out of your comfort zone.

In this last guest post I will ask you to do 3 things.

1. Write down your personal vision of an organized home.

2. Take a walk in your household and note down 3 things in each room that make you feel uncomfortable.

3. Grab a box and toss from every room 3 items you don't like anymore.

This should take you no more then 10 minutes. Don't spend more time on it!

Now you've got a clear goal in mind which will keep you motivated, you have a to do list on paper instead one twirling in your head, and you already took action.

See, starting is way easier then you ever thought it will be! 

XO 

Adrienn

(Paige here!!! My three things?  [And, yes, I did work on this today]:
Old receipts, makeup I will never use again, and a school realted magazone that never made its way out of the plastic wrap.  
This "take action" thing really does make it easier to get started.  

It's the "take action" part of Adrienn's project that has been most helpful this week.  Knowing that even a little bit of something is better than nothing has started the packing process.  I have told myself "Only until it's time to start dinner" or "I'll only work on it while watching 'When Harry Met Sally'", or "I'm only going to pack winter clothes," and these "only"s have slipped out of the boundaries I've given them and become noticable progress.  In fact, one of my roomnates came into my room last night and said, "Wow, it actually looks like you'll be moving soon." That, ladies and gentlemen, was a good feeling.

Two more things and I will wrap-up the longest postscript in "approaching joy" history:
1- Let Adrienn know how much you've appreciated her tips through out the week.  i would have never known she was juggling a son and an across-the-world time difference if I hadn't seen it myself!!
2- There is currently only one contestant signed up for the fabulous giveway we mentioned on Monday!  I know she probably hates that I'm mentioning it again, but  what's a giveaway without some compettition?!?!)

Travel lighthearted.

If you answered or at least thought about the questions, then you are one step closer to your organized life!

Let's get something straight: Organizing is a skill anyone can learn. You are not born with it. Even if your name is Martha Stewart. I bet you have all kind of areas in your life and home that are wonderfully organized. Go on, learn from them and find out what motivates you so much that you put more effort in them.
Is it because others will see? Invite some friends over. Old school mates you haven't seen for a while can do wonders to your home! Your Mother-in-Law is also an option.
Is it money? Calculate how much you spend on new clothes because you think you've got nothing to wear. 

I'm sure you guessed that the neglected places can be reflections of  the fears and challenges you face. Once you do look them in the eye, they will vanish. But in order not to feel  overwhelmed, you need to tackle tiny little tasks first. They will boost your confidence like a good perfume and you will feel strong enough to attack the bigger piles. Come on! Go get your make up bag!

Oh, childhood where are you? If your parents gave you a good example then you just have to remember your mums wise words, if not, then learn from their mistakes. But do know, cleaning is NOT organizing! Organizing just makes it easier. It is common that parents infuse there children with the belief that throwing out stuff is a bad thing. On the contrary! Taking home too much is the problem. Once your home is full you will feel the need to start with a clean slate. And we can all dream about just building a new empty home and refurbish it, in reality it is not an option. So we have to take out those garbage bags. There will be one for your guilty feelings don't worry!

XO

Adrienn

(Don't forget to comment for a chance to win the giveaway mentioned on Monday!!)

Questionaire about the past

(Adrienn is back with post three of this week.  Today she has a little homework for us.  Don't forget our giveaway!)

In order to understand better why you are not completetly satisfied with your organizational habbits, try to answer the questions below.

1. How would you describe yourself, an organized or an unorganized person?

2. Does this apply to all areas of your life or just specific areas? Please explain.

3. Were you more organized before? What are the reasons you got of track?

4. Can you pinpoint why the organized areas in your life stay organized?

5. If you think back of your childhood, who was responsible for cleaning, organizing the house?

Just write down whatever comes up in your mind. We will come back to it tomorrow.

XO

Adrienn