After Slicing and Dicing

First of all, thanks to those of you who've asked how I've been doing post surgery. And for notes, surprises and check-ins. You really boosted my spirits! All is well. And, you may recall, I set a few rather lofty goals before my surgery. I thought it would make me accountable. But I think they just made me crazy!  I realized I'd better adjust a few expectations!

So,  I looked at the shelves. And one thing I realized was that much of what they needed was tidying up. Things were crammed into corners and piles and I just needed a little order. (OK, I need more than order but having order will help me sort!) And here's another view. I realized if I was going to do anything, I'd need to start with the desk, just to get some workspace! I don't have a photo of the entire desk "before" because I was too embarrassed but here's what I started with...

....and here it is now.

And of course this helps answer one of the deep questions in life: How many pencil cups do you really need?

(We art types, of course, need plenty. The pencils. The regular writing pens. The colorful markers. The smelly pens in bright colors. The Sharpies. Pencils. And so it goes.) I also weeded out a lot of the stuff on the back shelves of the desk. I don't think I had a photo of this before and it definitely needs another go but as they say, "You should have seen it before!"

Then I started tackling shelves one at a time. I ended up tossing four good-sized bags (but not garbage bags -- lifting regulations!) of just stuff that no one would want and have one bag of art supplies to donate and other bits pulled out for friends along with some things for Goodwill. Here's the before:

I realized that I had to do a combo of neatening and putting things away in the right spot. Sometimes I do sort of dump in the most available spot and then it just builds up. Here's that area after. Books in order, things better sorted and arranged.

That cabinet was particularly bad but now much more n line. The reference and rip-out books are better ordered:

Brushes, mediums and tools are all together.

I still have this pile to tackle in front of the closet (and a bit of a neaten-up on the closet door). These are things that belong IN the closet and that will be another bag of stuff to pitch-or-donate and require more fortitude and energy than I've had!

I also have to sort the rat's nest under my desk. Ninety percent of this is paper and probably 80 percent of that will get donated or given away. I find that I am using less scrapbook paper when I make cards and more of my own handpainted papers and gelli prints. I still haven't been able to part with all the collage embellishments, either but since I'm doing less of that, it's on the list. (Note -- since I started that post, I've tackled the under-desk too! Looks much better but then when you look below, anything would be an improvement!)

Another view. That gap on the left is for my painting box which is elsewhere at the moment.

I also tackled the top of the filing cabinet -- a hold all. This is just tidier (and yes, some things pitched as well.)  Before and after:

                        

Best of all, things are pretty well labeled, which should make both finding things and putting them away easier.

Now, I know there is more to do. In fact, Rick can't tell I've done anything, but I can! This was a first pass and a pretty productive one.  Mostly it is getting what I had in order and getting rid of a lot of things I knew I'd never use. But the next pass will be more ruthless (and given that it's coming up summer, will probably happen in the fall when I settle back at home.)

And in the back corner, the bulletin/inspiration board was weeded out a bit and the paper/computer/scanner better organized.

While I didn't scan one photo, I did manage to read three books and do some painting and will share that later. I did catch a couple of videos but my walking was inside (in circles from living room to hall, to kitchen to family room and back) due to the cold and rainy weather!

It's always nice to have something in the "to-do" pile!

All in all, a "good" confinement! Now onward!

Somewhat embarrassed today to be linking to Share Your Cup!