Home Things

There's a wonderful ministry that a group of women have begun in Ohio called

RePurpose.

I was sooooo excited when I spoke to one of the leaders about it that I jumped at the opportunity to design a logo for them.

but

I'm stuck!

I've been stuck for a month!

But, I woke up with them and this wonderful ministry on my mind that exists to bring the love of Christ to people by helping those whose homes have been affected by terrible things and personal tragedies. They serve others by making their surroundings a wonderful place.

It's about creating a sense of home, a sense of place in the midst of trying times.

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Home makes a difference in how you do life. Let's face it, it's true! It certainly is in my case.

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I love the objective of RePurpose and it's so close to my heart. I'm sure I'll blog on it or have one of the women involved guest blog because it's so important.

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It's so important to be "home", to rest, to exhale in a place that inspires comfort and peace.

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but, in true Tina distracted fashion, it got me thinking of my own home, how I'm frustrated with "tinyland", and

How my hubby and I were talking yesterday and I asked him.

If you had to pick a style in which to live, what would it be?

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He said "Well, you might be surprised" He then went on to describe a home of less "clutter", cleaner lines, and well......somewhat contemporary.

Just living with the things we like and make us comfortable and my decorating history of a mix of modern, country and primitive decorating as I've done it up till now, was not it anymore.
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It got me thinking about how to change up these surroundings

I started looking around at things with different eyes with the knowledge that I was in agreement with that man o mine, I'm not comfy in this space right now.

I know something is off. But what?

Is there too much "stuff"? Is it a little unfocused? hmmmmmm

Hubby's collection of carved walking sticks, the only thing he really collects, seem to be discussing the situation as well.

We've decided, especially since we cleaned out our storage building and brought more things into this small apartment that we felt we just couldn't live without, that, well.....it's time to evaluate and maybe eliminate some of the things.

You know, get focused
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It's hard when you are a collector of things like me.
but, it really needs to be done and I'm ready.
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Now, I'm not attached to "things", but how we feel and live in our surroundings are being affected by some of the things we have and where they are placed.
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Easy change, easy fix, a way to minister to my husband and to me.
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I'm determined to take a few moments every day to pick up a few possessions, one at a time, and ask a few questions.
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What is this?
Do I want to keep it? If yes, Why? and Is there a place for it that makes sense?
What is my attachment to it? Is it contributing to making our space a home?

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Like this...

(as I pick up this print, I say yes! It stays. Love it! It looks darn cute in my bathroom and is my beloved moon and an illustration in a frame my friend Vernita gave me. It's not going anywhere!)
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Should I keep it and use it?
Keep it and store it?
Sell it or give it away?
I've nestled pics in this post of things I have, live with, and really like.

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Some of it really inspires that "home" feeling, but honestly, some of it I've noticed that I just keep moving from one room to another and it never really finds a home and just becomes that interruption of the cleaner lines we find comforting.

There are things we don't want to part with...

}My decorative bottles of sand with the tags that note what beach it was collected from and when.

}Old chippy, salvaged windows. unique ones

}My glass containers of seashells and collections of naturals

}Framed photos and illustrations

}Painted furniture

Does anyone see a theme here?

These things inspire home to me.

Hubby agrees
They remind me of the most relaxing place for me. My happy place
The Beach
So I did a quick walk around this morning and snapped some pics of some of these collections of things and came across something that my hubby refuses to allow me to get rid of

This was the very first landscape I ever painted. Over 22 years ago. I know it's a lousy pic, but trust me, I can't use that excuse. It's bad, but apparently, I have to hang on to it sooooo certain clutter is ok if it has a sentimental value. so the question with this is.....
Should I keep it out or store it?
I think Store it! for sure!
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These stacked suitcases are full of my collection of prim dolls.
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These handmade girlies make me smile and even giggle at times and that's why I couldn't resist collecting them
but,
hidden away, without a proper home, they aren't creating a giggle and I'm asking questions about them.

Love those suitcases though.
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And then,
There's clutter I must have. The clutter I just can't get away from.

Projects begun, projects undone and in the works tucked in a corner of the laundry nook by the back door.

So, my plan is to evaluate, eliminate, organize....and.....make home.

It's time.

New Direction

*Cutting down clutter and creating a more elegant Beachy Feel that incorporates my love for those things I've mentioned above for "tinyland"

Any suggestions?

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A giveaway is coming up here on The Artful Life

Stop back by soon.

T