Starting a new tradition and challenging myself

Is it crazy how a clean spice pantry can bring someone joy?

Looking back on the first month of the year, the deep cold weather, it’s challenges and putting myself mindfully out of my comfort zone I find myself frustrated and motivated at the same time. I started decluttering last summer summer but blame Marie Kondo on Netflix but I spent a big part of my January decluttering my apartment and craziness ensued… everything that's behind doors is getting so organised and clean but the floors and getting covered in pile of things to donate, trashed or recycle although I can already see the benefits on my mental health at time it seems like it will never end. After reading that most people take 6 months to complete her method I'm a bit overwhelmed by it but I'm persisting. That being said I was feeling like I created nothing all month until I went through my phone pictures it  reminded me that I did find little area to test new thing  and create a little. I even went out for a night with friends.

Here are my canvas journal explorations of January
(not part of the next class)

I also added a few book to my library, to inspired and push me forward.

As I mention in my previous blog post I've using a bullet journal since the beginning of January, so far I can say it’s helpful. I’ve used the migrate key more than I should but it really help me to keep focus on the goal. I started to shoot for A Canvas Journey 2.0 (I should find a prettier name…) it will be a bit different than last time, I want some element to be more structure to allow you to loose up more creatively if that make any sense. I should have more details soon 😲  if I can be done with the cleaning my mind will be able to focus on it. I also have another awesome class coming up in 2019 but for now that one is a secret.

​I made some progress on my foldable doll house by created a marqueteries floor which I’m really happy with even if I messed up the pattern on one side. I stained it a light grey and waxed it afterward using water based products, it's in two piece and I still have some trimming to do to make the seam less visible but I think it’s really cute. Next thing will be to paint the walls but I still debating on the details.

II also received three new blythe dolls to be customized eventually  that pile keep getting bigger has I can't seem to restrain myself every time I see some at a reduce price. They came with these cute rock
​t-shirt so at least they won't be naked until I find time to get to them.

My other big project is something I wanted to do last summer but somehow I did not keep up with it so here I am again making it a weekly habit and include it in my bullet journal should help me persevere this time around and announcing it makes the commitment official. I want to fill a sketchbook with drawing of hands because they can be damn difficult to draw!!!! it will be interesting to see the evolution. I will pencils sketch a few hands in each session. After a while I should become more confident about them I will start to integrate them in more complex layout. If you want to joint with me in the challenge use the #drawinghandschallenge so we can share. It’s not an official thing, it’s just me trying to get better. I’ve pinned a lot of hands reference here, feel free to have a look and challenge yourself as well 😊
 
So that was my January, I want to make a habit of writing these post once a month, and share with you more of my creations or new tricks I have learned, making a bilan once a month make me realise that even when I feel like I accomplished nothing I still did quite a bit for a girl with a muggle job.

let’s see if I can keep this up and see you at the end of February

​Karine