Creative Work Space Re-Shuffle

July 25, 2015October 1, 2015 ~ Patty Radish ~ 2 Comments

I have been soooo inspired by all the posts on social media this week of creative work spaces, that I thought it past due that I did a bit of a reshuffle. I am a creature of habit, so my redecorating didn’t shift past my comfort level too much, just enough to clean and streamline.

Disclaimer: I realize that many of the photos on social media are of beautiful, modern, and streamlined gorgeousness. But, I obviously don’t roll that way.

Welcome to Kitschy-McColorful!

Good grief, my desk looks like a hippie van from the 40’s! That is, if there were hippies in the 40’s! The “table cloth” is a vintage sheet. I can’t believe it took so long to come up with this solution to the smallness of vintage table cloths!

I’m happy to say that I’m using many tools and supplies that have been tucked away for a while. I’m one of those with lots of good intentions when I buy something. I’m the same way with clothes, most things I buy have to age in a cupboard for a bit before I’ll use them…odd.

The shelves above my desk are in good form! I thinned the plants by one and put the items I don’t use as often up there. I still can’t believe Dottie Angel gave up that pitcher, Love!

These are my journals in progress. Usually they are strewn hither and yon because of my unorganized ways. This may work for a while. It’s kind of like “If you build it they will come.”

Actually, it’s more like, “If you make space for it, they will make it back…eventually!”

View right:

Sticky notes, glue sticks, pens, washi, and memo pads.

I use an unbelievable amount of sticky notes and note pads in my world! That tray in the background serves as my “Brain Dump”. Dump being the operative word, I cleaned it up for the photo!

View left:

Stapler, drawers of paper clips, pencils, pens, and planners.

It may be a stretch, but I’m thinking that having the planners on my desk will work much better than on the floor next to the desk!

I have had that Hobnail vase for many, many years. It is so nice to have it somewhere I’ll see it everyday! My favorite part of the re-shuffle!

Now, I realize this looks very much the same to those that have seen it before. But, I love the changes I made, and thought it would be fun to share.

Once again, thank you for stopping by,

Have a wonderful weekend,

~Patty

Gratitude Journaling

July 16, 2015October 1, 2015 ~ Patty Radish ~ Leave a comment

Among all the other projects I have been trying to play catch-up on, there is my beloved gratitude journal! It seems that most of what I write about is my family, time spent on my own, and getting things done!

For some reason I started using journaling cards and store bought ephemera in this, and subsequent pages. I really wasn’t happy with the way they were turning out, so I tore them apart and redid them. This one is slightly improved.

This one was a complete re-do. I used s piece of an art page used in my art journals for the back ground then added this cute illustration from one of my vintage magazines (love the poodle!) A sticker with the date and lined paper for my list and done! It’s nice to throw things that are just lying around the studio together. Everything eventually finds a home!

A particular favorite, I used a photo taken on a recent trip to L.A. I love using my own photos in this journal, they give it such a personal touch. Working with these earthy tones is a nice break from the riot of colors I usually work with in my #ListersGottaList journals.

I’ve really been trying to get back to my kitschy flea market look again. I have been having so much fun using all my “store bought” ephemera, I’d forgotten what a kick some of this can be!

For the record: I’m super thankful for all of you that subscribe to my blog and take the time to read and comment! You guys rock!

Thank you for your time,

Talk to you soon,

~Patty

Junk Planning

July 14, 2015October 1, 2015 ~ Patty Radish ~ 2 Comments

I purchased this Color Crush Planner about 3 weeks ago. The crazy color did something for me…I had high hopes!

But, when it was delivered, my hopes were a bit dashed. What’s with this color! It looked quite a bit different in person, way more orange than I had imagined!

So, I set it aside. Not only did I not have a decorating plan for it, but not even a use plan!

Until, I received this awesome happy mail surprise from Diane at A Focused Journey, thank you Diane!

Can you guess where I’m going with this?

Well, what do you know about that! Cute or what!? It’s hard to believe that such a small thing could generate so much inspiration! I’m the first one to admit that this wouldn’t be “Planner Peace” for many people, but it makes my heart sing! I describe it as looking like it was decorated with thrift store finds, and to a certain extent, it is.

I am crazy in Love with this thing!

I want all my planners to be this dorky!

I set about making the dividers, but where to start? How about my favorite scrapbook paper, Studio Calico‘s “Print Shop” line. After that hurdle I went to town looking for any kitschy colorful ephemera I could find. How’d I do? Lol!

If you know me, you know I didn’t need to go far.

So, what am I going to use this funky little planner for? My new art journaling planner! Yay! A place to put all those ideas that come to me in the car, at night when I should be sleeping, or any other inconvenient time you can think of (isn’t that always the way!)

But any-who, now I have a place to jot down ideas and plans for all the different types of art journals I make, use, and sell! And it’s such a fun place to go!

At this point, I’m thinking that I may have enough planners. But who knows, I have yet to make a planner for my planners…hmmm, there’s a thought!

Once again…

Thanks so much for the visit,

Have a great day,

~Patty

Happy Mail Binders

July 11, 2015October 1, 2015 ~ Patty Radish ~ 1 Comment

Because I went back to my old blog and deleted all my posts, I thought it might be a good idea to repost some of my personal favorites here.

I was recently asked about my Happy Mail binders, so I thought this might be a good place to start.

These are what used to be my planners. They worked out great, but the feel of them was a bit rough. They make great Happy Mail binders though! And, because I am lucky enough to have several of these binders, I have distributed my mail throughout by style and color. My love of alternative organizing continues.

The cards just slide right in and there is a little pocket left at the top for little bits and bobs. Perfect! This is some Happy Mail from the Spring 2015 iHanna DIY Postcard Swap.

I absolutely Love vintage playing cards, so these collector card pages are perfect to hold them in. This a collection of goodies I received from Jennifer Perkins, a crafter and decorator extraordinaire!

This beautiful card is from my pen pal Iryna in Belarus. Love! and a cute little tag from Leslie Ackman, along with the loveliness at the top of the post!

Lately I have been overwhelmed with kindness from fellow artists, Thank you Judy! These zip pouches are great for holding various stamps and decor for future happy mail projects and swaps.

And here is the latest addition to my collection, a gorgeous card from the lovely Diane Baker-Williams, along with loads of awesome vintage ephemera!

I really want to start looking for other happy mail swaps, think I’ll do that today!

Hope your having a great weekend in your neck of the woods,

Thanks for the visit,

~Patty

Color Crush Planner Decor

July 7, 2015October 1, 2015 ~ Patty Radish ~ 1 Comment

Hmmmm….another planner eh! It seems that once you drop down the rabbit hole of the planner world, you keep coming up with more excuses to buy new planners! The original plan for this one is still intact, decorating with the latest planner packs* from my shoppe, but this one will be also doubling as a business resource binder. A place where I keep lists of books I’m reading, or need to read, blogs with great advice, audio books, and of course journaling. I would love to have it all in one place!

I’m going with a summer picnic theme right now. Polka dots, gingham, fresh fruit, flowers and lots of bold color. I chose paper with sand because the beach is where most of our picnics took place growing up. It got to where I didn’t know what a sandwich tasted like without sand in it! Dad always said “Why do you think they call them ‘sand’wiches! Besides, it’s roughage!” Okie-dokie!

Once I started working on it, ideas just flowed. I have quite a collection of goodies to choose from at this point as you can well imagine!

I’m almost sure that there will come a time when I will have to rein in the collecting and spending…yeah, right!

I’m actually braving the stamping thing a bit more, so much trial and error. I say start out on the inexpensive bits to cut down on the angst. Now, I have a set of nifty personalized post its!

It has been pretty darn awesome to start using things that have been sitting in a box for months waiting for a home! I can’t wait to start labeling and organizing this planner! I will continue to change up the decor, but the content will stay the same…I hope!

Once again, thank you for the visit,

Have a great week!

~Patty

*Footnote: the planner packs I refer to in this post will be ready by the end of the week! 🙂