Hi friends! There is nothing as satisfying as finishing a daunting task. This week, I completed the illustrations for Kelly Brooks-Bay’s new Book Sea Glass and the Lighthouse two whole hours before the deadline! Some revisions may be needed as par for the course but I am really pleased to have it completed.
I am also almost done decluttering my craft-room using the Konmari method. I have been filming as I worked on this monumental task of physically holding everything I owned and deciding whether to keep it or not. I am very happy with how it is going and I will be happy to give you a full report with an indexed video (so you can skip to subject you want to see) in a couple of weeks. Working on two big projects at once reminded me of some valuable lessons: 1. You can reach any goal if you are willing to work for it and 2. Persistence beats perfection. Basically, show up everyday, do YOUR best and keep at it until the job is done. There is nothing better than the feeling of finishing something. I want to know in the comments what you are working on or if you jut finished a daunting project recently. Let’s cheer each other on! Happy crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 
Congratulations!! The paintings you’ve shown us are lovely. That black dog is absolutely adorable!!
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You give such good advice, motivated me. thx.
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Congratulations on finishing the illustrations! From what I can see they look great!
The daunting project I just finished is painting my dining room and decluttering it and then went to help a friend paint her ceiling in her downstairs townhouse. Now I can start thinking about something fun to do like making Easter cards.
Thanks Lindsay for all the inspiration you give me with all the things you share. That keeps me motivated.
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Congratulations on finishing your illustration project! The paintings are beautiful! You are so inspiring, thank you!
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Konmari helped me declutter over 25 boxes and bags of clothes books shoes purses games and even some crafting items (those were the hardest😬). You motivate me to try and accept imperfection! Your illustrations that I can see look magical!
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Congratulations you made it!
I love that painting of the seagull perching on the bottle! He looks like an admiral on a ship …. so funny! I also like the way you painted the wavy sea.
I bet when you are finished with de-cluttering your craftroon you will wonder why you didn’t do that ages ago …. that’s how I always feel! Nice of you to share the process with us, maybe that will help me to part with this or that. I mostly need ideas what to do with stuff instead of throwing it into the trash.
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Congrats on both projects. That de-cluttering is something that I need desperately also. Would love to know more about the method you use. Thanks for all you do for us.
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Nothing irks me more than an unfinished project. I’m a writer and belong to several fanfiction websites. Some of the authors get bored, and quit writing right smack dab in the middle of the story. I always finish the work. It’s not fair to the readers. I recently moved and gave away, paint, fabric, rubber stamps, and other craft supplies to my crafty friends, that way, I don’t feel devstated. Use it or lose it..
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Congratulations on both accomplishments.
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Lindsay, Do you know where “Sea Glass and the Light House” will be sold? Hope Kelly Brooke Bay will have plenty! Thank you
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Really needed to hear your encouragement. Four months after my husband slipped away to Heaven, I moved from our house to a one-bedroom apartment (could not keep up 5 1/2 acres). Even tho’ I downsized before the move, I am down to 4 boxes full of crafting with no place to put the items – so they are sitting in the middle of the living room floor! It is a daunting task as it is all necessary and good ‘stuff’ – where to put it? Will keep plugging away until the job is done!!!!
Look forward to your video!
Paper Hugs,
Jan
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may God bless you and help you with the changes. my husband has been having big problems the last 2 months. I will pray for you. Betty
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Hi Jan and Betty,
I will keep you in my prayers. God will be there to help you (and others) when you call on him.
Linda
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Your illustrations are beautiful! Congratulations on finishing with time to spare (every little bit counts!) I totally agree with your thoughts on completing a project–I’ve been trying to clear out 25 years of household clutter and I really had to let go of my perfectionism, self-doubt, and procrastination. I’m nowhere near finished (but in my defense, I have two teenage girls in the house!) Thanks for sharing your illustrations and words of encouragement!
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Wow! What inspiring words of wisdom. Much needed as I promised to do a garage sale to pay for a Girlfriend’s vacation trip to the Carribean. I need to empty part of my garage and this has been haunting me for over 10 years. Mainly because a lot it was my parents stuff who are no longer and it’s an emotional journey. But you said progress not perfection and that is the key. I love your art style and how your videos share so much about you. Thanks for You!
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Congrats Lindsay great job! Thanks for the inspiring post. I love your paintings. I tried the Konimari method for my bedroom it worked great. I think with big projects breaking it down into small daily taks really helps too. I do that when ever I have to study for my Board recertification every few years or for more fun when I have gotten behind or scrap booking. Instead of trying to do six months I just pick one page at a time!🙂
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Lindsay I totally agree! Finishing feels so good! I just wrote a post about how good it feels (almost irregardless of the results) https://mycreativeresolution.com/2017/03/14/finished-feels-so-good/. Good job finishing your project! – Eileen
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I agree fully. Keep showing up really works. I read an article one time that was helpful (don’t remember who wrote it…sorry) she said if you are having trouble starting the daunting task — just start with one drawer. Build on each success. Love your blog, and YouTube Channel great instructions and inspiration. Best wishes to you!
js
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I think you’re great. Our stuff can overwhelm and choke us to death, so dealing with it all is a liberating experience. I can emphasize because I am 73 and decided to move closer to my family. I’ve lived in my home for 43 years. Not only is it scary, expensive, and unnerving, the amount of stuff I am going through and making decisions on is mind-blowing. I’m determined, though, to keep pushing forward.
After losing my husband two years ago, a good friend invited me to an open art studio to try my hand at watercolors. I find it daunting, but want you to know I am learning some stuff. I find your website especially helpful as you talk about paints, paper, brushes, and techniques in language that I can understand. I want to thank you so much for all you do.
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Hi, My problem is I don’t have enough room for everything. That means I have too much stuff doesn’t it! Take care!!
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Hi Lindsay! Congratulations on finishing your illustration project! I love the rush I get when I finish a project. In my past life I was a program manager and the more complicated or urgent a project I had, the better the satisfaction at the end. I can’t wait to see your video of your decluttering – I read about the Konmari method after you mentioned it. I’d never heard if it! Every few years I do major purging of “stuff” – been doing it for years! I happened to accidentally throw out my high school diploma that way one year!! LOL! So, I had to go get a Bachelor’s degree so I’d have a diploma!! 😆 Anyway, you always give me great ideas, and my current project is actually sort of based on your oil painting of poppies tutorial. I did the tutorial and I have to say, it turned out exceptionally well!! A good friend has asked for it and I am happy give it to her. But, it also became a springboard for a very large painting I am doing for my dogs’ vet’s office. A poppy field with her first dog, now gone but never forgotten, and the reason she became a vet. She just opened her own new practice and has a space in her reception area intended for a TV. She is all about a quiet, relaxing atmosphere for her patients, so she doesn’t want a TV there, but wants to cover the existing cable and power outlets. So, a 30″x40″ canvas, plus frame will do!! 🙂 I have had to plan the layout, grid the dimensions so I could get my perspectives right, and do preliminary sketches, color swatches, etc., before I do a smaller, study, version. It is very satisfying to combine my learned analytical skills with my post-retirement artistic efforts!! I only started drawing and painting 4 years ago, so this is pretty cool for me! Thanks for all your inspiration!! You have been one of my most favorite, and best instructors!!
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Hi, Lindsay! Two huge projects – congratulations! I hope you find time for a celebration. You earned it! I’ll be buying that book for sure. My current big project is your Craftsy class. 🙂 I’m working on it in bits and pieces, and really enjoying learning stuff. I’ve just finished the three backgrounds. You’re a good teacher! I’m having fun with it, and I enjoy your YouTube videos a lot. Thanks for sharing your skills!
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Hi Lindsay 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS! I knew you could do it!
Love the paintings.
Take care.
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Looking forward to your series on declutter, am going to have to move soon to a more disability friendly abode. Just the thought of making destash decisions much less packing has me paralyzed with fear. If anyone can help me it will be you!
Love your puppy pic’s, you have the heart of a child in your illustrations.
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I am soooooo looking forward to your declutting video. I have so much to get rid of and am looking for inspiration from you. No pressure, Lindsey. LOL
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Well done Lindsay! I’m looking forward to your videos on de-cluttering your craft room and hope it gives me some tips. I’ve managed to complete all the projects at my art class this term – somehow I always seem to end up with a lot of half-finished work, but I’ve made time to do it and am really pleased.
Really enjoy your watercolour tutorials, particularly the landscapes, and love all the advice and your friendly manner – thank you!
All the best.
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The illustrations are gorgeous!
I had a family friend die last week. That affected my creative flow. I am working on doing 100 Mother’s day, and 100 Happy Easter or Happy Spring cards.
For mother’s day I want to send my mother about 250 cards to give out for different holidays at church.
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Very inspiring. I clean my craft room and then fill it back up. Thanks for the motivation
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simply adorable!!!
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There is nothing more satisfying than a finished piece of art whether water color or a cross stitch. 😀😀😀😎
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My husband is an only child, and when his parents passed away we inherited all their stuff along with his grandparents things. We are slowly learning to let go, but somethings are just harder to get rid of. An example; I have a hope chest full of hand embroidered dish towels that his grandmother and aunt made, I know I will never use them, but I just love them so.
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If you sew, maybe you can make them into a quilt? If you don’t, maybe have someone make it for you? Then you preserve the beautiful handwork & have a useful item.
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“Persistence beats perfection! ” Amen!!
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I am putting off decluttering, but I really want to donate my excess to people that are in need. I have set a goal to get rid of things I haven’t used in a year. Wish me luck. I love you artwork looks great.
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Lindsay, you remind me of the Eveready Bunny, honestly I don’t know how you do all the things that you do! You’re a real inspiration to us all that’s for sure. I do agree that you need to set goals, though, like you said, and work for it. As for the decluttering, I’ve tried little by little, but I was brought up in a family of 8 children and just my mother and we had very little. Mama was very frugal because she had to be, and saved whatever she could to reuse, and I know that’s where I get it from. I can’t wait to see the book when it’s published. Congratulations, your paintings look beautiful!
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thank you, my parents grew up in big families and the both have very different philosophies, my did is more minimal, he hates to see things wasted so he does not consume much, my mom saves everything but will gladly give her treasures to anyone who need something. I was taught not to waste so purging has always been difficult especially when you see possibility in every old box and scrap of ribbon but I also know that I do not need keep what I won’t use. It is wasteful for me to keep it and not use it, better to pass it on:)
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Congrats, dear Lindsay!!
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thanks!
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Can’t wait to see the book….illustrations look beautiful. Also looking forward to the decluttering video. I have tried to rearrange and now I just have a huge mess…need some ” before and after footage” to show me it can be done. Again..thanks for the pep talks.
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oh, there will be lots of footage, I will index it so people can jump to what the want to see:)
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hhh
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Congratulations, I really like children’s book art. Usually so upbeat and expressive. yours fits that bill.
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dear moderators sorry for that test hhh, I was trying to work out why I could not post on here earlier and showing my hubby, then suddenly it worked. lol so I do appologise for that mad. hhh
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You inspire me!! I am working on going through a bunch of my old writings and deciding what gets shredded and what gets saved. I have a “craft room as well” and I love it but also feel overwhelmed by it as it contains so much. Maybe I need to pare down my crafts and decide on a couple to concentrate on solely. ??? Not sure yet. Still deciding. Thank you for your awesome blog and for sharing with us – your readers.
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Lindsay–I’m hoping you can really show us how to declutter via “joy”–it’s difficult to say that a stack of glossy cardstock promotes joy, for instance–it gives me joy to have it when I need it, but real joy vs pitching it? There are a lot of us who are looking at you for guidance–the book is more absolute in home & personal items, but craft & art supplies are a whole different game, don’t you think?
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That was exactly what I was thinking! I find joy in finding supplies at home at not having to go to Hobby Lobby or another store to try to find just the right thing. I love when I can open my closet or cabinet and the right color, size, shape, etc. is right there and waiting to be used, or when I can modify the color with inks I’ve collected. But does any sheet of cardstock in itself bring joy?!? No. And while I agree that things that aggravate you should be removed, how much stuff is that likely to be?!? Just today I pulled out Testors paints bought for another project years ago that were perfect for something I needed today, and they were all still good, but I never would have said they brought me joy. Trust me, these will be some of your *most watched* videos of all time!!!
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Karen–you summed it all up EXACTLY. I’m a retired art teacher, and early in my career, we had mostly no supplies. Thus, I became a saver & hoarder & user of any and all that I could obtain. So now getting rid of any of it, even when I think I’ll no longer do that particular project, is very difficult. And I tend to work late at night when it’s not possible to run out to get whatever is needed–and who wants to do that anyway. Yes, these will be watched & watched videos.
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thanks:) I learned so much buy decluttering. I was able to project up some supplies for kids and also really see where I went overboard on a product only to hoard it because it was too precious to use. I also think we can get into the starving artist mentality instead of appreciating the abundance that we have:)
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yeah, adhesives don’t give me a thrill but I’d rather have a stockpile than have to run to the store mid project. Some things are like that, ou know they are needed so you keep them because they facilitate the joy:)
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OK Lindsay, that makes perfect sense–“facilitate the joy” gives a good perspective. Still anxious to see the videos & your other pitches and keeps and the rationale behind them. Obviously, for each of us, it will be different according to our uses. I just spied a piece of fabric a few min ago and thought–ugh, that gives me NO joy–so I’m thinking i need to purge it b/c it’s doubtful I’d ever use it for anything.
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You have challenged me to the monumental task of dispersing my accumulated ballast to my local thrift shop. Took me a lifetime to bury myself so I am going to pace myself. Looking forward to your videos.
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Congrats on the completion of two huge projects! Please tell us when the books you have illustrated are ready for print. I love your art and would be happy to purchase books illustrated by you!
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Sea Glass and the Lighthouse by Kelly Brooks Bay (due out this summer) and I also illustrated her book The Rainbow Pants in 2013
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Well done! You give such good advice and tutorials. When I first started making cards a year ago, your video on inks help me choose what I still use today. Today I have started a project on learning how to draw and paint…and again one of your videos have given me invaluable advice. So thank you so much for everything you do and share with others. 😘😘😘
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Good for you getting all your work done…I’m working on a cute family tree (stick people for family) I have to water color the back ground just sky and then different greens to make different yards for each family…don’t know how to do the yards…and my first large piece of water color paper…I’m used to using a pad of paper…any suggestions on how to separate each family of the family tree…or how to do the different yards…So long story short I’m afraid to start lol
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maybe you can do a blog of green (leaves) and put each section of family in that part of the tree
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You are just too much too amazing too inspiring and so talented! I learn so much!
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A HUGE CONGRATS!!!!!!!!
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I have a terminal illness. My daughter suggested that I make wedding cards for all 8 of my grandchildren. I worked hard and completed the project. God gave me more time so I moved on and completed graduation cards for them.
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God bless you. I’m recovering from a recent stroke & am doing extremely well. Your post has given me renewed strength to fight through all the fatigue & get projects done again. I wish you love & comfort in your remaining time.
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Your story brought a tear to my eyes and made my heart swell, those cards will be cherished more than you know. Hugs:)
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Congratulations on finishing both of your projects. And for getting at the decluttering befor it took over your life! I started decluttering my entire house a year before we moved – 20 years worth of clutter was a daunting task and it seems to be endless! I didn’t manage to finish it before the move and ended up using /paying for 2storage units as I continued to wade thru all the accumulated stuff. A year into the new house, I’ve whittled it down to one small storage unit now and REALLY hope I’ll see an end to it this summer. I’ll be doing the happy dance around the house. I’ve promised myself I won’t accumulate more art supplies than I can reasonably use and enjoy. I can’t face another decluttering project in this lifetime!
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Kia Ora from Aotearoa.
Greetings from New Zealand.
I love the inspirational comments above. I am in permanent declutter mode as we have downsized and have set the rule that if something comes into the house something must go out! So far so good….
Kia Kaha (means “stay Strong”) in Maori.
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I’m working on Tax Season…. Yes, I work in for CPA’s. Just a couple weeks to go before I can get back to being creative on a regular basis again. I am so thankful for your Friday live streams! They really help my weeks end on a happier note!
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Thank you for the challenge. Actually I’m slowly working on reorganizing my garage that has most of my craft stash along with part of another room. It is a slow process because of health getting in the way quite often. Then I get discouraged. Then a better day comes and my energy keeps on going and I stay on my feet to long and they swell up. The next day I must stay off my feet. Balance would be in order for me. I like what you said in #2 Persistence beats perfection. i need that reminder every day. Love your work and teaching. Thanks and loads of hugs, Marcia
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Good for you, getting your illustrations done!!!!! It’s so hard to create on demand. And, glad your decluttering is going well. I did my craft room, though there really is more that should go. The down side is that I don’t want to mess it up! 🙂
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well done!
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