I would LOVE the opportunity to come teach your group! Please email for details.
LET THE MAGIC IN YOU COME OUT!

Search This Blog

1.16.2013

WASTE NOT...WANT NOT



I painted the back of this metal weaving - which is on a piece of thin wood - black.



I thought maybe I'd list it on Etsy but can't get good pictures of it.


The color is off in many of them



and I can't even concentrate enough to try again.


We're leaving for the States next week to buy a house


and then it'll be quite the challenge to sell


or even give away - 58 years worth of belongings.


It's all staying in Colombia...I think.


Got my brain going in circles thinking about it. 



We've decided to give up the apartment in May...instead of keeping it another year.


The challenge is that we don't speak Spanish well enough to answer the phone...



if we were to list items for sale in the paper, etc.


Can't have a yard sale where we're at.


I'm thinking it'll all just go to whoever wants to carry it away.


And what do I do?


I paint the back of my woven piece.


And then, because I can't stand to see a bit of leftover paint go down the drain...



I use every little smidge of it to stencil or apply to previously surface designed pieces...



until there is no more paint on the pallet or the brush and the water you see in this picture is all that went down the drain. 



This might tell you how much I have to get rid of.


I'm confessing. I'm a hoarder. A collector. A recycler.



OMGoodness. What have I created?



Create Your Life,



annie!

48 comments:

  1. moving... wishing you luck. remember you don't have to give away all , you can ship stuff to the states.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Neki. We spent a small fortune bringing it all to Colombia and it honestly wasn't worth it. We said we'd never do that again. For instance, Hubby checked the price of shipping his 55 lb welder and it'll cost almost $500. It's only worth $1,000 new.

      Delete
  2. Aww, looks like you have a lot to do annie! Will you find something in Columbia to rent easily enough then...(how come you don't keep current rental going?) ybf ann.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm taking big, deep breaths and doing the next thing. Well, I would be if I could unstick myself from this computer. We're letting the apartment here in Colombia go when our lease is up in May/June. We'll be buying a house in St Pete next month to move to once we've come back to set everything straight here. We thought about keeping the apartment for another year but that would make finances so tight...that life just wouldn't be too enjoyable. This way, I'll get to come back to visit the girls more often. Hillary has told me that I'm welcome to stay with them whenever I come back. At this point, I'm afraid Jerry doesn't WANT to! (But I know he'll miss the girls too and will come with me...at least sometimes).

      Delete
  3. Delightful post. And you could think of getting rid of all the stuff as a way of lightening up and making way for the new. I have been trying to downsize for years--unsuccessfully, but it feels great when I make an inch of headway!
    best, nadia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for saying that Nadia. I began thinking that way about letting stuff go...and regressed a bit. Your comment has helped me back on track. I gave away and sold some things today...and it felt GOOD.

      Delete
  4. One step at a time! It will all get done because you (and Jerry) are phenomenal! I’m crossing my fingers you’ll find the perfect home in St. Pete!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Panting, heart racing and spinning have all slowed down a bit this evening. It WILL get done. Thank you SO much for your confidence and for your crossed fingers. I have a great feeling about the perfect house waiting for us.

      Delete
  5. those metal weavings are innovative and vert striking. Love your work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much ST! I had a lot of fun making that piece...but I think I learned that I prefer soft. Who knows though...how I'll feel tomorrow!

      Delete
  6. gorgeous, just so unique, I love your art!!!
    Have a safe trip and enjoy your adventure!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love your imagination!
    and . . . I want to see your altered books.
    Tell where to go. What posts?
    I hope that you are having a wonderful and art filled day.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so sweet! Thank you very much. :)

      I haven't completed but two altered books and am working in another.

      http://bohemiannieart.blogspot.com/2011/05/china-flight-my-first-altered-book.html

      http://bohemiannieart.blogspot.com/2012/01/altered-book-insight.html

      http://bohemiannieart.blogspot.com/2012/01/evolution-2k12.html

      http://bohemiannieart.blogspot.com/2012/03/im-getting-closer-to-my-home.html

      There are probably more posts and if you want, you can type 'altered book' into the search bar on my blog. It'll take you to way more than you probably want to see!!!

      I do way more with fabric books and same goes there as far as the search goes. If you want to see both...just type in book and again...it'll give you more than enough!

      I really, Really appreciate you asking!!!

      Delete
  8. I just love the metal weaving piece!! the colour... the little letters woven into it...fabulous. I do feel for you having to part with all your precious treasure, I too am a bit of a hoarder...you never know when something will come in useful :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Morag! :) I guess I should have said that the blue was the truest color. I really like the way it photographed (dark) under the lamp...but can't offer it for sale unless I get it right! Thanks for the sympathy. I'm going to do my level best to look at it as making way for the new 'old' stuff. You wouldn't BELIEVE what I own. Well, yeah...you probably would.

      Delete
  9. a small blessingof moving aboute very 5years isthat i havent'h ungont oa bsolutely everything that came intomy path. I likett ha thing you created and ili keiti n the varietyofcol orsy ourphot ographs show. (We have a word game together now, you and I) LOL ok?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Shit. I mean dang! Really, what I mean is...OH WHAT FUN!

      I'm laughing so hard that Jerry is giving me funny looks. And yes, I think I'll enjoy this word game.

      I like the way it photographed in different colors too! And thanks SO much Annie. I'll decipher your awesome comments any time.

      Delete
  10. you are so inspirering with your creativity...love the way you use all the things that surrounds you to create your wonderful live love the last piece with its leaves and stamps....blessings ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Piarom! I have a lot surrounding me. HaHa! Really, I've collected all my life. I'm not like those people you see on tv...but my Colombian friends think I am. Really I'm not. The last piece is paper with leaves in it that I picked up at a yard sale. I covered it with mud as an experiment (making mud cloth) - just needed a little bit more. Still does. :)

      Delete
  11. I understand the bittersweet, but look for a silver lining. I think that once you have paired everything down to the necessary and have made the transition, you will be able to start collecting again. You will quickly assemble a fresh palette to create your new life.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree and I AM finding the silver lining. It almost feels really good to think about being totally de-cluttered. :)

      Delete
  12. Annie, I have a touch of the hoarding bug myself, so I understand. But, honestly, you will be surprised at how liberating it is to give things away and to start over with a clean slate. I think you will be happier when it's all said and done. At least that is my wish for you. Good luck with the move :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm in agreement with you Starr. Just the little bit I've given away these past couple days has been liberating! We're still checking around for shipping prices for art supplies and tools...but it takes the help of someone who speaks Spanish and it's slow going.

      Delete
  13. Marvelous metal weaving Annie, love this

    ReplyDelete
  14. It looks like you've created a beautiful mess! :0

    ReplyDelete
  15. wow this is so creative and unique. really beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  16. LOVE your woven metal artwork Annie... the colors are delish... and so much excitement for you at the moment with finding a new place... we have moved LOTS of times... and the thing I really love about is... the letting go of things I no longer need... it is a great feeling... beautiful photos in your post too...

    Jenny ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Jenny. We're so excited and happy - for the most part. Leaving things behind is becoming much easier. We've moved a lot too and have let go a LOT and you're right. I know you're right.

      Delete
  17. you really are in a predicament with how to get rid of things! that would have my head spinning too. But once it is gone.... what a great feeling! wahoo! wishing you safe journey and may you find a way to let go of things gracefully.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep! In the last 3 days, we've decided what - in terms of pounds - we can ship back. So...about 90% will stay. I'm hoping I can find a good home for my treasures!!! Thanks so much!

      Delete
  18. I am now following your blog. What a cute blog name! Please visit my blog www.everydayruralty.com and don't forget to say hello.

    Just a thought on your predicament. You could probably hire someone who speaks both Spanish and English for very little to help you as you sell your things. It would be some work for you, but it might work. You'd be likely to find someone like that at a high school or college. I'm afraid I haven't read enough on your blog to know what area you are in. I was busy looking at your cool art! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Patrice! I really appreciate the advice and we do have a friend who's help has been invaluable! He doesn't have regular work...so it's a win-win for both of us. We're in Barranquilla, Colombia..where by the way, we haven't had internet all weekend...so I'm working on my Grow Your Blog Party post right now in hopes to get it published! Hope you'll come back for a visit and I'm off to see your blog!

      Delete
  19. You have a lovely blog, thank you for sharing. I am a new follower and 'Grow Your Blog' participant. Have fun at the party!

    Evalina, This and that...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi EvalinaMaria! Thanks so much for visiting. Our internet has been down since Friday and I have a Grow Your Blog Party post that I'm working on right now...finally...if you want to take another look...and participate in the give-away. I'm off now to visit your blog.

      Delete
  20. Hello Annie, I love your post! I wish I could see your new art piece clearly. It looks amazing whatever it is! lol!
    I am sorry you seem stuck in your situation. Is there no one, a friend or ??? who could interpret for you? I wish you the very best during this transition.
    Hugs,
    Terri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Terri! Thank you so very much! It's a wall hanging and there is a whole picture of it...surrounded by black. I felt the same way about the pictures...they just didn't convey. Anywho, we do have some people helping us...but Colombia is a land of 'no worries' and 'tomorrow'. We're getting there.

      Delete
  21. Wish you well on the house hunting...don't sell your art supplies! Gorgeous work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anita! Lots of them will be sold...but I'm keeping my favorites...somehow...someway!

      Delete
  22. Hi Annie,

    Wonderful art! I'm visiting from Vicki's Grow Your Blog Party and hope you will stop by for a visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Donna! We had no internet in our city over the weekend...so I've got my Party Post up if you want to make another visit and be eligible for the give-away. I'm on my way to your blog now!

      Delete
  23. ABSOLUTELY WONDROUS pieces Annie!
    I adore your art my dear! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Thank you. I feel exactly the same about your art.

      Delete
  24. I don't see an email so contacting you here; I love your work and am soliciting blog posts for a blogger's literary magazine of sorts; to help promote excellent blogging.

    I would love to use the images of that blue metal weaving. To see what this is about you can go to:

    http://thewoventalepress.wordpress.com

    I hope to have you, but either way I'd appreciate a response. You can email me at sandratyler@me.com

    my own blog is:

    http://www.awriterweavesatale.com

    Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hey Annie...I'm creating a FB page for the Woven Art Press and want to use your weaving as part of the cover image. It's a montage of sorts...

    https://www.facebook.com/TheWovenTalePress

    can you email me to confirm? sandratyler@me.com

    ReplyDelete

Yuckola. More than half of my email has been from anonymous, so.....