Phew! She made it through the cull, I am pleased to say. Not that there was any real doubt in my mind about it. But when you are in a simplifying, clutter-clearing, do-I-really-really-need-this frame of mind, you can never be quite sure what will happen next. So thank-you to Cheri for a suggestion to add to my list of useful questions (see Wednesday this week) when examining each item coming in or out of our craft-spaces, houses, lives. (I'd like to add the other ideas too, with the authors' permissions, and post them as a pdf, so I will be contacting you all). Cheri's prompt read: "Does seeing you make me happy, bring a smile to my face, or make me tingle with joy?"
Well, Gladys does all three. Just over two feet high, cast in bronze, she has character too. Orginally, I was just going to post a little photo, but I felt she deserved more than that. So here is Gladys, honoured on a whole scrapbook page. I hope you like her too.
Right, back to tackling those myriad piles of books ... It would be quicker if I didn't stop to browse ones I haven't seen for years. Still, out of one jumped this quote by a Ms. Patricia Schroeder which is right on the button for my thinking this week: "I have always preferred having wings to having things".
See you next week?
Love the surprised look on her face - I expect she is amazed at how much you have achieved with your renovation!
Posted by: Karen Moss | Friday, 11 February 2011 at 06:24 AM
Beautiful layout Alexa. A very creative use of gridded squares. I agree with you, Gladys does deserve a whole page to herself. Glad she escaped the cuts :) Px
Posted by: Paul B | Friday, 11 February 2011 at 09:08 AM
I'm so glad that Gladys has found a new place in your home she definitely deserved to escape the cull. I love the expression on her face. Do you change her hairstyle too - I don't think I could resist. See you next week enjoy your weekend :)
Posted by: Amanda | Friday, 11 February 2011 at 10:02 AM
Oh I love that scrap page, Alexa! Gladys must feel you have really done her justice.
And I wholeheartedly agree with that extra "condition" when deciding whether to keep or throw away...
Trouble is, I just haven't got that sort of energy just now, so it's building up and up... but I did organise my bookbinding papers on Wednesday, into some A1-size art storage bags that I bought. It will be much easier to find what I need now, as I only have to lift one bag from the shelf, instead of a huge and heavy pile of assorted papers!
Keep up the good work; but take time to enjoy what you have done so far!
And give my regards to Gladys!
Posted by: Lizzie | Friday, 11 February 2011 at 10:10 AM
Oh..this is terrific! I just love what you've done here with Gladys!!!
Posted by: Marcie | Friday, 11 February 2011 at 12:29 PM
Very glad Gladys escaped the cull....she has already brought a smile to my face.
Posted by: Jacky S | Friday, 11 February 2011 at 12:46 PM
Gladys definitely deserved to make the cut. And she does look rather shocked about the state of the kitchen! Maybe that look will soften when her hair grows back. So glad you found my question helpful - to me it is almost the defining one in the keep or toss controversy.
Posted by: Cheri | Friday, 11 February 2011 at 01:25 PM
Oh, I love Gladys! But love the thought of you conversing with her over a cup of tea even more :)
Posted by: Helen | Friday, 11 February 2011 at 04:19 PM
I completely agree with Cheri. I apply it to buying things - sometimes if it simply gives me pleasure that is a good enough reason to have it.
A beautiful page.
Posted by: Sian | Friday, 11 February 2011 at 06:39 PM
Gladys is beautiful :) Lovely layout Alexa.
Posted by: Ginger | Saturday, 12 February 2011 at 07:21 AM
Love Gladys. She deserves to stay. I've ordered The Joy of Less, but even before it comes, I've started purging. Our painting project has led us to purchase a new flat-screen TV which required a new media cabinet, which led to switching a cheap media cabinet from upstairs with one from downstairs . . . Let's just say, one thing leads to another, and I've needed to purge to make room for the things that I want to keep. Once the shelves in the living room are uncovered again, I'll be purging those shelves and cupboards too. Thanks for putting this project back at the top of the To-Do list.
Posted by: Karen | Saturday, 12 February 2011 at 11:21 PM
Sorry I missed your earlier post, but I couldn't have added any advice better than that you started with yourself and that which others have added! Hooray for Gladys :-)
Posted by: Mel | Sunday, 13 February 2011 at 08:05 PM
She is fabulous Alexa, as is her page. x
Posted by: Miriam | Sunday, 13 February 2011 at 10:12 PM
Gladys looks pleased to be back in favour & serving a useful purpose. Your page is sharp, clear and very eye catching with the bright green contrasting with the stone. Love it!
Posted by: giselle | Monday, 14 February 2011 at 12:12 AM
She's wonderful! Wish she lived at my house ... and I would talk to her too.
Posted by: Rosie | Thursday, 17 February 2011 at 07:20 PM