Here is what’s on my fall cleaning to-do list:

• Get the HVAC unit serviced. Nothing sucks more than a heater going out when it’s 30 degrees outside!
• Change the batteries in the smoke detectors. Some say to make the change when the time change occurs, but I know some places (like Phoenix, from which I just returned) don’t observe daylight savings time.
• Clean my son’s room. My son just can’t get his own room clean enough. Besides, this is a great opportunity to bag up the toys and clothes he’s outgrown and give them to Goodwill.
• Clean all the closets. Again, this is the best time to give away those clothes that haven’t been worn for two seasons and the sheets that go with nothing.
• Clean out the attic. I swear there’s a floor under all that crap.
• Organize the pantry. I have canned goods and spices that I know must predate my son.
• Sort through my recipe binder. I need to toss out the recipes for dishes I’ll never make and file under the right category the ones I plan to make over and over.
• Return to the gym. Unfortunately, I took the summer off, and it shows.
• Sign up for that online course. I’m going to take one on novel writing because some day I hope to actually find time to write one.

What’s on your fall-cleaning to-do list?

Photo, Flickr, riot jane

Post from: Blisstree

It’s Time for ‘Fall Cleaning’

Image: sxc.hu

During the 1970s, I had an at-home quiltmaking and art business (whatever would bring income).  My painting, starting out with commissioned paintings and evolved into card and notepaper design.  I created these items to sell in shops around the area.

When I took on a full time job as a newspaper reporter, some of my art ventures were pushed into the background as I wrote about them instead of pursuing them for income.  In those days, before computers and personal printing programs, I painted or inked each item by hand.

Now I’m pondering…what shall I do with them?

• In these days of computer generated personal cards and notepaper, I could print them for my own use.  I’ve done this with some of my paintings.
• I could use them as designs for the site I’m setting up at Cafe Press.  They then could be transferred to a variety of items.
• I could try sending the designs to greeting card companies.  (However, I’m reluctant to give up ownership to them.)
• I can use the designs in some of my books.

What would you do?  I’ll keep you posted.

(Incidentally, you never know what you’ll come across if you continue with that 20 minutes per day of organization!)

Post from: Blisstree

Finding Artistic “Treasures”

My daughter is going through her supplies, as well as quilting and arts books, trying to determine which she should keep.  Our multigenerational house (home for six of us plus dog and guinea pig) is overflowing.  So all of us are culling “stuff” for our yard sales that will start as soon as the dirt road leading to our house is past “mud season.”

Alyson B. Stanfield, author of I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion. and blogger at ArtBizBlog.com mentions in her newsletter, “Spring cleaning makes room for better things.”

Post from: Blisstree

Spring Cleaning Your Art and Ideas

However, I’ve found some really neat ideas at The Domestic Diva’s Disasters‘ post, Sew Very Organized. There you’ll find a great collection of ideas for all kinds of organization.  This also is an interesting site to browse around for organizational ideas.

Post from: Blisstree

Keeping Your Quilting Area & Home Organized