Getting Rid of Posessions

As you know if you have been reading this blog, my husband and I have been slowly selling and donating all our unnecessary possessions. Well yesterday I took the extremely liberating step of getting rid of nearly all of my embroidery threads. Yes I know that embroidery is my job, but I have so many threads that I can't really look at them with any ease. Yesterday I had a stack and store box about a metre long and 7 large lentil pots full of threads; now I have one small bag. I really feel very positive about the change. I did the same thing with my fabrics too, again one stack and store box the same as the other one, down to black, white, interfacing, interlining and aida. I really feel now that I could move house in a van and I think it will be very useful in my work as I get more creative when I am pushed.

Do I Need a Watch?

I have been living without my watch for almost 2 weeks now and it is rather liberating. OK I realise this is not for everyone, I work from home and I can work when I want, but it is interesting seeing your body clock kick in again. Things like I am hungry, so I eat, I am tired, so I go to bed.

Last week I went to Ireland to see my in-laws, we had a lovely time and really enjoyed going back there, it stirred all kinds of feelings of wanting to return, the quiet was so inspiring and I think I am ready to live in the country again.

I have finally caught up with myself from the time away and I spent a lot of the weekend putting items on Ebay. Another 71 items will be either sold or taken to the charity shop in 2 weeks. Hooray!

I have been looking at student accommodation for inspiring pictures (for the simplicity not the stereotypical mess!) The rooms are simple, functional and honest. I am really hoping to get rid of so much clutter that our house looks a lot like this:

Obay Your Conscience

This is a new theory I am putting into practice, and it seems like a very sensible idea. It is very simple and easy to do and makes a real difference. I am not saying do this every time, but try it and see what happens.

When you next hear you conscience piping up, do what it says. If for example you have a request for money from a charity you agree with (please not one that tests on animals!), then instead of thinking that 'really you should but....' just get on with it, it stops all those feelings of guilt and 'what if' and you can just continue your day knowing that you have done a good thing. It is the same with things like cleaning, rather than saying 'oh I must do that' and forgetting, get on with it now, then you are not struck by that pang of guilt again.

My Seahorse article is nearly ready for Stitch magazine and then I will be having a well earned holiday in Ireland where I used to live to visit James' parents. I can't wait!

The Teetotal, Vegan Animal Rights Embroiderer!

I have been doing a lot of reading recently about all kinds of things, one of the things that sticks with me from yesterday is 'Be Yourself'. I know it is not new or anything, but it is very easy to forget, to feel you need to be like everyone else. So I am going to write it here so everyone knows that I don't have a problem with it.

I am a vegan, people tend to get weird when they find this out, but I should not be ashamed or assume there will be the often played game of 'attack the vegan', if any questions do arise I should treat them as enquiries, not a personal attack.

I like to wear gothy clothes, I stop doing this when I get shouted at in the street, but again I should not be bothered what they think. Why do I care, I am never going to see them again and they don't know anything about me.

I am trying to live minimally, I am selling loads of our miscellaneous stuff that has just accumulated over the years and the idea is to be able to at least move house in a van. I know that it does not seem very minimal, but you should have seen it before! I have sold about 700 items on Ebay, taken about 60 bin bags of stuff to the charity shop and we are making an effort not to buy anything unless we really need it and to use up the things we have. For example in the kitchen we have loads of bits and bobs that are sat at the back of the cupboard waiting to be used one day, so we thought we will not buy anything that will not be used right away and slowly get through the jars of olives and curry paste that have been waiting and it makes you very creative which is a lot of fun. There becomes a pride saying that this meal used up X jars or bottles

I am a hand embroiderer. I love beautiful embroidery and I can't stand the majority of modern pieces that are full of 'product of the week.' When I say this I mean things that are made using the latest technique or gunk that is on sale. If it is done well then fine, but stop telling me that this is what I should be doing.

I love heavy industrial metal music. I think it is strange sometimes that such a gentle thing as embroidery is done with that music, but it is great.

I used to drink too much. I have tried giving up on several occasions, but this time I think I am winning. It has been probably about 2 weeks since my last drink and compared to it at its worst where I would drink if I was not hungover, this is great. I think the key is to find things you woud rather do. We have signed up to a film club and that is great fun when a new DVD arrives

I don't watch normal TV and don't have a license. I just watch the things that interest me like films and good series' that come from the film club, so no TV license is required (before you report me!)

I am very interested in animal rights. I don't do anything illegal, but I take part in demos and try to spread the word with my work.

I have added a picture of my house to show that the minimalism is definitely a work in progress....! My husband is writing a blog about his thoughts which you can read here

Ruth's New Blog

I am starting a new blog. As I understand it will be possible to sign up and it will therefore be easier to follow me.

I was explaining in the previous blog that our cat Kanga was poorly as she had been poisoned, sadly yesterday she died. She was about 10 or 11 and will be missed very much.

I have spent the day packing Ebay parcels, I am not sure they will be very pleased with me at the post office as I have loads of things for them.

I have one kit to make for tomorrow, but I am currently trying to catch up with the jobs I haven't done over the past few days and another batch of items are selling on Ebay and will need packing.....oh dear! I do like the fact that there is less clutter, and my bank account is definitely enjoying the sales, but it does take a surprising amount of time.

We are off to Ireland for a week soon and that will be a much deserved break from magazine articles, kits and Ebay! (Not that I am complaining, I am very lucky to do what I do)

I hope you like the new blog format, feel free to contact me with any ideas or problems