Creative Living Creativity Corner

Styling the Seasons – January

January 19, 2015

This is my second time joining the #stylingtheseasons series. My first one was when it launched back in September 2014.

Styling The Seasons is a joint project run by Katy from Apartment Apothecary and Charlotte from Lotts and Lots . Each month they challenge anyone to style a surface in their home to reflect what the month means to them. Here’s Charlotte’s and Katy’s January posts.

January to me is always about new beginnings. It feels as if the way I will start the year is the way it will continue and end. I like to make sure that I’ve allocated some time over the Christmas break to de-clutter, to plan and plot ideas and to be ahead of the game.

It therefore seemed only right to invite you into (a section of) my recently de-cluttered working desk. You see, writing and drawing utensils, in all shapes and forms, I don’t lack in. The problem is more to be able to lay my hands on exactly what I’m looking for at any given time. I’m delighted with this new way of organising them. Let me show you!

Instead of having, like in the past, larger storage containers holding simply more writing and drawing utensils, I have matched the size of the containers according to the particular series of utensils I want to group together.

styling the seasons - january

This is working rather well for me. As I’m attempting to do a sketch a day in 2015 and am also very particular about my writing utensils, this is definitely the solution and way forward. Sounding anal? I am when it comes to my stationery and mark making:-)

styling the seasons - january

It probably makes little sense to you guys why and how I’ve grouped things the way they are and to be honest I was going to list all my utensils and link to them like I did in my first post for this series. Time restraints and having had the flu for the past few days have come in the way!

styling the seasons - january

However, I will list some of the brands at the end of the post, because I can’t refrain from doing so!

I’m also extremely chuffed with my new 2015 workbook. B4 in size (I’m sometimes tired of A sizes, do you know what I mean?), bought at the gorgeous Cloth House, it’s covered in red linen and has green, lined pages inside. Now, many of you know I only use blank notebooks and sketchbooks. This is DEFINITELY the exception to the rule but I just fell in love with it. Made in India, it’s a bit tatty, which I love, and very unique. I tore off some of the label and attached the felt 2015. Like?

styling the seasons - january

styling the seasons - january

OK, that’s it. May my new found system stay pristine like this throughout the year. Wish me luck!

Koi-i-noor | Kaweco | Graf von Faber Castell | Montblanc mechanical pencil | Stabilo Point 88 (mini) |Pilot G-Tec -C4 | Faber Castell Pitt artist pen | Lamy Calligraphy Fountain pen | Pilot V Sign pen | Sakura Micron pens | Uniball Signo broadUniball Signo broad | Faber Castell broad pen 1554 | Pentel Sign pen | Sakura Gelly Roll | Stabilo Woody | Karisma | Stabilio Point 68 | Marabu Deco Painter | Palomino Blackwing

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18 Comments

  • Reply caroline @trend-daily January 19, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    I love the sound of styling the seasons Tina and I signed up for Lisa’s course last week too! Now, the only thing is to ACTUALLY DO them-along with UJB. It’s one of my NY resolutions to make much more effort alongside work-ME time! LOVE your drawings hon and your desk layout-inspiring-must do the same. Hope to report back that I have actually got my arse into gear….. 😉 xx

    • Reply tina January 22, 2015 at 4:39 pm

      Oh Carolina, go and let’s doodle and sketch together, as in let’s be sketching buddies.

      I know there’s so much to do and so very little time. I’m loving all these series’ and am bringing out my own soonish.
      On one hand it’s a lot of work, on the other hand they are fun and interactive.

      Thank you sweetie. If you want help with ME time and drawing time etc, give me a shout….. I can always nudge you a little:-) xx

  • Reply Katy at Apartment Apothecary January 19, 2015 at 3:31 pm

    Pen envy, notebook envy, creative energy envy! I hope 2015 is a wonderful year for you, Tina, especially now you are all organised and raring to go (minus the flu, of course) xxx

    • Reply tina January 22, 2015 at 4:40 pm

      Hahaha. Thank you Katy. Just need to get my strength back. Year started great and then FLU.. all behind me now.
      Loving the series xx

  • Reply Mary @ HOP Design Studio January 19, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    Tina,

    This is such a great idea! I really should do something like this and join you.
    Likewise I’m very particular about my pens too! Only specific pens and paper type will do. Look forward in seeing more throughout the year.

    Mary xx

    • Reply tina January 22, 2015 at 4:42 pm

      Yes, go on. Let’s have Hop Design Stuido and Colourliving/Mapology Studio PEN collaboration days or something:-)
      I can imagine you being discerning about your materials and rightly so! xx

  • Reply Shobha January 20, 2015 at 8:13 am

    As long as it makes sense to you – that’s all that matters. I have the same issue. The groups make sense to me!

    • Reply tina January 22, 2015 at 4:44 pm

      Ha. You are so right. Any system works if it’s right for that person.
      Not sure why I never thought about it before. I think I was governed by the pen holders.
      Now I look for holders that will hold the group of pens I want. Magic!!

      Let me know if you’ve re-arranged yours.

  • Reply Holly January 20, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    I just love organising systems 😉 This looks like a solid approach Tina. Look at all those pretty utensils you have! I’m sure your new sketchbook will be filled with love by the end of the year. xoxoxo

    • Reply tina January 22, 2015 at 4:45 pm

      I know, always a good idea and very inspiring. It’s keeping them that I am not so good at.
      I hope so… xxx

  • Reply mel January 21, 2015 at 9:04 am

    Hello Tina and happy new year to you! Organisation is definitely at the forefront of my mind at this time also and I did a huge amount but barely touched the surface I think… Your pen and pencil collection is insane and they look stunning together like that. I’ll definitely join in on the fun in the next month or two, always love a good styling exercise. Big hugs to you. Mel xx

    • Reply tina January 22, 2015 at 4:46 pm

      Hello Mel!! HNY
      Ha, I’m laughing coz I’m constantly de-cluttering and it feels as if I had just started. I wonder when one actually
      gets that feeling of de-clutter:-)

      I’m sure you’ll love joining this series. Look forward to seeing you there xx

  • Reply Alison Sye January 23, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    Using the twine as a scissor holder – what a great idea 🙂

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 10:44 am

      Thank you Alison. Love those scissors x

  • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey January 25, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    You’d hate my desk. There’s no room for anything really on here 😉 Good luck with the new system xo

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 10:45 am

      Hahaha, I know this is probably hurting your eyes and sense of order:-))
      You know what they say, each to their own. You probably have a desk with your iMac, your Monocle coaster for a cup of coffee and that’s it:-)
      Am I correct? xx

  • Reply Louise - 30s Magazine January 26, 2015 at 8:48 am

    That chair is so you! It looks beautiful. And thumbs up for being so organized. It incites me to do the same. (Sorry for not commenting regularly…my health problems, you know, so something’s got to give.)

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 10:47 am

      Thank you:-) Had to be yellow, right?

      Hoping you are feeling better. Not seen you around much and still not clear how to comment on your blog. Have the same issues with Alison’ blog.
      I can’t somehow log in?? AM sure have mentioned it before. Have you considered transferring your blog onto your own domain?

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