Last weekend our little family trekked over to a little town called Thatcher, Arizona for a funeral. Some of David’s family is from that area. And therefore, many of our roots can be found in these grounds. Beautiful little place isn’t it?
During our short stay in Thatcher we visited the home of some relatives. A home I have never been to before. A home where I — um, I mean my kids — could get lost for hours. Fascinating collections and decor and art and every bit of it was designed and built and created by their own hands many years ago. This place could be a museum.
And listen — if any more-closely-related relatives happen to read my blog and happen to have your eye on this piece (you know who you are … you’d recognize the light fixture from their entry way) … I will seriously arm-wrestle you for this. Or make you a delicious treat. Or watch your kids for a weekend. Or give you a pedicure. I’m just saying. This light fixture and me … you see, we belong together. A fresh coat of white spray paint and seriously. Do you see the vision? Yum.
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Completely unrelated but a fun way to dive into the weekend …
[ Giveaway update ]
1. Congratulations to Megan in Napa, CA! You were randomly selected to win a pair of the darling Sassafrass Mary Janes and rosette tutorial! Shoot an email to erin@BringingUpBurns.com and Erin will hook you up.
2. Another giveaway for today: Got paper clutter? No? Well then yay for you. I’m impressed. But if you’re like most folks … you’ve got some clutter to tackle. Aby Garvey, professional organizer, is teaching an workshop that begins this Tuesday and you just may be interested.
“Organize Your Paper Clutter” is a 6-lesson online course that is designed to help people solve all the common causes of paper clutter by setting up functional (and attractive!) organizing solutions for the various types of paper that come into the home. This isn’t a one-size-fits all workshop, but rather a guided tour that helps the participant figure out what will work well for them and their natural ways of doing things. You can learn all about it HERE.
If you’re not familiar with online workshops you can participate in a free sample lesson by clicking HERE. In the meantime, Aby is giving away a virtual seat in her course to one of my readers. You know what to do. Leave a comment with your name and where you live-ish (not that it matters where you live … just so you’re more easily identifiable). Happy Weekend! If you get the chance, go discover & explore someplace new. And bring your camera.
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Happy Weekend! If you get the chance to discover and explore some place new — do it. And bring your camera. ; )
Paper clutter is my middle name!!
Fingers crossed all the way from Ontario, Canada!!
Carolynn Hale
Thanks for a chance and totally see your vision on the light fixture!
Grantsville, UT
OMG!! I have got more paper clutter than you can imagine! If you could only see my desk space right now!! LOL! I could really use some help and some time!! Louisville, KY
Papehousr clutter is rampid in my house, HELP!!!
Colleen, West Jordan Ut.
I’d love to win a spot in that class! Just finishing her It’s About Time class and I love it!!! Thanks for the chance!
Love that light too!!
Ramie
Grovetown, GA
Organization is a must for my crafting area! I used to have an entire room to “spread out” but had to move into my husband’s office when our baby was born. Worth the trade-off, but with less space, organization is critical!! Could use any tips I can get!
Amy
Wake Forest, NC
p.s. love the light fixture!!!
The class sounds interesting!
Kristin, Pearland TX
First: Yes, that is a GORGEOUS light fixture!! Love it!
Second: Haha…I’m sitting right now with a pile of papers around me, sorting through them and trying to organize important info so I don’t have to go searching again next month when it’s time to pay bills. So yes, I’d love a course on how to be better at doing this!
Megan in PCB, FL
Paper clutter? Are you kidding me — I probably have a small forest worth of trees of paper clutter. You name it – Kids papers they bring home from school, I especially love the ones that have 1 crayon mark on it and they bring it home and plan to hold on to it forever; office paper – I work from home — I can’t even see my office it so buried underneath paper!; scrapbook room paper – don’t even get me started! I save every scrap for a future project; and did I mention the recycling paper, the junk mail, coupons, receipts, and my favorite — the old bills/statements that you are supposed to hold onto for 7 years — that I have NEVER, NOT ONCE have ever had to refer back to??? Like I said – small forest!
Johnstown, PA
JoAnn
Miamisburg ohio
Melanie from Fuquay-Varina, NC
I am the queen of paper piles.
Tami
Spokane, WA
Working on the organization piece right now. Please Help!!! Terrie in Phoenix, AZ
As a true paper whore I wonder if it is really possible for it to be organized. I’d love to find out here in Moorpark, CA.
Katie W. Moncks Corner, SC
I am a Stampin’ Up! Demo and paper clutter is a way of life at my house with all of the class projects that I prep and shows I do. I definitely need this course!!! Thanks for the shot!
Have I got paper clutter!! Would love to get it attractively under control. Thanks for the chance to win.
Calgary, AB
Help! I need to find my desk again. Desperately need to clear all the paper from the home office.
katherine in Edmonton, AB Canada
WOW…Love that light fixture! Have a great weekend…
Gina P.
Minot, ND
Paper clutter….major issue….need help
Janna
Somonauk, IL
I need HELP with my paper clutter!!!
Nicholasville, KY
I have a new studio screaming for help!!!
Amber
Salisbury, NC
Jenn T
Clearfield, UT
I’d love to win!
Jen
Everett, WA
I’m in New Orleans. I don’t have any paper clutter. Because all my paper is crammed pell-mell into 3 different baskets stacked on top of my husband’s dresser.
Wait – that still counts as clutter? Oh well, then I guess I need this course!
Melissa A.
Homeland, CA
Debbie
Burleson, TX
Thanks for the chance!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sharon L in Ortonville, MI
Caitlin
Pepperell, MA
Nicolette A
Calgary, AB
Wow – could use some help with the clutter
I’m treading in paper clutter.
P.S. Savannah, GA
would love some help with my paper clutter! I definitely have a lot of it!
Jen Raymore, MO
Boy can I use this class…
Lori L.
Zeeland, MI
I need help with paper clutter ~~ big time!!
Nicole
Grand Rapids, MI
I.Need.Help.Please!!
Who couldn’t use this! Now that my son is in high school, the paper just keeps comin’. Then there is the craft papers that seem to jump out of their holders at a moments notice (must be the 9 year olds fault). The newspapers, etc… never ending! HELP!
Roseville, CA
Can you give me the encouragement, a love of organizing, that I need to deal with it?
HELP!
Oh goodness, I have never figured out paper clutter! It’s a disaster every time I have to move! I live in the Washington, D.C. area.
My paper is cluttering up my paper!! Help!
Robbie W
Keller, TX
Hi, my name is Mandie and I’m a Paper Ho!
I have so much paper clutter! I usually spend more time digging through my paper than actually scrapping with it! I NEED this class sooooooo bad!!!!
Mandie
Manhattan, IL
Kerr Ashcraft
Thanks for the chance to win and I totally dig the light fixture, but I would leave it green!! Lol
Little Rock, Arkansas
I would love the chance to win a spot in the organization class…I sure could use the help!
Jenny
Reno, NV
This light fixture is Amazing!! Paper clutter…what’s that
I soooo need this! School papers, work papers, bills!! Whew! Makes me tired just thinking about it. Organize me!
If I could see over the pile of papers on my desk, I could sign-up for the class myself!! Thanks from Fort Collins, CO.
I visited the West Coast in 2009, and a little bit of Arizona was included… The whole land is amazingly beautiful! And what a wonderful giveaway… I could use some organizing tips – I’m moving soon, and a way to start fresh with all my paper organized would be terrific!
I am in the process of re-organizing my home office and would LOVE to learn more about this!
(Cassandra from London, Ontario)
I think everyone can relate to paper clutter!
Lynn M
Wheaton, IL
P.S. Love the light fixture, it matches your blog background.
Courtney
Washburn, Maine
Would love to be a part of this class!
Becky in Colorado Springs, CO
Diane
Pulllman, WA
Lorie V
Peoria, AZ
Aby is the best!
Lain Ehmann
Lexington, MA
Love your photos — you make even the plainest photos look like art.
Stephanie
Colwich, KS
Susan
Glendale, AZ
Patty H
Lake City, FL
Paper clutter? Ouch! Just a little bit from our 5 businesses and household in my home office along with scrappin’ stuff. I could definitely get organized:)
Angie K.
Oceanside, CA
NEED help with my paper organization!!
Me and paper clutter have a long standing relationship. We’re going to have to part ways sooner or later. Sooner would probably be a good thing.
In Denver.
Lisa from Raleigh, NC
Rorie
Surface-of-the-sun, NV
Sounds fun!
Julie B.
Reno, NV
Katy
San Pedro, CA
*and THATCHER! My husband and I adore Thatcher! We met at EAC and absolutely loved the school and the area. We seriously think of moving there someday too after the Air Force. So jealous that you could visit beautiful, quaint Thatcher/Safford!
Electa Stern
El Cajon, California
Yes, please help me to de-clutter!
I would love some suggestions on how to take care of paper clutter!
Suzanne
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Lydia
Christchurch, New Zealand
Karen
Cleveland, OH
Would love to be a part of this!
Amy
San Tan Valley, AZ
I love anything related to organizing!
Lisa
Lawrenceville, GA
Karen from Walnut Creek, CA
I NEED this class!
Marcey from Queen Creek, AZ
Linda from Midland, Michigan
Could I use help with my piles!!
Oh, how I could use some help in the paper clutter department!
Pam
Concord, NC
I am the paper clutter queen!
Ann
Sunnyvale, CA
peoria, Az
Clair
Ft. Campbell, KY
No Ann, I am the paper clutter queen! Just ask everyone I know. Really. Truly. I want this so badly…. please with a cherry on top!
Ileana
Salem, Oregon
I am sitting in an office with overflowing bookshelves (some stacks of paper mixed in with the books), and two large rubbermaid bins stuffed with papers. I need this class! It would be totally cool if I won, thanks for the opportunity.
Heather in King George, Virginia
Tami L.
Orange County, California
Randolph, NJ
I’m a paper addict and need help!
Liz in Winston, GA
Just outside of “Hotlanta”;, and yes, it’s still hot here!!
OMG…the paper is as much mental clutter as well as physical clutter. I never dive into anything creative because I feel like I need to organize first. Pick me, pick me!!
Cheryl, Union City CA
I’d love some new ideas.
BTW, Becky, I got a frame at Michael’s today for 55% off (score!) to frame the 8×10 beautiful array of doors from Estonia you let us download. Thanks!
Louise in Champaign, IL
Lisa in ND!
Cool prize. Manassas, VA
I really need this- I’ve already got papers galore from school that need a good organizational system.
Brittney
Henderson, NV
You know, I have found myself repeatedly saying “I’m drowning in paper!” so this class might be something I NEED to check out
Fontaine
Camp Pendleton (although if there is another ‘Fontaine’ I’ll be very suprised lol)
Mindy near Atlanta Georgia, would loooooooove to learn how to tackle my paper mountain.
Pick me! Pick me!
Kansas City
Paper clutter is my pet peeve. Help!
Keri
Redmond, WA
Kathy
Duncanville TX
Jody L.
Washington,Ut
Kelley H. in Jacksonville, FL
Cathy B. in Nebraska City, NE
Heather
Tri-Cities, WA
An organizing class? Count me in!
Thanks as always for the opportunity!
Julie B in Del Mar
Lori P.
Spokane, WA
Have a great weekend!!
Penny S.
Clay, NY
I so need to de-clutter my paper life!
Jenny
Philadelphia, PA
I seriously need the de-cluttering course. Maybe the Master’s Program even…
Irvine, CA
Does anyone NOT need this??
Diane
Colorado Springs, CO
Haley W.
Pittsburgh, PA
Paper…it’s a perpetually perplexing problem
Tirzah in Orem, Utah
Karen in Nottingham, New Hampshire
Hi! I live in Illinois and really have had a problem with paper clutter since my kids started school EIGHT YEARS AGO! Help!
Hi
I live in Newport, Wales – the home of the Ryder Cup this year. I’d love this course to disctract me over the next couple of weeks.
I would love, love, love to get some help with my paper clutter–at least I would have one thing organized!! That would be a wonderful start!!
paper, paper who has the paper……
Laura
Grants Pass OR
Krista
Cary Illinois
I need so much help with this, please help before I am buried!!
Charlotte, Mesa
Love the light fitting. Rach, Australia
My goal in life is to be organized but my 4 kids have other ideas!
Blacksburg, VA
Kari
West Chester, PA
You should check out the show “American Pickers”. It’s about these two guys who drive across America looking for places you photographed and offer those people money for their “junk”! Lets just hope they don’t take your green light!
Tina
Dundas, Ontario
I loved Aby’s Organizing 101 course…I’m sure this one is an enlightening one too!
thank you.
Alicia
Matthews, NC
Oooooh, pick me, pick me!
Tracy
Anoka, MN
Oh I hope I win! Thanks for the chance to win.
Clara
Forest, VA
Emily L.
Montgomery, AL
Krista
Need to be off from teaching for the next few weeks and would love the chance to get control of the paper clutter in my house!
Mosinee, WI
Love the light fixture, hope you get it! Changing our light fixtures in our “new” house (of 8 years) has been on my list of things to do. But i keep losing the list, so i really need Aby’s class. Thanks!
Amy in Woodland Park, CO
Audrey
Harrison, AR
I live in Agoura Hills, CA and I’ve been on a mission to organize for the past couple of years but it never seems to work. HELP!
This sounds great!
–Draper, UT
Hannah from Austin — totally need this!
Beautiful chandy!! I agree with you on that!!
Would love to be part of Aby’s de-clutter workshop!!
Michelle – Easley, SC
kaysville ut
Wow…. could I use this workshop!!!
Signed,
Drowning in paper
aka Nicole V in Canada
Clara, Ewa Beach, HI
That would be wonderful…I feel like there’s paper everywhere!
Clara Ewa Beach, HI
Leslie M.
West Jordan, UT
South Dakota
The world gets smaller by the minute, my husband is from Thatcher. Yet here I am on the East Coast and this little town keeps finding us. Lovely pics, I’ll have to scope it out over our Christmas holiday there. I’d love to win the the paper declutter-er, there must be a solution to the endless madness.
Kristin H
Macomb, MI
Becky M. in Delaware
OH MY WORD!!!!! YES, I NEED HELP WITH PAPER CLUTTER ETC….
SARA B., WESTERVILLE, OH
jen shears
buckley, WA
That light fixture is DIVINE!!!
kari b
fargo, nd
TanyaS
San Jose, CA
I’m drowning in paper clutter!! Thanks for the chance
Sonia Mazur
Conroe, TX
Judy T
Dublin, OH
Carrie G.
Thornton, CO
Emily
Gresham, OR
I could really use that class
laurel
Richland wa
Should see my house it is filled with paper. I get inspired when I see Beckys home photos!
Skye – Las Vegas, NV
Tiffany H.
Irvine, CA
Teri
Meridian, ID
I’m from Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Thanks for the chance to win!
I am from Petersburg, Michigan
Thanks for the chance:)
Amy in Eagle, Idaho
I could definitely use help with the paper clutter around here.
Chandi
El Cajon, Ca
Laura from Marquette, Michigan (Upper Peninsula.) I am drowning in paper clutter at the moment. Thanks for the chance.
I too am drowning in every type of paper imaginable…sb, banking, kids schoolwork, plus more!
Who doesn’t have paper clutter? I definitely need this class. Thanks for the giveaway.
Lillian S, Uniontown Ohio
Amy K
Mount Horeb, Wisconsin
I would love to win this!! I have 4 children in school, personal papers and every other imaginable kind of paper all over the place. Thanks for the giveaway!!
Lissa
Toms River, New Jersey
Got Paper?
Lorinda
Green Bay WI
Darlene
Royal Oak, MI
Amy in Sebring, Florida.
Thanks for the chance! nesting…
Tina
Woods Cross, UT
Kat
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Alissa
Midland, MI
Hi:
From Puerto Rico
Thanks for the chance!!
I NEED to win this!!! LOL I am from Spring, TX
Stephanie
Queen Creek, AZ
Joanie
Stuttgart, Germany
Fun Fun!
Salt Lake City, Utah
Oh yeah.. I could benefit from this class!!
Amy P.
Albemarle, NC
All of my paper piles need some organization!! Thanks for the opportunity!
Kirsten K.
North Las Vegas, NV
OOOOHHH!!! I would love a spot in this class!! We just moved to PA for my husband to finish school and into a smaller home. (without a home office) 5 kids and all their school papers are overwhelming my organizational skills! Thanks Becky (and Aby!)
Julie in Pennsylvania
Cinthia
Grand Rapids, MI
Wow, your pictures are so lovely and you’ve captured the beauty and art of everyday objects! I am the POSTER CHILD for clutter! Would love to win and clean up!
Yay! I love organizing and all things that go with it. I’d love to hear from an expert!
Lake Geneva, WI
Paper clutter is my middle name!
Christine
Allegheny Twp. PA
Thanks for a chance to win! Rhonda in Cross Roads, TX
I am an organizing junkie
Chrissy in Milford OH
Janita
Hartville, OH
Ashley
Covington, WA
Cathy
Weston, Florida
Tara
North Lima, OH
I have terrible clutter by the way, especially with start of school!
I could always use help with paper clutter!
Provo, UT
Christina
Salt Lake City, Utah
paper clutter queen in IL
Lisa Johnson in Allen, TX (30 minutes north of Dallas and we have the BEST outlet mall and other malls all in a .5 mile radius!)
Brandi in East Texas
Hi I’m Marcy from Fountain, FL and I’m DROWNING in all my paper clutter. Seriously – in order to scrap I have to clear a PILE of “stuff” from my scrap table. It’s overwhelming sometimes! I NEED this class. Thanks for the chance to win it!
I have wanted to take this class for so long – just never able to justify it in my monthly budget! I already signed up for the free lesson, but would love to win a spot in the whole class! Thanks for the chance!
Oh, I forgot – Jeannine in Overland Park, KS
Stephanie Yearwood
Mauldin, SC
Lisa from Fontana, California.
I am drowning in paper clutter. I get it under control and then it returns. I would love to win this! My husband would love me to win this too!
Janis D.
Marion, IA
Okay, so our family name could be “Stuff.” I fight every day not to let my house turn into a cluttered mess. It was passed down by my mom. In one old picture after my Grandfathers funeral at my mom’s house, you can see her ironning board in the back round piled with stuff. Boy did that bring vivid memories back of my child hood.When your favorite isle in the stores are the stationary isles…you have to work hard to not let the papers in your house multiply like bunnies.
Julie Lueck
Simi Valley, CA
Thanks for the giveaway!
Jessica
Boston, MA
Cynthia H
Boise, ID
I felt like this blog entry was for me. I’ve been trying to decide about what to do with my paper clutter all day!
Paper clutter is my nightmare!
Thanks for the chance.
Mara
Sunnyside, WA
I’m an organizer by nature, but paper clutter is the one thing that gets away from me!
Mindy
Altoona, IA
thanks for the chance to win. Barb from Annandale, VA
Help! Robyn from Cranberry, PA
to get more organized would be a dream come true!!!!
from south florida!!
FUN stuff and OH so needed! Thanks for the chance to win some organization tips!
Paper clutter is my weakness!
Jessica A
Minneapolis, MN
Teri
Meridian,ID
I am such a paper pig. It’s pathetic. I need serious help….
Margaret
Eugene, OR
I see why you are pretty much willing to do ‘anything’ for that light fixture, with you on that one!
Cool pictures! Totally looks like one of *those* little Arizona towns;). And thanks for the giveaway. I am trying so hard to get a grip on my paper clutter…well, all clutter for that matter.
Kelsey
Colo Springs
Thanks for the chance! Love Aby’s book and would love to take her class.
Deirdre in Moab, UT
Katie R.
Phoenix, AZ
Erin K Peoria, AZ
overwhelmed with paper!
Trying to conquer the clutter monster over here, too!
Jacoba from Vancouver, BC, Canada
I’m at constant battle with paper clutter.
Keahi
Hilo, Hawaii
Would really enjoy this class!
Tammy
Fayetteville Ga
Thanks for the chance.
Kelly
North Port, FL
I could use some serious paper help…
Thanks for the offer.
Tara
Central City, NE
I NEED help with paper organization. Thanks for the chance to win.
Kathy T in Bloomington IN
Thanks for the chance to win. Paper is my (and my husband’s) kitchen nightmare.
Slobodanka in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, Canada
Hi There,
Melissa Perth Western Australia.
I certainly have a problem with paper clutter and love this chance to turn that around.
Cheers
This would be a great thing for me. I have tons of paper between bills and my daughters school work and art. Thank you!
Jenn H
Sweet Home Alabama
Clutter keeps creeping in!
Sarah – Tucson, AZ
Ugh my paper clutter is out of control – I could SO use this!!
Greeting from Sunny SoCal! and btw, I L.O.V.E. that lamp, I can totally see the vision for it, is there a way we can see the spot where you are planning on hanging it from? (PS: I know where in my home)
Busy working mom needs “Organize Your Paper Clutter”! No matter how hard I try, I can’t keep up. I would love to learn Aby’s tricks to organize the paper in my Kansas home.
With 4 boys in the house, 3 different schools and papers coming from church and school activities I seriously NEED this class! Thanks for the chance to win….
Deanna
Charlotte, Mi.
Our house is a paper fire hazard – Phyllis in Murfreesboro, TN
I would so love to take this class! I am drowning in paperwork and clutter. I am forever organizing things and cannot seem to find a system that works for me. I need help!
Would love to take one of Aby’s classes
Ruth
Aurora, IL
I have paper piles everywhere – really need this class!
Jewel
Hudson, WI
Oh, I really need this! Three boys and I am a teacher, who can’t keep the paper clutter at bay… Thanks for the opportunity.
Sonja
Mechanicsville, VA
can always use some help in organizing…
Nancy Lee
Brea, CA
Sounds great!
Chloe
Milford, MI
LOVE Thatcher! That’s where my family is…well and in Pima and Safford too. The new temple is amazing, huh!
If you saw my cluttered house, you would just pick me, hands down. I’m just sayin’….
I need to win.
Andrea, Canada
So many wonderful objects just waiting to be photographed…thanks for sharing them.
Aghh … the paper clutter the bane of my exsistence!!! Roseville CA
I desperately need help with our paper clutter. I have this counter in my kitchen that is buried in it! I just started homeschooling my 5 year old (kindergarten) this fall and have 19 month old twins. I need all the help I can get. LOL! Thanks for the chance to win. Love your blog!
Susie from Grayslake, IL.
Jen T
Iola, KS
Boy could I use some help with my paper clutter.
Janelle
Dallas, TX
Paper clutter – yes, help please!!
Wow! My husband has politely asked/begged/maybe even demanded me to find better organization for my office/scrap room/sewing room when we move to our next house. Luckily for both of us, it is only a couple weeks away- moving from Okinawa, Japan to Fort Walton Beach, Florida. I am definitely a paper collector and it builds up all over the place in my space. Recipes, magazine pages, ads, house designs, craft ideas, patterns, more magazines- it just comes in here and ultimately gets in my way. Thanks to both of you for offering this giveaway!
P.S. Love the lamp- maybe it will get ‘willed’ early?!?!
vicki
alto, ga
Sue
Burlington, CT
I was organized before kids. Now with all the mounds of paper and stuff that arrive in our home from these little people, I have lost the battle.
Am I too late? I hope not!!
Lauren
Kalamazoo MI
I so NEED this! Thanks for the chance to win.
South Jordan, UT
Stephanie E.
Tulsa, OK
Thanksfor the opportunity to win..I need this too!
Lynn M.
Loveland, OH
Thanks for the chance to win something I really need!
Mel H.
Hutchinson KS
ahh, who wou;ld NOT need this?
Nikki
Lake City MN
Sounds like fun! I love to organize/over organize myself! Tabitha in Michigan
If I don’t win, I’m lighting the match the next day…taxes, schoolpapers and all! It’s my last resort
Tammy
Findlay, OH
Jennifer Neu
Brooklyn Park, MN
Corinna
Denver, CO
Lana
Treasureton ID
We have so much paper in our house, mail, school, business, that I am grateful we are landscapers at least we put back lots of trees! Thanks! Tana
Yoder Indiana (Tana)
I need help at home and at school!
Sheree Christensen
Syracuse, UT
Clutter needs to go away. Love to learn how to do it.
judi
highland in
Misty
Sumrall, MS