Art Deco Designs paper

Art Deco Designs papers; Photo © Karen Thiessen, 2016

This year I am working through my stash of paper and I'm putting it to use with the Annie Dillard quote fresh in my mind: 

"One of the few things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now. The impulse to save something good for a better place later is a signal to spend it now. Something more will arise for later, something better. These things fill from behind, from beneath, like well water. Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly is lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes." (from The Writing Life)

Art Deco Designs papers; Photo © Karen Thiessen, 2016

In my paper stash is this Art Deco Designs book of gift wrap. I've had it for more than twenty years. It's time to use it.

Art Deco Designs papers; Photo © Karen Thiessen, 2016

This is one of my favourite spreads.

Art Deco Designs papers; Photo © Karen Thiessen, 2016

Soon these papers will be put to good use. One of my goals is to follow Annie Dillard's advice to: "spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time."