Scrappy Hearts

Where I’m At

This past week has been difficult. Hence my absence here on the blog. I have never been good with change and that, hasn't seemed to change. I understand that in order to move forward change is necessary but, that doesn't seem to make it any easier.

Last weekend was my final weekend in Washington with Mark. We had a such a great weekend. We celebrated with friends, explored someplace new and just enjoyed being together. I think that is what made coming home much more difficult. 

The reality is, home is anywhere Mark and I are together. While I love my house and all of my stuff, it was very easy to live a simpler, less cluttered life while we were together. I learned quite a bit from that experience. 

Now that I am home I look at things, my things, differently. Change is coming and while I am generally not good with change, this feels right.

“If you want to make some sense out of any change, you need to accept it and spend some time with it.”

It is time to move forward. Happily.

Featured

Yesterday I took a walk down to the local Ben Franklin Crafts store. Who am I kidding, I take a walk to Ben Franklin every day. But yesterday, look what I saw...Yup, that's my "together" layout, framed and all prettied up. It is one of the 4 featured layouts for the August Crop-a-Latte challenge and it will be hanging out in the paper crafts area for a bit. This made my day!

The View From Sunday

After allowing ourselves to sleep to a reasonable hour, we were off on another adventure. Destination: The San Juan Islands, where I had never been. The weather cooperated, the sky was a beautiful blue and the sun was shining.

First stop, Lopez Island for some exploration by bicycle. Quite a workout but, very enjoyable... Lunch was very late, primarily due to circumstances too lengthy to get into, just say we were very blessed to find Denise, our very own guardian angel. We stopped at the Love Dog Cafe, cute, great view and the food was delicious!The ferry ride to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island offered us spectacular views of the sunset both on the water and reflecting on Mt. Baker to the east.Just look at how nicely the clouds cooperated! We arrived in Friday Harbor just as the sun was disappearing below the horizon and the glow it left on the harbor was just beautiful. I love the color of the sky!Dinner, a quick walk around the town and then it was time to catch the 10pm ferry back to Anacortes and the 2 hour ride home.Feeling very blessed. So happy we were able to squeeze a trip to the islands into our agenda, so very happy we were able to share this experience. So very happy for this day!

Notes from a Marriage - Four Months In

Here we are on the ferry from Anacortes to Lopez Island in the San Juans. That "little" mountain behind my left should is actually Mt. Baker. In reality, it's not so little!

We spent Sunday island hopping and I am so glad that we were able to squeeze a day trip to the San Juan Islands into my last week here. In reality, we've done quite a bit in two short months. 

At this point in our marriage, we are learning to share space and time, negotiating roles and for the first time since we've been married, we are living together. All that will end this weekend and that I am more than sad about. 

In reality this is the honeymoon. With only one of us working it has been easier to negotiate responsibilities, take some time to explore and in my case, relax through the process. The hope is that some time, in the not too distant future, we will find a way to be together permanently.  Until then, this is our life, for better or for worse, and we are enjoying the journey. 

 

On Their Way

Well, as of yesterday, I have two quilt tops entirely complete and they are currently winging their way east to my friend Marie. Yup, within a month they will be quilted and my only job at that point will be to add the binding.

I had wanted to complete one additional quilt top while I was here, but it does not look like that is possible. Still in all, I am happy to have these quilts complete.

Emma's quilt, the Daisy Chain, is the same quilt pattern that I had used to make for both Olivia and Amanda. I also have a Daisy Chain, it seems to be a girls quilt! Emma's quilt was done in bright colors to match her bedroom. She picked the border fabrics and I think they really make the quilt.  Emma thinks that I need to continue making Daisy Chain quilts for all the "girls" in our family. Whoa, that means at least four more Daisy Chains. I had better get busy!

The purple line quilt was also finished during my summer in Washington. I love the way it turned out and will certainly consider making another one in a different color way. So simple and yet, dramatic.There is still a chance that I will complete other quilt tops during my final week here but, there are scrapbooks to finish and other things to occupy my time. We'll see what happens. But, for now, I am just happy that these two quilts are on their way.

A Week in the Life of My Feet

Okay, I know, today's topic does not sound all that interesting, but let's face the facts; everywhere we go, our feet play an important role in taking us there. 

I started taking pictures of my feet in different places when I began to travel more extensively on my own. I think my first "foot foto," as I like to call them, was my first visit to the Pacific Ocean. 

Since then my feet have taken me many places. And, my feet have been joined by other feet. I am no longer on a solo journey. For me, it seemed only natural that the introduction page for each day of my Week in the Life album should be my feet.Since that last week in July my feet have taken me many places. Most recently, a dip in the Pacific Ocean during the sunset and a visit to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.Life is a journey, by putting one foot in front of the other I venture forth. Hmm, I wonder where my feet will lead me next?

Project Life, Week 30

Week 30 began on the weekend we refer to as our "Seattle Weekend." It was a touristy weekend and it was fun! I just love playing the tourist...

Saturday morning we treated ourselves to breakfast out and then headed for City Center. Unfortunately, the roads were conspiring against us so we moved onto Plan B, Discovery Park. A great hike through the woods to the lighthouse at the point. Rainier was out and the weather, delicious. A perfect day for a hike!

Not willing to give up on our original plan so quickly, we headed into downtown for a visit with the Space Needle and City Center. 

I added an extra 6 x 12 page protector with photos from our hike and in the 8 1/2 x 11 page protector I added the map of the trail from Discovery Park.Having a place for everything I collect is a good thing! I am reducing the number of envelopes and plastic bags around the house. I am a hoarder of ephemera.

Monday of Week 30 started the Week in the Life Project. I had originally thought that be involved in that project would limit my involvement with Project Life but it didn't.Behind the map of Discovery Park I placed the map of Pike Place Market. My right hand page includes two photos from Sunday and although it limits the space I have for photos from the rest of the week, I am okay with that! The stories of our week are still told in the journaling cards so I don't feel like I am "missing" anything.

In the binder, the week looks something like this: The activities of our weeks ebb and flow. Some are busier than others. Some feel more "routine" than others. And, some just are. Project Life gives me the opportunity to record all of that. And, in doing so, allows me to hold onto those little details that I might forget. Let's face it, I'm not getting any younger and my mind just isn't what it used to be.

Another blessing of this project is the time that it allows me. You see, I am not just a scrapbooker. I have many other hobbies and there are times that I am immersed in other projects. When I do come back to scrapbooking, a quick look at my Project Life scrapbook provides plenty of fodder for scrapbooking pages. In no time I have stories to tell and details to include that might have otherwise been lost.

I am looking forward to the release of Project Life 2012 in November and thinking of ways to incorporate my husband and family in the telling of our story.

Thought for a Summer Day

Sea Fever

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

John Masefield

The View From Sunday

A Pacific Sunset, as seen from the beach at Cape Disappointment State Park. I don't think we could have planned this better. Our campsite was just a quick walk from the beach. An exceptionally high tide, due to the full moon, brought the waves crashing further up the beach and that, together with the rain on the fly, were the music of our night. The sound of the waves became my lullaby as I lay in our tent anticipating sleep, and feeling incredibly blessed.

Date Night

I just love date nights and Thursday was one of the best. Mark had always wanted to see Teatro Zinzanni and last night was the night. Dinner in a carnival atmosphere beneath a circus tent over 100 years old. What a treat! 

There were acrobats and trapeze artists. We were entertained by Cleopatra, Ceasar and an altogether cast of zany characters. What fun we had!Dinner and a show or, should I say, dinner in a show, because that's what it was. The appetizer was set on the table when we arrived and then, throughout the show, the remaining four courses were served. At one point in the show, we were all invited to center stage for a dance interlude. Mark and I had never had the opportunity to dance together, cheek to cheek, before. This was a first! (Just so you know, kitchen dancing doesn't count!) Photography is not allowed in tent, at least until after all of the actors are gone. It was a little difficult since the waiters and waitresses are also actors in the performance, but true to form, we waited. We were able to steal a couple of shots before we felt like we had over-stayed our welcome. This is one of my favorites:  Do you see our picture on the table? Yup, I just had to have one of the hokey photos. I am such a tourist at times!

It was such a wonderful evening. The weather was gorgeous, the sky was clear and the moon was shining in nearly full glory above the Space Needle. The beauty of being in Seattle Center on a wonderful summer evening.Teatro Zinzanni was such a treat for us. It felt good to splurge and this was the perfect evening! Here's to, "Love, Chaos and Dinner."