Scrappy Hearts

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

Laundry, food shopping, a quick stop at school and finally, yard work. Yesterday was all about getting back into the swing of things at home and boy did that feel good!The lawn got mowed. The dead daisies were trimmed. Two garden beds were weeded. So happy to say, progress is being made. I am back at work today and tomorrow, but I will return to the yard on Friday.

While We Were Gone

We were gone for over three weeks. During that time some strange things happened in our yard. This strange weed, I think, was the most bizarre. I hadn't even seen it before we left and now it seems to have made itself at home.It crawled under the fence and into the garbage can area. It even wrapped itself around the wheels of the garbage can!It wrapped itself around the handle of the garbage can.Finally it had itself wrapped in and around the handle to the gate in the fence. I think it would have taken over the whole yard if we had been gone another week. Unfortunately, the plants that I had actually planted did not fare so well. Note to self, next year plant weeds!

7,750 Miles Later,

I'm home. In 24 days we traveled 7,750 miles. We visited and hiked in four national parks. We camped in two national parks. We spent time with family and friends. We exhausted ourselves and today we returned home rejuvenated and energized. It was a magical journey! 

July Birthdays

We celebrate only two summer birthdays in our family. 

The first is Miss Emma's birthday on the 25th and the second is David's birthday. I love this picture of the two of them during a weekend excursion we took a while back. It is one of my favorite photos and they are a couple of my favorite people. Here's wishing them a wonderful year ahead!

It’s Gonna be Close

Since the beginning of July I have been working on my applique popsicles. This coming Tuesday, the 30th, I will end my self-imposed technology hiatus. I have seven of the 13 popsicles complete which means there is quite a bit of work to do if I plan on finishing the popsicles before then. Well, we'll see how it goes. 

The truth is, I am looking forward to getting back behind my sewing maching and making some real progress on pending projects. I am also anxious to start work on my short list items including the quilt I am making for Jason. Since I am also back to work on Wednesday I will probably start with the cutting and sorting of the fabrics which will be a huge job. I will probably continue to work on the popsicles that I haven't finished in the hope that this project will also get done some time in the next five months. I am happy with the way they are turning out and I believe my applique skills are improving. Additionally, working with the needle has given my hands some much needed physical therapy! They are looking good! 

Just Desserts

I am getting much smarter in my old age. Now, instead of starving myself at dinner just to save room for dessert, I eat a balanced meal and take dessert home. It's a win-win!Now if I could just find a way to eat Mark's dessert without him noticing - life would be perfect!

Searching for Inspiration

Not that I need any more projects, but a quilt show, during the summer, a great place to get the creative juices flowing.

I get so many ideas just by seeing what other quilters do, the way they combine fabrics and colors. Even the way traditional blocks are arranged to create new and interesting designs.This quilt uses large squares of a focal fabric and then adds strips to highlight the colors in the focal fabric. I have several "focal" fabrics that I am having a hard time cutting into smaller pieces - this may be just the way to make good use of those fabrics!The windmill block is one of my favorites. I just love how this block is updated using the square in the center. The addition of the square gives the block an added dimension as does the use of the batik fabrics. I have quite a stash of batiks and a quilt made of this block would make good use of them!Isn't this quilt just magnificent? The quilt was three-dimensional and used many different types of media. I love how the artist used fabric to create leaves and branches that she added to the top of the quilted piece. Just gorgeous. 

Art quilts are definitely an area I want to explore. In fact, I have one started. I should probably add that quilt to my next short list!

We happened upon this quilt show quite by accident. We saw the poster advertising the show in a Starbucks and, on the spur of the moment, decided to go. We arrived at the show just 45 minutes before it closed for the day. Just enough time for me to take a fast look around and gather photos of quilts that I love or that I would love to replicate. Here's to spontaneous explorations that lead to tons of creative inspiration!

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Hanging with Friends

This summer, in addition to doing some exploring, we have spent some time catching up with a few of Mark's friends. It has been so much fun getting together, reminiscing and sharing stories. The summer really lends itself to lazy evenings that allow you to watch the moon come up and the stars come out. This one particular evening was just one of those nights.Feeling so very blessed that we were able to spend some time together!

This is Summer

Meals outside.

Time with friends.

Re-connecting.

Long afternoons.

Quiet reflective moments.

Feeling very blessed.

This is summer. 

I Was Here

Actually, I was there. Right on top of this huge cleat, at least I think that is the correct term for the metal piece that is used to hold a ship's bowline to the dock. In any case, I would hate to be the one to manage the bowline meant for something this size!