Scrappy Hearts

Something Needs to Give

I have been on a creative binge for a while. Not really doing a great deal of sewing, other than hand work, because we have been out exploring. At home, things are really suffering. I am currently in the mode of exploring my own creativity and I am constantly searching for inspiration, sampling different media, and just playing. Unfortunately, I have not produced a great deal and I have made a mess in the process.Reality will set back in soon and I will need to get this mess organized, but for now, I am having fun!

Jessica Loves Sunflowers

A perfect beauty of a sunflower! a perfect excellent lovely sunflower existence! a sweet natural eye to the new hip moon, woke up alive and excited grasping in the sunset shadow sunrise golden monthly breeze!

-Allen Ginsberg 

 

Tenacity

“Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Proving nature's laws wrong, it learned to walk without having feet. Funny, it seems to by keeping it's dreams; it learned to breathe fresh air. Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared.” 

― Tupac Shakur, The Rose That Grew from Concrete

Offline Summer Experience

We have decided to spend a bit of time offline this summer. Every once in a while I touch base with the online world, but mostly we are taking some time to explore. Since I always feel the need to have a go-to project, I have started an applique wall-hanging that I originally purchased in 2009. My goal is to have many of the applique popsicles completed by the time we resume our "normal" activities. I have two done, just eleven more to go!

Quotes I Love

Summer, after all, is a time when wonderful things can happen to people. For those few months you’re not required to be who everyone thinks you are. The fresh cut grass smell in the air & the chance to dive into the deep end of a pool, gives you courage you didn’t think you had. Summer just opens the door and lets you free.

The {NEW} Short List - Part 2

The final three projects for the "current" short list include two that were started and one that has been in the planning stages for about 7 years.

The first is a bright quilt using fabrics that Olivia and Amanda helped me pick out years ago on one of the early shop hops. Inside the basket I could see that the quilt was started, but I have no idea where it is in terms of the directions. This is the pattern, one of my favorites from Atkinson Designs.As you can see, the fabrics are all very bright. Some of them even have a nautical theme. I am curious to see what this quilt will look like when it is finished!

The next quilt is also an Atkinson pattern. This one, Confetti Stars, is a quilt I started for my nephew, William, ages ago. I have never felt really comfortable with making a "scrappy" quilt. I have trouble releasing control and letting the fabrics dictate the design. I have all of the pieces cut at this point and I have started sewing together the strips.

I just love the pattern, and the backing fabric is one of my favorites. I selected it because William's room when he was a baby had a transportation theme. Even though this quilt is started, there is still quite a bit of work to do before I can send it off to the quilting ladies. I really can't wait to see this quilt finished!The final project is the biggest of the six I have chosen for this six month period of time and it is perhaps the most awaited. This will be the second quilt made for Jason. The background fabric is a black with tiny musical notes. The pattern, as designed, uses 30's prints. For Jason's quilt I will use a wide variety of blue fabrics. This pattern seems over-whelming when I read over the directions, but I am sure that once I start the piecing it will not seem so bad. Jason's quilt is also the largest of all the projects during this six month period.Phew! Here's hoping that all these projects are completed by December 31st!

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The {NEW} Short List - Part 1

The {NEW} Short List - Part 1

Bunkey and I got together just about a week ago to discuss our short list projects for the upcoming six months. I love that we decided to do this because it has forced me to deal with several projects that were sitting just waiting for me to figure out a problem.

Bunkey's next 6 projects involve quite a few holiday gifts while mine are a couple of gifts that I had planned for people years ago. There you have it...

My first project is a gift I decded to make for a friend of mine just a few months ago. I have the strips cut and I just need to get it sewn. The quilt pattern, It's a Snap, is actually one that I bought years ago while on our local Shop Hop. I just love the way it looks when put together. The fabric I had in my stash and I think it will be beautiful once completed.The next project on my short list is one that I started year's ago. I believe there are a few missing pieces and since I do not have any extra fabric, I am not sure how to handle the problem. It is time to decide and move on. Once I figure out how to proceed, it shouldn't take long to finish.The third project on my short list is one that I cannot wait to complete. It will be a gift for a couple of special friends who are expecting their first baby. The baby is due in August so I have a bit of time...Finishing projects is exhilirating. My problem is that I do not get to sit and sew all day...oh well!

I will post the final three projects in the next day or two. Right now - I am off to sew!

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Hanging with the Girls

One of the best parts of summer is the opportunity to hang with the girls. It seems like old times when we're hanging out together at the beach house. 

The other night, after I finished working at the store, I headed home to make pasta for dinner. The five of us, sat around the table commiserating about the day, books we've read and plans for the evening. We love pasta nights! The girls are so grown up that they handled most of the cleanup. What a treat that was!

While it doesn't happen often enough, I always enjoy hanging with the girls. 

Something About Rainy Days

There is just something I love about rainy days. It is almost as though the world gives me the okay to stay inside and sew. No yard work, on rainy days, equals a very happy me.

Additionally, everything seems so much brighter in color on a rainy day. While I admit, that over 10 rainy days in a row had me a little weary of the water collecting in my yard, I still found lots to be thankful for between the drops.

Summer Manifesto - 2013

This summer I plan to be open to more possibility.

I will embrace the opportunities afforded me this summer.

I will be open and welcoming to a change in routine.

I will continue to train so that I will be prepared for my upcoming triathalons.

I will be brave when faced with the unknown.

I will WRITE, something, everyday.

I will spend time outside, each day.

I will be patient while discovering new destinations.

I will try new cocktails and enjoy happy hour, wherever I am.

I will explore new places with my hubby.

I will delight in the little pleasures of the everyday.

I will express gratitude.

I will remember to breathe, deeply.

I will nurture my creativity by painting.

I will continue to embrace the shade and drink more water.

I will live each day to the fullest.

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