Scrappy Hearts

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 5

Grateful for the opportunity to experience a dream come true! I have always wanted to own a quilt shop. Each day I head to the store I realize how fortunate I am to be living my dream. Seriously, I get to play with fabric! I work with wonderful women who inspire me on a regular basis. The have remarkable integrity and truly care about everyone that enters our shop. I have been fortunate to meet some of the kindest and most generous women; not to mention how really talented they are. We share our time and our shop with people from all walks of life. We share our stories, our worries, our tragedies and our compassion. We lift each other up and sit beside each other as we work through situations no one should ever have to face. Our quilt shop is truly a gift and I am grateful every day!

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Stop looking at the desk and thinking it has something to do with that! I did try to clean my desk off, but seriously, who has time for that anymore? I will see you tomorrow - until then...something pretty to keep you distracted...Bright springy fabrics filled with project possibility!

On My Nightstand

Wow! The pile of books on my nightstand is unreal! How did this happen?

So many good books, so little time! The truth is that many of these books were hiding in piles next to my bed, hidden by sewing projects and journals. And, while there are three journals in the current pile, there are also nine books waiting to be read. A couple I keep by my bed to help lull me to sleep, certainly the quilting magazine and the waterfalls book are kept there to foster my dreams of time off and away!

The other books, all of them, are there to inspire me to keep moving forward towards a life that looks very different from the one that I currently live. It is a life that is fueled by my inner creativity and serves to inspire others to live out their dreams. Each day I find inspiration in the words of these books and I take baby steps toward achieving my dreams. As I understand it, it is never too late to live the life you imagined for yourself. I am counting on that!

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Thursday with Bunkey

Bunkey and I try to spend every Thursday together. Usually that means I head over to Bunkey's after work and we usually sew or scrapbook. Grab a quick dinner and then head back to either sewing or scrapbooking. It really is a good time. We catch up with each other's lives and it gives each of us a chance to spend time doing what we love. It doesn't hurt that we like each other also!

Well, tonight we switched it up a bit. Bunkey had found a free workshop presented by Kennedy Health over at the Cherry Hill Library, entitled "Create Your Reality...Vision Boards!" We love the idea of vision boards so she signed us up.

What a great time we had. Of course Bunkey finished hers, mine is in process. 

Bunkey has selected her word for 2015, Enchantment. Her vision board represents what she wants to create during 2015. My vision board is an attempt to encapsulate what I want to create for myself over the next few years. Life goals. Moving ahead, changing careers and relocating...as I said, my vision board is in process and will take some definite crafting. It does, however, feel good to have it started!

Quote for Today

“Write down 10 things

you would do in your life

if you had absolutely no fear.

Then pick one of them and do it.” 

 Steve Chandler, Reinventing Yourself:

How to Become the Person You've Always Wanted to Be

Inspiration Board

I've said it before - I've got big dreams. And, I know, the only way I will achieve those dreams is by staying focused and true to the pursuit. That's where my inspiration board comes in. The last time I took the time to create a goal/inspiration board, I was just beginning to pursue my teaching certificate. As I look at that board now, well, I have achieved the majority of all that I laid out for myself. Not a small feat. I had set monstrous goals for myself.

The fact is, I still do. So how do I balance that with the need to make a living? Oh, and well, my desire to keep my husband and family as my number one priority. Phew. 

Well, another inspiration board is in the works. An opportunity to create balance of my life and my dreams on paper so that I can manifest that balance in my life. I was so inspired on Sunday, probably due to the fact that the Giants made it to the Super Bowl, that I brushed all other obligations to the side and got to work. 

You may remember that I spoke about do that very thing months ago, but the inspiration just wasn't there. On Sunday, it caught me and I ran with it.Tonight the board is pretty much complete, just a few finishing touches and I will be ready to display it in my "creative" area. Feeling really good about where I am at the moment and that is really a "good thing."

Sadie, Sadie,

married lady...

The only day it rained during our entire trip - today. Of course that didn’t dampen our spirits! I also forgot my shawl and ended up wearing Mark’s shirt as we walked in the rain to our wedding celebration!

Hanging with the Family

Just arrived home from the airport with Jason in tow. Prior to Jason arriving we had dinner and the always popular kitchen dancing. Turn up the soundtrack for the Big Chill and just go for it!

The house is quiet now. Mark and I are sitting at the dining room table. The sound of children breathing as they sleep resonates in the house.

I am blessed. I am one happy momma.  I am one happy bride.

It’s Official

Yes, I’m getting married. I never thought, in a thousand years, that I would be making that pronouncement. But here it is, I, JoyceMarie Miller, am getting married. It’s official, the announcements arrived via FedEx today. There will be no turning back. And that’s a good thing.

As I looked at the box bearing a few invitations, the announcements and our thank you cards, I found myself smiling. Yes, me, smiling at the thought of marriage.

I am getting married to the most wonderful guy in the world, at least in my opinion, and I couldn’t be happier. xo

Project Life 2011

I have taken on a project for the new year. Each year I try to do something special to document my year. My favorite projects to date have been the Year in the Life album workshops that I have offered monthly at my house. Since I am not sure that I will be here for the full year, I am reluctant to offer that project again this year. 

So, in with the new. I decided to take on Becky Higgin's Project Life. I have followed many scrapbookers that have taken on this project and made it their own and I have enjoyed watching their process. So, this year is my turn. Or, should I say, our turn. Since I did not make this decision until late on the 29th, I had Mark order the kit with his prime account which meant delivery in 2 days! Sweet!

On the 31st, my package arrived. Excited,thrilled and of course, over-whelmed. I always take on more projects than one person should, but this felt right.

Upon opening the box I found, well, another box! I think the packaging of the kit was very well thought out and I made a mental note of that to myself.

The anticipation was almost too much.

It just kept getting better!

Mark and I have begun charting our course for the year and I am looking forward to documenting all the little moments that will make this year special, together. That's right, Mark will be scrapbooking this with me! Gotta lova a new project that inspires you to create!

Speaking of new projects, I spent some time at the quilt shop today purchasing fabrics that will help me to finish up a few of the quilting projects I have hanging around my house. Once those are done, I have a really special quilt project that I cannot wait to undertake. 

Today is only the second day of the new year and I can tell already, it is going to be a great year!