{ my secret heart }

back on track

August was one of those months when I wanted to scrapbook, but it just didn’t happen for the most part. I’d sit down and push things around a page to no avail. 

But, when deadlines loomed, the September Stuck?! Sketches got me back on track. 

This is the first September sketch and it's a lot of fun! 

 

I had so many ideas regarding how to interpret this sketch.  How about using words to form the vertical background strip and then pop out a few across the top in either bold type or a different font for your journaling? Or, use a quote to form the small horizontal line under the picture? Ultimately, I decided to use circles for a background and stitch a black cardstock frame to my page.

Cardstock: American Crafts, Bazzil; Patterned paper: Sassafras Lass; Jouranling spot (cut to make the houndstooth border): October Afternoon; Brads: Sassafras Lass; Alpha: Making Memories; Pen: American Crafts; Stamps: Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday; Ink: Versaink  

I embellished my page with more circular stitching and emphasized the circular theme by adding a cluster of decorative brads.

I should also note that I'm in love with this bamboo alpha from Making Memories (it makes a repeat appearance in my second September Stuck?! Sketches layout). 

I hear this alpha has been discontinued, so grab some for your stash while you still can!

M

day trippin'

Post-cruise, the rain caught up with us when we arrived back in Florida and our quick trip to the beach was pretty much a bust. Rainy, overcast and humid just about sums it up.

I think you can even see the blanket of humidity in this pic from the hotel room balcony.

In an effort to escape the rain, we decided to drive to Savannah, Georgia, for the day.  Have you been? You need to go. I need to go back. I loved everything about it...

...the canopy of branches embracing the city

   

...the Spanish moss dripping from sky

...the history around every corner

...the charm of the quaint houses  and churches lining the city squares

...the waterfront

...and, the food.

I know it's a bit cliche, but we ate at Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady & Sons. Miraculously, we were seated with absolutely no wait.  It could have been that it was a Thursday and it was raining, but I tend to believe it was just meant to be.

Is it all that it's cracked up to be? It's authentic and unpretentious. It doesn't try to be something that it's not. It's not gourmet or flashy; it's simply good food at a reasonable price.

Until I can return, I will definitely be trying to replicate the gooey butter cake and peach cobbler at home.

In case you can't tell, I *heart* Savannah!

M

adventure on the high seas

The good ship lollipop has returned. Sadly, there were no pirate encounters. But, thankfully, we missed Hurricane Bill and just beat tropical storm Danny.

 

favorite port of call :  Half Moon Cay sugar sand + clear blue skies and waters + lots of adult beverages = a wicked sunburn

 

hotter than the face of the sun :  Nassau  Period. 

overrated :  Atlantis It’s a Monet…beautiful from a distance, but a mess up close. A hot mess. 

Had a fabulous time, but was glad to see my bed at 2:30 a.m. this morning.

M

seeing the world

As I embark on a journey to see another piece of this big world, I thought I'd share this video. I know I'm a bit behind the times, so you may have seen it, but even so, I have no doubt that people watch it multiple times. I know I have. 

To read the story behind the video, click here. 

How do you think I'd go about getting someone to sponsor my trip around the world? I am not a dancer, so I'll have to think of something else. 

M

things I love Thursday

1. True Blood

I can no longer deny that I have I’m having a Sunday night affair with Eric. I have no shame in telling you this dirty little secret.

 

Last Sunday was without question the best episode of the season. I just can’t believe the season is almost over. And the new Sookie book won’t be published until May. I need to start preparing for the long dark winter (aka "the off-season"). 

2. Thought bubble chalkboards from RVA

Not sure where I’d put one, but these are so darn cute.

3. New Thickers!

I do have love in my heart for Thickers and was not disappointed in these. 

But, where was all of the other new product at Archiver’s? Slow.to.market. That's all I'm sayin'.

M

10 dolla

You may recall that earlier in the summer I vowed to stop shopping for clothes (at least temporarily). For the most part, I've held strong and resisted the temptation. But, I came to a crossroads today -- either buy a few summer things or wear the same two outfits for a week while on vacation. So, the boycott was lifted, with a restriction -- I could only buy shirts that cost $10 or less and dresses/skirts that cost no more than $20. And, yes, it is possible!

A shirt for $9.95 from Anthropologie...

Buy one get one free shirts at Gap...

And a skirt I found last week at Old Navy (pre-emergency shopping)...

I noticed today that sweaters have hit the stores, so fall must be right around the corner.

M

what's up?

I've been on a blogging break. No reason in particular, just not much to say I guess. But, in the past few days I've...

...seen Julie & Julia and loved it!

...watched the entire last season of The Shield (which had been patiently waiting on my DVR).

...been rereading the Twilight series. Yes, it's sucked me back in and I'm hopeful that the next movie will actually be worthwhile.

...watched entirely too many episodes of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.

...been working on my quilt and now realize this design was not the ideal starting place for a perfectionist such as myself.

Now, I need to...

...clean the kitchen.

...do laundry.

...finish my scrapbooking assignments.

...pack for my vacation.

Here's to a productive rest of the week!

M

the perfect recipe

It's time for the second August challenge at Stuck?! Sketches! Here's the sketch...

...and here's my interpretation.

Cardstock: Bazzill

Patterned paper: Studio Calico, October Afternoon

Stamps: American Crafts, Studio Calico

Ink: We R Memory Keepers, Colorbox

Alphas: Pink Paislee, American Crafts

Ribbon: May Arts

Flower: Bazzill

Button: Making Memories

Twine: Martha Stewart by EK Success

Journaling spot: Martha Stewart by EK Success

Pin: Making Memories

Pen: EK Success

Glitter: Doodlebug

Chalk: Unknown

This is definitely one of my favorite layouts in quite some time. It documents my quest to recreate my grandmother's cinnamon roll recipe, which was never recorded before she passed away. They were the best cinnamon rolls I've ever had and I'm determined to recreate the magic!

To glitter inside the letters, I used a small paint brush to apply gel glue and then sprinkled the page with glitter. If you haven't tried this technique, I highly recommend using it to control exactly where you want the glue and ultimately, your glitter.

I hope you're having a crafty weekend! 

M

the tale of the blankety blank blank blanket

This morning I woke up determined to be productive. For some reason I was inspired to start the baby blanket I've been thinking about making for months. In fact, the intended recipient is now two months old. Better late than never, right?

Before 8 a.m. I managed to cut and iron the fabric, as well as the batting. And then I started to regret the fabric choice. One side is flannel and the other is silky. Need I say more?

After considerable effort to get the silky fabric smooth (this was a bit like trying to pet a moving cat), it was pinned and ready to sew. Then I realized it was pinned wrong...and had to be completely taken apart and redone. Ughhh!

It's now sewn together, but has been folded up and set aside for the night. I can take no more. It won't even photograph clearly.

But, I'm still determined to have it finished by Saturday morning because I need to work on blankets for Project Linus. 

Project Linus is a nonprofit group with local chapters. The mission is to provide children, who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need, gifts of new, handmade, washable blankets and afghans, crafted by volunteers.

Along with two of my friends from law school, we reorganized Topeka's chapter this year and are hosting our second blanket day this Saturday. So far, the chapter has donated over 200 blankets to local hospitals! If you're interested in helping out or getting involved with a local chapter, click here for more information and links to chapters nationwide.

TGIF (a little early)!

M

i've been looking...

...for some inspiration and finally found it courtesy of Kate Spade. 

How great are the colors and designs in her new line?

   

 

So many ideas! I'm off to create!

M