Explore: Maps and Perfection

Prompt 3 asked us to include a map in our play book. I picked up a few free maps and brochures as I left the gym on Wednesday night. I settled on the map of the area highlighting must-see nature spots and outdoor sports in the area. I love hunting waterfalls, wading in creeks, and rock jumping. I have set a new goal to use that brochure (or a duplicate copy that I haven't destroyed for a scrapbook) as a guide for my upcoming East TN Bucket LIst.



I loved the colors of the map so I just halved it and pasted it straight to the cardstock of my playbook. I have yet to work on the map themed embellishments, but I have the supplies ready for when I have some more time to craft.


What is perfection?
I have struggled with the idea of being perfect for a long time. Striving for the perfect body, the perfect grades, striving to be the perfect person in all of my roles. Over time I have softened to the notion that imperfections and difficulties are what make this life more precious.

The idea of a perfect body type has shifted from one of thinness to one of overall health. I will never have the perfect dancer's body. I wish I could have told that to adolescent me. I doubt she would have listened. I will, however, find a place in life where I'm learning to love a sport that tortured me from middle school through college.

I will never be the perfect daughter, sister, friend, spouse, or employee. However, I will strive to be authentic- honest and consistent with my words and actions to represent my true self in all aspects of my life.

Perfection is no longer about being afraid to make a mistake. Fear has immobilized me for far too long in this life. Perfection is about living life, mistakes and all, and learning how to be a better human being throughout the process. Perfection is an end result of how mistakes are dealt with and the growth that can come out of difficult times. Perfection is a life well lived, full of adventures, authenticity, and love.



The journaling behind the photo reads:

This photo isn't perfect and I don't think our love is either. I do think that we are a perfect pair. We compliment each other really well and build on each others strengths. This picture shows the sheer joy we felt on our wedding day.

And now...

Playing catch-up with photos:




This is the postcard I sent myself:


This was the journaling I wrote on the back of the card:

Layout: Wedding Memories

Ryan and I have been married for TWO months today. I'm finally getting around to scrapping our wedding photos. This layout shows some of my favorite shots from the wedding:



I feel that the happiness shines through in those pictures. The professional ones are even better!

Explore: Postcards and Adventures

I finished my playbook cover and the pages to go along with prompt #1 last night.




Today's prompt was about postcards and adventures. Part of the prompt was to write yourself a postcard and mail it to yourself. I chose a postcard from my collection that I purchased last year in Bolivia. The journaling on the postcard reads:

I feel most adventurous when I travel. I love trying new things and embracing the culture around me.

I will also be including the following in my explore album with a picture of the card below:

I made this postcard and sent it to a Postcrossing partner last week. It was so exciting to make a handmade postcard and share the joy with someone else. I got an email today that it reached it's destination. I feel overjoyed by the comments of others and how many have 'liked' the card. It was very neat to combine two of my hobbies into one.

Mini Album: Road Trippin'

I am all about recycling, reusing, and repurposing non-craft items into my scrapbooking. When I saw an opportunity for an album swap using paper bags, I jumped on the opportunity and I am THRILLED with the results. Not only did I repurpose the paper bags, but also some cardboard from our recent unpacking adventure!








I hope the recipient of this album will enjoy filling it with their pictures and memories because I enjoyed making the album for them!

What have you repurposed lately?

Explore: The Beginning

For the next four weeks I am joining Shimelle and many others for a scrapbooking, journaling, and blogging adventure. I started Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas last year and nearly finished when I was stopped in my tracks by a family situation. Scrapbooking was the last thing on my mind and I never finished the album, I will though, when I can sit with pen and paper and finally rewrite the journaling I scratched down last Christmas.

I'm excited about this class and the limitless possibilities of the direction the album can take. Some of my journaling will be both in the album and on my blog and some will just be in one of the two places. I'm not going to bind the album until it is complete so I will be updating with single pages until the final prompt is completed.

This is the journaling I wrote in response to the first prompt:

Note to self:
Take time to explore the world around you. Dig deeper into your soul. Do the work that is hard to do. Embrace all of the new adventures you have begun. Relish in the freedom to create a new future with the man you love. Allow yourself room to grow. Give yourself permission to like Tennessee. Find reasons to stay here rather than run away to somewhere comfortable. Everyday remember why you committed yourself to Ryan and made a giant leap into a life together. Relax and make room for change.

The first photo prompt was a self portrait in the mirror:

That is me after running intervals on the treadmill and before the session with my trainer. I look slightly happy, I enjoyed my run/walk/run/walk. I did not look so happy after training.

Simple Meals: Stir Fry

Ryan has requested some new meals be added to our routine. While perusing the meat section at my friendly neighborhood organic grocer, I found very affordable pre-cut beef for stir fry. Added benefit- hormone and antibiotic free. Yes please! My mind started racing with ideas, but I went with the obvious and decided to make something inspired by stir fry.

Ingredients: Boil in a bog brown rice, frozen mixed veggies, meat, soy sauce, olive oil (not pictured)

Frozen Veggies + Soy Sauce + Water + Microwave = Easy Peasy

I cooked the beef in olive oil and soy sauce (I don't measure!)

Another simple meal with the thumbs up from the husband-man! Success!!!

Layout: Gone Sailing

This month's sketch and DT examples at Get Picky are fabulous! I love that they encourage multi-photo layouts. I dug into my piles of Nook kits that stacked up over the past few months and settled on the one with Echo Park. *swoon* I added some flowers, ribbon, and washi tape from my stash. (Thanks Allison, I love the tape!)

One of my favorite adventures while on the honeymoon was going on a dolphin 'cruise' in the Charleston Harbor. It was beautiful even though we saw more jellyfish than dolphins.