Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope your week is going well! I am still overwhelmed by the excitement from my post in August all about Creative Reuse shops and reviewing these places! I am so excited that y'all are so excited about this travel series! These stores are truly a treasure trove adventures for artists, teachers, creators, homeschool and creative mamas, and anyone who loves to create. You can find a map of all of the shops HERE!
Today I am so excited to share about SCRAP, located in San Francisco, California which is the oldest creative reuse shop in the United States!! Started in 1976, SCRAP is truly the pioneer in these types of shops!
If you would like to know just basic facts about this shop please just scroll down to the bottom of the post where I will be sharing basic information to help those who want to know more specifics about each of the creative reuse shops and some tips from each store!
Today I am sharing more about SCRAP which is located in San Francisco, California. I visited there in April 2023 and it was wonderful!
This honestly is one of my favorite creative reuse stores and shops I have been to! There are so many unique things and so many great prices that it deserves tons of time but even if you only have two hours like I did, go visit because you will love it!
This store had so many fun offerings of all different types of mixed media, scrap, craft and art resources and more. Compared to other creative reuse shops that I have visited so far I would say that this would had the most items for every type of artwork (not just crafting).
You can see from the very first picture that while the space from the outside looked small, as soon I entered you could tell that it was HUGE.
It felt symbolic honestly y'all because it felt like an abandoned warehouse that had been salvaged along with all of the treasures that I was finding inside! BUT- they are looking for a new building (you can read more about that HERE)! In the meantime this 9,000+ square foot building is a lovely home and honestly so wonderful!
I ended up spending nearly 2 and 1/2 hours and I still didn't feel like I had seen everything!
Compared to some of the other creative reuse places I have visited this may not have been defined as "cutesy" but I loved it. It was an amazing place and if you are into searching stores for art supply treasures and digging through a bit- you will absolutely love this place.
Things are very organized, despite the amount of items and there were so many things to look through! Honestly, you could find so many different items depending on your craft/work/hobby here. It was truly filled with so many things and I loved the way that people had donated these items to be reused instead of just throwing them out into a landfill!
The prices were fair from my experience in visiting so many different creative reuse stores and the people and workers were friendly and helpful. One of the neat things with the workers that we interacted with was they truly seemed genuinely interested in what people were making and creating. One of the managers came up and introduced himself and knew that I was there for the first time. He asked all about my art and what I like to create and offered to show me all different ideas that he had. It was FABULOUS. It was neat to see that there was obviously a community that was common there and I was welcomed right into that. As I walked around I interacted with artists of all different stages and those who were creating amazing things. Definitely a fun creative community experience!
It is definitely a place that I would go to visit again and I definitely recommend it! If we were within a couple of hours of this store we would definitely make a trip back there often- the prices were fair and the unique assortment of items definitely was a fun treasure hunt experience that we had!
......RECRAFT CREATIVE REUSE CENTER SHOP INFORMATION......
LOCATION:
San Francisco, California
2150 Newcomb Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
HOURS FOR SHOPPING:
Closed Mondays
Tuesday-Sundays: 10am-6pm
TYPE OF SHOP:
Total craft experience: numerous items for crafting/mixed media/lots of different projects and types of creating and creating art of any and all kind
YEAR OPENED:
*oldest creative reuse shop in the United States*
1976 - read history HERE
MISSION:
(taken from their website)
SCRAPs mission to inspire creativity and environmental stewardship in children and adults through promoting the creative reuse of materials that traditionally have been discarded as waste.
KEY DISTINCTIVES:
*Oldest Creative Reuse shop in the United States
*Free Parking (a key thing for San Francisco)
*Restrooms for Staff and Public
*Loading Dock for donated materials
*HUGE warehouse
COST:
Compared to other shops we have tried and visited, the prices were fair even compared to shops around the country that exist in other large and expensive cities. I should also note that there was bargaining allowed there. I had found a huge roll of ribbon that I really loved and asked if a few dollars could be knocked off it which was quickly accepted. I heard others asking similar things and asking for a few dollars off of some items appeared to be an accepted practice.
PARKING:
There is a free parking lot, free street parking, and close proximity to a public garage.
CROWDED?:
It was busy, but plenty of space for shopping.
DISABILITY /CHRONIC ILLNESS FRIENDY?:
Absolutely yes. There is a ramp to get in, and while some aisles were narrow, a wheelchair could fit through although there were some spaces that it could be difficult due to the creative displays.
Thank you so much for reading today friends! Please let me know if you have any questions about Creative Reuse Shops or SCRAP! I am happy to answer and can't wait to hear about your creative reuse shop adventures! And again, if you would like to read about other Creative Reuse Shops that I have written about on the blog click HERE or click on the links below:
Have a wonderful day friends!
When I was 13 years old, I wrote a letter to this woman because she had written some books that absolutely grabbed me, and I told her I dreamed of being a writer. To my shock, she wrote me back a handwritten note and, at the end, encouraged me to become that writer and love Jesus most of all.
Over the last 3 decades, I have treasured her books, her words of encouragement, her podcast, her blog posts, and the Hallmark Channel movies (made from her books).
When my precious daddy died, she wrote me the most tender encouragement and has shared countless times that she is praying for me.
Last Sunday, a dream came true as I not only got to meet her face to face but had the privilege of spending several hours with this Godly lady who spoke the most precious encouragement into my very tender heart. She took me to the most gorgeous spot in Newport Beach and as we sat overlooking stunning flowers, tall palm trees, boats softly sailing in and the ocean she gently and tenderly renamed a season that has felt so incredibly difficult and painful as "the gathering season".
As tears gently fell, I listened to the wisdom and knowledge of someone who has faithfully, courageously, and generously loved well. Her wisdom and words spoke wind into tiny embers of dreams that have felt lost and hopeless. Words of hope and faith among beauty were truly graced by the Lords presence, and it was holy.
Thank you for everything Robin, you are truly my hero, and yesterday was a day I will remember forever from our picnic to the beautiful spot, our laughter, heart sharing, the beautiful intentionality of the spot, but mostly for your kindness and gentle firm encouragement into things that seem impossible. What a gift yesterday was, and I can't wait till we get together again soon! You are a woman I am HONORED to call a kindred spirit.
picture found on internet, not the property of Caravan Sonnet- no source found
Happy Sunday friends! It is early early this morning as I am at the airport and flying out to California for a few days. First I will be spending a few days in the Los Angeles/ Newport Beach area before heading to a few different places. I realized today that it has been 10 years (almost to the date!) of being in this area for my treatments at Whitaker Wellness Clinic. It is incredible to think of where my health was then and where it is today!!
Follow along on my instagram page and I can't wait to connect with y'all more over there! You can following along by clicking HERE!
I hope y'all have a wonderful day! Happy Sunday friends!
This trip out to my doctors office was a bit different in several ways and for several reasons. First, I was traveling alone (something I hadn't been able to do in years); second, we were not test dosing any medications or getting a PICC line or getting a port put in (Thank the Lord!!) so the trip was a quick trip, and most importantly; third, as I continue to heal I find that I have more and more energy and strength to do the things that my heart longs to do- like spending time to visit with good friends.
So when I reached out to Katie a couple of months ago to see if it would be possible to meet up, I was so humbled when she said yes, and then invited me to come down for the afternoon to Santa Cruz where her family was having their annual beach vacation. Honestly, the couple of hours that I got to spend with Katie were such a blessing to my heart and soul.
I know to those who are not bloggers, the whole "blogging thing" and "blogging community" can be a bit of a weird and strange world. I had an interview yesterday about blogging and I was trying to explain how for some it is a hobby, but for others it is a full time job and career and at the end of the day you meet these amazing and fantastic people that become dear and life-long friends that you may never have had the chance to meet otherwise. At the heart of everything you read and get a small window into a person's life and words are incredibly powerful in showing you a person's true self. The ties that bind can go beyond blogging and I have been so blessed to call Katie a friend.
Last year, after we had visited Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe (you can read about it HERE), we decided that we would drive back to our hotel in San Francisco on I-80, by Donner Pass.
To be honest when we made the decision it was kind of on a whim, my traveling heart wanting to see more of California and the beautiful area that we were surrounded by, and my mom always willing to go on an adventure. I had absolutely no idea the extreme beauty that was still to meet us that day after we had experienced the awe and wonder of Emerald Bay.
It was the best decision.
I can't recommend a trip to Emigrant Gap enough. Located along I-80 in California the views just driving to Emigrant Gap are so stunning and the pictures above show just a few shots that we saw of the beautiful countryside. As we drove along we just kept saying, "oh my... absolutely gorgeous", "oh my goodness this is beautiful" and were literally speechless at the beauty before us.
When we arrived at Emigrant Gap we stood at the overlook and just were blown away by the breathtaking beauty that was before us.
Since teaching about the westward expansion in AP US History years ago, I have always wanted to see Emigrant Gap. Emigrant Gap is a ridge that is famously located along the California Trail. It is located to the west of what is now referred to and called Donner Pass.
Emigrant Gap is famous in tales of westward expansion mostly because of the cliffs that are so steep in this area that forced the pioneers in the 1840s to lower their wagons on ropes in order to continue westward. This section of the pioneer trail was also where pioneers were emigrating from the United States to California (as California was part of Mexico at that time).
The feat of lowering wagons on ropes was something that I honestly had not thought that much about when I was a high school student. My history teacher at the time seemed to just gloss over the fact and paint the picture that the ropes were steady and the wagons were easily lowered down. This could not have been less true.
When I was teaching this section of history I learned that was simply not the case at all. Despite all that the pioneers encountered along their journey (sickness, starvation, praire fires, bears, fights with specific Indian tribes, etc.) one of the most dangerous parts of the journey came when the pioneers encountered this section of their journey with lowering the wagons in these steep cliffs.
Now, I will be the first one to admit that when I showed portions of Into the West to my students the scenes that depicted this section of lowering the wagons caused us to giggle a bit. The "mountain" and "cliffs" in the show looked like a tiny hill about 10-20 feet high and at one point one of the main characters was idly standing on the hill watching a wagon break loose from its ropes and head towards her (yes, eventually hitting her). After I had tried to explain the incredible thing that the pioneers had done, the bravery that they had, and the incredible task of lowering the wagons, the scene did seem to downplay the severity of this task (and may have prompted the infamous "Into the West mock video" that made us all laugh- hahahaha).
BUT standing in that space, overlooking Emigrant Gap last year, I realized how wrong both my high school history teacher and I had been. The task was anything but easy and anything short of being incredible. As I stood staring out at the rolling mountains, one after another, with the dramatic cliffs and high peaks I was stunned at the brave, courageous, and arduous task that the pioneers encountered.
It was absolutely amazing and incredible to stand in this place of history that was not only beautiful, but incredibly inspiring.
To think about all that the pioneers encountered along their journey and then to think about facing this section of land - so close to where they were trying to go and yet still so far- this task would have seemed daunting and overwhelming. It was completely inspiring to stand in this area and pay tribute to those courage few who accomplished this. It was also absolutely inspiring. We saw this just a few days before "courtney the portney" was placed and standing there reminded me to be courageous and face the "mountain" that was there before me.
If you ever get the chance to drive along Interstate 80 in California and see Emigrant Gap, I can't encourage you enough to go visit. You will walk away inspired, encouraged, and in awe of not only the beauty before you, but the incredibly bravery of a generation past.
"The spring of 1845 saw the first covered wagons surmount the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They left this valley, ascended to the ridge, and turned westward to Old Emigrant Gap. The wagons were lowered by ropes to the floor of Bear Valley. Hundreds followed before, during, and after the gold rush. This was a hazardous portion of the overland emigrant trail."
-Historical Marker at Emigrant Gap, California-
(1) When I was in high school I went on a couple of mission trips down to Mexico with my church youth group. Each time we took the bus for the near 40 hour trip from Tennessee To Juarez, Mexico. The youth pastor had a real "love" for lots of McDonald's and Burger King and literally stopped to eat every meal of our trips at these two places. Let's just say that with the air conditioning dying and lots of traffic there were lots of us not feeling so great living off of these two fast food places. To this day I literally can't stand either of them.
(2) When I was in high school one of good friends invited me to Hilton Head with her family for a week. The trip down there was eventful as her parents loved to speed (I am talking going over 85 mph around windy roads) and loved Dunkin Donuts. The combination once again was not good for my tender stomach and once again as a result of a trip I grew to loathe a famous fast food indulgence. I literally to this today still hate the smell of donuts.
hahaha... I am just realizing why I probably over pack healthy snacks on road trips now in my adult life.... hahaha....
(3) My third "worst" trip is a bit ironic as it turned out to be the worst for me (physically) but it also held incredibly awesome memories. When I was a cheerleading coach at the school I taught at in DC I took one of the teams to a cheer camp several hours away in PA. We had such a blast at the beginning and the time with the girls really was incredibly priceless.
Unfortunately, one of the girls ended up getting really sick and about 24 hours later I ended up getting the most sick I had been in my entire life up to that point. I finally ended up in the hospital where I was diagnosed with viral meningitis. It turned out that the college campus that we stayed at had had an outbreak and had not informed all of us that were coming. The picture above is one of the ones from our first few hours on the campus... before the sickness hit. Again, precious times, but looking at the picture still makes me cringe. *hahaha*
As far as a best trip it is honestly hard to pick just one so I am sharing a bit about 9 of my favorites so far. Y'all know that I love to travel and each one trip has been sweetly different and unique with precious memories. Here are just a few of my absolute favorites (#1 and #2 are definitely tied *smiles*):
I have shared about this entire cruise but it was simply wonderful. I loved every second and we had a blast starting off in Disney world and then heading on to a Disney Cruise. If you haven't been on one I can't recommend it enough- go! You can read about the cruise HERE.
This cruise was absolutely wonderful. My parents had never been on a cruise before and when the opportunity came up to go it was a beautiful gift. We had such an incredible time and made so many different memories as we snorkeled in Nassau, relaxed and swam on Coco Cay and just had a great time laughing and being together. It was definitely a trip to remember. You can read more about it HERE.
3. California Trip in April -May 2013
This was the trip that really started my healing journey with Lyme Disease at the beginning. It is incredible to look back and think about all that transpired throughout this time including a diagnosis of Skin cancer, surgery, and the start of a healing protocol that I have no doubt saved my life. I look back at the picture of this woman sitting on a lifeguard station and can't help but smile with gratitude. I arrived in California barely able to eat and walk and arrived back home starting the process of healing. (You can read about all of the posts related to this season with this group of doctors HERE.)
This trip was filled with high anticipation as I flew back across the country (this time to San Francisco) to see a new doctor. By the time I arrived I was incredibly weak and very sick and to be frank... extremely afraid of what was to come. I knew that my body was dying and I had recently been rejected by Cleveland Clinic as a patient as I was told that my case was "to complicated". I arrived, met my doctor, said something brave like, "if you can't help me and I am going to die just let me know now". Now for the record she was number 325 of doctors I had seen about Lyme so I was VERY skeptical going into the appointment and I was trying not to cry as I was afraid to hope that they really could help me. She looked at me, didn't say anything for a few moments, and then said, "We will beat this. Your case is complicated but with hard work you will not die from this. It is going to take a long time and the fight will be the hardest thing you have ever done, but I will help you get your life back." To which I broke down and sobbed as my new kind-hearted doctor handed me a box of tissues. It has been three years and she has never once broken that promise. (You can read more about my first appointment HERE. It is amazing to see how far the Lord has brought me since that time!)
This trip I thought was going to be one of the worst trips... flying across the country to test dose extremely high dose medications and to get a port placed are not the typical "fun trip". But despite this and despite the circumstances of the trip the Lord provided some beautiful opportunities for my mom and I to see incredible beauty as we traveled along Highway 1, saw Muir Woods, and visited Lake Tahoe. As I look back on that trip I have to smile at the symbolism of God bringing beauty despite the darkness.
6. Senior Trip 2009
This senior trip was one of my absolute favorites and such an incredibly special time. While the pranks may have gone a bit wrong with the "London Bombing Night" (hahaha- Kaara, "now that, that is getting annoying... hahahaha) and the chairs that wouldn't stay on the roof that we did some cheerleading moves to get up there, and the schools credit cards not working when we went to purchase food... the laughter, the talks, the evening spent sharing thanks and love for each person in the room remains one of my favorite memories of life let alone a trip. The pictures above capture a few of the moments, but all of them will stay treasured in my heart forever. I love you guys. (PS- This is the class that I dedicated my book, December Caravan to which you can read more about HERE.)
This trip holds such precious memories to me as we had such a beautiful day in the park. I love these ladies and it was a sweet and fun day filled with lots of laughter, lots of fun, and lots of time to create beautiful memories that I will treasure forever. You can read more about this beautiful time HERE.
Isle of Palms, South Carolina holds a very special place in my heart that started with a senior trip in 2008 to this beautiful house (in the middle):
It was such an amazing trip with beautiful memories that when I moved to Georgia and took over the girls Bible class I knew it would be the perfect place to go for a retreat. The trips in 2010 and 2011 hold such precious memories and I look back and smile with gratitude for the beautiful Isle of Palms trips which you can read more about HERE.
9. Senior Trip 2012
This trip holds incredibly precious memories for me... for the trip itself, but also because I knew that life was about to change in huge ways. I had NO idea what these last five years would hold, but I look back on this trip with a smile... I remember on this trip finding the verse from Ezekiel that says, "the Lord is there". I can still remember meditating and thinking through this verse and seeing how the Lord has consistently used this throughout this journey feels like a "full circle moment". The Lord is there... This trip was beautiful and it remains one of my favorites... the people ... it was all just perfect. I love you guys deeply.
Okay, what are some of your best and worst trip stories? I would love to hear!!
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you have a beautiful day!
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