10 Things I've Been Up To

Ack!

Where is the time going?  I am just so busy being summer lazy, that I haven't made or sewn anything(and blogged about it)lately.

So sad.

I am however, enjoying the time I get to spend with my kiddos.

So here's a list of 10 things that I have been doing...

1. went to see Brave(loved it)

2. potty trained my toddler(candy makes a good reward)

3. made an outdoor towel rack(so cool)

4.  made a recycled bin for sewing(will post tomorrow)(promise)

5. planned our vacation to Wisconsin Dells

6. decided on a color(and bought it) to re-do a dresser

7. took a nap(only today)

8. had a cook-out with friends and family

9. got sun burnt(I put sunblock on 3 times!)

10.  lost 5 more lbs!

I hope you all have been having some summer fun too!

Stay tuned for that recycled trash can(bin) tomorrow!

:D

150 minutes!?! Really?!

I learned something new yesterday.

In order for your workout to be considered a "weight -loss" aid, you have to work out for 150 minutes a week!

I am shocked.

Really.

I thought that my 3 x a week for 30 minutes was great.

Well...not so much.

So, this week I have gone to the gym twice, to the tune of an hour.

1/2 hour on the elliptical then 1/2 hour on the bike.

It is really not that that bad because of the Kindle Fire.  I get to read and listen to music, all while working out.  The time really flies.  :)

And, guess what?

Down another 3 lbs!

WOOHOO!

(I actually think I gained a tad over the winter, but that is irrelevant.)

My diabetes is slowly coming into better control, and I'm trying to live a healthier life.  So far...okay.

I'm even getting my follow-up appt next week at my doctors office.

(I cancelled in Nov and never rescheduled, bad, I know.)

I'm so glad I'm finally wanting to do this, and it is really hard...I wish I had done it years ago.  Oh well.

Keep on the lookout for a new idea for old cardboard boxes!  It's gonna be swell!

:D



It's My Birthday!

Today is my Birthday.

I am now officially closer to 40 than I'd like to be...

35

However, I do not feel like I am that age.

I only feel like I am 29(again).

My hubs got me the best gift this year...he actually listened to me when I told him what I wanted!

A Kindle Fire!

Way to go hubs!

Since it is my birthday, and I love my very few followers so much, I thought I'd share some really cute pics of myself.  Without further adieu...me.

Here is me at 1.  It is only a picture of a picture, because heaven knows they didn't have digital pics when I was born!

Here is me and my dad.  Oh how I miss him.  It doesn't seem like it has been 10 years since he passed away.

This has got to be my favorite picture of me ever!  Taken in June of 1979.  Kinda looks like some other little girl we all know, huh?

Thanks for reading, and I hope everyone has a birthday that is as great as mine was this year!

:D



Flax seed for All

I am, once again, turning over a new leaf.

I keep trying to get healthy, but I'm not really putting forth a lot of effort.

I am a stress eater.

Right now I am stressed out.

So I eat.

A lot.

I really need to get my willpower back.

I still go to the gym at least 3 times per week.  So I got that going for me.  :)

I'm not sure how many of you know that I work in a hospital.  They are tying to cultivate a healthy workforce (aka save money on their insurance costs) and they make us get stuff checked once a year.  They check our blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and BMI.  Good news, not all of mine are too bad.  HA!  My BP is high, my blood sugar is high, and my cholesterol is high.  My BMI is high, but I didn't have to go to fat class!  Yay!  I do have to go to Diabetes class though. :(  If I don't do all this crap my insurance rates go up.

So off to class I go.

Anyway, back to the flax seed...

I was reading a magazine last week that talked about the benefits of flax seed, chia seed and wheat germ.  I thought I'd give it a try.  It definitely couldn't hurt right?

So I spoke with my lovely nutritionist and she told me to go for it!  She also told me where to buy it.

Kroger's actually has the flax seed...it's super, because that is where I shop a lot of the time.  Flax seed is great for you.  It is full of omega-3 fatty acids, lignans,  and it helps keep you regular.  There is a great article on Web MD here.  I will not attempt to teach you all about it, so go look for yourself.  It may even help prevent cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. 

As for my use, it is easy, and quick.  I put it in my yogurt every morning.  It has a slightly nutty flavor(really) and it adds some texture.  At lunch I put it in the middle of my PB&J sandwich.  It doesn't make it taste any differently, at all.  And the ideal daily dose is only 2 tablespoons!  That is nothing!  We are having tacos for dinner tonight, so I am going to sprinkle some in my black bean/corn mixture.  I'll let you know how that goes.  And, as far as the laxative effect...

I won't share.

:D

P.S.  Tomorrow is my birthday.  I may or may not share anything, but then again, you might get a baby pic or two.  :)

Ruffle Wristlet/Clutch {tutorial}

Hi there!  I wanted to share this tutorial on my blog, just in case you missed me while I was on Bear Rabbit Bear Crafts a couple of weeks ago.  This is a clutch that I made for my daughters 10th Birthday!  Needless to say, she LOVED it!

Supplies

5 fat quarters(I had a bundle on hand, but you could prob get by with 3 or so.)

1/2 yard fusible interfacing

About an hour(or a nap time)

 Thia all started as a fat quarter bundle I got at Joann's.

Yellow and blue are her favorite colors.

 First I ironed all the fat quarters with steam, to get rid of the creases.   Then...

 I used 5 different patterns of fabric, but you could use 2, or 3.  Just remember that you need one whole fat quarter(minus a strip)for the lining and the ruffle.  And 5 strips of fabric that are 2.5 x 22 inches.

 Then sew them together.

 Please don't forget to iron, it looks so much better, and helps tighten your stitches.

 Next, lay your patchy piece on top of the lining you chose, just like in the picture, and cut the right side and top off.

 Now you have 2 that are exactly the same.

 Do the same with the interfacing(don't worry it's really easy)

No steam when doing this part...

 Sew across the part of the bag with the pins on it.

This is what the bag looks like after you sew the ruffle in place.

 Close the Velcro and there it is, your pretty ruffle wristlet!

I know my daughter is going to love this!  It is a very grown-up gift for my (almost) grown-up girl.

If you have some extra time today, please go check out my favorite tutorials on my blog.

Shabby Chick Ruffle Crossbody Bag

Cute Kid Cameo Wall Art

Thanks for reading!

:D