Pay It Forward

I am so excited. I received the opportunity to participate in a Pay-It-Forward. I've been admiring Liz's quilts for a few months now. And guess what? I will be getting something handmade from her! How awesome is that? And isn't it cool that she has boy/girl twins the same age as me? :o)

So here how it works, the first three people to comment on this post and say they want to play along will get something handmade by me. Rules say I have 365 days to make good. In turn, you must post this on your blog and pay forward to three more people!

I have only been sewing for a few months and certainly can't handle a quilt just yet so I wouldn't expect any of you that play along to make one either. It can be anything hand made. This is only open to people who have their own blog, so that they can continue this chain in the way it was intended.

So, let me know if you’re interested and can commit to sending something when it’s your turn. I look forward to making something for you!

What a wonderful way to get back into blogging. (I've had quite a dry spell.)

Clutter Bug ~ A-CHOO!

My name is Kathy and yes I am a clutter bug and have been for all of my existence.

I am loathing clutter lately. We have a small house, only 1300 sq ft, and it is filled to the brim. I told Mark this weekend that it's as though we've lived here 30 years, not 6.5 with all the stuff we have accumulated. So, I finally convinced him (and myself) that the stuff has to go. It's a lot easier when you're both running on the same track, ya know? I don't see us being able to move any time in the near future. BUT, even if we were able to move, who wants to move all the STUFF?! Not me.

It will be an ENOURMOUS undertaking and sure to add stress, but I think the outcome will make us all a little happier.

My parents just purged many items in their house over the past month. Even though it took a lot of hard work and was definitely emotional with memories flooding back from years past; they got through it. So for now, they are my inspiration.

On the craft front, I actually made a couple of cards this weekend and towels as well. I hope to get some pics tonight.

Have a great week.

Diet Update

DH bought me a new scale. I went digital b/c I couldn’t stand how our old spring scale would have to be re-adjusted and it was difficult to read the lines. So, now a week and a half in, I started weighing myself. I figure if I see the progress in numbers, then I will be more inclined to stick to the program. I haven’t incorporated any exercise yet besides the normal rough housing with the kids. I hope to start next week at the latest.

My next endocrinologist dr appt is in late August, I believe. So I’ll be very excited to see what I weigh at that point b/c I know that I was at my high point at my last appt and I don’t know if my scale is comparable to theirs.

Anyway, I do feel better already. I don’t feel so inflated for lack of a better word. Again, my goal is 20 lbs by Oct 31, so I have about 3.5 months to go. It would be so awesome!!

As an extra incentive, I think I will post a before picture as a reminder of what I don’t want to look like anymore and maybe a pic each month along the way.

It was an eye opener to see this picture of myself. I'm not a large breasted woman by any means, but when the tummy extends past the girls, good gosh, something, must be done.

It will get better, one day at a time.

Drawstring Bag

I saw this tutorial back in April and just knew I wanted to make it at some point. It is extremely easy to follow. However, I decided to line the bag to make it a bit sturdier and had the liner fabric folded to the outside for contrast. Unfortunately, I had trouble with the grommets. I have the Big Bite. I tried several times without success on some scrap fabric and it just didn't work for me. So then I decided to try and place button holes on either side. well, that didn't work out too well. I cut off the bottom and sewed it again. Then I realized the drawstring can be on one side. I added the little loop on the right. I would have preferred to have it inside the seam but after all of this work, I didn't want to open it up. I am very happy with the final product. I am giving it to my niece as a very belated get well gift. It's big enough for a pool bag or casual purse.

Catching up

It's been a while since I last posted. Fortunately, I am feeling a little better. So, I will live it up until the next roller coaster ride. :o)

I am starting a diet tomorrow. A friend at work filled me in on what she does, so I figured I'd give it a whirl. I hope to lose 20 lbs by my birthday which is at the end of October. I know it sounds like a lot and I am probably in over my head, but I really need to do something. I can't tolerate looking at myself in pictures anymore. :o(

So here's a few pics of 2 different projects. The elastic waistband skirt was the skirt I made in my sewing class. Funny story to go with that skirt. Here's how it went down:

Picture me sewing along, a bit tired and over concentrating when all of a sudden, WHAMMO, my finger gets stuck under the needle. YAH, THE NEEDLE WAS IN MY FINGER. 

Me: "Um, excuse, me, I'm stuck."

Teacher: "Whaaaaat??!!"

Me: "I don't know what to do, I'm stuck."

Teacher: "You should turn it; I don't want to hurt you."

Me: "OK. Everyone, I'm sorry if I start screaming obscenities. {deep breathe} Holy Sh*t, Holy Sh*t, Holy Sh*t." I then inspected my finger, "I wonder if it went all the way through?"

Teacher after seeing the blood on the other side of my finger: "Yep, it did."

Me: LOLOLOLOLOLOL. Seriously, I couldn't stop laughing even though my finger was throbbing.

Anyway, I think I will only post the skirt here and post the other project another nite. This turned into a much longer than anticipated post. :o)

Have a great week.

Out of Sorts

A mini-venting session is needed. I'm tired. I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of not being able to keep my head straight when needed. My thyroid is the culprit. I find out later today what can be done if anything. 

Big changes for me are happening with work. I've been given more responsibility (no extra pay, but, hey I have a job, right?). This responsibility lies outside of my comfort zone. I'm excited and worried at the same time. It's a great opportunity but being so tired lately has left me feeling a bit overwhelmed. Deep down, I know it's just a matter of standing up to the challenge, making my lists, doing my research and just taking the leap, but it's been difficult for me to get off the ledge.

I pray the doctor will be able to do something for me, b/c I honestly think that me feeling crummy has put a damper on me getting off the ledge.

I have worked on a few sewing projects since I last posted. I can't wait to take pics. Maybe I can do that tonight.

OK, venting done for now. Thanks to whomever took the time to read this. :o)

Project of the week - Decorated Hand Towels

I am SUCH a sucker for fabric and scraps. I even try to stop by the fabric store once a week to flip through the clearance section. But now I have a BIG bin-O-scraps that I have to find a new home for somehow, hence the towels. I bought a set of 2 from Target for around $1.50 and patched together some scraps and stitched it on the towels. It's the first time I created a quilt-like look. I love how they came out. They are so summery. They will be a gift for a co-worker.

I also bought some strawberries today in hopes of making strawberry jam. Ya-should be interesting...I'll keep you posted.