Planning Ahead

Every year I tell myself to plan well in advance for Christmas. Don't be that crazed person who uses all of their December paycheck to buy last minute, cookie cutter gifts. Why is it I never listen to my own advice?!

This year I'm determined to make a change! Over the past few months I've been scouting out various tutorials on some of my favorite sites and come up with some pretty awesome projects. Now its just a matter of making some time to accomplish them...

The Purl Bee :: Spring Napkins
They call them "Spring" but I'm hoping for "All Season" Napkins
Maybe I'll make some in pretty primary colors...

Acornbud's Yarns :: Knitted Kitty
I have 3 kids under the age of two who I should be making things for.
This seems like a baby proof and super cute toy.
Not to mention super quick (I hope!)

funessa :: Recycled Sweater Blanket
I just wish we had a washer in our apartment so the
felting process would be more manageable...

Knit and Tonic :: Rag Quilt (PDF Tutorial)
I've got enough flannel at home currently to make 3 of these quilts!
Lets hope they go as quickly as the tutorial says...

Megan Mills :: Rib Slippers
I'm almost done with one slipper.
It went quickly, the pattern is simple enough,
but I doubt I'll be able to make it more than one pair this year.

Quotes

"The path you pick determines where you'll end up. What direction are you aiming for?"

"To accomplish great things, we must not only plan, but also believe."

"If you don't dare to begin, you don't stand a chance of getting where you want to be."

"Who makes it happen?"

Daily goals

• I will eat a healthy breakfast (including a fruit!) before leaving the house every morning.
• I will take my daily vitamins.
• I will drink 60+ oz of water everyday.
• I will eat a vegetable at both lunch and dinner.
• I will only eat out once a week.
• I will try a new recipe once a week.
• I will be active 30 minutes 5 days a week.
  

Before

Today is the beginning of the rest of my life. I will begin a new journey that will guide me to become more healthy, more fit, more happy and THIN! My best friend has been on Weight Watchers for the past several months and has encouraged me to join her once all the wedding mayhem has stopped. Mark and I have been back from Paris for less than a week, and I've been looking forward to my first WW meeting for a long while. I am ready!

This is my 'Before' photo. It was taken the morning of my wedding, while I was getting my makeup done and my hair was setting in curls. I think it is a beautiful photo. The lighting is wonderful, I'm happy, I look pretty, and I look fat. It's that simple. This is me at my heaviest: 302 lbs. (Yes interwebs, I'm publicly announced my true weight! I refused to be ashamed!)

Something has clicked (finally!) inside me, allowing me to (finally!) accept that I NEED to lose weight. And this time it's for the right reason: I'm doing this for myself! I want to be able to go shopping at any store without frustration. I want to be able to walk up a hill or flight of stairs and not be winded. I want to be able to one day have kids and be able to play with them! I'm ready for life and I'm ready for this journey. Bring it!

cat versus human

My new favorite blog: cat versus human! It's like she's drawing the cartoons from my life sometimes!

Must Have Cute

One of the many website I check on a regular basis is Must Have Cute. It is filled with all kinds of adorably cute, kawaii style goodies that I drool and coo over. Here a couple of my recent favorites:

Perpetual Kid :: Log and Squirrel Planter
I am known for killing plants.
My mother fears leaving her plants in my care while on vacation.
I think this may cure my black thumb: a self watering pot where the cute little squirrel
goes into hiding when the water is low. Genius!

Mod Cloth :: Meow for Measuring Cup
My undying love for kitties and baking have finally become one!

Sweetheart Collectibles :: Two Peas in a Pod Salt and Pepper Shakers

Weekend Project: 2-Tiered Server

Yellow 2-tiered server, originally uploaded by kelmakesart.

Here's a cute 2-tiered server I made for cupcakes, amuse-bouche, or other delicious treats! It's a very easy DIY project and also very cost effective (2 plates & 1 glass from Goodwill, plus glue = $6.50!). I plan on posting a tutorial later, as well as more photos of two other tiered severs I made.

Yarnia

At Urban Craft Uprising I have discovered a new favorite thing: Yarnia! They are a yarn shop in Portland, OR, that allows you to pick and choose your own yarn color, weight, material and texture! Here's a fun demo video they made

I'm kind of glad they are 200+ miles away from me, or I'd spend way too much time and money there :)

Urban Craft Uprising

This weekend is my FAVORITE bi-annual craft show:

Every time I go I pick up a new flavor of wool fiber from HiFiber (previously madebyMoxie) and I've got my eye on this one:

Summer Picnic

The 4th of July (last Saturday) was 50 degrees and drizzly all day. It is predicted to be 90 degrees on Thursday! It's true, Seattle summers officially begin on July 5th, without fail. While my fiance and I did just invest in our very first air-conditioner (he's a redhead and hates the sun/heat with a fiery passion), but my best friend and I have made plans to soak up some rays, address all the dreaded wedding invitations, and possibly have a picnic at the park up the road from us. Bonus: across the street from the park is the best ice cream in Seattle- Molly Moons. Their balsamic strawberry, Theo chocolate, and Vivace coffee are my top favorite flavors.

This cute chair and roll up (portable) table set is on our
wedding registry from Crate and Barrel:

Other awesome supplies for making a fantastical picnic-

NstarStudio:: Urban Picnic Rollup
Such a cute way to tote some eco-friendly (bamboo) utensils!

greenappleworkshop :: Wicker Picnic Basket
Vintage and not the typical natural color.
It even has a tray that fits inside to keep things neat and tidy!

WithLuvLulu :: "Picnics are Fun" Card
If only I looked that cute while spilling stuff all over myself...