A jelly roll & a cupcake...

Well, it's February and once again...slacking on the blog! Argh! So frustrating and no excuses really.  I've thought updating several times and then I just never do it.  Must. Get. Better! I'll have to set a reminder on my calendar! 

I have, at least, been a little crafty! And I tried a couple new recipes that I liked...and didn't like!  Since it's February and we are approaching Valentine's Day, I decided to do "14 Days of Valentines" for my hubby.  Little gifts, either handmade or store bought things...I started creative and then I just started buying stuff...Strawberry Crush for "I've got a crush on you"...or Reese's Bits for "You have a piece of my heart", etc... I did make him coupons for back rubs or date nights and what not but my favorite gift for him was a pillow cover made by moi!  I was really excited for that as I have had that idea for several weeks now and I finally executed it..January 31! Nothing like waiting for the last minute, haha!  It's an envelope pillow case so you can remove the cover to wash or switch it out or whatever you decide... and I love the fabric! 

 Not too shabby! 
I also decided I - FINALLY - wanted to attempt a sashay scarf.  I ended up making two with one skein of yarn.  They aren't difficult at all but the yarn is a beast to work with.  I would make them only for gifts as they really aren't my style.  The first one I made was a longer one and the second was much shorter. But two scarves from one skein is not a bad deal!

To make the scarf, I followed a no-crochet crochet tutorial I found on YouTube. If you are interested, you can follow the video here.

ANOTHER project I'm working..been working on...is a baby blanket, pattern courtesy of Project Linus. I don't know if I'll ever get this blanket finished but as I'm considering giving it for a gift, I need to get butt in gear! (This is a bit of an older picture I'm posting, I've got several more rows done than what is currently shown.)

This season, we have had more snow that I can really ever remember...44 inches total - SO FAR! And we are supposed to get a couple more this weekend!  As an adult, I can't remember a winter like this in a very long time. I'm completely ready for spring!  Being stuck indoors for the majority of the time, I broke out the sewing machine.  I've been wanting to make a jelly roll quilt for awhile so when I got home from work last Friday, I got my jelly roll (pre-cut fabric strips) out and went to town.  My boss sent me a link to a video to watch so I just followed that to make the quilt.  I must say that I'm really impressed with myself that I was able to make the quilt by myself and didn't really have any issues. (The video says it's a 45 minute quilt top but it took me 5 hrs!)

I've also been on a healthy "kick", working out and eating right. I need to lose about 10 more pounds to meet my first weight loss goal and I think this is such a difficult 10 to lost.  I'm at a plateau and it's really frustrating watch other people lose weight either on the scale or via a tape measure. I don't feel like I'm moving..and if I move, it's in the wrong direction!  Today, I had a talk with myself to stop being "bad" and quit with the excuses - I have the time to work out, I know I should lay off the carbs at dinner. So, I found a crazy workout and Pinterest today did it. By doing a mash up of several exercises, I felt really good even if I thought I was going to die.  But it's all about the results.  I have only 5 weeks to lose the 10 lbs. I need to push myself harder. Every day.  No excuses! 

On My Way...

I can't believe we are almost to the end of January! It seems like it was just New Years! Time sure flies when you are having fun.  Not sure how much fun I've had but either way it's gone by way too quickly.  I need to set a reminder or something for myself to update my blog at least once a week because it's gotten away from me - AGAIN - and I don't like that.  I've got a couple things on my mind to work on for my crafts - some crochet, some SEWING! I'm SEW excited! Ha ha! Bad pun! :)  One of my most favorite gifts from Christmas was a sewing machine.....
TA-DA!

I've decided on a couple projects I would like to take on but my first one is going to be a jelly roll quilt.   I'm very excited to do this and I really hope I take to it fast because I want to get started on a LOT of projects! :)

I've done a couple crochet hats, they are pretty easy, just time consuming (but can be knocked out in less than a day).  My husband was kind enough to model one of my hats although he may kill me if he knows I posted the photo on the web! =)

Besides from being my crafty self, Ive been working my butt off trying to be a new, healthier version of myself. So far I'm pretty proud of myself.  Last week I lost 4 lbs and 1/4 inch off my stomach - not too shabby if I do say so myself!  I watch what I eat; I don't always count calories but I'm very aware of what I eat now.  I've eating LOTS of fruits and vegetables! Yumm!  My boss recommended an oatmeal that she really likes and I have to say, it's DELISH! I put just a bit of honey in it as well as blueberries for breakfast and it carries me to lunch time without really snacking in between.  I makes sure to exercise at least 5x a week for 30 minutes as well as doing a plank AND squat challenge! I hate planking but I don't mind the squats.  I'm currently on a rest day for those but tomorrow it's back at it to the tune of 220!  Eek! I'm at 2/5 minutes on my planks and those are pure hell! But I'm seeing results - slowly! And that's okay!  I'd rather do it the right way and make this my permanent lifestyle rather than just a temporary fix. I didn't get overweight in a day or in a week so I can't expect to lose in that amount of time! (Although it would be nice if I did!)  I don't really have any healthy recipes to share as of now but I will post later in the week (promise!) and share some new recipes that I learned! 

2014: A New Year, A New Me

I'm determined for this to be a new year for me.  Every one has their own New Year's Resolutions, for me,  I just want to be a better version of myself.  I want to be happier, healthier.  I want to be able to let the little things go, not be bothered by the things I cannot change.

As I mentioned in a prior post, a tornado destroyed a Washington, IL, a city very near to us mid-November.  Several weeks ago, I went to help out (I work for a State Farm agent) in an agent's office in Washington.  It was an eye opener, hearing people's stories of what they went through, witnessing the destruction first hand and the strength of the people in the city.  They want to rebuild, stay put. It makes you realize how you should never take anything for granted.  Washington Strong.

Along with the holidays, I've baked many, many dozens of cookies, tried some new recipes. Tonight I made Crockpot Italian Chicken which was quite good. 

 It was very simple.  4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.  8 oz softened cream cheese. 2 cans cream of chicken soup. 1 packet dried, zesty Italian dressing. Cook on low for 4 hours.  Voila!

Along with the New Year and new crafts and recipes comes a new, healthier me!  I have been sick with a nasty cold/flu since the first of the year so I wasn't able to start "on time" but this year I'm determined to rid myself of extra weight I've been carrying for far too long.  Today I completed 50 squats, 25 mountain climbers, 50 crunches (25 regular and 25 reverse), 10 burpees and ran in place for 10 minutes.  It was tiring but I feel good so far!