Begin Again and Again and Again...

January 2014.  I'm supposed to be uber fit, an organic farmer and self employed by now. I. Am. None. Of. Those. Things. Not even one.  For a while, I felt like a big loser, but then I realized: Ugh.  Yep, it's all me.  I wish. A LOT.  I DO. Very little.  I have no one or no where to place the blame, but on me. I have the tools and the knowledge, I choose to ignore both and do nothing.  It all comes down to choices. How do I start?  Where do I start? At the beginning. AGAIN. -So, I've joined Weight Watchers (I wonder if there is a record for how many times a single person has started and stopped Weight Watchers?  I'd probably win). -I'm planning my garden and new chicken coop. -I'm baking bread today (yes, I realize this may impact WW, but homemade bread!!!) -I'm beginning to make what I can, whether it be food or beauty products. Too much all at once?  I have no idea.  Will I fail?  I certainly hope not....

I am writing this post from my couch.  Not a bad thing, nor an usual thing, to be honest!  However, I have been on this couch for about a month!! :(  I "injured" my back four weeks ago and my Physical Therapist has given me quite a few restrictions.  One of which is bending over. Seriously.  Do you have any idea how many times you bend forward in a day?? Even unloading/loading the dishwasher is a "no-no".  I have to think about every move I make from putting on my shoes to standing up from a seated position.  When I sit, no slouching and I have to use a lumbar roll. No running, no lifting, no swimming, no twisting, no bending, no... you get the picture.  The verdict is that I have a "slipped disc" along with already existing hypertrophy (arthritic changes basically) in my lumbar/sacral vertebrae.  Grrr!  It's slowly getting better, but not quick enough (of course)!  I am dying to work out!! (I had to put that...

With farmers market's and beaches and camping and other summer activities, I find myself always needing a bag.  I have several that I've acquired over the years, but they're kind of boring, to be honest.  So, I decided to sew up some quick and easy (unlined ;) bags... Much cuter than your standard canvas bag? Yes? Sorry the pics are awful.  It's dreary out and I used my cell to take the pics inside :)  I'm going to make fabric flowers to put on these as well!! My other project this week: Pin curls!!   Those of you who know me in person know that I have crazy, curly thick hair.  My oldest daughter does too and we both view it as a blessing and a curse ;)  My younger two have straight thick hair that resists curls, but of course want curls!  So we decided to try these super cute pin curls we had seen on Pinterest (of course!)  I don't have a picture of the after, because my daughter was freaked out by how her hair looked....

New throw pillow covers I made a couple of weeks ago!   Finished and started the same day :)  (Sorry the pics aren't the greatest.)   I love making these.  They are super quick and easy and are an inexpensive way to change your decor.  Yes, I realize that they don't match each other and yes, they are all on the same couch.  We have a sectional and they're spread out. Besides that, I am eclectic and my home reflects that about me!   I'm going to try to take pics of my quilt top tomorrow (read: bribe Mike into doing it for me).   It's been sitting folded up in a drawer since last year. :(  I need to quilt it because: A. It's my first quilt and B. I love it and can't wait to use it!!     I've been throwing a lot of love out there in the quilt world the last couple of days, because I am flat out with an injured back.  So to all of you whom I've visited or will visit, thank you.  You're keeping me ...

Mike finished the upstairs of his shop for me. For my space. To use as I wish.  It's been finished and painted for a year.  Last night I finally felt the urge to begin to sort through and organize.  This is the beginning of my new studio space and I couldn't be more excited!!  I haven't created much art or jewelry over the last few years and until last night, I didn't realize how much I missed it.  Obviously, I still have a lot of work to do up here, but my work table is up and towards the back you can see my completely awesome blueprint file drawers that I won't be using for blueprints ;) I've been feeling a little "off" lately and I think I've finally figured why.  I am a creative person at heart and I've been stifling my own creativity to conform and to make time for everything else.  I've decided it's time to fly my own flag and be who I am.  Who cares if one day all I think about is running and the next I am so engrossed in a...

I'm not sure where I found this, but thank you whoever you are! My two younger daughters have birthdays this weekend. They are two years minus a day apart.  Blech!  I feel for them, but hey, God's will. Anyway, they are turning 13 and 15 and NEITHER OF THEM WANTED A CAKE. No cake. For a birthday. No birthday cake.  Huh. I did not make a cake.  I did try convincing them (because, well, it's cake), but nope.  I didn't see the point in making cakes if they would only eat a tiny piece to make me feel good and then I'd have all of that cake staring at me. For days..... For those of you who aren't crafty or live under a rock if you are in the sewing world, Quilt Market is in Portland this weekend.  I am soooo jealous.  It is a trade show, only open to those who own shops, pattern makers, fabric makers, etc.   Someday, I intend to go to quilt market .  If you'd like to see some fabric/quilt eye candy, google spring 2013 quilt market.  ...