Sew-n-tell April

Hey everyone I'm back! 3 posts in a row? that's crazy for me. Anyways I wanted to share a few things that I have been doing. Remember that List I had going? Well not much has been able to be crossed off but I did finish the 6 origami bags from Amy Butlers book Style Stitches.

I tried to join this group on flickr that was have a style stitches sew along where they complete one project each month from the book. Well these bags were supposed to be March's finish, but as you can see I just finished the last one a few moments before I started writing this.

But I did do ALL 6, and the first one I tried to follow her directions but they were a little confusing so, I just went off a basic tutorial on how to sew a zippered pouch and used that technique to finish the other 5. That is why the one that is supposed to be the largest, isn't really bigger the then second to largest. Oh well!!

But the do nest together quit nicely:

Here is a shot of all of them:

Here is one of the 3 smallest, one I have makeup in, another I have my hand quilting supplies, and the last one I have some wooden spools that I plan on making something cool out of.

Another thing i have been working on is the Patchwork squared Modern Solids Quilt Along. Here are the blocks I have done. The 6th block was just posted last night and the 7th will be posted tonight, so I haven't started those yet but I will!!

Make sure to check out the other finishes this month over on Amylouwho's blog.

Now off to take a walk so that I will be all ready for a date out with Garrett when i get out of work :]

Peace & Love Jme

P.S. The month is almost over and I have not bought any fabric!!

Glowing :]

Just a quick little blurb!! just got back from a jog/walk. 2.28 miles in 38 minutes. Started out this "jog" walking, and trying to use my new C25K app, where you listen to your own music and then in beeps when to walk and run. Well about 10 minutes into walking i noticed it wasn't working, so no use in restarting it, so i just listened to the end of a song and then started jogging for the new one.

I was afraid that I wasn't going to be able to last to long because of those strength training videos I did on Tuesday, and my thighs were super sore and so are my abs, but i started running and the pain like went away!! I felt great, I was taking in the surroundings, and looking at the people  driving by, enjoying the breeze and then fresh "it just rained" smell of the air. I even found myself smiling....who does that? haha I do!

I decided i was going to  "stop" when i go to an intersection, but i was still feeling good so I kept on going, i set about two more mini goals, and then decided i should not push it too much because i was heading up a hill and after Mondays crazy pain i didn't want that to happen again. I made it half way up the hill!

I then walked some more then jogged the last .2 miles home. I am feeling amazing!!

I decided I'm going to continue doing the strength training because i think its helping me out. Well that's my rant  I hope to soon run jog at least a mile with out stopping in the next few weeks! wish me luck!!

 now off to eat some dinner then go to sleep and get up to watch the Royal Wedding!! (maybe haha)

Peace & Love Jme

UPDATE!!

Hello everyone!!! it's been a while!!!

I promised my friend Miranda I would do a blog post today so I got to do it so she doesn't get mad at me ;)

I have been pretty busy lately. Last week I worked 9-5 M-F. One of my co-workers was on vacation in sunny California!!! LUCKY!! But i had a good time, and liked working full time. I got up early to do runs, and then went for walks after it was pretty awesome!!

Then Saturday I went to Mass for Garrett's Grandfathers Funeral. I got to meet more of his family which was nice, and I had a great time bonding with his family too, esp over bowling...haha don't ask!
Also I got to sleep in the living room with Garrett, his sister Lauren, her fiance Charlie, and then Garrett's Dad, and his wife. It was pretty funny, scratchy couch, but that made a nice nap when we got back to new Hampshire.

Today I got a TON done!! I felt very productive. Today was my Mom and Dad's 26th anniversary. I got up and cleaned the house, worked on some quilt blocks for Lauren and Charlie's wedding quilt. made some bagel dough, went to work for 2 hours... came back finished bagels, made cupcakes, finished the quilt blocks, and then went to Zumba, came home finished mom and dads dinner, then ate it, then showered and now I'm here! haha.

So here are some pictures of the food!! (cell phone pics sorry)

cupcakes made with Diet coke, topped with Cool Whip

Dinner: Steamed Broccoli, Garlic mashed potatoes, Chicken Cordon Bleu

close up of Chicken

so yuummy

Oh and my HUGE BAGELS....let them rise a little TOO much!!

So now an update on my weight!! I have reached my 5% goal, a total of 13 pounds lost since being on WW, and about 17 since i took action with my weight.

Still struggling a little with running, but I WANT to get there and  I WILL it is just going to take some time.
Did the 30 day shred video....soooooo sore, it took me a lot to get out of my bed to my computer to write this.

Well that's my update!!

Now to restart Easy A and relax in bed!!

Peace & Love J-me

Venting....

Hey everyone, so I've had a lot on my mind lately and I really just need to vent, So if you don't want to listen/read turn away now!!

So I just got off the treadmill doing my day 2 of week 4 in my C25K program. I really didn't want to get on the treadmill today, but I did and I'm glad I did. I really used this time to think about things, and think about how things are going in my life. I did have the tv on and my ipod playing...but i kinda zoned them out and was thinking to myself, I almost missed the cues on when to run and when to walk.

Anyways, I have been on this get fit journey of mine for 8 weeks. 8 weeks ago I signed up for weight watchers online, because it has worked for me in the past. One morning I got up and stepped on the scale, when I saw that number I was really disgusted in myself. I felt awful about how I let myself go, and how I always miss out on opportunities because I let my weight get the best of me. But I decided no longer did I want to do that. My older sister had been on weight watchers for a while, and I saw how much she had done and how great she looked, and I wanted that too. So I decided to get my but into gear. I wouldn't even sign up for weight watchers until I got under that awful number. (I'm too embarrassed to share now what that number is, but if you really want to know ask me, and maybe i'll tell ya)

I lost about 5 pounds, and decided it was time. The first weeks were great, I was really on track, and loosing about 2lbs a week. I was very excited. But then Garrett came home on spring break, and i really cant blame it on him, but i was hanging out with him more, and not eating right. I did gain that week but it was less then a pound. But that was enough to make me feel down about myself and try and get back on track. I stayed the same weight for about 3 weeks, and wasn't seeing any results, that's when I decided i needed to do something more, I started the c25k program, and signed up for zumba over in antrim. That's when i saw the weight start to come off again. Slowly but it was better then staying the same.

Last week on my weigh in day i had lost a total of 12 pounds, add the first 5 for that and that's about 17 pounds total. I feel better about myself, and I'm loosing inches, and i just feel better, mentally and physically.I still have days when i don't want to get out of bed because i feel terrible about my body, but then i realize that staying in bed isn't going to help the situation.

I'm really happy for all my friends support, I think its great, and I really love all you guys for giving me words of encouragement and helping my push through hard times. Thank you so much!!

I really wish I had this kind of encouragement at home. No one has told me that I'm looking good, or that they are proud of me for what I'm doing. The first few weeks were good, my mom and dad were eating healthier with me ( i still live at home) but then something happened and they eat the same old crap again, and it doesn't help me at all, this week we are having Salisbury steak...hello hamburger, gravy, potatoes....I love that meal and I can't really eat much of it, or I need to eat a small lunch, or no lunch, or i need to  work out a lot to have the points for it. It kinda stinks. I wish they were on the plan with me, It would be so great to have a support system like that.

Then I have my boyfriend Garrett. He supports me, but in a weird way. He will say things like, i don't think you should be eating that, and yes that is helpfull but it makes me feel bad about myself. I love Garrett a lot, and we have been through soooo much together. And yes i have tried dieting before and he has seen me fail at it. I don't think he really understands everything, but that's okay. when he does notice that I'm getting smaller, and he mentions it to me it makes me feel SOOOOO good about what I'm doing. I'm doing it for me first and foremost, but I'm also doing it for him.

He has made me kinda mad and sad a lot lately, but mostly when he is at school and I'm stuck at home, hoping for an e-mail from him. but when he walks through my door on Fridays my whole world lights up again, and I'm just so happy to see him, He really means everything to me, and I don't ever want to loose him.

Now I'm getting sappy and its time to stop  venting and go have a good cry in the shower. If you read thanks for listening.

I love you guys!!!

-Jaimie-

List/c25k Update..

1. Amy Butler Nesting bags - 2 more to go!
2. Amy Butler checkbook cover
3. P2 modern solids quilt along quilt
         block 1
SEEN IN LAST POST
         block 2

         block 3

         block 4
         block 5 etc...
4. Hexagon quilt i started like last year- Some pieced, still more to sew and cut!

5. Old Red Barn Co quilt along I also started last year (pieces cut, no sewing done)
6. Garretts Anniversary Quilt turned Birthday Quilt- Making Garrett a NIN quilt, showed him the plans on our anniversary, decided to put a deadline of his birthday (july 12) on it.
7. Lauren & Charlie's Wedding Quilt- Must be done by July 12 at the latest.
                    TWO OUT OF 6 COLORS CUT!!
8. Silk lined hand muffs for my sisters wedding in Dec
9. Reusable shopping bags- fabric bought around x-mas time with my Mardens Gift Card!!


So as you can see not much progress haha but oh well I'm working on it.

AS for my C25K update, I'm in week 4!!
Walk for 5 minutes (warm up)
Run 3 minutes
walk 90 seconds
Run 5 minutes
walk 2.5 minutes
Run 3 minutes
Walk 90 seconds
Run 5 minutes
walk 5 minutes (cool down)

I just did day one today, and it went well, didn't get tired, Had my new running shoes to use, but they hurt my feet, i think they just need some wearing in!! I love them though and halfway through the run my feet started feeling better.

I also went for another walk, about 1.2 miles outside today to enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful weather, and its supposed to rain tomorrow.

Tomorrow is my day of resting from the program, but its also my Zumba night, so excited! Oh and it's my Dads 49th Birthday!! Happy Birthday Dad!!

Oh I also joined this awesome website called the Daily Mile, its really cool and tracks your miles you run or walk for the week, and forever haha Its pretty sweet!!

Eye Candy: going to go eat some of this!!

Schwan's sherbet!

Peace & Love J-me

A few things done..

Hey Everyone!! So That list....well I'm working on it. My sister came over last night on her way home and asked me what I was working on. I told her it was a quilt, and she asked if it was the one for Lauren and Charlies wedding and i said.....um...no... She then reminded me that I should get to work on that because how long did it take me to do my first quilt? how long did it take to finally put together baby Chase's quilt?Well that's a great question...

I decided that I should spend some of my time tonight sitting in front of the TV watching Glee season one on netflix while cutting out the pieces for their wedding quilt. I have taken the time to draw out on graph paper and the color in her quilt so I could figure out where to put all the pieces. I also went into detail and drew out cutting diagrams to make the most of the fabric that i bought for it because I had bought the fabric with just an idea in mind and not actually knowing how much yardage i really needed.

I would post pictures of the fabric...( I think I may have in a previous post)...and the diagrams but Lauren is a Blogger, and last I checked she seems to occasionally read my blog, so I don't want to spoil it for her.

But some things I have done was make a Kindle case for my sister, (the one that came by last night) and I gave it to her last night so now I can put pictures up. I just had an idea of what I wanted it to look like, drew it out, found the kindle dimensions online and went from there. I think it came out awesome, and I really hope it fits!

Also i finished the First block for the Patchwork squared modern solids quilt along...that's the thing I was working on when she started asking me all those questions. I got the first block done which is the center block, and I like it. Its supposed to be 12.5" x 12.5" but its a little shy so I will have to visit my old friend Mr. Freezer Paper for this one. I tried REALLY REALLY hard to get it perfect...but oh well.

So off to work, and then for a walk, and then start cutting pieces for the wedding quilt.

Peace & Love J-me

Fabric Freeze yikes!!

Hey Everyone, wow 2 posts in a row crazy!!!!

So some of my facebook friends may have noticed that i decided to go on a fabric freeze. Meaning that I have decided that I will not buy any fabric for the duration of April..UNLESS haha yeah there is one of those.... that is unless, one of the many projects i need to get done, i have forgotton to buy some for it and can no longer move foward with it.

Here are all the projects that I need to finish/start:

1. Amy Butler Nesting bags - 2 more to go!
2. Amy Butler checkbook cover
3. P2 modern solids quilt along quilt - week one just started!

4. Hexagon quilt i started like last year- Some pieced, still more to sew and cut!

5. Old Red Barn Co quilt along  I also started last year (pieces cut, no sewing done)

6. Garretts Anniversary Quilt turned Birthday Quilt- Making Garrett a NIN quilt, showed him the plans on our anniversary, decided to put a deadline of his birthday (july 12) on it.
7. Lauren & Charlie's Wedding Quilt- Must be done by July 12 at the latest.
8. Slik lined hand muffs for my sisters wedding in Dec
9. Reusable shopping bags- fabric bought around x-mas time with my Mardens Gift Card!!

10. my moms placemats- 5 more to go, gave her....1 for her birthday last August....

and i'm sure there are many more....yikes!!! For these projects i have all if not most of the fabric for them. And this list is MORE then enough to keep me busy for the month of April, and I'm sure there are more that i'm forgetting right now. So... Wish me luck!!!

Oh and I share a craft room with my mom, who is in the process of a quilt.....DRAMA! haha.

Peace & Love J-me

Birthday gifts!!

Last Saturday was Cyrus' 1st Birthday. Cyrus is my good friends, Miranda and Jay's baby boy!! I love going to visit them, and just hanging out talking.

I was going to post this last sunday, but I didn't want to ruin the surprise!! Also because Cyrus was a little sick she postponed his Birthday Party.

Today I got to go over and visit and I brought Tonia and her baby boy Chase with me!! I had a great time catching up, and just talking and hanging out. Although Cyrus was a little cranky he still made me happy when he came and sat with me for a while, and then came over and climbed up on me and made me giggle. I love that boy!

So I made him a sweet car play mat. Its made of felt and i found the pattern here. I was afraid that he would be a little to young for it still, and when i opened it up to show him he loved it...and he wanted to pick all the pieces up that were glued down. ( I find this kinda funny because Garrett told me i shouldnt glue them down so he an move them around and set up the town how he wanted to....maybe i should of gone with this idea...?)

But nothing a little glue can't fix, and it will be ready for him when hes ready to not destroy it ;-)

I also made him a cute owl pillow for his crib, or his shnazzy new recliner!!

Check out all the pictures!! I hope you enjoy!!

Peace & Love J-me

p.s. be back tomorrow afternoon with a post about my fabric freeze!!!