Getting Fit & Feeling good

I know that this is mostly a crafting bloggy, but I want to let the world haha all like 7 followers, that I am on the track to get fit and healthy!

Most of you know that i have always struggled with my weight. But I try and not let it bother me, but in reality it does hinder what I am willing to do. Garrett has tried to get me to go skiing sine god knows when, and I just tell him that I don't want to because its costly, and I don't have my own equipment, that is the truth but not the whole truth. To rent skis, you have to give your weight, which is a good thing so you get strong enough skis, but I know the people who work at Crotched Mountain, they are my peers, and I don't want them to know how much I weigh. I know people say it shouldn't matter,  but to me it does.

I am a very self conscious person, and have been for a while, I have gotten better over the years, for since the 7th grade, I have always worn a sweater when I'm out in public, I used to be one of those kids who wore a big t-shirt over my bathing suit when I went swimming. Until like senior year of high school, I was still wearing sweatshirts everyday. It would be sooooo hot out,, and I would still have a sweatshirt on, sleeves rolled up. I used to anticipate these days and make sure to only wear a tank top underneath, so I wouldn't be really hot, and there would be no way id take my sweater off.

I'm not that bad anymore, I'm fine with wearing just a t-shirt. But I want to WANT to only wear a t-shirt, or maybe even want to wear a skirt, a dress, shorts even.

With two weddings coming up this year: Garrett's sister's in July, and my sister's in December., I want to feel fine wearing a nice dress, (considering I'm the maid of honor in my sister's) I even want to try and make one for Garrett's sisters. (see crafty post!! haha)

So in order to do so, I have signed up for weight watchers online, and have been doing that for about 3.5 weeks, and have lost 7 pounds. ( so says the scale, but it doesn't look like it) I feel better, because I'm making better choices and eating right. And it works. I have been doing it with out the Activity portion, and I have  just started that today.

I found a program called Couch potato to 5k. I have been wanting to run the Hancock 5k since i knew about it, and since i saw Garrett do it. I feel like it would be a great accomplishment! I can run, i have the will to run, i just don't have the stamina, so what this program does is help build up that.

So wish me luck, I will post something every so often about my progress if you guys want to hear about it. So leave me a comment telling me if this is TMI or if you want me to keep you updated!

Thanks for all your support, and here are some images of inspiration!


(Davids bridal dress)

McCall's pattern M5619

Peace & Love J-me

Chase's Baby Blankie!

Hello everyone!

I know that most of you have been waiting to see how this blanket was going to turn out. Since we had the baby shower back in November, and a lot of you signed the blocks. Well guess what it is finished!! and just in time for Chase's first day home!!

The original plan for the blanket was found here its called the life cycles quilt.

I followed this pattern for the front, and used the Urban circus line that I had been dying to buy but had no reason to do so.

When the baby shower came along, I had everyone get there a little early, and had them sign the blocks using a permanent fabric marker.

(some blocks made by friends!)

Thank goodness we all finished before Tonia arrived.

I then took them home,and continued to have people sign the blocks. As Tonia's due date was getting closer I decided it might be a good idea to get cracking on sewing the blanket together. It took me a while to lay it out how i wanted to, and then when i started sewing my machine was having a tension issue, so Garrett and I took it apart cleaned it real good and messed with the tension until it was right.

(The front all finished)

When it came to the back of the blanket I didn't have enough yardage left to do it solely in the urban circus print. And I had some unused blocks left over.

(The back all finished)

I decided to put some blocks on the back, so that way i could write his birthday, and weight and everything on the back, some nice milestones as well. There is room for her to write his first words, or when he first walks, or crawls. What ever she would like to go on there she can fit on there.

( The back blocks)

I also added some fabric that she had told me she really liked, when we were out fabric shopping, so that's how the back came to be.

I hope that Tonia will let him use the blanket, but I also put some loops on the back so that she can hang it on the wall and it can be a decoration for the nursery.

I love it, and I hope Chase does too!!

(Tonia and Chase enjoying the warmth!)

(Favorite winnie the pooh quote)

(Auntie J-me, and Uncle Garrett's blocks)

Another small thing that I decided to make her is a Mobile. It is made out of Yo-yos, from left over fabric from the blankie, and other prints. The hoop on top is a blue embroidery hoop. One of my friends posted a picture of her nursery on facebook, and I saw this great idea so I decided to make one for Tonia too!

I will be adding this to sew-n-tell over on Amy's blog, so make sure to go and check out all the other finishes!!

Peace & Love Jme

February 17th 2011 :) Welcome nephew!

Hey everyone! As most of my readers know, my best friend was expecting a baby boy. (click here for her story!) She was one week past her due date. She went in for a check up and, I get a call text, a little later that night and find out that she is in the hospital and will be put on pitosin the next morning. So later, I went home and tried falling asleep so when she call texts me in the morning I would be all ready to zoom on over to the hospital, which is only 15 minutes away!

I got a text, in the morning around 7:30ish, letting me know that they put her on the pitosin, so i took a shower and picked up her mom on the way over. I was sooo excited that we would be meeting her beautiful baby boy Chase, and that she wanted me to be there when it happened. I got to the hospital around 8:30ish, and didn't leave her until around 4am the next morning.

I was a little worried when she was in a lot of pain, I didn't like to see her in so much pain, but I needed to be strong for her, that last thing she needed was a bunch of people crying. She finally got the epidural, and could sleep. The epidural did some funny things to her mood, and at one point she didn't say that she wanted me to be in the room when it came time to start pushing and I got sad... but no worries when she was more clear headed, and ready for it to happen I was there for her.

It was a very interesting experience and I was so happy that she wanted me there, and that I could help encourage her to push! after 2 1/2 hours of pushing, the epidural was running out  and she was having extreme back labor. She couldn't take it anymore. She opted for the C-section, and at 2:38 Chase was born!! I got to go see him and take pictures for her while he was getting weighed in, and getting his first bath, and getting dressed for the first time. I know that she wanted those pictures so i did it for her. Before i left for the night, I got to hold my nephew, and cuddle him, but I had to remember I had work in the morning and needed to go home and rest.

After the c-section

holding my first nephew!!

Garrett holding his first nephew, the day after he was born.

Tonia did a wonderful job, and has a beautiful baby boy. I'm proud to be his Auntie!

Peace & Love

J-me

Check back later for his completed quilt!!

Snow day fun: Ceramic Coasters, Bagels, bread, and quilting!

Hey Everyone!

For those of you who don't know I live in New Hampshire. A great state. But gets a lot of snow. We just had a snow storm, that started lightly on Tuesday, and Hit pretty hard today (Wednesday). I work at a bank, part time, and Tuesday was my short 2 hour day to cover lunches. Well I was getting ready for work, when I got a call, My co-worker told me that it was really slow, and they were staying in for lunches, and the other part-timer decided to stay a little later then normal, so I got to choose if i wanted to come in. I decided not to, i could get things done and not have to fight with the driveway and the roads on the way to work. And I also had Wednesday off, because i get a day off, (besides Sunday) and it happened to fall on Wednesday this week!

So what did I do with all my free time? Lots of things!!

I made home made Bagels (both days):

Home made bread (Tuesday):

Sandwitched the Baby Quilt for Tonia's baby who is due in a week!! yikes, I have been doing a lot of hand sewing as well!

Made some Ceramic Coasters with some fun scrapbook paper!

Hung out with my mom and watched movies. Stayed up late to watch movies. oh and there was some shoveling, and cleaning and moving of my car thrown in there too!

oh and did I mention eating the bagels?!!?

Yum!!!!

Its been a productive 2 days, but i'm ready to go back to work, i'm geting cabin fever!!

Peave & Love
J-me

Adding music to your Crafting.

Hey Everyone!! it's been a while since i have posted, i have been a busy bee working on Tonia's baby quilt for her baby boy Chase who is due to enter the world on Feb9th, so close!!! he really could come any time now, so i really need to get it done!!!

Anyways i haven't uploaded any pictures of smaller projects i have thrown together, but i will do that after my 2 hour work day! haha.

But I wanted to share with everyone some good songs to listen too while your sewing, cleaning, or just browsing looking for something new to listen too.

My First suggestion is:

1. Florence + The Machine- Kiss with a fist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SmxVCM39j4
This song is so funny anc catchy, makes me just want to get up and dace around, its good to listen to when you are frustrated with something your sewing, and just need a dance break, put it on, get up and wiggle around!! Then get back to work, good stress reliever!!

2. Adele -  Rolling in the deep. I just loooove her voice!! Its so amazing, this is a great new song of hers, and i think its a great song to listen too and sing a long with while your working.



3. Arcade Fire- Sprawl 2. Just an awesome song, I love arcade fire!!!



4. Pavement - cut your hair. I recently saw pavement at a festival in Montreal, and i love this song!! Simple words so easy to catch on and sing along with! and the oo's are also fun too!



5.  Neon Trees - 1983. I have really gotten into them. I bought my Aunt the CD for Christmas, and burned it onto my computer before she left, and i like them a lot.



I hope you enjoy all these songs, and maybe add some to your play list!!

Do you have any songs that you listen to when your crafting/cleaning/dancing around that i didn't mention? Please share I'm always looking for good music!!

Peace & Love J-me

p.s. I hope I get the opportunity to see some of these bands when Garrett and I head out on our music festival summer adventure!!

Nine Years...Looking back..and foward :]

Hello everyone!
As some of you may know already yesterday, January 9th, was my 9 year...dating...anniversary with the love of my life Garrett.

I wanted to share with some of you who don't know how we became to be, and some sappy junk...so if your not interested stop reading now! <3

I met Garrett in the 6th grade at our sisters 8th grade graduation. That's the first time I met him and i had him sign my yearbook..ooo..haha. I then met him again when we had the 7th grade fly up day, a day where you get to meet your 7th grade core teachers and the kids who were to be in your classes with you.  This is the instant i decided i wanted to be Friends with that weird boy Garrett. He came into the room with the strangest hair cut I had ever seen. It was a crown, the middle of his head was shaved, and then there was just a little that wasn't that was gelled to stick up and look like a crown around his head. (later i learned that he had been doing funky haircuts at the end of the school year forever).

Fastfoward to 7th grade,..

I had just been dumped by my boyfriend from 5th and 6th grade, and I was sad and alone... I couldn't sit with him and my old friends because i didnt want to see him. So I decided i need to hang out with some new people. This is where the "posse" formed...yes in 7th grade i had a posse haha, it consisted of 7 other people and me. Garrett was in this group. They would all make me laugh and we were all very close. I had a Big crush on Garrett but was afraid to do anything about it. We used to call and talk to each other on the phone for hours and hours (maybe that's why he doesn't like talking on the phone anymore.wooops). One time his mother was bring his sister over to a friends house and my house was on the way. She showed up at my house, and I was still talking to Garrett on the phone, and she told me to hang up and get in the car with her so I could just go hang out with him. I will never forget that! I had so much fun that day hanging out with him out of school and meeting his family, it was really nice i was there till like 9:30! It was crazy!

Fast forward to 8th grade...

I had a few boyfriends before Garrett and I started dating. They were okay, but i really still had this huge crush on Garrett. I was a Pop Warner cheerleader if you can believe it or not (6years) And there was an middle school dance that Garrett and i went to with some friends. Garrett and I spent the whole dance just sitting together, at one point he ever put his arm around me...then later on in the dance we were sitting and talking to each other and i just felt the urge to kiss him, so i kissed him on the lips, that was our first kiss. :]  the rest of the night you couldn't separate us. 

this is a picture from that dance

Garrett and i got nominated i guess...to be the  "Cutest couple that never was" in 8th grade for the yearbook, and we won...but later in the year Garrett finally asked me out! so they had to change it to: "The cutest couple, that ALMOST never was". He asked me out at lunch on a straw wrapper, and to this day i still have that straw wrapper 9 years later :-).

The following pictures are from 8th grade:

the last one is a picture from our 8th grade graduation

So that's the story of how we started dating. We used to sit together on the bus every morning, write each other notes, he would draw me pictures sometimes, and i still have all of these notes and pictures.

I was afraid when it was time for high school that i would loose him. Our middle school was merging with another middle school, and i was thinking about all the other pretty girls he'd meet and i was just a mess. But we made it work. We would meet at our lockers (they were right next to each other) between classes and kiss goodbye, and later we even  had classes together. We made it through and we walked together for Graduation.

Following pictures are from High school:

the last one is from graduation, look how short i am with all those tall guys!
Come college, and we went to schools 45 minutes apart, and both came home on the weekends to work our jobs. He would write me an e-mail every day freshman year and come visit me every Wednesday at school. We made it work.

the next pictures are from college:

We have had our ups and downs, no real big fights, but one that lasted almost a year long, a jealousy issue on my part which looking back on now i feel like it was a waste of a year, but i wouldn't change it because we are who we are today. We have grown up together as people and a couple. With out him i wouldn't be who i am today, and for that i am very grateful.

I love him soo much and i look forward to another amazing 9 years, and the rest of our lives together.

Thanks for reading, and i hope you like all the silly pictures!

Peace & Love Jme

Sew-n-tell Christmas Edition!

Hey Everyone!!! Sew-n-tell is back over at Amys Blog. I have been waiting to post about all the Christmas presents i have made until now so i can share them with everyone, and to make sure everyone has opened their gifts from me!

First i made Marylou the Emmeline Apron, When i bought the pattern and showed it to her she told me that she wanted one for Christmas, i think she may have been kidding because she asked me if i wanted her to go and buy the fabric. Well surprise, i made it for her, and i picked out the fabric all myself. She told me that she really likes it, and uses it all time!

Then I made Garrett's Sister Lauren an origami organizer from the one yard wonders book that we both got for Christmas last year. I made it for her because she thought it looked too complicated, and i had already made one for myself. I made hers a little smaller though, because i didn't have the right size interfacing.

I also made her some reusable snack bags. She works in 2 schools now as a SLP, and i thought that these would be great additions to her lunch box, and to her wallet, so she doesn't have to keep buying plastic baggies!

For my Aunt and Garrett's Mother I made folding shopping totes from heather baileys pattern. I really like this totes, and i think they did too!! With some Christmas gift money i bought some fabric to make two for myself!!

I also made my Nana a Christmas table runner, but i guess i forgot to take a picture of that!! Oh well when i get one i will put it up.

I hope you all enjoyed my Christmas sew-n-tell Make sure to hop on over to Amy's blog to check other finishes!

And just a side note....Garrett and I have been Dating for 9 years this January 9th, WOW, I might do a little something on here to look back on those 9 years either Sunday or sometime on Monday! So come on back for that!!

Peace & Love J-me