Monday, November 22, 2010

The {21} Challenge - Day {2}



One flight at a time

Phew.  What a horribly l--o--n--g day.  I woke up this morning at 3:30 a.m. and, thanks to a wretched combination of too much caffeine and just enough to do "until I got sleepy enough to go back to bed," didn't get back to bed at all.  The half-pot of coffee that I started at 5:30 a.m. helped, but only until about 1:30 p.m. or so.  I intended to go home early and catch a little catnap and just never got the clear opportunity.  Oh well, enough grousing.

So far so good.  I'm easing into this new way of life a bit at a time.  I did a very good job of eating appropriately today and kept my mental promise to myself to take the stairs no matter what.  I'm tempted to apologize for that not really being too much to ask of myself here at the beginning, but I'm not going to.  I followed through with today's plan and, although it wasn't a half-marathon, I showed myself that I can do it.  Single steps, right?  It would have been easy to treat myself to a tasty Twix (I don't know why I've been on that kick lately) to pep me up a bit this afternoon or because I chose a good lunch, but I didn't.  Yay me, I say with no sense of sarcasm!

Now I gotta put - one foot - in front of the other - put the other foot down - down - down (ala Revenge of the Nerds) and keep on keepin' on.  Day {3} awaits!

I'm Making A List....

When I was little my sister and I would wait with breathless anticipation for the arrival of the JCPenneys and Sears Christmas catalogues.  We would fight over who got to look through them first and devise complicated ways in which to mark our Christmas wish list.  I feel kinda sorry for the kids now that only have the weekly fliers to peruse, because back in the day you could spend most of a morning going through the catalogues, marking pages and then making a list.  Now that I think about it, I wonder if mom didn't look forward to the arrival of those magazines almost as much as we did, since they practically guaranteed a couple of hours of (mostly) quiet!  Anything you want to 'fess up to mom?

Anyway, I thought I would take a minute or two and show y'all some things that I hope to find under the tree this year - since I've been so good and all....   ;)

Vintage Wooden Picnic Basket with Lid


How cute would something like this be to store my yarn and/or material in while I'm working on a project?  Big enough to contain all of my supplies in one area and kinda adorable, too, this would definitely be high on my "Wish List."

Yeah, so I found a great deal on one of these at the GW Boutique and snatched it up for my own self.  I was right, by the way, because it makes an excellent materials storage container!  If someone just happens to find another one at a good price I'm sure I could provide a good home for it.....


I know, okay?

I should be more cerebral than to admit that I watch (and enjoy) True Blood, but I just can't help myself.  I read the books, I like the series, but since it's on HBO I have to wait until the box sets come out before I can catch up on the seasons.  It makes me sad - like this :( - but it's also probably better for me in a way because I can catch a whole season in one weekend and don't have to do all of that week-to-week waiting that the traditional viewers have to endure. 


 
Vintage quilts *sigh*

I think Shad gets frustrated because I already have a good number of really spectacular quilts but I refuse to put them into general use in our household.  Might that have something to do with the three big dogs and the 13 year old boy who likes to play tug of war with the dogs using whatever is handy, including but not limited to general use blankets?  To answer my own question, of course it does.  One day, though, the dogs will not want to tug so much and the boy will be older and less prone to using my favorite items for canine play.  When that happens, my friends, the entire house shall be awash with vintage quilts and afghans.  Just you wait and see!


Boxes and boxes please!

It's the age-old problem (as opposed to an old-age problem, which I guess would be like incontinence or Alzheimer's) - the cameras are dirt cheap and the film is "higher than a cat's [butt]".  I now own three Polaroid cameras and have only three exposures left.  'Tis sad.  Sad indeed.


 
Six Quart Crock Pot

With winter coming on (although it's hard to think about with these 70 degree days!) I am sad to report that our current crock pot is on its last legs.  A crack has appeared that runs the length of the bottom of the pot and, although it doesn't leak yet, it's just a matter of time until the whole things cracks in half like an egg and whatever I'm cooking at the moment flows into the super-hot metal below.  How do I know that it's super-hot?  Two ways actually - for one, I'm kinda smart and you have to assume that if the crock pot makes things hot it's probably the metal that's heating up the crock and contents.  For two, I'm not always that smart and I may have (accidentally) made contact with aforementioned super-hot metal once or twice.



What can I say?  Even with the Kindle I still like to have the occasional "real" book in my hands.  (If this is something that you're seriously thinking about purchasing for me, please click the picture for the link to Amazon.com where you can find the book for like 60% off the cover price.)  It's kinda a Christmas tradition for me to ask for a book - blame it on my parents I guess.  It's usually Stephen King, but one year it was the first three Anne of Green Gables books and another year it was  tales of Trixie Belden, intrepid girl detective.  You can't hardly go wrong with a book.



Speaking of books, how cute is this one?  As a "just getting reintroduced to the world of crocheting" crafter, these little ghouls and creatures would sure make me want to keep the hooks and yarn out! 


A silicone wisk or two would fit in my stocking!

No link for the wisks, but I would suspect that one could be found at one of the local stores.  I realized that I was wisk-less last night when I was making tomato soup.  Luckily I had a hand-beater or I would have been stirring that darn soup forever to get it blended!  It can be pretty wisky when you cook without proper tools!


My pie-in-the-sky Christmas wish (Holga camera) paired with
The Holga fisheye lens!

I'm just in love with wide-angle/fisheye pictures and this seems like it would probably be a good way to get back into film photography.  I am definitely not suggesting that anyone actually purchase these items, because it's not like I've been that good!

Now it's up to you to be fair and let me know what you're hoping to find under the tree (or menorah, or Winter Solstice decoration, or birthday cake, or whatever you may or may not use to celebrate this holiday season) this year!

Yet Another Sweet Giveaway!

Okay, Campfire Chic is at it again with a  DIY and giveaway from guest-blogger Marya from Lotus Tree Crafts - this time it's some rockin' orgami strip paper that can be used to make this super-sweet Lucky Star Garland.  Go on over and take a look!

*Me thinks I've found another "To Craft" - Holiday Edition item!*

My "To Craft" List - Holiday Edition

With the holiday season fast approaching I hold no illusions that I'll get to all of these this year, but these little projects are definitely on my "to craft" list!  Clicking on the pictures will take you to the how-to or inspiration posts....

Felt house ornament from The Floss Box

Felt Polaroid ornaments from katie.cupcake

Coats & Clark crocheted snowflake garland

I've already started making circles for this garland from Quilt While You're Ahead

Perhaps something inspired by these Kaboodle penguins....

And of course some Kaboodle-inspired owls

Button snowmen from About.com


I'm thinking embroidered ornaments based on these Red Velvet Art patterns


Or these (also RVA)

Perhaps something based on these for a little Jordan I know (RVA)

I also have an idea for more mini-snowpeople that, since I can't find any tutorials on the interwebs, I might just have to make using the old trial and error method.  Heck, if they turn out cute perhaps I'll even do my very own tutorial!  *Note to self - use light and dark wooden beads.  I'll know what I mean!*

I'll show you my progress on these little projects as they come along.  I think #34 (Decorate a Christmas tree using only handmade decorations) is shaping up quite nicely, don't you?

Sunday, November 21, 2010

The {21} Challenge - Day {1}

I've been keeping my eye on Rhonna Farrer's blog and The {21} Challenge for the last couple of weeks.  It's an awesome concept that combines a habit you want to make or break (the theory being that it takes 21 days to start or stop a habit) with art journaling and inspirational quotes; but to be honest, I just wasn't ready when the rest of the group took off.  For some reason as I lay in bed last night it struck me - now is the time.

They've done this a couple of times now so if you check Rhonna's blog you can get at least two takes on each day of the challenge.  I personally like the quotes that were posted with the September 2009 challenge, so I plan to post them on the applicable day.  You can go to the earlier version of each day by clicking on the quote - the more recent version will be linked to the day (i.e. "Day {1}").



Last Christmas (seriously, like on Christmas) I started a regime of healthier eating at exercise.  Over the next four months I lost 40+ pounds and worked into the best shape that I'd been in for years, but alas, I have backslid.  I felt powerful and in control of my life when I was taking the time to treat myself right.  Plus, I gotta tell you that it's a lot more fun to buy clothes in a smaller size!

I will eat healthier.  That does not mean that I will restrict myself to 500 calories a day, but it does mean that I will eat sensibly and forgo what has become my daily Twix fix.  I will consider my food choices and opt for fresh, healthy foods instead of heavy, fried alternatives.  I will resist the quick-fix of giving into momentary food cravings for the long term satisfaction of accomplishment.  I can do this.

I will exercise.  I may start out by taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work or walking at a moderate pace on the treadmill, but I will stay with it until I regain my strength and stamina of eight months ago.  I will not beat myself up if I can't do a traditional workout - instead I will remember that any physical effort that I make is bringing me one step closer to my goal.  I will not be self-conscious about my efforts.  I can do this.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do about the art journaling - I hate to obligate myself to another daily post but it seems as though there may be some benefit to sharing that part of the work as well.  Perhaps I'll scan in my pages and post them on my flickr account.  Perhaps not.  I guess we'll just have to see.....

Wish me luck!

One A Day - November 21

Only some of the embellishments on my ugly Christmas sweater!

Another Super-Awesome Giveaway!


I just discovered this blog via Campfire Chic and couldn't be more excited!  And, since I like both awesometacular and happy things, this seems like a fabu giveaway - click on the picture, become a follower over at Cuppy's blog some girls are bigger than others [love, love, love the name!] and throw your hat in for a chance to win.  Good luck!