For my Bestie- Lindsay.

Okay.. So here goes.. I haven't been blogging in awhile. Started off real enthusiastic about it, but then the projects I was blogging about started taking over my life. Its a great way to find yourself, and I did. I discovered that I am creative, and artistic. But I guess in a way it was covering up bigger issues. The issue with the relationship I was in- avoiding the boyfriend who was not meant to be mine- avoiding the lack of motivation for other things. Things like my weight, and my health. I was avoiding those too.

 

Yesterday: My bestie starts a blog. Let me side track for a minute: This girl, let me tell you, is one of the most amazing people I have EVER met. Period. She is caring, and loving, and patient. Very tolerant (I guess she would need to be with a friend like me lol) She is strong, and brave, she has always taken care of me. She is my nurse when I'm sick, she is the shoulder I cry on. This girl knows absolutely everything about me. She is my family.

 

Okay, Blog. She starts a blog about her struggle with her weight, and her sudden will power to save herself. Remember me saying she was brave? This is why: what woman wants to put their weight up on a public blog for other to view and judge? she did. It takes a special kind of person to be that vulnerable. Well let me tell you what, since my Bestie, Lindsay, is so brave, why the hell not be brave myself?!? This is the reason I decided to start writing again. To tell everyone, and make a promise to myself, that I will be brave as well. I have set my mind to the changes I want to happen, and so they will be done.

 

This is me, after walking outside in the 80+ degree heat. 30 minutes. Uphill for 15. I'm probably gonna die. lol It actually wasn't too bad. I feel good, accomplished.

 

 

 This is me at 221 pounds. That is only 1 pound less then January, and 4 pounds less then last year when I weighted before that. One of my issues, is that I've been dieting. I've been consuming 99% more fruits and vegetables then I've ever eaten in my life- ever. Cut back on my calories- way back- and nothing. I decided because of my besties blog, and her strength, that I will try harder. Mix it up- exercise. And probably most important, see my doctor. Make sure there is nothing stopping me from achieving my goals.

 

 

I have decided to at least try and quit smoking- to obviously save money- and to clear my lungs of all that crap. To wake up 30 minutes early every morning (that's 5am people!) and walk for 30 minutes- at least 5 times a week. To do squats and jumping jacks on my day off (who needs a gym) To be healthy. That's what I want to be. Honestly, I could care less about the number, I actually like the way I look. But I feel like its making me sluggish, and one thing I cant stand is lazy.

 

So this is me. Taking my best friends motivation and running with it. Hopefully soon, we will be two hot, skinny, healthy bitches, lounging on the beach.

 

I love you Lindsay, and Thank you for being so amazing.



My jewelry kick..

I've been making a lot of jewelry lately.. Even selling some of it. I decided I could never find anything I really liked at the stores, and if i did, i didnt want to pay 30 bucks for something that I could make for cheaper. So i decided to teach myself. Its strange when I pick up a new craft I start getting these images in my head of what I'm going to make, and how to make it. Some turn out better then others, of course, but I love them all. A friend of mine told me that we should make a catalog, leave it at work and other places to see if I could start selling my stuff, I thought it was a great idea, so I have been taking picture of them as I go. Although I really just started doing it for me, it has become a great passion of mine.

 

They look so much better then the pictures. I am planning on getting professional pictures done- then I will post those too.. I am making them in all different colors. I have many necklaces also. Its very relaxing for me, if you are stressed, try it. Get creative. Make something you love and others will too! I will post these on my Etsy page in a few days and share the link :o)

 

Refinished Furniture

I bought this table on craigslist for $40- from some absolutely wonderful people! I sanded it down, all by hand, stained it and finished it. Its amazing and I love it. What a great piece of furniture... I also decided to do the same thing with the kitcken table thats been with my family for 10+ years that was kinda beat up. This way, even though they are different shapes and styles, they are still a matching set. I'm brilliant and I love it :o)

Fancy Dish Soap

Let me just start out by saying, this didnt come out the way I wanted it to. Nevertheless, I love it. It looks soooo amazing in my kitchen. And it works very well. No more ugly dish soap container for me. I absolutely love it. And it cost me 3.99 for the the glass bottle. I just etched Dish Soap on the side of it, I think it looks wonderful, but the etching doesnt stand out as much as I would have liked. Either way Its beautiful. :o)

Pictures on Wood

This one was made for my mom, the dog on top died 7 years ago- Poppy, she was my dog growing up. The one underneath- Roshi- my mom got when Poppy died. Roshi passed about a week ago- I thought this would be a good way for my mom to hold on to their memories forever.

I made this for my best friend.. Recently this dog-Taz-went to heaven.. She loved this dog, as did I. He was part of the family. And his death was a tragidy, she is very torn up about it. The concept is easy, but it does take some time.

You need:

*A picture- Printed on paper- whatever size you would like

*Gel Medium (can be found in painting section of craft store) I used Basics

*Mod Podge

*Piece of wood- that matches size of the picture you printed out. (also found at craft store- in wood section)

*Sand paper- Fine

*First you print out picture- the ones on top were 5x7s- the one on the bottom was 8x10. Sand the area picture is to be applied- makes everything stick and hold better. You apply the gel medium to the front of the wood and make sure its totally covered. It doesnt have to be very thick- just needs to be covered.

*You lay the picture down- face down onto the gel. Make sure you press down firmly- getting all bubbles out.

*Wait.... You can leave it overnight- or let it dry at least 6 hours to make sure its totally dry.

*Get a wet cloth and soak the back of the picture- making it kinda transparent.

*Start to rub- gently rub off the paper- this takes some time, and some of the color will rub off- but it gives it a rustic look. I usually rub off the topmost layer and let dry a minute until it turns white again. Then apply cloth to small parts at a time- rubbing til you cant feel anymore paper left. Once all the paper residue is gone, let dry again for about 5-10 minutes.

*Apply Mod Podge across the top of the picture. let dry about 10 minutes and add another layer.

I stained the wood around the bigger one since it was a thick wood block- if you do decide to stain the wood surrounding do it while the picture is still covered in paper- if any stain gets on it will come right off with paper. Make sure you apply Mod Podge to stained areas also to get that shine.

 Thats it! You can hang these with ribbon to hang on the wall, or you can put them on little canvas stands. anything goes- the wood is usually thick enough that you can add nails or little hanging clips.

Lemon-Lime Soap

4 ingredients! No artifical colors or fragrances!! I was talking to my mom about the other soap creations i've made, and how I come up with these ideas. And it hit me, I can use all kinds of everyday stuff to put in these bars to make them amazing and really good for your skin. So I decided lemon & lime zest. I melted down the Shea Butter base- zested 2 limes and 2 small lemons- added in a spoonful of coconut oil, and Voila! they are perfect. They smell amazing. Will make your skin really soft and moisterized, and they are all natural! I didnt have to add any fragrances or colors at all. Love it! I'm excited to give them away :o)

More Cake Pops!

More, more, more....  I made these for a friend of mine for her Bday today. Her fave color is green. Just thought of this new way to display them and wanted to try it out. I think it looks pretty good!