Sunday, May 15, 2011

My First 5K- Portland Fun Run!


I have been so excited about this ever since my friend Margene (who has lost over 100 pounds!!) invited me to run in Portland's largest 5K (3.1 miles) Fun Run.  It's coming up on June 4th.  I can't wait!  

I have been a runner for about 3 years now.  I used to run about 2-3 miles EVERY day except Sunday.  My friend Karie and I were so motivated!  I felt so good.  I lost about 30 pounds!  I looked HOT.

Then she went and got married and moved 45 minutes away.  I lost my running partner!  I was really depressed:(  I kept running, but wasn't as motivated.  Soon I was pretty much just walking, but still running a few days a week.  

Now fast forward a year or so.  I have gained all my weight back, plus some.  SUPER depressing!  I signed up for a running class at my community college for FALL and now SPRING.  I am back up to about 3 miles....Yay!!  I still mostly run by myself, but I am feeling motivated again.  I want to be healthy and lose some extra weight!  

I feel so much better when I am eating right and exercising 5-6 times a week.  So I am going to run this 5K and then I can say I did it!  

Who knows, maybe next year, I'll be up for this:

Miracles can happen, right??

Hope your having a spectacular weekend:)

Friday, May 13, 2011

Chevron Canvas Art Tutorial

Since I haven't tried anything Chevron yet, I thought I better give it a try!  I am on the blog Tatertots and Jello just about everyday, and got some inspiration from Jen.  I tweaked mine a bit, so I thought I would share my tutorial with you.  I'm just warning you, I took a lot of pictures!  I think pictures help, don't you??


Here are the supplies you will need:
8x8 canvas
paint {I used Lemon Yellow and Salem Blue}
stipple brush
paint brush
scrap paper
fabric {scrap pieces}
burlap {scrap pieces}
sewing machine
foam letter stamps
buttons

First I searched the internet to find a Chevron Template.  I found one at 31 DIY.  She had the perfect template for what I needed!  Yay!!  I love it when that happens.  I cut out the template 3 times for my canvas.  
Then I put painters tape on the back to stick the template to the canvas.  
Next, I stippled {notice the very stiff bristles}yellow paint around the edges of the template.  You have to be REALLY careful when you are doing this!  Don't use too much paint and stipple upwards, away from the paper {hope that makes sense}.  This way you won't get bleeding under the template!
 Here is what it looked like when I was done stippling.  
Now, I used my regular paint brush and filled in the spaces with the yellow paint.  Let it dry completely {about 1/2 hour}.
Here is what it looked like when it was dry.  I have to admit I was a little nervous about whether I would get bleeding, but it turned out fabulous!  No bleeding at all!!  
Now, begin cutting out the pennants.  My backing was a 3 inch triangle and I used burlap.  The smaller triangles were 2 inch triangles. I just used fabric that I already had on hand.  Actually I didn't have to purchase anything to make this!  If you had to, it would cost you somewhere around $7.  
I used heat n bond {that I have had for YEARS!} to adhere the small triangles onto the big triangles.
Here is when the pictures get ugly.  I probably chose my ugliest rag towel to use for these pics!  Don't judge, please....
Follow the directions on the heat n bond package to adhere the fabric to the burlap.
Here is what the little babies look like when they are adhered.
Next, I took about a 2 x 12 inch long piece of fabric and folded it until it was about 1/4 inch wide, using my iron.  
Sew that piece of fabric using a zig zag stitch.  It was a little tricky on my machine.  It didn't like that the piece of fabric was so narrow!
Next, I sewed the pennants on the skinny, long piece of fabric.  I also used a zig zag stitch.  I made 4 triangles for this first pennant.

Nows the fun part!!  I found some foam stamps that I haven't used in years, picked out the letters I wanted, and started stamping the canvas!
When you are foam stamping you need to make sure you don't have too much paint on the stamp.  I always stamp off some of the paint on a piece of paper before I stamp on the surface I am working with.  
Here is what it looks like after I finished stamping.  It doesn't need to be perfect, I like it that some of the letters are lighter than others.  It adds to the personality of the project!
Make the second pennant.  I chose to use 3 triangles on this one.  Then I glued the edges of the pennant to the canvas and added a button on the edge.  
This project took me about 2 hours to make total.  That includes drying time. Not too bad:)
I am super happy with the way it turned out!  No major ooopsies!
It always feels so good when you finish a project and you LOVE the way it turned out!  Yay!!  

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great weekend!!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Red Sweater Redo with Ruffle tutorial

A few weeks ago I was at Salvation Army and I found some super cute cardigans.  Here is the red one I found for about $1.50:


I haven't worn it yet, because I bought it to do something fun with.  I had some cute fabric to go with the sweater and I used THIS tutorial on Tea Rose Home.   I absolutely LOVE her blog.  She has so many cute clothing tutorials!  You have to try one:)

I pretty much followed Sachiko's tutorial and I LOVE the way it turned out.  The only thing I don't like is that I used a cotton material and the edges are fraying a little.  I have to cut lots of little threads every time I wear it.  Next time I will use a different material.  This was one of the first times I tried this and I am pretty happy with it!

Can you see the cute button I made with the same material?  It turned out so cute!!

I think this will be cute with jeans or my light brown skirt!  I think I want a headband to match....

I am linking with these parties:
Sew Much Ado
Paisley Passions
Night Owl Crafting

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mother's Day and Keep Calm and Carry On

Yesterday was a wonderful day to be a Mother!  I woke up and my man made me breakfast in BED!  It was soooo delicious.  Here is what it was:
Have you ever had a Moon over My Hammy at Denny's?? Well, my husband makes them JUST like this!  He was making it with the kids and they burnt 1 side, but it was still YUMMY!  Thanks HON:)

After breakfast he had to go to a church meeting (because he is a Bishop, kinda like a paster of a church congregation).  He's not home, much, but when he is....he REALLY is!  He loves his fam.

When he left, I went to work at coloring my hair.  Why, you ask?  Because I had a gray stripe down the center of my head!  I looked terrible.  I wasn't going to go to church like that!

After church, we had dinner at our house.  We invited my parents, the MIL, SIL, and my brother.  It was really fun!  We had Ham, Dutch Vegetable Whip (I should share that recipe sometime), Jello Salad, and rolls.  It was DELISH!  

I want to show you what I got for Mother's Day from my man.  It's a little embarrassing, but I really love it!  
Yep, he knows these are my favorite!  Only 1 gram of FAT per patty! 
If I get a sweet tooth, I eat 3.  PERFECT!

Here is what I bought for myself and my 2 sisters:
This baby is mine!  I love the color.  Looks fabulous in my kitchen!
I didn't make them, but I am thinking about making one that says:  Keep Calm and Craft On!
I love these colors, don't you??  My sisters will love these!  I am giving these to them for their Birthday.  I got these at Very Jane.  They have some cool deals.  Check them out!


Friday, May 6, 2011

Embellished flour sack towel tutorial

I have made some towels similar to this before, but this one is a little different.  I wanted to share, because I think it's a great Mother's Day gift!

I know it's getting a little late, but you can do this in about 20 minutes!

Here's what you need:

flour sack dishtowels (I got mine at Target 4 for about 3.99)
about 1/4 yd. of a cute material (had this on hand)
1/2 yd. large size ric rack (I had this on hand)
First, I measured the towel and cut out the material a little bigger than the towel.  You want enough extra to fold the material under about 1/4-1/2 inches all the way around.  I ironed the edges, so it would be easier to sew.

Iron edges all the way around.  I also pinned it, so it to make sure it stayed while I was sewing.  I am NOT an experienced seamstress, so anything to make it easier!

Here is what the material looks like after it's ironed.  

Now, sew  the material to the towel.  I used a zigzag stitch.  I love the way it looks!  Make sure there is no raw seams showing.  
I forgot to take a picture of sewing the ric rack on!  Sorry.  Just sew it on using a straight stitch.  There it is!  Simple, but PRETTY!  

I think my MOM and MIL will love these:) 
I may have to make some for myself as well!!
Have a wonderful weekend and a great Mother's Day!!

Linking up at these parties:
Sew Much Ado
Fingerprints on the Fridge
House of Hepworths 
Spunky Junky 
Tatertots and Jello

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Giveaway over at Young and Crafty

WAHOOOO!  I can't believe I have made it.  I have over 1000 followers.  I have been looking forward to this F O E V A A!  Thank you to all of you who are following my blog!  I appreciate it.  If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be doing this!!

I told you I was doing a lot of Giveaways this month.  This Giveaway is over at YOUNG AND CRAFTY.  Hannah has a lovely blog with lots of fun, crafty ideas.  Go check it out and enter the Giveaway!  There are a ton of yummy goodiness being given away!!  Here is the pic:

Looks good, huh? Go win it!!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Cool Mother's Day gift ideas

I am always looking for something I can make by hand for my Mother and MIL for Mother's Day.  I love to make their gifts by hand.  Here are some cool ideas I found for handmade gifts:

It's a pretty DIY Flower Brooch!  I love this idea.  It takes about 5 minutes to make....literally!!  You can find the tutorial HERE.

Ohhhhh, I so want this for Breakfast THIS Sunday!!  It looks so yummy!  The recipe is HERE.
 
This pretty much sums up Motherhood!  Free printable HERE.

I have always wanted one of these hand stamped necklaces!  So pretty:)  You can buy them HERE.

Who wouldn't want to get one of these on Mother's Day morning from a little one?  Find it HERE.

Have a wonderful day!!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Giveaway over at Sugar Bee Crafts

Hello my lovely readers!  I am having a TON of giveaways this month.  Right now I am having a FABULOUS giveaway over at SUGAR BEE CRAFTS.  Here is a little peek at what I am giving away:

 Some pretty YUMMY stuff, huh?  You need to go over and check it out.  Mandy has such an AWESOME blog too.  So much craftiness in one place!!  She is UBER talented. 

Thanks so much for your support!  I sure appreciate you!!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

My FREE Canvas People Print

I received my Canvas People canvas print a few weeks ago and I love it!  I was really happy with the quality of the print and the canvas is soooo cool!!  I am in LOVE with it.

I love the texture of canvas. It gives the picture a totally different look! 
Right now they are having a 25% off sale for Mother's Day with free shipping!  It's not a bad deal:)
Go check it out!
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