Those darn pink shoes...
Here we are! Yes, terrible picture - I was sweaty from dancing...and well, I didn't bring my nice camera.
Here we are! Yes, terrible picture - I was sweaty from dancing...and well, I didn't bring my nice camera.
I have grand plans. If I didn't, I would not have accumulated so much fabric, yarn, and supplies. Almost always when I buy something I have a vision of the beautiful garment or accessory it will be (and of course how utterly fabulous I will look wearing it! haha!) It may be a specific "Oh I have the perfect pattern..." But usually it is, "This would be wonderful as a dress, bag, skirt, hat, etc..." And this statement is always followed by "I will make this someday." Sometimes "someday" comes. But probably most often it never arrives and the fabric, yarn, trim or whatever it may be realizes a different fate - one that likely includes a folded or squashed position on a shelf or in a basket. So I thought, in an attempt to rustle my creative feathers and get those crafty juices flowing again, I would show you some of my grand plans. Then maybe some of the "somdays" can turn into todays, tomorrows, next weeks. (well, not actually today, as I am heading out for a weekend in Chicago after this...but you get the gist.) And maybe, these somedays can be relegated to the oh-so-high esteem of finished projects! How magnificent would it be for these items to have finally reached the pinnacle of their lives!
Happy Father's Day Dad!!!!
So here it is, the big reveal of my first t-shirt makeover!!!
No finished project to show tonight - but I did finish something that I am very excited about. I'm hoping to have that photographed and up tomorrow! yay!
It used to be that I would get the most inspired by other crafty girls, or fashion, or home decor. I LOVED searching out new sewing and knitting blogs. (really, I still do.) But lately, I've been inspired by a different online community - the food bloggers, or the healthy living gals out there sharing their eats, their workout tricks and healthy life tips. I think it started last fall when I was in Cancun with my friend Stephanie. She is studying to become a personal trainer. (part time, but I think she would be awesome at it full time!!!) Here we are in Cancun.
(OH my goodness those margaritas are huge!!!)
I was impressed by Stephanie's beautiful body and her drive to work out even on vacation! (something I seriously, have hardly ever done.) Stephanie worked with me a little bit, made me a few workout schedule type of things, had me keep a food journal. I think I kept up with that for maybe a month. I don't really like "schedules" or having something I have to do, so it didn't last all that long. But at least it was a spark.
After a month, I purchased an elliptical trainer. You may remember that... That helped me get some exercise during the winter. It is SO hard to stay motivated during the cold months. And then I joined my Zumba class which I have absolutely loved the last few months! And I bought a subscription to this magazine...
Finally, I was on the right track! And then the best thing happened, I stumbled upon Jenna's blog EatLiveRun. After reading her blog for a couple of days, I was hooked!!! I was learning such amazing things about food that I had never known! I have always eaten healthy, but it was fun to see some new options for me. Plus, it was great to hear it from a peer, rather than an "expert." I was feeling so inspired by eating healthy, working out, and living a full life. Then I stumbled upon Caitlin's blog - Healthy Tipping Point. The food choices Caitlin makes feel really doable for me. While she is vegetarian, and I am not, I have learned a bunch of great ideas on what to eat that is healthy and that I like. And also, how to give yourself a break and to really learn to love your body and to not constantly think about your size or weight. And lastly, I found Angela at OhSheGlows. Angela is not what you would necessarily call a food blogger, though she does blog a lot about what she eats, but she is more of a healthy lifestyle blog. She talks about her workouts and recipes for healthy dishes, but also what types of hair and skin products she uses - and let me tell you, she looks great so you definitely want to hear what she says! She's also in the process of starting her own bakery business - which seems so much like all of us crafty ladies out there starting our own small businesses. I feel inspired by her motivation. By all 3 of them and their motivation! I feel thankful that I've added healthier foods and exercise back into my life. My body feels and looks better. I am happier. I feel uplifted and because of all of this, I feel inspired. Not necessarily just to create - but to live! It is amazing how nuturing another aspect in your life can make you feel happier about a different passion or hobby. It's funny, I haven't been sewing or knitting as much lately (partly cause it is summer) but yet I feel happy anyway! I think sometimes crafty bloggers can put so much pressure on themselves to CREATE CREATE CREATE! Wanting to come up with the next big trend, but it seems, in the process, we start to lose other sides of ourselves. I was always an active person, but the last year and a half, I had become so entranced with projects and making, that I let that part of me go a little. And, now I see that was too bad. I didn't feel as happy and my body didn't look as good. I need a balance of both worlds! I need to nuture all areas in my life that I feel interested in. Which makes me start to wonder...maybe I should look into sewing some athletic/work out gear. It would be a great way to blend both of my interests! There are already lots of great companies that develop gear for women. (My favorite would have to be Athleta. ) And while I love their stuff, it doesn't always fit the best for me. I am curvy and short waisted...and the tight tops that are designed for working out are often more of a straight cut. I suppose this wouldn't be a problem for somebody who is long waisted, but I hate that my tops bunch up on my hips and then ride up on my waist. Uggg...Does anybody else have that problem? I want something that is cute but that is cut for a woman with hips. I want something that can be worn for jogging, walking, zumba, yoga. I think I need to come up with something...so hopefully sometime soon I will have something to show...
So that was a very long story to get you up to date on what has been inspiring me. The reason I bring it up is that I am curious if some of you crafty gals are involved or interested in other types of blogging communities. If you are, how do they affect your creativity? Have you ever been inspired to create something for a second passion you have? Also, I needed to explain the lack of finished projects on here!!! :)
Hopefully that wasn't too long or boring for you. I am really curious to hear about your involvement in multiple blogging communities!
Happy Weekend!
My day of shopping, jewelry making, and movie watching was wonderful! Throw in a dinner out with the boys followed by some live music and you make yourself a wonderful Saturday! But of course, I had to get up early to be to a bridal shower - so man, I was exhausted after two days of fun! Totally worth it though.
So here is what I've been working on for the past few weeks. I think I am about half done. At this point though I need to kick it up a notch, because I need this for my friend Gena's wedding on July 4th! I am a bridesmaid and I am wearing a beautiful sapphire blue dress, hot pink sassy heels and I figured I needed a little shawl, just in case it was cool that evening.
Geez, I have been distant lately! I need to reconnect with my bloggy space. So for today, there will be just a bit of randomness. I unfortunately have not been finishing any projects around these parts. I've been spending my time at friend's engagement parties and bridal showers, jogging, going to zumba, cooking, laundry, etc. Excuses, excuses, right?
I'm so glad you're here. Please stay a while...