I really am getting things done!

I had to share this super cute picture. This is our friend Betsey at a cookie decorating party we went to. (We had two cookie parties in one week...sugar high.) I thought she looked cute covered in icing.

Here's the cookie spread. Notice everyone busy decorating, but Liam is busy eating.

I made a couple more dresses last week. One went to my niece Gemma, and this one is for my Matilda. I think it will be her Christmas dress.

Now off to finish my quilt! Pictures of that tomorrow!

PS One of the local quilt shops here has all their Pfaff machines (including the floor models and used ones) on sale for 70% off! Should I?

busy...super busy

I'm finishishing up a load of projects. I think I'll finish most by Sunday. Excpect pictures then.
Also no Wii Fit Challenge update because I broke my toe...again...and haven't exercised too much on it.

As a matter of fact...

I am a nerd.

wii fit challenge: week 2

So I was doing great. I consistently lost everyday. I got in a 30 min. workout daily (which is really great considering my busy day). But then today, I somehow gained 2.9 lbs. All week I exercised at 7:30 pm but today I decided to do it earlier. I don't know if that made a difference or what. Oh well. I've gotten loads better at balance and strength. As soon as I get my old lady orthapedic shoe inserts from the doctor, I'm going to throw running in the mix. The only cruddy thing is it has already started snowing. I guess my sweat will just freeze!

weight: same as week 1
BMI: same as week 1
determination: going strong
coolness: to high to calculate

wii fit challenge: week 1

In case you haven't noticed, I'm into crafting. That's what this blog is supposed to be about right? Well, it's 1/4 crafting and 3/4 kids and family. So in keeping with the spirit of crafting, I have decided embark on the most important craft of my life...me. Or should I say mii?

I have either been pregnant or breastfeeding since 2004. Needless to say three pregnancies and almost 3 years of breastfeeding (still breastfeeding the little one) takes a toll on one's body. I'm rather soft in places that used to be firm. I am in no way vain, nor do I care what others think about my body, except my husband. We have 3 kids so you all obviously know what he thinks about it. But after reading You: the Owner's Manual, I realized that there are areas of my life which can be improved. Until I read this book, I had no idea what HDL cholesterol is or what causes a heart attack. One major thing I learned from the book is that I should get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. It is the one thing I should be selfish about. I don't care I have to put off mopping the floor or cleaning the windows, I need to make time to exercise!

Here's where the wii fit comes in. I don't have time to go to the gym. I just don't. Nor can I afford one with a play center for the kids. I also don't want to have to drive all the way to the gym. (Trying to leave a small carbon footprint!) So I did the calculations. A Wii and Wii fit together cost a fraction of the price of a gym membership. It also weighs you and gives you your BMI. Along with that you get a handy graph of how you're improving and you can easily set goals for yourself. And it really does work you out. Just ask my thigh muscles.

I've decided as extra motivation, I will post, hopefully once a week, my wii fit progress. I try to do it everyday, but I know I need to be realistic. I will probably get to it 4 times a week. It's a start right. I may even post a picture of myself once a week just for the record. I hope I have everyone's support in this and more than that, join my challenge yourself! You don't have to have a wii fit. Just get outside and walk or run for half an hour. Do some yoga. Dance around the living room.

So here are my results for week 1 of the wii fit challenge:
weight: 155 (goal 135)
BMI: 27 (it's 27.something, but I can't remember at the moment) (goal 20)
Wii fit age: 29 (-1 of my real age!)

need

I absolutely need this bedding set. Isn't it wonderful! It can be found at West Elm. (Honey if you're reading this, Christmas is coming soon!)

pattern review: oliver and s playdate dress

Yes my addiction to Oliver and S patterns is still going strong. I decided to make the playdate dress for two very sweet twin girls I know in Texas.

It was really fun making two dresses at once. Liam picked out the fabric. Pretty good choices for a 3 year old boy. And it just so happened that he picked fabric from Amy Butler's Daisy Chain line while she was sitting right behind him signing books.

So to get to the review...the instructions were very detailed and easy to follow. This was my second time doing a pleat, and it was super easy to do. This was also my first time to do piping, and I now know that I was way to scared of it for no reason. I also made the buttons myself because I thought it would look better with coordinating buttons. I used a button kit from Joann. The only thing that didn't come out quite right were the ruffles on the front. I think, however, that's due more to my inabilities than the pattern.

Basically, it's an easy, fun pattern for an intermediate sewer. (I think that's what I say about all Oliver and S patterns.) Although if you are a beginner sewer and want to be adventurous, I say try to tackle it.