WiP Wednesday - FO Edition

Things are a bit busy for me at this time and so I haven't had much time for the things that require a bit of concentration from me, ie. crafting.

So, for a little while, I think that I will show some FOs here and talk a little bit about that project.

As for WiPs, I do have a few....the TTL KAL isn't completed, but it's about half way through.  The WendyKnits Summer KAL has the yarn all ready, but no needles...aka...not started...I'm really sad about that.  Once our basement renovation is completed, then I can unpack all my yarn supplies and hopefully come across my needle pile.
Olive Basket is still on hold, which was the plan so that I could work on my Mad About Tosh Club projects.

Ok, so today's FO: Seraphina Shawl

I don't know why I have not posted about this before, but this pattern was AWESOME.  I've never crocheted something so big, so quickly and loved the result so much.  This pattern is crazy easy to memorize and I literally zipped right through it.  Blocking is completely necessary with this project, but the blocking helped to really open up the shells and give it a better overall shape.

Best part....the pattern is totally free!

Here is my Ravelry Project Page and the Seraphina Pattern itself.

Progress Photos

I'll try not to get too philosophical or "deep", but I want to share my progress, mostly in terms of losing weight, but slightly in terms of buzz words, personal growth.

Before I was pregnant, I had allowed myself to creep up slowly, year after year, with my weight.  I was never concerned...2 to 3 pounds this year, maybe 4 pounds another year....After a while it all adds up, until you look at yourself and you cannot believe the body that you're trapped in.

I wanted to be a healthy, thin, beautiful pregnant woman...well, I did not achieve this goal.  Because I lacked discipline and an exercise routine, I gained weight normally, but I was not fit.  Pregnancy wound up being a very difficult undertaking with a very rigorous labor and delivery.

Now, moving past all that stuff and we get to the meat of the issue, the very essence of the human attitude and something that I have in boatloads, denial.  I would stand on a scale and think...eh...a few more pounds, no big deal, I will never be one of those people who just let themselves go....or I would make constant excuses for myself, always thinking that the weight would just come off if I ate one less cookie that day.  Was I ever wrong.

I realize now that I have to take control of any situation in my life (if I can) and make it happen.  Getting pregnant took months of fertility treatments and doctor visits, being pregnant was a similar experience, and now being a parent.  None of these things, "just happen".  I went to the doctor for help and lucky for me, along came Baby E.  I started dieting and exercising and again, lucky for me, I started to lose weight and feel a whole lot better, both physically and mentally.

So here we are, 20 pounds lighter and feeling a whole lot happier.  I still plan to lose another 7 or so pounds, but even if I don't, I'm pretty satisfied with my success.

Before and After

Photo Friday

(crochet)

Thursday Weigh-In

I am stuck at this weight...give or take one or two pounds and I'm stuck here....maybe I can convince myself and, well, you that I'm gaining muscle...but, I'm not sure I can pull that off.

I have been tracking my measurements though and my weight has definitely been moving around.

Since March 2013 my measurements have changed:
Hips : -1.2"
Waist : -2.5"
Bust : -0.50"

So here we are at the fourth week with relatively the same weight.  Sort of discouraging, but I will keep forging ahead and see where I end up.  Even if I don't lose more weight, I wouldn't mind if my hips and waist shrank a little more...

WW Stats:

SW : 148.2 lbs

GW : 135 lbs

CW : 136.6 lbs

WL : - 0.6 lbs

Notes:  As for the goals that I had mentioned two weeks ago.  I'm still eating pretty well, but I've been giving in to cravings, so I need to quit it.  Working out in the morning is incredibly hard, but I will prevail.  I don't work out every day, but I would say about 5-6 days a week, I get at least 30 minutes.  I'm still unsure about my workout points, I'm going to have do some "research" about that.

WiP Wednesday

The creative bug has taken over and now I'm working on a pattern to sell.  It will be skirt pattern and I'm hoping to do it with a sort of slim fitting form, but an elastic waist to accomodate more sizes and to give the wearer more comfort.

Here is a swatch of what I think will be the pattern stitch...I'm still debating...

I hope to have some more info and maybe even some progress photos for next Wednesday!

Photo Friday

(nashville)

Thursday Weigh-In

This week went a little bit better.  I worked out more and it seems to have gotten be back on track.  I don't have too much to say this week, but things are chugging along and I'm still loving Weight Watchers.  I love even more having the mobile apps.  They really help to make sure that I'm tracking my points, no matter what.

WW Stats:

SW: 148.2 lbs

GW: 135 lbs

CW: 137.2 lbs

WL: - 0.8 lbs

WiP Wednesday

I wanted to start the WendyKnits Summer Mystery Shawl KAL.  I ordered yarn from Knit Picks...after having a great brainstorm about how I wanted it to go.  The yarn arrived and I pulled out my camera to take a few glamour photos.

Then I went to grab the desired needles....alas...they are not to be found.  I literally had a pile of circulars in my basement.  I went to find my pile and poof....!  It was gone.  I have no idea where they all went, but I can't knit anything without knitting needles.  I do have the right size in a smaller cable, but with the number of stitches to cast on, that will not work very well for me.  I also realized that I need to invest in a few more stitch marker; this pattern calls for a quite a large number of them.

Ravelry Project Page

Photo Friday

(Nördlingen)

Thursday Weigh-In

Ok folks.  I've found it.  I've finally arrived.  If you're someone who's been on a diet and lost some weight, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

The Plateau.


This photo of Waterberg Plateau Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I realize, after last week, that I need to step up my game.  Not that I haven't slowly started to work out more often and for longer, but now I need to make it more official.  I have a few goals in mind:

1. Workout EVERYDAY for at least 30 minutes
2. I figured out that I was calculating my workout points wrong, so I will fix that
3. Eat BETTER; I cannot stress enough how important this is
4. Workout in the morning before work; this will be the hardest goal

So now, here we are at my sad, sad plateau.

WW Stats:

SW: 148.2 lbs

GW: 135 lbs

CW: 138 lbs

WL: + 0.8lbs

Notes:  I'm still debating about lowering my goal weight to 130 lbs, depending on how I feel about myself once I get to 135 lbs.  Right now I think I need to concentrate just getting over this hump in my weight loss journey and we will see where it takes me.

WiP Wednesday - Not

Sorry, I took pictures and I had every intention of downloading from my camera, editing, and posting, but alas...motherhood ruled yesterday.

My son and I are struggling together to get him to sleep at night without my holding him.  So, no pictures, sorry.

I will say that on the TTL KAL I have gotten through the second lace part and will begin the third set of stripes.  This pattern is beautiful and I'm really happy with the color choices.

Photo Friday

(granny stripes)

Thursday Weigh-In

This week was quite a struggle for me and my willpower.  Normally, I can be pretty good...only having one sweet once or twice a week.  This week, I felt like I was constantly trying to battle cravings all day long, every day, for about 5 days or so.

Needless to say, but, I did not prevail.  I know the motivation of my poor, helpless brain, but that doesn't help me resist.  So I ate way too many points and although I stayed within my point structure for the day, going so far over my daily points doesn't help me lose any weight.

Also, this week, I finally felt well enough to start working out again and that has helped, but this week I'm a bit disappointed in my lack of control.

Once my wayward hormones are back under control, then I will be back with my iron will....HA!

WW Stats : 

SW: 148.2 lbs

GW: 135 lbs

CW: 137.2 lbs

WL: -1.6 lbs

Notes:  So far the diet is really working for me...but keep in mind that it must become a habit and that includes exercise.  Once you start a diet AND exercise "program" you can really feel the transition in the way that you view food and exercise.  It takes time and commitment, but at the same time, it's not as serious as all that.  With just a few modifications you can be on the path and eventually, with a few modifications here and a few more there, you will see yourself and be amazed at how great you feel and how wonderful you look.

WiP Wednesday - TTL KAL

I have finally completed the first clue and I've just started the lace section for the second part.  At the moment, between my being sick and then the baby being sick things are a bit hectic.

Here is a picture of my progress:

I have to be honest though and say that although life has been crazy....I was possessed by an urge to make myself a new purse....I went stash diving and out popped the purse pattern that I just posted....

I promise that next week I will have some more progress on the TTL KAL.

Ravelry Project Page

And tomorrow I will post my weekly weigh-in...I have some fear that I did not lose any weight this week...

Monthly Menagerie - June 2013

JUNE 2013