Made By J-me

Week 1: A Brisk Morning

2012-02-09T06:52:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone! It is Thursday, and I stated the other day that I would try and post a new picture from the past week every Thursday.

Well here we are week one!

I decided that I better get outside today to snap a picture because I used the ones that I snapped last weekend already in the post earlier this week. OOPS!

I needed to get some exercise in today anyways so I bundled up and took a walk with my camera. I snapped 29 photo's this morning and I am only going to share 2 with you. Oh the joys of learning how to use a DSLR. Well I think it is rather fun and like to see all the different shots even if some are FAR worse the others!

So I had a place in mind when I stepped outside this morning. About a half mile down the road there is this pond, with a great mountain view. And the sun was shining so bright it was a nice warm place to stand still for about 10 minutes! :-)

I started off standing, but didn't really like what I was taking, they looked like typical landscape shots with the sun, so I decided to get down on my knees and take the shot from a different angle.

Here is what I came up with.

I love the sun in this one, with the shadows on the ground, and the little bit of snow we have left!

I also love the sun in this one, It looks like a giant star...which it is haha, and the rock wall in the front looks mysterious. I also like that I put it in black and white!

Other ones that I took were way to bright, and not good. But I got the hang of it.

One thing I would like to learn more about is my ISO setting. I know the basics about what it means, and everything, but I would like to know more.

I hope you enjoyed my pictures! Hopefully I will be back next week!!

Peace & Love J-me

January

2012-02-05T20:21:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys, So I haven't been keeping up with my goal of posting at least once every two weeks. So I'm going to try to do that again! I'm thinking that maybe every Friday I will try and post a favorite photo from the week before.. we will see though!

But here are some pictures from the month of January, and a few at the end from this weekend on my walk with Garrett. I hope you enjoy them!!!

Garrett and I went to visit Tonia and Big Boy Chase!!! He will be 1 this February!

What a cutie!

Garrett was spray Painting his bike, i thought this shot looked really cool!

Garrett and I used to spend a lot of our time together in the basement at his house. He would do woodworking and I would watch, or help him, He also taught me how to use all his Dad's tools. This is something I did down there when I was bored of watching him, It has been there a while, and every now and then I darken it up again! :)

My family dog Hank, and my sisters cat Mocha, hanging out on the couch together!

This is from my walk today with Garrett, There are a lot of Alpacas down the road from him

A pretty view of the mountain from our walk

A cool tree on his road

the same one.

Garrett heading down the driveway of the mini viper

I hope you enjoyed the pictures!! More stuff on things I have been working on craft wise to come later this week! Now it is time for sleep... too bad the Pat's didn't win the Superbowl :(

Peace & Love

J-me

2012

2012-01-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone it has been quite a while since I have posted. And to those of you who actually read I am very sorry. I know there is really no excuse for my absence, but here is the one that I have come up with. I got my new camera and was really excited about it and spent most of my time playing around with that. Also my sister got married on Dec. 17^th, and I was her maid of honor so I was very busy with that. I also was trying to make a bunch of things for Christmas presents this year, but I had no time I could only make a few small things so I then had to buy the rest. The big project that took up a lot of time was/is my Nana’s quilt for her bed. My Mom and I have been working on it and had the top pieced just in time to wrap it up for Christmas. We hope to have it all quilted by the end of January, but by the looks of things I don’t know if that is going to happen. It’s a 1930’s inspired quilt via the fabrics, and we really wanted to tie it, but my mom (made the mistake of) asking her if she wanted it tied or hand quilted and she said hand quilted. So now we need to get hand quilting! Here is a picture:

My nana opening the top :)

So anyways there was that then Garrett and I went up to Maine to visit his Mom which was REALLY fun, and on Monday January 9^th we celebrated our 10 year anniversary J

But what I want to focus on in this post is New Years. It is 2012, a new year a new me…I hope. So far this New Year in the 7 days that there has been I have had some sort of physical activity each day. In Maine I was playing the Xbox Kinect, and then when I got home I have been going for a mile walk each morning. Even Garrett went with me for one J I’m going to try and go to some more Zumba classes, and hopefully get back into running. Baby step… The stress this holiday season just ruined my diet. So I’m getting back on track with that.

Garrett and His mom Playing the Kinect

I’m hoping for there to be a lot of new and exciting opportunities for me this year. I’m going back to school, just to the local Technical institute (NHTI) to go and get my Basic Accounting Certificate, which if I enjoy the accounting I plan to go and get my masters in it. For those of you who may not know I went to school to be a middle school math teacher and I am currently working at a bank because there hasn’t been any job opportunities in that field. So I picked accounting because the accounting field is growing and is said to continue to grow until 2014. So this year my plan is to get my certificate and find a job in the accounting field. Maybe even an internship for the summer.

Here are something’s that I would like to get done this year, in life and in my blogging J

-Garrett’s NIN quilt (which was supposed to be a gift for our 9 or maybe 8 year anniversary) finished by his birthday this year!
-Finish the top (at least) for a strip quilt I have had cut for over a year.
-Finish the top for the Hexagon Quilt I have started over a year ago.
-Finish the Patchwork squared quilt I did last year, I have made the top but I haven’t sandwiched or quilted it yet because I think I want to make it bigger.
-Make products for craft fairs
-Try to keep my Etsy shop updated. Which it has nothing on it now.
-Post at least once every two weeks
-Get better with my photography
-Buy a sewing machine all for my self which I won’t have to share with my mom, not that I don’t mind sharing (if it is alowed in my budget....maybe even if it is not)
-Learn some new quilting techniques

I think that’s a pretty good list for now. I’m sure some of these things will not happen but I am going to keep referring to this list and try to stay on task!!!

Here is a picture I took at Garrett's Mom's House

Thanks for reading J

Peace & Love J-me

New Camera!!

2011-11-29T08:29:00.001-08:00

Hey Guys!!

So I bought myself a new camera for my own Christmas present! Well actually I have been saving for a while now, and I decided Black Friday would be a good time to purchase one! I have been torn between Nikon and Canon. I talked to a family friend who is a photographer. She uses Nikon but she told me when she buys a new one she was going to go Canon because she feels that they have better sensors, and the image and color quality is better. Then I have a good friend who uses Nikon, and she is a great photographer as well! She loves Nikon and i loved using hers!
The decided factor was price. The Canon had better deals, and I liked the way it felt in my hand. I got the camera kit (Canon Rebel T3) with lens for 100 dollars off normal price, and plus I got a free case, 8GB memory card, and UV filter!

So that's what I went with and I went and picked it up, and I love it! I have yet to read the manual, but i have been playing around with it and I am happy with what I have been seeing.

Here are a few of my pictures I have taken!! Enjoy!

My Troll Beads :)

Working on Christmas Ornaments

Love the dew drops in this one!

My sister's cat yawning

Playing around at work, hey its my business card!

Liking the lights in the background!

Can you tell I like to Blur Backgrounds?

Our pens at work.

I hope you enjoyed them!!

Peace & Love J-me

Brooklyn's Quilt FINISHED!

2011-11-11T08:58:00.001-08:00

Hey Everyone!! Remember the quilt I have been working on for my cousin's baby? Well her name is Brooklyn Tanner, she lives down in Texas where it is warmer then here in New Hampshire (where her parents are from originally) So I used a thin cotton batting so she could still use it in the Texas heat, or what they would call cool nights down there. Ha!

They have been waiting on this for a while and I feel sorta bad, but I'm glad I took my time quilting it! Her colors are purple and yellow, so I used scraps and made a pinwheel design!

I wasn't going to put her name on it, but then I decided I would so if anyone tried to steal it they couldn't because it will have her name on it! So because i decided to do this after I had to applique a purple square onto the back of the quilt so her name would show up because the pattern on the back is so fun that you wouldn't be able to see it if i just did it on there!

Now for the pictures!!

Yes it snowed in NH in October!! This is probably going to be the first and maybe last time this Blanket will ever see snow!! haha.

A close up of the Quilting. (Lauren gave me this idea on this quilt that she did)

the back!

My JOB(by JOB I mean my Initials! haha) is on there can you see it? It's a little hard to see

The quilting on the back, kind of hard to see

Me trying to be artistic with a Kodak point and shoot haha! can't wait to get a better camera!

again...

The name square.

All packaged up and ready to go in the Mail tomorrow :)

I hope they like it and it gets there fast!!

Peace & Love J-me

Halloween and a finished Quilt

2011-10-31T18:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween everyone!!!

I made my costume this year to wear at the bank and to hand out candy (we don't get many trick-or-treaters).

So I went as Flo from the Progressive commercials!

Complete with Blue Shoes

Made the "pins" myself haha

I bought a Bump it for my hair, and wore one of my dad's white collard shirts!

What do you think?

As for the Quilt, I finished Kim and Andrew's wedding quilt and sent it off a few weeks ago! I sent it with a sappy letter and she told me that when she opened it she started crying! aww. I'm so glad she liked it! Here are a few pictures of it all done!

A close up of the stitching

the embroidery work I did on it :)

Soon to come pictures of the completed quilt for Brooklyn!!

Peace & Love

J-me

Kim & Andrew's Wedding Quilt

2011-10-01T04:57:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone! So tomorrow I am heading up north and going to a wedding! My friend Kim from college, is getting married to the sweetest guy Andrew.

I had asked her if she would like me to make her something for her wedding, and I gave her the option of a something to hang on the wall or put on the table.

But then I decided to make them a throw quilt instead. Something they can cuddle under together, and cherish forever! (I hope)

She told me that they like different shades of black and grays. I thought this would make an awesome quilt! I found one I liked in a book, but after I cut out the pieces I decided to change it completely and go a different route. This is the first quilt I ever made with out any actual pattern!

And even when I got the blocks sewn together I changed the design yet again! I sat with my mom on the floor and rearranged the blocks a lot of different ways until we both decided on the one we liked the most.

Another first for me is that this is the fastest quilt i have ever done too. I think its because of the deadline.I figured if I didn't start it this week there is no way it would of been done in a reasonable time frame, they might of got it on their one year anniversary! haha.

So Its put together I'm working on hand quilting it now, and I'm sure I will send it out next week! But for now I put up this post so they could at least see what they are getting! So the gift for their wedding day is the picture!

I really hope they like it!!

Peace & Love J-me

Sew n' Tell Friday - Brooklyn's Quilt

2011-09-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone! Remember Sew n' Tell over on Amylouwho's blog? Well it is back! Which makes me happy because it gives me more motivation to get things done every week!

So here's whats been going on. My cousin Chris, and his wife to be Stephanie recently had a baby girl named Brooklyn! She is the cutest! They live in Texas, and they had a baby shower and I was hoping to have the quilt done by then but you know how the story goes....

So I have been feverishly working on it and I have 12 more blocks to go before i can sew the top together and get the quilting going! But I wanted to share the progress so far so that Mommy and Daddy can get a sneak peek, and know that I am not lying when I say I am working on it. So with that said I hope you guys like it!

close up of some finished blocks

this is the size that it will be

Some of my favorite blocks!

I hope you like it!!! Go check out the other Friday finishes over on Amy's Blog!!

Peace & Love J-me

Tuesday Night, Craft Night

2011-09-22T19:43:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

I was super busy with Craft fair preparations! I got a lot sewn, and ended up not selling a lot of my new stuff! So I still have a lot up for grabs so check out my Facebook page (link over on right hand side) and check back here for things that are up for sale! I hope to have pictures posted soon of what I have left. To give you an idea, I have about 5 different coupon organizers, and 3 reusable foldble shopping totes, and some awesome coasters!

Okay now onto the actual subject at hand here.

So my friend Miranda and I used to hang out every Tuesday to watch a show together. Now that that show is over for a few months we still wished to hang out but wanted to find something to do with that time! Well we decided to do a craft night! And last Tuesday was our first one!

I came to her with the idea of a yarn wreath. I sent her a link to one with instructions and she didn't seem to interested in it. Now she has a sore spot for Owls, so I found one with an Owl and sent her the link and then I had her!

We went out the Tuesday before for some shopping, picked up our wreaths and some silly embellishments. We also went to the Olive Garden for dinner! There we treated ourselves to some drinks, and she got the Sangria. We both fell in love!

So come Tuesday craft night, we invited two other great friends, Miranda made a pitcher of Delicious Sangria, and Chocolate lava cake(made in the crock pot) and I some cinnamon knots.

We sat around on the floor and made our wreaths. There were lots of fun laughs and some teasing, and lots of screaming "ouch!" because we all burned our fingers on the hot glue!

I have a few pictures of my finished product, I hope you all like it!

Silly picture right after I finished it!

(don't mind the ugly door!)

Close up of the sides!

So these were really fun to make and it lets your imagination soar with all the different possibilities for them!!

I hope you like it!!

until next time..

Peace & Love J-me

p.s. don't be surprised if you get one from me for Christmas! ;-)

Coupon Organizers!!

2011-08-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

As some of you may already know I have started making Coupon Organizers! The coupon bug has hit everyone...well mostly everyone, and what better way to coupon then with an adorable coupon organizer?!

I was browsing the awesome world of Etsy when I came across this pattern! I just had to have it! I bought it, and I have been making them like crazy!!! Because the wonderful women who came up with the pattern sells hers online she asked those who bought her pattern not to sell them online.

So how can you get one of these awesome organizers? Come to the local craft fairs this fall and winter!! The next one is Antrim's Home and Harvest Day, September 17th! I hope to have a variety of organizers for you to choose from! If you can't make it there and still would like to get your extreme coupon on, please feel free to contact me on my Facebook Page, or my e-mail Address: Madebyjme@yahoo.com

I look forward to your comments!! Spread the word!!

Peace & Love Jme

List

2011-08-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!

Its been a whole yet again! I've been super busy the last 2 weeks but what else is knew right? Garrett's getting ready to go back to school for his last year....as an undergrad.... grad school next? Who knows with him. So hes leaving soon to live on campus so I'm trying to soak up as much time with him as I can. The reason I'm blogging now is because he is up in Maine visiting his mom. :-)
I wish I could of gone with him, but Garrett likes to plan things last minute, or not tell me about these plans...maybe because he doesn't want me to go, or just thinks i can read his mind...but none the less I have to work, and wasn't given enough notice to try and take a day off.

well enough venting, I came to blog for a reason!

I need to make a list. A list that I and you can hold me accountable for! I need to get stuff done! Here is my list of things to get done, in no particular order, just in order as i remember them.

1. My cousin Christopher, and his Girlfriend Stephanie's quilt for their baby girl Brooklyn due soon!
2. Garrett's "Anniversary" Quilt, which I was hoping to have done for his Birthday (July 12)
3. the Patchwork squared quilt, which the top is basically done for
4. My mom's Place mats
5. Craft Fair items- Coupon organizers, tile coasters, crayon rolls, Reusable shopping totes(?)
6. Stuff for my sister's wedding and shower: cutting 100 fabric squares, and making hand muffs, and a ring bearer pillow
7. misc WOP's; hexagon quilt, strip quilt, dress (meant for Lauren's wedding), there is probably more i can't think off
8. read a book,
9. relax
10. Spend some time with friends
11. Spend quality time with Garrett
12. Do more blog posts!

So I have lots to do!
Wish Me luck

And here i leave you with a picture because it's a pretty wordy post otherwise!

(may 2010)

Peace & Love Jme

Wedding

2011-07-21T05:26:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! It was sure been a while. I have been very busy with a secret project, but now that its done and been given away I can share it with you!

My boyfriend's sister Lauren, got married to the man of her dreams, Charlie, on July 16th. It was a fantastic wedding, and was a lot of fun!!

For their wedding gift I decided to make them a quilt. Lauren sent me a link to a quilt that she really liked, and then I took that pattern and went with it. The inspiration quilt was done by Cluck Cluck Sew, and it was actually for a wedding!

I switched the colors a bit. Laurens colors were like pale blue, pink and yellow, so I went with those colors, and kept the brown. I had bought the fabric a while back and thought it would be perfect for it. I went all out with the design on this one. I drew up a template on graph paper, and colored it in so no two blocks would be the same, then I drew out cutting templates for each color fabric, so that I wouldn't run out of fabric too.

I then cut and started to piece it all together! I thought I was going to finish it way before her wedding.....but boy was I wrong. When I went to bonaroo in June, i had all the blocks done, so when I got back I had to put them all together with the sashing.

For the back I used the sheet method. I went and bought a 5 dollar sheet, and used that as the backing. I think it was a great idea because the sheet is soft and then its all one piece not two or three.

For the stitching I wanted to try something new. I had read on Anna Maria Horner's blog about how she hand quilts. And I loved the idea of using chunkier thread, that way you could see it more. So that's what I went with, and it came out looking awesome on the front, and the back!

I had the quilt almost finished before I headed up to Maine the Thursday morning before the wedding. (her wedding was that Saturday) So when I got there, i told her to close her eyes so i could lay out the unfinished quilt so that i wouldn't ruin the surprise when i took it out to continue working on it. I finished sewing the binding on the day of her wedding at about 9am. Put it in the washing machine and it came out just in time to be hung up outside for decoration for the wedding. It felt so nice to be done with it, and i really hope they like it and it lasts a lifetime of memories!!

Okay okay...enough talk time for pictures!

I put their initials in!!

Hanging up!

The back stiching

The pretty bride in the dress that her mom made her!

Garrett and I :)

their wedding date

Peace & Love! J-me

Hello

2011-07-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that yes i am still alive! I have had a super busy month of June, and July is going to be busy too! I'm working on a quilt for Lauren's wedding, and i need to do the dress i plan to wear to it too!!

Ive been fixing my car to pass inspection (going in tomorrow) and My Mother and I joined a gym!

Happy fourth everyone! I'm going to go spend it with some wonderful people, out at the beach!

I'll be back sometime this week for a real update with pictures and such!

Peace & Love J-me

May Giveaway Day - Winner!!

2011-05-27T05:28:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!!

Thank you to all who came by and posted a comment to win this strange group of giveaway items! I had 34 awesome comments, and I think that is pretty awesome for my first time entering the challenge!! It think next year I will make something specifically for giveaway day!

okay so on to the winner!!

Lucky Number 29!! That's: KRISTIN ORTH a new visitor to my blog!! Kristin said:

Well Kristin I hope your kids have fun fighting over them!! I will be sending an e-mail your way to get your address!!

Congratulations!!

And again thank you to everyone who entered and came by to visit!! I hope you come back!

Peace & Love Jme

May Giveaway Day!!!

2011-05-23T04:55:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!!

The day is finally here!! Time for May giveaway day over at Sew Mama Sew!!

To all those that are new- welcome!!
To all those who have been here before - welcome back!

I have been very busy updating my shop on etsy. I have stocked up some new items, and there are more to come! I still have to post up my recycled key board earrings, as well as some Capri sun pouches, and magazine wallets!

I make a variety of things over here at Made by Jme. I make toys, purses/bags, wallets, earrings, bracelets, key fobs, tissue holders, and I like to sew quilts too!

Today for giveaway day I am going to offer you fine folks, a Hodge podge of items!!

I have for you:
- a Capri sun coin purse
- a honest kids pencil pouch
- A Kors flip flop magazine Wallet
- a quilted Christmas ornament
- a green headband!

Thats a $20 value free!!

Make sure to check out my Etsy Shop for other great items like -

- crayon roll ups

- crinkle baby toys

- juice carton coin purses

- pocket tissue holders

- Capri sun lunch bags

and coming soon-

- buttercup bags

- keyboard earrings

- soda tab bracelets

- magazine wallets
- quilted Christmas ornaments
- other purses

Thanks for checking out my blog make sure to follow the giveaway rules below! and if your not already, become a follower via blogspot or facebook

The rules are:
1 entry per person!
be sure to leave your e-mail in your comment!
I will pick a random person using Random.org
The giveaway closes on the 25th at midnight, and the winner will be picked the following morning!

I will ship the items to you on the 31st, because the 30th is a holiday!

happy entering!
Peace & Love Jme

May Giveaway Day!!

2011-05-18T05:11:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!!!

I was going to do this last year, but I didn't have enough time to get everything together. But this year I am making time. I think that this can help out my little etsy shop, and possibly put my blog on the map...the sewing world map!!

So Sew-mama-sew is hosting May Giveaway Day on Monday the 23rd. That's next Monday!! It's where a bunch of bloggers sign up and get their blogs on a list of blogs that are giving a way some free stuff, it gets A LOT of traffic and I'm hoping that will result in more followers and perhaps some Etsy Purchases!! I'm going to be adding more stuff on to my etsy, right now it is a very sad shop. I have had the pictures ready, its just a little time consuming to post everything up, so that's what I will be doing today after my short 2 hour work day!

Here is the link for more information on giveaway day, you should all go check it out, I have been entering giveaway day for a couple years now and its so cool to see all the other crafty bloggers out there!

So make sure to come back on Monday and enter to win!! I'm thinking a buttercup bag, and a recycled juice carton coin purse combo....what do you think?!

Peace & Love Jme

Fabric Freeze OVER!!!

2011-05-06T04:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone! Remember when I went on my Fabric Freeze for the whole month of April!!? Well I made it through!! I went a WHOLE month with out buying any fabric! I made some real progress too on some projects Ive been meaning to get done! I had cut and sewn all but 2 rows for Laurens Wedding quilt, which is awesome!! I have also been doing fairly well on a quilt along I'm following too!

So while in April, on my fabric freeze, I heard about a going out of business sale and I almost broke my freeze and bought some fabric, I had it all in a cart but then my sub conscious told me to STOP! I didn't need it!! So I skipped out, then on May 1st, i noticed that it was still going out, and still on sale so I scooped up some fabric that was left! I didn't buy as much as I was planning on buying before, which is also good!! The package came in the Mail on Wednesday, and I was super excited to open it.

But I had to Wait. I worked 6 hours, and then went to my Zumba class, and when I got home i felt like going for a run because I was so energized, i mapped out a mile route, and put on my running shoes and headed out. I used that UN-opened package of fabric as a motivator to keep running!

I ran my first full Mile in like ever!! It took me 14 minutes, but at least i did it! Super proud.

So I opened the fabric package and this is what was inside:

7 half yards of beautiful fabric!!

Anna Maria Horner (innocent Crush) & Tula Pink (parisville)

Joel Dewberry (chestnut hill i think?)

Amy Butler (love)

Well I got to get to work!! Going to pick up my Bridesmaid dress afterwards!!!

Peace & Love Jme

Sew-n-tell April

2011-04-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone I'm back! 3 posts in a row? that's crazy for me. Anyways I wanted to share a few things that I have been doing. Remember that List I had going? Well not much has been able to be crossed off but I did finish the 6 origami bags from Amy Butlers book Style Stitches.

I tried to join this group on flickr that was have a style stitches sew along where they complete one project each month from the book. Well these bags were supposed to be March's finish, but as you can see I just finished the last one a few moments before I started writing this.

But I did do ALL 6, and the first one I tried to follow her directions but they were a little confusing so, I just went off a basic tutorial on how to sew a zippered pouch and used that technique to finish the other 5. That is why the one that is supposed to be the largest, isn't really bigger the then second to largest. Oh well!!

But the do nest together quit nicely:

Here is a shot of all of them:

Here is one of the 3 smallest, one I have makeup in, another I have my hand quilting supplies, and the last one I have some wooden spools that I plan on making something cool out of.

Another thing i have been working on is the Patchwork squared Modern Solids Quilt Along. Here are the blocks I have done. The 6th block was just posted last night and the 7th will be posted tonight, so I haven't started those yet but I will!!

Make sure to check out the other finishes this month over on Amylouwho's blog.

Now off to take a walk so that I will be all ready for a date out with Garrett when i get out of work :]

Peace & Love Jme

P.S. The month is almost over and I have not bought any fabric!!

Glowing :]

2011-04-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

Just a quick little blurb!! just got back from a jog/walk. 2.28 miles in 38 minutes. Started out this "jog" walking, and trying to use my new C25K app, where you listen to your own music and then in beeps when to walk and run. Well about 10 minutes into walking i noticed it wasn't working, so no use in restarting it, so i just listened to the end of a song and then started jogging for the new one.

I was afraid that I wasn't going to be able to last to long because of those strength training videos I did on Tuesday, and my thighs were super sore and so are my abs, but i started running and the pain like went away!! I felt great, I was taking in the surroundings, and looking at the people driving by, enjoying the breeze and then fresh "it just rained" smell of the air. I even found myself smiling....who does that? haha I do!

I decided i was going to "stop" when i go to an intersection, but i was still feeling good so I kept on going, i set about two more mini goals, and then decided i should not push it too much because i was heading up a hill and after Mondays crazy pain i didn't want that to happen again. I made it half way up the hill!

I then walked some more then jogged the last .2 miles home. I am feeling amazing!!

I decided I'm going to continue doing the strength training because i think its helping me out. Well that's my rant I hope to soon ~~run~~ jog at least a mile with out stopping in the next few weeks! wish me luck!!

now off to eat some dinner then go to sleep and get up to watch the Royal Wedding!! (maybe haha)

Peace & Love Jme

UPDATE!!

2011-04-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!!! it's been a while!!!

I promised my friend Miranda I would do a blog post today so I got to do it so she doesn't get mad at me ;)

I have been pretty busy lately. Last week I worked 9-5 M-F. One of my co-workers was on vacation in sunny California!!! LUCKY!! But i had a good time, and liked working full time. I got up early to do runs, and then went for walks after it was pretty awesome!!

Then Saturday I went to Mass for Garrett's Grandfathers Funeral. I got to meet more of his family which was nice, and I had a great time bonding with his family too, esp over bowling...haha don't ask!
Also I got to sleep in the living room with Garrett, his sister Lauren, her fiance Charlie, and then Garrett's Dad, and his wife. It was pretty funny, scratchy couch, but that made a nice nap when we got back to new Hampshire.

Today I got a TON done!! I felt very productive. Today was my Mom and Dad's 26th anniversary. I got up and cleaned the house, worked on some quilt blocks for Lauren and Charlie's wedding quilt. made some bagel dough, went to work for 2 hours... came back finished bagels, made cupcakes, finished the quilt blocks, and then went to Zumba, came home finished mom and dads dinner, then ate it, then showered and now I'm here! haha.

So here are some pictures of the food!! (cell phone pics sorry)

cupcakes made with Diet coke, topped with Cool Whip

Dinner: Steamed Broccoli, Garlic mashed potatoes, Chicken Cordon Bleu

close up of Chicken

so yuummy

Oh and my HUGE BAGELS....let them rise a little TOO much!!

So now an update on my weight!! I have reached my 5% goal, a total of 13 pounds lost since being on WW, and about 17 since i took action with my weight.

Still struggling a little with running, but I WANT to get there and I WILL it is just going to take some time.
Did the 30 day shred video....soooooo sore, it took me a lot to get out of my bed to my computer to write this.

Well that's my update!!

Now to restart Easy A and relax in bed!!

Peace & Love J-me

Venting....

2011-04-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, so I've had a lot on my mind lately and I really just need to vent, So if you don't want to listen/read turn away now!!

So I just got off the treadmill doing my day 2 of week 4 in my C25K program. I really didn't want to get on the treadmill today, but I did and I'm glad I did. I really used this time to think about things, and think about how things are going in my life. I did have the tv on and my ipod playing...but i kinda zoned them out and was thinking to myself, I almost missed the cues on when to run and when to walk.

Anyways, I have been on this get fit journey of mine for 8 weeks. 8 weeks ago I signed up for weight watchers online, because it has worked for me in the past. One morning I got up and stepped on the scale, when I saw that number I was really disgusted in myself. I felt awful about how I let myself go, and how I always miss out on opportunities because I let my weight get the best of me. But I decided no longer did I want to do that. My older sister had been on weight watchers for a while, and I saw how much she had done and how great she looked, and I wanted that too. So I decided to get my but into gear. I wouldn't even sign up for weight watchers until I got under that awful number. (I'm too embarrassed to share now what that number is, but if you really want to know ask me, and maybe i'll tell ya)

I lost about 5 pounds, and decided it was time. The first weeks were great, I was really on track, and loosing about 2lbs a week. I was very excited. But then Garrett came home on spring break, and i really cant blame it on him, but i was hanging out with him more, and not eating right. I did gain that week but it was less then a pound. But that was enough to make me feel down about myself and try and get back on track. I stayed the same weight for about 3 weeks, and wasn't seeing any results, that's when I decided i needed to do something more, I started the c25k program, and signed up for zumba over in antrim. That's when i saw the weight start to come off again. Slowly but it was better then staying the same.

Last week on my weigh in day i had lost a total of 12 pounds, add the first 5 for that and that's about 17 pounds total. I feel better about myself, and I'm loosing inches, and i just feel better, mentally and physically.I still have days when i don't want to get out of bed because i feel terrible about my body, but then i realize that staying in bed isn't going to help the situation.

I'm really happy for all my friends support, I think its great, and I really love all you guys for giving me words of encouragement and helping my push through hard times. Thank you so much!!

I really wish I had this kind of encouragement at home. No one has told me that I'm looking good, or that they are proud of me for what I'm doing. The first few weeks were good, my mom and dad were eating healthier with me ( i still live at home) but then something happened and they eat the same old crap again, and it doesn't help me at all, this week we are having Salisbury steak...hello hamburger, gravy, potatoes....I love that meal and I can't really eat much of it, or I need to eat a small lunch, or no lunch, or i need to work out a lot to have the points for it. It kinda stinks. I wish they were on the plan with me, It would be so great to have a support system like that.

Then I have my boyfriend Garrett. He supports me, but in a weird way. He will say things like, i don't think you should be eating that, and yes that is helpfull ~~but it makes me feel bad about myself~~. I love Garrett a lot, and we have been through soooo much together. And yes i have tried dieting before and he has seen me fail at it. ~~I don't think he really understands everything, but that's okay~~. when he does notice that I'm getting smaller, and he mentions it to me it makes me feel SOOOOO good about what I'm doing. I'm doing it for me first and foremost, but I'm also doing it for him.

He has made me kinda mad and sad a lot lately, but mostly when he is at school and I'm stuck at home, hoping for an e-mail from him. but when he walks through my door on Fridays my whole world lights up again, and I'm just so happy to see him, He really means everything to me, and I don't ever want to loose him.

Now I'm getting sappy and its time to stop venting and go have a good cry in the shower. If you read thanks for listening.

I love you guys!!!

-Jaimie-

List/c25k Update..

2011-04-12T17:20:00.000-07:00

1. Amy Butler Nesting bags - 2 more to go!
2. Amy Butler checkbook cover
3. P2 modern solids quilt along quilt
~~block 1~~
SEEN IN LAST POST
~~block 2~~

~~block 3~~

         block 4
         block 5 etc...
4. Hexagon quilt i started like last year- Some pieced, still more to sew and cut!

5. Old Red Barn Co quilt along I also started last year (pieces cut, no sewing done)
6. Garretts Anniversary Quilt turned Birthday Quilt- Making Garrett a NIN quilt, showed him the plans on our anniversary, decided to put a deadline of his birthday (july 12) on it.
7. Lauren & Charlie's Wedding Quilt- Must be done by July 12 at the latest.
                    TWO OUT OF 6 COLORS CUT!!
8. Silk lined hand muffs for my sisters wedding in Dec
9. Reusable shopping bags- fabric bought around x-mas time with my Mardens Gift Card!!

So as you can see not much progress haha but oh well I'm working on it.

AS for my C25K update, I'm in week 4!!
Walk for 5 minutes (warm up)
Run 3 minutes
walk 90 seconds
Run 5 minutes
walk 2.5 minutes
Run 3 minutes
Walk 90 seconds
Run 5 minutes
walk 5 minutes (cool down)

I just did day one today, and it went well, didn't get tired, Had my new running shoes to use, but they hurt my feet, i think they just need some wearing in!! I love them though and halfway through the run my feet started feeling better.

I also went for another walk, about 1.2 miles outside today to enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful weather, and its supposed to rain tomorrow.

Tomorrow is my day of resting from the program, but its also my Zumba night, so excited! Oh and it's my Dads 49th Birthday!! Happy Birthday Dad!!

Oh I also joined this awesome website called the Daily Mile, its really cool and tracks your miles you run or walk for the week, and forever haha Its pretty sweet!!

Eye Candy: going to go eat some of this!!

Schwan's sherbet!

Peace & Love J-me

A few things done..

2011-04-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!! So That list....well I'm working on it. My sister came over last night on her way home and asked me what I was working on. I told her it was a quilt, and she asked if it was the one for Lauren and Charlies wedding and i said.....um...no... She then reminded me that I should get to work on that because how long did it take me to do my first quilt? how long did it take to finally put together baby Chase's quilt?Well that's a great question...

I decided that I should spend some of my time tonight sitting in front of the TV watching Glee season one on netflix while cutting out the pieces for their wedding quilt. I have taken the time to draw out on graph paper and the color in her quilt so I could figure out where to put all the pieces. I also went into detail and drew out cutting diagrams to make the most of the fabric that i bought for it because I had bought the fabric with just an idea in mind and not actually knowing how much yardage i really needed.

I would post pictures of the fabric...( I think I may have in a previous post)...and the diagrams but Lauren is a Blogger, and last I checked she seems to occasionally read my blog, so I don't want to spoil it for her.

But some things I have done was make a Kindle case for my sister, (the one that came by last night) and I gave it to her last night so now I can put pictures up. I just had an idea of what I wanted it to look like, drew it out, found the kindle dimensions online and went from there. I think it came out awesome, and I really hope it fits!

Also i finished the First block for the Patchwork squared modern solids quilt along...that's the thing I was working on when she started asking me all those questions. I got the first block done which is the center block, and I like it. Its supposed to be 12.5" x 12.5" but its a little shy so I will have to visit my old friend Mr. Freezer Paper for this one. I tried REALLY REALLY hard to get it perfect...but oh well.

So off to work, and then for a walk, and then start cutting pieces for the wedding quilt.

Peace & Love J-me

Fabric Freeze yikes!!

2011-04-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone, wow 2 posts in a row crazy!!!!

So some of my facebook friends may have noticed that i decided to go on a fabric freeze. Meaning that I have decided that I will not buy any fabric for the duration of April..UNLESS haha yeah there is one of those.... that is unless, one of the many projects i need to get done, i have forgotton to buy some for it and can no longer move foward with it.

Here are all the projects that I need to finish/start:

1. Amy Butler Nesting bags - 2 more to go!
2. Amy Butler checkbook cover
3. P2 modern solids quilt along quilt - week one just started!

4. Hexagon quilt i started like last year- Some pieced, still more to sew and cut!

5. Old Red Barn Co quilt along I also started last year (pieces cut, no sewing done)

6. Garretts Anniversary Quilt turned Birthday Quilt- Making Garrett a NIN quilt, showed him the plans on our anniversary, decided to put a deadline of his birthday (july 12) on it.
7. Lauren & Charlie's Wedding Quilt- Must be done by July 12 at the latest.
8. Slik lined hand muffs for my sisters wedding in Dec
9. Reusable shopping bags- fabric bought around x-mas time with my Mardens Gift Card!!

10. my moms placemats- 5 more to go, gave her....1 for her birthday last August....

and i'm sure there are many more....yikes!!! For these projects i have all if not most of the fabric for them. And this list is MORE then enough to keep me busy for the month of April, and I'm sure there are more that i'm forgetting right now. So... Wish me luck!!!

Oh and I share a craft room with my mom, who is in the process of a quilt.....DRAMA! haha.

Peace & Love J-me

Birthday gifts!!

2011-04-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was Cyrus' 1st Birthday. Cyrus is my good friends, Miranda and Jay's baby boy!! I love going to visit them, and just hanging out talking.

I was going to post this last sunday, but I didn't want to ruin the surprise!! Also because Cyrus was a little sick she postponed his Birthday Party.

Today I got to go over and visit and I brought Tonia and her baby boy Chase with me!! I had a great time catching up, and just talking and hanging out. Although Cyrus was a little cranky he still made me happy when he came and sat with me for a while, and then came over and climbed up on me and made me giggle. I love that boy!

So I made him a sweet car play mat. Its made of felt and i found the pattern here. I was afraid that he would be a little to young for it still, and when i opened it up to show him he loved it...and he wanted to pick all the pieces up that were glued down. ( I find this kinda funny because Garrett told me i shouldnt glue them down so he an move them around and set up the town how he wanted to....maybe i should of gone with this idea...?)

But nothing a little glue can't fix, and it will be ready for him when hes ready to not destroy it ;-)

I also made him a cute owl pillow for his crib, or his shnazzy new recliner!!

Check out all the pictures!! I hope you enjoy!!

Peace & Love J-me

p.s. be back tomorrow afternoon with a post about my fabric freeze!!!