10 Ways to a Better Me

I have been so incredibly busy with work and going to volleyball and so tied up with things each weekend that I feel like I haven't had enough time to reflect on...me

selfish (maybe)...but here goes...

I know it's not the New Year (or anywhere close to it!), but I want to write down 10 ways to a better me, and maybe by doing so it will hold me more accountable to doing/sticking to them!

in no particular order...

1. Do something active 30 min/day

now that I don't have vball 2 nights a week for 2 hours each night, I gotta keep on the exercise train and keep active! Even if it's just walking Channing dog for 30 minutes around the neighborhood (he would probably LOVE that anyways!)...I also feel like somedays this is WAY difficult from already feeling like I have run around a lab for 8 hours of the day...but alas, it's on my list...I will try!

2. Drink more water

I am the WORST at this, but realize it is a much healthier alternative to the soda I adore...so I am trying my best to drink 60-80 ounces of water a day...and if I meet that, then I can "splurge" on other beverages!

3. Be less stressed

this is hard, I am your Type A personality ^max, and I have tried in previous years to reign in on my stress...any helpful hints/tips/tricks MUCH appreciated!

4. Spend more quality time with my husband

this is NOT to say that we don't do this already, but like I said in #1, I had been busy with volleyball and he is also busy with soccer too...I really enjoy being around him, he always knows how to make me smile

5. Continue to be crafty

I have truly LOVED getting back into sewing things and want to *try* to branch out and make clothing...this may be a work in progress!

6. Live in the moment

I make lists, it's who I have always been...I feel accomplished when I cross something off or when I finish compiling things...but I also get stressed in anticipation of not being able to finish things on time...so in trying to help with #3, I will live in the moment

7. Spend more time with family and friends

I always feel loved around my friends and family, which makes me less stressed and relaxed...even if it's something during the work week, I need to start hanging out and being less of a home-body

8. Try to get into yoga

I have tried this before doing P90X workouts, but the 1.5 hour long thing didn't really fit into by busy days...I think I may try to find some 30 minute routines and work my way up...plus this would be good for my back (which constantly seems to be in some sort of pain)...as well as a boost to relax a bit more

9. Be less negative

We ALL have those days where we put our own selves down, saying anything from "I am the worst at _____, or I suck at ______"...well, it doesn't help me in the least and takes up energy to think/say this crap, so be gone with it!

10. Find what makes me happy, and be around it/do it

I plan to be around people that make me happy and do crafty things or activities that make me happy...it seems only fair to live life to its fullest and enjoy every moment I get here by doing what makes me happy, right?

and as a bonus one, I *might* try to be better at getting less fast food/junk food...
but I don't think I would pass up the french fry if offered...
it might be a weakness of mine along with candy
(any candy!)

What sort of things do you think you could do to make a better you?

Crafty

Feelin crafty today...

I will let the pictures speak for themselves...a few projects cut out and left to sew, and 3 finished...

Nice lil Mother's day gift kitchen towels with pizazz!

Idea from Sew 4 Home

Project to be done #1

Project to be done #2

Finished 3

all bundled up and awaiting to be given :)

I am really happy with them, and I am glad I remember how to sew!

On to bigger and bolder projects!

I want!

I really miss sewing things.

I did some sewing of some patchwork purses back in college, but lost the know how and really wish I could remember!

In the meantime (aka while I work up the courage to try my hand at sewing again), I have been reading a bunch of different blogs about sewing...

and I wanna sew REAL bad!

Just check some of these cool things out!

This cool purse from over at Made by Rae

http://www.made-by-rae.com/2009/02/free-buttercup-bag-sewing-pattern.html

Or this one here...from Sew4Home

http://sew4home.com/projects/kitchen-linens/578-retro-fun-vintage-style-apron

Not sewing, but crafty is this scarf...from How About Orange

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/search/label/tutorials

Or this cute lil baby hat (and no, there is no baby, but it's ADORABLE) suggested by Sew Mama, Sew (from Tye Dye Diva Patterns)

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2011/04/free-tie-top-beanie-pattern-jen-from-tie-dye-diva/

Or this awesome bag (I would totally make one bigger for me, but also make one for my nephew Corbin) from over at Punkin Patterns

http://punkinpattern.blogspot.com/2011/02/connors-messenger-bag.html

And one last one (also not really sewing...) from over at The Borrowed Abode

http://theborrowedabode.com/2010/09/how-to-diy-a-thrifty-decorative-storage-box/

I could go on for days about what I wanna sew (inspired by these blogs)...but I don't wanna bore you get you all amped up about sewing projects too...for all I know, you will beat me to the punch and where's the fun in it for me?!?

If you have any great sewing/crafty ideas, please post a comment so I can be further inspired!

Picasso

I am SUPER pumped about tomorrow...I get to finally go see the Picasso exhibit at the VMFA!!

My friend Kendall is in town and asked if I wanted to go...of course!

I have lots of work to get done here that my boss left while he is down in Florida for a conference, so I have been coming in early the past couple days and plan to do the same tomorrow so I can finish it all and leave early to meet up with her:)

I am not quite sure what it is about Picasso's works of art that really get to me...I mean, there are TONS of artists out there making wonderful and brilliant pieces every day...but his just really have always had a special place in my heart from the time when I started even really truly learning about artwork.

So I am thrilled.

I can't really describe it...

Just looooook at them!

Boulevard de Clichy (1901)


Le Gourmet (1901)


Harlequin Family (1905)

Bather (1909)

Portrait of Ambroise Vollard (1910)

Glass and Bottle of Suze (1912)


Portrait of Maya with a Doll (1938)

Guernica (1937)


Embrace (1971)

a-m-a-z-i-n-g

Did I mention I am REALLY excited to go see them tomorrow!

Creative Sunday

I was feeling a bit lazy today but decided to give my hand another shot at trying some different candles out since the last couple times had been successful...

I bought a new mold (heart shaped) and some stackable candle templates (circle shaped)...

Here's how it went...

I bought new color and scents, so I tried out blue and lavender

I set out the empty tray templates

Filled them with the wax

Waited to pop them out, and then heated the needle, pushed that through the center to make a hole and threaded the wick through

And eventually ended up with a stack!

I then had leftover wax and made a small heart shaped candle with what was left...

Channing was also feeling lazy, but did not seem phased by my new artistic endeavors...he's a hard to please doggie some days!

Success!

I

MADE

CANDLES!

Ok, so I made 1 candle, but at least I didn't burn the house down or harm myself (since Mike was gone all day)...I would say it was a great success! Especially since I had to go to Michael's craft store and find certain tools/things with which to make my candle.

Here is a look at my setup...

I set up the molds with the wicks prior to melting the wax...

And then began melting the wax...

Once the wax melted and reached the right temp. I added color and some fragrance

I chose red color and raspberry scent

I then poured this into my mold and let it stand for a loooong time

Once set and completely cooled, out popped my FIRST SOY CANDLE (it's supposed to be more eco-friendly and burn longer)

And it's not exactly RED and isn't pungent smelling, but has some scent to it...

I'm pretty happy about it though!