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December 17, 2012

A non- creative post // Some thoughts on running

I have always wanted to run. Over the years I would try to start running, but it was hard and I never kept at it. This past fall however I was able to start running and actually make it a habit! Sometimes it is still hard to run, but I've gotten over my difficulties and enjoy running most of the time.

Here are a few things that I've learned about running. I hope this will help you if you're a beginning runner!
  • You can push yourself harder than you think you can. Several people have told me that running is very much a mental thing and it really is. Your mind has to be stronger than your body and tell your body not to quit when it is begging to be allowed to stop. Obviously, if you are really having a serious problem you need to stop running, but you can usually do harder things than you might think you have the ability to. Remember - no pain, no gain!
  • You need to have a goal. Shortly after I started running seriously a friend called and told us about a local 5k race coming up. A 5k was what I wanted to work up to so I figured out how I needed to progress in order to run that race. I needed to add one third of a mile each week and I did it! Having a goal helped me be consistent with my running and also helped me push myself and become stronger.

                                       
  • It helps to occupy your mind. Listen to music, audiobooks, and sermons. Pray. If you can get you mind off your feet hitting the pavement, how you feel, or how much longer you need to run you'll be surprised at how much better you'll do.

November 26, 2012

This Is My Niece Elsie


I remember the first time I held her, marveling at God's creation and at the fact my sister was a mommy. She had strong sparkly eyes and loved to look all around. Now she is such a big girl with hair long enough for two french braids! She knows all the words to many songs and makes us laugh with her funny ideas. One afternoon, I followed her around with the camera as she played outside and stuffed pecans into her little pockets.  
"Are you coming, Asalin?" I love how she says my name and how her face gets so serious when she asks a question.
"A pecaaan!"
"Maybe we should take them inside and eat them!"

November 16, 2012

Refashion Friday//How to Refashion a Big Ol' Ugly Sweater


Do you find a lot of old sweaters that have a pretty design, but are way too big and have strange shapes? I do. I decided to try refashioning one and I like how it turned out. Here are a few simple steps for refashioning a sweater.

First turn your sweater inside out and lay a top you like over it, then mark the new size with pins. You can actually try the sweater on at this point just be careful not to get stuck!
Using the pins as a guide, draw a stitching line with a black sharpie. Sew over the lines using a stretch stitch. Trim seam.
Now cut the sleeves to your desired length. I made three quarter length sleeves.
Cut the cuffs off the sweater leaving about 1/4 in. extra above the cuff to provide a seam allowance when you sew it back onto the sleeve. If the cuffs are too loose you can trim them to make them smaller. You will want the cuffs to be a little smaller around than the sleeve.
Stitch the ends of the cuffs together, then pin them onto the sleeves stretching the cuffs to fit. Lastly sew them on.  
I also refashioned the corduroy skirt I'm wearing. Before, it had stuck out strangely at the hips. So I took that in and hemmed it shorter. Although I didn't particularly mind the length, the skirt was pretty narrow at the bottom and was annoying to walk in.
sharing here:

November 12, 2012

DIY Magazine Leaf Art

Here's a quick, easy, and fun fall project for you today! It's also good way to recycle old magazines.
 Supplies needed: Picture frame, cardstock, magazine pages, scissors, and glue.
Find some neat patterns and textures and start cutting out leaves of all shapes! I just freehanded it and didn't try to be exact. Then glue the leaves onto the paper.
Stick your work in a frame and display!

sharing with:
DIY Show Off
The Girl Creative

Skip To My Lou


October 8, 2012

Skirt as Dress

Long skirts (I can't get myself to call them maxi skirts. haha!) are so versatile. Most of the time you can wear them as a skirt or a dress! Just please wear a shirt or jacket on top when you're styling your skirt as a dress! ;)

I have two skirts that I like to "turn into dresses".

I like to wear this skirt as a dress because it is sooo long as in I'm-always-tripping-on-it-and-getting-scared-I'm-going-to-pull-it-completely-off long. Not good!

This skirt is a little too formfitting when worn as a skirt, but works great as dress.

Have you tried wearing a skirt as a dress?

October 1, 2012

5 things I want to do this fall

Happy October!

Enjoy this lovely poem:

I think everyone is excited about fall!

To me fall means
a break from our Texas heat,
raking leaves,
sitting on our front porch,
oil lamps & candles,
taking long walks,
harvesting pecans,
drinking tea & hot chocolate,
warm color schemes.

Here are 5 things I would like to do this fall.

1. Build an outside blanket fort and maybe even spend the night in it!

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2. Make Pie in a Jar.
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3. Make some fall decorations. This leaf garland would be really simple.
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4. Read more books.
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5. Make lattes.
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What are you looking forward to doing this season?

September 24, 2012

How much fabric do you need to make a dress?

I found this cute dress on Pinterest and was inspired to make a dress with a horizontally striped bodice and a vertically striped skirt.

Looking through my stash I found some striped fabric that would be suitable except that there was only ONE YARD AND SEVEN INCHES!!!! Okay so I can't make the dress, I thought, because I am not buying more fabric. Probably a lot of people have this problem blessing, but I have A LOT OF FABRIC!!!!!!!!!!!! I pick up a yard or two here and there off the clearance rack, at a thrift shop, and sometimes I'll find it dumped upon me by someone who hears I sew. I'm trying to use up what I have, but it will take a long time so I need to weed out. That will be a big project! 

Alright, back to the subject. I've decided to try to go ahead and make the dress! Yes, with just barely over a yard of fabric. I've been measuring and draping and I really think it might work! 

This is the fabric I will use.

I will keep y'all updated on the progress in case you're interested in seeing if this is really possible. 
Which I am not quite sure it is. haha!

August 7, 2012

Good Morning!


Good Morning! 
I just wanted to pop in to say that I have not forgotten about my blog and I shall return! :)

June 18, 2012

Outfits for the Nieces

Are not my nieces adorable? Why, thank you! I think so too. 

One thing on my list for this summer was to make matching outfits for these sweet girls. I decided on little tee shirts and skirts.

You can't go wrong with pink, flowers and ruffles for little girls!

I used NewLook 6016 for the shirts. If I use this shirt pattern again I will probably make the neckband a little shorter and narrower, because the neckbands didn't turn out as nice and flat as I would have liked. 

For the skirts, I followed this tutorial. I created an ombre effect by using graduating shades of pink for the ruffles. 

It was really fun sewing for the smalls. I guess that's because I have always like tiny things. I couldn't help holding up a shirt now and then and exclaiming, It's so little and cute!". ;)

June 12, 2012

Picture a Polaroid


This is a scene from my sister's dresser top. I had not drawn anything for months, but I was in the mood yesterday. I used to start a lot of drawings and leave them unfinished or throw them away because I was discouraged with how they were coming together. My dad always challenged me to sit down to draw for 15 minutes and make myself complete a picture no matter if I thought it was good or not.  I didn't keep track of how long this took me, but I did finish it in one sitting! My sister has another vintage camera that I want to draw next.

Do you like to draw?