Embroidery stuff, plans, practice, etc.

I've been working on developing some of my skills with different embroidery stitches, and it's been a lot of fun. I bought a little gift set at Wal-Mart that had some Jasmine tea, a cute teacup, and a little calendar. The calendar and the box it all came in had the cutest floral design on them. I used the floral design from these to inspire a floral design to embroider. I'm really happy with how cute it looks!! Here are two designs:


I don't love the French Knots in the petals, but I wanted to experiment with that. That's been my focus...experimenting and developing my skills. I want to feel more confident when I do embroidery on REAL projects! :)



Last summer after we found my awesome bike at D.I., Patrick and I would ride around and hit up a bunch of yard sales. I found this embroidery work at a huge yard sale and bought it, because it's cute and has a great example of using various stitches to create a great piece.

My bike:




The piece I bought:


I'm also a tea lover. I opened up a box of Yogi Tea and noticed the awesome design they have inside the box. I want to tie this into an upcoming project:



Such a cool lotus design!!! I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet, but I'm sure I'll think of something.

And last of all, I really need to put together a cute little bag to hold my embroidery floss, current projects, needles, scissors, etc. This is my current "sewing bag." So sad...


So...I'm keeping my eye open for a cute design somewhere. If you know of any, please send them my way!!!

New Printer!!!

I'm so excited...I finally bought a printer! I know it's not the most exciting news in the world, but I'm pretty stoked, nonetheless. It's a wireless Lexmark X4580. Sending a job to print from the couch is pretty cool! :) And now I can finally print Barnes & Noble coupons!

I missed having a printer!

I love Paulo

"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure."
— Paulo Coelho

Revised measurement strategy

I just found this site that explains how to take body measurements. I think I've been doing a few wrong, so I'm going to re-do it according to Your Total Health.

Also, I realized I have the flu, not a common cold. The symptoms I have are definitely in the flu category. That sucks.



...measurements, new are bold...

Weight 167
Bust 37.5"
Chest 32"
Waist 32.5"
Hips 44.5"
R. Thigh 26"
L. Thigh 26"
R. Knee 17.75"
L. Knee 17.5"
R. Calf 16"
L. Calf 15.75"
R. Bicep 13.5"
L. Bicep 13.5"
Neck 14"
Wrist 6.4" Total Inches 312.9"

BMI 30.5
Body Fat 27%

I don't know about the waist measurement. Where my "waist" is the smallest is above my belly button about an inch. It's a huge difference from where I was measuring, which was just below my belly button. It's crazy to realize the difference in circumference around my body within just a couple inches. Wow... 6.5" difference on my waist measurement. According to the chart I'm using to figure out my body fat%, I'm now well into the average category. That is just odd to me. Oh well...I don't know what to do about it...

Stats Update

This really is a bit humiliating, and I don't have to put this on my blog, but I am a woman driven by accountability. The last time I documented my weight and measurements I said I was going to do a weekly update of weight, stats, and pictures...yeah...that didn't happen.

I have lost a little bit of weight since then, not intentionally at all, but it is weight lost nonetheless. So, I just want to write it down so I don't dare backtrack back into the heavier side of life. ;)

Here are my June Physical Stats & Goals

My goals were to:

• drop 45 lbs
• lose 40" of body fat
• get my body fat between 18% and 22%
• get my BMI to 24

My Current Measurements as of Today:

Weight 167.4
Waist 39"
Hips 42"
Chest 37.5"
Ribcage 32"
R. Thigh 25.5"
L. Thigh 26"
R. Calf 15.5"
L. Calf 15.25"
R. Bicep 13.5"
L. Bicep 13.5"
Neck 14"
Wrist 6.4"
BMI 30.5
Body Fat 43%

Total inches measured= 280.15

Progress Report on Goals:

• Lost 8 of 45 lbs
• Lost 11.1" of 40" of body fat
• Body Fat% down 6.16%...21% to go to reach 22% Total Body Fat
  
• BMI at 30.5....goal is 24

I'm pretty excited to see my progress! Now imagine if I actually tried to lose some weight...exercising and eating right... :) Sorry, I don't feel like doing a picture just yet...maybe after I shower.