Scallops For You.

Lots of blog posts today- a rainy Saturday means lots of time to catch up on crafting and blogging!

I have been having a clear out of all my pink papers as with two boys, I am not really going to use it for my scrapbook pages. I have been making a few cards for friends and this week's card was inspired by two challenges. The first was the feminine birthday sketch challenge over at Seize The Birthday:

 

The second challenge was "Scallops" over at Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge. This goes perfectly with the sketch so I am submitting my card to both challenges. I love it when I can make one card do for multiple challenges! I have scallops on the stamp as well as the scalloped edges under the green ribbon. The flower brad also matches the scallop shapes.

 

 

I used a very old paper as the background, as well as really old cardstock for the strips, base and scallops. The orange cardstock was already slightly embossed with swirls and polka dots, so it went well with the patterned paper.The stamp was also from an old set I got for free, and the ribbon and brad were an extra touch. It feels great to use up some of my stash and get an extra card for my card box.

 

Thanks for looking!

Supplies used:
Creative Memories: Embossed cardstock, white cardstock, Primary Paper, Scallop Punch, CCS with Oval Patterns.
Stampin' Up: Punch Bunch stamp set, Garden Green ink, Ribbon and Flower Brad, Primrose Petals ink, Mini Glue Dots.
Bazzil: 12x12 Textured cardstock (Sweetheart).
K and Company: Urban Rhapsody Tickled Pink Polka Dots Paper.

Couch to 5K

I hear about the Couch to 5K running programme a lot. And today, I decided to look into it to see just how hard it would be to do with my limits due to my hip issues.

I figure if I do the walking and running with the buggy it still counts, it is better than nothing right? It looks achievable and I can do the workouts on Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays, adding in Thursdays at week 5.

This, in conjuction with my Wheelie Fit Mums workout sessions once a week on Wednesdays and the Mama Laughlin arms workout for the next ten weeks should see me through!

So off I went to pick up my son from preschool and fit in the first ever workout on the chart. I tend to walk ten minutes there and back each Thursday and Friday to get him anyway, so I thought that adding a two minute job in between the walk times would be easy. It wasn't too bad, I had to end up running past the preschool and then doubling back but I was still three minutes early to pick him up so that worked for me. Running with the buggy definitely helped as I could look down and not feel like a complete weirdo! Running in public is probably going to be the biggest hurdle for me as I always worry about what other people think, but getting outside is free and makes me feel relaxed after I do it.

After tea I did the first session of the arms workout- that was a killer! Definitely worked up a sweat and my arms were quite sore by the end of it.

Because I am a sucker for before and after comparisons ( excuse my bad posing!)-

 

Weight: 51kg (112lbs)

Bust: 88cm (34.5 inches)
Arms: 26cm (10.2 inches)
Waist: 68.5cm (27 inches)
Hips: 88cm (34.5 inches)
Thighs: 46cm (18 inches)

So over the next ten weeks I expect to see a change in both my legs and arms, as well as a definite improvement in my endurance. It would be nice to get my belly fat down too- I will be focusing on the diet side of things next week. After having two children that is definitely my problem area, and taking pictures right after dinner probably doesn't help either.

This is my first week linking up with Fitness Friday. I am looking forward to seeing everyone else's blogs and checking out what they are doing to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Up in the Air

A few weeks ago I did a hot air balloon birthday card for CASology- and this week I am doing another one as the theme is:

 

My brother's birthday is tomorrow, so I made him this simple card using the new embossing folder I received yesterday.

 

 

I am still low on white cardstock, so I used a mix of Basic Gray and Not Quite Navy for the base. The navy cardstock strip was embossed with my new Cloudy Days embossing folder, and then I stamped the sentiment in Not Quite Navy. The hot air balloons are from the Up, Up and Away stamp set, and I stamped them in Bravo Burgundy, Garden Green and Night Of Navy, with Basic Gray bases. The balloons are popped up on Foam Squares to make it look like they are floating on the card.

 

I am loving my new embossing folder, and I can't wait to experiment some more as it goes so well with the Up, Up and Away stamp set.  

Pink for Christmas

I am usually a very traditional red and green (and sometimes blue) decorator when it comes to my Christmas decorations, cards, clothes etc. Last year I received a line of Christmas papers that was pink, grey, turquoise and bright green- totally not my style so they have sat in my scrapbook bag for ages unopened. One of these products was paper ribbon and the sketch this week at Merry Monday immediately made me think of it.

 

 

 

I used the paper ribbon for the banners and also used some pink and green papers left over from a Love kit I had. I have found that you don't always have to use specific Christmas items to make Christmas cards. In order to make the pink and green work for me, I decided to make it really girly so I added some swirls and a touch of bling as well. This card will be great for one of my crafty friends  who loves pink!

Supplies used:
Creative Memories: Holidazzle Paper Ribbon, Nancy O'Dell Series Love Kit, Square Maker.
Stampin' Up: Lucky Limeade cardstock, Melon Mambo Ink, Season of Joy stamp set, Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set, Modern Label punch, Basic Rhinestones.

Peanut Butter Brownie

My sons both love peanut butter and I love chocolate, so this brownie is great for everyone's taste preferences! It comes out chewy on the outside, moist on the inside, and with a subtle peanut flavour that cuts through the sweetness of the chocolate icing.

You will need:

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup butter softened

2/3 cup white sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

 

Icing:

 

85g butter (3/4 stick)

1 cup icing sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C ). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl, cream together peanut butter and butter. Gradually blend in the brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla; mix until fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the peanut butter mixture until well blended.
Bake for 40-45 minutes in preheated oven, or until the top springs back when touched. Cool.

To make the icing, blend all icing ingredients together until light and creamy. Spread on top of the cool slice and cut into 16 squares.

I hope you enjoy this slice as much as I do!
Linking up with Real Family Fun and Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday.

A defining moment

I was lucky enough to be invited to celebrate the marriage of one of my good friends on Thursday. The ceremony was beautiful, the bride was stunning, and the speeches were funny. It was my first time out with my husband since Adam was born, and so I was able to relax and enjoy myself while I knew the boys were in my mother's good hands. She even had them asleep 40 minutes ahead of schedule, yay for Nanas!

The main thing stressing me out before the wedding was finding a dress. The dress I bought for weddings before I got pregnant with my second son was slightly too loose in the shoulders on me, and so my sister decided we should go dress shopping together.

I was in Max looking at dresses and my sister pulled one out for me- it was a size 8 (US 4) and I secretly thought- can I fit in to this? I put it on and it was too big! The next size down, a size 6 (US 2) fit me perfectly. I almost cried in the changing rooms. I haven't been a size 6 since I was 15 at high school and never thought I would see this size again. All of my hard work has paid off and to see that little number staring back at me instead of a size 16 (US 12) was such a wonderful moment.

Here is the dress I wore:

 

I also went into Glassons on Thursday morning as they were having an Easter Egg Hunt- they had eggs hidden around the store with vouchers inside. I found one with a $10 voucher and wanted to try on a really pretty top that would be half price with my voucher, but once again it was in a size 6. And it also fitted! So of course, I bought it and had another happy moment in the changing room where I actually felt proud of myself and what I have acheived.

Now that I am fitting into smaller clothes, I still want to tone up and fix some of my jiggly bits. A fitness class I used to do called Wheelie Fit Mums is currently having a half price sale with sessions so I have signed up for ten sessions. I have no excuses as it is just around the corner from me and it is a mum and baby fitness class, so I can take Adam along with me. Lucas really enjoyed it when he was a baby and I took him along, and I can't wait to catch up with all the mums again. If you are in Christchurch and want to take advantage of the offer, simply go to the website and fill out a membership form. The sale runs until the 10th April and is for the Halswell and Hagley Park sessions.

Over the next ten weeks I hope to tone up and it will be nice to get out of the house and exercise with other women. I will be taking before and after photos and measurements, which I will be sharing with you on Friday.

Bird Christmas Card.

I have so much fun making Christmas cards each week with Merry Monday over at Always Playing with Paper. This week was one of my favourite challenges, a tic-tac-toe grid.

 

 

I chose to do the first row down-animal, die cuts and red.

 

 

The strips of paper were from two different Christmas paper packs, and I used a die cut to cut out the leaf peeking out from behind the bird. The bird itself was part of an embellishment set that I have had for ages. A simple stamped sentiment finished the card off.

 

Supplies used:

Creative Memories: Noel paper pack, Nordic Christmas paper pack, Noel embellishments.

Stampin' Up: Season of Joy Stamp set, Red Riding Hood ink and cardstock, Soft Suede cardstock, Little Leaves die cut.