Monday Weigh In: 309.5 lbs

Ok, well, that was evil.

So, since this is just the start of things, I wanted to spend today listing the reasons I hate being fat/obese/fluffy/-insert politically correct term here-. I am doing this cold, no pre-planning, so lord only knows what my brain is going to come up with here

-- I don't like looking at myself naked in mirrors. Let's be honest, we can talk about healthy all we want, but looks play a part.
-- I want to be able to play Just Dance 4 with my niece without sitting on a foot stool, and still being tired after one song.
-- I hate the noises I make getting up from a chair.
-- I don't want to worry about my pants making noise when I walk.
-- I hate not fitting into chairs with arms in waiting rooms, at restaurants, at concerts...
-- Knee pain sucks.
-- Asthma sucks.
-- The looming threat of diabetes sucks.
-- I want to be able to take a walk with my niece.
-- I hate staring up the stairs every morning and sighing before I start up.
-- I hate the fear of wearing shirts that might expose my arm flab. I miss t-shirts.
-- I hate the self loathing that comes with buying a hot chocolate on a cold morning.
-- I miss the ability to put lotion on my ankles.
-- I hate going to a store and buying size 26 petite pants... it's just sounds stupid and people look at you funny.
-- I hate feeling like a failure at work because I don't walk around as much as the other's in my position.
-- I hate not being able to stand in line for 5 minutes without my knees being stabbing evil things.
-- I hate not doing more metal work, because my shop is in the basement and I don't want to take the stairs.
-- I hate being afraid to do craft shows, because I worry about carrying and setting up tables by myself.
-- I hate that I am constantly obsessed with my weight and with eating.

There is probably a lot more I could list, but I will stop here for today. At next weeks weigh in, I will go over what my goals for this odyssey are, and a little it of my strategy for reaching them. I will also let you know how I did between now and then.

New Ring Pattern: Zodiac Aquarius

Hey! So, first new ring pattern in a while, and it is the start of a series! YAY! I have done a series of rings that represent the Signs of the Zodiac. So 12. I will post one on the first Friday of each month. Want to skip ahead to your (or your signifigant other's) sign? Well, you can! There is a PDF that includes all 12 designs and some tips on creation and care available in my main etsy shop for the low low LOW price of $5.00. Or, you can just wait a year and collect all 12 for free... you know, which ever. Of note, the PDF for the Signs of the Zodiac rings does NOT include instructions on how to do peyote stitch. Tips only. So, if you don't know peyote stitch, follow the link at the top of the page to the How to Make Peyote Rings post. As always, the colors in my pattern are merely my choice, you can do your ring in any color your heart, or the wind, desires!

Have ya missed me?

Hey, I am back after an extended break. Lots of things going on during this break - jewelry making, family, stupid knees, contemplation of life - lots of stuff. So, starting tomorrow, I will be back to blogging on a regular basis. Fridays will be a new ring pattern - I have lots ready! Wednesday will be whatever random thing I feel like talking about. Mondays - Mondays will be hard.

Monday is going to be declared Weigh In Day. Each and every Monday I am going to publicly declare my weight and how I did with becoming healthy in the previous week. Why? Because if I don't do something, I may not be walking in a few years. And that scares me. A LOT. So, Monday I will weigh in, I will discuss what I have done in the past week - did I manage to exercise, did I eat healthy, the state of my knees and my overall feeling about myself. Some weeks I expect I will do well, other weeks probably not so much. Hopefully, I will manage to stay positive through it.

So, anyway, come back tomorrow for the first new Peyote Ring Pattern in a while. Then join me Monday for Weigh In Day. Remember: You Only Live Once.

New Necklaces

I finished a couple of new necklaces today. The first is a 2 in 2 chainmaille weave for the focal. I added some rollo chain bracelets to either side, and a necklace was born!



I created this while working on some other chainmaille projects that I can't show, as they are prezzies.

Next we have a beadweaving piece. The small motifs are done in circular peyote stitch and are connected with some fine silver plated chain. I have declared the silver and white ones to be snowflakes - thus each one (earrings not withstanding) is unique.



You most likely won't get any new posts from me this next week, as I will be out of town on a trip for work. If you don't hear from me before then.... MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!! And I am outta here!

New Ring Pattern: Star of David

So, Hanukkah is currently going on... or Chanukkah... yeah, I'm not Jewish so I can neither say it nor spell it. But I can certainly support it! In actuality, while I celebrate Christmas, I do not identify as Christian either. I choose not to identify as any specific religion. But let's be honest. I was raised in the Midwest by a Baptist mother and an ex-Catholic father. The basis of all my beliefs are Christian. But, since the basis of Christian beliefs is Judaism, I can make a Star of David ring if I want to. So there!

From Pendant to Ornament

Remember this pendant I posted a few weeks ago?



I decided it was too big to be a pendant, and made it an ornament instead.



I added some snowflakes to fill in the blank spot where there was no music. What do you think? Would you hang it on your tree?

And the winners are...

Ok, I included everyone who liked my Facebook page, followed me on Pinterest, or commented. After a manual drawing the winners are....

Prize #1 - Shaiha W.

Prize #2 - Linda R.

Prize #3 - Michelle W.

Thank you to everyone who entered! I have emailed the winners and will have the prizes mailed out soon.