Fat to Fabulous - Exclamation Point - MY STORY

I started a blog about my weight loss journey not too long ago but I have just decided I'm going to just add it onto this one...considering the motivation behind my weight loss are my kids... I'll slowly add in some of the posts from my previous blog and eventually the other will no longer exist (and then I only have to manage 3 instead of 4...).

And this is my story:

I am sure many of you have seen blogs out there about people struggling to lose weight, and frustrated about not taking the weight off, and you are probably wondering, "What's going to make this one any different?" My answer is, I'm not sure yet. All I know is that I hope this blog is going to help me get to where I need to be...Fabulous (yes, a subtle reference to a Sex and the City episode...of course)! A year and three months ago, I was 5' 6" and weighed in at a whopping 229.6 lbs and officially obese. Two weeks after I had my beautiful baby girl, Capri, I decided to re-join (third time...I kept getting pregnant!) weight watchers and finally really do something about my weight.

I could pretend to you all that my weight problem started with my pregnancies, (my oldest, Cedi, just turned two last month) but in all honesty, I have been a bigger girl as long as I can remember. In third grade, my teacher weighed and measured us at the beginning of the year and then again at the end. I'm not exactly sure how much I had gained but it was something crazy like 15 lbs. I remember her announcing to the class that was the most weight gained in one year that she'd ever seen. I'm guessing this doesn't happen in classrooms anymore, but I'm pretty sure that just made me eat more.

My goal weight is 150 lbs. Ideally I would like to be there before apple season starts but that last 20 to 25 lbs (depending on the day) is really being stubborn about coming off.

I have to admit, it's a lot easier to be so blunt about my weight now, 15 months after I started the program, than it would have been in March 2008. I am currently (as of tonight) weighing in at a mere 173.8 lbs....still 5' 6". Since I have already lost 55.8lbs it's easier to write this because no matter what, I am not a failure. That is an incredible amount to lose and I'm extremely proud of it.

Here is my before picture (229.6):

before

Here's a picture of me in August (about 190's I think...I'll double check and correct if necessary):

From 2008-08-04 with Katrina's WEdding

and me now (or at least pretty close to now)

from my cousin Claire's wedding on 4/25/09

I mentioned earlier that my kids were my motivation for losing the weight. I realized that with all that excess weight on me I didn't have the energy I needed and wanted to play with my kids, to take care of my kids, and to have my kids be proud of me. The energy I have now...almost 60 lbs lighter is unimaginable! I also want to raise my kids to eat smart and to eat healthy. Right now, they are both vegetable fiends and I hope to keep it that way!

Now that you've heard my story, I hope you stay tuned to see where my journey takes me...

NEW BAGS!!!!!!!

As I’m sure you’ve noticed I tend to do many different types of crafts. It seems that I go in spurts…sometimes I’m really into quilts…sometimes jewelry…well, lately it has been bags. I have three new bags to show you today that I am very excited about! (all three are quite different as well!)

The first bag is my ‘Batik Saddle Bag Purse’. I’m sure you can see in the picture why it’s called a saddle bag purse. The bag ‘hangs’ over the handle like a saddle bag might. I used some gorgeous batik fabrics for the exterior of the bag, a beautiful hand-dyed purple fabric for the pocket lining, and commercially printed brown and beige fabric for the inside of the bag.

I embellished the bag with a fabulous mixture of hand-dyed fibers and sparkly fibers…mostly in purples and browns. The bag is bound with a black printed commercial fabric.

Measurements:

Circular Wooden Handle: 6” diameter

Overall Bag: approximately 12.25” (w) x 16.25” (h)

Pockets (2): approximately 11.5” (w) x 12” (d)

The next bag I made I am calling my Coneflower Bag – Large. I have made a few other bags similar to this one: Patchwork Poppies, Butterfly Batiks and a few other’s that have sold already. I love the pattern and I love that I don’t have to cut up gorgeous fabric…I can use larger pieces to show off just how beautiful the fabric is.

I purchased the fabric for the exterior of this bag from fabricalacarte on etsy. The beautiful floral print is called Free Spirit Fabrics - 'Prairie Gothic' - Coneflower in Dusky and the dotted fabric on the edge of the bag is called Free Spirit Fabrics - 'Prairie Gothic' - Dots in Sky. They go together just beautifully. The entire exterior of the bag is quilted.

I lined the interior of the bag with a gorgeous fabric that I hand-dyed blue. Two pockets, one using the Coneflower in Dusky and one using Dots in the Sky are also on the interior of this bag. I added a button closure to this bag.

Measurements:

Bag: 17” (w) x 13” (h) x 3.75” (d)

Handles (2): 19.5”

Pockets: 1 (Coneflower in Dusky): 4.5” (w) x 6.25” (h)

2 (Dots in the Sky): 8.125” (w) x 6” (h)

The last bag I’m going to share with you is a slightly modified version of one I previously talked about…Flower Power Purse is a fabulous bag! It’s large and fits comfortably on your shoulder (I kept the first one I made!).

It is a more detailed bag than you can usually find in my shop with darts and pleats but I really think it’s worth it…they add a lot to the bag.

I used a fabulous quality home decor fabric for the exterior of the bag and a vintage-looking yellow printed cotton for the interior of the bag. I also added one pocket to the interior that is split into two sections: one measuring approximately 2.5” x 5” and the other measuring approximately 5.75” x 5”. A button closure keeps this bag closed on the top.

Measurements:

Bag Body: Approximately 23” (w) x 10” (h) x 4” (d)

Handle: Approximately 25”

Treasury Saturday – May 30th

Happy Saturday everyone!  It’s time again for TREASURY SATURDAY!  The beginning of the week started out a little slow for treasuries but definitely picked up these last couple of days!  I unfortunately had some bad timing…hopefully better next week :)  ENJOY

  The first treasury I’m going to show off is one from that70sShoppe that was named ‘Stars’.  My mother-in-law’s Kaddywampus Star was featured in this treasury. 

 

 

 

 

The next one is  from AlltheNumbers

and was called ‘the ears of my ears are opened’.  My Springtime Wonder Quilt was featured among other fabulous artist of etsy. 

 

 

 

 

 

Also felt the need to post what Kiki commented on as well: 

i thank You God for this amazing day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today, and this i the sun’s birthday;this is the birth day of life and love and wings:and of the gay great happening illimitably earth)

(now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened) e.e. cummings

   BrenniesQuilts put together this stunning treasury called ‘Blue – Try a little Blue’ and she featured my ‘Where’s the Point – Firework’s Quilt’. 

 

 

 

 

 

A close friend of mine recently had a baby so this treasury was to welcome Ayla into the world.  TheApple put it together and featured my ‘Spring Flowers – Toile and Solids Quilt’. 

 

 

 

 

dchstudio featured my Purple Paisley Wristlet in her Treasury called ‘C honors’. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fellow Quiltsy Team member kimbuktu featured my Teal Beauty Wristlet in this stunning treasury called Pretty Potluck.  What a great name!

 

 

 

 

 

SFOQuilter featured my Where’s the Point – Fireworks Quilt in this fabulous ‘A Diamond in the Rough Treasury. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fabulous VickiDiane from VickiDianeDesigns put me in another one of her fabulous ‘exposed’ treasuries.  This time I chose my Grape Juice Chunky Bracelet, an item from theApple to EXPOSE…I received quite a lot of ‘exposure’ from this treasury as always!  What fun!

 

 

OriginalsbyLauren put together this beautiful treasury called ‘Go Green’.  She chose to feature a wall hanging made by my mother-in-law, Reflecting Waters.  She found some really gorgeous items to feature in this particular treasury.

 

 

 

 

The last treasury for Treasury Saturday was put together by WarmnFuzzies who I actually introduced you to not too long ago!   She chose to feature my Quilted Flower Clutch among many other beautiful floral choices in ‘Germinating Seeds’. 

Scary Emu's - Bad Dream

Cedi and Capri have been sleeping through the night for a couple of months now (knock on wood). Last night we were woken up by Cedi screaming "MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY, DADDY, DADDY, DADDY!" I quickly woke up and headed up the stairs.

Turns out she was having a bad dream. When I got there she told me the emu was biting her (yes, Cedi knows what an emu is...Grandma and Grandpa have two...). She was absolutely terrified. She curled into a ball and would not leave my arms. I'll be interested to see what happens the next time Cedi's around Mac 'n'Tosh (the emu's).

Back to Cedi's bedroom, 2am: I tried to put my glasses on the floor and she held onto my neck while I did it. I couldn't get comfortable up stairs in her bed so I ended up bringing her to bed with Jared and I (we have a king so it's not too crowded). She felt much better with Mama and Papa there. When we got to the bed she asked daddy, "Are you protecting me?" Papa of course, said, yes. Then, referring to me, mama, Cedi said, "She's protecting me too." I was very impressed with her use of a pronoun! So cute! She quickly fell asleep in my arms and I did too.

Jared and I managed to sneak out of bed this morning and she is still peacefully sleeping. I absolutely love watching my babies sleep...they are like angels.

Can't wait to see what adventure's today holds!

Meet Janae from ClaireandJanae

I am happy to introduce you to a fellow team etsyBABY member today... Janae of ClaireandJanae. She makes some fabulous things and I hope you enjoy meeting the artist behind the craft!

Tell me a little bit about your background in arts and crafts.When did you first start creating things?
I have always liked to make things but I didn't start making baby things until I was pregnant with my daughter Danielle. I got a job at a quilt shop and my mom really helped me pretend I knew what I was doing. I studied art for a few years in College.

What were the first things you created? and how did your creativity progress from there?
In college I got really in to photography and sculpture. I was on a study abroad and discovered I loved it. Then later I had a job at a quilt shop and the first week they asked me to make an example blanket. I had never made a quilt before. My mom and my 17 year old brother helped me (he already knew how to quilt.) I dove in head first to sewing and two and a half years later I still love it.

How did you come up with your shop name?
I wanted something like fuzzy wuzzy or cuddle elephant or silly made up words that didn't make much sense. I also wanted it to say baby. Then I decided to use Claire because it is my daughter's middle name and my sister's name. My name is ALWAYS spelled wrong so it is in my shop name but not my official brand name. My sister is an attorney and she loves talking about different ideas and what I need to do legally. Baby Claire and I spend all day making things and she has her own sewing machine (one of those kid ones) and a pile of fabric she shows me all the time. Since we are in it together I used our names together- it was last minute.

Is this your only business or do you do other things as well?
I actually just recently opened claireandmedesigns.etsy.com which is a design shop. It has lots of rude and nice cards and photos I've taken.

Do you still dream about making other things? If so, what?
I have a really simple screenprinting kit and I want to start doing that. And how to really use Adobe illustrator because I'm not very good at it. I have always wanted to learn how to blow glass and make vases. Someday....

How did you hear about Etsy?
I heard about it from another sister, who sells hair pins. She had a few ideas about things we could buy her for Christmas and showed me the site. We started talking and I started my shop.

Any words of advice to others?
My only advice is to keep really good records. If you don't know how get a computer program to help you. And to remember that if you aren't having fun, don't torture yourself. Make your shop pay for itself or your husband will wonder where the heck all your money is going.

How will the new law by CPSIA affect you and your shop?
Since most of my items are a few of a kind, I will have to either switch to making just one of each item or not carry lots of things. The onesies will really take a hit. I will probably have to raise prices since it will take so much more time to get each item ready if they are one of a kind. I am really glad they put off some of the CPSIA things and I am waiting to see if they will change it so I can keep making things.


If you take a look at Janae's shop announcement you will see that etsy has become a family thing!
claireandmedesigns.etsy.com- my other site with Cards and Photography
shelleanne.etsy.com - my sister Rachelle's site with great hair things.
magnoliapottery.etsy.com- Pottery from my sister in law Brooke.

Thanks for stopping by my blog to read about another fabulous fellow etsian!

Kid's Say the Darndest Things

I know, I know, my title is a total cliche...but it is also SO TRUE! This post will be updating every once in awhile as Cedi continues to astound me with the things that come out of her mouth and I'm sure Capri will do the same once she starts to talk.

Here are a few of my favorite's thus far:

This is Cedi's standard response when we tell her to sit at the table (oh...and she SCREAMS this): "On the knees! On the knees!"

I have no idea when Cedi said it but it was hilarious: "Suck it!"

When I asked Cedi what she wanted for her second birthday her response was "Boobies." Trying to get out of giving her boobies for her birthday I asked who her favorite story book character was thinking I could get her a stuffed animal or something...her response: "Jesus". Yes, my child asked for Boobies and Jesus for her second birthday.

One evening Cedi bumped her knee on the table and said, "Ouch! My patella hurts!" and yes, we called her aunt Karma, the physical therapist, and a patella is a knee cap.

5/29/09: My friend Julie, from Creek Bed Farm, was over with her daughter Elizabeth for our weekly 'coffee date'. Cedi was eating her yummy cake and looked directly at Julie and said: "I don't want my belly button pierced." Completely out of the blue!

6/11/09: Instead of asking me for milk today Cedi said, "I want strong bones and teeth!"

6/11/09: "I wanna go poop. Shut the door and leave me alone." - Cedi

7/14/09: "Momma, my panties are in my butthole!" - Cedi

8/27/09: The first thing out of Cedi's mouth this morning was, "When I stand up my belly button closes."

12/11/09: "Don't you say Moo to me" - Cedi talking to Capri

I see I haven't updated in awhile...oh well...

1/10/11: "I so much love you" - Capri talking to me - how sweet!

Please feel free to comment on some of the adorable/random things your kids/grandkids have said!

HOW-TO ‘Scheduling a blog post’

Are you heading on a trip or just have a lot to do in the next few days, but you want to make sure to keep your blog posts recent?  There is a way!  SCHEDULE them!  Here’s a quick how to on how to time your blog posts so you can still have a life! (this is a tutorial for those that use blogger)

First step:  Choose the blog you wish to write an article for and click on ‘NEW POST’ as indicated in the picture above.

Second:  Click on the button ‘Post Options’Third:  A box will appear with the option Post date and time on the right side.  Change the date and time to that in which you wish your blog article to be posted.     

Fourth:  Make sure you hit your ‘SAVE NOW’ button after you alter the date and time.  This will ensure that you are posting at the desired time.

Last:  Now it’s time to write your blog!  It can be for ANY time!  Get crackin’!

Karma’s Fussy Cut Frog Quilt for Cedi!

 Karma actually made this quilt a few years before Cedi was even born!  I fell in love with it (who wouldn’t) and told her that I wanted it for my first baby.  Well, Karma listened.  At my baby shower for Cedi, much to my delight and surprise, I opened up the package from Karma and found this fabulous quilt!  I had forgotten about it.  I’m so happy with it…I just love the pattern, color combination, and the cute frog scenes.  Cedi also loves it!  She cuddles up with it in her bed every single night.  This is a gift she will cherish for many years to come and hopefully so will her kids someday :)    

You can see Karma’s work that is for sale in my etsy shop by going to:  Off Kilter Frog Baby Quilt AND True Lover’s Knot. 

MEET my KIDDO's!

Since this blog is going to focus on my family and raising my kids I figure I should introduce my kiddo's to you!
My first baby girl was born on November 29th, 2006 after 4.5 hours of intense, induced labor. She came so quickly that I was unable to get the epidural but I managed and ended up with this beautiful baby girl in my arms. My first words were, "Holy F*&k! I just had a baby!" and then I said to my husband "Get the book!" (We weren't sure on her name yet) After a small amount of deliberating we decided to name our first born Mercedi Rose Lapacek. (we call her Cedi (said like Sadie) She was 20" long and weighed 6 lbs 13 oz. She is still tall and skinny to this day.
This picture was taken the night after her little sister was baptized. She LOVES baked beans but she was so tired after the long day she just had to lay her head down and take a break.Cedi is my independent child. She always insists on doing everything by herself. Even when she was little we would pick her up to console her and she would cry harder until we laid her down and let her kick on her own. At 2 1/2, Cedi amazes me every day. I just can't believe the words and phrases that she picks up. We really have to watch what we say around her!

My second beautiful baby girl was born on February 24th, 2009. After a quick five hour labor(and YES, I managed to get the epidural just 45 minutes before I had her and it was FABULOUS!) I had my precious Capri Grace Lapacek in my arms. She was 21" long and weighted 8 lbs 1 oz. Capri is the smiler of the family. Cedi was much more serious and you really had to work at it to get her to smile. Papa was the best at it. Capri...all you have to do is smile and she gives you this HUGE smile in return. It's almost like her face isn't big enough for the smile she wants to give you!Capri is also much more adventurous and daring than Cedi. Not sure if you can see but she has a nice scratch across her cheek in all the apple blossom pictures. She's usually covered in bruises and scratches. I always hate taking her to the doctor because she inevitably hurts herself right before we go.

Now you have met my two girls! You will be hearing much more about them in the days and years to come!

Washington DC Trip and a Fabulous Store!

I was in Washington DC this past weekend for a close friend of mine's wedding. While I was there my husband and I discovered a fabulous shop filled with all homemade items!

It was a great space. As I walked in and looked around I knew that I would love everything I saw. One of my favorites were these great ceramic bowls and dishes that were made to look as if they had been 'buttoned up'. So stylish. I also found myself a great collection of one-of-a-kind beads that you will sure to see on some of my bags soon! These were just a few of the fabulous items I found. So...if you're ever in Silver Spring, MD, during a trip to DC make sure you check out pyramid atlantic community art store...you will NOT be disappointed!

ps... I also had a FABULOUS time at the wedding!

What's this All About?

I know, I know...One Beer Mom is not a typical 'mom blog' title. I am also not the typical mom to some!

I recently spent the weekend in Washington DC for a close friend's wedding. I was the only one with kids hanging out the night before and I was asked 'How do you make it work?' That's really not an easy answer. For one: there's really no way to NOT make it work in my mind. My husband and I chose to have children and I am unimaginably happy about that. BUT, I did realize the other night, after doing some difficult work, I was sitting down with my MIL and having a beer. Capri (my youngest), climbed up on a slide (maybe about 3-feet off the ground). My instinct was to run over there and hold her hand while she went down. The one beer (or maybe a half at this point) helped me to control this urge and I saw that Capri was completely capable of going down the slide by herself. She was so proud when we clapped and hooray-ed her accomplishment.

So, I may not raise my kids to the same standard as the rest of this society but so far things are working out. I'm going to be telling the stories and drama's of the life of an apple farmer, stay at home mom/apple orchardist/entrepreneur/etc. and our three kids... Cedi - (born:11/29/06), Capri (born: 2/24/08), and Persimoni ('Pip' born: 4/28/11) on this blog.

If you look close there is actually a beer in the left pocket of this dress!
I hope you decide to come back often and see where this crazy, busy, amazing life takes my family!

Treasury Saturday - May 23rd

It's here again...Treasury Saturday! But I'm not...I actually wrote this post up on Thursday so I apologize if I miss a few treasuries while I am away in D.C...

This treasury come from the DesignStyleGuide Website and it was called Spring! It featured my Spring Flowers - Pastel Quilt.
I made this fun and whimsical treasury called 'Seriously???' after I had had an 'interesting' morning and really needed to say 'Seriously' to someone other than my 1 and 2 year old :) Found lots of great stuff just by searching using the word 'seriously.'

My Springtime Wonder Quilt was feature in this treasury, It's Free (meaning shipping), which was put together by SeaSideStudio.

I recently joined a fabulous new team on etsy called 'Carried Away Bag Team' (aka CABTeam). I put this treasury together in honor of all the fabulous bag makers that are also apart of the team!

This last treasury I'm showing you, I also put together. It is featuring the members of Team etsyBABY that I am apart with. A couple of these talented artists are also a part of team Quiltsy.

And...once again, that concludes Treasury Saturday! Have a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend!

What is an ACEO anyway?

Either you are like I was a few months ago and have never heard of an ACEO or you may be like I am now and are OBSESSED with ACEO's!

SO...what is an ACEO anyway?

ACEO stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals. It measures 2.5" x 3.5". They are becoming popular collector and trading items. You can collect them and trade them just like you used to do with baseball cards or garbage pail kid cards!

One of my favorite things about the ACEO is that there is only ONE rule...it has to measure 2.5" x 3.5"...it doesn't matter what you put on it...what medium you use...anything. Just that it measures 2.5" x 3.5". That leaves your imagination to go wild and possibilities are endless! It also is great because you can collect them and show them off to others. It can be an inexpensive way to collect some of your favorite artists' work.



I'm going to start out by showing you the ACEO's I have for sale in my shop:

Fun with Fiber - OOAK


Beaded Tree ACEO - ooak

Seaweed Fish ACEO - OOAK

Grow Veritcal ACEO - ooak

Blossom Beautiful ACEO - ooak

Peach Grow ACEO - ooak

GROW ACEO - OOAK

As you can see I initially started out by drawing flowers using prismacolor markers on the proper sized piece of paper. It was fun to see what I could come up with. Then...I moved on and did some experimenting with some quilted aceo's. I have some other fun ideas for ACEO's in my mind but I have yet to find the time to work on them. The endless possibilities are one of my favorite things about making an ACEO.

I browsed through the ACEO selection on etsy and here are the first few that caught my eye:

Copper and Jade Fiber Art ACEO by LittletonStudio

Springtime Forest IV - Original Watercolor Painting by Rita Squier ACEO by Squier

3rd ACEO in my series 30 Bugs in 30 Days Original Colored Pencil Grasshopper Insect by SamanthasArtStudio.

Felt eye, Original 3D ACEO by tinyminds

Desert Lion - from Born Wild ACEO Set from EnsorcelledMinds

And this is just a FEW of the really cool ones I saw! To see more ACEO's by other etsian artists click HERE.

I hope you enjoyed my little lesson/display on ACEO's and would love to hear which one is your Favorite! Or if you have another favorite that I didn't show...put a link in the comments and I'll check it out!