WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN AND GLIMMER MIST WATERCOLORS

Hello! Are you soaking up the last few days of summer? This week is our first official week of school, so in between subjects I send my children outside to run around and burn off some energy and enjoy the sunshine! In Wisconsin, we have had so much rain, so the mosquitoes are quite heavy. Not to mention, we live on a wooded lot in the city, so they tend to be thick. YUCK. 


There is nothing like sitting outside on my porch in the cool, quiet of the morning enjoying a cup of coffee listening to the birds sing though! I love that quiet time at the start of the day!


The card I am sharing for you today was SO much fun to create. I used the Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge -Pacific, Razzleberry, Olives - Such BOLD, RICH colors - it as hard finding a balance but I always find BLACK helps! Well...maybe not always, but in my MIND'S EYE it does, right? LOL


Todays card uses the beautiful I BRAKE FOR STAMPS Birds and Butterflies  stamp with the technique Glimmer Mist Watercolors from the Technique Junkie Newsletter

Did you know? YOU can CLICK HERE to save 10% at I BRAKE FOR STAMPS by using this code: SAVE10CHRIS

Here are a few more challenges I participated in...
The Pink Elephant - Ribbon and Sparkle!
Just Scraps - OPEN HOUSE!
Paper Cutz Challenge - Anything goes!
Bee Crafty - Ribbons or Bows
Flutterby Wednesday - butterfly, fairy or angel 


A few more details... I Stamped the image in black on white cardstock, then colored the image with my Copics. I then set up my small spray station (just a cut open box!) so I didn't make a mess (ok that is a laugh, if you saw the MESS in my office right now - you would say... TOO LATE! lol) with the over spray of the Glimmer Mists. I then proceeded to follow the directions from the Technique Junkies Newsletter


Stamp Sets: I BRAKE FOR STAMPS Birds and Butterflies 
Cardstock: Neenah White, Olive, Razzleberry, Black, pacific Point
Accessories: Technique Junkies Newsletter, Glimmer Mists, Stardust Stickles, Dimensionals, organdy ribbon, Scallop punch, Dew Drops, Big Shot, Swiss Dots CB folder, Paper Piercing Tool, 


(The butterfly IS part of the stamp. I stamped it, colored it and cut it out... adding Stickles and dimensionals to make it POP!)

BELLI CHALLENGE DAY & WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN

HELLO! Thank you for stopping by!!! Today is BELLI CHALLENGE DAY!!! 

Challenge #98 -  ROUND & METAL (brads, hardware, metal edge tags) as well as the optional sketch seen below.

NEW RULE!!!! The Belli Team has decided that the sketches will be optional!

Use something you have had lying around for quite some time - old eyelets, metal edge tags, brads... Come on... you know it is there! That thing you saw that you HAD to HAVE. :)
Everyone is welcome to play along! If you upload to any gallery, please use keyword CBC98.

Here are some challenges I participated in...


MOJO Sketch 
If the Shoe Fits: DIE CUTS! (I used nestibilities)
Fab 'n Funky Challenges - Simply Colourific! Choose your favorite color (RED is mine!)
Penny's Paper Crafty Blog - Pink & Green (I threw in some red too!)

Stamp Set: QKR STAMPEDE Bugs and Kisses

Cardstock: Bella DP by SU retired, Artichoke, Cherry and Pink

Accessories: Nestibilities, Ribbon, Scallop punch, Dimensionals, S Clips!

For those of you who supported me in my weight loss efforts today is Wednesday Weigh In, THANK YOU!!!


If you would like to JOIN ME on my weight loss journey, you do not need to do the same plan as I am... I would like to encourage you! Let me know! I will offer a small, EASY weekly challenge  for you in your weight loss efforts...


So how did you do on your challenge last week to write down the reasons you wanted to lose weight and looking at your list a few times?


This week was more challenging as I struggled with a constant hunger. After a little closer evaluation of my feelings, I discovered a few things...
1. I had the desire to just CRUNCH
2. I didn't really feel hungry, I was more BORED
3. That over the past several months, I was doing a lot of mindless eating.
4. I really needed to look at my REASONS and focus on my goals to over come the urge to eat!


Some things I did this past week to over come those urges to EAT when it wasn't my normal meal times - snack times...


1. Make sure I ate something on my meal time at regular 2-3 hour intervals.
2. Read my list of reasons I wanted to lose weight OUT LOUD.
3. Drank some water whether I wanted to or not.. I drink A LOT of water.
4. Set my timer and waited 15 minutes, evaluated WHY I wanted to eat...If I was still hungry 15 minutes later I asked myself how important it was to me? Was I really hungry? Or did I just want to eat? What was my body truly craving? Was I bored?  How long is it until my next meal? Could I wait?


If I was still hungry after all of those questions, I CHOSE to eat something that was still on my plan. Now... one reason I say CHOSE is because every bite you eat is a CHOICE. When we go off a diet plan it is a CHOICE.


You can see last week's challenge HERE.


Here is this week's Weight Loss Challenge: Before you eat, take a few minutes to think about WHY you are eating. Is it a regular meal time? Are you eating because some one else is eating and you feel justified to eat? (my husband and I do this all of the time!) Ask yourself some of the questions above and remember EVERY BITE you take is a choice!!!


My weigh in this week: Week One - 5 lbs lost!

If you have time, check out what some of the other Belli Challenge girls created. They are so talented! 

• Anne Harmon
• Ceal Pritchett
• Chris Dickinson
• Dani Marcus
• Darsie Bruno
• Jessica Stockmeyer
• Joan Ervin
• Joy Hadden
• Maria Matter
• Melisa Waldorf
• Robin Kirkpatrick
• Robin Parker
• Shelly Schmidt

Thank you for taking a look and have a wonderful day!!! 

WORN WALLPAPER SILHOUETTES & WEIGHING IN

Hello Everyone-
HAPPY THURSDAY! Today, I am sharing a project using the wonderful Nature Silhouettes by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. I love this set - perfect for masculine cards and for those of you who do not have time or enjoy coloring it makes for a fast and GREAT card!


I participated in a few challenges:
Stampin' Royalty: Create your own Background Paper (I used the Worn Wallpaper technique from Technique Junkie Newsletter
Penny's Paper Crafty: Anything Goes!
Crafty Creations - Winged Things  (Eagle)
Little Red Wagon - Summer
Cute Card Thursday - Treemendous!
Aud Sentiments Challenge - RELAX!
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge -  Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails
Frosted Designs - Celebrations


Here are the details 

Stamps: NATURE SILHOUETTES by SNS, SU BG

Paper: Garden Green, BASIC GREY Boxer, Chocolate

Accessories: Clips by SU, Twill, 1 1/2" circle punch, sponge daubers, Brown Brads from MM, 1 3/4" circle punch, Paper Snips, Cinnamon Stickles, Dimensionals

Techniques: Worn Wallpaper

HE WILL COVER YOU WITH HIS FEATHERS

Hello my friends, Today, is the beginning of some changes for myself. Do you ever find yourself slipping into bad habits? Well, I have been!!! I have been sleeping in late, not getting as much accomplished, because I tend to be more of a morning person and if I sleep that time away not as much gets completed and my time with my family is shorter. In addition to that, I find myself making bad choices as far as food, especially at night!

So today, I woke up at 6 am to start my day with a quiet time (was HOPING to do it with out children), however, my children followed me downstairs. So I told them they had to be QUIET while I had my quiet time. I am also planning to get back on a clean eating program and to move more. While I have not gained a TON of weight, I am up about 5 pounds now from the 50 I lost, it is time to reign it back in and cut out the sugars and processed foods. I will share what I am going to be doing in the next few days. So if you care to join me in my efforts, I would love the support! :)

One reason I am waking up earlier, is due to my fall school schedule. I am beginning to prepare for that and by waking up early NOW, it will not be as painful next month! :) OK... enough about ME...although there are TONS of things happening that I will announce in due time, but I am continuing to pray for wisdom and I want to be sure I am on the same page as GOD as I make these decisions! I have to remind myself that while there is a lot of good things and opportunities, not every one of them is what the LORD wants me to do. 

Todays card, I actually made 10 of for our Care Ministry Pastor at church. I used Patter's Card here as my inspiration. I did change a few things. Here are the details:

Stamp Set: Our Daily Bread Designs You will Find Refuge and Amazing Grace Hymn

Cardstock: Vanilla Neenah cardstock, Navy, Kraft

Accessories: Martha Stewart Punch, Navy Organdy, Sponge, Nestibilities, Black EP, Heat Tool, 

Challenges I participated in:

Creative Cottage - "Touchy Feely" challenge....I used heat embossing

Frosted Designs: Border punches....I used the Martha Stewart border punch

I hope you have a day filled with peace and the joy of the LORD! Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Your kind words of encouragement, are always a blessing to me. Have a great day!

WEIGHT LOSS TIPS AND THOUGHTS FROM CHRIS

Hi Everyone-

The top picture is a close up of my face when I started out last June on my weight loss journey. I have been on a weight loss journey for the past several months, and have taken a small break this past few weeks, but started back up LOSING WEIGHT again last week. I am down 50 pounds so far and still have some more to lose...

I thought I would share some observations and thoughts I have had about weight loss from the past year. I have struggled with my weight ever since High School - never being satisfied or happy with the way I look. Can I just say now? I LOVE being 40 - I do not worry about what others think as much as I used too! How freeing is that!? Sorry - back onto my Weight loss thoughts... I have changed my way of thinking, eating healthily has become a way of life for me! After several months of training my brain through SMALL changes, I now WANT to eat the healthy foods. DO NOT get me wrong - I still WANT sugar because it is like CRACK to me. Once I have Sugar, my body craves more. ACK! I need to stay away from sugar and processed foods because once I have it, I can never have enough... With that said, Easter candy has become my enemy. :) (I say this with a smile on my face!) So this week, I will be FASTING from sugar and processed foods. I will be eating LOTS of vegetables...

JUNE 2009

MARCH 2010

Along this weight loss journey, I have discovered a few things...

I find myself having this relationship with food that is ALL or nothing. If I would go OFF program, I would find myself having that FAILURE thinking. You know the thoughts, "well, I cheated, I might as well go ALL out and start again on Monday (even though it was Thursday.) OR "Oh I went off program, one more won't hurt" (then before I knew it a whole bag of cookies would be gone.)

Weight loss and this "diet" IS NOT about perfection it is aboutCONSISTENCY! Over the past 6 months, I have NOT been PERFECT. I have taken days or meals off plan.

1. Change your thinking! If you go off plan - IMMEDIATELY get back on program. Don't wait! ONE "binge" does not make you a failure! It is ONLY food - it does NOT define who you are!

2. When you are feeling strong- make a PLAN of what you would do when you feel weak! I would often make myself wait a half an hour BEFORE I snacked on something to make sure I wasn't dealing with emotions or stress eating. Another thing I did, (this one is drastic) I would tell my friends that if I even ate ONE tootsie roll (we were in a public place) to start OINKING as loud as they could. Honestly, I do not know if that would have worked, BUT I didn't eat any tootsie rolls that night!

3. Plan ahead for healthy snacks! It only takes a short time to do food prep - washing vegetables, cutting them up and making dip or whatever it is you love to eat. A new staple we have in our house at ALL times is cut up fresh vegetables and dip. When our friends come over, I can pull out a vegetable tray at any given moment with dip to nibble on. I can offer them chips or something if they turn their nose up at the vegetables but I know I can stay in control with something healthy to eat.

4. Give yourself credit even for the smallest things. It may seem silly - but YOU CAN do this!

• If you pass by sweets or some tempting food and do NOT eat it. Give yourself credit!
• If you go off program, but immediately get back on. Give yourself credit for not waiting!
• If you go exercise instead of doing something else. Give yourself credit!
• If you say NO to something, you would normally have said YES to. Give yourself credit!

Let me tell you, YOU ARE WORTH the effort it takes. The smallest success, NO MATTER HOW SMALL is HUGE!

Honestly, I am NOT in this to "win" it. I am here for the accountability! One thing I would say to myself in moments of temptation is that while NO ONE else may see what I am eating - I KNOW. And in the end, who am I kidding by hiding the fact that I am eating snacks and off plan food? I am only hurting myself. And I need to count on myself!

You are stronger than you realize! Remember...nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.

Ok- done with my ramble, not sure I said everything I was thinking, but I was interrupted about 10 times from my kids. Grrrrrrr Have a great day!

Hugs-

50 pounds gone!

Hello! I have been taking progress pictures of my weight loss since I started at the beginning of

October!

The first picture was me in October and the second picture taken was me today... I made my hair a bit big. I do that sometimes. :)

I still have another 60 pounds I would like to lose to get to my goal. I have had MANY people ask me what I am doing for weight loss...so here are some details for you...

As far as the diet:
· EASY

· FAST

· LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX AND HEART-HEALTHY

· CLINICALLY RESEARCHED AND PROVEN BY JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV. SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

· AFFORDABLE

· TASTY

· SERVICES OF A FREE HEALTH COACH PROVIDED – for custom programming

· NEVER HUNGRY

· RECOMMENDED BY PHYSICIANS SINCE 1980

· TYPICAL WEIGHT LOSS 2-5 pounds/week

I have a health coach for the Take Shape For Life HERE is a website with any information... http://www.freedom-fighter.tsfl.com/esuite/home/freedom-fighter/

Let Michelle know I referred you. If you sign up, I get a $25 credit towards food.

I do exercise, however, it has not been as regular as it should be. Honestly - it has been once or twice a week. My goal this next half of my journey is to incorporate MORE activity. When I first started this program, I could NOT walk up the stairs without being winded.

As far as travelling with this - it is GREAT! EASY to travel, EASY to do at home - just need to grab and go - Most of the food is really good, there are a few things I am not wild about, so I just don't order those. I honestly have TONS of energy and have dropped sizes like crazy! You will be amazed if you choose to do this diet, how fast the weight and inches from off. I started in October and took the month of December off for the holidays (didn't gain) then got back on program as of January.

You eat 5 of their meals and one Lean & Green - there are a few other things you can eat too. The Lean & Green is pretty much ANY meat - baked, not breaded - etc. Not fried - 5-7 oz. depending on the meat.

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at chrissyd723@gmail.com. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your continued encouragement!!! Have a wonderful day!

Faux Turquoise Stones

Hello! Happy Saturday! I never shared my weight loss yesterday, but I am down 2 more pounds! I am now down 49 pounds!!! One more and I hit the big milestone of losing 50 pounds! Woohoo. I must have dropped some more inches, because my husband NOTICED. He seems to go in spurts of noticing my weight loss. Either way - I LOVE the attention he gives me! LOL

Todays card is one I made a few months ago for the October/ November 2009 Technique Junkies Newsletter called Faux Turquoise Stones. I just LOVE the effect of these Faux Stones - and turquoise is one of my favorite color! I have seen some cards with this technique using different colors that are just as beautiful! If you haven't tried this technique - give it a whirl! If you have not tried the TJ Newsletter - it is WONDERFUL - step by step WITH pictures directions and not only that - there are SOOOO many talented stampers that will inspire you with their work! I just LOVE it!

I just LOVE the Stampendous Marble Texture Cube stamp - it has THREE different sides to add different textures - (I purchased mine from Joanne's but I saw some this morning on Ebay!)

Here are some more details to my project:

Technique: Faux Turquoise Stones

Stamps: Rub On from SU! Stampendous Marble Texture Cube, All in a Row (stitching) by SU

Papers: Black, White and Baja Breeze

Accessories: Heat Tool, Utee, White Gel Pen, Black Gems

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day and weekend.

BELLI CHALLENGE #84 - RIBBONS!

Hello my friends! Today is Belli Challenge Day!!! Todays Belli Challenge is to make a card using RIBBON! Well, you know the Belli Challenge is intended to use what things you have laying around that you haven't used in awhile...

This is a retired Vintage Violet Stitched Ribbon from SU, one of my favorites... I did use it recently HERE, however, I haven't used it in AGES besides that card, so that still counts, right? ;)

I used Technique Junkies Airbrushed Markers technique from the most current and WONDERFUL newsletter! I didn't follow the directions exactly, but did more of a reverse on the first step...

Here are the details:
This week's Sponsor is Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and this is their ADORABLE digi!
Cardstock: Coordinations, White
Ink: Copics
Accessories: Ribbon Vintage Violet, Top Note Die from SU, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Dimensionals... Die cuts from Creative Cuts and More!

Check out our talented Belli Design Team Members projects this week!

• Chris Dickinson
  
• Darsie Bruno
• Deb Daniels
• Fern Riley
• Holly Brown
  Ceal Pritchett
• Jenny Gropp
• Joan Ervin
• Joy Hadden
• Liz Williams
• Maria Matter
• Melisa Waldorf
• Robin Kirkpatrick
• Steph Zerbe

One more note before I part... Today is Weigh In Day and I am down 2 more pounds! I have lost a total of 44 pounds as of this week! My next "small" goal is to lose another 18 pounds by my husband's birthday... I reached a BIG milestone this week! I am no longer in the 200 pound mark! I am now UNDER 200 pounds! I haven't been in ONE-DERLAND for over 15 years! Now - I need help, can anyone help me find the OOMPH to exercise? I haven't been doing much exercise or working out! I want to thank you for your continued encouragement!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

Jenny's Coat - Weigh In Day!

Hello! Happy Wednesday! Todays card features the technique JENNY'S COAT from Technique Junkies December-January newsletter.

Here are the details:
Stamps by Innovative Stamp Creations, I believe the words are from Birthday Greetings by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps
Cardstock: Gypsy Harvest by Daisy D's, Ruby Red, Black, Coordinations
Accessories: Paper Snips, Circle cutter, Dimensionals, buttons and gold cord

For those following my weight loss - I am on week 9 and have had a couple of slip ups - but nothing major. I have decided holidays are HARD!!! Thanksgiving I had a tiny bit of stuffing and a very small sliver of pie. And last night, I made home made fudge and when I was done making it, the spoon ATTACKED my tongue!!! I was able to move past that and have kept motivated - I just exercised a bit more between those diet mis-steps.

I am persevering one moment at a time - I lost 3.5 pounds this week and I feel so good. I continue to fit into pants that I have tried on 2 weeks prior and were not able to fit into to - so that feels GREAT! I love having thinner clothes to wear but find myself running out of hangers. I think it is time to eliminate the clothes that are now too big. I have dropped from 2-3 pant sizes depending on the pants as they all fit differently. I love it! I have NEVER looked forward to stepping on that scale like I do now. Even with the few tiny slips I have had.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a FABULOUS day!

MANDELLA FAUX TURQUOISE STONES

Hello! Happy Wednesday!


Today I am sharing a card for you featuring the Technique called Faux Turquoise Stones. I love this technique as it doesn't take much to get a WOW factor on your projects! This technique is from the October-November Technique Junkies Newsletter.

Here are the details:
Stamps: Mandellas by Two Nancy's, Stampendous Marble Texture Cube (I bought mine at Joanne's), Canvas BG from SU
Cardstock: Green Galore, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal
Accessories: Black Marker, Paper SNips, Dimensionals, Embossing powder, Heat Tool, Gems, White Gel Pen, Turquoise Gel Pen, Circle Cutter CM,

Today is my weigh in day...and this morning when I weighed in I was down another 2.5- pounds! Yahoo!!! I feel so good - I would say that while I am on this plan it is easy to follow (not easy to stick too because the food temptations are hard but that is with any weight loss program!) but it travels with me anywhere I go, I do not have to "think" about food. I do have LOTS of energy and I am NOT hungry through out the day. In 7 weeks I have lost a total of 24.5 pounds. I feel like a broken record, but I have never looked forward to stepping on that dreaded scale, but now I look forward to my Wednesday Weigh Ins. :) If you want more information send me an e-mail at www.chrissyd723@gmail.com.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

WHIPPER SNAPPER CHRISTMAS WHIMSY

Hello! Today, I have three FUN cards to share with you. My dear friend Joy brought her stamp over to me and requested me to design her Christmas card for her. I gave her a time saving tip... one thing I do to save time when making 100+ cards is to make color photo copies of my colored image - then all you have to do is assemble your cards. It isn't quite as wearisome when making that many cards!

Here are a few more details...

Card #1 - This card uses the Monday MOJO Sketch

Stamps: Tangled Reindeer by Whipper Snappers, Circle of Friendship

Paper: Designer Paper -

Accessories: Circle Punches, Chocolate Satin

Card #2 is a take on the Featured Stamper Challenge from SCS on Sunday...

Stamps: Tangled Reindeer by Whipper Snappers

Paper: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red,

Accessories: Red gingham, white organdy, paper snips

Card #3

Stamps: Tangled Reindeer by Whipper Snappers, Circle of Friendship by SU

Paper: Designer Paper -

Accessories: Circle Punches, Chocolate Satin

Wednesday is my weekly weigh in! So I will be checking in and editing this in the morning with my progress! Once again, I know it is sick, but as I write this I have to say I can't wait to get on that scale! I feel so good and my husband is noticing me again! You just can't beat that. :)

Hope you are having a great day! Thank you for looking and commenting. Your comments make me smile. I only wish I had more time to respond to everyone.