Bahama Blue

I booked non-refundable tickets to Hawaii this week. In celebration, I decided to make me something to wear that felt like the islands.

I started with two more sadly gray/formerly white items: a blouse that I got years ago at the Gap, and loved so much I couldn't bear to throw it out. . . besides the fact it isn't even white any more; and an old tee.








I choose a lovely blue - Bahama Blue - from Hobby Lobby. You can see my $3 investment - that's all I spent for this refashion.















Out of the dye - the picture is much more turquoise than in "real life". I just don't have the motivation to try and get a realistic picture. I also tried to dye the blouse darker at the bottom and lighter at the top, but the tee stayed in the dye the entire time. Again, the pictures do not reflect this. You'll have to take my word for it.



I cut strips, gathered, and sewed them to the left side only. I sort of forgot at this point that I was attempting a tutorial . . . The strips were approx 1-inch wide. After they were gathered, I pinned them into a swirly-pattern and then sewed them on.

They looked a little plain, so I then made rosettes and hand stitched them on. This was BY FAR the longest part. I loathe hand stitching.











But, I'm super happy with the results. I love how the pattern in the shirt picked up the dye darker than the fabric. And the rosettes do match the bottom of the shirt. Some day I'll have to get someone besides my kids to take a picture of me, and I'll post the whole ensamble.

Still running . . . sort of

Have you been reading my blog (the 5 of you who still actually read . . .) and thought it ironic that the title is Marathon Mom, yet I NEVER talk about running anymore? Well . . . I do still run. I guess its just become a regular part of my routine, so it hardly seems noteworthy.

Until this weekend, when I got injured. Developed an injury I suppose - it really isn't something that happened all at once. My knee has been bothering me for awhile, and I've been treating it with ibuprophen and occasional rest. But, since I typically run for distance and not speed, its been kept at bay. But this past Saturday, I had 10 miles scheduled as part of my training for a half-marathon next month. It was feeling good. Too good, and I was pushing the pace up a hill much faster than I should (running for speed always seems to get me injured). And I felt good - until suddenly I didn't feel good anymore. That nagging knee pain suddenly went from non-existent to a 9.5 on the pain scale.

I tried walking. I tried running slowly. Eventually, I just went home, cutting my run short by 3 miles. My knee still hurt the next morning too. In fact, its bothered me all weekend.

I think its my IT band, which is apparently a common running injury. But not so treatable. I've been trying to stay off it - I ran 2.5 slow miles today - and to treat with stretching and NAISDs. But it still hurts, and I'm discouraged.

So, maybe Marathon Mom isn't such a good name anymore. Send me healing vibes please.

Translation

This girl Bryn. . . she's a funny kid. The way she phrases things cracks me up. The other day, she frantically ran to me to say "Mom! My light ran out." (translation: her light burned out)

Yesterday, she had a bit of a tummy bug. Very concerned, she told me: "There is something wrong. When I go potty, it comes out all squishy and wet." (translation: she had diarrhea)

Yep - I told another potty joke. You know when you're reading my blog, its only a matter of time . . .

Another refashion

Another clothing refashion attempt. I actually made this a couple of weeks ago, but am only now getting to posting it. I'm pretty proud of myself, and every time I've worn it (three times . . . but who's counting??) I get tons of compliments.


I started with an old short-sleeved cardigan and old tank top. There really wasn't anything wrong with either of them, other than the fact that I have a difficult time keeping my whites white. For some reason, they turn gray very quickly, and then I have a closet full of dingy whites. So, for $3, I bought some green fabric dye and thought I'd see if I could make something that I'd actually wear.





Into the water the dye goes - there's no turning back at this point . . .









Somehow I neglected to take a picture of the after - nice green tank and cardy. I cut the tank into 3-inch strips, and then gathered them. Then, I pinned them to the cardy, and sewed them on. I neglected to take a picture of the after of the ruffles, but they were too big and heavy - so I stitched them down a second time, about 1-inch in. The effect was perfect!



This picture does not do it justice. I'll have to find a photographer to take a picture of me wearing it. I LOVE it, and although its not perfect, I'm happy with the outcome.

Up next - turning another formerly favorite white shirt into a cute spring blue top.

I know there are some other bloggers out there who turn up their noses at clothing refashions, but its ok with me. I like updating my wardrobe without having to spend a fortune. Besides, its fun to have some clothing that is unique, and doesn't look like what everyone else is wearing.

Skirt I'm not sure about

I made this skirt from a pattern. I cannot follow a pattern to save my life. It was difficult, and I don't love how it turned out. It doesn't help, that I think its too much black. It does look good on the hanger tho. . .I do like the sash.
G took this picture too. She's nice to help out, but I think I need to teach her about the zoom.

Jack-o-lantern

The cutest 6 year old, with her randomly missing teeth. I don't think she'll be eating any apples for awhile.

Reduce, reuse, refashion

I should have taken a picture of the before. But here's the after (G took the picture for me):

I refashioned a shirt for me from an old shirt of my husband's. Overall, I'm pretty happy with it - other than the fact that I wish it hung better around my breasts. But, it was my first try at shirring, and I love it. I'm definitely going to be shirring more. Much more.
I'm kind of hooked on refashioning. I've done a couple of other projects recently. I like the idea of refreshing my wardrobe without spending $$.

Gratitutious vacation pictures

Our trip to California

First, the beach:It was a beautiful day



And then, of course, Disneyland. The happiest place on earth. dammit.

Week 6?? weigh-in

Total weight loss: 3.4 pounds

I know its much more than week 6. I've missed a couple of weeks. I was in California last week, and that is my excuse (at least for last week). It too seems pointless to post such measly numbers. I know that I should be happy - that a loss is a loss - but it is discouraging when I still have 15.6 pounds to lose. At this rate, it will be over a year until I reach my goal.

I am doing things right - most of the time anyway. Today I burned 550 calories for my workout, and considering the fact that I worked a 12 hour day, I'm proud that I was able to fit in a workout. I also ate approximately 1500 calories. And that is a pretty typical day . . . I should be a hottie by now.

I'm thinking that I'll start doing monthly weigh-ins, on the first of every month. Then maybe the pounds will be more impressive.

Sew what?

After my success last week, I decided to give sewing another try (in fact, I've been working on a couple of projects . . . more to follow) But for today, another finished skirt and headband. I can't take credit. The skirt came from: this tutorial and the headband from here. And if I hadn't accidentally sewn the skirt together wrong TWICE (that is what I get for trying to sew at midnight), it would have only taken a couple of hours total for the entire project. Pictures aren't the best (my yard is dead and the sun is so bright), but I think she's adorable.