Crafty Sundays: NFL Edition (Sewing 101 & Holiday Wrap-Up)

So this weekend has been productive. I finished two sewing projects and will begin a knit dress for my daughter. Baby steps.... Oh yeah my Christmas tags (GENUIS IDEA), see below for instructions.

My new found skill would not be possible without a great foundation. For those of you interested in learning a very handy skill and live in DC Metro, check out the following spot:

Bits of Thread Sewing Studio (Adams Morgan)
1794 Columbia Rd, NW Suite #6
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 642-9622

This place is cute and a great concept, but it is project based. They have a Beginners Class I & II that actually teaches a lot in two hour stretches, but too much for you to remember. (and you have no time to really take notes) You will definitely learn how to thread a machine, thread the bobbin and SOME basics but definitely not all. You have the choice of making a wallet or a kindle cover, a cute little token. Finishing a project makes you feel accomplished and will start you on your way. "Bits" also has a some cute class options such as "The Perfect Skirt" and "Bagoholics". Will you be a seamstress, NO. You will definitely have to take technical classes but it's a great start!

Currently in my technical class, I have just finished a tote bag and some pjs. It's not a sheath dress or a silk blouse but it's a start and I totally understand and have been experimenting with my machine. Take a look at my digs below:

Holiday Wrap-Up

So if you're like me you still have a pile of Christmas cards around. I hate throwing away cards... but now I can make use of the ones that do not go in my special Memories Box. My friend Jana (lead singer for the Monthlies, buy their album!), contributor on the Thursdays Blog  shared her (like a said before) GENUIS idea. Now I won't have to buy gift tags for any Christmas moving forward. Enjoy!  Thx Jana

Old Stuff = Used Holiday Cards
New Stuff = Gift tags

Cut the covers off of the lovely holiday cards displayed on your mantle and grab some ribbon, pens and a hole punch, and voila - you're stocked with gift tags for next year. You could even make a post-holiday crafting party of it, serving cider and the last of the holiday treats.

Saturday Date Night: Red Tails

So our Saturday night date ended up being a day outing (Hey, you go when the sitter 'grandma' is available) and we went to see Red Tails then for a bite to eat. Bottom line for me is I liked it and the movie will go in my file along with Pursuit of Happyness (I know it's spelled incorrectly), The Great Debaters and anything else I want my children to watch in a few years.

Did I mention the critics annihilated the movie? They did not just give it a moderate review... it was if I was about to go watch Soul Plane! They claimed it is a HBO show still out just like it. Ummm did the critics say that when the millionth version of 'The Hand that Rocks the Cradle" came out, or when the Black Swan aka the 50th version of 'Single White Female' reared its ugly head. NO, it's their opinion and like a*%holes everyone has one. So I would suggest you go check it out and make your own.

Enjoy!

With Love,
Jabs ♥

Skinny Chick Challenge: Armed with Aps

Ok, so we all have them. I have two...a pair of red Zara pants and my old favorite pair of Levis that use to fit soooo perfect, now snug in my bottom drawer waiting to be freed. I kept them as a reminder of my pre-baby days but currently being used as motivation.

The best 2 aps out there to get you RIGHT for the New Year are My Fitness Pal and c25k (Couch 2 5k). My Fitness Pal is great, similar to the online weight watchers program but FREE and the c25k gets you prepared for your first race (pay the $1.99 for the upgrade to use music & prompts, well worth it). This combination together should be able to knock off at least 20 to 30 pounds in 3 - 4 months. So here we go, I am not going to divulge my wait but I' will say that I'm at +30 of where I need to be. (Thank God I'm tall, the weight is dispersed).

Sunday, January 22 will mark the start of my 3 month challenge and I will keep updated with my weekly loss. Lord take the wheel, this is going to be tough.

Here's to my flat stomach and some banging thighs!


** Borrowed from my friend Crys (thanks babe) via Dr. Oz

SKINNY CHICK POPCORN - about 60 calories a serving

1/4 cup popcorn

Pour in brown bag

Fold over top

Put the bag in the microwave for 2 minutes or until popping stops

Pour into container

Spray on some cooking spray (you can use olive oil in a spray bottle)

Season with cinnamon or garlic salt

Enjoy!

With Love,
Jabs ♥

The Late Night Shift (An Introduction to My Life)

For my inaugural blog, I felt it so fitting that I am up in the middle of the night writing it while watching (I Don't Know How She Does It). I originally wanted to see this movie months ago but as the story goes I guess time just got away from me. So I finally found time at 2 am to watch it On Demand.

Yesterday was a typical Sunday for the Abners... We woke up and went to brunch (sorry didn't make church) in a good spirits and the children were on board until we were seated. Lauren is fussing and who knows why, Acie decides to start singing and then the antagonizing starts. My husband and I just smile, shake our heads and drink our coffee as we pretend we're alone on a date ♥. Food comes and everyone seems to be feeling a little better. At least now the little one is laughing, acting more like herself. Breakfast is over, back to the house to watch football with the hubby. He actually started me loving football, I get a little sad come mid February. As we watch the game the kids are jumping on our legs, my husband's head having their own little party. It's not even half time and my son is asking for a sandwich. I guess the pancakes wore off in like an hour???? Third quarter and I have to make a run to pick up some material, I'm working on a sewing project (in addition to a convention and 2 other meetings, a book festival for my son's school and sorting out whether we are going to move or not). It's a quick trip, so I bring my daughter along. An hour and a half later, after a stop at Wegmans for some quick grocery shopping, I'm back in time to catch the end of the first quarter of the 2nd game! I fix some food and read to my daughter while catching glimpses of the Giants pulling off an upset. The game is over and I start sewing because it's now my new obsession. I think this one isn't going anywhere because it actually makes me happy and I enjoy doing it. I take a break, play with the kids and my husband and get the babies ready for bed. My husband and I enjoy a glass of wine, hang out and now he is down. I was sleepy briefly, but got a second wind fooling around with this da*# sewing project. For some reason I always have to alter the original design, still trying to learn how to keep things simple.

And now I'm up, my mind just a moving thinking of the upcoming week. Thinking that I will not be up like this anytime soon. Trying to wind down and clear my mind because my princess will be up in about 3 hours and I will be exhausted!

Just another day in the life! I love it, I truly do but this is why all the wineries and spas in the world stay open and thrive because of Mothers. Goal for 2012, some type of positive life altering change: stay at home, perhaps work from home...the point is to create more time for home and to work less. We will see how this goes.

In the mean time, I will try to entertain and keep you up to date on my progress. Share some great travel must do's, recipes, crafts and survival skills for the Young & Married with Kids!

This blog is dedicated to a man, who I'm sure had many sleepless nights himself fighting to keep peace. Happy Belated Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!!

With Love,
Jabs ♥