Finished Knit Shawl from KAL

Working Out Week 16 of 2014

This week I continued with my workout schedule of the Cathe Friedrich April rotation of workouts. I have continued to challenge myself to do the entire workout dvd instead of a shorter premix this past week. I did pretty good at the beginning of the week but toward the end of the week I did have to do a couple of the shorter premixes due to time constraints in my schedule. I got up early every day so I could do the whole dvd but there were a couple of days that my kids had to be to school earlier than normal so I had to shorten the workout time a little.

The schedule for the past week was as follows:

Monday – Cardio Leg Blast – Xtrain series – 56 minutes
Tuesday – ~~Pyramid Upper Body~~ Total Body Trisets – Upper Body – 55 minutes
Wednesday – Bootcamp (original dvd) – 60 minutes
Thursday – Tabatacise (minimum 35 min) – premix 3 tabatas + core – 42 minutes
Friday - ~~MMA Boxing~~ Rockout Knockout premix 1 – 38 minutes
Saturday - ~~Lower Body Blast~~ Yoga Relax premix 1- 28 minutes

The above workouts that are crossed out are the ones on the actual rotation but I don’t own those so I subbed in ones I have that were similar.

As you can see from above my cat loves the step – he didn’t seem to want to move off of it very much until I started doing some serious jumping on it – which there is a lot of is this cardio blast workout. This workout – Cardio Leg Blast - is a lot of fun and the time flies by. I did manage to complete the entire 56 minutes without collapsing!

I don’t have Pyramid Upper Body on dvd – only VHS and I don’t have that hooked up anymore so I subbed in another workout from the Low Impact Series – Total Body Trisets – Upper Body. The workout consists of a rotation of 3 different exercises for 3 different muscle groups like back, bis and core that you do 2 sets of. I like this workout because it is effective and it uses the exercise ball with weights which I really like a lot. One of my favorite core exercises is the ball exchange as seen in the lower right photo.

Rockout Knockout is a new Cathe workout that I just got back in October of 2013. I don’t own the MMA boxing so I subbed in this one. I really like this one but by the end of the week I was tired and just couldn’t bring myself to complete the entire dvd which is 55 minutes long so I did premix 1 which is 38 minutes and is the cardio kickbox and the cardio kickboxing with weighted gloves for the second half. As you can see I had a little workout buddy again that didn’t want to move so I had to workout around him. You would think with all the kicking and punching I was doing he would get nervous and move but not him…He did decide to get up toward the end when I had to do pendulum kicks (side to side). I guess he thought I might get him then with my foot. I really like this workout and how it gets your heart pumping and you sweat a lot. It is a lot of fun with the various kick and punch combos.

I broke in a new pair of shoes this week. I actually got them a couple of weeks ago but hadn’t wore them yet. They are Nike trainers. They are the same style as my other Nike trainers but a different color. It is amazing how after wearing these I realize how much my others have wore down (the inside cushioning, support) after only about 8 months. I don’t want to give up my old ones yet though as I like the color combo and they are so comfortable. I will probably alternate wearing them along with the Sketchers Go Fit shoes I got a couple of months ago and these new trainers. I am getting to have quite the fitness shoe collection it seems. I try and get them on sale though and for these new Nikes I had a $10.00 off coupon.

Well, next week will be week 4 of the April rotation of Cathe Friedrich workouts for me. I may have to take a day or two off or sub in a couple lower impact workouts after Wednesday because I am having a root canal that day – not looking forward to that… What are your workout plans for next week? Click on Leave a Reply and let me know – I’d love to hear about them.

Kimberlee

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Lace and Garter Infinity Knit Scarves

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Lately in addition to my craft and sewing projects I have been knitting a lot. These lace and garter infinity scarves are one of my most recent designs that I have finished.

I really had a lot of fun knitting these by changing the stitch pattern and the yarn from a solid color yarn to a multi color yarn. The pink one above can also be worn over the shoulders as a little mobius wrap. The green version is a lot longer and can be wore long or doubled for warmth. I just love accessories that can be worn different ways.

The pattern for these is a design of my own that I will be adding to my etsy shop soon and on craftsy. The scarves themselves will be added to my gift collection.

Another knitting project that I am currently still working on is a shawl for a KAL through a knitting group that I belong to on facebook. KAL stands for knit along, I believe. I have never participated in one of these before and decided that I needed something new and different to challenge me with my knitting. When I first saw the pattern called Nymphalidea – which is available free on ravelry (if you click on the highlighted link it will take you to the pattern) I was not sure I would be able to tackle it as it looked “involved”. But one of the other ladies in the group assured me that once you got going it was pretty simple and it is. If you can knit, purl, knit two together and yarn over you can make this shawl.

I am still working on my Nymphalidea shawl – below is a photo of progress I made on the first day of starting it. I am much farther along now and I will share my finished shawl in the next week or two on my blog. Some of the ladies in the group have finished theirs and they are just beautiful. I can’t wait to see how mine will turn out.

I have also started a new crochet project that I will be sharing a short tutorial for (if it turns out) on my blog soon. What projects are you currently working on? Click on Leave a Reply and let me know.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

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Working Out Week 15 of 2014

Simple Burlap Easter Wreath

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This wreath idea was something I came up with after seeing all the fun and pretty spring and Easter wreaths on pinterest. I have actually had this 4 inch roll of burlap ribbon that I got at Hobby Lobby a couple of months ago and it was time to use it for something.

This wreath is super simple and easy to make. I think you can easily make one in 45 minutes or less. Here is what you need to make one:

Supplies:

1 wired frame wreath whatever size you choose – mine was smaller as I wanted it for the back door that we go in and out of a lot
1 roll 4 inch wide burlap ribbon
1 package small plastic easter eggs
1 chenille stem to fasten bow
glue gun

Step 1: Wrap burlap around wire wreath, overlapping edges as you go – glue at back when get to where you began to secure

Step 2: Glue plastic eggs onto burlap in desired areas – leaving an open area where the burlap overlaps for your bow

Step 3: Make a bow with the burlap ribbon and secure to wreath with chenille stem – do this where burlap is glued to cover

Step 4: Glue a plastic egg in middle of bow to hide chenille stem- you could glue more than one if you wanted to

That’s it – you are done – find a place to hang your new wreath and admire it!

Note: For hanging purposes you may not want an egg in the top center – mine is hanging a little off center because I glued one there – but it doesn’t bother me.

Below you can see a better view on the door of the size and how small it is. I didn’t want a really big wreath because we go in and out this door to our patio a lot. Also, for the purpose of storing the wreath I think this will fit in my Easter storage box that goes in the attic.

I hope everyone is having a great start to the second week in April.

Kimberlee

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Working Out Week 14 of 2014

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Week 14 of 2014 – and the final week, week 13, of P90X3 is complete for me! I am so pleased with myself for accomplishing this 90 day program that I began in January of 2014.

The workouts for this past week were only for 5 days and not 6 as in the past. The final weeks workouts were:

Monday – Isometrix
Tuesday – Accelerator
Wednesday – Pilates X
Thursday – X3 Yoga
Friday – Dynamix

Below are my final photos from the program:

I really love the Isometrix workout and I was so glad we got to do that one in the final week.

Accelerator was the final cardio workout for the week. I have missed doing this one as it had not been in the rotation for the past 4 weeks.

Dynamix was the final workout on Friday. A great total body workout to end the P90X3 program in my opinion.

My overall assessment of this workout program is that it is an excellent program that gives you a wide variety of workouts and you will see results if you stick with it. I committed and stayed with the program for the full 13 weeks – even taking it with me on my spring break trip – and can tell you I have achieved positive results. My body is much more toned than it was before.

I have been working out regularly for the past 10 years so I was not going for a total body makeover and weight loss. My reason for doing this program was because it looked interesting, fun and challenging and it was all of those and more for me. The program really increased my fitness level and I lost a total overall of 4 1/4 inches. I don’t own a scale so I don’t know about the amount of weight I lost. I do know my clothes fit a little loose and I even have a couple of pairs of shorts that were snug around the waist and aren’t anymore. I have also noticed that my core and back are so much stronger and toned than before and my arms and shoulders are much more defined, too. My hips have had the greatest weight loss of 1 inch as well as my thighs that have gone down 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.

This program works – so if you are interested in learning more you can click on the link in the sidebar. Also, my tips for success in staying with it are:

Write down or post the calendar they give you and commit to doing it every day 6 days a week
Do your workout out in the morning before the rest of your family gets up – its only 30 minutes so you just set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier and DO IT! Sleep in your workout clothes if you have to…
Get a friend or family member to do it with you and hold each other accountable
Join a facebook fitness group and participate in posting your fitness journey – this is a great motivator, in my opinion
Make sure you include a healthy eating plan when doing the program for increased success and results

As far as dieting goes I DO NOT diet. I just choose to workout and eat healthy. While doing this program I did increase my intake of protein by including protein shakes and foods that are higher in protein. I also tried to eat a high fiber diet – which is something I try and do anyhow. I do enjoy eating dessert a few times a week – in small portions. There are some great websites and recipes you can get from pinterest for healthy foods and meal planning. If you are going to make the commitment to workout you also need to make the commitment to eat a healthy diet and you will see amazing things happen to your body in 13 weeks.

I read this book recently called “7 Days to a Positive Attitude.” I got it on sale at Barnes and Noble, it is a Blue Mountain Arts book. Anyhow – there is a great paragraph in there about half way through the book about measuring your progress:

“It’s easy to get discouraged when you compare yourself to those who seem to have gone so much farther down the road you’re traveling. Remember that we’re each on our own individual journey to a unique destiny – not competing in a race to see who arrives first. So measure progress by your own milestones. Keep your spirits upbeat and your heart full of hope – because you’re on your way to a beautiful destination.”

I really like this quote and I think it just reminds us that each of us is different and that life has its ups and downs. You need to measure your own progress and results and not compare yourself to others and you will be much more successful in all you do.

Well now that I am done with P90X3 I plan to go back to using my Cathe Friedrich dvd’s and Exhale Core Fusion dvd’s. I have created a schedule for myself alternating the weeks with them. I will plan to do P90X3 again in the future but I will probably just make up my own routine using the dvd’s I enjoy the most. I also realized that in the Lean schedule that I chose to do that two of the dvd’s were not used so I need to go back and try those out sometime in the near future.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Kimberlee

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Knit Triangle Shawl

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This is one of my recent knitting projects that I completed. I knit this triangle shawl in Lion Homespun yarn so it is nice and cozy. Homespun yarn is one of my favorites to use to create soft and warm accessories or sweaters. It is one of my go to yarns in the winter months so I always buy it when it is on sale so I have a stash on hand for when a new idea strikes me.

I really like how my new design came out. I got the idea for making this after watching some of the craftsy class Sweetheart Knit Shawls. So far I have still only watched a few of the videos but seeing how to knit a triangle shawl gave me this idea to design my own. I just wanted a basic knit shawl and not a lot of fancy stitches for this one. I did do an openwork stitch at the lower edge though.

I knit this shawl on larger needles size 13 needles so it knit up pretty fast. I am going to be making another one in a different color of Homespun with possibly a different lower edging – I haven’t decided yet.

This shawl has gotten some good use from me so far. I took it to Florida with me a few weeks ago and wore it there in the evening. I also wore it to church the other day. It is nice to take with me in the car in case I find myself in a cool environment and then I have something warm to wrap around me. I have also just wore it around my house when I am a little chilly.

The craftsy class Sweetheart Knit Shawls so far is a great class. I need to go back and finish watching the rest of it as I always learn some new and helpful info from all the craftsy classes I have taken. There are three shawl designs you can make from the class but I have not attempted any of them yet. They are all very pretty designs. You can click on the craftsy class link to learn more about craftsy knitting classes if you are interested. I have also purchased another lace knitting class Lace Knitting: Basics and Beyond with Eunny Jang but have not started watching that one yet. A friend of mine also purchased it and we thought it would be fun to take it and discuss what we have learned.

I am currently knitting a new lace and knit mobius wrap and just finished a couple of mobius cowls. I will be sharing those on my blog soon so be sure to subscribe via bloglovin, email or RSS to receive future blog posts.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

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Working Out Week 13 of 2014

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This week I finished week 12 of P90X3. I can not believe there is only one week left to go in the program. The variety this exercise program has makes it go really fast and with the workouts only taking 30 minutes a day, six days a week, it is easy to fit into a busy schedule.

This week the schedule was the same as week 10. You can look at my post on that to see the exact schedule. Some photos are below of the workouts.

I really love the Pilates program. It is fun and challenging and I always look forward to doing this workout when it is on the schedule. The pretzel exercise at the end (lower right photo) is one of my favorites in this routine.

The Decelerator workout was on the schedule twice this week. I like this workout but twice in one week I do not like so much. There are some really great exercises in this routine though – like the starfish push ups (lower left photo) and the superman-bow (lower right photo). There are also some that are super hard and I can not do completely like the crane cracker push ups (upper left photo) – I am doing the modified ones there with just the knee on the elbow. The full move is to go forward and raise your leg that is behind you up, extend your leg on the elbow out straight and do a push up. I think if I tried that I would land on my face for sure. My cat seemed to like doing this workout twice in one week.

I also did my Exhale Core Fusion a few times this week. I did the Abs & Arms dvd this week. The segments I did were Upper Body with Band, Abdominal’s with band, Abs with Leg Curl Variations and Band. The segments are 10 minutes that I did after P90X3 a few of the days this past week. A couple of days I was too busy with having to get my kids to school early to be able to do an extra 10 minutes.

The Pilates book I checked out from the library a couple of weeks ago was also used a couple of times this week. I am trying to do between 6 and 10 of the different exercises in there at least three times a week. The pilates is so good for strengthening your core and leaning out your body. The book is called Pilates Practice Companion by Alycea Ungaro. A great book with color photos of each exercise.

Also, on the subject of books I finished reading the Tony Horton book The Big Picture.

This book was an excellent read full of positive and motivating advice and information. One of the main things that sticks with me and one of his 11 laws is to “Do your best and forget the rest.” I am trying to remember this when I get stressed out about everything I have to or want to do or accomplish. I need to remember that doing my best is the main focus – not doing more just to say I did more. I am not talking just about fitness here – about things in everyday life as well. Another great chapter in the book is Law 4 “Variety is the Spice of…Everything” I totally agree with that. I am a person who is creative and I get bored easily doing the same thing (especially when exercising) over and over. Take the Decelerator workout for example. I have done that one 6 times in the last 4 weeks and to be honest with you I am tired of it. I like it okay but I have done it so much lately it is starting to annoy me. Tony mentions in his book that you should not do something just because everyone else is doing it – I tell my kids this all the time. He also talks about how adding variety to everything in your life, not just with exercise but in all areas, makes things more fun and interesting – another thing I totally agree with. You can click on the book link to read more information about the book if you are interested in learning more.

This week I also became an affiliate of Beachbody programs. The icon is in the sidebar for P90X3 if you are interested in learning more about the workout or in ordering it. I have really enjoyed doing this program and all my previous posts about it can give you more information. I do not endorse things I do not like or believe in.

Well, I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. It is finally getting warmer here in Texas. I am ready for spring and was actually able to wear sandals a couple of times this week.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

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Sewing Jeans

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Sewing your own jeans is a lot easier than you think. About 5 years ago I made my first pair of jeans because I was fed up with buying jeans that never seemed to fit me how I like. I decided that instead of wasting my time shopping for jeans and paying a bunch of money for them I would learn to make my own.

This is the first pair of jeans I made using a Kwik Sew pattern. The pattern is number 3193 and I know as of a year ago it was still in print. I made these jeans approximately 5 years ago and yes I still wear them. They have become a little faded over time but they are very comfortable.

It is kind of hard to see but I embroidered the back pockets of these – I did not have good light conditions outside for these photos but wanted to show how these jeans looked. The pattern is super easy to follow with great zipper instructions. There are 2 versions of the jeans a wide leg, as I am wearing, and a straight leg. I like that the waist is a littler higher on these and not such a low rise, too. I am getting too old for those low rise jeans.

I began making more of my own jeans a few years ago after buying the Bernina My Label pattern drafting software. This is software that helps you design your own patterns using your measurements. I am not sure if they still sell it but there are other software programs available that do this. I really like it because it is a more custom fit. It does – has – required some tweaking and learning to do things on my own. So, all the current jeans I have made I am now using the My Label pattern which is essentially my own pattern made to fit me.

Recently I have been on a major jean sewing spree. I told my husband the other day that I was really getting a system down for making them and I can now get a pair done in about 5 or 6 days. This of course is not working on them constantly and some days I only have time to sew for about 30 minutes and some days I have no sewing time. The most sewing time I ever get is about a 2 hour session on the weekend.

I have taken 2 Craftsy classes that have really helped me learn a lot more about designing and sewing your own jeans. The first class I took a couple of years ago was Online Sewing Class Jean-ius by Kenneth King. This was a great class and I learned so much about fitting and sewing the details on the jeans like the pockets and waistband and topstitching techniques. In this class you can actually learn how to take a pair of your favorite jeans and copy them to make your own pattern. The other class I recently took through Craftsy was Sewing Designer Jeans with Angela Wolf. I learned some more great sewing tips and techniques for the jeans as well as how to put a curved waistband on the jeans after taking Angela’s class. I also learned how to distress the denim fabric in her class. Both of these classes are wonderful for increasing your sewing knowledge and learning the skills you need to make your jean sewing a success. You can learn more about the classes I just mentioned by clicking on the highlighted text to take you to the link to them. If you are going to make your own jeans I would highly recommend taking both classes.

Some of the tips I have that I think are important when sewing your own jeans are:

Use a size 90/14 or 100/16 denim sewing machine needle
Take your time and sew slowly – especially when topstitching
Make a muslin first using inexpensive muslin just to get an idea of the fit – this way you can adjust some things without ruining your expensive denim. You may still need to make a few minor adjustments on the denim but at least it will be less and you won’t ruin your fabric
Press all your seam using a hot steam iron. This will make sewing so much easier and your seams will lay nicely. I took a whole class on pressing once from my Sewing Guild and it is a very important step.
Use 2 spools of the same color thread through the needle when topstitching versus using the jeans thread they sell. I tried using the jeans thread on my dark denim ones and my machine (an older Bernina) does not like it – it is very thick thread and requires tension adjustments. I found it easier and less stressful to just use 2 spools of thread and a stitch length of 4 for your topstitching.
Sew your inner leg seams first, before the outer leg seams. This is the opposite of what patterns usually tell you to do. This way you can topstitch the inner leg seam easily. Also, stitch from the center crotch point down to the hem on each side for best results when sewing this seam together.

Fabric is a fun and important part of making your own jeans. I have bought denim fabric from JoAnn that I like as seen in the pair I made 5 years ago (above) as well as the glitter denim fabric I used in this pair:

This pair was the first pair I made after taking Angela Wolf’s class. I had this fabric in my stash and decided to use it. It is hard to see but there is a light silver glitter in the fabric and this denim is very lightweight – no stretch. I embroidered my own design using a K logo for Kimberlees Korner using a metallic silver thread.

I also got this fabric that I made these shorts from at JoAnn. I have only wore these once since it is still kind of chilly here.

I didn’t have enough of the fabric to make the curved waistband facing so I used the fabric that I did the pocket lining with and love how this turned out.

The fabric I recently bought from Fabric.com is really nice quality denim and a great price, in my opinion. They also have free shipping on orders over $35.00 and it arrived quickly. The photos below are the jeans I made using the fabric I bought from there.

So far the above light color denim and the shorts are my two favorite pair. They both fit how I like them – not too tight and not too low of a rise. I really like how the curved waistband adds some extra give to the waist area, too.

What sewing projects are you currently working on? Click on Leave a Reply and let me know. I am still in the jeans sewing mode and currently working on another pair of denim shorts using some more fabric I found in my stash. I also have a tan twill fabric cut out for shorts using the jean pattern but have not started sewing those yet.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

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Working Out Week 12 of 2014

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I am back into the workout routine at home once again. This is end of the 11th week of P90X3. I can not believe there are only 2 weeks left in the program. It seems like it has gone by pretty fast, in my opinion. I guess having the variety in the workouts has kept it interesting and makes you want to keep up with the schedule.

This week the schedule was the same as week number 9. To see that schedule you can look at my previous post on that week. Below are a few photos from a couple of the workouts this week.

Do you see my black cat in some of the photos? He worked out with me almost every day this past week. I think he really missed our morning workout sessions when I was gone last week. He seemed pretty happy to be hanging out with me again every morning. It is interesting how our pets get into a routine. My other cat was pretty close by too for most of the workouts but she is camera shy and tends to stay toward the side of the room by the wall – or maybe she is smart and just doesn’t want to get stepped on.

I also incorporated some of my Exhale Core Fusion workouts a few of the days this week using the Body Sculpt dvd. I did the Upper Sculpt, Stretch Sculpt and Ab Sculpt this week. I really like how these dvd’s are divided into those short 10 minute segments and it is easy to fit one in after I finish my 30 minutes of P90X3.

The black cat is once again working out with me – right next to my side in the above photo. He is kind of hard to see as he blends in with my navy shirt.

I also went to the library the beginning of this week and found a new PIlates book that I had not seen before. It is called Pilates Practice Companion by Alycea Ungaro. I really like the book and how it is formatted into beginner, intermediate and advanced workouts. I used the book a few times this week and plan to use it more in the next couple of weeks. I really like how the Pilates lengthens and strengthens my core, waist, hips and legs.

I have also gotten back into eating better this week since we are at home and I am still trying to incorporate lots of protein and fiber into my diet. I found a really good oat bran muffin recipe from another blog and have made it twice this week. It is from the Pink Recipe Box and the recipe is for Healthy Chocolate Chip Oat Bran Muffins. I did not have the exact ingredients so in place of the applesauce I used a 1/2 cup of almond milk and the first time I made them I added a little extra brown sugar as I didn’t think 1/4 cup was going to be enough since I didn’t use the applesauce. The second time I made them I did reduce the brown sugar to 1/4 cup and I thought they were just as good. I really like how this recipe is low sugar and high in fiber. The oat bran I used was NOW brand the first time and Bob’s Red Mill the second time.

My family also liked the muffins and so did my friend Karen. I met her yesterday at Starbucks for our coffee and knitting get together that we have been trying to do a couple of times a month and she really liked the muffin and wanted the recipe.

I hope everyone had a great week and got in some workouts. Have a great weekend!

Kimberlee

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