Category Archives: uncategorized

Untackled projects

Oh my, here I was making a quick question up for the whole Rafflecopter thing and little did I know all the fun answers I was going to get to “What project are you dying to try but just haven’t gotten to just yet?” on my Giveaway Day post!

I don’t want to mess with the comments on that post but please let me say I am ready each and every one of those answers and I cheer you all on in my head with little yeses and “I have that too!” and “Why haven’t you tried that yet it’s so easy? You *can* do it!”

If you have an unfinished project or a ‘man I have to start that some day’ project lying around, please go to that post and read the 60+ comments. You are not alone. There are others like you. And most importantly, you can do it!!

If you haven’t entered please do so now :)

Giveaway Day!!

Yipeee!! Once again its Sew Mama Sew’s Giveaway Day.

And because I’m addicted to these scrappy wallets I’m going to give one away again. I just made a giant pile of them so choosing should be easy peasy. They are made with a fantastic Michelle Patterns pattern.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I may not have these exact wallets left but I’ll send a picture of a big selection and let you choose, should you be the lucky winner!

Working out with kids in tow.

Now that I’ve lost over 50 pounds I figured I should start exercising. I’ve been on this mission for 16 months now and have yet to step foot into the gym, despite having a membership, despite living a 5 minute walk from the community center . . . yeah yeah yeah. Historically the obstacle to me getting to the gym has been the little ones. I’ve decided to stop using that excuse.

Last June I was counting the days to summer holidays because the community centre had child care during the day and I was planning on leaving the kids to play while I went upstairs to work out. Conveniently they cancelled it at the end of June. And while I can use all of the city gyms, this one right here was the only one with a childcare program. So I’m getting inventive in how I can work this with children in tow.

I downloaded the Couch to 5K app. Saturday I lugged the kids out of the house and took them around the block and up and down the street while I completed the 30 minute program. It was a semi success. We discovered someone must have stolen Nate’s new-to-him-at-Easter scooter from our front lawn so he had his old wobbily wheeled one. That meant that when Wesley and I would run for 60 seconds Nate would launch into tears at how far ahead we were getting, and rather than haul it to catch up he’d get off his scooter and cry. Oh to be 4 years old. *That* meant Wesley and i would spend the 90 seconds walking back to him so we’d all be together.

Sunday we walked over to the park, which was my warm up, then I ran circles around the play structure, nearby trees, the tennis court, whatever to complete the program. Other than me looking a bit silly this was more of a success.

Today was my afternoon off from school so I just ran right before the kids would be home from school. It was a nice time except for this crazy little black bugs that fill the air around the lake near my house at this time of year.

Tomorrow I might try running in the gym, just to change things up a bit, but we’ll see.

Spring-ish cleaning not made by me giveaway!

Again, in the spirit of cleaning up my crafty space I’d like to share some fun supplies with one lucky winner.

I’ve collected things from swaps and people giving me stuff and craft shows and well, all over the place really and now I need to share the love!

Leave a comment below with a way to contact you and I’ll pick a lucky winner on Tuesday April 30th. For a bonus entry tweet or share on Facebook or somewhere and leave a comment letting me know you did. Good luck!

Spring-ish cleaning giveaway!

So I was doing some organizing and cleaning up in my crafty space and I realize I have just too many creations. Things I’ve tried, things I’ve made 1 of . . . they’re just piling up and taking up space.

Instead of letting that happen I’d like to make someone a nice big package of handmade happy mail and ship it off to you!

If you’re interested in some surprise fun stuff from me leave a way to contact you below and I’ll get stuffing that envelope. For a bonus entry tell me something you did to Spring Clean recently.

I’ll take names until Tuesday April 23rd and then I’ll get shipping.

Wisdom from the DR

Ever notice when you’re going through something in your life songs and movies and quotes speak to you in certain ways? A song you’ve listened to forever might suddenly take on new meaning. Or you have that weird thing where *every* song seems to be speaking to you about your situation.

So yeah, while embroidering and watching Dr Who this quote struck me.

Take that shadow, I’m running with my something precious and I’m going to make it.

The doctor also said “I don’t know the future. I just work there” on the last episode. I’m still chuckling over that one.

Yes, I’m a dork.

Gratitude

As part of my person growth I’ve undertaken lately, a new craft you might say, I downloaded this fun little app.

It’s really fun to look at and cute to look at. There’s a reminder setting and each day it will pop up and ask you “What are you grateful for?”. I’m not sure how long your list can be but I chose to start with listing 5 items just to get into the habit.

It also puts a little heart on the calendar each time you remember to be grateful. I was on a big run in February, then I was hit with a plague and out of commission for days, it was all a blur and I missed being grateful I guess!

Anyhow, thought I’d share, sometimes little things can make all the difference, this along with art journaling, reflecting, yoga and counselling are helping me be a better Tara. Keep posted!

Art journalling

I’ve been doing some doodles in my sketchbook.

I’m only just starting out but I thought it might help to do some of the things I’m working through in a more creative way than just making lists and notes.

Still adding to this page, realized I didn’t put anything about looks, other then weight loss related words. I photocopied a Japanese craft book page for the “I AM” part.

49.6

Yeah, 49.6 pounds gone off this body of mine since January 2012.

I’m at my pre-kid #2, pre-kid #1, pre-wedding, pre-meeting my husband weight. It’s been 15 months of slow and steady work and it’s paying off. First I was dying to see that tip under 200. Just to see my weight start with a ‘1’ and do a little happy dance! When it happened I did just that.

Now I’m dying to see it tip a little bit more with that 0.4 so I can happy dance over the 50 pound mark.

I’ll get there soon.

Also, welcome and thank you to all the new followers and likers who came this way recently. I’m going to kick some crafting butt this weekend and have lots to share next week. Promise.

And now from my friend Janee!

Happy April Friends!

Today I have a very very special treat for you. I {in collaboration with many other lovely ladies} am giving away a 16GB iPad Mini! No joke. No April fools. For real!!

 {{{Source | Pizzaz by me}}}

Why you ask? For several reasons::: To say thank you to you my beloved readers. To celebrate Yellow Bird + Yellow Beard blog reaching 2000 followers. 2000. I can hardly believe it. Thank you SO MUCH. To celebrate over 1000 posts. And finally to celebrate my golden birthday! I’m turning 26 on the 26th of April.

Who are these amazing women who have contributed to this monumental celebration? They are as follows. Please, I implore you, visit them. Say hi to them. Follow them. They are all more than worthy of your time, guaranteed.