Knitting!

I have been crocheting for awhile, as you can probably tell. I know a lot about it and have even gone as far as attempting to write my own patterns. I love crochet. I would go as far as saying I love knitting even more! It holds a dear place in my heart because my grandma taught me how to do it when I was little. I think I was about 8 years old. I caught on quick. I learned the basics, and now I want to expand on them. I have tried a few patterns and FAILED horribly. My last failure was at a bad time. I was pregnant, more hormonal that normal, and was trying to make my daughter a dress that she could treasure forever and pass down to her children...this was a recipe for disaster. When I failed for the last time there I switched gears and started crocheting. I was able to push myself further with crochet then I had with knitting. Now I am ready to focus on knitting again, so this is where I am now.

I am attempting to make a sweater. It is very ambitious for my skill level, but I know it is what I need to push myself further. I am making the slouchy sweater from the Knit Cafe pattern book.

I am making it in the fisherman's wool in a brown color. I think it will turn out very nice. I am plus size and they do not have sizing that large, but I am making it in a large. I figure by the time I finish making it I will be that size, haha! I will have photo updates on my progress later. Until then...

Happy Knitting!

Brussel Sprout Flax Seed Turkey Burgers

Part of my weight loss journey has been experimenting with new foods as I try to eat cleaner and healthier. A big part of my diet has been eliminating nightshade foods (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, etc.) because of my arthritis. This means no ketchup, chile sauce or powder, french fries or anything hidden. I've recently learned the hard way, if it says "spices" in the ingredient I should not consume it. This unfortunately leaves me with fewer options when it comes to meal planning. After experimenting with different recipes and researching the benefits of different foods, this combination is what I came up with for our dinner tonight. I wanted to serve my family something that was healthy, but also somewhat resembles "real" food. After all, they are nice enough to eat my dinners. Breakfast and lunch are on their terms. :)

Brussel Sprout flax seed Turkey Burgers

Makes 4-8 patties

ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey

3-4 fresh brussel sprouts

1 Tbsp. flax seeds

1 egg

non-stick cooking spray

garlic, black pepper or your spice of preference 

(I just used garlic and black pepper due to my nightshade allergy)

Chop brussel sprout into very small fine pieces.

Mix with flax seeds.

Mix in turkey meat and stirred egg. Make 4-8 patties.

Spray large skillet with non-stick cooking spray. 

Place burgers in and season to your liking. Cook 

burgers evenly, flipping throughout.

You can eat them like a typical burger, on a bun and add whatever condiments you like. 

Because of my allergies and low carb lifestyle I chose to eat mine as is. It was just as delicious!

Brussel sprout flax seed turkey burger with a side of broccoli and Havarti cheese.

Weight loss journey starts NOW!

After many many years of being overweight, I am ready to make a huge change. To be honest I have started and stopped this process many times.

In the beginning I wasn't motivated enough and I kept putting on the weight. Eventually my arthritis (psoriatic) got so bad that I needed to make a change or I couldn't walk or even breath sometimes. :(

I tried many times to exercise and it just hurt me so bad I couldn't walk the next day.  It was hard to overcome and I felt defeated. Those feelings didn't help my diet. I felt if I couldn't exercise, "what what the point?" I then put on more and more weight.

Skip to now, after having my daughter and having pain so bad I can't sleep most nights, walk or even sneeze without crying...I have had enough!

With the help of my awesome doctor and a new medication (new to me) I am finding some relief!! I've been on it a couple months and I am feeling some great results from it. The pain never fully went away, but how can it when I weigh this much and still have a horrible diet with no movement in my life?

So I researched and researched...I read that eating clean (duh!) helps...and not only that, for me specifically, but I could also incorporate an elimination diet of certain foods that contribute to inflammation and pain with arthritis. I have eliminated night shade foods and red meats thus far. It has been about a week and I FEEL INCREDIBLE! Omgosh! I wish I knew this when I was 10, my life could have been completely different.

With the help of my new nutrition and medication I am now able to EXERCISE! I have been incorporating yoga, walking and zumba on my wii. I love it and I have never felt better.

At my heaviest right after having my daughter I weighed in at 256#. That is a devastating number to me and I never want to see it again :(

This picture is plain awful! Turning point photo! lol 246#

I have worked hard these last couple weeks - starting at 246# two weeks ago-I am now down to 240#.

Slow and steady. I know if I keep at it I will reach my goal and get my life back. I have felt trapped in this painful body for too long. I am so ready to change.

Like I said before. I have started this journey many many times and quit too many times. What is different this time? I hope a lot is different. I am afraid of quitting. I am terrified to do this because I think I will just fail again.

I am trying to be smarter about things this time. I am more educated. I feel better.

One of the biggest things is I am trying to surround myself with positive thoughts from friends and family. I also just get on google (or bing) lol every once in awhile and search (weight loss motivational quotes). There is some good stuff on there! I recently made a poster with weight breakdown and pictures of myself, now and back when I was smaller, as motivation.

I think looking at this everyday and marking off each pound will give me great motivation to keep going on those days it gets too tough.

Until next time...good luck with your journey!

Barefoot Sandals

I made these adorable barefoot sandals for my daughter last night. They are so cute! And they actually stay on her little feet. There are a little big for her. I made the 6--18 month size and she is only 9 months old so they are a little on the big size. They still look nice, and of course, super cute!!!!!!!!

This is where I got the pattern. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Barefoot Sandals

Happy Crocheting!

Handmade cutie contest

Hook, Line and Sinker is having a contest on facebook. It's the "Handmade cutie contest." I entered my daughter into the contest and would love for her to win a new hat! The photo with the most likes wins! She is not in first and we need to get her there...so if you click here and "like" the picture you can vote for her. Also if you like Hook, line and sinker's stuff go ahead and like her page. Thanks for showing your support!

Now how can you NOT vote for that face??!!? :)

Click here to go vote!

Mary Kay Makeover

This morning my friend and Mary Kay consultant hosted a little get together to do facials. She is in a race with herself to do as many facials as she can. If she does enough she just may win some money for her favorite local charities. I was happy to lend my face.

We had some muffins. We had some juice...it was a pretty good morning. :)

...on to the make-up! I have to start by saying I have tried many different products and Mary Kay always seems to work out best for me. I've tried their lip, face and hand products mostly and have been nothing less than satisfied with them.

With all my crocheting I have terrible dry hands. Their satin hands is AMAZING!

Satin lips is pretty amazing too. :)

I have very fair skin, and I'll admit I do not take care of my skin like I should. I was glad to go today to get a kick in the right direction. My face/cheeks mostly, are always very red. I wouldn't consider it rosacea, but they are definitely rosy! 

The lighting isn't the greatest for this picture, but my face usually is this red! lol

I was so pleased with the foundation she chose for me. You can hardly tell I have anything on my face and the redness was subdued. I love it!

The lipstick was a big change. I NEVER wear lipstick. I can never find the right shade. I am too cheap to buy different kinds to trial and error. This is why I love Mary Kay. I can try everything!

This lipstick is called "Maple."

 I think it has more of a pink tint on my lips. 

(I have pink undertones everywhere!)

 Every shade is different on everyone so I suggest trying them all! 

It's more fun that way ;p

I can't remember what all was on my eyes, but if you like this shade of lipstick here is the link to the website.

Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Maple

And here is my friend's business page on Facebook. She is extremely motivated, an EXCELLENT consultant. :)

Jane - Mary Kay Consultant Facebook page

Dinosaur Costume Photography Prop

Dinosaur Costume Photography Prop

Original Design

By:

Kayla Anderson

Size:

Infant

(Hat can be made in other sizes)

Supplies:

Size J crochet hook for body

Size G crochet hook for spikes

Worsted weight yarn in two colors

Darning needle

Poly-fil

Gauge:

5 hdc=2 inches

4 rows=2 inches

Crochet techniques used:

Magic ring=wrap yarn around finger two times, 

insert hook through loop, yarn over hook, pull through loop.
Ch=chain

Sc=single crochet

Hdc=half double crochet

Hdc2tog=half double crochet 2 together

Sl st-slip stitch

Starting at hat:

Make a magic ring.

Hdc 6 times in ring.

2hdc in next 6 st = 12 stitches.

(2hdc, 1hdc)* 6 times=18 stitches.

(2hdc, 1hdc, 1hdc)* 6 times=24 stitches.

(2hdc, 1hdc, 1hdc, 1hdc)* 6 times=30 stitches.

(2hdc, 1hdc, 1hdc, 1hdc, 1hdc)* 6 times= 36 stitches.

(2hdc, 1hdc, 1hdc, 1hdc, 1hdc, 1hdc)* 6 times= 42 stitches.

Hdc 4 rows.

Continuing to back and tail: 

Sc 3 times, turn ch 2.

Hdc 11 times.

Turn, ch 2, hdc across.

Turn, ch2, hdc across.

Turn, ch 2, 2hdc , hdc across, 2hdc in last stitch.

Turn, ch 2, 2hdc, hdc across, 2hdc in last stitch.

Turn, ch 2, 2hdc, hdc 6, 2hdc, hdc 6, 2hdc in last stitch.

Turn ch 2, hdc across.

Repeat for 6 more rows.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 6, hdc2tog, hdc 6, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 5, hdc2tog, hdc 4, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 3, hdc2tog, hdc 3, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc across.

Repeat for 2 more rows.

Turn, ch2, 2hdc, hdc 3, 2hdc, hdc 3, 2hdc.

Turn, ch 2, 2hdc, hdc 4, 2hdc, hdc 5, 2hdc.

Turn, ch 2, hdc across.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc4, hdc2tog, hdc5, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 3, hdc2tog, hdc 3, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 2, hdc2tog, hdc1, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc across.

Repeat.

Turn, ch 2, 2hdc, hdc 1, 2hdc, hdc 2, 2hdc.

Turn, ch 2, 2hdc, hdc 3, 2hdc, hdc 3, 2hdc.

Turn, ch 2 hdc across.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 3, hdc2tog, hdc 3, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 2, hdc2tog, hdc 1, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc2tog, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc across.

Turn, ch 2, 2hdc, 2hdc, 2hdc.

Turn, ch 2, 2hdc, hdc 2, 2hdc, hdc 1, 2hdc.

Turn, ch 2, hdc across.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 1, hdc2tog, hdc 2, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc 2, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc across.

Repeat.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc2tog.

Turn, ch 2, hdc2tog.

Sl st.

Sc all the way to hat, sl st around hat, sc down the rest of the back piece and down tail.

Once you get to the tip of the tail, instead of sc the last two stitches, ch 2, and dc 2 at the tip, sc, and sl st. Finish off and weave in ends.  The placement of these stitches should be placed so that the tail evenly comes to a point. 

Take the other color that you will use for the spikes and sc all around the hat, back, and tail.

Spikes:

Using G hook.

Largest Size:

ch 12, sc across

turn, ch 1, sc2tog.

Repeat until there is one stitch left.

Sl st. finish off weave in ends.

Makes another the same size.

Do not weave in ends yet. Sew together almost all the way around, right before you finish, stuff with poly-fil.

Makes one more this size.  

Total of 2 Large spikes

Medium size:

Ch 10, sc across

Turn, ch 1, sc2tog,

Repeat until there is one stitch left.

 Sl st. finish off weave in ends.

Do not weave in ends yet. Sew together almost all the way around, right before you finish, stuff with poly-fil.

Total of 3 medium spikes.

Smallest size:

ch 8, sc across

turn, ch 1, sc2tog,

repeat until there is one stitch left.

 sl st. finish off weave in ends.

make another one this size.

Sew two pieces together all around until you are almost to the end, and stuff with polyfil, finish sewing.

Total of 2 small spikes.

Sew pieces on like shown in the pictures.

I find the easiest way to sew them on is to place it where you 

want and then wrap the body around the spike and sew from 

the inside. It tucks it in place and stay more secure. It doesn’t 

move around as easily when you are trying to sew it in place.

Thank you for taking the time to support my blog. 
I hope you enjoy this free pattern.

Please do not distribute this pattern as your own. 
You may link to this pattern. You may sell finished products from this pattern. 
Giving design credits from your finished pieces would be awesome, but not necessary.