Tuesday 2 August 2011

Losing Weight (Or Not)

Hi there,
Today was my weigh in.  Steve and I decided a few weeks ago to try and lose a few pounds.  Since then my body or is it my brain has decided that it will do everything in its power to make sure that I don't lose an ounce.  I try and try but just when I seem to be getting the hang of it all I go mad and eat ice cream with double chocolate and raspberry sauce or a dozen bread sticks with onion and chive dip.  I just can't help sabotaging my efforts.
Unfortunately there is no excuse.  In a previous life I was a Weight Watchers leader, so I know all there is to know about losing weight and I have heard every excuse in the book as to why a person can't lose weight.
The secret is to eat less and exercise more.  Easy isn't it?  Yeh right.
Steve says I have the rest of my life to get the eating healthy thing right as apparently we're going to be doing this for the rest of our lives.  Oh my God I hope not.

Moving on.  I thought I'd show you a step by step for the last embroidered card I made so here goes.
Firstly you need the special stitch design peel offs.  I bought mine from the Retford Craft Shop but I'm sure you will be able to get them on line. They cost about a £1.00 per strip and each strip has enough stickers on it to make at least two cards.
Choose your design, remove it from the sheet and stick it on to your chosen background.  I find thin coloured card works best and is easy to work with.
Next with the point of your sewing needle pierce holes through the front of the design through to the back of the card.  Your design already has tiny little dots which form the pattern so you follows the dots just like in a children's dot to dot book but there are no numbers. If you look carefully on this picture you can see the fine dots.

This is the reverse of the design. 
Now the fun begins as you start to follow the dots.  Most of it is done in back stitch which is very easy. Sometimes you can join the dots to make fan shapes and stars but I can assure you it is not rocket science.  It all becomes second nature once you have the thing in front of you.
 Well I think that's enough for this morning.  I will post the final instalment tomorrow.
I hope some of you have ago with this.  I am completely hooked and have just started another ladies dress design.  The project is very portable and fairly quick to complete and is a little bit different from the normal handmade cards around.
Good Luck and best wishes Paula x

1 comment:

  1. Aha, now I get it! It looks fun.
    Good luck with the weight loss. It's certainly not easy is it especially with a daughter in law that makes divine cupcakes.

    Margaret

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