Yoga for weight loss?

Well I have decided it is about time I picked up a form of exercise. I bought myself a mat and DVD called Yoga for Weight Loss. I assumed yoga would be a non intense way to get started but I really didn't see how it could work to help weight loss or get in shape....boy was I wrong. This work out is perfect for me. My family and friends can attest that I am not the most coordinated, balanced or flexible person around so I thought the slow pace would be helpfully. There aren't any fast movements or lots of choreographed steps that can cause more injury then not, but I can definitely feel a difference. Right now there are two positions I can't do because of my wrist. The day after my first attempt I could feel my muscles sore as though I had done hardcore gym exercises and I could feel it in muscles I wasn't even aware were getting a work out. A bonus i think his will help me become more balanced and coordinated. Overall I am very happy with it, had my heart going, broke a sweat and muscles quivering. Who would have thought simply getting into a position and then holding it could be so effective? I hope that this isn't something that I say I'm going to do, make two tries and then never do again. If I have surgery it will be on hold but I am hoping that the treadmill my hubby may be able to get from a friend at work comes through. I don't like walking outside. I have a light sensitivity that sometimes can trigger migraines, doesn't help I live in sunny Arizona. Plus being Arizona, once summer hits I really don't want to walk in 115 degree weather so a treadmill seems like a great way to go. I had bought an easy glider but I was getting motion sick from the swaying that I gave it to my mom, who loves it. This post is definitely not my usual topic but there you go, just had to share.

Happy Early Birthday to me!

I got the notification today that my Charleston kit was shipped. When I got home tonight it was waiting for me, amazing! I was expecting a 4-6 week delivery time frame in case they were at a show  or something else. I have already opened the box and am amazed at the number of pieces in it. Even doing the Pickett Hill hadn't prepared me for this but I am truly looking forward to the challenge. This house will be extremely detailed and gorgeous. It doesn't come with lights, as that would cause the cost to increase. So I am going to sit down and plan out the light placements and order some LEDs from Evans designs. I have used them before and love them. Rather than attempting ceiling light fixtures I think I will do indirect lighting instead. Placing bulbs discreetly in the corners should do the trick. I also will be slowly buying the furniture for each room in advance of building. Until I do a dry fit I won't know for sure, but I have a feeling this house will be much easier to decorate as I go. 

Fortunately, I do have more than one kit waiting to be built. I am more determined now than ever before to build the Avalon.  It will give me practice before I attempt the Charleston.

I did start the Snowdrop Cottage by Petite-Properties over the weekend. I have the basic structure built, interior walls and ceiling painted. I am contemplating adding lights to this one too. I just have to figure out how to hide the wires and switch. 

For the hat shop so far I only have one hat decorated. This will be an ongoing project, lol. I am also trying to decide on the cross stitch project for while my right hand is healing. I have some huge HAED designs but I need something small for my lap stand. I'll keep looking through my stash.

Birthday splurge

I did it, I bought the Charleston quarter scale dollhouse kit. This kit is gorgeous and I have been drooling over it since I saw it first advertised for a workshop over a year ago. The money I spent on it was for me to do as I wanted for my birthday, yet I still have a slight case of sticker shock. I don't buy single items that cost that much generally ( my Pickett hill was done with monthly payments so it was easy to overlook the total cost) but it never fails to upset my stomach, everything else is all excitement. I have an old magazine that has the plans from Debbie Young to build a cute quarter scale house, or you could buy the kit straight from her.  I added up the cost of materials vs the kit cost and the kit was a better deal, so I know that this kit will be well worth it, hers usually are, even I that initial amount seems crazy now.  I love the colors of the wallpapers and the overall layout. It is shown lit but there is no description of it coming with the wiring for lights, I really hope it does though, as that was a major draw for me. That and the interior stairs!  I love the tiny railing. It is hard I tell from the pictures posted just exactly how the layout works because the description describes hallways and closets. The closets are such an interesting touch that I am anxious to see how thy are done. 

Debbie Young also has a house called the Avalon. I purchased this house a few years ago. The exterior is to die for. So adorable! The interior is what has hindered me from building it. There are no stairs and no bathroom. I am one of those weird miniaturists who like realism in miniature, so without those two important features I have a hard time starting. Now that I have the Charleston coming with all if it's bells and whistles I think I can focus on the Avalon as it is. This one has been done so many times as a fall house, I feel I should change it just to be different, however it lends itself to that season so beautifully I will most likely follow suit. 

Petite-properties also has some wonderful quarter scale kits. I pulled out two, the Snowdrop cottage and the Flower Pot cottage. Unfortunatly I can't locate locally the supplies I need for the exteriors so those are on hold again, too. Maybe this weekend I'll make a decision as to the next kit to do and actually start it. Wish me luck!

Lots of stands, so many hats to make...

Here are the hatstands all lined up and ready to display their hats...

The hats are going to take a lot longer than anything else so far. After one episode of Desperate Housewives season 2 (yes, it takes me forever to start watching hit shows) I have the start of only four hats. 

The instructions for these are extremely simple. If I don't move my wrist I can work in little pain. 

My follow up appointment was today, confirming what I already knew and resulting in me getting a referral to a specialist out of town who can perform the surgery. He said a brace won't fix it but it might stabilize it enough so it doesn't hurt as much. It's worth a shot so I will dig up he one I bought a few months ago. Today was one of the worst, hard time bending it down at all. And if an attempt to force it was made it hurt like mad. So, for now it is brace and wait.

Another year

My birthday is fast approaching and I am contemplating what I would like to do for it. I am debating between ordering the quarter scale Charleston Single by Debbie Young, or taking a trip to Tucson to the miniature shop there and buying supplies I need and having a general mini day. On one hand the Charleston is so detailed, including lights, hallways, closets, etc. but on the other hand a trip to Tucson could be fun and have more to show for it. I have a follow up appointment Tuesday for my wrist, at which point I think I will be getting a referral to a wrist specialist in Tucson. My birthday isn't until the 24th so I have some time. Who knows, maybe it'll work out that I get to do both! The unique style of the Charleston is drawing me and I love it when she adapts true house plans to miniature and this house seems to have that real house feel to it that I love so much.

On the hat shoppe I finished the chair, made all the hat boxes and started on the hat stands. Let me tell you, the hat stands have proved to be the hardest part so far but they are very cute. I'm letting them set over night, so hopefully I can make a few hats tomorrow. I am so close to finishing I can see the end! 

All ready for accessories

The shop fixtures are finished. The back shelf is the only piece glued in place right now, although I am questioning myself in doing that before I added the accessories to the shelves. The vanity chair is drying and once dry I will finish painting it and adding the cushion. I used left over fabric from the Pickett hill for the cushion. The part I am looking forward to most is making all the spools of ribbon for the hutch on the right. I am somewhat dreading the hats though. I do not have a great imagination when it comes to color combinations of fabrics. Fortunately she included examples of how she made hers and I can use those as a jumping off point.

My sweet little cat, Gigi, found my stash of paper covered wire. She proceeded to roll around in it till she was covered and then fall asleep. She always makes me smile.

Hat Shoppe Part 2

I finished the hat shoppe structure. All I have left are the shop fixtures and hats. As I thought this project is coming along quickly. I added color tithe door and upper design but I did go with a neutral color. It's not white or ivory, I used wild rice and red iron oxide for accent. For the flagstone walk around the shop I want to add a bit of greenery between the stones. This kit went together beautifully, I am looking forward to seeing any other quarter scale online classes Cynthia Howe comes up with.