Everything is New, and Different

Wow... What a long year.
I cannot believe my last post was in June. That is when it all started to get super busy and stressful. We were doing too many things and I didn't feel up to doing anything. I fell back into my old self of depression and sitting around all day. Doing nothing.
I was the worst. I didn't clean. I hated cooking. I did the laundry but never put it away. My daughter played the Xbox a lot because I didn't feel like doing anything else. Of course she didn't mind though. She loves playing Minecraft on there. But I felt bad. And I couldn't make myself feel better. Nothing was working as it usually did. Even when I took my meds. It was getting miserable for everyone. I gained so much weight and that made it worse for me. But it wasn't clicking that I was doing it to myself. I would cry all the time and then tell myself bad things. I did this, I should suffer. I'm not sure I would have lasted very long like that.
Then I fell asleep on the couch, in the middle of the day, and had the worst dream I have ever had.
I don't want to get into it, I still cry whenever I think about it. But it made me realize what I was doing and who I was hurting. There was 2 paths in front of me and I had to choose the right one or it was going to be over.
I sat down and wrote out two schedules. One for everyday and chores. The other for working out.
I had to keep to them and better my family, while I better myself. It was going good, then we moved in October. We finally bought a house and it felt amazing!! I was super stressed but once we got into the house, I got back at it and will continue. We have been so blessed to get this house and the extra room it gives us. We have a classroom for our daughter and an extra room downstairs that my husband and I are turning into a home gym!
My husband surprised me and made the extra room upstairs into a craft room/office for me.
He is the best!!
Its amazing how you can change your mindset and your attitude, and life turns around too. Law of Attraction is something that I had heard of and kind of believed in. Now I want to read more about it and see what it is truly about. I think it is a great idea to put positivity out into the world and not just for yourself.
We do more things as a family now. We took our daughter to the Zoo for Howl-O-Ween and Christmas was in our new home. That was exciting. We made gift for our loved ones and made cards for everyone. There was a lot of glitter :) I also made another sweater/test knit!
I'm excited for the new year. We are happy and healthy, that's all I want for anyone and everyone. Call me cheesy, that's okay. I like cheese.
I have big plans and goals for this year. I hope I get them all done. I will! One day at a time!
Next goal is to make my daughter a sweater dress. She has her birthday coming up and we are going to make cupcakes together! A lot of frosting clean up in my future :)
Bring it on!!

 Link to the test knit pattern
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/KaylaFC/all-tied-up-sweater

Have a Great New Year!!!
Feel free to Comment, Like, Share and that Jazz!

Adjusting/Altering

I fell in love with the cowl vest I made for my mom but it ended up way shorter on her than she wanted it. Since I had already made the vest and she wanted it longer, I did not want to rip back and start over. That would have such a pain and so many weaved in ends... Not worth it.
But I wanted her to like it and her to want to wear it. So what to do? I picked up stitches on the cast on row and knitted a foot long rib to the bottom of the cowl vest. She loves it.
She still wants a kangaroo pouch put on the front, which I can do now. And she feels way more comfortable wearing it. Bonus all around. I will leave a link to the pattern in case you are interested and I will also share some photos we took of her in it.
I made it using Buttercream Luxe Craft Alpaca Solids Yarn in Pale Pink. It is so soft and gorgeous!!
I used about 6 balls for this. I got the same in Gray, I couldn't help myself. 
Off to my next project, PONCHO!! I'll definitely be posting about those as well!! 

 

Link to the yarn from Joanns*
https://www.joann.com/buttercream-collection-alpaca-solids-yarn/zprd_14382733a.html#q=Buttercream&start=1

Link to the Chain Link Armored Cowl Vest from Knitatude*
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chain-link-armored-cowl-vest

Have a great weekend!!


Feel free to Comment, Share, Like and all that Jazz.
 

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My Wix:
https://rustitchbykayla.wixsite.com/rustitchknits

*Not sponsored or affiliated.

Is it considered Cheating?

Well  hello! It's been a while and there is a reason I haven't been posting.
I am cheating on Blogger...
One, the app for Blogger sucks. Nothing will post from there and I haven't been able to post from my computer. It gets annoying.
Two, it is harder for me to get clients from here. With no contact form, and someone told me recently, it doesn't look like a good or professional website... I still like using this platform.
So I decided to have two websites/blogs. I have this one here, easier for me to work. And I will have a Wix website for clients. I'm not sure how I feel about it but so far, so good. I plan on posting on both. I might post here and copy it there, depending on the subject. I'm really not sure yet.
All I wanted was blogger to work on my phone. I understand it is an older site, but come on... A simple update would suffice!
Anywho, I think I want to make this blog my personal one, like it has been, and the Wix site more for my business. It makes things a little easier, I hope!
I just now realized that I use a lot of commas. Hmm... well there is that. I'm a comma person.
So, what have I been working on? I need to get some pictures but my mom loves the cowl vest I made her. She said it fits much better now. I had to make it longer than what was written in the pattern. I also finished another hat for my daughter. She is getting back into wearing hats again. I am not complaining about it, I love making hats!
I have been working more on my Cricut skills(?) and we finished the prizes for the kids after the Easter Egg hunt we did. Just family but it was fun. I will post what we did. I think I need to practice more, as my niece said the writing on her shirt is coming off. I don't think we ironed it enough.
Everyone else's stayed on fine. Another adventure :)
My next projects will be Crocheting a poncho and some Amigurumi dolls for my daughter. As well as client work. I never post those, as I think the posting should be up to the client. I might post the items not being worn and just a flat layout. I would much prefer that anyways.
Well that is all for now.
I hope everyone has a great week.
Do you have any projects you are working on?? Let me know :)

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My Wix:
https://rustitchbykayla.wixsite.com/rustitchknits

First week of April

So far, so good. I have not been feeling my best for about a week now. No clue why.
Might be time for my dot. Or I'm getting the darn cold that is going around. I sure hope not.
I don't even know where I left off last time I was on here. I do know that I tried to make a post from my phone and the app wouldn't post it. When I exited the app, the whole post was deleted...
So, that sucked.Anywho, I went shopping for some Cricut supplies yesterday. This weekend is going to be filled with Cricut fun. Cannot wait for that!!
A friend had asked me to make her some shirts for her kids and it got me thinking of making some matching shirts for Christmas :) I want all out corny!!
I don't know exactly what yet but I will post them once I make them. I am working on Christmas gifts early this year, just in case. I want to make sure that if I am making them, I have enough time to do so and not stress myself out or not finish in time. Seems a bit much, but that's me.
Next on my list, organizing my desk. I don't know why but it is always cluttered and I cannot stand it. I need a better system, and maybe some little boxes or something to hold all the things I reach for the most. I try to keep them off my desk, but it seems a pain to go look for them when I'm working.
Nothing to complain about. Me just being picky.
Other than that, not working on anything yet. Taking a mini break. I will probably start up another project next week.
That is all for now :)
Have a great week!!

Thanks for stopping by.
 

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 -K

Some of my "Health/Fitness" Journey

      Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.
                                            -Maya Angelou

Dreadful topic, really. I know every one is different and has different opinions.
I get that. This is my blog, full of my opinions, whether they are good, bad, right, or wrong.
I never say or do anything to hurt anyone intentionally. That is not who I am or who I want to be.
In saying all that, please take what I say (my experiences) with a hefty grain of salt. Maybe a little humor, and a lot of Duh moments.
On to my topic for the day... Fitness/Health.
I have not always been "obese" or overweight. I know a lot of stories you hear start with, "I've struggled all my life". And while I feel for them, that is not my case. I'm not saying anything negative, do not take that sentence wrong. Just telling a story here folks...
Anywho, I started gaining a lot of weight after high school, when I had to drop out of school to take care of my father.
And while we are here, none of this is excuses.
I have had depression and anxiety since I was about 13. No idea what brought it on. I only got helped once and then my mother said "It's all in your head, you're fine"
No more meds (which made it all worse, so I was okay with that), no more therapy sessions, and no more Dr appts regarding mental health.
I don't resent her for this, both sides of my family are kind of anti-doctor/hospital. Strange considering all the health problems they all had. I sometimes wish it would have been different, but then it would change where I am today. Don't want that :)
Back to weight gain. After I dropped out of high school, I had to stay home a lot. I never really left the house. If I did, it was a walk to the library (sanity sake for me), or to the grocery store. And I was never to be gone for very long. Now while my dad was sick and couldn't take care of himself, my mother was just lazy. I mean that. Just lazy. She sat in the same spot every day (and slept there too), she wore a hole through the couch cushion. And a blanket. Plus she never showered. She says it was because she was depressed (all in my head). So, my depression got worse. And so did my weight gain! I tried like crazy to get out every day. Most days I could. I had to return books, so that was a good excuse. Others days, I stayed in my room a lot. I got up to 240 pounds!!
I was 17. A couple years go by like this and I lose some weight but not much.
Then comes my now husband. I had known him before this but I was now over 18 (he's 5 years older), and we started talking everyday. I had a cheap cell with a prepaid card for texting only. I had to if my parents needed me at home and I was at the library. It was $15 a month and that was asking for a lot to them. So, I just happened to remember his number, texted him one night (my heart was racing) and that's how it started. We would at the park, next to the library, and hang out.
You're getting a life story now lol
We met, fell in love, moved away, had a baby, and my depression and anxiety skyrocketed. Bad!! I was so confused and scared. It took a lot of doctor visits, therapy and meds. I am now more stable and better than ever. This was all about 7-8 years ago.
After I gave birth, I gained so much weight and before I got the professional help i needed, I worked my way up to 280 pounds. Then my father died.
That was the worst day of my life, it felt like. I was crushed.
I am now 306 pounds and 28 years old.
I have no illness, besides mental, and no bodily reason to not lose the weight. I miraculously do not have (thank the Lord) any disease my doctor thought I would with my weight and family history.
If you can think of a diet, plan, system, what have you... I have tried them. Except Keto. I refuse. Sorry not sorry!
This year is different. They always say that. But I have now paid a coach to help me and get back on track (any track to healthy, would be a good one). I have lost about 10 pounds and I am working hard to getting healthier and in a better place. Mentally and Physically.
I know this wasn't a lot about Fitness. Maybe I'll redo the title?!? But this is my life and my 'journey'. I'm sharing it with you. Not to help really, cause who am I helping.. Just sharing and letting go, as if to a diary or friend. It is on going and will always be. I want to be a good role model for my daughter. I know I am in other ways. We are a healthy family, I'm just not at my healthiest weight. I know that and I don't blame any one for it.
Well, that was long. Thanks for sticking through it, if you did.

I pray and wish all of you luck on your own journeys, fitness or otherwise!

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And on Instagram :)
https://www.instagram.com/rustitchknits/
-K

Laura Mercier Caviar Chrome Influenster VoxBox

I recently got sent another VoxBox from Influenster a while back. After testing the products that come in it for a couple days each. I now have my opinions on them and here they are:

I got sent these items for free for review/testing purposes and all opinions are my own.

In this VoxBox I got,
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Magnetic Pink.
Laura Mercier Caviar Chrome Veil Lightweight Liquid Eye Colour in Moonlight Shimmer.

Okay, on to my thoughts.
I only have a couple cream shadows, mostly glitter from Stila or Wet n Wild. And I love them! But these reminded me of those sticks of cream shadows that Milani used to make and you got them at the Dollar store. Loved those as a kid!!
Nut they were horrible. They looked on the eyes and you could use them as a base but after a while, all the cream would move to your crease and it was a mess. Even for a kid. I usually only used them for Halloween or play makeup.
That is what I thought these would be like.
I was so wrong!!

The Chrome Veil looks just like the name, Chrome. It is so shiny and smooth. Goes on opaque and looks amazing. Did not move to my crease, once it dried and stayed put all day. You do have to let this one dry though, it is a liquid. The color I got was beautiful and I would buy more of this product! I do have to say though, I was more looking forward to liking this once compared to the other, for he reasons I said above. Cream Stick...

The Caviar stick, while it looked nice and the color I got was something I would wear. I was dreading it so much, I didn't want to open it. I tried it on the back of my hand and thought, hmm nice color and kind of subtle. I like it. Took some pictures, a small video, and then went to wipe them off.
It would not budge...
It had dried down to a nice shine and wouldn't come off with a towelette. I would later get it off with makeup remover, but I was amazed. I knew I had prejudged it and I was wrong.
I had to try it on my eyes and see how it worked.
So it goes on and you can blend it with a brush, but only for a bit. Then it is dry and stays put. Looking beautiful and the perfect amount of shiny goodness.

For both of these products, neither dries to be weighty or crusty. They do not flake off. So comfortable, you really do not notice them once applied and dried.
I truly love them both. I let my mother try the Liquid chrome and she loves it. I gave it to her but will buy more. I want all the colors now. My husband says no, but come on... They are too good.
A little downfall would be the price. It is Laura Mercier.
They both retail for $29 USD.
Not bad for them, but up there.

Do I think they are worth it?
It depends, really. Do you love makeup and wear it often? Do you like metallic or glitter on your eyes or face? If yes, then yes they are worth it!
I wear them all the time now. You can make them a little more subtle or go all out. Whatever your style!!

I will link the Ifluenster pages for them and some shopping links.
As I said above, I was sent these products free for review/testing purposes and all opinions are my own. I am not being paid for this post, I don't have to do it. It is optional but I wanted to!

In saying that, Thank you for Influenster for sending these to me and Laura Mercier for their awesome products. Have a great day all.

Links:
My Influesnter 
https://www.influenster.com/kaylacf20e
Review Pages
https://www.influenster.com/reviews/laura-mercier-caviar-stick-eye-colour
https://www.influenster.com/reviews/laura-mercier-caviar-chrome-veil-lightweight-liquid-eye-colour
Shopping links
https://www.sephora.com/product/caviar-chrome-veil-liquid-eye-shadow-P441809?skuId=2181881&icid2=lauramercier_whatsnew_us_carousel_ufe:p441809:product
https://www.sephora.com/product/caviar-stick-eye-colour-P293605?icid2=lauramercier_whatsnew_us_carousel_ufe:p293605:product

Don't be shy :)
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-K

Day in the life

How I plan my day as a stay at home mom. I get up around 5am and do some stretches next to my bed. My husband gets home at about 5:30am. We talk for a bit and he goes to sleep. Next, I like to make tea and reflect, pray, and in general have a little 'me time'. 

I get my daughter up around 6:30-7am. Sometimes she likes to eat breakfast, other times a light morning smoothie. We start school at 8am and class is at 10. We usually finish before 12. 

When we are done with school, we do some yoga or ballet. I workout and then break my fast with lunch.
I wake my husband around 1, he doesn't like to get up any later than that. We all eat and spend time together. After my husband leaves for work, I knit and my daughter gets to play in her room or on the Xbox for a bit. None of this includes outside time, running errands or appts. Just a general idea of my day. Plus I don't write in breaks for school or her snacks on here. Explaining every single thing, and every hour would take way to long and it changes everyday. That was a huge run on sentence... Anywho, dinner next and cleaning. We read, knit some more and then get ready for bed around 8. That includes the 3Bs. Bath, Book, Bed. 

We pray and she is in her room for the rest of the night. I plan my day for tomorrow, as much as i can, and either read or knit some more. Sounds like a lot of knitting, but it's really not.
My day changes everyday. Some days run smoother than others and some days we just want to curl up in bed together. We like to get outdoors as much as possible.  

Yay for warmer weather coming soon. Little girl wants to take ballet or dance coming this spring or summer. Excited for that! Our days are not perfect but they work for us. We have fun and I enjoy every minute of everyday!!

Thanks for stopping by.
 

Feel free to Comment, Share, Like and all that Jazz.
 

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 -K

All done!!

I finished my test knit sweater and I love it!!
I will put a link to the pattern as soon as it is released and I will make a post with pictures of mine  finished. Now I can work on my many other projects I have. I want to make a schedule and try to keep on track with them all. I have a spare planner somewhere and I think this would be a good use for it. Wow, a knitting planner?!?! It actually sounds awesome, if I'm going to be honest.
All my knitting and planning in one big book! I should look to see if they make something like that already. Amazon!?!
I also have my first idea for a new pattern I want to make. It looks good in my head but might be hard for me to write out. We shall see!
We are thinking of going to the Zoo sometime soon. I will definitely be taking some pictures of that, if we go. My daughter and husband love animals. Going to Zoos and Aquariums are their favorite places. They are so cute!!
In other news, I am down 4 pounds. My hubby is still wanting another baby. I do too, but I am more cautious and my anxiety gets in the way.
I will be talking to my doctor about it when my yearly comes up soon.
I think that is it for now.
Pattern post coming soon.
I will leave you with a sneak peek of it here...

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Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

Test Knitting

I have been busy test knitting a new sweater. It is looking so good and I cannot wait to finish it!
I chose to do this sweater in (what I believe to be) a jewel tone blue/green color. I will post pictures once I am done and the pattern is released. I will also link the pattern and designer.
This will be my second test knit for this designer and both were sweaters.
What can I say, I love them and she's amazing at designing them.
Thew nest thing on my list to make is her Cowl vests I had planned earlier, and a basket for my daughter. Plus all the other things she wants. I will also be setting up a time to make things to sell, fingers crossed, all goes to plan. I want to partake in a couple fairs and bazaars this year, if I play my cards right. I think I have mentioned this before but it is still on the forefront of my mind.
Did that even make sense?!? I suck at words...
Luckily while I teach my daughter (home school), the school gives me all the answers and teaches the parent/learning coach how to teach! It's amazing.
Off topic I know, but we are still so happy about changing to home schooling!
Back on track, I think I will forgo the idea of making soaps with my handmade spa sets. I really want to but I think it might be a little too much for me to take on. Or just too much competition. There are so many great soap makers out there and I cannot compete with them lol
Also, I want to stick with what I am good at and go for it!
Lastly, I need to research how selling online through your own website is and if it is harder than using a site like Etsy. No clue about any of that and I really am interested in possibly making my own or selling online in general.
Thank you for visiting my blog.


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It is appreciated :)
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Have a great weekend
K

So Many Sweaters, So Little Time...

Sweater making. I love sweaters. I wear one everyday, even if for just an hour or two in the morning while it is still cold. I make a bunch for my daughter and just recently starting to make them for myself, instead of buying them. I am in love!!
I have been making my own patterns for a while now and I think this is the year to release some of them. I need to double check them all before though, because math is not my strongest skill.
I did not realize how technical it all can get. How much I need to make sure I write everything down, they can't read my mind through a pattern... Plus pictures. I need to get better at that too. Progress pictures!! I never take any and it is helpful!
And posting more. Here and Instagram lol
Got off subject there but it's okay. All sort of relevant.
My worries are that I don't have anything original enough. You can only do a stitch different so many times before nothing is new. Which, considering knitting, nothing is new anymore!
But oh well. I still like making patterns and knitting. I'm just stuck on sweaters right now.
I will post some sweater pictures in a later post. I need to take some, and find the others I already have. More excuses to knit and to take pictures!!
Alright, off to go read and then knit.
Have a great day.

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Matching Vests and Rainy Days

The snow is gone and we have had rain for a couple days now. We cannot wait for sunnier days and warm enough weather to play outside. My daughter is going crazy cooped up but with everyone getting sick, I'd rather not risk it. We have been keeping busy with school and extra art classes. I started a homeschooling Pinterest board for ideas and new things to try.
I knit or crochet while she works or reads. Yes, she reads and I am so proud of her!! She's excited about it too. Oh yes, back to what I am making. I have started a Cowl neck sweater/vest for myself and my mom. We are going to be so matchy, matchy! I will link it below, it is (of course) by Chantal at Knitatude. It's gorgeous and a fast, easy knit up! I am also crocheting little scrubbies right now. One, I need more. And two, my friend saw them and wanted some. They are handy!
Hmm... What else are we up to?!? Not much! Practicing my Cricut skills and making some cute stickers for school stuff and me. That sounds like a good update to me!
Have a great day!

My knit project: Chain Link Armored Cowl Vest
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chain-link-armored-cowl-vest



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