Tuesday 31 December 2013

2013 Round Up

Well here we are at the end of another year (grab a cuppa this is a long one).
I have neglected my poor blog this year but that is something I hope to change this coming year.  My dabble in social media was only ever supposed to be somewhere to document my makes and I must admit to having been draw in farther that I would have liked.  I have found myself absorbed in Instagram and twitter in the past to the detriment of my blog, that will change in 2014.

I have never really been a fan of new year and the associated celebrations I must say I find it quite a depressing time but it does give us the opportunity to look back on the last year and celebrate what has been achieved.
This last year has been a big one in our lives especially this last couple of months we have had lots to celebrate.
First up was our tenth wedding anniversary on 4th December 2013.  We celebrated in style in our favourite place, the Tyneside Cinema.

Two short weeks later it was my birthday....  my big birthday....

I was spoiled beyond measure and received some beautiful cards and gifts.  Oskar (Siberian) was my main birthday present

the best gift I've ever received but my beautiful handmade gifts from kind family and friends (you know who you are) came a close second.


beautiful yarn bowl
 gorgeous hand knitted santa socks
 beautiful handmade needle & scissor case

My beloved made my birthday extra special (as always) and he took me to Edinburgh.  We visited the Christmas Markets and just had the best day.
This 40th Birthday was the catalyst for a bit of a change in me.  Late 2011 when I was coming up 38 I decided that I was not going to be 40 and fat!  I have been overweight all of my adult life (from the age of 12) and some find they can accept themselves and are happy, but I have never been, ever.  I only mention this here as I need to document it for myself.  Since early 2012 with the help of Slimming World and Weight Watchers (which I currently attend) I have lost 5 stone. I only ever wanted to be a healthy weight and I never had a goal in sight only that I wanted to be able to walk into any store in the high street and buy clothes.  When I started this I was 18 stone and size 22 (can't believe I am typing this here in print), I am now 13 stone and a size 14.   
There are very few photos of me when I was huge as I hated myself so much I really didn't want it documented, this is the best I have
Before
 in Kirkudbright October 2011 - 18 stone
December 2011 Size 22
After
 crap photo but you get the idea
 
December 2013 13 Stone Size 14
I plan to continue my weight loss and fitness this year to reach a level that I am happy with then work on maintaining it.

Over this Christmas period I had saved up some annual leave to have two weeks off work (mainly to rest my poor back) and I have spent much of that time making gifts for friends and family.

 sewing project cases

 christmas hangings

 pyjama case

The Gigi scarf I started on Holiday back in August.


 peg bag

 gloves, if you are close to me you will have received gloves of some description this year I got a bit carried away.

 a button lamp for my gorgeous god daughter who is mesmerised by mine

I made this for myself from a kit supplied by my lovely friend Lynda (you can grab one here, currently 40% off with the code 2014 at checkout). I have bought a second kit to make another matching one for the other side of the fireplace.
I was also the lucky recipient of some stunning handmade gifts for Christmas this year
 crochet make-up pouch
 lip balm holder

 a needle keeper, a gift from Lynda but made by Karen of Pedros Plaques.

Hand crochet mittens! Squeee!  Spoiled rotten.

Well that's your lot folks I will be back in the new year as I already have a list as long as my arm of things to make this coming year, not least as there are two babies on the way in our family and friend circle so a blanket or two will be my first priority.

Here's to a Healthy Happy 2014 for us all.


(Oskars Christmas outfit, couldn't resist x)

Back Soon

22 comments:

Sandies' Patch said...

Congrats on the weight loss!
Lurve your OScar cat!
Love the cross-stitched and crocheted mittens!
Well, here's to you and yours having a fantabioza 2014! xxx

Anonymous said...

Loved catching up on everything,wow what a brilliant year you've had. Very well done on the weight loss,You look fab :) Oscar is so beautiful.Hope 2014 is fabulous for You and your loved ones.xxx

Mad about Craft said...

Well done on your weight loss!

Happy New Year!

Cat said...

Your weight loss WOWSERS amazing go you - what an inspiration !!!
Your hand makes both given and received again amazing
And re social media I hear you xxx

Jille said...

Well done lovely but you always look gorgeous! I do hope you come back to blogging as I have missed you. Happy New Year to you and yours xx

Linda said...

Congratulations on the weight loss, you look amazing!! Good to catch up with what has been going on in your life. My blog has also been sadly neglected but I have a post almost finished for tomorrow and hope to get back into blogging from there. Looking forward to keeping up with your future blog posts. Happy New Year. xxx

Jacquie said...

Happy New Year Kandi, your makes are gorgeous and I'm looking forward to seeing what you make in 2014.
Congratulations on the weight loss....you look fab.
Jacquie x

thriftwood said...

Happy New Year! What a beautiful lady you are ... You looked lovely before, but what an achievement! Love all your beautiful makes too ...

Love Claire xxx

Tracy said...

Lovely to see you back in blog land I'm looking forward to reading more of your posts. Congratulations on your weight loss what an amazing achievement you must be very proud of yourself xx happy new year to you xx

lemonade kitty said...

Hello lovely Lisa, let's start at the beginning. Happy anniversary to you and your lovely man, also happy 40th birthday, sounds like you had an fab time in Edinburgh, lovely memories. WOW, you must be so very proud of yourself for loosing weight, you must have lots of will power and determination and all that hard work has paid off you look amazing. Awwww your puddy cat is gorgeous and I love the "robin and nest" gloves do you have the pattern for these please? And finally Lisa Merry Christmas and a happy new year, I look forward to hearing all your ramblings once more xxx

lemonade kitty said...

Haha I think I've had "one too many" the robin and nest gloves were on another blog!! Adore the santa socks I shall have to find the pattern for these they're gorgeous....apologies..xx

Josie-Mary said...

Congratulations on your weight loss, fantastic! Sounds like 2013 was a good year for you, hoping 2014 will be even better :) xx

Silvia said...

Lovely to see your weightloss all on one Page. It's rather encouraging and motivating. Happy New Year to you and Yours

somewhere on the avenue said...

Lovely to read your blog again and a very happy new year to you to. Your beautiful cat! Adorable and stunning. Well done for a massive weight loss, mine is yet to come! x

hart44 said...

So glad to be catching up with you again Lisa :)
Well done on your weight loss, you look amazing :)
More blogging for us both in 2014 haha
Best wishes for the year xx

thesnailgarden said...

Great post! Some lovely makes and congratulations on your weight loss - I need to start dieting again, but there are still too many goodies around! At least I managed to send most of the cake and sweeties back to uni with the kids! :) Happy New Year to you and yours, best wishes, Pj x

Maria - A Playful Stitch said...

You look so slim!! So impressive, you look amazing! You should definitely be proud of yourself.
Some gorgeous makes too, as always!
Good to have you back :)
Maria x

Wendy said...

Such a lovely post, looks like you had a fantastic wedding anniversary and birthday, congratulations. Well done with your weight loss, something I am constantly working on too, trying to maintain after losing weight in 2012. You look gorgeous. Your crafting looks fab too. Wendy

m said...

well done on your weight loss that's fantasitc! Love all your pretty images. I too have neglected my blog and followers and got sucked into instagram and facebook so I'm back now with a plan and lots of ideas and inspiration. Wishing you lots of love and luck for 2014 !

Pink Milk said...

Oh I'm so glad you've resolved to come back to blogging. I shall keep popping back to check/hassle you so be warned!

A very happy belated birthday. 40? Meh, you're just a spring chick! ;-)

I do so love all your makes (esp. your Cherry Heart mitts) and Lynda's pressies too - she's such a clever sausage.

I am totally blown away with how much weight you've lost. You look absolutely fabulous and must feel amazing.

Heather xx

cupcakejojo said...

Hi Lisa x

I just wanted to say hello and hope that everything is ok. I was so sad to see you're not on IG anymore :( I shall miss you and Oskar lots!!!! Oh and your gorgeous makes of course!!!

You're weight loss is incredible! Anyway take care lovely lady and I hope all is ok x

Love,

Jo x x x

noodleBubble said...

Happy New Year! Amazing News with the weight loss... and lovely to put a (gorgeous) face to your name! Kisses noodleBubble