Twitter

So, I am really bad about using Twitter.  I use it instead of Facebook for all my bloggy/sewing things and I keep my Facebooking to personal stuff.  But, I just can't seem to get into a groove of tweeting.  I check it occasionally on my phone, but last night I logged into it to link yesterdays post to a new tweet and I saw that I had 62 follower requests! 

First - that is freaking awesome!  62 more followers!  Whoa!  Followers to my blog and my Twitter make me so happy!  And second - jeez, I need to be better about Twitter!  They didn't just all try to follow today, right? 

Does anyone have any Twitter tips for me?  :)  I have gotten a little better since I got my iphone, but am I missing something about Twitter?  And is there an easier way to link blog posts to it?  Thanks!!

Getting Healthy

I've been working hard since January 1st at getting back to being healthy and in shape.  To help, I started a Get Healthy board on Pinterest, so I could gather some inspiration and recipes together in my favorite forum.  Today, I thought I'd share some of my favorites from that board - I haven't tried any of these recipes yet, but I have my eye on that healthy mac and cheese, that may be made up soon!!!  And I'm hoping that once I get a free minute I can visit all the sites that these pins have come from :) 

Source: iowagirleats.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Katie on Pinterest

Source: eatingwell.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: thejoyofcleaneating.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: confident-beautiful-motivated.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: allwomenstalk.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: ohsheglows.com via Katie on Pinterest

What about you?  What are you doing to get healthy in the new year? 

Giveaway!!

Hey!  Remember this pouch from Instafriday?  It's being given away (along with a pair of rosebud earrings - and some other amazing prizes) right here!!!  Go check it out :)

The Best Recipe I Made This Week

Source: emilybites.com via Katie on Pinterest

Just popping in to gush about this recipe that I made tonight - I have tried a bunch of new recipes over the past few weeks and most have been successful.  I'm planning to share the good ones in an upcoming post, but for now I'm going to share just this one (click on the picture to go to the recipe). 

 It's good....so good.  Layers of roast beef, au jus sauce and cheese, placed inside won-ton wrappers and baked.  Delicious and Weight Watchers friendly!  This recipe is from the Emily Bites blog - go check her out, I have made a few and they are all simple and delicious!

Instafriday - Week 3

I didn't take a lot of pictures this week, I'll have to focus on some more for next week's Instafriday :)  For now, here are some shots from the past 7 days....

I love this old mail slot in my parent's building - I should take a pic of the mailbox on the first floor too - it's very vintage :)

Went shopping last night and came home with these cozy pink slippers and a bathrobe to match...

Did a little sewing - this is for a giveaway coming up next week :)

Sushi baby!  Yum!!

Rainy Day Pouch

I almost forgot to post this!!!  Enter to win this (and a TON of other awesome prizes) right here!!!!

Inspiration Workshop - Bedrooms

Whoops!  After posting that I wanted to put more of "me" into this blog and dedicate more time to it, I flaked and haven't posted since!  And I flaked on the return of the Inspiration Workshop run by Maggie at Gussy Sews! 


Maggie decided to change the Inspiration Workshop to a monthly linkup, which I think makes sense.  I thought it would be easier for me to plan out my post and have it all ready to go....well, maybe next month!  Since this month's prompt is bedrooms, I was going to share some pics of my bedroom/sewing room - but, it's a mess, so that will have to be another post for another day :)  Instead, I will go to my faithful and reliable Pinterest Home Inspiration Board and share some of my favorite bedroom Pins.  Seriously, what did I do before Pinterest?  :)

 

Source: houzz.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: capecodcollegiate.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: kikis-list.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: img4.myhomeideas.com via Katie on Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instfriday - Week 2

Yay for Friday - even though it's Friday the 13th!!!  I took a couple of pictures with Instagram this week to share :)

Rainy day at the beach....

I made some healthy dinners this week - recipe reviews to follow - first up are Spinach Lasagna Rolls...

And Cheesy Taco Pasta....

Cute little pouch that's up for giveaway here....

I love old signs - I'm going to be better about taking pictures when I see them now :)

More sewing for another giveaway coming soon :)

Thanks for looking!

Changes

Source: designismine.blogspot.com via Karisa on Pinterest

I'm thinking about making some changes here at the blog...a new look, a new name (what I don't know yet!) and some changes to my posting.  Don't get me wrong, I will still be featuring sewing front and center since it's my most favorite activity in the world, but I want to inject a little more of "me" into my posts.  I kind of feel like I need to make this blog a little more well-rounded and talk about some other things that I enjoy.

Source: spirituallythinking.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

For example, I'm getting back into eating healthy and working out and I'd like to talk about that a little bit.  I have tried some awesome recipes that I want to share.  I've been slowly teaching myself how to do some graphic design and I'd like to share some of the tips and tricks I've been learning.  I might do a book review or some other post that doesn't have anything to do with sewing - or share some pictures that have nothing to do with sewing.  I don't know, I feel like I want to make this blog into more of a conversation place, a community where I can talk to my readers and maybe you can talk back :)  Looking back on some of my old posts, I feel like I'm being kind of generic instead of just freely writing about something that I enjoy.  So, starting with this post, I'm going to try and be more open.  Share some more.  Post more often as I'll have more to talk about :) 

Source: Uploaded by user via Olivia on Pinterest

What do you think?  Do you like blogs that just focus on sewing/crafting or do you like when people get a little more personal, a little more conversational? 

Owl Pouch

My first sewing project of the New Year!  This fabric has been in my stash for ages, I just love the little, winking owls :) 

I used the Zip Pocket Pouches Pattern by Keykalou and made up the Tall size.  I wanted this pouch to hold my iphone, but it won't fit with the cover on it.  And I love the cover so much there is no way I will take it off!  It's so cute....see what I mean?

haha anyway, this pouch will make a great wallet - it's got a zipper pouch inside it too....

And, I got to use my new labels!  Love them :) Hmmm...not the best picture, I'll have to find another pic...

So, do you like this little pouch?  Well, guess what?  I'm giving it away - along with the earrings pictured below!  Go check out Gentri's blog and enter to win right here :)

Dessert of the Month Club

I have a fun, new project to share!  Well, I haven't started it yet (I'm waiting for some of the supplies) but I couldn't wait to talk about the Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery's Dessert of the Month Club :)  Each month you will get a cute, little dessert cross stitch pattern emailed to you!  January's dessert is the adorable little truffle in the pic below - I plan on making these all into a sampler and then hanging it in my kitchen.  I ordered a pretty piece of linen to stitch it all on right here after seeing a link on Amanda's blog :)

Oh, and I almost forgot!  Today is the last day of the sale, but if you order a membership it's only $10!!!!  The price will go up to $16.95 after today so if you are interested, don't wait!!!

Top 10 Sewing Tutorials to Try in 2012

Hi there!  The other day I showed you the top 10 crafty tutorials I want to try - today I'm here with my top 10 sewing tutorials that I have pinned onto my Sewing Inspiration board.  If you know of a fun tutorial I should check out, please leave a link in the comments!

Source: thecottagehome.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: erinerickson.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: littlebiggirlstudio.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: freshlemonsquilts.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: mel-allwrappedup.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: elleapparel.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: blog.maggiemakes.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: de.dawanda.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: craftinessisnotoptional.com via Katie on Pinterest

InstaFriday

I've been reading about Instafriday for ages now and since I finally have an iphone and am obsessed with Instagram (follow me at katieallen27), I finally decided to join in!!  Here's a look back at the past week:


New Year's Eve Dinner at a local favorite.....

Whale mug I found at Target.....

Custom Make-up Bag order -- finally complete!!!

Healthy cooking (Mediterranean Garlic and Herb Salmon from Whole Foods...yum!)