Co-spiration #2

#merryplankmas

I was asked earlier this week about the benefits of planking vs. a typical ab workout.  I then stumbled across this image:

I had several goals last week:

• lift 4 out of 5 days
• run at least 3 times
• work on some sewing projects
• 30 minutes of quiet time each morning

I did a pretty good job reaching those goals although lifting 4 out of 5 days didn't happen because of the torture that I have had to endure each day from 2:45-3:30.  If you aren't a teacher, you may be unaware of this particular type of torture.  Or perhaps your school does not do this to you (God bless them.)  However, every day from 2:45-3:30 I have had to sit in our school cafeteria (with a coworker) with 2 busloads of kids at late bus duty (cue scary music here.)  After enduring that 45 minutes of pure agony, I'm just in the mood to get out of dodge.  Call it an excuse...  I'll take it.

I had 2 craft fairs this weekend and I'm excited to post about them and all the new, upcoming things happening for Lulu's Mimi later this week.  

As for this week my goals:

• lift 4 out of 5 days (If you take a picture of yourself planking and put it on instagram, use the hashtag merryplankmas to connect to the December plank challenge.  Follow me at coachgaines13)
• run at least 3 times
• sew something for ME (Lately I've had so many craft shows and odd mending jobs to take care of that I haven't made anything for myself in a long time)
• 30 minutes of quiet time each morning (I love sipping my morning coffee at the dining room table, with the Christmas tree lights lit, enjoying the peace that is my home.)

Holiday Garland Giveaway

You can see my DIY holiday garland here.

But, today you can register to win it here!

I'm giving away a 5 foot traditional holiday garland to one lucky reader.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What better way to be frugal than to win a free gift?!

Easy Holiday Garland DIY

If you sew, keep reading.

If you don't sew, keep reading.

I threw my mother in-law a surprise 60th birthday party last weekend and at the last minute decided we needed something a little nice around the cake table.

My mother in-law likes the traditional decor at Christmas time and goes with an au naturale feel when decorating her own home.  So when I went to the fabric department at Walmart, I gravitated toward burlap, deep reds, and hunter green.

Here is what you need to make a Christmas Garland:

1/4 yd. fabric in 1 color

1/4 yd. fabric in another color

1/2 yd. burlap

1/2 in. wide satin ribbon in coordinating color

First, I folded a piece of paper in half and cut a perfect triangle out of it.

When you unfold your triangle it will look like this...

Lay the triangle pattern on your fabric and cut out several triangles in each fabric.

Here is the part where you may change what you do depending on whether or not you are a sewer.

If you're a sewer, you will sit in front of your sewing machine and stitch the triangles to the ribbon.

If not, you can use No-Sew Fabric glue to glue the triangles to the ribbon.

I left about 3 inches of ribbon on each side of my triangles so that she could tie it on her mantle.

Here is the finished product around the cake table

It was a nice added touch to the table.  Don't you think?

Linking up with Bear Rabbit Bear for What I've Done Thursday