Monday, 7 November 2011

Sneek Peek

I have been busy on my couple of days off, finishing my EB DSQ for the 5th Annual Swap.  There has been lots of new things tried with this quilt, and I am really pleased with the result. 


I can't show the finished product as it is a surprise for my secret swap partner (you don't know who you are!!) but i did want to give a sneak peek.  The finished product is slightly larger than I was hoping/planning, but it is still acceptable at 24"x26.5".

I machine quilted and bound this quilt and was very pleased with the result.  I do believe I achieved what I set out to do.




Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Getting to know Me!



While you can read the little blurb on the side about me, I thought it might be nice to share a little of me, with you!

Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, I have the privilege of calling this beautiful part of the world my home.  I am a woman of many faces, with mother, fiancée (of 2 years this month!) and midwife being the most obvious.   

I have had my own personal battles over the years and my weight loss journey is the one which has been very successful.

Falling pregnant with my first child, I ballooned to a hefty 96 kg, a gain of approximately 40 kg on my preconception weight.  After birthing my daughter, I lost none of this weight, and consequently became my heaviest when my son was born … a massive 120kg!!!  Breastfeeding helped me lose none of my weight and I again settled around the 96 kg mark.

At this weight I could not run around after my children, found walking very tiring and had absolutely no energy or zest for life.  It was following a dear friends birthday party, where I had to buy size 20 clothes from the store Autograph to attend, that I decided this had to change.  I was mortified when I saw the photo.  Here is that photo!



I resolved that day to do something about my weight.  I made an appointment at my local gym (where I had a membership which I had been paying monthly and not attending) to do a physical assessment.  The outcome was not good.  I was OBESE.  I determined to lose 30kg in the next 10 months, with my first goal being 15 kg lost by my birthday, mid year 2007.  My pessimistic partner told me, “To set a realistic goal” when I informed him of my intentions.  This galvanized me and I am happy to report that with the changes of, more exercise and smaller portion sizes, I met my target 3 months early. 
It was this success which led me to believe that I could return to university and complete a three year undergraduate degree in midwifery.  

I am happy to say, that was 4 years ago and I am nearly back to my pre-pregnancy weight.  I am also currently working in the most wonderful position as a midwife at my local hospital.  Dreams do come true if we work hard at achieving our goals!

Now to master paper piecing!!