Housework Calories Burned

I am pretty picky of how I work out but really want to start doing something to get myself back down to my ideal weight. I have about 35lbs to go, every pound making a huge difference thanks to my shortness! I teach dance and am going to take Bollywood this summer, but for the most part getting to a traditional gym is near impossible. So I looked up how many calories I burn doing normal household chores... then I got all artsy and made a chart, lol! Enjoy!

As you know I am addicted to Pinterest. Aside from using it to keep track of hair styles I like, gift ideas, and food recipes, I also have a board for healthy living inspiration. Cool eating charts, before and after pics, etc all make their way to my board. I love seeing all the fit people in dance poses, the proper way to tell eating portions... makes me want to better myself!  Here are some of my favorite pins:

                                                                          Source: fuckyeahfitspo.tumblr.com via Connie on Pinterest

                                                                                             Source: tumblr.com via Connie on Pinterest

                                                                                         Source: thefitway.tumblr.com via Connie on Pinterest

Words to Live By

Love this..... (found here)....

Dear Polyvore, I ♥ You!

So remember the blog banner that I created for fellow December mommy Amy last week or so? The cool one with real furniture and such? Well I am not kicking myself because l have discovered a website that would have made that whole process sooooo much easier. Hello Polyvore!

Polyvore is a genius site for fashionistas and interior designers alike. Forget searching for hours for the perfect photo of a desk on a white background, look no further to put that perfect outfit together, and if you think your BFF needs a makeover you can send her some awesome outfit suggestions that will make her swoon with delight!

This website it totally FREE, soooo easy to use, and if you type what you are looking for like "pink desk" you get results a lot faster. Better yet, there are contests that feature some of the most creative users where the winner receives actual prizes! The current contest is a feature of Tacori Diamonds, a very fine jeweler, and the winner gets a pair of Barbados Blue earrings!!!

Whether you are really into fashion (you can search by designer too!), enjoy redecorating your home, or just like to put together "looks", this site it totally for you.

(If you want to see some of my creations, here is my current list of "projects"!)

Making a Makeover Easy as Pie!

Yesterday and last night I was busy as a little bee making over a wonderfully cute blog for a fellow December 2010 mommy. Little did I know last week when I announced that Amy won the blog makeover that she had actually found my blog from BabyCenter.com and that she was a mommy to 3 lovely little girls with a new baby on the way as well. Needless to say I have had a blast making over her blog and actually gave her a total makeover from top to bottom!

Here is what I did for her:
1. Picked out a new background (check out http://www.shabbyblogs.com/)
2. Designed the following elements: header, labels, blog button, footer graphic, signature, post divider, picture frames, and comment graphic.
3. Installed and rearranged all the elements
4. Adjusted font, font colors, blog width, and other basic elements to flow with all the other designs
5. Created and installed Favicon


I think that my favorite part of the whole process what picking out the background because that gave me my color palette,  theme, and general feel for the rest of the designs. After that creating the header was a really good learning experience.  I took my inspiration from the header that Nienie has on her blog, but of course gave it the Connie-twist! 


So where did I begin with doing this makeover? If you follow these steps them it should be pretty easy for you too, and there is so much room for customization that no two blogs will look alike! *** The following How To is ONLY for Blogger users.... Wordpress and other blog platforms have their own way of design. 

1. Choose a background that sets the tone for the rest of the blog... the new Design feature on Blogger is really good for this or you can go where I did, here.  TIP: If you are going to have lots of graphics, then choose the 3 Column layout from Shabby Blogs!

2. Create your header. You can do this lots of different ways and don't even have to have Photoshop! Scrapblog, Picnik, etc will all get the job done.  Tomorrow I will show you how I created the header like Amy's!

3. Make a list of all the elements you want on your blog, this includes the following:

                        ♥ Post Divider

                        ♥ Footer Graphic

                        ♥ Widget Labels

                        ♥ Signature

                        ♥ Decorative Graphics like the photos of my girls

                        ♥ Blog Button

                        ♥ Favicon (the little icon next to your site's URL)

4. Once you know what you need then either use ready made graphics or make your own. Many times I find something with the general feel of what I am looking for then alter it to fit my design. Using a photo program it is pretty easy to just blend out the words in the original graphic and replace it with your own.

5. Save the Favicon for last and make it an element that really connects someone to your blog. 

6. As you install all of these elements check back to see how the blog is flowing. 

7. Finally, go into the Design feature that Blogger has and adjust the font, font color, widths, etc for the basic aspects of your blog.

There ya go! Tomorrow I will show you how I created the header above using Photoshop CS4!!

Blog Makeover Giveaway Winner!!!

Thank you all sooo much for commenting and voting on the new blog look! It really made me feel better knowing that you all liked it as much as I did, and that it isn't too messy or hard to read. I am glad to announce that the winner of the Blog Makeover Giveaway is............. AMY!!!

 Amy said...

I really like the look of your blog. I think it flows well, and keeps things neat and together. My fave points: the title part--I think it's pretty, creative, and gives that scrapbook-y feel. I also like the pregnant woman to one side and the framed "Summer 2010" on the other. The peeling paint on the wood/house is precious and comforting. It helps give the blog a homey-feel. I agree with danasparkle that the dark bubbles might be a bit bold in contrast to the other parts in the title. Another fave part: the CK signature and "Other things you might like" (or is it "enjoy?"). I have tried to update the look of my family blog but it never looks original or creative, or "me" which is something I love about your new style!

So Amy, please email me (mrs.conniekrebs@gmail.com) and we can get started on your blog makeover asap! I can't wait to help you get a look for your space that fits your personality and content.

Also, as a thank you to all my wonderful readers I am offering a coupon for 20% off ANYTHING in my Etsy store OR Free Shipping (USA) from now until the 4th of July!! Just add 20%OFF or FREESHIP to the Notes to Seller when you check out and I will refund you the amount!

Have a great day!!!!  

A Poll and a Giveaway!

 So here is the deal... I am curious to know how people feel about my blog's look, if it is really nice to look at or is a little too messy. I personally can't read blogs that are messy, ad heavy, and hide the actual content beneath all the clutter. Part of me is a little worried that I got carried away with the graphics, the new feature that shows related blog posts after every post, and all the color... but I have to admit that I am a fan of the look.

At the bottom of the blog is a poll about the new blog look and with it I am giving away to one lucky reader a Blog Makeover. Want to win? Here is how:

1. Go to the poll at the bottom of the blog and throw an answer at me!
2. Leave me a comment telling me about what you would do with the Makeover if you won it!
3. If you facebook or tweet about this giveaway then you will get another entry... just leave another comment telling me you did something extra. 
4. Poll and Giveaway close on June 22, 2010 at midnight.


The winner will get help with all the graphics installation, template formatting, overall look consultation, and more!  So go answer that poll and leave a comment... I can't wait to hear from everyone!

Finally!

Trying out some new things here... as you can see I finally took the time to really design my blog to reflect my tastes and personality and am LOVING it! I got woken up early this morning and looked at my previous layout, which was nice but not me... so I did some quick html work, some Photoshop work, and voila!

Speaking of things that I am in love with... this bathing suit from Shabby Apple would sooooo be mine if I wasn't already looking like I am at least 20 weeks preggers! Even so, I am tempted to try to wedge my belly in it just because it is adorable.

Well back to working out some blog kinks... ciao!

Valentine's Day Print and Give

Aren't these adorable?! Print them out, write a sweet note, and send out your love!

Here is the PDF so you have it nice and clear! 

I think that Gabby is going to find these in her lunch box!

Current Design Work

Since Thanksgiving my household has had this awful stomach bug....

man oh man have we been hit hard...

here are some designs that I had been working on before "The ICK" hit!

It's The Most Nutty Time of the Year!

Well my friends, it has begun.... the frenzied holiday season. Today I saw workers draping lights on trees outside of a mall, heard Christmas tunes in a bookstore, and am seeing "HOLIDAY SALE" signs popping up left and right.

It is really hard to resist overspending, especially with "deals" everywhere telling you that you need this and that, making you feel guilty for not buying your child the newest toy, and pushing you into decorating your house befitting the cover of Southern Living.

This is the 3rd year that we will be doing our Rules of Christmas and I have even higher hopes of it's success now that Gabby is older. She can recite the rules to us when we are out and she definitely understands that she needs to make her choices wisely. I mentioned in my previous post that we are going to make the girls a fairy door and there are a few other things that we have in mind for them from Santa, but nothing that is going to push us into financial ruin.

I designed this notepad so that I can keep track of the ideas that I get for each person in my family, and so that I can mark off what I get and am not tempted to get yet another shirt or a toy that isn't on the list.

Here are directions on how to turn this into a real notepad which is nice if you have a large family that wishes to try this tradition out. And here is the PDF to print out, you can fit 2 sheets on a page if you landscape it.

In the next couple of weeks I will be sharing with you things I am giving the members of my family, since I don't have to worry about the kids reading the blog and ruining the surprise! Any ideas, hints, and tricks that you know are very welcome!!

Swapping My Designs!

Have any of you out there in Blogland heard of Swap Mamas? If not and you are a fan of thrifty shopping and easy decluttering- this is the site for you!

Here is the jist of it: You go to the site, get a free page, list everything you have to swap and also everything you are looking for. You join some groups for fun that interest you, then people come to your page, check out your stuff and make you offers. You also go to their page to see what you want from them. It is totally money free and runs with the idea that "one man's trash is another man's treasure"!

Anyhow, I joined a month or two ago and am a complete addict. Seriously, I live on this site once the kids go down for bedtime! Well since I don't really have anything material to trade I decided to barter my lovely design work for some awesome bags, clothes, books, quilt... lol! And somehow, after creating a notepad to keep track of all my trades, I caught the eye of Queen Swap Mama herself- yay!

So now I am officially designing some items for Swap Mamas... swapping of course, for some awesome advertising space! Fun fun fun!!! Here are some recent creations!




Seriously, go check this site out... it is totally worth it!

Yay! All Better!!

Ok folks, a quick post since it is so late:

1. Cold is almost all gone, thank goodness for meds finally catching up with me!
2. Fight with hubby is resolved, no blood was shed, and I can put the arsenic back on the shelf- hehehe!
3. Just got home from doing an awesome home show with Usborne books... was a bit of a drive but sooooo worth it. Seriously, I am loving this business and earning free books for my kids for Christmas! Their "something to read" is already taken care of!
4. Why didn't anyone remind me that 9 week old kittens act like 6 yr old little boys? All energy, no coordination, and complete silliness with big brothers!
5. I have been really really active in the graphic design arena, seems my inspiration is back in the form of baby announcements. Here are some new designs:


So that is that... more to follow shortly!

Print & Give- Evening Magic Bookplates

With the weather getting cooler
it is becoming a lot easier to find a reason
to curl up with a good book.
I hope that this bookplate helps keep track of all those magical books in your library!

Download it here and print it out on Avery Labels 8164 or 5164

Finished Poster!

What do you think? The text are the lyrics to the song from Cinderella-A Dream Is a Wish. I can't wait to get this printed out!

Sorry to be MIA!

For some reason July must be the month to get a business started or make over a store! Lol! Every day this month I have made a sale, and on the 4th I sold 3 items!! Yay for fun money!!! Here are some of my recent designs, renditions, and sales:










Right now, for all of you who either has an Etsy store or wants to start one, my Starter package is only $25 and includes 250 business cards! It is usually $50, but it is my July special. Come buy a package and support my shoe & Bento habit!! =)

Happy July! Free Desktop calendars!

So here are two calendars I have been working on, more to come in the next day or so!!! If anyone has an idea for one then please let me know!!

My new project

My hubby loves me, there is absolutely no doubt about that! I was talking to him about all my graphic design orders lately (yay!) and telling him that I was getting sort of bored with Photoshop. So what does he do? He goes and gets me the WHOLE Adobe Suite CS4!!!! Holy Cow!! This is the new version of everything from Photoshop to After Effects (cool movie editing). So now I am delving into the world of Illustrator for the first time. Whew! It is NOT as easy as I would have thought, being a Photoshop nerd. But I am learning pretty quickly and here are my first two pieces on my new program. I am sure I will be posting more as I learn new tricks!!

The tutorial for this cool project is here!!