Friday, 28 December 2012

2012 in review


Thank you all so much for your comments to Charlie's post.  It was a lovely surprise for me to read her special words, definitely something to treasure!
2012 has been a good year and I have lots to be thankful for.  As I look behind at the year almost gone and ahead to the year about to start, I want to make sure I am always thankful and content with my lot: for my family and home; for my faith; for health; for children who are active and bright; for pets we love; for the peaceful country we live in; for the greenery and birds I see and hear around me each day; for the ability to make and create; I really do have so much to be thankful for.  I am also grateful for blogging and blogging friends.  As I don't have many friends who enjoy crafting in the way I do, I really appreciate all of you, my lovely blogging friends, for your inspiration, your encouragement and your kindness.  I look at the mosaic of things I made this year and lots of it is because of the inspiration I receive from the beautiful blogs I read.  Thank you! 
Another reason 2012 has been a good year is shown in the photos above.  One of the best things I have accomplished this year is to lose 16 kilos.  The first two photos are me on holiday in January 2012 and the last photo is me in November at my niece's wedding.  I feel so much better and healthier, more confident in how I look, and more at peace with myself.
For those interested, here are some of the things I learnt along the way:
  • It is more about what I eat rather than the exercise
  • Don't worry about the big picture, keep my eye on the next kilo to lose
  • Love fruit, a favourite lunch is a big bowl of fruit salad
  • Find snacks and treats I like, eg. popcorn, to replace the less healthy choices. 
  • Keep my eye on portion size, I really only need 1/2 cup of rice!
  • Don't be afraid to buy portion controlled food, e.g. snack pack sized bags of popcorn, mini chocolate bars
  • Weigh myself regularly, and keep weighing regularly to stay on top of small weight gains
Definitely another thing to be thankful for.  It really has been a great year :)
I'm enjoying playing with some little projects at the moment so I will be back soon to show you.  And I am planning my first giveaway so I will let you know about that soon too!  Wendy xx

32 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post Wendy. I love your collage of projects and might have to go back before I started following you.
    I also love your list of things to be grateful for....so many of us forget all those simple privileges and pleasures. Congratulations on the new you, you look fantastic. I hope you have another fabulous year in 2013.

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  2. wow Wendy you look fantastic i would like to follow in your footsteps so i will right downs your suggestions,thankyou.Love seeing all the things you have made,well done.xx

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  3. Hello Wendy Charlie and family.

    Love the shots of 2012. Congrats on your new figure, no wonder you are into dressmaking again.

    Happy New Year.
    Bev.xoxo

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  4. A beautiful post Wendy and great seeing your creative mosaic. Congrats on achieving your goals.

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  5. Beautiful post and you look fantastic. Well done hugs xx

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  6. I have just lost 7 kgs and want to lose about the same again. I can relate to what you say as I have not been do much more exercise except swimming due to the hot weather. Small portions is the way to go. Congratulations, you look great. Hugs....

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  7. You have a lot to be thankful for (So am I). Tou look so nice now. I want to loose weight too and your pictures are an encourage.

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  8. Your collage looks great - it's always good to see how much has been accomplished in a year.
    Enjoy your new figure.

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  9. Lovely post Wendy.Ive really enjoyed following your blog over the last year,looking at all your lovely projects and keeping up with your beautiful family.
    Well done on your weight loss and health regime,you look amazing .
    I love the collage,we should all do that,just to see all the things we should be grateful for.
    A very happy New Year to you and your family,looking forward to your next years projects.
    Loads of love from Laura xx

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  10. You have been busy! Congrats on the new you too...something I want to focus on for me in the new year!

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  11. Congratulations on your weight loss..ThankYou for being part of My Blog World and for all your Lovely Comments.
    All the Best for 2013 I hope it brings you everything you wish for.
    cheers

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  12. Weight loss is never easy so congratulations Wendy on your huge effort of losing the 16kgs while doing everything else in your busy life. You look gorgeous & happy. The college is a great way to see how much you have accomplished in one year - so many pretty & useful things. Happy New Year for 2013 to you & Charlie & family. Tracee xx

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  13. Congratulations on your wieght lose.. Great ...
    Love the way you displayed all you have made in 2012.
    Lots of beautiful projects..
    Wishing you a Happy New Year.

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  14. Wendy this is such a lovely post. Your collage of 2012 creations is full of eye candy! You are one talented lady...
    I feel a little like you, in that I too don't have many friends who share my crafting interest, so blogging is wonderful for sharing that.
    Happy New Year Wendy, to you & your family. x

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  15. So many lovely projects Wendy, well done! Congratulations on the weight loss too, I bet you feel great about it and so you should!

    S x

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  16. A really lovely post Wendy.. and so well done with the weight loss and I was encouraged by your lessons... I am trying to lose much the same amount.... it is so lovely to see all the projects together in a mosaic and makes one realise just how much has been accomplished.... you are a great bloggy friend..
    Hugz

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  17. what a crafty year you have had!
    We have so many things to be thankful for and it is good to say it out loud every now and then.
    Well done on your weight loss it is very inspiring.
    I hope the new year brings you more things to be thankful for.

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  18. A lovely post Wendy, congratulations on the new you, you look great. A beautiful collection of finished projects to. Have a great day. xx

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  19. Everything that I love about your blog in one post! This years projects are gorgeous and congratulations on your weight loss, you look beautiful!!!

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  20. I love the collage of your year in review....what a great idea (might steal the idea for my own blog) and congratulations on losing 16kg....you look terrific. I am back on the bandwagon come wednesday 2/1/13 and am not going to give up until I have dropped another 10 (first up). Small steps...right? Your tips are really helpful.
    Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

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  21. What a beautiful collage and a lovely way to look back at the year.

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  22. A great achievement, well done you should be very proud of yourself!

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  23. Well done! You have achieved a great deal this year and look gorgeous for it.

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  24. Well done on a wonderful year all round Wendy!!! Your craftiness, your words and your weight loss - all fantastic. Best wishes for a wonderful 2013 as well.

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  25. Waow Wendy ! You look beautiful !! Bravo for your weight loss ! It's a great battle !!
    and bravo for all your realizations this year !
    I hope 2013 will see many works also !
    It's always a pleasure to look at your blog !
    Best wishes for the new year !!
    Florence

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  26. Hi my dear friend Wendy,
    What an awesome post, I love the collage of all of your crafts. But mostly, I admire you because of the great accomplishment you had achieved, you look so beautiful and younger too. I must follow your tips because this is one of my goals for this year.
    I also wish you a Happy New Year full of blessings, love and peace for you and your family.
    Send you bug hug
    Laura :0)

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  27. Hi Wendy,
    Your photos are beautiful, you have made a huge change in your life this year, congratulations on your achievements. I am blown away by all the beautiful crafting you have created this year, looks so much when you see it all in one mosaic! All the very best wishes to you and your family for 2013!

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  28. 2012 has certainly been a great year for you. You have achieved so much. Girl... you look fantastic. Well done. You've certainly inspired me to keep on with the cave woman stuff!
    Have a wonderful New Year. I'm sure 2013 will exceed your expections!

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  29. Wow, great year in all the accomplishments! Congratulations!

    Hugs,
    Tatyana

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  30. You have achieved so much Wendy both in your craft and your health you should be so proud of both, you look lovely. xx

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  31. You look lovely Wendy, congrats on your weight loss. I have struggled this year not feeling well - now after having a gallbladder op I am feeling much better and have lost 6 kg already.

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  32. You have had a great year, lots to celebrate...and also to inspire others...and me in particular to try and shift those extra kilos that have crept on as the years have passed..thank you for sharing with us and I hope I can be as successful as you ..

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