Fitbit Flex Makeover

I got a fitbit flex last year in hopes that I would work out and lose some weight.

It's helped...but I could do better.  But that's not the fitbit's fault!

I usually get my 10,000 steps every weekday.  Weekends, I relax more and don't get as many steps.

The biggest motivation for me is the fitbit workweek hustle challenges.  They're great!  You can create your own and invite your fitbit friends to join in.  Then you call compete thru the week to see who gets the most steps.  It gives you updates thru the day to let you know who is getting steps, hitting their goals and who is in close competition.  I've never considered myself a competitive person, but these challenges really bring it out in me!!  Last week was the first week that I won the gold!!

I wear my fitbit flex all day and evening.  It's the first thing I put on in the morning and the last thing I take off.  For almost a year, I've worn the rubber band that came with the flex.

How boring is that?  Blah!  It's flexible and comfortable, but not very visually appealing.

Like a dummy, I assumed these bands were the only way you could wear the flex since the little part that tracks your activity fits inside.

Then I realized you could customize your fitbit bracelet!  I went to Pinterest for inspiration.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/155974794/fitbit-flex-activity-tracker-bracelet?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

https://www.etsy.com/listing/203172294/bitwrap-prints-fitbit-flex-fitbit-one?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

https://www.etsy.com/listing/215114991/fitbit-flex-band-black-with-watch-and?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

And then came up with my own versions:

Paracord works really well.  These might be my favorite option.  I found several YouTube videos to walk me thru simple bracelets like the cobra knot version.

Then I sewed a little pouch to the back/bottom in which to put the fitbit piece.  Super easy!  Just be sure to make your bracelet on the larger side of the spectrum.  I made a couple that fit my wrist before the fitbit was inserted.  After I put it in, I couldn't fit the bracelet around my wrist.

I bought some paracord at Hobby Lobby in a pre-made pack that came with the closures.  But the cord was too short to be able to make a bracelet out of one color.  You can splice together 2 colors, but I didn't learn that til later on...

I then got cord at Walmart for less and it came with a lot more!

 While at Hobby Lobby, I got some trim from the fabric department.  I really like this look!  Again, I used a similar color in felt to make a little pouch for the fitbit part to go in.  I make the felt pouch long enough that you can sorta fold the end over to close it up.  Next time, I think I'll sew on a little piece of Velcro to close up.

I had 4 wristbands from the 2 flexes I have had in the past year.  Long story short...first one got wonky and their company replaces it quickly.

Chad cut off the ends and drilled holes on the bracelet part so I could make bracelets with beads and lobster claw closures.  He had a tough time getting the hole big enough and finished enough.  It was not our best moment.  lol!

But he got it right and I love the way it looks.  The one on the left top was made with jewelry hemp string and the below it was made with stretchy cord.  

The left vertical is faux leather trim and the right vertical is upholstery trim.

I think it would be better for the hole-poking to use a tool called a Japanese Screw Punch

Buy one

If you try making one, write a comment and show it to me!  I'd love to see what you come up with!

Meanwhile...I need to go get some steps!

Lawrence Arts Center Souper Bowl 2015

 Here's the backstory:  Many, many years ago I was very single and very bored.  I was always trying new hobbies and adventures and once upon a time, I decided I wanted to learn to tap dance.  That's right...tap dance.
In my mind, I think it was going to be like this

When in fact it was more like this

I had found a pair of tap dance shoes on the clearance rack at WalMart.  Sadly, they were more like little girl flat tap shoes with a ribbon shoelace.

I signed up for a beginning tap class expecting the other students to be women-of-a-certain-age like me...

BUT...they were all University dance students who were "brushing" up during a school break.

I could not keep up.  At all.  So I didn't go back.  *sad face*

That was my intro to The Lawrence Arts Center.

Over the years, I've gone to several events that are held at LAC, but never the annual Souper Bowl.

This year, we made it a point to attend and we were not disappointed!

Here we are getting ready to get in line.  We got there nearly an hour before it started and there were already a ton of people in line. 

The people in front of us talked about how they have been going for years and have amassed  quite a collection of handmade bowls.

Finally, the doors opened at 11.  We had no idea what to expect.

There were about 10 or 12 tables in the gallery room with bowls  and small plates on display.  You pretty much have to grab what you like that you see and carry it around with you until you make your ultimate decision.  Some people were carrying around 10 bowls at a time and would set down their "rejects".  But trust me...none of them are actual rejects.  They're all so awesome it's really hard to decide which to choose!!  I think I went thru 7 bowls before I made my final decision.

There was quite the crowd!  This would be a great place and way to get some Christmas gifts!

I got to see a lot of people that I know  :)

This was the line to pay and they had a bunch of volunteers who wrap your bowl with great care.

Chad picked a bowl that was $15, mine was $20 and Linda got two $10 bowls.

After you buy your bowl (they range from $10-$30) and get it wrapped up, you go back out into the main area where there is a variety of soup, bread and beverages that was included with the price of your bowl.

I had Garden Vegetable and a herb roll.

The blue bowl is Chad's.  Mine is yellow, cream and a beautiful lavender.

 They had other events going all day!

Souper Bowl Info
http://lawrenceartscenter.org/

I highly recommend attending in 2016.  We loved it!