Just Rewards

Originally featured on: Hot Mess Princess

I’ve been at it again. I’ve been busy at work making Big Fat Crafts! Woohoo!!!

Remember Motivation Marbles? They’re great for keeping track of “the big picture” with my weight loss goals. If I’m having a day that more craptastic than fantastic, just glancing at the “Pounds Lost” jar and seeing all those marbles (one for every pound) instantly makes me feel like a fat fight’in superstar. I love taking marbles from the “Pounds to Go” jar and plinking them into the “Pounds Lost” jar almost as much as I love watching the numbers on the scale go down…down…down.

As much fun as that is for me (and for all of you who have created your own marble projects), I’ve been thinking lately that a little motivation of the more immediate kind might make things more interesting in the short term. If you have a lot of weight to lose like me, it can be a real pain in the booty to stay focused and motivated. I don’t know about you, but I need all the help I can get.

To help keep things interesting, I’ve decided to buy myself a lil sump’in sump’in for every 50 pounds I lose – and this new craft project is the perfect way for me to make sure I get my just rewards. Now I can see the reward and save for it at the same time. Check it out:

I turned a shadow box into a savings bank with a twist!

This project is three of my favorite things: fun, easy, and quick. Here’s what you need to get your Just Rewards:

* a shadow box of your choice

* colored scrapbook paper or fabric

* blingy alphabet stickers

* a small power tool like a Dremmel…or a drill (this part is optional…read on)

* a photo of the reward you’re saving for

I’m within weeks of hitting my first 50 pound weight loss (go, me!) and I’ve decided that I’m going to reward myself with a new Guess watch. Those of you who’ve read this blog for a while and know me for the handbag ho that I am are probably shaking your heads in disbelief, right? Would you believe there are no decent designer bags within my $150 budget? None!

It’s okay, though, because I’m getting a little tired of yanking my phone out of my purse just to see what time it is. I need a watch…and this one’s gorgeous!

A few tips:

* I took a screenshot of the watch and printed it out at the photo kiosk at my neighborhood drug store. My printer sucks…and this was cheaper than an ink refill!

* I used tweezers to lightly place the blingy alphabet stickers. I didn’t press them against the glass until I was sure of the placement.

* I used scrapbook paper for my background, but I’ll probably use fabric for my next one. The paper kept slipping and it was hard to manipulate without creasing.

* I had the Hot Mess Hubby cut a piggy bank style slot in the top of the shadow box frame so I could use it like a bank. I assumed he had some super cool tool in his “woodshop” that would do it, but I found out later he just used a regular drill and made hole after hole after hole. Then he used a file to even it out. (I didn’t even ask why that was the chosen method…I was just happy he got it done!).

* If you don’t have the means to cut a piggy bank slot and you don’t know anyone who can, don’t worry – you can always just pop the back off and put your money in there. The main benefit you’ll reap from this project is seeing your reward and the money you’re paying yourself to get it. :-)

Since I have a hard time motivating myself to exercise, I pay myself $5 for every 30 minutes on the treadmill. I keep my Just Rewards bank on the wall above the treadmill so I can see it while I walk. It reminds me of the pretty little bling thing I’ve got coming my way if I just stick with it.

One of the things I really love is that I can change out the background and the picture for each 50 pound goal. I’m just about to hit the first 50 pound loss mark, but remember: I have to turn around and do it 3 more times…and then some. Having an incremental reward like this adds extra motivation and fun – not to mention it gives me something else to look at besides the bland, still not decorated walls in my bedroom!

I’ve put some links at the bottom in case you decide to start your own Just Rewards project. If you make one, I’d love to see it – so feel free to contact me and let me know how you did!

That’s it for this edition of Big Fat Crafts, kids…now it’s time for me to get moving. I have 8 pounds to go before I hit that first 50 pound goal and then this Princess is gett’in a new watch!

What blingy things would you reward yourself with?