My Longest Year

Don't Try This At Home *fabric update*

No, seriously.  I mean it.  Don't try it.  It's another one of my "booty bags" (as someone from Craftster so aptly named it).  Now that the Army has changed their uniform, there is a wealth of BDU material out there.  A nice lady sent me her hubby's old BDUs for me to use in projects (I can't change anything of my own hubby's until he's safely home).  She also asked me to make her a bag like my corduroy purse.  Reconstruction work is more difficult than working with plain cuts of fabric, but I didn't think it would be near impossible.

I don't know what I was thinking.  They're military uniforms; meant to be worn in war, and, as it happens, are constructed quite well.  Besides their sturdiness, everything about them is different than regular old pants.  Halfway through the project, I considered waving a white flag.  I pressed on.  But never again (well...).

On a side note, she will be having a baby while her hubby is deployed, so I thought I would make a token gift (mini-blankie or diaper changer) including daddy's uniform for their Little Precious.

[*Note: I bought the alphabet fabric at JoAnn's; it's not avail. online]

Links of Interest: Free Applique Patterns, Fun Children's Fabric, More Fun Children's Prints (scroll), Super-Cute (but pricey) Fabric

J. Called 28Jun06: What Did You Do Today, Honey?

I seriously get giddy when he calls; it's like talking to a new boyfriend or something. He seemed surprised that I was so excited to hear from him. He had gotten a good night's sleep after a 24-hour shift spent building a checkpoint.  I can't wait to someday be in a civilian professional life and look back on our conversations while in the military.  Somehow I don't believe that we'll ever answer "what did you do today, honey?" with "I stayed up all night building a checkpoint with the guys to keep terrorists from reaching our TOC with a bomb."

Lesson Learned:

If your toddler is unusually quiet while your back is turned, be afraid.  Be very afraid.

(this isn't the half of it - her arms are also covered)

A Few of Her Favorite Things

These are E.'s favorite things this week.  Her favorite snack for a couple of weeks has been orange crayons (notice the chew marks on the end), but thankfully I've diverted her attention with a healthy alternative - raisins (which I personally loathe for slightly quirky reasons).  She likes to line up these cars and game pieces (I find the  simple graphics inspiring - maybe as embroidery transfers?). 

First Try

Remember I posted previously about using the illustrations I found as transfer images (it's funny how I have collected all kinds of graphic pieces for transfer and have yet to actually transfer anything)?  The first step in my idea was to watercolor the images.  Here is my first try.  I used my toddler's $2 watercolor set and this is what I came up with.  I know nothing about watercolor so please don't look too closely.

What We Did on Our R&R Vacation

Photos are up - check out the album to the right.  I won't likely leave this up forever, but at least for a few weeks.

We're Going on a Treasure Hunt...

This is my fellow thrifter, daughter E., shopping at Goodwill with me (she found the leis on her own).

And this is what we found...

My favorite (and cheapest) find - these jars which will be bright and clever notions holders in my sewing nook:

Skirt which will become an apron:

2 Linen napkins (also likely to become an apron or part of one somehow):

J. Called 18Jun06

Finally!  I was getting pretty anxious and a little depressed but I'm all better - at least for now.  He called during a shift manning a radio - sounds monotonous but it was actually kind of hectic-seeming.  They have to man the radio for activity in the area 24/7 in addition to their regular assignments and missions, so the 10 of them take shifts throughout the night and day; they have been exhausting themselves with additional tasks like this since the infantry company left.  Apparently they are now getting some help training Kurds from another platoon nearby.

We spent most of the conversation on housekeeping items, and with periodic interruptions to listen to the radio.  You know you're an Army wife when your husband tells you to "standby" instead of "hold on a minute."

Happy Father's Day, Daddy

Dear J.,
You are everything I hoped and prayed for in a father for E.  You're our hero.
Always yours,
C. & E.

Easy Toddler Belt (& Tutorial)

Finally, a project that truly only takes 20 minutes!  E. has a small waist so her pants are often falling off.  I decided to "whip up" a belt for her and I took pictures of the process to create a tutorial for the true beginner. Besides the fact that this is an EASY project, I like that it's something that I can make for my friends who have little boys ("male" projects are hard to find). I made one in blue ticking fabric leftover from a tote; you could use corduroy or khaki material, etc.  The floral belt is from a curtain I found at Goodwill. Make this project unique - use two fabrics, embroider a monogram, embellish with buttons, etc.

Continue reading this post for the online tutorial, or download a printable copy here (it will also be available in the How To Make section at the right).