Tutorial: Sewing on ABU Patches Part 1

It's time for new uniforms and that means patches.   Lots and lots of patches!  Now we usually take them to the alterations place, but after they charged me $7 to sew a teeny tiny patch onto my hubby's hat, I vowed that I would learn to do it myself!  Plus, he does so much for our family and I am so proud of him, it is the least I can do. 

Now if you want to save some money and do it yourself too I have to warn you that it can be tedious.  BUT don't be discouraged!!  Just think of all the money you will save.  It took me lots and lots of tries, lots of trial and error to finally get it right and I thought I would show you a few tips so you won't be as frustrated as I was!

Let's start with the easiest of the patches.  The name and the Air Force ones. 

Now when it comes to thread I was really paranoid about it matching perfectly until I looked at a few of his old uniforms.  I realized that the alterations place just used thread that matched and blended well.  One of his jackets even had two different colors [the ranks on the collar were in green and the name ones were in silver].  I chose the tan color and no one has said anything to him about it so I am going to keep using it.  Thanks to amazon I got a life supply for $5 [in case he chooses the military as his career hehe].

So enough chit chat and lets get started.  These ones go on the right side and the last name ones go on the left.

Meat Loaf or Meat Mush?

Ever get tired of the same ol' recipes week to week.  Yup me too!  I am no chef in the kitchen but I really would love to be one day.  One day.....

I thought it would be fun to blog about the new recipes I try [and share some I love].  I figure that if the recipe sucks, then maybe someone out there reading can help me out.  If it is wonderful then it will be there for you to try too. 

Today, I tried a meat loaf.  We really aren't meat loaf kind of people but since the hubby got his wisdom teeth pulled it was on the list of foods he can eat.  The forming of the loaf was not successful and I ended up with meat mush but it actually tastes a lot better than it looks.  Even the hubby asked for seconds.  It isn't nearly as good as my old boss Chona's meat loaf but good enough for now.

And of course you have to have a starch with a veggie so homemade mashed potatoes and carrots it is.

Now for the recipe [suggestions are more than welcome!]

Ingredients: 

1 egg                                                                                 3 tbsp of chopped onion

1/4 cup of milk                                                                   1/2 lb of ground beef

1/3 cup of garlic bread crumbs                                            dash of salt and pepper

In a bowl, beat the egg. Add milk, bread crumbs, onion, salt, and pepper. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into two loaves; place in a shallow baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray.

Sauce:

1 1/2 tbsp of brown sugar                                             1 tbsp of mustard

1/4 cup of ketchp                                                         1/2 tbsp of vinegar

Combine the ketchup, brown sugar; spoon over meat loaves. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until meat is no longer pink and a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F; drain.

It really was a lot better than I expected and a good first pancake flop.  Maybe I will go ask Chona for her recipe.

Party Pooped

There is something about Monday's that just... stink!  Today was an especially difficult day and yes I was extra moody, just ask my hubby [poor guy].   Maybe it's because the house is still not cleaned.  Or the huge list of to do's are looming over my head with those empty boxes taunting me.  I could also blame tiredness from all the birthday fun. 

Yup I am party pooped!!  We had a lot of fun though and Boo got to have a whole lot of new experiences.  The hardest part was getting her there because every time we were ready to go she would want to nap!  The result:  lack of sleep and cranky baby!!! [Poor Auntie Jen].

 Regardless, she had some fun playing in the ball pit.  I most definitely want one of these in my house!!

Got tackled in the tunnel by a toddler as I was taking this picture [hehehe poor thing].

Ate some blocks...

And frolicked with the baby boys.  She was the only chica around.  Just look at that face she is giving the poor guys.

And here she is getting busted using Nolan to pull herself up!

Oh how good it must be to be this small hehehe.  

Shop Open and Congrats #4

Thank you all for entering the camera strap giveaway!   I LOVED reading all the comments and hearing what ya'll like to take pictures of.  The one thing I hate about giveaways is there can only be one winner [boo!].  BUT Without further adeiu the lucky winner is...... [drum roll please]

Number 4!!!

Congrats Celia!!  Wow giving away stuff is fun hehe.

[I know the max says 17 and it says there were 18 comments but due to a double and one comment had to be removed so there were only 17 of you who entered]

I thought I would explain that in case anyone felt cheated.  Again thanks for entering everyone! 

I also wanted to announce that my Etsy shop is now OPEN!   Right now there are only 5 camera strap cozees and one passport cover but I hope to add more in the future.

My favorite of the bunch?  This one of course.

If you still want a camera strap cozee I am selling them for super cheap right now.  $14 [seriously a steal!] and if you use the code STRAPCOZEE you get free shipping! 

Of course if you want to make one for yourself or are interested in seeing how it is made, just check out the tutorial.  Can't wait to do another giveaway!

[And isn't my new page super cute! Ekks I love it!]

Tutorial: Padded Camera Strap Cover

 Last day to enter the giveaway if haven't done so already!

Exactly a week ago I told you that I would give you the tutorials for the strap cozee I made for my camera and here it is.  When I set my mind to making something I google it and read through a ton of tutorials.  This is inspired by the ruffled strap thanks to The Cottage Home.  

However, I wanted to add a pocket so I had to tweak the measurements a little and because our teeny tiny craft store didn't have fusible fleece I had to use batting.  So instead of making you go back and forth from her tutorial and mine I provided my version of the camera strap cover with lens pocket.

Be sure you read through the entire thing first before you start.  Sorry I used two different prints in the tutorial hehe.  All seams are 1/4 of an inch unless otherwise stated.  So lets get started and cut our pieces out. 

You will need
[all pieces are folded in half so double the length if you are cutting one long piece]

 two strips of outer fabric: 3.5 in by 14 in

one strip for the back: 3.25 in by 13in

one yard of ribbon

one strip of batting: 3.25 in by 13 in

one strip of lightweight interfacting: 3.25 in by 13 in

two pieces of muslin for lining: 3.25 in by 13 in

and one rectangle for the pocket: 8in by 4in

Update on my Pesky Wrist Problem

You may not know but I hurt or sprained my wrist a few months ago and Saturday in the middle of a nice sleep I twisted it a certain way and angered it.  I took it to the doc yesterday and he said I either aggrevated a muscle from when I sprained it a few months back or I have aggrevated carpal tunnel.  Either way it's aggrevated and I am not the proud owner of this ugly splint and some pain meds.  The splint actually really helps a lot lot lot since it doesn't let me rotate my wrist therefore no pain.  I love it and it lets my wrist get some rest.

However, when I take it off to cut and sew the pain comes rushing back.  I move it the wrong way and BAM  stabbing pain rushing in.  It stinks!!  This crazy wrist wont stop me but it sure is slowing me down.  [Boooooo].  Thanks for your prayers and please keep praying it heals up fast!

Tutorial: Zipper Pouch

Someone asked me if I could show them how to sew on a zipper so I thought I would do a tutorial.

Sewing zipper pouches is really fun and super easy once you get the hang of it.  I have read through tons of tutorials, put the parts that worked for me and created my own way of doing it.  I recommend reading through the entire thing once and then do it yourself.

This is a teeny tiny zipper pouch created for a friend who needed one for her son's thermometer.  [Another reason why I love zipper pouches, you can make them for anything!]  Oh and because I did this all in one nap time the picturese are a little ehhhh.

So decide the size of your pouch and cut your peices.  If you want to quilt the front like I like to do, go ahead and do it!  I like to add batting or some form of interfacing to give the bag some body.

 You will need two rectangles for the outside, a zipper, and two rectangles for the lining.

Pig Fest

All week we have been looking forward to going to this awesome festival near our town, only because we seem to miss all the festivals for one reason or another.  This Saturday was Pig Fest and it kind of reminded me of the county fair in our home town.  We got there right as the parade was passing through town lugging two fresh pigs.

It was a perfect 80 degree no cloud in the sky sort of day and the first real outing for my new camera strap [shameless plug to remind you to enter the giveaway].

It was cute seeing the ladies and little gals dressed.

And I pitied the men because it was way too HOT to be wearing this.

Once they reached the central area they propped the pigs on the roasters.  Zoinks!  I don't know how I feel about seeing a fresh killed pig like that but a cooked one I have no problem.  It kind of makes me a little sad.... strange I know.  Poor piggy.

But after smelling the sandwiches, I kind of forgot about all that and we got in line to get ours.

Even Boo got in on the pig fest action and tried a little pork. 

She dug right in!  Don't worry folks I only gave her a little taste.

After eating we chatted and she hung out.  She thinks she is such a big girl now riding in her big girl stroller with her leg propped up!

We walked through the carnival area, drank lots of liquids, and just enjoyed our time.  Maybe next year when she is a little older we can ride some of the rides!! 

Needless to say it was a great outing and ended with Boo getting sleepy of course.  She looked so cute with her sleepy eyes all snuggles up next to Sophie.

In other unrelated news.... last night I seriously messed up my wrist [booo].  I sprained or pulled something in there a few months ago but last night I twisted it somehow and the pain came rushing in!  Let's just say it was a long night and now my wrist is wrapped and it is still very painful [even to type this and mainly when I hit the space bar with my left hand hehe].  So, I would like to ask for your prayers that it heals up and is nothing too serious when I see the doc this week!! 

So Much Talent

Have you signed up for the giveaway? Be sure you do!

She has so much talent and by she I mean my lovely sister in law Gaby.  She is so talented and makes the most adorable things!  Gaby is the owner of Nature Mama Handmade and if you haven't done so already be sure to like her facebook page and check out all of her stuff.

While I was still preggo, she made Boo this adorable little crocheted hat.

The flower is detachable but we always left it on because it looked so cute on her.

At my baby shower she made me this hat

[I LOVE the pom]

with a matching diaper cover.


[I LOVE the butt ruffles]


And most recently she made her these super cute crocheted high tops! 

With cute little flowers on the side!! 

Now is that talent or what?!?!  Boo's feet are still too small for these but I can't wait to take a picture of her wearing them!  So if you haven't done so already, be sure to check out her stuff HERE!

And are you wondering what I am working on?  Other than a blog page make over [if you speak html I would love your help!!!]  I am sure you can guess just by looking at this picture. 

GIVEAWAY: Camera Strap Cover

If you know me, you know that as soon as I got Big Bessy [my amazing new camera] that it wouldn't take long for me to make a cozee for my strap.  Here she is modeling the strap with the awesome lens cap pocket. 

Isn't that fabric just gorgeous?!  I love it!  Plus I embellished it with a cute little ribbon.  The front is ruffled and the backside

of course has the pocket because I have a bad case of mommy brain and knowing me I would lose that cap.

I will post the tutorials I used along with the changes I made next week in case you want to make one for yourself.

BUT if you don't want to make one you can try to win one because I made one for me and one for you!  Well the lucky you who wins it that is.

To enter, all you have to do is leave me a comment with your email address and let me know what you love to take pictures of.  Yup that easy!

So don't be shy and leave a comment to enter.  If you don't have a camera but know someone who does, enter to win it for them!  This would make a great gift.  I will randomly announce the winner next Friday, August 26th.  Good luck!!

[**This promotion is in no way associated with facebook**]

A Glimmer of Hope

Ninty percent of my "summer" has been bombarded with rain and clouds.  Yup, the weather sucked and has since the day we got back from vacation.  But this morning [which started out wonderful since Boo slept for 11 hours!!]... the sun was out, the weather was nice, and there wasn't a storm cloud in the sky!  So we put on our shorts, sandals, grabbed Big Bessy [my new camera], and were off for a stroll on the beautiful trail down the street.  Wanna come with?

It was perfect!  Would it be silly to hope that the weather stays like this?!  Today gave me a glimmer of hope that summer might just come for a visit.  The sun was actually shining so much I had to let Boo have a break in the shade.  She went ahead and let me know she was hungry so we took a nice long rest and she ate.



I let Charlie loose so he can sniff around.  I wanted to get a good picture of him but he kept moving and walking to me so this was the best I could get.

It was a nice little stroll until this... Slug you say?  NOPE!  It is the ickiest dog poop I have ever seen [1 of 4] and I accidently stepped on it [not this one but the one before].

But this is a slug.  We happen to have the biggest slugs I have ever seen in my life!  Groosss!!

Once we reached the creepy tunnel I stopped and turned around.  What's on the other side is actually breath taking but I don't like to walk in the dark without the hubby.  It gives me the willies.

And on the way back, Boo fell asleep [she must be gowing through a growth spurt].  She is just the cutest when she sleeps!  And check out her cute butterfly sandals!!

Isn't this trail so beautiful?!  I am definitely a small town girl at heart.  I love nature.  What made it even better was new camera!  I had so much fun taking pictures.  It sure is tough though with all these elements out of your control like the sun who kept playing peek a boo behind the clouds!

Hope you enjoyed walking with us!  And as I promised I actually got some crafting done and there are new Cozees posted on my facebook page.