Now that Thanksgiving is over. . .

Well the week before Thanksgiving, James had double eye surgery.  The day before his surgery, I went to get him up for school, only to find that he had thrown up on his bed, the floor next to his bed, and his bedding.  I cleaned it up, and then called his school to let him know he wouldn't be coming that day.  Later when the hospital called to get all the early registration info, they said he should be fine if he didn't throw up the next morning.  So, he had his surgery, and it went well, but he still has to wear glasses.

Now, the result of him throwing up meant that I almost got behind on a custom order that I was in a rush to do.  That Monday I was going to go to JoAnn's and that obviously didn't happen.  Since James spent the rest of the week recovering, I didn't even make it out of the house until Saturday morning.   But, I managed to get the supplies I needed for the dress, and get all but the buttons and button holes done before leaving for Thanksgiving.  I got the dress finished right after we left.

The Saturday night before we left, I also managed to get most of a newborn ACU outift cut out as well (I'll post pics of that tomorrow), and a diaper cover embroidered.  My next task is to get a pocket diaper, and another diaper cover done.  Then onto a rather large order of an embroidered swingback dress with ruffles, instead of rick rack, and embroidery, with matching pants, diaper cover, dyed shirt, tights, and matching soft soled shoes.  I plan on starting on this Friday, and working heavily on it Saturday. 

Sunday will be spent working on Christmas presents.  I'm making placemats with matching napkins for my sister-in-law's, an apron for my borther-in-law, a messenger bag for my neice, . . . and I still haven't figured out what to get for my other brother-in-law, and my husbands parents.  My sister-in-law put in a request to Jake's mom for bamboo velour pillow cases, since she liked the ones I did last year, so I'm trying to decide whether to give them to my brother-in-law, or give them to her as a birthday present.  Either way, they go to the same house.

Handmade for the Holidays

About two Christmas' ago, a challenge came up on a forum I belong to.  The idea was to make a handmade Christmas.  I really liked the idea, so that year the majority of presents were hand made.  Last year I did it again, with embroidered shirts for nephews and a 2nd cousin.  I did bamboo velour pillow cases for my sister and brother in law, as well as hand made items for my other sister in law (had my husband handle the gift for my brother in laws in that case), and did handmade for my father in law, and mother in law.

This year I will once again be continuing the tradition.  I'm making items for the kitchen for all three sisters in law, and will either be making crayon rolls for my newphews, or doing a trade with a friend for treasure hunt bags. 

Typcially gifts are given in Chico bags, but with Julia passing, I lost track of the coops I would have ordered from, so this year, I will be making muslin bags as the gift wrap.  I know I love my muslin bags for grocery shopping when I get meat products, because I can wash them in hot water afterward to get rid of any contamination. 

Jake will be getting a home made snuggie with Cincinnati Bengals fleece.  He requested it last year, but I didn't have access until now.  I'll likely be sewing it at my mother-in-laws house though, as I'm not sure I'll find the fleece for it here.

For the boys, I'm thinking bed sheets and pajamas, as that is what James has been asking for, and Justin hasn't made any requests just yet.

It's been a rough week.

Well this week started with James having a stomach bug overnight Sunday to Monday, then eye surgery on Tuesday.  He needed an operation to align his eyes.  He seems to be doing alright now, but can't go back to school until after Thanksgiving. 

In the meantime, I've managed to get a diaper cover done, and apron, and lay out the fabric to make an NWU sundress.  I'm also going to try to cut a ACU newborn outfit today.  Work has been rough on Jake this week, since he had duty overnight Monday to Tuesday, then James' surgery, with a late night of work, and very little sleep.

Once I get my custom orders done, and Christmas gifts made (of which I've done no work so far) I'm going to start dabbling in what new items I'm going to be making.  I have two dresses I've been wanting to work on, but just haven't had the chance yet.

What I've been up to.

Well, Jake finally got done with his last TDY of October, and we hit the road for California for Halloween.  After we got back, I got into the craft room and started sewing.  Part of it was finishing up a custom order, and the other part was getting ready for this weeks stocking at Bitty Fluff.  I'm the featured vendor for this stocking, and wanted to take full advantage of it.  So, as  result, I managed to sew/embroider three military themed newborn sets. 

 The first was an ACU set, that I think I actually had mostly done before we left.  The second is a Woodland MARPAT set, and the third, a Desert MARPAT set.  I plan on doing an AF one next.  I also picked up more of the necessary supplies I need for a dress I've been wanting to do for a month now.  Before getting to that though, I've needed to get some things sewn for the Arts and Crafts Fair at James school tomorrow.  As a result, I finally finished up the bamboo velour pillow cases, and will be moving on shortly to burp cloths, and pacifier holders.  I'm going to try to knock out some wipes, and maybe a few diapers as well.  I'd like to get a swing back dress or two done, but I'm not sure if that will be happening.  Well, back to sewing.

All the excitement

Well, this last week is chulk full of excitement.  My congo is sponsoring the Great Cloth Diaper Hunt, as well as a facebook giveaway.  I have two custom orders I'm working on, an Arts and Crafts fair a week from tomorrow, and some new projects to work on that I plan to add to my line. 

Bitty Fluff will also be celebrating it's 2nd anniversary.  During the month, I will be a featured vendor at my store J-Babies.  Look for some adorable newborn sets and clothing.

And on to the next one

I just finished up an outfit yesterday for a little boy who's daddy will be home soon.  It was an ABU top and pants, with a tan dyed t-shirt for underneath, just like daddy.  It turned out great, and I got some photo's of it. . . but once again my motherboard seems to have flipped out, or else it is the memory this time.  Either way, I'll post pictures once the Dell tech comes and fixes my computer so that it will turn on.

In the meantime, I'm trying to think up what to make next.  I'm thinking I might try and get some bibs done, as I haven't done those in a while.  I have the extra fabric cut to make them, so I'll likely be doing a few of those, and maybe some newborn ACU covers.

Jake has been super busy lately (not just busy) so it has been just the boys and I, and then the down time that comes with that.  My birthday is also comming up, so Jake will be not so busy for that at least.  I'm thinking of making an ACU outfit to post on my Etsy store and have that as a regular item in the rotation.  Well, off to do some housework, and maybe some sewing work too.

What I've been up to.

The last couple of weeks I've been working on three projects.  The first one went in the mail last week.  It was a pair of NWU diapers with some adorable embroidery on them.  The second one, which is still in progress is a set of ABU's for a little boy who's daddy is headed home.  The third one is an NWU diaper cover.  I've also just cut out and am in the process of putting snaps on an ACU pocket diaper.  I'm doing one for a blog that is featuring WAHM's, and another for a customer.  I'm also playing around with some new dress patterns, and hope to get a chance to make some dresses and post pictures of those soon.

My mornings have been spent getting James ready for school.  After taking him to school, I've been going to mass at the church, since it is on the same property.  Then I come home and do some house hold chores before heading off to my craft room to get some projects done.  We have the Great Cloth Diaper Hunt in November, so I'll be sewing up some merchandise for that, as well a fall Fiesta that will be going on at James school.  So what do you think, do OBV pillow cases sound nice?

It's a slow road.

Well as recovery in any traumatic situation goes, there are set backs.  I've been sewing, taking care of the household, and the kids.  Then I got a bladder infection and the medication made me sick.  So, I spent a week feeling horrible, rather than getting any sewing done.  On the upside, I managed to get the house clean, and keep up with the kids, but wow it's been rough.  Jake is working a lot as his new job is very time demanding. 

This week I've managed to get two diaper covers mailed out, a dress cut, embroidered, rick rack added, and now I just have to sew it together, top stitch, and do the buttons/button holes.  After that comes an order for two embroidered NWU pocket diapers, and then an NWU diaper cover with name tape sewn on it.  I have a new pattern that I'd like to play with soon, as well as some newborn embroidered shirts/matching diaper covers that I plan on making for the next Bitty Fluff stocking.  I'm lacking pictures to post right now because my computer isn't working, so I'm using Jake's.  I'm hoping to get it fixed soon, and then I have quite a lot of pictures to post of recent work.  Stay tuned to see what new projects I'm working on.

In honor of Julia, and getting back in the groove.

In the weeks before Julia died, I had been working on a custom dress for a customer, and a dress and diaper cover for Julia.  The plan was to have Julia come home in complete HOOAH with an ACU dress, diaper cover, soft soled shoes, and headband.  I had finished the dress and diaper cover, but had begun feeling rather tired the night Julia died, so I hadn't begun the headband or shoes yet.  I don't like leaving things unfinished, so I've been working gradually on the rest of her outfit and finally finished it. 

What gave me the kick in the pants to get started though, was an order that came in for a newborn dress, diaper cover, and big girl dress. Those items got me back at my sewing machine, and working again, and also gave me the needed momentum to finish Julias outfit. Sewing has been a relief to me, and I'm starting to get my creative juices flowing. Below you will see some of the items I have made in the past month or so.

Slowly but surely returning.

Well, since the last time I posted, I finished about 4 custom orders, took it as easily as I possibly could, and welcomed my husband home from TDY.  I also was unfortunate in finding out that the little girl I was pregnant with died at around 28 weeks along.  I went to the hospital on a Sunday afternoon, because of lack of  movement, and found out her heartbeat was gone.  I was induced that Wednesday, and we drove home to Ohio that Saturday.  We laid her to rest on Tuesday the 3rd of August.

Since we've been back, James has started his first day of school (his missed the actual first day of school because of a stomach bug), and we've also been working on putting the house together.  I had made Julia a coming home outfit the week before I found out she was gone, and will post a picture of that later.  I'm going to put together a set in honor of her (it was what her coming home outfit would have been) that will be available for custom order at a special price.  In the meatime, her dress will be going into a memory box of things that were hers.

May my little angel rest in peace.

Getting back into the swing of things.

Well, we are done with the PCS, at least in so far that we (my mom, the kids, and I) are in Texas and finally in our new house (two weeks of hotel stays).  The household goods arrived, and the cable is hooked up.  I even have my craft room relatively unpacked, but am still living out of my suitcase.  Every time I open the closet door in my bedroom, I scan it, closed the door back, and find something else to do.

During the move, I completed, a diaper, diaper cover, and newborn dress.  Since getting into the house, I've managed to finish a pocket diaper, and dyed a shirt.  I didn't happen to get pictures of those unfortunately since things were so hectic.  However, in the last two weeks, I completed a BDU pocket diaper, and dress, as well as an ABU Mei Tai, a pocket diaper, diaper cover, and a pair of maternity shorts.  Those, I did get pictures of.  I plan to make myself a pair of ACU maternity shorts soon, maybe with embroidered pockets.

One of the other personal projects I've started on, is making newborn prefolds for the baby on the way.  Since we are having a girl, I'm doing lots of pink.  In the meantime, here are some pictures of the most recent projects I've worked on.

Getting ready for the PCS

Well, I'm attempting to juggle being high risk, two little boys, wrapping up customs, and getting ready to PCS.  The movers come next week (I can hardly believe it), and then we leave the next week.  Jake is flying down this weekend to look at houses. 

Mean while, I'm finishing up a Mei Tai made out of a flight suit, and some possible items to go with it.  I'm also finishing up a diaper cover, and two pocket diapers.  I might be doing two more if I can squeeze them in.  I also need to make something to stock on Bitty Fluff this week. 

In the meatime, I thought I would show you a cute little ACU outfit that I mailed out last week that was a custom order.

Catching up.

Things have been very busy lately.  I have been working on several custom orders (and still have a few to go) while trying to take it easy with this pregnancy, and still keep after two little boys.  We have a moving date set. . .but no house yet.  My mom is coming in to town on May 11th though, and that should help out quite a bit having an extra pair of hands.  I finished a dress and bloomers set last week, as well as a diaper cover, and this week will be finishing up a second dress and bloomer set, and moving on to a pair of shorts and a matching shirt. 

I am setting up my waiting list for customs, so that when I finish with my move, I can start back up again.  I plan to take a month or so off before the baby is born, doing orders at leisure, and mostly preparing  for the baby.  I will be setting up a running tab on here of the waiting list, of people, what they ordered, and approximate start date.  Check back for updates.

Life's what happens while you're making plans.

Well, I was supposed to pick up my sewing machine today, but the people fixing it called and said that it wouldn't be back until Friday because they had to order a part.  Well, I called the store where I bought the machine, and they said that I can go down there and embroider the items I need to embroider.  Since my SE-350 can do a straight stitch, I'm going to have Jake pull that out so that I can sew stuff together at least.

So, hopefully I'll finally have all these projects I have lined up done next week.

Starting to get back into the swing of things.

Well, after taking a break last week per the doctors instructions, I am getting back to my custom orders this week.  I'll will be cutting orders today and tomorrow, and then Wednesday when I'm supposed to get my machine back, I'll start sewing.

To explain the getting the machine back part, Friday, I went to turn on my machine, but when it came on it had an error message.  I turned it off like it said, 5 times I tried this, but to no avail.  I've only had this machine for 6 months, so I took it to the shop I bought it at, and they put a rush fix on it.  So. . .  I should have it back by Wednesday and be able to start sewing again.  Coincidentally, that is also the day Jake and I go to do out taxes.  Hopefully we'll get a decent refund, as I already know I'm taking a loss for the first year of business, but I think that was to be expected.

It's been busy.

Well, since the last time I posted, we went on spring break to look at houses in El Paso.  We will be PCSing to Ft. Bliss this summer.  While on spring break, James managed to get some sort of stomach bug which gave him a fever, as well as vomitting.  I was apparently next on the list, as 24 hours after he got sick, I got a fever.  My stomach was sensitive, but I never threw up.  It was hard to tell if any nasuea was realted to the pregnancy, or the illness.  Anyway, off to El Paso to do some house hunting. 

We stopped in Oklahoma both on the way there, and on the way back.  On the way back James proceeded to get the croup, but managed to fight this one off rather well.  During this time, I also had two custom orders come in, and since being home, three more.  I've gotten two of the orders done and out the door, and am currently working on two more.

My congo will be having a stocking themed about April being the month of the Military Child.  Since military apparel for children is my specialty, I'm particularly excited about this one.

Also, the Great Cloth Diaper Hunt has been cancelled, but since we didn't want to miss out on the fun, my congo has decided to put on our own little hunt.  We will have weekly prizes, as well as a grand prize.  Be sure to check back regularly so that you don't miss out on anything.

Now that's done. On to the next project.

Yesterday I finished, and packaged up two dresses, and a diaper cover.  I still need to get a picture of the diaper cover, but I have a few of one of the dresses already loaded.  Today, after visiting a friend, I will be embarking on an ACU diaper bag.  I'm rather excited about it, as I've had it planned for a while.  I also plan on making a Woodland MARPAT diaper cover, and possibly a dress. 

I will also be making up some samples soon for the Great Cloth Diaper Hunt, and finishing a shirt for a collaboration that I'm doing on Creative Mamas with a guest vendor.  Stay tuned and check it out.

Work, work, work.

Well, Saturday I finished the diaper covers and bibs.  Monday, I cut two dresses for custom orders, and today I have the first one finished except for stitching the lining to the main dress, the buttons and the button holes.  After that I'll move onto the custom sling back dress, and an ACU diaper cover.  I also finished an XL March Madness themed fleece soaker for this weeks stocking on Creative Mamas. Tomorrow, I plan to finish up the sling back dress, diaper cover, and get a few more things done for the Creative Mamas and Bitty Fluff stockings. 

Stay tuned for pictures of all these items, as I'm going to try to get some pictures tomorrow, and I think they look great.

The light at the end of the tunnel.

Last night Jake helped me put the front snaps on the last 5 diaper covers.  So, now I just need to sew labels on those covers, sew the pul to them and put the fold over elastic on.  Tonight Jake can help me with putting the closure snaps on them.  Then, if I still haven't found the missing bib front seems to have walked off, I'll have to make another one of those, but that's small potatoes.  Then I'll get pictures done, and the invoice out. 

I'm already planning my next project.  I plan on doing some more soft soled shoes, and a  dress in woodland maripat.  I also have a OS diaper to finish up, and stock next week.  I'm thinking of making some St. Patrick's Day themed newborn pocket diapers as well.  We shall see soon though, if I'm being over ambitious.

A work in progress

Well, I started a week ago cutting out 16 bibs, and 10 diaper covers, and today I am embroidering, and hope to get the bibs complete within the next day or two, and the diaper covers by the end of the week.  They are for an order for the Legacies gift shop at the Ft. Campbell Museum.

Saturday I consigned a few items at Rubby Slippers, the botique run by the Ft. Leavenworth Spouses Association.  Right now I have a bib, pacifier holder, and reusable bag there, but also plan to make up a few more things to consign.

Slowly working my way through.

This week has been busy.  I've spent quite a bit of time cutting out 16 bibs for the Legacies Gift Shop order, and planning the items I'm going to make to stock my store for the Great Cloth Diaper Hunt.  Now, the hunt isn't until May, but last hunt, I had a bazaar to do, an order from the museum, and the hunt all going on at the same time.  So, this hunt I plan to be ahead of the game. 

I also plan on introducing some new items to my stores.  I will soon be stocking soft soled shoes, as well as camo change purses.  The first one will be of ACU of course, but I plan to do other fabrics as well.  I have some diaper outers already cut, and they just need snaps, and to be sewn.  I'll be having my husband help me with the snaps, and the rest of it goes rather quickly from there it would seem.

Well, back to work.

Passing time, and big orders.

Right as I was finishing up a custom order last week, a custom request came in from the Ft. Campbell museum Legacies Gift Shop.  So, this week I'm busy making 16 ACU bibs with Hooah! embroidered on them, as well as 10 diaper covers embroidered with Pee  All I Can Pee.  I hope to have them all done and out the door next week.

I also need to start working on some instock items for my Hyenacart store.  I was able to stock an adorable Easter themed dress in my Etsy store today, and have plans to make a few more things this week to stock in both stores. 

In anticipation of March, I'm also going to be coming up with some clever items for the Creative Mamas "March Madness" themed stocking.  It's all about March, but not necessarily all about sports.  Be sure to stop by and see all the great new items you can buy.

Oh, and here are pictures of the most recent custom order I completed:

Keeping Busy

Today, I cut, and have half way done, a dress for a custom order.  I have the diaper cover cut out for it as  well, and depending on how tomorrow goes, I plan to finish the dress, embroider the diaper cover, and hopefully have it all completed Saturday. 

Today, Justin got to run around in his new ACU soft soled shoes.  They look adorable, but I think his feet are too big for them already, so I'm going to enlarge the pattern and make him new ones.  I have plenty of scraps do it with, and I think he will really enjoy them.

Tonight, I also made several bookmarkers for The Spotted Box.  I have four pacifier holders I'm sending in to accompany the bookmarks, as well as business cards.  So, make sure to look for my items, and Creative Mamas Congo, in the March Spotted Box.

A new addition to my diaper line

Today I finally finished a diaper that I had been working on since last week.  It is an embroidered ABU diaper.  It turned out great, so I can't wait to start on the next one that I have embroidered, and is just in need of snaps.  I was also able to get all but the elastic into a pair of jeans for my son, James.  He had grown out of all his previous pairs, and I thought it was high time he had a nice pair of jeans.  Tomorrow I'm starting on a custom order that came in on Saturday, and hope to have that done by the end of the week.

Taking some time.

This last week has been a rough one for me.  It started out with morning sickness, and a pregnancy, but today I found out that it is either going to be a miscarriage or an ectopic.  We are currently waiting for some blood test results, and in the meantime, I'm going to be working hard on custom orders, but I haven't posted in a while and thought I should explain why.  I plan to finally finish the ABU diapers that I'm working on tomorrow, as well as start and finish another custom order.  Hopefully I will be back into the full swing in the next week or two.

The pendulum swings back.

Saturday I was fully of energy and got lots of sewing done.  Then Sunday, I took a break for family time.  Yesterday, I was creeping along.  However, I did get most of the snaps on an Air Force diaper I'm doing.  Today, my goal is to embroider a shirt I'm doing for a trade, and finish up both diapers.  I also plan to get started on those soft soled shoes now that I have the elastic.  I'm thinking of switching the Mei Tai that I have stocked on my HC to my Etsy store, and making the ACU Mei Tai a custom spot on HC instead.

I also have to stock those adorable newborn diapers on Bitty Fluff for this weeks stocking there.  Keep your eyes peeled, and see what I have coming up in my stores.

On a roll.

Today is the last day of the "stash contest" on Diaper Swappers.  The theme behind it was that all the participats got points for using up yardages of fabric, but lost points for fabric they bought during the game.  Well, since I keep Sunday's for family sewing, I had to bust my butt to get some sewing done yesterday.  So, I managed to finish four newborn diapers, a pocket diaper for Justin, and a pajama top for James.  Today I'm going to finish a pair of jeans for James.  I got them cut yesterday, but stopped working on them so that I could work on some Air Force diapers.  I got the Air Force diapers cut, and embroidered, and the studs through one of them, but finishing them will have to wait until tomorrow now.

I also have a little girls fleece jacket that I need to finish up, so I'll likely sew the buttons on that today, and call that done.  I have another jacket that I want to do.  It will be a nice burgundy woven suede, with a matching lining. 

I will also be embroidering a shirt tomorrow for a trade that I'm doing.  I have one more shirt left that I can embroider, so I might pick a diaper for that to go with.

In Army life, Jake was supposed to get the list this weekend, of the options we have for our next duty station.  It is 9 in the morning and still no list.  He meets with his branch manager tomorrw.  So, I guess we'll see what our options are tomorrow, and then text back and forth about what we want, and what we want to avoid.

This is the day that never ends. . .

I started off this morning waking up three time, by the third time, it was a reasonable hour, and I decided to stay up.  So today, I got 4 newborn diapers cut, outers, inners, and soakers.  I also got them all snapped and label.  Now, to just sew them together.  I think tomorrow I will go to JoAnns to get the notions I'm need to finish up some unfinished projects.  I can feel a headach comming on, so I'm thinking there is some rainy weather on it's way.  I plan to perservere though, as I really want to get stuff done. 

In the really awesome news, my manequins arrived yesterday.  They look very cool, so I can't wait to put some clothing on them and take pictures.  In the meatime, here are the pictures from a custom order I did this week.

Diaper covers and ideas.

Today's big project was finishing up a custom Navy diaper cover.  I think it turned out rather nice.  I cut most of it out yesterday, and marked the snaps.  Today, I cut the pul, put the snaps and label on, and sewed it up.  I'm very excited to get it off to it's new owner.  In the meantime, I've also been working on making some ACU soft soled shoes for Justin.  I figure it they wear well on him, then I'll open them up for sale.  In the meantime, there is also a coat that I've been wanting to make for a while, and I'm going to try to get to work on today.  Instead of being for me, though, it will be for someones little girl.  I'm making it out of a woven suede cloth, and I think it will be darling.

. . . and the action shot.

I finally got some action shots last night of Justin in his new diaper.  He either wants right up in the camera, or to playfully run away from it, so it is kind of hard to get a good shot, but these are the two pictures that I snapped that didn't come out blurry.  I also shipping off two packages today.  One was an ACU diaper cover to a mama here in Kansas.  I'm thinking she is right near Ft. Riley based off the mailing address.  The other package was to a Canadian mama.

Today I'm working on a custom Navy diaper cover, and then I want to try making some ACU soft soled shoes, to add to my collection.  We'll see how that goes, and of course, I'll past pics here as I finish them.

Here it is!

I got the pictures of the diaper I made for Justin loaded up this morning, so here it is.  I'll probably get the other one done later this week, when my new order of snaps arrive.  Today, I'm working on a custom order of an ACU OS pocket diaper (what my remaining snaps are going to be used on) for my first Etsy customer.  I'm also going to try to bust out my serger today and do some work with that so that more of my items can be serged.  I'm thinking about hooping a newborn shirt, and seeing about embroidered something on it, but haven't quite settled on what yet.  In the meantime, here is the picture of the diaper you have been waiting for.  I will add action shots later.

Shhhh, it's a surprise.

Well, I finished the custom outfit I was making yesterday, but because it is a surprise for the intended recipient from my customer, I've decided I will hold off on posting a picture until after she receives it.  However, I did get to do some family sewing today/tonight, and finished a pocket diaper for Justin.  I plan to wash it tonight (already got some pictures of it) and then post some action shots of it tomorrow.  I'm going to try to load the pictures and update tonight so that you can see the cool idea for the embroidery that my husband had. 

Now, on tomorrow's agenda, I have my first custom order from Etsy, and will be making that OS ACU diaper cover.  I'm very excited about it, and will post a picture as soon as it is done.

Busy Day.

Well, today started with me waking up at 7:52 a.m. with no assistance from my kids, or alarm clock.  That hasn't happened in a long time.  So, I got the kids breakfast, and began working on postings for the Creative Mamas stocking.  After breakfast, and then lunch (time flies when you are on the computer), I started working on the diapers, diaper cover, and dress.  The dress is now complete except for buttons and button holes, and the diapers and diaper cover are embroidered. 

Plans for tomorrow, finish the dress, diaper cover, and diapers, and start on a jacket I've been wanting to make.  I also plan to mop my kitchen floor (completely unrelated, but I've been meaning  to do it for a bit now.  So as to not leave you hanging, this is the picture of the diaper cover I completed yesterday.

On an ACU rampage.

Today, I got three ACU outers done for the diapers I'm doing for my son cut, as well as the waterproof layers.  I also got the custom diaper cover cut, snapped, and sewn.  I'll put a picture of that up tomorrow.  I also embroidered the ACU sling back dress I'm doing for a custom order.  Tomorrow, I plan to finish up the diapers, and the diaper cover to go with the dress, and the dress.

On the homefront, my husband had an early day from class and was nice enough to pick up groceries on the way home.  We had enough left overs from this weeks meal that I didn't have took dinner.  A nice rest for me.  Well, now it is off to bed for an early morning of making more Army goodies.

There is a newborn pink giraffe in the room.

Out of the many things I wanted to get done today, I finished a newborn  pink giraffe diaper.  I put a nice burgundy suede cloth on the inside, and it is just so squishy and nice.  I have a few more things I want to finish and post today, but I think for now, this should satisify on the fun stuff I'm doing.  Now, off to make some embroidered ACU pocket diapers for my son, and a dress, shirt, and diaper cover out of ACU for the friend of a friend of mine who is having a baby.  I'll be sure to share all the HOOAH! goodness as soon as it is done.

One custom down . . .

Today I finished a custom shirt for a mama who's brother is in the Marines and is getting promoted.  I did a bib for her last week, and she decided that her older son should get in on the fun.  The shirt is a size 5 rabbit skins with an applique of the woodland maripat fabric embroidered to match the bib I did.  The shirt is appliqued, and then I went back and stitched around the edges to ensure a good hold.  I think it turned out rather nice, and should match the bib for the younger brother rather well.

Because they are just so cute!

I just stocked a custom spot for a dress on my Etsy store. It is an ACU dress that I made and stocked in my store on Bitty Fluff. I've decided to open up a custom slot on Etsy. The custom spot is for any of the servcies fabrics that I have.

I also plan to list the ACU Mei Tai that I talked about in a previous post, and open that up for customs on Etsy.

This weeks big deal though, is I'm going to make Justin and ACU one-size daiper with embroidery. It should turn out super cute, and I think it will be nice to have a little Hooah on him. I made him a diaper cover in the past, and some one-size diapers, but none in the ACU fabric. I think this should be a nice addition to his collection of one-size diapers. The best part is the embroidery, but your going to have to wait until it's done to find out what that's going to be.

On the 7th Day he rested

Well, it's Sunday morning, which in our family means church, and family time, Today after church, we are going to JoAnns so that I can see about some buttons for my jacket, and then we are going to come home and clean up the rest of the Christmas decorations. Then, maybe if there is time, I'll sew a pair of jeans for James. He's in bad need of them, as he's grown out of all his previous pairs. I picked up the denim a while ago, so that will be nice to get done.

I started working on a newborn diaper last night, and had the outer, and hidden layer cut, and two of the six snaps put on. Then Jake decided it was time for him to go to bed, and well, it's no fun being up late by yourself, so I called it a night.

On the agenda for tomorrow. . . go to the RE's office and see if I've ovulated, if so, we're going to try for baby J #3. We're also waiting to find out where the next possible PCS locations are, and that list should be e-mailed to Jake within the next two weeks. Then, at the end of February, we will find out where we are headed. I'm hopeful that it will be someplace nice. The last place I kind of liked, and miss at times, and Leavenworth has it's perks as well, so only time shall tell.

It's Done!!!

Okay, I just finally got the ACU Mei Tai done, and I'm very excited about it. I made a few adjustments compared to the last one I made. So, it now curves inward at the bottom, has thicker padding at the shoulder, thicker padding (but not as thick as at the shoulders) on the waist straps, and includes a pocket. I made the pocket so that it is sewn at the top, sides, and bottom, but the sides have the angeled access on either side. I also made the pocket pucker out more, to give better access. I will get pictures of it tomorrow, and plan to list it on my congo for sale, and also as an example for customs on my Etsy. Be sure to check back so that you can see what it looks like.

As promised, here is a picture or two of the Mei Tai:

On the agenda for today.

Well, my husband Jake is exercising (no real required PT when you are at CGSG) and the boys are in their room playing, so I think it is time to bust into making the ACU Mei Tai that I've been wanting to do. I made one for myself not to long ago, and had been thinking about making another since I'd been getting requests. Last night I cut out the outer portion (the camo part) but I still need to cut out the hidden and inner parts as well as the straps and padding. I was thinking about embroidering it, but since I don't know what the potential new owner might want on it, I'm holding off.

I am, however thinking about putting a pocket on it. After all, that could come in very handy. I'm just trying to figure out what kind of pocket right now. Hmmm. We shall see.

After the Mei Tai, I'm thinking about making up some diapers. I have two stockings this week, one on Bitty Fluff, and the other on Creative Mamas. So, I need to work up some newborn diapers, and I'm thinking if I get the MT done in time, that can be stocked at Creative Mamas. I'll probably open a custom slot for one on the Etsy store.

In the meantime, I'll be enjoying family time tomorrow, and then Monday, back to work, well for me that is. Jake is off for MLK Jr. Day. You got to love the holidays you get with the Army. So, a four day work week ahead for him. I think he has another one next week for Presidents Day? If I remember correctly, that falls around Valentine's Day. We'll see what crafty things I come up with for that.

And it's complete. . . well mostly

I finally got it sewn together, now I'm just looking for the perfect fasteners. I was going to use metal snaps, but I'm thinking either purple polyresin snaps, or maybe some wooden toggle or metal latch type fasteners. The jacket turned out rather nice, and I'm thinking it will look even better when I put on another 10 lbs or so. Might even fit me up to 2nd trimester in pregnancy, assuming I'm ever pregnant while wearing it. Overall, it is perfect and nice and warm. Another great thing about it, is that it has pockets on either side, so that I hae some where to stash my keys while dropping my oldest off at school or picking him up. Very convenient.

My new fleece jacket.

Well, for the last two days I've been working on something I have been wanting to make for over a year now. Back when we were in Clarksville, I got a pattern, and the three yards of fleece needed to make a fleece coat for myself. Well, I laid out the fabric Wednesday night, and cut out the pattern pieces, and the last two days, while juggling everything else, I managed to get it mostly sewn. I'm just now finishing it up, and am really excited about it. As soon as it is done, I will post a picture, and as with everything else I make, it will be an option for a custom order. Check back soon to see the finished product.

Projects in the making.

My Etsy store is up and running and now has several items in it. In the meantime, I've just finished up one, and am working on two custom orders. The first is a dress that I did for a mama who's husband is coming home from deployment soon. She wanted a nice dress for her daughter, and the result turned out rather lovely. I also worked on a bib this week for a family who will be going to the promotion ceremony of a marine. That marine is the lady's brother, and she wanted something Oorah for the occassion. I'll also be working on an appliqued shirt for the older sibling to the one wearing the bib.

In about a week I will be working on a diaper cover for a mama in Canada, but I'll keep the rest of the details hush hush, as it is a surprise for her husband.

I'll stop back in later with more details on the goings on, but for now, I'm keeping busy making things for my wonderful customers. Be sure to stop by either of my shops or my facebook page, and fan me.