A Hodge Podge of Project Updates

In between writing letters, letters, and more letters to DS in USMC boot camp, I am filling up my time with sewing projects. They are beginning to pile up so I thought I would share some of what I have been working on.

First off, I don't think I ever shared the centerpeice I made for a baby shower I co-hosted last month. A very talented friend in Florida made one a while ago and I simply fell in love with it. Hers is much prettier, but I loved making this and I was pleased with it although next time I think I'll trim the stems. They look kind of leggy. Thank you T!




Then I made this little center piece for the gift table:

Here are the invitations I made:

These too were fun to make although I thought I might go mad trying to come up with an idea. Once I settled on this, it was all good. I don't think I got this idea from anywhere although I'm sure that I must have seen something similar at some point and time.

Then I made these burp cloths. Hmmm...I thought I took pictures. That's waht I get for thinking. Sigh. I made them using these fabrics. Sorry 'bout that.

DD went to a wedding shower last weekend and I made this little set for the bride:

A few weeks ago I sent off 14 blocks for the Moda "Just One Star" project:

And I am sending off these 3 pillowcases for a blogging friend who asked for some help with a veterans project:

Thinking back, I didn't feel as if I had accomplished much recently, but writing it all down makes me feel a bit better. I've still got some baby quilts to share and I'm working on DD's quilt for college, but I'll share that next time. I've got to pop another letter into the mail box for my boy!

1 Down, 89 to Go

Yesterday morning was hard. We dropped our son off at he recruiters and he is now officially headed to San Diego for Marine Boot Camp. Oye! We're so cotton pickin proud of his choice that I'm about to bust a button, but wow, is this ever hard on Mamas! Just yesterday he was only a little tike:

He's fixing to go through a huge change so I really have no right to gripe about how sad I am. We're so proud that he is making this sacrifice to serve, but the Mama side of me can't stop herself from tearing up.

On Saturday we went out into the pens to brand a couple of calves. I loved it. Work and fun has always gone hand in hand for us. I'm hoping that the work ethic he's been raised with will be beneficial to him.

I'm cooking for a crew this week so I'll be busy. But I don't want to be busy. I want to flop on our bed and cry my eyes out. I want it to be July 22nd. I want to be on a plane, headed to San Diego for his graduation. But, this isn't about me. It's about him and the journey he is on.

Since he made this decision, I have felt at peace so this must be God's will and as long as he's walking in His will, how can I be upset? God's calling is all I've ever wanted for my children to follow so as difficult as it may be, I am good with it.

Today is a good day. He just called from the airport in Amarillo. For some odd reason, they are flying to Dallas, and then San Antonio, before heading to California. ? Who knows. DS has only been on a plane once, when he was 1 so this too will be a new experience. I can't tell you how good it was to hear his voice. No tears until we hung up.

I promised him that I would walk every day he was away. Today is day 1 and the wind's howling at 50 mph. I'm still walking. It's going to be my prayer time although in actuality, I'm praying all day. And I want to thank all of you have sent cards and words of encouragement and prayers for him.

We've always been big supporteres of our troops. My Dad was a career Air Force man and we're very thankful for their service and sacrifice through the years. I've always had a really hard time keeping the tears at bay when I hear the National Anthem. I'm thinking all bets are off now. Tears will just be a given.

There will be lots of letter writing going on around here this summer.

Semper Fi Bud!