Just Mommy and Me

JT and I spend a portion of our rest day together. We miss our time together and it was fun just running around with him. 

Things that get in the way

I wanted to continue this blog to shine a light on things that make me happy. I started working again in January and have let the blog get away from me. But we are on vacation and this is what made me happy...

Dancing in the square w/ you. 

Life Lesson: Remember the Personal Details

Being one of the few Asians in our community, people remember me. They remember details I don't remember imparting. They remember how I spoke, acted, reacted, laughed, joked, walked, everything. And what I learned is that I had to work harder to remember details about other people. Being different made me stand out in a crowd...except when Dad and I went to China, then I blended. But I digress. Everyone should feel unique. I work harder to keep details of others. What they like to eat, drink, wear, read, travel, interests. When you remember those details, people will appreciate it. It means they stand out to you. It means you spent time to remember them. 

So when you meet someone new, take time to catalog their personal details, even if you have to write it down. They will remember how good you made them feel when you are considerate enough to mention the things they care about. 

DIY No Sew Boot Trees

When your expensive boots limply fall over in the closet, they are exposing themselves to more abuse with other shoes carelessly getting deposited on top, say your 3 sons' soccer cleats. My sister showed me a set boot trees she bought and I wondered why I don't have a pair for every one of my boots. Why doesn't every one? How can I mass produce without sewing? I saw you could cut a pool noodle and put them in...but let's make them look nice.

Supplies for 2 sets of boot trees:

1 pool noodle 

1/2 yard of fabric (I used 42"ish quilting cotton fabric) Note: Vertical prints seem look better than horizontal. I experimented with a number of fabrics that you can see in last picture. 

Felt

4 Dryer Sheets (to smell nice)

4 Ribbon cut into 18" lengths (Grosgrain is preferred here)

Glue (I used a hot glue gun)

Measuring Tape

Iron 

Serrated knife

Scissors

1. Cut your noodle into 4 equal parts with a serrated knife. The noodles I used were standard $1 store, ~56", so I was cutting them to 13.5". If the last piece was longer, I trimmed it to be the same size. 

2. Cut your folded fabric into two 9- 9.5" sections. Then cut in half on the folded line. You should have 4 equal sections. 

3. Use the noodle and trace circle onto felt. Cut out 4. This will cover the bottom of the boot tree. 

4. Fold over the top salvage end of the fabric 2.5-3" and iron.  Open flap up. Then fold a 3/4-1" edge inward and iron.

5. Assembly! Place a dryer sheet in middle of your fabric. 

Place your cut noodle so that 1-2" are left at the bottom. 

Put a continuous strip of glue on the ironed seam, close to the folded edge, from the bottom of fabric (on left) to before the folded over, top portion (on the right). Roll it up tightly and hold together until cool/dry. You don't want to glue the folded over, top portion (on right) together just yet. 

6. Fold bottom edges like a present and glue down. 

7. Glue on round felt. 

8. Now look at the top. I tucked the Unfinished edge into the ironed seam and secured with a dot of glue. 

9. Tie top with ribbon and trim edges. Voila!

At this time of year, I could only buy a case of noodles to the delight of my kids, who have been using them as long weapons. So, I made them for all my kids' female teachers and friends for a holiday gift! 

Xuan, Quan, Tu?

After we vascilated to name JT Tuan or Tu, we decided Xuan, Quan, Tuan was too much and went for Tu. Last week, JT informed us he wanted 4 letters in his middle name like his brothers. Oh well.  

Infinity scarf longer than JT

Cousin Katie was surfing Pinterest and sent me a couple ideas. She asked me to make an infinity scarf that could wrap around 3 times. After getting to the 2nd row, my hook broke, so I pulled it apart and started over, using a bigger hook. The stitch didn't look the same as a picture we so I pulled it apart and tried a different stitch. It still didn't look right, so I pulled it apart again and used a larger hook...so, many tries later...Success! 

I used a N (8mm) hook instead of the J hook. 

Here's my first pattern write up...

Supplies:

5 Skeins of yarn (the one I used is pictured below, available at JoAnn's)

N Hook

3/4 in sheer organza ribbon, same length as finished scarf

Row 1: Chain on as many as you want...I didn't count, just wrapped it around my neck 3 times. It is about 8 feet. 

Rows 2-28 (or so): Turn, Single Crochet into 2nd stitch. Single crochet all the way across...turn and repeat. The width was about 8-9 inches. 

Bind off. 

Match ends. (You can twist scarf, but I didn't.) Use ribbon and lace ends together. Tie a bow with excess. 

Done!

Election Day

I vote today to honor my parents, who fled a country that suppressed their rights, who came to this country with only hope, for all the men and women who ensured our safety on that journey, and who continue to provide us with this opportunity. I may be one voice, but I live the American Dream everyday. Election Day is one of my favorites.