An American Tradition

Summer is about sunshine, water, and fun with friends, but for Americans, summer is also about FREEDOM. Summer starts with Memorial Day, a remembrance of the men and women we have lost in combat, and ends with Labor Day, a celebration of the rights of laborers. In between those holidays, in the very heart of summer, is the Fourth of July, a celebration of our independence. Americans choose to celebrate these holidays in many ways, but most people choose to celebrate with an American tradition. The American tradition that my family most often chooses is baseball. After all, baseball is America's favorite past time. For me, it was obvious that my next project needed to be baseball themed, but I really wanted to make my project about America too because there is meaning behind these holidays beyond a day off to watch a baseball game with family and friends. I used Google to find inspiration for my design and then compiled various elements I had liked into my own design for a patriotic, baseball-themed t-shirt. 

Once the design was finished, I printed the design out onto regular computer paper, and then began creating my stencil using freezer paper. Freezer paper is an excellent stencil for making t-shirts or other fabric projects. I traced my design onto the freezer paper and then used an Exacto knife to cut out the pieces of the design that I would need to paint first. I then ironed the design onto the t-shirt, as well as the pieces that were free floating in the background. I will freely admit that I didn't make sure my design was straight on the t-shirt before deciding to iron it on, which means that after I finished painting my t-shirt that the design was crooked. This is a rookie mistake, but it happens and I figure it gives my t-shirt a uniqueness. That said, if I were to make this t-shirt design again I would definitely make sure the design was straight. 

Besides the crookedness of the design I think the t-shirt came out really well. I was able to make this project for under $5 because I had all of the necessary supplies except for the t-shirt. I used Microsoft Word to create the design and standard fabric paint to paint it on the t-shirt. I really do enjoy t-shirt design, this is the 3rd t-shirt I have finished, and I will definitely be making more designs in the future. In fact, I already have a few t-shirt designs in mind for the next few months. 

The other t-shirt designs are pictured below:

Stephen Vogt T-shirt Design; this t-shirt was given to him in the 2014 season. 

Sonny Gray T-shirt Design; He even signed it at Fan Fest in 2014.

Update

It has been awhile since I have posted anything on this blog. Partly because I haven't had time, partly because I haven't been crafting, and partly because I have been focused on my other blog Lessons. It is because Lessons is going so well that I have decided to reinvest in BooBear Designs. I really am amazed at the people who are able to work full time and keep their crafting blog updated. I have so many ideas and dreams for this blog, but I am just unable to keep it updated because I don't have the time. For those who don't know, I am a full time behavior technician and I am also going to school to become certified as a child life specialist. That said I am going to try to start posting weekly.

Recently, I have finished a newborn photo prop for my cousin's son. My cousin loves Goofy, her childhood bedroom was even painted in Goofy's colors, so when I found out she was having a boy I knew what I wanted to make her. Essentially I crocheted a Goofy hat, a diaper cover, and booties to go with an orange onesie. These pieces made up the Goofy outfit. I also included a Goofy plushie. My cousin's baby shower, a month ago, was a huge success and she adored the outfit. I will post a more detailed post later. 

Some other projects I am working on are a jungle-themed baby blanket, a baseball-themed t-shirt, and something super hero/comic book themed. The jungle-themed baby blanket will likely be for one of my coworkers (and friend) who is also having a boy. The baseball-themed t-shirt is for the baseball games that fall on American holidays. I don't really know what super hero project I want to make, but I'm loving all of the super hero/comic book movies that have been coming out. 

Raft Cup Holder

Last summer I was introduced to rafting and fell in love. The funny thing is I had my own raft, but never used it or went rafting before last summer. This month I have spent time patching my raft, which had a fairly large hole on the bottom, and then decided to try adding my own cup holder to my raft. If you have gone rafting then you understand that finding a place to put your soda is near impossible without losing your soda or flipping your raft. There are several DIYs for floating cup holders, but I didn't like the idea of my drink possibly floating away in a fast current. I already had this can cozy, I received it as a giveaway at some event, and thought that I might be able to attach it to the side of my raft as a cup holder.

To make this cup holder you will need E6000 glue, fabric glue, a can cozy, and Velcro. The Velcro I used was self-adhesive, but I wanted the bond to be secure so I used fabric glue to adhere the Velcro pieces to the back of the can cozy and then E6000 to adhere the other Velcro pieces to the side of the raft. I allowed the Velcro pieces to dry on the can cozy and raft for a few hours before attaching the can cozy to the side of the raft. This cup holder raft project was definitely a success and I can't wait to go rafting again this year. I imagine there will be many more DIYs that I will want to create as I get back into rafting.  

Are there any DIYs you want me to try? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Reverse Lent: He has risen!

This last week has been overwhelming and challenging, beyond trying to finish the Reverse Lent challenge, but that isn't what today is about. Today is about someone who loved us so much that He laid downn His life that we might be saved. Jesus died on the cross for all of us and if you have never given Him a second thought, I encourage you to do so now.  There is a simple prayer you can pray right now, inviting Jesus into your heart, and I'll leave it here for anyone who might want to pray that prayer: 

Dear God,

Thank You that Heaven is a free gift. I admit that I have sinned and that I cannot save myself. I know that You love me, but I also realize You are just and You must punish my sins. Thank You for Jesus who is God and who died to pay the penalty for my sins. And now by faith, I place my full trust in Jesus Christ alone for my eternal salvation. I now receive the free gift of eternal life. Come into my life, forgive me of my sins and help me become the person You want me to be. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen

If you prayed that prayer, please leave a commemt below that I might rejoice with you. Your journey isn't going to be easy, but with God you are never alone in your struggles. I have dealt with my fair share of struggle, most recently this weekend, but God has been there every step, even when I felt alone and defeated. You are not alone and Jesus is waiting to be accepted into your life that He might show you His love for you. 

That's what this Reverse Lent challenge has been about: love. God first loved us that we would know what love is. It is because God loves me that I spent the last 6 weeks, 40 days to be exact, working on baby blankets for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Remembrance. This organization provides support to women who have lost a child. These blankets will be mailed to the organization and included into care packages that will be delivered next month. I unfortunately overestimated my ability to finish a blanket a week during Lent and only finished 4 blankets, but that is 3 more than last year so I am feeling successful. I will be trying to work on another blanket this week while I'm off of work, but I feel proud of what I was able to accomplish this Lent. Remember not to compare your results to your original expectations, but look at your results in terms of your progress. Did you accomplish more than you thought you would? Did your skills improve? Think about your progress relative to your own life and not expectations, either the ones you make yourself or those of other people. 

Happy Easter! May God bless you and your families!

Reverse Lent: Week 5

Last week's beautiful sunny, Spring is almost here, day has been replaced with cold winds and storm clouds. Yesterday morning we even had rain, just enought to wet the cars, but not nearly as much as we need. Our weather just can't seem to make up its mind. The sudden, unexpected changes in temperature this last week is reminding me of life, where anything can happen at any moment. You might have plenty of time to craft one moment and the next be too busy to do anything enjoyable. Life is unexpected and this can be good or it can be bad depending on the unexpected additions to your life. Either way, just like with the weather, we have to deal with it and adjust our lives accordingly. 

As you probably guessed it, I am still behind in my Reverse Lent challenge. However, I am only 1 1/2 blankets behind now so I might just be caught up by next week....ok, well I can still hope that is true. This Reverse Lent has been challenging, but I am really enjoying the time I have spent crocheting the blankets for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. The blankets have to be plain, as in they only want medium colored blankets in a single color, which has been challenging, but I am trying to create pretty blankets by changing the stitch used.

I haven't taken any pictures of the blankets I have made thus far, but I promise I will bring taking pictures soon and will upload them at the end of the challenge. I also have been thinking about new projects for Spring and will be posting new DIYs in the next month, along with Spring cleaning tips and more ideas about how to stay organized. 

Reverse Lent: Week 4

Spring is almost upon us and everything seems to already be in bloom. The weather is warm, too warm for winter, and reminiscent of new beginnings. This week I have been thinking about the end of winter and putting last year behind me. Yes, it is March, 3 months into the new year, but there is still this focus on the past. I feel certain I'm not alone in this thinking or there wouldn't be the need for Spring Cleaning. I always liked Spring, with the flowers blooming, and the possibility of new beginnings looming in the future. This week, the week before Spring's official start, I am ready for new beginnings. I am still behind in my Reverse Lent challenge and my schedule does not look any clearer in the next few weeks. I am not complaining. I know I am blessed to be busy with school and work, not everyone has a job or the opportunity to further their education, but this also means I can't keep up with all of my projects without finding myself drained.

I am, however, anticipating a brief and I mean brief period without school, which I hope will give me the opportunity to catch up on my Reverse Lent blanket challenge. I also am hoping to finish some home renovation projects and catch up on Spring Cleaning. I am ready for Spring and for new possibilities. Where do you spend the most time cleaning for Spring? What are your best tips for surviving Spring Cleaning? Leave your answers in a comment.

Reverse Lent: Week 3

They say when it rains it pours and this week has definitely taken an unexpected toll on me. I am not one to complain, but it has felt as if it has been one thing after another. Health wise it has been a continuous stream of one thing and then another, ending this week with a likely ear infection or ruptured ear drum (pending a doctor's appointment). The decline in health probably has much to do with stress, but there are certain stressors in life that are unavoidable, such as going to work. I'm not complaining, but since I'm not super woman I am once again behind on my blanket for this week. In fact, I am so behind with blanket 3 that I haven't even started it. I know that eventually it will get done, but I do feel disappointed that I was unable to stay up on the challenge for this year.

Perhaps I set an unrealistic goal. After all I am once again a student, am working full time, and trying to find time to breathe. I probably should have looked at my commitments and known that it would be too hard for me to accomplish everything I needed to get done, especially without leaving myself room to be sick or brought down by health issues. I'm not ashamed. I envisioned a big plan for myself this Lenton season and am learning to be more realistic about my goals. In different circumstances it might have been possible for me to complete this challenge and it isn't impossible now, just unlikely I will finish on time. While I don't have a blanket to show for this week, I do have a few lessons I would like to share with you.

Lesson 1: Waiting
Waiting is inevitable. In life we are guaranteed we will have to wait. We will wait on people, dreams to be realized, and prayers to be answered. Personally, I have never been good with waiting. I don't like it. If I don't see a reason why I can't have something then I want it now and am going to be upset if I don't get it. Now, I'm not a child and so when I have to wait I don't throw a fit, but I am unhappy about it. I've noticed that the longer I have to wait the more discouraged I become. The discouragement comes from a lack of understanding. I read this great article When God Makes Us Wait and it explains why we are made to wait. Right now, this article speaks to my heart. I am in a position where I am waiting for prayers to be answered. If you're in this place too then I know how frustrated you are, but I can honestly say that waiting has a purpose. When you are made to wait, God isn't saying "No" and He isn't ignoring you, He is telling you "Not yet," He is telling you "I have something better for you," and He is telling you "I will strengthen your faith." So hold on, I know it is hard, but the answer you receive will be worth the wait.

Lesson 2: Change
Change, like waiting, is an unfortunate aspect of life. Some change we experience is good and rewarding, but change represents the unknown and is therefore scary to many people. I also don't like change and make it part of my life to avoid it, for the most part. I know some change is necessary and changes our lives for the better, even if not at first, but if you ask me I would probably tell you I could live without it. Change is inevitable and whether we like it or not, we need to learn to accept the change in our life. We don't have to like it, I don't like the changes happening in my life at this moment, but you need to accept it as reality. It is real and you can't go about your life pretending it didn't happen. I wish very much if we didn't like something we could change it back, but unfortunately we don't have that kind of control. The point is change happens and when you're unhappy with the change remember, "This too will pass." This might mean your feelings about the change will pass or it might be the change changes itself. Either way even change changes. Be patient and wait because it won't last forever.

Lesson 3: Endless Supply
Change, being made to wait, and the other stressors of life will bring you down and weigh upon you. You will face struggles and not want to go on, but you don't have to do it alone. God has an endless supply of whatever you need and He is waiting to give it to you. You just have to trust He will and then lean back to enjoy your endless supply. This week I have said more than once that I can't do this, but then God fills me up again and I can give it one more try. Yes, some weeks and some days you will have to cry out for replenishment more than once, but you will always be replenished. You might not be able to do it anymore, but God can. Remember His supply is endless and He is waiting to give it to you.

I don't know where you are this week, but I know I have been reflecting on these lessons every day and I am still learning. Some days are easier than others, but I know I'm not alone and neither are you. Have faith and be happy. You are loved. If you enjoyed this week's post, consider reading my blog Lessons detailing this journey of faith.