Easy Cat Bed

So I was trying to find a sewing pattern to make Miss Leia a cat bed and I came across this really easy super cool idea. All you have to do is take a sweater, sew the arms together and down the sides of the sweater. Then you stuff it (I used scraps of fleece from other projects and other scraps I had lying around) and sew the two opening ups and voila.....Instant cat bed. I had one old sweater in my closet and so I sewed it up and surprisingly Miss Leia LOVES it! I set it on top of the art cart, right near where I sit to use the computer. So she can sleep right by me. :) Here are some pics of her enjoying her new bed. Side note, it took maybe 30-40 minutes total to finish this cat bed. Not bad...

New Crochet Project

I have been way busy with family and friends and haven't had much time to crochet or sew. (Also I may be considered a facebook addict, but who's counting?)

I have a HUGE list of patterns that I want to make. I have no idea what I am doing with them when they are finished. Selling, gift giving, saving for Christmas gifts...Not sure. But they are patterns that I have been dying to try.

So I started this cute monkey pattern. I LOVE monkeys. Plus I have more yarn than one person should EVER own at one time. So, perfect way to destash to make room for more yarn. (*insert evil laugh) :)

This pattern is super easy and although this monkey is HUGE (you'll see). It is working up fairly quickly. 2 nights of crocheting when the kids go to bed and voila, we have a giant monkey head, face and all. I used a barbie for size reference. Please disregard the fact that she is naked and also has an awful haircut. The haircut was done by my sister many years ago, the nudity was caused by Bella's need to undress EVERY doll she gets her hands on. Onto the photos. Here is my work in progress.

Giganto Monkey!

Remember this is JUST the head!

Bella's Summer Hairdo

So summer time is awesome in Okinawa. This will most likely be our last summer in Okinawa, and so we are taking full advantage of the gorgeous beaches while we can. Well, not only is it ridiculously hot in the summer here, but each and EVERY time we hit the beach Bella proceeds to throw sand into her OWN hair and rub it in. Also, I have had it with me putting her hair in barrettes and ponytails only to have it ripped out moments later. So off we went to Miss Stephanie's wonderful salon and after a few tears, a sucker and some coaxing from Mamy and Me-April, she got the CUTEST haircut ever! It definitely fits her feisty personality. We probably had about 6 inches cut off, so it is a huge change! Here is my summer ready Bella girl!

Nasty Easter

We had the opportunity to try something totally different and super fun this Easter. Our friends included us in their Easter tradition, which we will be sure to continue for years to come. The moms did ALL of the prep work for this, but if we start earlier next year the kids will be able to do most of it themselves, atleast the older kids will. :)

We started by blowing out dozens of eggs. (Try to start early so as not to waste any egg insides).

Make a pin hole in the top and a hole about the size of a quarter in the bottom.

Blow the egg out of the big hole.

Then rinse each egg thoroughly.

Let the eggs completely dry.

Dye the eggs.

I wore rubber gloves and just used food coloring and vinegar.

They will float since they are hollow, so I just rolled them around in the dye while they floated.

Then set them out to dry.

It is VERY important that they be completely dry in order to stuff them.

We used confetti & glitter to stuff the eggs for the kids.

Then we took small squares of tissue paper and used a bit of water to adhere it to the egg covering up the large holes.

Once they were dry, they were sealed and ready for action.

*** The adults also participated and stuffed their eggs with: flour, cinnamon, ground up catfood, funyuns, fritos, etc. Some also filled theirs with whipped cream. Make sure everyone "playing" is willing to get messy!)***

Then we took everyone out into an open field and let them go WILD! It was the most fun I have had on Easter in years! Although, I cannot stand the smell of catfood,and my lovely friend Steph nailed me immediately with a "catfood egg".

Thanks Steph!

Enjoy the pictures of our fun "Nasty" Easter! Our friends are our family while stationed overseas, and we have the best family ever!

Love you guys!

Bella smashed atleast a dozen on HERSELF!!



Look what I did Mom!

Steph's confetti hair!

Photography

I've decided to share some of my photography. I just got a new camera and I have been testing it out and seeing what it & I can do together. We have had recent trips to the zoo, the botanical gardens and even some trips right out our front door. I hope you enjoy things from my point of view.

A rusty lantern at the Southeast Botanical Gardens, Okinawa.

Comprehensive Park, Okinawa

My view of a sign at the botanical gardens, Okinawa.

Marble stone etched with kanji at the entrance to the botanical gardens, Okinawa.

A fish statue at the botanical gardens, Okinawa.

The railing of a dock in the botanical gardens, Okinawa.

I found these bricks fascinating.

Botanical Gardens, Okinawa.

A thatched roof and a wooden light fixture.

Botanical Gardens, Okinawa.

Now onto the kid pics! These are pics I think are artistic or I just love them so I am sharing them. Most are Bella, but one is Chan. Enjoy and feel free to leave comments.

Bella at a park in Okinawa

Chan in our front yard in Okinawa

Princess Bella in our front yard
Okinawa

Bella at Cape Zanpa

Okinawa

Bella

Southeast Botanical Gardens

Okinawa

Bella

Southeast Botanical Gardens

Okinawa

Bella looking at the fishies

Southeast Botanical Gardens

Okinawa

Bella

Southeast Botanical Gardens

Okinawa



Thanks for stopping by!

Hat Makin'

I have been making hats for friends this week. It has been REALLY cold this "winter" here in Oki. Weird. We have been here 4 winters and this is the coldest it has been! We are fah-reezing!! So I made a hat for my friend and her hubby. Hers is a puff stitch pink hat and his is a basic sc beanie. He asked for one with no holes in it. And I used jiffy yarn for his and I have to say I LOVE IT!! It is bulky, yet soft and it made a gorgeous soft hat. I will try to get some pics this week of the hats being worn to post here.

Pics coming soon!

NOM NOM NOM Garlic House

We have been to the Garlic House aka Arin Krin a few times already, but it is always fun to take people who have never been. It is great to see and hear their reactions to the AMAZING food and garlicky goodness. I usually forget to take pictures of the food, but not this time. So here are some pictures from the Garlic House. The food is amazing and we had a fun time with our friends!

Deep fried garlic



Garlic squid & veggies

Garlic beef & broccoli

Tandori garlic chicken

Fried shrimp with garlic cheese sauce

Sooooooo yummy!!

My favorite!

Deep fried cheesy garlic mashed potatoes!!

Deeeee-licious!!

Gorgeous Tote Bag

So I found this amazing pattern on Ravelry and I just had to try it. I used Lily's Sugar & Creme and it came out looking amazing! This is my 1st attempt at any kind of bag or purse really and I think it looks spectacular. I will definitely be making more of these!

Invader Zim "GIR" Tshirts

So Toph is obsessed with Invader Zim, especially Gir, who is of course the funniest! So I painted him 2 shirts for his birthday. He loves them so much that as soon as they come out of the wash, he wears them again! So here they are:

Stencils Galore

Here are some shirts and onesies I stenciled for my daughter's best buddy.

Rawr! It's a super cute dinosaur!

A three hole punch Jim shirt from "The Office"!

Transformers!!

And his nickname!

Ninja Bunnies 2.0

I have done a little revamping on the ninja bunnies, as I heard from most people that they prefer the bunnies that have mean eyes. So all of the ninja bunnies at Tinsel Town will have mean eyes. They are adorable and so ninja!





There will be 23 ninja bunnies available for $5 each so come early, they may sell out fast. :)





Hope to see you there!

Tinsel Town

Tinsel Town is December 6th at the Shilling Center on Kadena. Come out for NINJA BUNNIES! Yes, I will have Ninja Bunnies just in time for Christmas! I will also have ornaments and toys on hand.

I came up with a neat idea for unique ornaments that no one else on island sells or has available. They are cute, stylish and reasonably priced! I'll post pictures as soon as I finish them up. Here is a taste of what the ninja bunnies look like :). And a few other items I will have for sale that day also.

I am working on a fresh supply of keyfobs also!