The Toy Box Years: When Insomnia and Crafting Collide

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

When Insomnia and Crafting Collide - Patriotic Wreath

>> Sunday, June 12, 2011

I couldn't sleep last night. I was so tired, but I just couldn't sleep. So, I pulled out the crafting supplies and got to work!

I had this wreath form sitting in a box in my laundry room for awhile. Before My Marine left, I asked him to measure out 9 spaces on the wreath for me.....which he did using formulas and equations that would probably put NASA to shame.

Then I started wrapping it with red, white, and blue yarn. I found this really cool "boucle-like" yarn on sale at Jo-Ann's a couple weeks ago. Nani calls it the "bumpy" yarn. I just think it added a bit more texture to the wreath.

Then I made a bunch of red, white, and blue felt rosette flowers and glued some stars in the center.

And then about midnight - like a crazy woman - I hung it on my door and took pictures!

Then I tried to sleep - and failed - so then I started working on my second craft.......stay tuned!

6 comments:

MaryAnne June 12, 2011 at 5:27 PM: Your wreath is awesome! Very different from anything I've seen. Insomnia paid off, even if you paid for it the next morning =)
Cassie June 12, 2011 at 6:07 PM: That is VERY cute! I am definitely putting it on my to do list!
Anonymous June 12, 2011 at 7:01 PM: You may be a crazy woman, but that wreath is darn cute!
LucieP June 14, 2011 at 8:26 PM: girl I love it!!! Now we gotta figure out how to tire your brain!
Elle Belles Bows June 16, 2011 at 5:47 PM: I love your wreath!

My 4th of July wreath needs a revamp but not certain I will get to it this year.

Full moon nights get me for the insomnia:-)

Kerri
Danifred June 20, 2011 at 7:13 PM: Super cute! I love that.