Debugging

Last week I laid LittleBear down on the carpet in her bedroom to change her diaper.

She felt something tickling her neck, reached behind her and pulled up a stink bug.

Do you know of these stink bugs? Around here, they are a plague. They are stupid, they fly, they're everywhere. They're also harmless (I think), but fairly big (think beetle sized).

LittleBear's reaction?



Instant insane hysteria.

Words can not begin to describe the trauma. She cried for TWO days. She would be sitting quietly, and suddenly remember, and begin crying again. I had no idea that an 18 month old's recall and short term memory could last that long. Any spot, large or small, from the ceiling to the floor to a spot on my shirt or a smudge on her leg would have her in absolute hysterics again.

She learned a new word, and began running around the house crying "BUG", pointing at the ceiling.

A week later a housefly flew past her in the hallway and she ran to me, crying and clinging as if her life depended on it.

Thus began our Bug Desensitization Program (B.D.P.)

Phase I of the B.D.P. involved drawings of bugs with happy faces.


See the happy buggies?



Then we proceeded on to bugs of a slightly more threatening ilk:



Ooooh, angry buggies....but it's okay, right?

Phase II: A nice little stuffed buggy. More realistic than the drawings, but not moving.

We look, we touch, we kiss.





Depending on your patient's progress at this point, you can ease into it a little further. Perhaps a viewing of "A Bug's Life". Bugs teamed with anthropomorphism--a sure fire desensitization technique.

My patient was responding well, so we proceeded directly into:

Phase III: A trip outside to visit the buggies. Slowly, slowly...baby steps (literally). We watched actual, living buggies from afar.

Phase IV: A large step: we said "hi" to the buggies. Acknowledging their existence. Interaction on a human to bug level.

Progress is slow and steady with the B.D.P., folks. Slow and steady.

Finally, a landmark day. An actual stinkbug flying around in the house. It lands on the counter. This is it, here we go.

Ultimate intervention time: touching the buggy.

We breathe deep. It takes a few tries. LittleBear was brave, but her hand twitched. She tried, but pulled her hand back in fear. Finally, after seeing Mommy touch the bug a few times, she gathered her courage, and success!

Yes, the B.D.P. has been a success my friends.
 And I am the proud parent of a bug loving baby.



(Please ignore the film of snot and mac & cheese surrounding her face. I'm actually a good mom, pinky swear)

However, as with any gains in life, there are always rebounds.
Ripple effects, if you will: some good, some bad.

In this case? Well, LittleBear is weaning. It's time, it's hard, but we're doing it. She has a dependancy. And we're going slow. Today she lifted my shirt and looked, but no drinking.

She "ugged" them (hugged).

She pointed to her source of food and comfort for the last 18+ months.

"Bug", she said.

and the secret ingredient is...

This sounds interesting!!





Of course, given that my interest in the actual "Iron Chef" show lasts only until the "secret ingredient" is revealed...and then pretty much peters out and I flip stations...hmmm...

Maybe it's not the best challenge for me?

I don't know. The first project isn't due until May 31st. So I have some time to think on it.

What about you?

Fabric Hanging Wall Files Tutorial

Here it is~~a tutorial for the hanging wall pockets/files I made for the hallway to help organize my kids' schoolwork.

To see the whole hallway redo post, click HERE!





Fortunately I have 4 children, because it took me all four times to figure out the best way of making these!





They aren't difficult once you get the hang of it, I was able to whip up the last one in about 15 minutes (not counting cutting the fabric)


I tried to make this as easy to follow as possible (including my awesome drawings and arrows on the photos). But if you have any questions, just ask! I'm happy to help.


Here we go...


First, your supplies:





Fabric dimensions: (in case you hate my drawings)
(2) backer pieces 11"x14"
(2) pocket body pieces 9"x12"
(2) pocket bottom pieces 2"x12"
(4) pocket side pieces: cut them 9" long, 3" wide at the top and 2" wide at the bottom and draw an angle line to match those two short sides (see my mad awesome drawing above)
ribbon or bias tape
(3) pieces of cardboard approximately the same sizes as your backer piece, pocket body and bottom piece

You'll also need a disappearing or water soluble fabric pen.

Note: ***I used a 1/4" seam allowance on all pieces***


Sewing Instructions:


1. Take two of your side pieces and sew them on either end of one of the bottom pieces, creating one long section like so:





Do the same with the other 2 side pieces and bottom piece so you have two long pieces.


2. Take both those long pieces, match up the seams and sew them wrong sides together down the straight edge:





Turn right side out and press.


3. Take your smallest piece of cardboard and fit it in the center (bottom opening). Make sure the cardboard fits tightly end to end, but leave room to sew a seam on the long edge.


Sew along the long edge to lock the cardboard in place.





4. Now you are going to sew this one long piece you've created to the pocket body. Take both pocket body pieces (you don't have to attach them to each other first unless you want to) and match it to the raw edges of your long side/bottom/side piece (not the side you already sewed closed). Line up the top edges, corners to corner seams, and sew right sides together.


Sewn:







And flipped right side out:




I didn't do anything to the inside seams to finish them off because I'm lazy like that :0) You could serge them or zigzag stitch them if you're more motivated than me...

5. Now we're going to attach the pocket we've made to the backer piece. You could measure this...again, I'm lazy so I basically just eyeballed it.

I came up about 1 1/4 inches from the bottom, layed (laid? laying?) the pocket on one of the backer pieces and traced all the way around.

Lay the pocket piece right sides together with the backer and stitch along the bottom like so:



6. Flip the pocket up and top stitch the sides down along the lines you drew.



7. Take your second backer piece and lay it on top, making a little sandwich with the pocket piece in the center. Sew down one side, across the bottom and up the other side (leave the top open). Turn it right side out (it may take a little maneuvering because of the cardboard piece in the bottom--just try not to make any creases in it)



8. Now you need to fit your cardboard pieces in the pocket front and backer. The tighter you can fit the cardboard, the more professional and nice looking your end product will be.


Start with the pocket piece. Put the cardboard in and run a line of stitches across the top to hold it in place. Then you're going to apply the ribbon or bias tape to cover the opening.


Here's how I did it: sew the ribbon to the top edge, right sides together. Then fold the ribbon over, enclosing your raw edges and top stitch.








Then do the same thing on the backer piece: fit the cardboard in nice and snug, and close the opening with ribbon or bias tape.






PHEWWW!!! We made it! Really, it's not nearly as difficult as it seems from this tutorial. I confused myself I think! But once you get the idea, you can crank these babies out no problem!


If you have one of those punches to put grommets in I think that would look cute on top. I simply screwed through the top to attach them to the wall--I plan on hot gluing some buttons on to cover the screws.



Also, you can leave the front cardboard out if you want. It makes it a little easier to sew up. The wall pocket to the far right in the above picture has no cardboard in the front.


That's it! If you make any of these please let me know--I'd love to see them! And again, if you have any questions please ask and I'll do my best to help out.

Linking up here:










and Frugalicious Friday @ Decor Momma