Somewhere in the bowels of my mother’s house lies yards of carefully folded blue fabric, half cut into a prom dress that never fully materialized. She had the best of intentions when she started the project, just as I did on the many projects that languish in my own home.

This one was never completed, and I’m aiming to finish this one in time for the little tyke’s third birthday. Ahem.

That said, this weekend I polished off a pint-sized pair of procrastination PJ’s that particularly please me. My sis started this pair of jammies for her eldest, now almost a teenager. He grew too fast, and somehow her second son blew by them, too. She gave them to me over a year ago (two? I’ve lost count) when my boys were still ridiculously small for them. She is wise. They languished in a bag for a long time, came out for a weekend of quick sewing, languished again… repeat as needed. They’ve been complete but for their buttonholes and buttons for over a month. It’s crazy! I finished them up this weekend, and I think they’re cute as can be. They are reported to be “comfy!”

Earlier this year I wrote down every half-finished project I have that I have any intention of finishing. The list isn’t quite so bad as I thought it would be – thirteen projects, two of which have since been completed. If the list is smaller every year, I’ll be happy.

Details: Started: Who knows when?! Finished: 18 Apr 2009 Pattern: Simplicity 6131 size 7 Fabric: Gifted flannel. Notes: Buttons are La Mode, 5/8″ (16mm) Style 33550. Three left over for the button jar.

I’ve been meaning to post about a charity I’m working with, and as they just issued an urgent call for knitterly goodness, now is a good time. The charity is Operation Quiet Comfort. They send support packages to military hospitals to comfort wounded soldiers and those who care for them. One of the wonderful things about this group is that they basically “fill orders” from their hospital contacts. You can be sure that whatever you send is needed where its going.

Please note that whether you craft or not, and whether you have money or not, Operation Quiet Comfort can use your help. Some projects are put together so that people who have time but no funds can receive material to work with from other members of the group, and vice versa.

In addition to the usual fare (personal grooming kits, cool ties, etc.) Operation Quiet Comfort has some unique things going on. The first is quilts. They have a ‘Four Freedoms Gratitude Quilt’, where 96 people send messages of gratitude and well-wishing written on well-worn denim squares from old jeans. The messages are sewn into a quilt that is given to a wounded soldier. Quilters that prefer a more traditional medium can make ‘litter quilts’. These quilts are the size of the litters used to carry wounded soldiers. Another clever thing they do is send bread machines and mixes to the hospitals. What a morale booster the smell and taste of ‘homemade’ bread must be (and is, from comments sent back to the group from the hospitals.)

Right now, the group’s supply of knit hats is running low. They are basic hats, knit from a specific pattern in the round in black yarn. If you would like to help with this project, please contact Operation Quiet Comfort. You can join the Yahoo group and then contact the knitting/crochet project coordinator and let her know how you would like to help.

I’m in the midst of a Four Freedoms quilt right now, but I’ll be knitting hats later.