I'm new to this site. My husband is away, and I'm trying to keep my sanity. I really enjoy doing crafts, and want to get more into hair bows, and things to boost morale to our men & women overseas. I don't know where to begin with the hair bows... Does anyone have any suggestions? Or anything that your SO loved while deployed? Need some ideas to brainstorm! I can only be at work so long, then when I get home, I need something else to make time go by faster.. 

I made a goal of trying something new every week that he was gone. I did things like cooking a new food, going somewhere and crafting stuff (stuff for my house like redoing the chairs and stuff). I planed and made a list then marked them off as the weeks went by, it also kind of worked as a count down. 

have you ever heard of cake in a jar before? My sister did this for her husband and mine while they were deployed. She did it for their birthdays and sent a whole box full off party supply and the cakes and sent them a little birthday party in a box. She isn't as crafty as you so I'm sure you could put a better spin on the idea. Make your own personalized ribbons and party supplies if any one your husband is deployed with is having a birthday or even for holidays like 4th of July or small ones that no one remembers of but we still get a day off for...just have different themed boxes with all your homemade stuff and I'm sure your husband and others will love to see what new thing you pack each month. 

I did cake in a jar for valentines one year when my husband was deployed. They were a little mushy when they got there but definitely a treat after eating chow hall food constantly!

As for bows, I love pinterest. I always find different ways to make bows. Also you tube is great. They have really good tutorials on there.

Do you have any children? Playdates are a great way to meet people and create new friendships. My friends that I made are what got me through his third deployment (the other two I was home with family). 

Thanks everyone for all of your ideas! They sound wonderful!

Barbie - That sounds like a good idea! Some of the other wives and I get together once every other week to exchange crafting ideas and come up with new items. GREAT for the Farmer's Market where I live. LOTS of really cool things there.

SSB2010 - Never heard of cake in a jar before. Is there a website I can find out more info?

txbelle - I JUST started getting into bows. My best friend's daughter is getting a bit older and starting to have more hair (13 months I believe) so my friend and I started shopping for Navy ribbons because her Hubby's is Navy, and we put together this nice ribbon and made a "sailor dress" for her little one for a family photo. It's still very new to me, so I'm not all that great yet, but I'm trying. As far as children go, I'm afraid not. I was told to stop by Pendletonunderground from a girl friend who just got stationed there, to meet new people in Cali. I'm at stumps. Part of 29underground as well. HOPING to get Pendleton sometime soon. SO much more to do up there! I don't really travel much because I'm scared of the freeways believe it or not and plus work & church just won't allow it at times.
If anyone wants to talk I guess send me a message on here. I am still getting used to this site and trying to Navigate my way through. Hope yall had a great weekend! 

I wish I was craftier :( 

I think My sister found it on pintrest...but i can ask her for the directions if you'd like. 

I did cake in a jar for my husband's birthday (I used box mix-figured more preservatives would make it last longer) He said it was great, I sent with a thing of frosting, candles, and party favor bags full of things the guys really don't need (cigarettes and chewing tobacco) If you use wide mouth jars they literally will just pop out. (I googled cake in a jar, and just looked at their jarring technique, and paid close attention while baking to ensure they were cooked all the way) 

I wish I was craftier :(
(I really wasn't crafty until I had so much time on my hands! lol!!)

I think My sister found it on pintrest...but i can ask her for the directions if you'd like. 

Yes please!!!!! =D That sounds awesome! Some of the wives from our unit are getting together this weekend at my house for a Care Package Party for the 4th of July. It would be great to have the recipe to exchange with them and try it out!! lol.

Champ - What kind of Jars are you using? Regular Mason jars? And you can ship tobacco products?!?! My Husband smokes, and I had no idea I could do that for him. lol

You all are such a great help!! Thank you so much! When I start making more crafts, I'm going to be making a FB page for it all. I'll be posting when that time comes if yall are interested!!! =) 

Champ - What kind of Jars are you using? Regular Mason jars? And you can ship tobacco products?!?! My Husband smokes, and I had no idea I could do that for him. lol

Yes regular mason the ones with the "rings" and seperate "lid" you have to use the jarring technique where you heat the lids and put them on while the cake/jar is still hot so it can vaccuum seal. I also filled the jars a tiny pit over 3/4th of the way so it did cook slightly over the top, and took a knife and shaved anything over the top of the jar (if that makes sense) and I googled to find out about the tobacco products, and it seemed it was legal, BUT I didn't put it on my customs form (there wasn't enough lines, hahaha) 

LOL I like the way you think!!!! 

Crochetqueen, so are you in 29palms or here in pendleton? We were stationed in 29 for three years. The only thing that made it a little more bearable was working because I made some great friends.