My first month at Texas Tech, my newly appointed fraternity big brother, Sammy, gave me my very first shirt with my Greek letters sewn on it. It was a bright gold cotton Russel sports jersey. I loved that he hand selected the Greek letter patches and even added “Sam’s little bro” embroidered in white on the left chest (where a Polo horse was usually found).

In those first few lonely weeks away from home, starting college for the first time, I was completely surprised by his gift. It made me feel like I belonged….and I wore it everywhere.

Sadly, I lost that shirt 3 years ago when we moved into this house (along with all my Fraternity shirts)….I can’t even find a picture of me wearing it.

But, I remember it well…..and especially how it made me feel when I wore it.

I know I always will.

I still have an attachment to chenille patches.

And I’ve been collecting these things for couple decades now,

Like anything else I can find at a junk shop for about a dollar. Here’s a few of the cool ones.

Really diggin’ these pillows in this Better Homes and Gardens pic.

Might be because they remind me of the ones I made for our den.

About 10 years ago, I found a Letterman’s jacket in the street while walking my dog, Faust. The jacket was trashed, but the patches were “SWEET”. The previous owner had gone to Woodrow Wilson High School, and played baseball. A LOT of  baseball. He was even varsity catcher. That’s where the big “W” and the “Varsity Catcher baseball” patches on the pillows came from.

Not that I am claiming to have invented patches on pillows..

SternseyBears.com will make a teddy bear from your old Letterman’s jacket, even one you find in the street, and for about $150.

How cool is this guy?

They will find a way to work the old patches in.

Here’s my daily commuter bag. Had it for years, it goes everywhere I go.

The indian head. Added that myself.

Jamie picked up these felt pocket iPad covers from West Elm in the clearance section for about 2 bucks each.

I know there are long gone now, but anyone could just substitute felt to make their own.

Look how great they look with these large black patches.

In case you aren’t lucky enough to find an abandoned Letterman’s jacket just laying in the street, I found a place online that sells them, Anything Chenille. Ebay and etsy are great sources too.

Check them out,

Buy a couple,

Think outside the box and sew them on things.