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Sunday, September 28, 2008

Takin' it Black

Yesterday I was going through my trillions of computer music files (ok, it's really only thousands) trying to see which artist would kick off my day of "sewing with sounds." Many times I'll initially have internet radio playing in the background then switch over to music, but throughout the week I'd had my fill of politics, economic woes, domestic and international social chaos, injustices, and down right foolery. The other station which deals more with spirituality, metaphysics, and health was doing replays, and I'd heard all the shows 2-3 times already. So instead I went straight for the music.

First it was Lizz Wright's Dreaming Wide Awake
Then Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters(Thanks Dindi ;-)

After feeling all mellowed out and chill, it hit me that it had been a while since I'd listened to Skye. I'm not sure if y'all are familiar with her, but she was first brought to my attention in November '06 when she opened the show at a local Ziggy Marley concert. Her voice sounded so good to me. Nice and soothing. Well, at least from what I could here of it over the drunken shouts for Ziggy to come out :-/. Matter of fact, it was a nice contrast to all the hoopla that was going in the place, and that might be what pulled me in initially. I got a chance to meet and talk to her after the show, and she's as personable and sweet as she sound and looks. For your listening and viewing pleasure (or maybe displeasure if it's not your kind of music):

What's Wrong With Me
Love Show (which you might recall from a Nivea lotion commercial and an episode of Grey's Anatomy ...a show I've never watched, but I like that clip)
Jamaica Days (Interview +live acoustic)
Powerful
Say Amen
Stop Complaining (somebody else's video)
She's also got a website and myspace page with more tunes.

On the subject of getting back to stuff that I hadn't visited in a while, last week my attention was drawn to the fact that black hasn't really found its way into my recent creations.
Every since I made those colorful garments to wear to the wedding of 2 good friends, I've been on this color trip. (Attallah, I'm blaming this on you!) In the past it was so unlike me to use as much color as you've been using lately, but I love it and can't seem to get enough at the present moment. However, just to take it black:







I've been meaning to make more full, comfy dresses like this. I like to have garments that can serve doubly as maternity gear considering that women do become pregnant. (Julie from Hawaii I thought of you when making this. Yaaay for baby! :-D)


Edited to say that the red and lace pattern on the above dress is actually my own patchwork.





I layered 3 different types of fabric--lace, floral print, and dotted-- to get it to look how I wanted and sewed it over the black. Cause y'all know using scraps is my thing. :-D







A more...I guess...sophisticated version of the usual.

And just to clear it up, I photograph these as dresses cause it seems to me like they're easier seen this way. However, they are meant to be worn as tops. It's just that when I photograph them with any of my pants on, the results are less than desirable. If you're bold enough to wear it out with nothing on bottom, go right ahead. Just be cautious when you go to bend over or sit down or do any other activity that involves movement, ha!

As you can see I'm having a ball with my "hair flowers". They're the bomb, right?? (*sarcasm*) But I do know of 2 places where you can get the real deal: PamperingBeki.etsy.com
and OdodoOriginals.etsy.com. I'm just an amateur hair-flower-maker. They're the pros. :-)



Be well everyone.
peace ooouuuuuuut!!

20 comments:

T.Allen said...

I cannot get enough of the shape of the Tisa dress. What kind of fabric is that? I need one...we can talk offline, I think I need a black one, but I'm thinking heavyweight cotton jersey-is that do-able?

I really like hair flowers and other adornments. I keep telling myself that a peacock feather belonsg on the peacock, but I can't help but want a feathrede headband for my head. This vegan life is hard.

Tiffany Gholar said...

Thanks for sharing the music & video clips of Skye. I just added her CD to my never-ending wishlist. I plan to buy it soon! ;)

Barbara said...

Loving that dress. It does look really comfy, like a "pull on and go" type of dress, which is always a good thing to have in the closet.

I am all for black. You can do so much with it, but color is always fabulous too =)

Julie said...

You know, I was just listening to some of my old Morcheeba songs the other day and wondering what happened to their wonderful lead singer! Thanks for the update on her career and for mentioning me along with your adorable new dress. :) Yes, pretty garments that can be worn during pregnancy and beyond are very much needed in this world. I think I'll be living in dresses for the duration of this pregnancy. Oh, and I love your hair flowers! They're so cute!

Anonymous said...

Get outta here!
We have some similar music taste--I LOVE Lizz Wright and Morcheeba!
I own three Lizz albums and have been a huge fan since discovering her when Jade was a baby. At the time the mellow sounds were perfect for all the sleepless nights I spent caring for her.
Moorceeba is a more recent discovery--about a year or so ago. I bought a few tracks off of their latest album but was wondering what happened to Skye. Thanks for the info.

Love the fabric used on the tube dress.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

me like the dress with red the others, well and a trillion, u sound like the bail out lol

Margeaux said...

That dress is adorable! I love the stripe of fabric and lace.

Breath of Light said...

oooh! that black tube dress is gorgeous! it's gotten so cold here I wouldn't know what to do with a dress like that right now. lol. Probably throw a cardigan over it. tee hee.

Unknown said...

I love, love, love the dress. It is gorgeous. If I were not so generously endowed I would wear it. Seriously, that is one of the best pieces you have and that is saying alot since I like all of your stuff.

please sir said...

You are rocking that dress - love the detail down the front! Thanks for all your wonderful comments!

High Desert Diva said...

Ah...a top not a dress. And I've been bemoaning the fact that my legs do not look anything like yours and I would never be able to wear it....a top. Hmmmm....

deedeemoure said...

Stop teasing me with the garments please!!!!! I absolutely love the dress and it is versatile as well, I can wear it while pregnant with my next baby before and after.
Coming soon, 2010 :0

Delores Minnie

deedeemoure said...

Okay I forgot to let you know that I need a list of your music, I must really be lost. PLEASE!

Delores Minnie

Debra said...

Beautiful dress....

I listen to music to, when creating.

Jewelry Rockstar said...

Yes, I came here the other day and listened to Skye. I loved her, but I forgot to come back and tell you.

@Tameka, Hey be proud of your Vegan life, even if you think of falling short sometimes. I started as a vegetarian and ended as a pescatarian (vegetarian who eats fish). My kids are vegetarian though because I've always believed we would get back there. 12 years later still no go.

Anonymous said...

So chic and cute.

Economy of Style said...

Both are fabulous!!

A Cuban In London said...

I really love Lizz Wright and Herbie Hancock puts me in the right mood first thing int he morning. I've heard Skye and I am planning to feature her in a future Killer Opening Songs post.

Greetings from London.

Unknown said...

tameka--this is a 100% cotton woven fabric, but your idea is doable as well.

and..if the peacock naturally sheds the feather, then...?...? ha ha!

ms. bar b--that's just my style: pull on and go. thanks. :-)

julie--you're welcome, dear. you're so great. :-D

nina--girl! i'm a hard core lizz wright fan. she's just so amazing to me. i saw her live in houston a while back and was absolutely mesmerized.

torrance--what can i say, "they" got me thinking big, ha ha! thanks.

breath of light--yeah, i know. i just couldn't fight the urge to make a sleeveless dress even though it is (finally) getting cooler. but as you mentioned, that's why cardigans are so great. :-D

mekhismom--thanks dear. i'm touched. :-)

pleas sir--thank *you*. love your blog.

high desert diva--*blush* lol. gotta give credit to my dad's side of the family for my leggy-ness.

dindi--alright now! does cody know 'bout that?? ha! regarding the music..i'll get it to ya ;-)

cuban in london--yeah, herbie's great. saw him in person as well. one of the most enjoyable concerts ever.

thanks to everyone for stopping by, reading, and sharing a few words. :-)

Soul Pretty said...

Back in the day...I would have rocked it just like that...What!?