What's It All About?

Before...

2012-01-16T09:58:00.005-06:00

Every now and then I'll make a garment that, after studying and meditating over it for a while, I determine needs to be revamped. This one falls into that category.

I'm very much pleased with the back. The circular cut-out is the main feature that I wanted to achieve. It's the front, however, that's got me going, "Hmmmmmmm..."

Here it's pictured with the belt turned the way I originally intended it, on the gray side. But something just isn't right.

So I turned it over to the white side. Still not feeling it. I even removed the head wrap thinking that might change how I felt about the pictures/dress.

Nope.

I took at least 50 pictures of this dress trying to get good shots, and these were the best ones. With the exception of the first one, I'm really not crazy about any of them. Usually when I have to take that many pictures of one garment, It's not the pictures that are irking me. It's the garment!

This dress will be getting a slight makeover. I'm thinking less fabric in the front bodice and possibly a new belt. The gray is overwhelming. I've had this fabric for a few years now and have been anxious to do something with it. In the process of designing/making this dress, I must have been determined to use every fiber of it or something. Not sure.

The "after" shots will be coming soon....

Sewn

2012-01-03T19:22:00.011-06:00

Being a clothing designer who sews and takes custom orders, I'm never quite sure where this journey in garment production will take me. In addition to coming across individuals who want something specifically designed for themselves, there are also those who know exactly what they want and just need someone to create it for them. They basically just need a seamstress. This was the case for 2 projects I recently finished.

I was commissioned to create a few custom pieces for someone local to me who's preparing for a birthday getaway to Las Vegas. One item that she requested was a gray blazer. Plain and simple. Given the situation--limited time and the fact that she wasn't too particular about its form, as long as it was a blazer and gray--I decided to use a commercial pattern. Now, commercial patterns undoubtedly drive me crazy, but thankfully this time I chose one that wasn't too bad. I mean, it only had 1 or 2 mistakes in the printing of it all. The pattern chosen was McCall's 6294. It does have a lot of pieces to it--far too many for my liking--but constructing the garment overall was a breeze. It's fully lined in a gray material with black pinstripes, and because it was difficult finding a decent solid gray material, to the left you're actually looking at the wrong side of the fabric that it's made from. The correct side has brown and white stripes {right}. Sometimes when considering what's available as far as fabrics are concerned, you've gotta make such calls.

Now, the sensational part of this custom order was the black stretch satin hot pants. Inspired by the high-waisted ones Madonna wore at some event dancing with some dude--which I'm sure were inspired by ones popularized during the 70s, --there's not much to these at all! They're short and sweet ;-). Plus I'm sure they'll be right at home in Vegas.

I'm waiting to see pictures of these hot pants styled the way she described it to me. The sexiness of the shorts will be juxtaposed by the innocence of the matching bow adorned headband.

The pattern for these was adapted from a swimsuit pattern. As simple as they are, and despite the fact that there was a pattern for me to work with, I stressed for the longest over how to go about making them. I studied images online, made sample pairs--including a nifty little pair for myself out of navy jersey cotton--then had a moment of silence before cutting into the black satin, hoping the shorts would turn out and fit correctly. Thankfully they did! They wouldn't have photographed properly on me, so now I'll just have to wait for pics of her with them on.

I'm always pleased when I can help materialize a person's idea of what it is they'd like to be wearing while they're out living life. The excitement they express when I've created something that they envisioned for themselves is the very feeling I feel inside--and many times I can't resist expressing it outwardly--when I put the last few stitches on a garment that I first saw in my mind and hours later am holding right there in my hands. Magical perfection!

**In top right picture blazer is pictured with flyTie asymmetrical hem contrast mini dress, currently 15% off on Etsy!

Peace!

Again

2011-12-25T15:16:00.009-06:00

Warrior Lady Dress--part of the 15% off dress sale in my shop!

I'm writing an e-book. Actually, I've been working on it since 2008. No, the absolute truth is that I was near finishing it in 2008 then accidentally threw the preliminary copy away during a move in 2009. Yeah. So earlier this year I started re-writing it, and these days I'm down to the final touches.

Collage of my teaching endeavors in design, sewing, pattern making, styling, etc.

The e-book is sewing related and will be very brief and to the point. Matter of fact, although it's taken me nearly this whole year to get most of it on paper, I could have finished it much, much sooner. The more and more that I design, make clothing, and teach the skill the more I realize how much I know on the subject. This--the fact that I sometimes fail to grasp how much know-- is probably because I just perform the skill and subconsciously take my ability to do so for granted. Definitely gonna stop doing that.

New plus size, chocolatey versatile piece...15% off on etsy!

So the next step is to figure out how to actually create an e-book. I've also gotta work on marketing it as well. However, I don't envision these two tasks as being difficult at all. We'll see...

peace!
:-)

Dress Lady

2011-12-11T14:12:00.005-06:00

I'm having a 15% off sale in my Etsy shop on all regularly priced, in-stock dresses now through January 15, 2012!

The sale includes these pictured and a few more.

I intend to move soon, and one thing about having so much inventory is having to haul it all during a move! So, I need to get rid of as many of these cuties as possible within the next couple of months. Yesterday I vended at an event and was reminded of the whole ordeal {transporting all my garments from one place to another}. That's what inspired this sale!

Feel free to contact me on Etsy or at flytieonline@yahoo.com for more information if needed.

peace!
:-)

Make

2011-12-04T15:57:00.006-06:00

Next Saturday, December 10, I'll be vending at a local holiday event. In efforts to prepare, I've been working to turn out as many Power Tees as possible. Here are the latest 3 adult versions:

As previously mentioned , I'm in "Who Dat Nation", so I've gotta keep the Saints fans supplied!

And of course I had to make some for youth...

I'm also offering these {adult and children sizes} in customizable versions adorned with whatever word a name one may desire.

***************

Today I also made a new batch of "flyTie" labels.

I had that stamp made a few years ago. I'm grateful for it, since it allows me to economically make a whole bunch of labels to sew into garments. Plus it allows for that handmade feel, which I like.

More to come!...

peace!
:-)

Simple Things

2011-11-28T15:16:00.007-06:00

I'm so thankful that lately I've been very motivated to design/sew/create!

2 new dresses.

Now, this first one isn't a flyTie original. It was actually made from a store-bought pattern (McCalls). I had the pattern for *months* and finally went ahead and made it. I couldn't find and link to any of the many posts I've mentioned my aversion to commercial patterns in, so let me just restate: I AM NOT FOND OF STORE-BOUGHT PATTERNS!! I find them (well *many* of them) to be too tedious and overly complicated. Sometimes I think it's just me, but other times I know it's not. The 3-4 that I've sewn from this year each had at least 2 mistakes in the instructions.

The pattern for this dress was no different.

size 12-14

I must have spent 2 hours just reading one sentence repeatedly trying to understand what in the world it was telling me to do. The illustration didn't help at all. Matter of fact, when I eventually figured out what needed to be done, I realized that the illustration was WRONG!! *slaps self on forehead*. Good thing I really had my mind set on making this style that I like so much, otherwise I would have abandoned the project and burned the pattern!

And I am pleased with how it turned out! :-)

**********

size 16

This one's made of a neat little stretchy fabric that grew on me the more I looked at it. These days I'm into funky hemlines, so I curved this one. Square neckline, contrast band...I like! This one's for the more curvaceous ladies. ;-)

Going soon to Etsy!

peace!
:-)

Gifts

2011-11-20T14:15:00.005-06:00

So, my birthday has rolled around yet again. I'm grateful to be alive and for the ability to visualize and create!

When I woke up this morning I was overwhelmingly inspired to create. The dress on the left is one I'd been working on. After finishing that one, I went on to make the one on the right.

Both will be on Etsy soon!

peace!

:-)

Right Here. Right Now.

2011-11-12T14:30:00.004-06:00

I came across this fun, lightweight mesh, spring/summer fabric and was anxious to make something out of it. It's out of context with the current weather that most of the US is experiencing, but hey...it's hot somewhere in the world! (And while it's currently around 50 degrees where I am, it can jump to 80 at any moment!)

Also, I hardly ever make garments/lines a season ahead as I suppose is customary in the fashion industry. I normally make garments that reflect the temperatures where I am during the time that I'm creating. Summer clothes during Summertime. Winter clothes during Wintertime, so on and so forth. With this one, though, I'm somewhat in the loop for a change.

**********

I've been on a roll lately making my Power Tees. I'm looking forward to doing some vending this holiday season, so I need to increase my inventory greatly!

Each of these is currently available in my Etsy shop!

**********
Just a song I jam hard to every time I hear it.

peace!
:-)

Do Dat

2011-11-01T17:15:00.004-05:00

Hey! Long time no share. :-)

There was a time when I made it a point to update my blog at least twice a week. I really miss those days and will make an effort to get back to doing so. Well, at least once a week. I've connected with so many people through here and have have the great pleasure of connecting others. Beyond sharing my own work and ideas, I've also been the beneficiary of lots of great information, images, theories, etc. through the blogosphere. Thanks to everyone who has contributed and continues to do so. I'm looking forward to getting back into the mix!

With all that said, I'm happy to say I've been creating! I'm bringing back Power Tees--formerly known as Art Tops--in full force, offering ready-made or custom versions with whatever word and whatever colors one may desire. Here are a few I made recently:

Well, I'm not into football and don't rep the New Orleans Saints at all despite being a born and raised Louisianian. HOWEVER, thousands of others do, so of course I've gotta make something for the people! So, since I'm a part of "Who Dat Nation" by default and see how much people love the Saints and will support any item relevant to the Saints, I decided to start making Who Dat Power Tees. I love how this one turned out!

"Who dat say they gone beat them Saints?!?!?" {Hmmmm...I'm not sure, lol!}

"Truth"
$28 on Etsy

"Blessed"
$28 on Etsy

GSU=Grambling State University
I was supposed to wear this when I went home for GSU's homecoming a couple weekends ago, buuuuut I didn't make it :-/. {still bitter about that.} I'll be making them to represent different universities. For example, one for LSU is in the works.

"Power"

$28 on Esty

"Cutie"
$28 on Etsy

Others not shown here can also be found on Etsy.

These are always fun to make. I like exploring various ways to make each one unique.

Power Tees for youth coming soon...

peace!

:-)

Gratification

2011-08-20T19:22:00.006-05:00

I recently finished up a dress that I'd been visualizing and working on for over a month. I'm really pleased with it!

Available on Etsy...

********************

peace!
:-D

Posted

2011-08-07T16:51:00.004-05:00

Check out my recent feature in The Atlanta Post!!

http://atlantapost.com/2011/08/05/stylish-e-commerce-black-online-fashion-entrepreneurs-to-watch/7/

**********

My latest creation...very true to my personal style. :-)

See how that one fits me so well? That's cause it was made for me, teehee!

This ensemble is available on Etsy customizable in size and color.

**********

Here's the full interview from my Atlanta Post feature mentioned above:

1.) Please list your name, age and city where you/the site are based.

Name: Tiesha Houston
Age: 28
Based in: Lafayette, LA {Originally from Grambling, LA}

2.) How and when did you start designing? Or when did you decide to launch an e-commerce site? What inspired you? Do you have a background in fashion or were you working for someone else and branched out on your own? Maybe you had a strong reputation as a tastemaker and decided to capitalize on it by starting a business.

It has officially been about 7 years since I began to seriously see myself as a clothing designer, although my interest in design goes back much farther. Designing and making garments speaks to the part of me that--ironically--likes to uncover things. I enjoy learning how things are put together and function and putting things together and making them function. It is likely that I could have enjoyed a career in house construction for this reason. However, I also have an affinity for art and style in dress, and working as one who designs and constructs clothing allows me to satisfy my curiosities in each of these areas.

I opened my first e-commerce site in September 2005 (sewfly.etsy.com) out of a desire to offer my creations--garments with an artistic flare--to a broader audience. I discovered a more prevalent appreciation for my one-of-a-kind, handmade clothing online than was
recognizable in my immediate environment. After an extended period of experimenting in wearable art, I began to create what may be described as more sophisticated garments. These new styles became the foundation for my current flyTie label and another shop, flytie.etsy.com, was launched in April 2007. The two shops were combined in 2009.

Although I have a bachelor of science degree in apparel design and merchandising, the only true work experience that I have in this field is the experience that I have created for myself. After graduating I had no desire to work for a design company, yet I knew that if I were going to work in garment design and construction where I reside, then I would have to create the opportunity for myself. The internet and e-commerce sites have been important factors in my ability to do so.

3.) Do you have any information on how much revenue your work has generated?

Yes, and I realized early on that revenue and profits from my business are directly related to the amount of energy I put into creating and promoting my work. During periods when my inspiration and motivation to create are lacking or when my energy and efforts are being put more towards community activism and education (I teach sewing, English, and reading in various settings), revenue from my work as a designer is lower. When energy put towards my designing is high and creativity is flowing, revenue increases.

4.) Is your work currently sold in freestanding stores? If not, are any plans in the works?
Not currently, but in the past flyTie Clothing was sold in stores here in Lafayette, Los Angeles, Miami, and Boston. I currently have inquiries from boutique owners and will soon begin to put energy towards getting my garments into stores again.

5.) What, if any, obstacles have you encountered? A rough economic climate? Standing out in the market among buyers and consumers? Getting coverage in the media?
My main obstacles usually come in the form of mental blockages. Aside from that, at one time I was once under the impression that it was difficult to penetrate the local market with my wears. I eventually realized, though, that my focus had to change from those who were more interested in the latest fashion trends to those who have an interest in and appreciation for original, one-of-a-kind and locally made garments. Once I came to this realization, new opportunities for me to share my work on a local level began to present themselves.

6.) Anything I haven’t asked you that you would like to mention about yourself/ the line/ the site? Any special events coming up?

While designing and making clothes is thoroughly enjoyable to me, doing so is not the complete source of my fulfillment. I am always working at creating avenues through which I can use my skills and knowledge to assist in empowering others. In addition to offering free sewing classes in communities here in Lafayette, I have worked to create a program whereby the local housing authority would fund the establishment in a government housing community of a sewing, creativity, and cultural center so that residents would have better access to engaging and progressive activities. Also, in conjunction with the local chapter of a national organization, myself and others are working to establish a garment production facility as a means to provide viable work and stimulate economics in low-income, commercially desolate communities. My work and passions extend beyond art and design. They also encompass grass-roots organizing, community, culture, history, economic and social uplift, and more. My ongoing efforts involve extending myself in each of these areas in order to affect a more pleasant life experience for myself and those who I am able to help.

An online collection of my design work from over the years can be viewed at picturetrail.com/flytieclothing.

**********

peace!
:-)

Intermission

2011-08-01T12:08:00.002-05:00

Made this yesterday.

The design has been on my mind for nearly 2 yrs. now, and I'm pleased with how it turned out.

This one's mine, but I will be offering the style on Etsy for custom order in various colors.

This was actually created "in the meantime". I'm working on a new dress, but it's taking me some time to decide what colors I really want to use for it. Hope to have it completed soon...

Hope everyone's doing well.

peace!

:-)

From Within

2011-07-25T20:58:00.006-05:00

I'd been working on this--mentally--for the longest. Turning the idea over and over in my head determining what to do with such a great piece of vintage striped fabric. Finally got it out.

I See Color on Etsy!

***************

So. I kinda feel the need to talk about the whole Amy Winehouse situation just because. There seems to be an energy that can’t be sufficiently put into words that is affecting those who were fans of her music, and I’m noticing that her passing and all that led up to it--if it was the seeming hopelessness, drug abuse, and alcoholism--is especially deeply touching many of my creative and artistic friends {online and off} who were fans of hers. I haven’t been able to put words to what this at all about, but somehow even though a.) all of us likely realized early on that she was on a path leading towards destruction, b.) we were not necessarily Amy Winehouse fanatics and c.) we did not approve of her behavior or lifestyle, we still greatly appreciated what she offered creatively, musically, and vocally as a songwriter and more importantly as an artist and have some sort of understanding of the emotions and sense of depression that she must have felt just existing. Not to say we feel negative and down and out in general, but it's as though we... or maybe I should just speak for myself...can see it. Even if it--those negative, hopeless feelings-- is something we just get a glimpse of from time to time and have no thoughts of turning to drugs or alcohol for a seeming release. And it's likely that I shouldn't even be saying this is the case just for other artists. Maybe I can attribute this to anyone who has understanding of and passion/feeling for human spirit and emotions.

I don’t know y’all. There’s something I’m trying to say, but it’s a feeling. Therefore words don’t really suffice.

I was introduced to her music by my friend Attallah in Summer 2007 while in Atlanta and since then have held a deep appreciate for her voice and what she does with music. For me Amy fits into a specific category of female musical artists who do things with song and use it in a way that’s comparable to putting paint on a canvas. Others are Jill Scott, Chrisette Michele, Erykah Badu, and India Arie. All of these ladies have great voices, and believe me, I’m a voice person, have been since I can remember, come from a musical family, and have a very deep love of voice and song. But for me, with Amy Winehouse or any of them it’s even greater than that. There’s something about their rendering of what it is they’re singing.

And this is probably a bias, but I really love when I hear or discover that a musical artist mentions or pays tribute to those who came before or who inspired or moved them in some way, and these same artists moved or inspired me as well! {A few instances I can think of off top: Amy Winehouse does it with Donny Hathaway in "Rehab"--although, if indeed she took her own life, this reference makes the situation even sadder; she does it with her tribute to Nas--who I have much respect for--in "Me and Mr. Jones" {and recognizes Slick Rick in that one, too}; and even her putting her own twist to the classic song "Me and Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul, a classic that takes me back to my youth; then there's the "Tears Dry On Their Own" sample of Marvin Gaye and Tammie Terrell tune. etc. etc. etc. }

I love the soulful, sort of 50s smoky lounge tone of amy’s voice, but that’s not all there is in those songs. There’s something even more than the sincere raw emotion. And like I mentioned before, this is a feeling, not something that can be verbalized.

Reading comments on You Tube and what not, I come across a lot of people comparing her to some singer or another. I read people arguing back and forth about her trying to emulate soulful, black singers, etc. Now trust. There have been some singers who I’ve given the side eye (lol!) for some of the crap they try to pull off in songs, but not Amy. She could have been neon green for all I cared. It was about the art. I've also read comments saying how people give so much credit to soulful, white singers when there are so many black soul singers doing the same thing, and sometimes better. And I feel this, too. I could go back to my hometown right now and easily round up several ladies who could out sing Amy Winehouse on their worst day--even as good as she was/is. Sometimes reading comments like this becomes cliché for me, though. Sometimes they are fitting, but I don't get bent out of shape about it. Comments like this become irrelevant when for years you've been embracing, appreciating, and giving credit to the music of the soulful black singers such as those they're talking about.

***************
The drugs and all really do a number on the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional bodies. I'm not sure what her cause of death was, but I'm just saying in general.
***************

Having said all that--or having tried to say something--here’s one of my favorite of the singer’s musical offerings.

Any thoughts?...

peace!
:-)

It's All About Me Me Me Me Me!!!

2011-06-29T20:18:00.004-05:00

I made myself a dress!

Made last night...worn today. :-D

This was my first time making any type of garment with adjustable straps, and doing so wasn't at all as complicated as I'd thought.

I've been singing {the chorus to} this song all day. Probably because I actually took the time to make something for ME!! {Ok, the song's a bit sexy for my purpose, he he, but still.}

And I used to be a Mya fan. Not necessarily for her singing, but moreso for her dancing {**wanna be dancer here**} and her essence, I guess. Heard she was on Dancing With the Stars. Great for her! {I think?? lol!}

peace!

Element

2011-06-04T10:41:00.005-05:00

*slides right back in as though she's been blogging all along.* :-)

Recently, in need of inspiration and something fresh and new, I implemented Operation Scrap Bin {OSB} where my aim was to awaken my creativity by going through my tub of fabric scraps and pieces and coming up with a new garment. The plan was 5 garments in 4 days. Well, that was over a week ago, and I've only completed one so far.

But I am in love with this one--causing me to abandon OSB altogether and focus on making more of these:

Creating this took me right back to my natural place: freestyle designing/making things up as I go. The skirt laces up because I didn't want to use elastic and didn't have a zipper. The white part of the underskirt happenend because the underskirt was far too tight for me--and likely anyone else--to get in and needed to be widened. The white part of the tie in back of the top is a result of not having enough of the printed fabric left over to make it as long as I wanted. Et cetera.

All of those elements work together to form this neat little ensemble great for the summer heat!

peace.

:-)

Seasons Change

2011-04-06T17:53:00.003-05:00

So, I've been sewing a LOT lately. It just hit me again all of a sudden. {THANK GOODNESS!}

Here's a dress I made for myself.

I'd had the green fabric for a while and only had enough to do something like this with. Love this simple style. {Love my black and white tights, too!}

**********

And this!

Definitely an instance where I came up with a design based on the fabrics I had on hand. {I'd say 90% of my work is done that way.} These two fabrics together make me happy. I'm pleased with how the dress turned out.

There are a few mini skirts that I've yet to photograph, but I hope to share them soon...

**********

On another note...

I've decided that since school's almost out and many parents will want to send their children to some sort of camp and I enjoy designing and teaching design and a lot of young folks may like to learn this...

I'm gonna offer a summer sewing & design camp!

Just gotta find a place and promote.

And if I don't find a place or decide to pay for one wouldn't be cost effective, It'll be right here in my home.

Yep.

Stay tuned...

peace!

:-D

Imagery

2011-03-08T21:08:00.010-06:00

I've got a new student!

Thanks to a good friend of mine passing the word on to someone concerning my background and services, a local mom decided to employ me to teach her 12 year old daughter sewing and design. She--12 yr. old--is an aspiring fashion designer and has a nice portfolio of original designs/sketches that she'd like to create. It's up to me to teach her how to go about doing so.

The child inspired me greatly! Not only with her work and aspirations, but also with her gorgeousness and the dignified way she carries herself. Beautiful and so graceful.

********************

In other news, I was inspired to do something different with my hair!

Ok, well it's really just hair twisted or rolled then pinned in place, but for someone who's as lazy with hair as I am, it's a big deal. I'm one who'll resort to twists or a headwrap with the quickness.

And this simple do took a while for me to get it to a satisfactory point.

I like it. :-)

********************

And I'll finally have a new dress to share with you soon. Here's a sneak peek:

Be back soon...

peace!

:-)

Oh?

2011-02-28T21:45:00.007-06:00

It's been brought to my attention--by a couple people who are apparently wondering why I'm being such a slacker in this line of work when the potential is there --that New Orleans has a fashion week.

Perhaps there was always a New Orleans Fashion Week, and I was just oblivious, as I'm not necessarily into fashion, per se.

I think it's interesting, though. Not really that this event exists, but that I'm actually feeling like I need to consider seeing about being one of the featured designers the next time it all come around.

I mean, I am a native Louisiana, "sometime, part-time, used-to-be-all-the-time, these-days-when-the-feeling-hits-me" clothing designer and live just 2 hours from the city, so it could work out. Plus, after reading/looking through the various pages and links, I'm thinking it could use an additional kind of representation. (And it's likely that I'm more intrigued by doing it for that sole purpose.)

Let me turn this over in my mind and contemplate a Fall/Winter 20......12 collection.

Oh, and I might try to get over there in a few weeks to check it out.

peace!

Manifesto!

2011-02-17T07:44:00.004-06:00

This a.m. as I stood outside the front door taking in some of the cool, fresh air and watching a running cat that I believe had been eating my Aloe Vera plant,

I began to seriously reflect on my recent lack of motivation and inability to be inspired by too much of anything--even though Inspiration is accessible tome everyday.

I just don't know what this is about! In my last post I spoke of new areans that I'm moving into with my sewing, and this is true. However, I still feel lacking, mostly in the creatvity department. I wanna create cool clothes again, like I did once upon a time. (It really feels like ages ago. Really.) I'd also like to acutally materialize some if not all of the many ideas that run through my head, that I prevent myself from acting on for whatever reason. My new, but uninspired living space needs some livening up. I've got to surround myself with more of the things that bring me comfort, joy, and peace. I need to get this notion of an herb garden and vegetable garden out of my head and into the ground! It's past time for me to act on the knowledge I have on vaarious subjects. On & on & on!

The want and desire are both there, but for some reason there's a disconnect between that and the actual doing.

Earlier I made the comment on a friend's blog:

"these days i'm deliberately thrusting myself into creation/inspiration, cause i feel like my life defends on it. i feel like i'm fading away. "

I'm feeling like it's very much past time for me to take matters into my own hands, as opposed to wondering what the heck is up with this funk, and when it will go away.

So.

This is what I must do.

Thrust,

"To push or drive quickly and forcebly..."

myself

back

into

LIFE!

BEING!

DOING!

CREATING!

This has to be immediate and deliberate, and a lack of resources needed to carry out is no excuse. Where the resources are lacking, they must be obtained.

And that's the bottom, top, side, and diagonal...line!

peace!

:-)

Hangin'

2011-01-23T11:22:00.008-06:00

Oooop!!!

I know I've been MIA and was supposed to post something AWESOME a long time ago.

My pics didn't come out as I'd hoped, but here's a shot of a wedding ensemble I made for myself to wear as a bridesmaid in my good friends' wedding last month (those of you who follow my scant updates on facebook have probably seen these already):

Deep purple solid material contrasted with a colorful tie-dye, African-print fabric; 2-piece

Here's a group shot of the wedding party. Don't we look lovely?!?! :-D

It was a beautiful ceremony, and I had a wonderful time. The various colors and garments made for a great visual.

I also made two dresses for the bride and groom's 2 little girls:

So, these days I'm moving into different arenas and am working to take this sewing concept to a "whole 'nother" level.

Times are changing and have changed for me, and I've been shifting my energy to accommodate.

;-)

Oh, and this is a perfect opportunity for me to play one of my most favorite songs by one of my favorite bands.

This version is new to me. I like it!

peace!

Cut Off

2010-12-08T18:40:00.003-06:00

I'll be back with something AWESOME soon!

I promise!

I hope! (that it's awesome...)

but in the meantime, one of my most favorite songs on the radion right now...

Deborah Cox said it back in the day

so did Carl Thomas

and so did others, but I just can't recall names/songs right now.

BUT

here's my current favorite "we can't be friends/still in love" song.

i love hearing it and singing the chorus at the top of my lungs! :-D

hmmmm...perhaps he took some pointers from D'angelo with this one...???...???

I'm not the biggest fan of him, but I heard he's coming to town next month, and I'd go just to hear this song and sing along with the crowd and/or artist! (Love that about concerts.)

ok, ok! back to work...

peace!

:-)

There You Are

2010-11-20T00:02:00.004-06:00

Still intact at 28 yrs.

It's my b-day.

peace!

:-D

I Reminisce

2010-11-11T06:36:00.002-06:00

During my recent stint of uncreativeness, I've been reflecting on times gone by when I was much more tuned in to my work. Ironically--I guess--it was also a time when I was much less confident in my abilities than I am now. Back in the day--wheeen thiiings were coo--ooo-ool--I was on a roll, designing/making new clothes at every opportunity I got. These days, not so much.

Just some pictorial refections. Pictures of pictures. Ha! To think! I used to actually have pictures printed of my garments..not just keep them stored on the computer. I've fallen off big time!

This collection was one of my favorites.

Gotta bring back the "Veggie Luvah" dress!

Gotta come back out with some like this.

Wrap skirt made from some home interior fabrics. (Heavier, suede-like fabric underneath.)

Stenciling used to be my thing.

I always have liked incorporating patchwork into my garments.

Symbolism. Love it!

These may be familiar to some of you.

**********

Looking at these photos and others and reflecting on how things once were has definitelty given me a much needed creative boost.

peace!

:-)

Pure! :-O ;-} :-D

2010-10-28T15:40:00.009-05:00

Two weeks and one and a half transformations later, here's the white jumper!

(Ok. I just realized the title on my last post is crazy. It's supposed to be "Jump to It!"...Y'all coulda told me! But I'll leave it, cause I like how it looks. :-)

The pieces hanging in the back are the ends of the make shift belt tied around my waist. Also, the person who'll be wearing this is much taller than I am , so her leg length will take up some of the excess vertical baggage that I'm holding up.

Whew! This was my first time making a jump suit, and working with this white, fragile fabric may have ruined any future considerations I may have had for making another.

Probably not, though. :-)

**********

*Siiiigh* I still love this song like I did the first time I heard it 10 years ago.

Ten Years!! And I remember who was around and where we were when I first heard it.

Mmmmm...mmmm...mmmm. It never gets old.

peace!

:-)

Jmpt to It!*

2010-10-16T17:24:00.006-05:00

I'm in the process of creating a white version of this for someone...

...and decided to transform this pattern (pink version) by McCall's to be suitable for the above style.

Not only because I wasn't in the mood for making a jumpsuit pattern from scratch (which is likely due to the fact that I was never given the person's exact measurements ), but also because it's a good exercise in pattern transformation. Store-bought patterns usually annoy me to no end, so I'm game for disregarding their rules and doing my own thing.

Results coming soon...

*This post's tile was taken from the pattern envelope

********************

Been hearing and grooving to this a lot lately...

peace!

:-)

Dance With Me!

2010-10-04T19:52:00.003-05:00

Skiiiiiiiiiiiiirt!!!

Those of you following me on Facebook already know how thrilled I am about this.

This was made for my friend Janine. It was her idea. I just brought it to life. My first time making tiered skirts (I made her a brown as well), and I'm very pleased with the outcome.

*siiigh* love. It makes me wanna twirl and dance around and around!

**************

Every now and then a song'll come along and just hit me like....BAM!!!

This one by Fantasia is one of those. I love it. Something about the beat and the way the song flows that moves me everytime. O.k. I know it's not new, but thankfully they don't wear out on the radio here, so each time I hear it on there it's like a treat.

be back soon(er)!!!

peace!

:-)

False Alarm

2010-09-15T11:22:00.006-05:00

Last Thursday night I thought I was having a stroke.

A little history:

I tend to be a pretty literal thinker. Always have been, but I've been able to gain control over it as an adult, because left unchecked, this way of being can drive you crazy!

A specific indicent that I can recall as a child is having a panic attack because I just knew I was about to die because I'd breathed in some air freshener that my mom had just sprayed in a room. I'd read that can and I knew that it said something about the fumes causing death if inhaled. I ran out of the house grasping for air, yelling that somebody had better rush me to the hospital.

Then there was this thing about the end of the world. I was raised Christian Baptist and attended church on a regular basis. I was ALWAYS absolutely terrified about the notion of the world ending. I just couldn't take the fact that this was something that was talked about--and the scariest of ways--every Sunday in church, 2-3 times. I was literally terrified all through my childhood about this whole thing. And because of the whole "no on knows the time or hour" concept and the fact that an uncle of mine would estimate that it would happen within the "next 7 years", I was expecting it at anytime. Every loud noise I heard from outside--thunder, a loud bang, something being dropped/closed, etc--and every loud noise that sounded like a horn/trumpet had me on edge. I'd stare at the moon to determine if it were turning red, because that surely meant that Chirst was on his way and the world would be in flames at any moment! Seriously.

Really, that could have contributed to my abondonment of Christianity and the church when i got older. All the fear that was instilled in me with all that was a serious problem for me when I was little. Nothing against Revelations and what it speaks of, but dangit, the way that I was made to feel about it as a child was just wrong.

I had many more instances as a child of taking things so literally that I nearly went insane.

As I mentioned, I'm not as bad about that these days due to better comprehension and understanding. These days it manifests itself in my being very analytical when it's uncalled for cause I'm trying to figure out, "Ok...do they mean this or this? They said this, but that can't be right or what they really mean. Well, lemme just do this, because this is the literal form of what they said/asked." Then it turns out that they didn't mean what they said/asked literally at all!

The most recent episode of this was when I was helping out with sewing at a local monogramming shop. A co-worker and I were sewing patches onto uniforms, and the pins that we sometimes used to hold the patches in place were in a container near where I was sitting. She asked could I pass her a few. Ok, here goes my mental state:

Few.
now, to me, a few is three. (I was taught that in elementary and it's stuck with me; i'm realizing that to a lot of people, though, that a few is just an arbitrary amount.)
But I'm sure she needs more than three.
Well, I'll just give her three, cause I mean ....that is a few afterall.

I literally picked up 3 pins--and it would have been much easier to just pick up a handfull--and handed them to her. She took them with a bit of a pause but no comment or facial expression and went back to sewing. I turned back to my work, thought about it some more, and asked, "You need more than 3, huh??" To which she responded, "I was wondering why you specifically gave me 3 pins." I let her know about me and this word "few" and told her to just ask for some or several pins, cause then in my mind I can equate some or several with more than 3. We had a good laugh about it and went on. It's really a trip.

So to bring it up to date, last Thursday night I was tingly, numb and just overall uncomfortable in my right arm/hand and leg/foot. I've read before that this is often equated with a stroke (one side of the body being numb). So naturally (lol!) I went to the mirror and smiled to see if only one side of my face responded. It didn't feel numb and the smile was ok, but I just knew I was headed for a stroke. I started talking to see if my speech was slurred, walked through the house to see if I stumbled, etc.

Well, suffice it all to say that, after talking about it with 3 people, it was concluded that what I was experiencing was due to nerves and anxiety. In the mainstream medical world, it's referred to it as Restless Leg Syndrome, a new name for a not so new issue. It usually comes at bedtime, you're numb and tingly (in legs and arms), can't really sleep, etc. I was anxious and worried around that time, so I'm sure that was the problem. Since then I haven't had the issue.

So yes. Thankfully for me, it was a false alarm. However I know that stroke is a real issue (a few people in my life have suffered them), so I advise all to be on top of and knowldegeable of your health and body in general. Although they can drive me crazy at times, I'm grateful that literal mindedness and slight paranoia keep me alert of what's going on in this body of mine!

peace!

:-)

This to That

2010-09-05T13:30:00.004-05:00

Just a few shots from the past week.

I've been dealing more in paper than in fabric, drafting patterns and such. Gotta get technical sometimes.

Another session with my eager learner. We'll be back at it this coming week.

Here she is modeling her tunic minus the sleeves and facings. This is basically what she wanted to learn to make and will be making others in different fabrics..

I drafted a sleeve just because.

Math, math, math!!

Last week I was at my friend/second mother's place drafing a pattern based off of one of her favorite dresses. Standing next to me you can see her little 2 yr. old babysit-ee. He acts as my assistant whenever I'm over there working. :-)

***************

It's so funny to me how tolerant I am of zydeco music these days, considering how I wasn't too fond of it when I first arrived in South Louisiana. I've learned that there's the old school zydeco and the--I guess--"more hip" zydeco that has an R&B and/or hip hop flavor too it. There's one that falls under the latter category that gets me going whenever I hear it, and I'm usually in my car when that happens. (*Is notorious for dancing while driving* :-] )

peace.

:-)

Show Me

2010-08-26T16:09:00.004-05:00

Hey y'all! :-)

I really enjoy teaching--really--and I may have mentioned on here before that that's the drection I feel myself moving more towards. Or at least as equally towards as it relates to designing and making clothes.

Today I taught a private pattern making class, and it was wonderful!

This was my first time teaching a class like this, so it was a learning process for me as well. Knowing something or knowing how to do something is one thing, but teaching it is something else. At least for me anyway. I take all kinds of shorts cuts and make up my own ways of doing things, so when teaching I try to tone that down a bit and realize that I'm showing someone how to do this and it's not just me playing it out in my mind.

My "student" is/was eager for this information, and that's always a plus. She's excited about being able to bring her design ideas to life.

I taught her how to make a tunic (her garment of choice) pattern completely from scratch. At our next session I'll teach alterations and how to construct some well-fitting pants using a commercial pattern (which will essentially consist of altering the already-made pattern as needed, etc.)

I can only describe my ability to teach this skill as a true gift or blessing considering where I started and how far I've come with all of this. If you only knew! (And if you've been reading my blog long enough, you just might!)

**********

Although it's pretty basic and repetative, this is one of my favorite songs. When I first got his album a few years ago, I'd listen to this track on repeat and would feel so determined and powerful afterwards.

"Deep in my mind I believe everything is possible."

peace!

Inner, Outer

2010-08-15T19:16:00.005-05:00

I've got so much on my mind (cluttered thoughts) and it's manifested itself in my world. More specifically, my sewing room. Consequently, I can't create!!!

Messy, out of order sewing table. And it was worse than this, but I accidently knocked the clutter that had piled up in front of the machine on the floor when trying to find something. :-/

I dare not take a shot of the entire room, so this is just a corner.

The obvious remedy is to get in there, clean it all up, and get back to work. Something's keeping me from doing that, though. Normally I keep it pretty--ok...acceptably--tidy. These days, though, it's like "Eh, whatever."

I'm my own psychologist, so I understand that if I clean it up, then that means I can think and create. But there's a subconscious fear that creativity will still be fleeting. Buuuut, how will I know if I don't organize???

And I know I'm slacking big time when I haven't purchased batteries for the camera yet...after nearly a month! Hence the cloudy cell phone pics.

Eeek!

peace!

Then and Now

2010-08-01T09:06:00.006-05:00

Barter! It's great, within reason I suppose.

I recently bartered some of my energy for the pieces of fabric pictured below.

The brown was given to me after I'd already agreed to do alterations for someone who I usually do alterations for free of charge anyway because of her generosity towards me and my....significant other :-). The blue was given to me by someone else after I'd showen admiration for it. "Take it," she said then shortly afterwards put me to work cutting rectangle shapes out of fabric so she could make some flags.

Sooooo...these were really unintentional barters but barters still the same

***************

One day I logged on to Facebook only to find out I'd been tagged in a photo.

Due to the limitations of the site's uploading capabilities, I was cropped out. This was a good thing, cause I remember that picture and myself in that picture (I've got a copy somewhere).

But then I realized, a second copy had been posted reflecting the ones who'd been unintentionally left out the first time.

There I am, in all my 6 (?) year old, missing front teeth, thick eyebrows, large/thick glasses glory, smiling ear to ear!

Ms. Darilyn Robinson, 3rd from the right, in the spiffy little jumper dress is the culprit! Putting all of us out there in our, unashamed, youthful days for the world to see!! Or at least those on her friend's list.

But, I think we were all some precious little ones. Plus, those were my favorite pants!

Ms. Darilyn's little song bird look here was a fortelling of things to come. We were best buds in high school, and I remember being so in love with her singing voice then. Ten + years later, with an even more mature sound, she's big on the North Louisiana music scene and has uploaded a few videos on youtube for all the world to see/here. Check her out!

Listen to more at: http://www.youtube.com/user/DarilynR318

peace!

In the Spirit

2010-07-25T00:22:00.002-05:00

There's definitely something in the air. I'm feeling and seeing change all around me all the time. Online. Off line. The energy is shifting, and I'm knowing it's for the best!

One indication of the change that's going on in my world, is the massive CLEARANCE!! that's happening in my etsy shop. I'd marked most of everything in there down to half off, and this past week I marked several of those pieces down to $10 or $20. Ten or twenty dollars for some of the cutest, one-of-a-kind, quality hand made garments!!! :-)

Note: that burgundy skirt--bottom left--has sold.

I'm on a serious mission to clear my space--and in effect, my mind--so that I can concentrate on new ideas. Lately, in my efforts to clear out on various levels, I'm reminding myself more and more of my family in that the decluttering comes by any means deemed to fit the situation.

I come from a mother and grandmother who, when cleaning the house, would/will get so much in the zone that even relevant, necessary, wanted items become prone to being trashed. My grandmother would--while cleaning--sweep everything and anything that was on the floor into one pile. And I do mean everything: shoes, toys, jackets, dishes, etc. along with any dirt/trash. The pile was comprised of items from bedrooms, living room, bathroom, and kitchen. She'd sweep everything into the kitchen.

(That's another thing. I come from a family of sweepers. Even when vacuum cleaners were available for carpet, we've always preferred to sweep. I'm like that to this day.)

We--the 3-4 grandchildren who were visiting that day who'd left our possessions in the floor prior to sprinting outside to play--had about 5 minutes to come claim our stuff. If we didn't, to the trash it went. My grandmother made no apologies about it either! She felt that if we'd wanted it then it wouldn't have been in the floor in the first place.

Of course, I'm not trashing my beloved pieces. Instead, I'm pricing them much lower than usual so that they're likely to be undeniably enticing to those who'd welcome them into their spaces while freeing up room in mine! :-)

peace!

We

2010-07-18T00:55:00.003-05:00

Below you'll find an entry I made yesterday into another blog that I operate. I enjoy writing and expression and from time to time share my most crucial, non-design related thoughts over on Myspace.com, the location of my first ever blog. My mind sometimes tends to want to separate and compartmentalize things, so it's difficult for me to have one blog that houses design/sewing related material along with social/economic/semi-personal realities. Just as it was difficult for me to have one etsy shop where my everyday, casual garments was mixed in with my more fun, artsy items. (Those of you who've followed me for sometime may recall SewFly, which actually came before flyTie.) Eventually, though, I was able to frame my thinking in a way where I could combine those two.

(I find that this is a pretty unusual characteristic I have, seeing as how I'm generally inclined towards a wholistic way of thinking and living.)

But anyway, this entry is about life, experience, inspiration, realization, and a dress. :-)

***************

"I realize we are in truth the truth we seek
god
perfect
this very moment."--Me'Shell NdegeOcello

nature dress

the other day--wednesday--i sat in the house feeling like my head would surely explode at any moment. there's been so much going on in my world lately, and at one point on wednesday, it's like it was all running together. in my mind. until finally i hit a wall. mentally. couldn't think/worry/stress anymore. my head felt tight. strained. and forget about designing/sewing. inspiration and the motivation to do so had been foreign to me lately. i thought it must be the feeling a balloon would have if it were filled to capacity with air and could feel. that feeling of needing release. deflating.

i got up and went outside to sit at a nearby lake and watch the water be peaceful and the animals--ducks, squirrels, etc.--play.

it didn't take long before i felt it. deflation. i literally felt myself, my mind letting go. i felt the tension leaving. until i reached a place on non-thought. i was just there. existing. mentally peaceful. then i had the desire to create something. it was an urgent, almost violent need.

i returned inside, stood in the doorway of my sewing room, and three different fabrics immediately caught my eye, and the idea for them came to me instantly. something simple. perfect. not too long after that, i had a dress. (see above)

i feel like i was saved that day. led. guided. set free.

and i knew what it would take to get there. it was in me. what i had to do was in me. i flowed with it, and understood--had it shown to me for the first time in a long time--that i am that truth. we are.

peace!!!

Fresh!

2010-07-11T12:56:00.005-05:00

Title inspired by a comment made by my friend Janine.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey! :-)

I've been missing all my bloggy friends.

I'm out of the loop lately due to hecticness surrounding custom orders, laziness--yeah...at the same time as the hectic sewing :-/-- and eyesight that's getting worse . (Too much radiation from computer I'm thinking!)

But I will be back in the mix soon...

I just had to come share this new piece:

Of course, I can't take too much credit for it, cause it's the fabric that makes it. Don't you just love it??!?!

Well, I was reminded by Ms. Keena of Keena's Closet that they're called "kaftans". (The name just wouldn't come to me.) When I was in the process of making the garment, I was trying to come up with a name.

Recently I decided that it'd be called a "Saleta". "Why?" You may or may not ask. :-)

1. Telas=plural word for fabric/cloth in Spanish.

2. Saleta=telas spelled backwards with an 's' added on.

3. I adore the Spanish language.

So, I'm officially a word maker upper!

Nevermind the fact that I later learned "Saleta" is someone's last name!

I look forward to making more of these once I find appropriate fabric.

**********

I update my Facebook page on a pretty regular basis, so if you're a FB member and haven't already, you might want to check it out and "Like" me. :-)

peace!

Pause

2010-06-29T20:01:00.007-05:00

Whew!

So much going on! So many new opportunities presenting themselves!

Let's just suffice it to say: change is all around.

In the meantime, as I sort things out, I've decided to markdown just about every garment in my shop. I'm in cleansing/clearing out mode, so that's just what it is.

I''ve got a few custom items to make, but other than that, I haven't had too much of a creative spark lately to make any new garments just for the sake of doing so.

Oh! But I did begin teaching another sewing class last Thursday. It's funny but I'm almost feeling like I'm in retirement mode and like I just want to show others how to do this.

Temporary temperament?? I'm not sure, but I do hope so. I miss that feeling where I was so eager to design a new piece or turn a piece of fabric into something wonderful. Custom sewing is fine and I welcome it, but it's not the same.

**********

I recently made another of those chiffon dresses:

Possibly more of those to come...

*********

I was first introduced to this track a few years ago by my good friend Janine via a mixtape she composed for my (and her) listening pleasure. I was reminded of how much I enjoyed it when she recently shared it on Facebook.

I'll re-adopt this as my theme song for the time being. :-)

peace!

Another level

2010-06-20T16:12:00.004-05:00

I love when people request custom versions of items that I have in my shop but maybe with a slight or major difference. Well, most of the time I love it.

That's how the reversible knit hoodie dress came to be. (Prior to the request from someone in Canada, it was just a one-sided dress.)

Then there's the popular maxi dress. I've made this style many times in various fabrics. Never, though, had i done it in jersey knit. Well, that's how someone recently requested it be made, and they got it!

So, I'll have to now incorporate this into my regular way of creating this style, since I know some people prefer the stretch fabric.

(Mrs. Allen-Mercado, I still have in mind that idea you came up with for the jersey knit tunic. I'm gonna definitely test that out!)

I owe much credit to those who support me. If it were not for your inner designer-- some of your ideas and input on ways that a garment could be made--various styles that I create today would not necessarily be!

**********

Someone wants a custom version of one of these, so I get to get back into a bit of the artistic--as in painting and what not--side of my work.

Haven't done it in a while, and I miss it. Better yet, I need it!

**********

So, I visited an elder friend of mine yesterday and was bit by the quilting bug. Y'all, she'd made some of the most fantastic--culturally and otherwise--quilts I've ever seen! I've always been intrigued by this craft and even tried it back in the day. I don't think I was ready then, though. At this point I'm feeling that the time is right, so she's gonna teach me.

Can't wait to have me some of my very own, made-by-me quilts to wrap up in. As well as some to sell, ha! Oooh, oooh ooh..it's gonna be great!

peace!

Give It Time

2010-06-11T12:44:00.007-05:00

Depending on how long you've been reading my blog you may remember this dress (and the blog post that accompanied its production. Yes, the dress is two yrs. old, and I still have it!!! It's pure torture, I tell ya.)

Being modeled in a fashion show out in LA sometime last year or in '08. This is another one that's been all over, adored, yet still wants to stay with me in the end.

Well, anyway. That one gave me so much trouble during production that I swore I'd never make a chiffon dress ever again. At least not one with an uneven hem and that required more than the insertion of some elastic around the bust to make it wearable.

That was until I got a convo on Etsy with a request for that exact style (and fabric) but in green. Of course, I agreed to do it.

The chiffon was tricky to work with as expected, but It wasn't nearly as troublesome as the orange one. I suspect that's because I'd done it before. Creating that orange dress was a new endeavor for me. I'm completely self taught in dealing with tricky fabric like this as well as knits, and the self-teaching/learning process can sometimes be a pain. Thankfully, though, once I get it, it's not so bad.

**********

Beyond that, back in December I mentioned that I--along with the lady I was living with at the time--would be starting a sewing program in one of the local housing communities. Well, it was supposed to begin in January, but due to delays with the building renovations, etc., here it is June and we still haven't got it kicked off. It's should be up and running within the next 1-2 months, though.

Here are some shots taken while we were over at the facility the other day.

Seeing as how I'm of the resourceful, "green", recycle persuasion, the first objects that caught my eye upon entering were the two large shool desks pictured above. My first thought, "Cutting tables for the students!!" (Well, actually that was after this thought: "Hmmm, I wonder if they'll let me have one of those to use at home?") We learned later that the tables were just there being stored unless we could use them somehow for the school. We most certainly can!! That will be one less thing that we'll need them to purchase--which could further delay the process. And they're the perfect size.

I'm looking forward to getting in there and bringing some life and creativity to the space.

peace!

Revisit

2010-06-02T17:36:00.007-05:00

Well, I'm lacking good fabric and fresh ideas. So, lately I've been focusing on unfinished projects or items that I can perhaps rework.

I started this dress last September and recently finished it up. All it needed was the skirt added, and I'm not sure why I didn't do that back then.

This skirt was actually completely finished earlier this year, but I think I was contemplating whether or not I liked the fluted-like hem. (A feature that wasn't done on purpose. That's one of the many possible characteristics of knit fabric.)

(So funny. I have all sorts of things right around the area where I take photos. The jump rope still made it in this time despite my cropping efforts...bottom right.)

After months of consideration, I decided that I do like the hem and have decided against trimming it off.

The skirt has a "fabric cousin" (same material used for both) which is in my shop.

I've got some custom order in the works...

*********

Woooo! Gonna watch Sister Act II on t.v. tonight mainly so I can hear my beloved Lauryn Hill right here:

*siiigh*

Also, today on Facebook my blogger/internet buddy T. Allen-Mercado made reference to an oldie but greaty, and I've been singing it all day. (My album is so old and played out that

I barely get any sound out of it these days. Need to get a new one.)

I was so excited to here it on a local station recently along with

I was very elated to be listening to the radio on those days.

I figure the folks at the station must be missing her like I am.

Man I love this woman. Even still! We go way, way back.

:-)

(I'm sure I've done a post similar to this before about her. What can I say, though?!?!?...)

peace!

Holding On

2010-05-23T00:22:00.002-05:00

I've got four dresses that just don't want to release the grip that they've been having on me/my inventory of garments for, in one case, going on 2 years now!!!

"Afterglow"

I mean, I know they love me and I love them, but they must understand that there comes a time when they have to leave the closet on go on to be the wonderfully cute and colorful garments that they are while in the embrace/on the body of someone who appreciates their individuality and adorable nature just as much as I do. Of course they are my babies, and no one could ever understand the level of connectivity that we have. However, I'm certain that these fancy dresses will find just as much love and admiration in the possession of another.

"Spell on You"

Many of these vary garments are well traveled and have months of experience under their...threads. They've been placed in stores from here to California. Yet, even in all their cuteness and even with all the words of praise they receive from potential owners, they return to me, ever so happy and smug.

"Bands of Color"

From time to time I end up with these types. The garments who just don't wanna turn me loose! They watch as their peers are created, photographed, uploaded, sold, shipped one after the other. Yet, they, these hangers-on, literally hang idly by trying to apprear less apparent in the closet which is their home. They're content to be pushed further and further back as new items are added in the hopes that they'll go unnoticed and have the opportunity to be with me well into my later years.

SOLD!!!

"Babygirl"

I find them out, though, and pull them kicking and screaming (err...bustling their material) out into the open, letting them know that their day is soon approaching. They must know that they too will soon be neatly folded, wrapped in tissue paper, and ever so gently slid into one of those brown, bubbled evelopes just as they've witnessed this happen to their brothers and sisters.

Oh yes, my loves, your days with me are numbered. Soon you will be purchased and sent out into the world so that you may reach your fullest potential. A potential not likely to be realized if you're here with me never being worn. It'll be tough once that moment comes. You just might shed a few fibers. Trust me, though, we'll all benefit in the end.

:-)

peace!

Food, Nature, Love, Life!

2010-05-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

You may be able to tell from words that I drop here and there on my blog that I'm of the vegan, whole foods persuasion. I've been this way for the past 7 years and have read/heard lectures on/spoken about just about everything that can be read/heard/talked pertaining not only to eating but also living wholistically. Even still, there are times that I'm at a complete loss as to what to eat and what to buy to cook. I'm quick to resort to simply fruits and veggies during these times (and really, most times), especially when many of the recipes that I may turn to to get me out a cooking rut contain ingredients that I don't have on hand and likely won't anytime soon.

This is one of the primary reasons while I'm now a big advocated of my sistafriend Janine's Jackson recent publication, the Yum Facilitation Guide.

This guide contains an array of information for those wishing to eat a plant-based diet without relying on soy products. It's a wonderful collection of tips and straight forward ways in which you can create wonderfully delicious and wholistic dishes for you and/or your family. The absolute best aspect of it for me is that I'm not intimidated or overwhelmed by her list of ingredients on any given recipe. I can go in the kitchen right now and make just about every one of the dishes offered in the "cookery," section. Within an hour after reading through it the first time, I went and made the yellow rice and prepared the olive oil spread. Today I'll make the creamy collards and the avocado ice cream. Mmmmm mmmmm mmmmm!

Another of the many great qualities that I appreciate about the text is that she wasn't afraid to list on her sample menu foods that people don't usually assoiciate with breakfast. For instance, kale and chickpea soup--both of which she gives recipes for--are suggested as breakfast items. Readers are encouraged to be creative in their everyday eating.

These are just some points from the guide that really appeal to me. Other included information ranges from a breakdown of forms of grains that are uncommon to purchasing tips for organic foods. The Yum Facilitation Guide is very reader friendly and comes complete with various images of dishes that reflect the many recipes offered. If you're interested in eating a natural and rich diet of delicious whole foods, I highly recommend this guide.

You can visit Janine's blog at http://plantfolk.wordpress.com/ and learn more about how you can purchase your copy at http://plantfolk.wordpress.com/soy-free/. I know you'll be glad you did!

***************

Speaking of wholistic living, yesterday was a very fun, nature-filled day for me. In addition to attending a food show at one of the local farmer's market, I also went on a nature walk at a local park. Here are some shots:

Speaking of Ms. Janine Jackson, it's her artwork that I'm wearing in this shot. Check out the "Plantfolk" tee here.

Nature is absolutely phenomenal!

***************

Recently I re-photographed a dress made late lasr year.

I'm intending to have some new items really soon...

peace!

Power!!!

2010-05-07T22:02:00.004-05:00

I mentioned that from time to time I do contract sewing for a local monogramming/screenprinting/etc. shop--mainly attaching patches to various company uniforms. Very basic, mundane work. Well, I'd been using a regular "home" sewing maching (a Bernina--my love :-), but that kinda gave out this past Monday (and interfering with the deep affection I have for that brand of machines just a tad bit :-/ ). After trying to get two other machines to work with no luck, my last resort was to get on the industrial machine they have there. Mind you, I'd never sewn on one in my life and only had stories from others to rely on to give me an idea of how they operate--"fast", "furious", "scary", "watch your fingers!!", etc. etc. etc.

This machine hadn't been used by anyone at the company...mostly because there's only one other person there who sews, and she didn't want to fool with it. The company owner had been wanting it to be used...mostly because she paid a good bit for it. However, the machine just sat there.

That was, until I got on it.

Y'all. I swear. It's like my world of sewing has meaning now, lol! I absolutely love that machine. There are times when I have the pedal of my home machine and other machines I sew on down to the floor wishing they had more power to go. It's like they just can't go fast enough for me at times. Well, now I see what it can be like, and it's strange readjusting back to a regular machine. Those red coveralls you see piled up on the side were to get 4 patches sewn on each (usually 6), and on that industrial machine I whipped through them like it was nothing. The whole "machine built into a table" feature is great for that type of work since it doesn't move all over (like the regular machine) when I'm turning the coveralls, shirts, or whatever other bulky item that I'm sewing patches onto. The sad part is that it too sorta gave out on me. Something started happening with the thread tension the second day I was on it, but hopefully it'll be fixed by the time I return.

Heaven! Somehow some way, I've got to get one in my home. I probably don't need one for the type of sewing I do on a refular basis, but still. Gotta have it!

**********

The first day I sewed on the industrial machine, I had one of my favorite tunes in my head:

Cause to wanna go even faster!

peace!

Are You Sheer????

2010-04-27T17:04:00.010-05:00

What a week/weekend!! Last Wednesday, 21, kicked off this year's Festival International here in town, and anyone who has been reading my blog long enough likely has an idea of how much I look forward to this event

You can read my previous raves about festival here, here, here, and here.

This year I enjoyed such performers as Steel Pulse, Los de Abajo, Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars ,and Taj Weeks and Adowa. I even grooved to some Zydeco with Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band. Having lived in Southwest Louisiana for nearly 9 years (with a brief period of absence), zydeco music has really had to grow on me. It's not a form of music I grew up with and definitely took some getting used to. One thing I can say about it, though, is that it's danceable, and it's really hard to not dance when you hear it enough. Since I enjoy dancing, it was only a matter of time before it pulled me in. There are certainly songs or artists that can keep my attention. Some of it starts to just sound like noise after a while.

But last Wednesday night I was moved to go downtown and here the band live (for the first time), and had a really good time. The space was packed and the whole crowd was grooving. Loved it! I've yet to learn how to Zydeco--verb (love this one)--although a certain somebody has attempted to teach me. Synchoronized dancing or dancing with steps has always proven to be a challenge for me, since I tend to want to just break out doing my own thing, ha! I like the way it looks, though.

There were several acts that I missed during festival due to schedule conflicts, but I thoroughly enjoyed all the shows that I was able to attend.

**********

The two dresses shown here are my most recent creations. Lately I've been into sheer/see-through fabric and creating simple dresses from it. Both the brown and the blue materials which these dresses are made from have been in my stash for nearly a year. I purchased them knowing that I wanted to turn them into something, though I wasn't sure what. These simple styles seem to suit them well. I'd actually like to keep the blue one for myself, but alas, it's being offered to the public via my Etsy shop. :-)

peace!

Back to Me

2010-04-15T14:25:00.001-05:00

Wooooooooooooooooooooo!! Over the past week I've managed to turn out a few new pieces.

(And, as you can see, so are photos with some face. Or maybe just for these, since I was so excited to have made new items. We'll see how I feel.)

All of these pieces are on Etsy .

Hmmmm..what shall be next?????.....?????

***************

One of my favorite songs is relevant (enough) for this post. I'll let the love interest be fabric, ha!

*Side Note*

One of my favorite movies is The Long Kiss Goodnight, and I could have sworn that the above song by Celine Dion was on that soundtrack. That doesn't appear to be the case, though. Maybe I've been connecting the two due to subject matter and the fact that I'm a fan of both. But I could have sworn this song was somehow associated with that film.

Ah well. I'm known to make such incorrect associations on occasion. :-)

peace!

Ho-Hum. Hummus!

2010-04-07T20:35:00.007-05:00

Forgive me, for I have been in a robotic state lately. Zoned out. Lacking creativity and the desire to create. In la la land. Etcetera. Not sure why, but I hope to come back to Me soon.

*******

So! Over a month ago now, I was given the Kreativ Blogger Award by the marvelous Roe of Yes, Honey Chyle.

Thank ya very much! :-D

It's been a while since I've done a "tell us something interesting about yourself" post (which is a stipulation of the award), but let's see if I can come up with 7...
.

Oh!

1. I'm currently teaching myself law. Lately I've been poring over all sorts of legal books, documents, codes, regulations, etc. etc. etc. (Now that I think of it, maybe that's why I've been zombie-like and uncreative, ha!) The stuff is wordy and usually unnecessarily repetative, but I get it! Watch out, cause once I've got it down, I intend to do lots of good with it.

2. I currently do contract sewing for a local momogram/screen printing shop. Alterations, sewing patches onto uniforms--for local electrical, gas, oil, (etc.) companies--and other miscellaneous sewing is what I do there. Perhaps that's another reason I'm out of it! :-/

3. Every night, 9pm central time--if I'm home--I watch King of the Hill on Cartoon Nework. Too funny/crazy! I've always liked it, but only lately have I watched consistently. (It's on now.)

4. I juice and drink a beet/carrot/apple/parsely mixture daily. Well, almost.

5. This weekend I'm supposed to attend a camping retreat. Outdoors, in a tent, people from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, healthy foods, presentations about working the land, etc. It was gonna be a great experience! Been planning for it for over 2 months. But I can't go now. :-(

6. Last Tuesday I went on a field trip to New Orleans as a "chaperone" with the fashion class from a local school. It was enjoyable, but I was sooo exhausted upon returning. Teens can be more of a handfull than kindergarteners! Whew!!! Next week I'll be going to speak to these same students about my experiences with fashion design.

7. I've been asked to be and will be the birth assitant at a natural, home birth this October. Eeeek! :-) (I've previously expressed my fascination with birth.)

*******

Ok, good to see I can still come with something about myself.

*******

Just for the heck of it, here's a picture of a "hummus bowl" I hooked up recently based on something very similar (ok, the exact same, ha!) that I had at a friend's house recently. (The same friend who I'll be a birthing assistant for :-D .)

Homemade hummus, tomatoes, cucumbers, and blue corn chips. Mmmmm, mmmm, mmmm!!

As it gets hotter and hotter here, I'm trying to eat lighter and cooler. I'll be eating this often.

I suggest you try it too!. :-)

peace.

Stages

2010-03-24T21:46:00.003-05:00

I've waited until the last minute to finish up some projects. (I have valid reasons for doing so, but still...)

So, I shall return shortly.

In the meantime, siiiiiiigh...

Yes, a song just for me. And you. :-)

(Lyrics are kind of off, but it's ok.)

peace.

Well, See...What Had Happened Waaaas...

2010-03-13T16:22:00.003-06:00

Let's see. I've been sewing/designing clothes, techinically, for 8 years now. I've sewn in zippers, done button holes, made patterns from scratch, set in the most uncooperative of sleeves, gathered and pleated, made cuffs, turned pants into skirts, skirts into dresses, altered, re-altered, and altered again, so on a so forth.

Still, this:

(Part of a dress I'm working on for a 3 yr. old cousin of mine who's going to be in a pageant soon.)

Those of you familiar with clothing construction probably see the issue right away. Those who aren't likely do as well. To be clear, though, this is a bodice with one sleeve sewn on correctly and one sewn on incorrectly (backwards).

I did this today. No, I wasn't tired, or tired of sewing. I was fully alert and thought I was on a roll. Happens to the best of us I suppose--or at least, happens to those of us who'd like to think we are (and who others see us as) a part of "the best of us" camp.

While I sat there with seam ripper in hand undoing my wrong work and cursing the satin fabric for snagging easily, I began to think of something one of my new blogger buddies asked recently.
And i'm only assuming she has no problem with me referring to her in that way :-D.

Roe of Yes, Honey Chyle asked:

"How do you make it look so easy?! New Sewing Minds are inquiring!"

Well, I suppose that after you've done it for long enough it becomes easiER than it was when you first started out. Yet there are still many design and sewing techniques that I've never done and am somewhat intimidated by. So the techniques I use for the garments I make and like to make (simple ones!) have only become easier for me to do because I've been doing them for so long now. I know that in my case, I have a desire to do this, stayed determined, and I suppose the payoff is a decrease in difficulty. Also, it seems to me that once you've got the generalities of sewing and design down, you'll find that even those tasks that you've never done are at least doable. You might still be intimidated by the notion of them, but you'll likely be able to do them because you have the skill and understanding of how it works. I've made jackets and coats and suits. All these are items I'd rather not do but was able to complete them because I had the technical ability to do so.

Beyond that, for me, there may be an astrological component to all of this. I've read that those born under the sign of Scorpio tend to enjoy areas of work that involve mystery, among others. They like to put things together. Figure stuff out. I know for sure that's true for me, and it's one of my main attractions to designing clothes. It's like putting a puzzle together and getting to the bottom of how a garment "works." Fabric and clothing is the medium I've gravitated towards, but I could just as easily (or just as likely) be a crime scene investigator or physchological researcher. ~~And I have already donned myself the latter.~~

So yep, I think that's what it is. Apparently, though, none of that changes the fact that I'm bound to sew a sleeve on backwards from time to time!

peace.

:-)

Oh, Love.

2010-03-07T13:09:00.006-06:00

Just a couple dresses...

(Reversible)

(Hand painted)

I created both of these months ago but am just now putting them online. Sometimes that's just how it is.

**********

Seeing as how I was a big Monica fan back in the 90s, I'm pleased to here her voice on the airwaves once again--especially since this new song that I adore samples one of my most favorite tunes of all time...

(Just realized she has a video to this.)

have a beautiful SUNday!

peace.

:-)

From the Soul

2010-03-03T16:58:00.010-06:00

Recently finished this up for someone I know, and like the previous custom-made garment, I want to keep this for me.

(I've just got the head piece tied any old kind of way, so if it looks off, that's cause it likely is!)

**********

The writer of one of my most favorite blogs in the whole wide world is doing a giveaway!

Check out Soul Pretty

for a chance to win this lovely, hand-dyed top, receive an instant dose of creativity, and to become a fan of a generally wonderful blog.

You can enter the contest by either being/becoming a follower of her blog (bottom of the page) or blogging about the giveaway on your blog. Seeing as how I think these t-shirts

(as well as her handmade fanny packs) are some of my favorite creations and I think everyone should be familiar, I'm doing the latter.

The winner will be chosen Monday, March 8, so get over there now!

*Yaaaaay*

(just threw that in for good measure, ha!)

**********

This Thursday is the last night for the sewing workshop, and it has been absolutely wonderful.

Fulfilling, rewarding--all of that and more.

**********

I'm singing this all the time.

This song takes me there. Ya, know, that place you go before you realize it, then you come back here, and that's how you know you were somewhere else? Yeah, there.

I love her. :-)

peace!

Mother and Child/ren

2010-02-26T23:39:00.005-06:00

I recently made some matching garments for a mother and her 2 children (13 yr. old boy; 1 yr. old baby girl) to be worn to a church event this Sunday.

That's some realy nice material, and I wanted to keep that long dress for myself.

The baby's dress is a miniature version of her mom's and has the little bloomers. While we both thought the idea of the baby head wrap was cute, I'd be interested to know if she (baby) will agree to keeping it on.

**********

I've posted this on my blog before, but it's been on my mind lately since I've been hearing one of Corinne's new songs. So...repost!

(New song)

I need to catch up on some blog reading.

peace!

Steady

2010-02-18T23:55:00.016-06:00

Pants?

Definitely rare around here. For whatever reason I've long been intimidated by the thought of making them, but...*exhale*...here we are.

The ones above were made from a McCall's pattern that I fell in love with (enough for me to decide to even use a commercial pattern. Oftentimes they stress me out). The pants remind me of my beloved revamped jeans from about 5 years ago, except that in addition to the elastic in the hem, the jeans also tied around the leg.

I adored these jeans, but have since outgrown them :-(.

But what's even better about this new found pattern is the loose fit. They're really comfortable and suit my upcoming style of dress for the Spring and Summer, which I know are gonna be hot, hot, hot!. A few pairs might pop up in my etsy shop as well.

**********

So we were back at it this Thursday evening!

I'm operating on a machine here...^

...here...^

...and here.^

We encountered some threading issues a few times on various machines, and it took longer for a couple students to get into a steady rhythm. We're coming along though, and they're starting to actually see their bags (the chosen project) take shape and are thrilled about it. Of course that thrills me! :+)

*Note: I was proud to have made it through the entire class without my glasses...even threaded a needle or 4! I rely on them so much when I'm working yet misplace them just as much. From time to time I'll push myself to keep them off as a test, and I always do just fine.

peace!

Starting Something

2010-02-11T22:05:00.013-06:00

For the longest I've been wanting to offer a free sewing workshop to the local community but had never done so due to various reasons. Well, a few weeks ago I thought, "Dangit, let me stop making excuses and just do this." Since this is the month that's been designated as Black History Month and there're hardly ever any events going on for folks to partake of for its sake, I figured why not get it kicked off now? (You may recall an endeavor from February 2008 where we set out to fulfill a similar gap of inactivity.)

I went to the parks and recreation administrative office to secure a room in one of the many public centers they have around here, printed up some flyers/registration forms, went on a radio program to promote, spread the word via other means, and waited to see the response. Well, people showed interested, And I ended up with 14 registered individuals. The first class was tonight (Thursday), and seeing as how it was freezing cold, rainy, and seemingly on the verge of snowing, I was prepared if no one showed. (I figured if nothing else my sistafriend Divine and I would have been in there sewing by ourselves, 'cause the rain wasn't going to stop us, ha!.) People came, though, and I ended up with 7 students. Yaaay!

A few photos...

That's my old school Atlas machine being used. I knew I'd be doing more talking and showing than sewing, so I gave it up for the evening.

My youngest student, age 10. :-) She'd never sewn before, but the child is good!

We'd had several machines donated from a local sewing machine shop owner, however, I was surprised and happy to learn that nearly everyone who registered for the class has a sewing machine. Whether they'd bought it with the intention of learning but never did or gotten one handed down to them, people have machines! That was one concern that had me putting this off: the issue of not having enough machines.

But with all that said, only two people among those who actually showed up tonight had their own machines, so I was very thankful for the donated ones.

My "photographer" (*smile*) took some neat close-ups. This is one of my favorites.

Great times were had by all, and it really made my heart smile to see how interested and grateful everyone was to me for initiating this. This is all so very enjoyable/fulfilling , and who would have thought I'd be somewhere someday teaching people to sew!?!? :-D

See more pictures on Flickr.

Was jamming to this in the car on the way to class...

peace!

(p.s. Classes are every Thursday from February 11-March 4)

Edited to add:

Woke up Friday and....snooooooow.....in Louisiana!!!! :-D And it's coming down really hard.

Off to play!

Looking Back

2010-02-05T13:36:00.007-06:00

Re-do.

Well, this (^) was once this, but I felt it needed some freshening up and expanding, as it was probably an x-small. There was only so much enlarging that could be done give the amount of fabric, but it'd work as a medium now.

(This revamping is an attempt to get back in the groove where clothing design is concerned.)

**********

It really made me sad to hear the news in December that actress Brittany Murphy had passed away, and I had one of those "shaking my head"/"um-um-um" moments when I read yesterday the actual cause. Senseless dying.

I'll just go ahead and unashamedly admit that Clueless was and still is one of my favorite films. While I can't recall what capacity I saw the film in when I was barely a teen, I do know that it was an instant favorite. (I'm goofy and it appeals to that side of me.) Everytime I'd see Brittany Murphy on the screen after that, my mind would instantly go back to her "Tai" character (my favorite in the movie). I've always been into music and singing, so I was also struck by her singing voice which is portrayed at various points in Clueless. *Cues: "Rollin' with the homies!" while doing hand wave*

I always feel weird writing or thinking about celebrities who've passed on in the context of why I liked them since they have family and friends to whom they meant so much more to than just their status as an actor/actress, singer, or what have you. This was just on my mind, though.

(Ironically relevant reference made there.)

(Strange editing.)

peace!

With the Breeze

2010-01-29T21:57:00.006-06:00

Was just now watching Grease on VH1. This must be the 3rd or 4th time in the past month. The hilarity in the movie cracks me up the same or even more with each viewing. Plus I've always liked musical films.

**********

Nothing really new to share on the sewing front, but out of boredom and "blahness" on this chilly, wet Friday night, I put together another collage, this time of my recent faceless pics. All of these garments have been on hand for a while, and I'm sure I've written about them somewhere in my blog.

Gotta motivate myself to get back at it if in fact that's what I want to do. I'm just somewhere else right now. Right now. That could change by tomorrow or next week. I feel myself growing or evolving, and sometimes I'm thrilled and at others I'm exhausted from it.

**********

Nostalgic. :-)

Wow...14-15 yrs. ago. Time moves ooon.

peace!

Balance

2010-01-22T13:38:00.008-06:00

I've posted before about some of my involvement with children and education, and lately a lot of my energy has been being geared towards that area. I'm currently tutoring a home schooled 10 yr. old in the area of reading comprehension. Brilliant child, excellent reader, and, as it turns out, he's actually pretty good at comprehending. So why am I tutoring him? Well, he doesn't like to read. He'd rather play Halo 3 (a game he had to school me on, further showing his comprehension capabilities.) So, when his mom is trying to go over lessons with him at home, he acts as though he can't do them. I got this admission out of him the other day after we'd gone over three stories and he read and comprehended them perfectly. Additionally, when we were done, he brought to my attention how one of the stories we'd read was very similar to one we'd read the week before...then went into full detail about the similarities. So, yeah. I'll be reporting this to his mother.

This week I helped another 10 yr. old with a social studies project. He wasn't going to do one, because he didn't have anyone to help him. He wanted to do it, but only had two days until it was due and just didn't have the assistance he'd need. If he was intending to do a project, he'd also have to turn in a 250 word essay on it complete with footnotes and a bibliograpy. Well, I'm all about the subject of social studies and specifically history. I also enjoy every opportunity I get to cut, glue, color, draw, and help out a true, sincere person, so I was game for it.

Initially I'd thought that he could do the project on Elijah McCoy, and I'd come up with all these ideas on how, in addition to his background and history, we'd find instances from tv, movies, and music where the phrase "The Real McCoy" had been used. I had it all planned in my mind. Well, that was before I found out he already had something in mind (I'd just assumed he hadn't). He wanted to do the project on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

(That's some dark green, shiny fabric on the two side panels. My idea of course!)

My first thought was, "Oh noooooooo!" (lol!) That was only because I knew at least three others would do theirs on Dr. King (turned out to be five), and also because Dr. King's life and work was so vast, and it might be a challenge to narrow it all down in such a short period of time. Of course we'd have to do research, come up with all sorts of information, type it up, etc. So then I came up with the idea of picking out one aspect of his life and focusing on that. We agreed to focus on his involvement with the Montgomery bus boycott.

I wanted the end result to not look like I'd done all the work. Ya know, more fifth grader-ish and less grown up-ish. In the end, we both felt as though we'd struck a good balance, and I was pleased that I was able to successfully control those scorpian urges to take complete control! My only regret is not putting somewhere near the title "Dr. Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Bus Boycott." That thought only came to me after we'd finished and then again after I got to the school and saw the criteria that they were being judged on. Turns out I was asked to be a judge.

I made it known that I'd helped with one of the projects. It wasn't a problem, though, because his wasn't in either of the categories I was to judge. But one of the questions that was asked was something like, "Is the subject clearly stated?" Looking back on ours, it really wasn't. If one read the information on the left panel and looked and the pictures on the right, they could find out, but it wasn't necessarily clearly stated. *Sigh* Ah well. I'm just happy that I was able to help him participate in the event.

The title of the project, "The Right to Protest for Right", comes from a quote made by Dr. King during his involvement with the boycott:

"The great glory of American democracy is the right to protest for right."

It can be seen in the middle of the right panel in the handwriting of the student.

I'm still contemplating the quote as a whole, but I do like the last part.

peace!

Wild Wild West/We Live

2010-01-13T22:04:00.009-06:00

*Grinder was great. A success on all fronts.*

*Moving into more arenas with my sewing.*

*Been juicing like crazy. Mostly green juices. Working out some issues.*

*Have had no time to mess with my hair, so it's been wrapped up for nearly 3 wks. in various scarves.*

(Just showing off my newest one which I've been wearing out since receiving it as a gift a fews weeks ago.)

*Sending my love and support to those in Haiti.*

*Being so in love with Sade's new song.*

peace!

On the Grind

2010-01-07T22:50:00.007-06:00

Saturday I'll be showing some of my work at the local, awsomely amazing Grinder event. I won't be doing a fashion show this time around, cause it's just been too cold for me to even begin putting one together. When it's cold like this, I can only do the basics: put prices on the clothes and show up and hopefully sell them while watching the live art show. Any sort of organizing and planning of a fashion show is just not feasible. Brrrrr. I move at a slower pace during these colder months. Maybe at the next (hopefully warmer) one, since I do enjoy doing them.

In lieu of a fashion show this go 'round, here's a clip about the event where you can see a few seconds of the show I did in '08.

Unfortunately they got me in the clip doing some funky walk, and not one of the other models who walked with a bit more enthusiasm.

You can go to two earlier blog posts for more on my participation in Grinder:

http://flytieonline.blogspot.com/2008/03/blush.html

http://flytieonline.blogspot.com/2007/11/now-keep-in-mind-that-im-artistand-im.html

And if you're local...come!!

3-8 pm Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 (During Art Walk)

Nitetown located downtown Lafayette

peace!!

Faceless

2010-01-02T10:24:00.014-06:00

I've actually got some after pics! Not that they're spectacular or anything, but in the past few months I'd post befores and never come back with the afters :-/. (Cause many times I'd be so exshausted after doing a project and so sick of looking at and dealing with it that the thought of photographing outcomes didn't come until after I'd handed it over to its owner.) But at some point I do intend to get some shots of these projects I speak of.

So, I did alter the outfit from the previous post, but I didn't wear it to the Kwanzaa event here in Lafayette. Instead, I ended up wearing it to the one in Baton Rouge on this past Wednesday night.

Most of the change came in the fit. I took both the top and skirt in a good bit to give it more of a shape. Although I did appreciate the sleeves and their fullness, I always feel like that style is too much for me. I like seeing it on other people but not so much on myself. I feel so tiny and drowned out when I wear large garments or garments with exagerrated features. (But I do love the large collar.)

I turned the bottom into a more fitted pencil skirt, then, when I could barely walked, I realized I'd went overboard with the tapering of the bottom, and I'd already trimmed the seam allowances down. So I ended up having to put slits up the back as well as on both sides. Overall, I'm pleased. The shape and style is more me.

**********

On another note, I'm going back to headless photos. Those who've been reading my blog from its beginning can probably recall a time when my face wasn't in every picture. Images were cropped from the neck down. Well, I'm going back to that for one main reasons: It takes a lot (ok...not a lot but enough) of energy to be making myself decent before taking the pictures so I won't be looking crazy. Many times I take pictures right after I've been sewing all day/night or shortly after waking. After one such session, my hair might be all over, my lips might be chapped, my eyes might be droopy or any other combination of unphotogenic (for my shop anyway) attributes.. This is not necessarily something I want to portray in my pictures. It's the difference between this...

(Had been awake for about 30 min.)

...and this.

Picasa makes it nice and neat. :-)

Happy "oh 10"!

peace!

Give

2009-12-21T21:07:00.009-06:00

I always enjoy getting positive messages and feedback.

A friend of mine had some items at a storage facility that he didn't need but was having a hard time getting a truck or finding someone with a truck to help him move the items. Once of these items was a large sofa. First thing that came to my mind was freecycle.org. I've given away several items via this particular organization, and I just knew not only would someone want it, but they'd also come with a truck ready to haul it off.

This evening we headed to the storage to meet with a lady who wanted the couch. Upon driving up, we see that rather than a truck, truck she's in a SUV like this; the size of the sofa is something like this; my face went something like this. I'll admit, I'm one of the most determined, "make this work/happen" people you'll ever come across, but I just did not see how that couch was going to fit inside her vehicle. I've got a small coupe and have hauled all sorts of furniture home in it, but I just didn't see this happening. Well, it did. Yes, it was hanging out the back, but she came prepared with all sorts of ropes and such to make it secure.

I was really concerned about her making it home safely, so I had to email her to be sure she did. The response:

I did, thank you. No problem at all.

I’ve got it all moved in. And one of my Basset Hounds is already happily sleeping on it. J He’s going to have to move in a minute, as I plan on stretching out on it shortly.

It’s very nice, thank you.

(I do animal rescue (volunteer) and I have 6 dogs of my own. All rescues, of course. The youngest decided that my (former) sofa was a great chew toy, and he really obliterated it. So your gift is really a blessing to me. Thank you.)

Brought a smile to my face. She made a believer out of me for sure!

**********

Speaking of giving, recently I was given 3 African style outfits all of which are really nice but too large and unflattering for my lil' frame. This Saturday the local Kwanzaa celebration will take place, and I've decided that instead of wearing what's been the usual as of late--jeans and some kind of top plus jacket/sweater, shawl, boots--I'm going to revamp one of the outfits. I really like the material of this particular one.

Before:

Stay tuned for the After.

Seeing as how I still have a good amount of custom work and alterations I'm working on (some of which need to be done by Friday), I'm going to make my best effort to get something done for me.

For a change.

**********

Happy Winter Solstice!

peace! :-)

If You Really Want to Know

2009-12-08T19:02:00.000-06:00

Note: No one actually inquired about the following 10 "about me" points. I just feel like sharing something with all the lovely people who visit my blog frequently. Happy reading!

**********

1. My cell phone is never on ring. It's always on vibrate. If it's close enough to me, I'll feel it when a call or text comes through. If it's lying on the table while I'm working, I'll see when it lights up. Otherwise, I'll have to check it later for any missed calls. I don't know why.

2. I've got this phone with the spiffy slide out keyboard, and I never use it (spiffy keyboard) when sending texts. I still just use the regular front keypad that requires you to go through all the letters to get the one you want. I don't know why. I text a lot, too. (Mostly with my mom.)

3. If money wasn't essential to survival in this society, I'd sew just for fun and make something for all the people I know and/or love--whatever they wanted..as long as I feel like I could handle it--and send it to them.

4. I don't like the fact that money is essential to survival in this society and do like to barter. For instance, I'm currently hemming a few pairs of pants for someone who made me copies of dvds that I needed. She usually charges for these but also doesn't like to "get the presidents involved " (her words) when she can avoid it. I don't go overboard with bartering, but when it comes to items or services I need, I don't mind trading my services.

5. Beginning in January me and the lady I'm currently staying with will be starting a sewing/enrichment program for young girls (and perhaps some boys if they're interested) in the local public housing units--as in, one of the apartments in the projects is currently being renovated just for us to serve as the place where we teach sewing. We built the program from scratch. It's being completely funded by the housing authority, i.e. the government. We felt/feel it has the potential to be a very helpful, revolutionary program. They agreed. People are going crazy over the idea. Children. Parents. General Public. This is going to be major. I can feel it in my bones!! Next we'll offer it to people throughout the city regardless of where they live.

6. I'm back in Louisiana (Lafayette). I thought. I needed to and did try leaving. Louisiana is my home, though. It's the place where I'm most comfortable within the US.

7. Since early September I've been living with a family I know in a very welcoming, lively, homey house. It's been great and they said I'm welcome to stay forever. I'll once again be moving into my own place within the next few days, though. I've enjoyed this essentially rent free, bill free ride that I've been on since the end of May when I first left Lafayette. *siiiigh* But my creativity has been MIA lately, and it's time for me to get back settled focused. My etsy shop hasn't been updated with new garments in ages.

8. I've never had a roommate and, before now, hadn't lived with anyone since I left home at 18. I thought the transition would be hard. I always felt I needed my own place, my own space to live how I want and do, blah, blah, blah. (And that's not to say that I don't.)However, living here has been quite an enlightening experience. What's more, I learned that, *gasp*, I can share a bathroom with other people without having a panic attack!!!

9. When I left 6 months ago, I'd sold or given away everything I owned except the essentials. I have my books, clothes to wear, clothes I've made, my sewing machines, sewing supplies, fabric, my computer--I left with 5 boxes. I no longer have a couch, bed, t.v., not even a sewing table. No dishes, pots, pans--none of that. I'm starting from scratch again.

10. I've always been somewhat of a psychologist--for myself. Thankfully I have this ability to self-diagnose. Lately I've been considering a recurring subject that I come across when examining my mental health and behaviors: I tend to attract needy people a lot. Seeing as how I do find there to be some truth to the adage that the people you attract reflect you, I have to do some serious self-reflection and ask myself, "Dang...I'm I really needy??" And I can honestly answer, "Yes, I am. To some degree." But then I start to wonder, "Do I attract these type of people because I'm such a big giver of myself?" I give so much of my energy away to people all the time. (I'm quite conscious of this and have decided to stop doing so on certain levels. There are times, though, when I feel it's not only necessary, but the outcomes could be detrimental if I don't.)

**********

I heard it for the first time in a long time the other day and had a very serious nostalgic moment. This was and still is one of my most favorite songs.

peace!!

Been Up To...

2009-11-28T17:56:00.008-06:00

I mentioned previously that I've been doing a good bit of custom work lately.

Develped this ensemble from pattern to construction.

(This is the lady to whom the red wedding dress belongs--the one I forgot to get pics of after I altered it. :-/)

Made it all 'cept the headdress and accessories.

She needed it by today (Saturday, 28th), and naturally, I waited until the last minute to start (Thursday night..even though I'd had the fabric for 3 weeks). As a result I'm currently functioning off of 1.25 hrs. of sleep. **yawn**

A closer look:

**********

Now. I could use a good song to lull me to sleep.

How booouuuut...

peace.

:-)

(Thanks for all the bearthday wishes!)

Oh, My Back! My Aching Back!

2009-11-20T07:27:00.001-06:00

Seems like just yesterday I was on here yapping about my approaching birthday

then yapping even more when it arrived.

And here we are again with me one year older. I swear I've been in pain this whole week! Sore legs, abdomen pain, throbbing headache. It's gotta be "old" age!!

(Nevermind the fact that there was a definite reason for the pain. I just wanna blame it on my getting older.)

So here I am at 27. Who woulda thought?

It was just two years ago that I was on here being grateful for having made it to 25.

I give thanks for continuation.

***************

A song for the occasion.

I'm sure I've posted this before. I love it so much. The song's release year being so close to my release year must be why. :-)

peace!

:-)

Woman vs. Dress

2009-11-04T17:25:00.005-06:00

At the present moment, I'm swamped in custom work. Not so great for my creativity, but wonderful where finances are concerned. For that reason I'm grateful for the ability to measure, cut, and sew. :-)

One project that's in the works is the conversion of the train of a bulky and cumbersome yet beautiful wedding dress into a bolero jacket.

It's so massive and overwhelming for lil ol' me.

So far I've lost my seam ripper.
Somewhere inside the dress, I believe.

It must've just swallowed it up, and I want it back dangit!!!
Need it actually.

I know it's somewhere in those folds and crevasses.

We'll see how this goes...

peace!

La la la

2009-10-25T14:52:00.006-05:00

My big, wide, veiny feet enjoying nature's touch.

I was in Houston/Galveston, Tx last weekend for a series of events one of which was an ancestral tribute that took place on the Galveston beach. I could go on and on about it, but suffice it to say I enjoyed myself thoroughly.

Pictured above you can get a glimpse of the minimal sewing that I've been doing lately: a fitted, floor length skirt to wear that day. As mentioned before I really only ever sew for myself when it's time to attend an event that I need a particular type of garment for. The request was to wear white to the beach, so I whipped up something. I'll get (and post) better photos of it soon.

Me adorned with marks to deter evil spirits. These were given to me by Yoruba priestess Oyafunmike Ogunlano. If you've seen the film Sankofa, she's Shola/Mona, one of the main characters. (Both she and Mutabaruka --Shango from the film--were present.) Seeing as how I enjoy Mutabaruka's work and Sankofa is one of my favorite movies to watch, It was definitely an honor having them there.

**********

Feels like I've said it before, but I really hope to be back to my regular sewing within the next few weeks. A lot has changed for me, and I'm working some things out, but it's all coming together. :-)

peace!

Circumstantial

2009-10-15T19:49:00.012-05:00

I've got a photographer friend who recently opened up a studio in a local mall, and from time to time he'll call and ask me to come pose for him so he can practice with lighting, angles, various props, etc. Then there are other times when I'm just over there--with no intentions whatsoever of taking any pictures--and he'll talk me into getting in front of the camera. Below are shots taken nearly two months ago. In the former ones I'm in a reversible dress (A FlyTie creation, of course ;-) which is purple and a dark teal color, but in the second shot you'll see where he used Photoshop to make it a different color. Oh, and the beaded necklace belongs to a friend of mine who went with me to the studio that day. That day was a planned day of photography. The latter photos were taken impromptu another day while we were sitting in his studio talking and watching people walk through the mall.

Before these sessions it had been a long time since I'd had photos taken of myself that involved someone else besides me, the auto feature on my camera, and a box or something to prop the camera on.

Enjoy!!
(Maybe??? :-/)

(It was my idea to get behind the cage. i don't know. There something sooooo..forbidden about it!)

About a Dress

2009-10-08T20:00:00.000-05:00

On September 5, 2009, my friend Olympia was joined in holy matrimony to a charming man in a private ceremony. Following the ceremony a select group of individuals converged and engaged in merriment and glee at an intimate reception in honor of the new union. Seeing as how I was not actually present at said reception, I can only assume that the aforementioned merriment and glee are the reality of the day. However, knowing the ways in which love can inspire the best in people, I'm going to stick with this assumption. :-D.

Come along with me for a pictorial presentation of the day's occasion. In the process, you'll be able to read my impromptu, (poorly composed) short story about a particular dress and an explanation as to why I missed out on such a special moment.

*******************

Sometime in early to mid August I got word from Olympia that she was getting married....like in less than a month. Of course she'd need a dress, and she was entrusting me to make it... on time. Something non-traditional, canary yellow, and strapless. Simlar in style to this dressfrom my shop but with a contrast color peeping from under like in this one. Something in color. Not just white.

The contrast colors were important, but the band at the center was to be solid, not patchwork like the original. Ok. I got it. In my head. I never really was a sketcher.

Time went on. We did more "virtual designing" via phone, email, and Yahoo! Chat and determined that the contrast colors should be blue in nature. Yellow and blue usually go well together. Turquoise and navy blue is what we decided. Yep, that was gonna be it.

And some of that stuff to make it poof out and be full, Olympia added. Netting. In white. Canary yellow, navy, turquoise, and white. Yep. That was it. We had it together.

Oh! And what about a belt attached to the center band? I thought it was a good idea and dug upone of my earlier designs (which was later produced in another form) and emailed her the link as an example of what I meant. She liked it and also decided that her band should be wide--like the original dress--not 2-3 inches as we'd first thought, but much wider. Alright. I had all the info I needed. All that was left was for me to make it happen.

But wait. I needed measurements. The dress has to actually fit! Ummm, but we hadn't (and still haven't) seen each other since June, were in two different states, and all that getting fitted stuff was too much. "Just give me your bust measurement," I say. Yeah. That'll do. If it fits uptop, then we're good. The skirt part is sorta like a one size fits all situation. And where the length is concerned, I'll just use myself as a model to determine how long it should be based on her height (Meaning how tall I guessed she was. I didn't know her actual height). Yep. It was ready to be made.

But one problem: I was ripping and running all over. From North Louisiana to south. Then back. Then back again. Then to Austin, TX. Then back to South Louisiana. Doing thus and that and that and this. All while knowing I was being depended on to make a wedding dress.

August passed on. September arrived. September 1. September 2. I finally went to purchase the materials on this day and learned that canary yellow wasn't really an option. There were only a few shades of light yellow and a golden yellow. I called from the store and we made the decision over the phone: golden yellow. Ok. I had the materials. Still no dress. I was in transition unsettled. No place to really set up my machine and supplies and get to work, but it was gonna get made.

Then we came to a resolution: I'd go to her home--further South Louisiana--make the dress Thursday, and leave it there for when she arrived back home that Friday evening for the ceremony that would take place on Saturday. We were pushing it, but hey, it had to be done.

So I went, made the dress, hung it up so it'd be in plain view when she walked in, and headed out Friday morning back to where I was (about 2 hrs. away) with the intention of going back down that way to attend the reception on Saturday. When I woke up Saturday, though, the exhaustion had set in. I could barely move and just felt sick. All the driving and ripping and running all around had taken its toll, and I knew I wouldn't make it. :-(

**********

When it was all said and done, and the vows were taken, and the fun was had, and the people were gone, we talked, and I was happy to know that the dress--designed and created over the miles without us ever seeing each other to get it done--had worked out in the end. She loved it, the people loved it, and a new concept was born The Olympia Dress. I'll be coming out with a collection of this style and variations of it as an alternative to the usual styles of wedding dresses.

peace!

O

2009-09-26T17:27:00.012-05:00

The jacket is finished and has been handed over to its owner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *sigh of relief* I do have photos, but seeing as how I'm in transition and typing from everyone's computer but my own these days, I'm currently unable to transfer them, upload them to my files, and show them to the world. Well, I guess I could but I'll wait. They'll be posted soon...

In the meantime, I'd like to share something with y'all pertaining to my author-sistafriend Ms. Olympia Vernon....errr Mrs. Olympia Vernon-_____...More on the updated prefix later with lovely pictures to accompany!

She's currently being featured as one of the top stories on the front of Louisiana State University's website, Lsu.edu.

(There's much to be said about that floral couch, too. I'll have to give y'all the run down on our day of adventure with that in a post to come.)

Once there, click the image to read more about her writing process, and get a glimpse inside the mind of one highly gifted in the literary arena.

Or just go here:

http://www.lsu.edu/now/index_vernon.html

O, yes! :-D

peace!

Interlude

2009-09-19T11:09:00.011-05:00

Eeek!! Blog neglect yet again. Hope y'all are doing well. I've been working on the jacket and look forward to having it completely DONE and presented to its owners within the next 2 days. Then I can get back to doing MY thing. I haven't sewn a single stitch on anything other than that project in nearly a month. Not necessarily because I haven't had time. It's just that when I work on something specifically for someone else--especially something that's outside of my usual work--it's hard for me to really focus on anything else until it's completely done. It's like I'm held hostage creatively until then.

But despite my decrease in productivity, I was featured on a blog recently:

Read it Here:

http://welcometoacadiana.blogspot.com/2009/09/super-fly.html

**********

As alluded to in the post, several items in my etsy shop are 1/2 off.

Such as this very comfortable pink number:

I'm just sooo ready for newness!(Which of course won't come 'til I get back to my regular sewing.)

**********

I could really use some relaxation at this very moment. Something like:

"It's soothing, like swimming in deep blue water. "--YouTube Comment

peace!

Believe In You

2009-08-30T22:57:00.006-05:00

Every so often someone will approach me about a sewing project that has me looking like:

youwantmet'dowhat??

(Showing off new glasses which I unashamedly confess are from the Hilary Duff collection. Hey, I liked the shape and colors! But if she ends up getting turned out by "the industry" like some of the other young stars, I will be ashamed.)

A few weeks ago I got a call from the band coordinator at a private high school that triggered the above expression.

Apparently the band drum major is broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted and his current band jacket doesn't fit well. So they want a whole new one custom made. No. Not alter the other one to fit. Make an entirely new one. And it needs to look as close as possible to this:

And they want me to make it.
And they found a pattern that's similar.
But I don't get along well with commercial patterns.
They cause me to sit and stare into space for extended periods of time.
Which prevents me from being productive.
So I'd have to make my own pattern.
And make the entire jacket from scratch.
Never mind the fact that I make simple garments for women.
And not band jackets.
Or jackets at all really.
But they believe that I can.
And I can.
I have before.
So they gave me a box of materials and sent me on my way knowing I will.
And I will.

***************

Other requests that brought about the above facial expression:

"Can you make me a comforter???"
"A Rug???"
"A slip cover for my oversized couch???"
"I know you wanna make me some curtains for every room in my house, right???"

Because of course if I can work a sewing machine, I not only should be able to do all of the above, but want to do all of the above.
My reply:

"Uhhh, no."
"Nope."
"I'll pass."
and
"Sure don't."

I do appreciate the faith people have though. :-)

***************

I don't think I posted this dress here before

Black and white herringbone print. It's pretty big on me hence the hand in back holding excess material. ;-)

***************

Some tunes.

Same words over and over but such a powerful song!

peace!

Well...So...Anyway

2009-08-23T01:17:00.005-05:00

Yes, I'm still physically on the earthly level. :-)

Right now I'm thinking, working some things out, implementing ideas, and loving. It's all coming together.

**********

In the meantime. The other day I received and replied to an email from one of my blog readers. The thoughts she shared were much appreciated and brought to the forefront some things that had been lingering in the back of my mind. This post is inspired by that conversation. So I'd like to take this time where I'm short on words about my current happenings to share with you pics of aspects of my life that aren't clothing related. Ok, well a couple of the photos are, but only a couple. Some of the pictures and events might have been shared before, so those of you who have been reading my blog for sometime (thank you!) may be aware of 1 0r 2.

Here we go:

Did y'all know that I'm 1/2 of an organization called R.I.S.E 360 which organizes events in service to the community? It was started by me and my Chicago-native sistafriend Divine (an amazing spoken word artist who relocated to Louisiana a few yrs. ago) in Lafayette, LA in 2007. We saw a need for enlightenment in various areas including health, parenting, and just general self-improvement and decided to do what we could to fulfill it based on some of the knowledge we have as well as the knowledge of others who we bring in the speak. (We came up with various phrases for what R.I.S.E could stand for, but I think we really just how the word looked with the periods! And the 360 is for wholeness, something we aim to promote/generate.)

This is us after one of our events held in February 2008 as part of a week-long series of events intended to provide valuable information to anyone who decided to come. Always free of charge.

Cutie pie Baby Nile who recently turned 2!

And us with Diana Kimble, an organic farmer/teacher/phenomenal woman who moved back home to Colfax, Louisiana from Dallas, TX to get back the land. She was our guest speaker on one of the nights. I love this woman! The crowd thoroughly enjoyed her as well. The event was well-attended, and discussion was lively. She talked about growing your own food and self-sustainability.

And us on one of the other nights preparing for another session. Divine giving some commentary.

Me and some of the attendees on another night with our guest speaker Iya Raet (center, brown shirt) who we brought down from Philidelphia to give a presentation on information related to giving birth and parenting. You can visit her site at:

http://www.afrikanparenting.com/aboutauthor.html

I've mentioned before that I'm quite fascinated with this subject, so this was right up my alley!

Yes, some of us do look kind of off--myself included.

**********
I'm also an English Language Arts instructor in a grass-roots program held in the spring to prepare 4th and 8th grade students for the LEAP test. This was the 8th grade class on year. Very bright group there. And to think...they're now heading into the 3rd yr. of high school!

Again, me looking off.

**********

I was appointed to be the word caller-outer/sentence maker upper at a 1st annual spelling bee for area students.

**********

I've taught styling classes for young girls. Here's me with the group from summer '08 draped/tied/safety-pinned in fabric to create outfits during a project where each person was styled by a partner.

One of the subjects that I always make a point to cover is body/self image and matters of that nature, cause I know teen girls can have it pretty rough.

**********

Spring '08 I somehow ended up on a panel at Barnes & Nobel to discuss a topic that dealt with the presence or lack of presence of strong women in my (and the other panelists') families and how we were influenced by it. The discussion was related to Zora Neal Hurston's book Their Eyes were Watching God, which was the book chosen for that year's Big Read. No picture from that, but here's a generic.

It was a great experience despite the fact that I hadn't ever read the book until a week before I was to be a part of the panel!

**********

And this one just cause. :-D Me with my beloved cherry dress a few yrs. ago at a vintage boutique owned by a friend/fellow maker of cloth items.

She gives me space in her shop to sell my wears and this was me out there promoting my goods for the first time during Art Walk, an event that takes place downtown Lafayette the second weekend of each month. Shoulda kept that one.

**********

The other day someone made a comment about me doing what I do best and what I love to do the most, designing and making clothes. This is what they assumed. I responded with words to the effect of, "Well, making clothes is what I do. A skill I have. Something I know how to do. But what I enjoy even more and feel that I do even better is love. Love by giving, showing, teaching, helping, uplifting, and sharing in the ways that I am able to do so. This has a deeper level of meaning for me. It's the truer passion of mine."

At that moment it was as if I were a medium that was being spoken through. I've felt that way for a long time, but at that point it was verbalized for the first time, effortlessly and clearly. Afterwards I thought to myself, "Wow," and knew exactly what I needed to do.

Considering this, I've come to a conclusion about how I'm going to move forward. Perhaps I'll get into that at some point in the future.

Thanks for reading!
peace.

...In the Balance

2009-08-03T16:34:00.005-05:00

I really do miss blogging (on all levels) the way I once did. Lately I've been so out of the loop.

I'm still in deciding, concluding, changing my mind, and re-deciding mode. It's driving me crazy while simultaneously preventing me from really being productive.

Soon I'll be doing an "eeny, meeny, miny, moe" as it relates to this matter of a new place of residence for myself. And also soon I'm gonna just get in my car and go. That's what it's coming to. I've enjoyed being back home, but you know how you get that feeling that lets you know it's time?? Well, I got that feeling recently, and I know it's time for me to go.

Really, though, this isn't a sad post. It's a happy one. So much is possible. I just have to tune in and tap in. :-)

peace!!

Heart

2009-07-17T20:13:00.008-05:00

"Why all the long dresses?" you might ask.

Well, aside from being elegant in general and a joy to make, they (along with some shorter ones like this ) were requested be a store owner in Annapolis, Maryland. I've created 6 dresses total for the store in a range of sizes, and they will be on their way there early next week. (Stay tuned for more info. on that.) Oh, but the maroon one from the previous post--the one I received so much positive feedback on. Thank you. :-)--isn't going. I've yet to decide what I'm gonna do with it...whether I'll post it on etsy or what. You can check it out on Flickr.

You can't tell from the photo but the above dress is actually a black and white herringbone print.

**********

And this.

If you're a fan of Self-Portrait Thursdays on Etsy/Flickr (or if you've been to my shop lately) you've already seen the top (and the skirt, too). This is my current obsession: colorful patchwork. I've long enjoyed piecing fabric together, and it began as a way to recycle my scraps. In addition to doing the recycling, I'm now purchasing knit pieces for the sole purpose of essentially designing and creating my own fabric. I lay pieces out on the floor, arrange, look at it, go about my business, look at it again, then rearrange, look again, add a piece, take a piece away, til i get it how I like it. It's all a process. I'm currently working on a dress that'll be done in this style.

**********

Sooooo, I'm still undecided about this whole where-am-i-gonna-move-to matter. I think Atlanta is out, though. I think.

My aunt once told me when trying to find a place to live, go there to visit and see what the energy feels like to you. See if you can visualize yourself living there. In Atlanta, the energy feels just fine to me. I mean, I've been there 5 times in the last year. I love visiting. But everytime I try to visualize myself living there, I hit a wall. When I first made the decision that that's what I was gonna do--leave Lafayette, come home for a bit, then go to Atlanta--I ignored the wall and just said I was gonna go because I needed a different situation in my life. But something is keeping me from making the move. If I was going to go, I'd intended to be gone by now. Decatur is really the place for me. Not Atlanta itself. However, I feel that if I do go, I need to be in Atlanta. Living. To get done what I need to get done. I know that if I move to Decatur, I'll just get comfy with the lifestyle and perhaps neglect my main purpose for going.

At this point I'm considering alternatives (mainly Dallas, a place that I was supposed to move to at 2 different points in my life but didn't), along with whether or not I should just stay right here. Home. In Louisiana (back to someplace in the southern part, though). Cause, really, this is where my heart is. I've known that, but it's becoming more real to me everyday. We shall see...

**********

Thanks to everyone for continuing to check my blog even when I'm missing for days. There's been lots going on. Oh!! My fashion show--here in my hometown--is coming up. July 30, 8pm at a park downtown. I've been lazy about planning it, but it's coming together. More on that later.

**********

Inspiration!

peace!

Third Eye

2009-07-07T21:46:00.012-05:00

I haven't intentionally been neglecting my blog. It's just that there's been so much to say that it's been a challenge for me to even come here and type! There's plenty that I could talk about concerning my trip to Atlanta and some of the experiences I've had since last updating, but one experience in particular has been weighing on my spirit. I was so taken aback with the passing of a certain musical and humanitarian legend, though, that I set it aside. While sewing yesterday it all came back to me.

My thing is this: don't take me for stupid, naive, inexperienced, incapable, and/or deficient of culture and artistic insight based on where I come from and your preconceived notions about individuals from that part of the world. Secondly, don't hold animosity towards me because you aspire to be at a certain point, originally came from an area known for getting people to that point (NY), yet can't comprehend how someone from what you believe to be backwards, country a** (although I proudly proclaim my country-ness) Louisiana can do what I'm doing (And really, I'd replace that with what I'm trying to do, if I weren't on a mission to speak my desired reality into existence. I still have a ways to go myself, yet, "There is no try. Only do.") I don't operate from a place of competition and hold others' potential, talents, and gifts just as highly as I do my own regardless of where they come from.

(The "you" used above is specific, not general.)

Now, usually I wouldn't make these kinds of inferences, but I've come across this more than once, and it's so old. I'm neutral, fair, keep a lot of my thoughts on these sorts of situations to myself, and do my best not to make assumptions. However, I've always been pretty perceptive and have had the ability to see right through people--for the good and bad-- since I was a child. Normally I wouldn't even take it there, but this needs to be addressed.

With that said, a couple of Wednesdays ago, I encountered a male with whom I met to discuss the potential of my garments being carried in a nice little boutique in downtown Atlanta. We always hear the phrase "follow your first mind", and that's exactly what I should have done when I walked in the place and was looked up and down by said individual whose face read "Whatever," (with an eye roll for added attitude), who then went back to sweeping or whatever without as much as a hello. (The first mind said, "Turn around and leave." I didn't, though.) It was downhill from then on. From the feigned interest, to the fake smiles, to snide remarks, to the underhanded attempts to attack my work and how I approach what I do, to the looks of total disinterest and disgust, to the killer finale of turning it into a session about his work and all that he's done on the fashion scene outside of the boutique, current studies in fashion, etc. Complete with photos of some of his styling work. And here I was thinking this was about me and what I do. Now, I'm very aware that people can be shady, yet I find these sorts of actions to be so far out and unnecessary. If you're not interested, tell me that, and let me be on my way. Don't try to play me.

I won't call out the store and the specific individual out of respect for the lovely co-partner of the boutique who was very genuine and cordial when we spoke various times via email. She was the one I was supposed to meet with but was unavailable when I was there, so her partner conducted the meeting. Her enthusiasm after seeing numerous photos of my work and excitement about potentially carrying my garments in the store was and is very much appreciated.

I'm not really bitter about it, because it's all a process and a learning experience. ..just putting it out there.

To go into further detail would just drain my energy, so I'll just sum it all up by directing this quote--from one of my favorite films, I ♥ Huckabees--to this particular individual:

"You can't deal with my infinite nature, can you?"

:-)

**********

Now. With that out of the way...music was can all groooove to!

peace!

Medial Point

2009-06-18T10:25:00.007-05:00

As seen on flickr for Self Portrait Thursday.

This material is really great for tunics. I think I'll go buy the rest of it and make a couple more.

I'm supposed to be on my way to Atlanta for business purposes but pushed the trip back to next week. As I mentioned before, my plan is to move there soon (just temporarily), and I'm working on creating relationships with various boutique owners. However--as is quite common with me--I've started second guessing the move. Why? I really can't say. I think, though, that it may have something to do with where I am now. Deep in the woods, no TV (well, there are actually 3 in the house, but none with a converter boxs or satellite..cable doesn't come this way), peace and quite, walks across the street to visit with my grandparents (who do have satellite in case I ever feel like I need TV. I never do.), and a whole house to do as I please with no expenses on my part. Oh, and ceiling fans! I love 'em but haven't lived in a place that had them for years. I think I'm beginning to get comfortable and it's affecting my original plan.

Other than the fact that my computer connection is pretty slow (which keeps me from visiting blogs as much as I used to :-/) there really isn't anything that I resent. I mean, it does take a while to get "to town" to buy groceries and such, mail packages, etc., but I can deal with that. Just have to alter the way I do it all. 1-2 trips a week. (My car hasn't moved since Monday.) Then there's the lack of a farmers market (and the stuff in the stores is more expensive up here), my favorite Greek/Lebanese restaurant, Albertson's grocery store, Joann fabric store (!!), access to good fabric in general, but I make do. This past Sunday I was back in Lafayette and stocked up on fabric, so I should be good for a while.

I must say...these are all things I became accustomed to when I left home and as an adult who sews and eats a certain way, 'cause I grew up between here and not too far from here and am not new to country life. I'm still country in most of my ways (y'all should hear me talk sometimes, ha!). As a children, though, we're much more simple. All I needed was the outdoors and adventure. The grown people and the nature that surrounded me took care of the food. But turns out that I've become one of those grown people -- :-/ .... :-( ..... :-D -- and living in the city (lol @ the idea of Lafayette as "the city". I guess it is, though.) has conditioned me in a certain way. Yet, I've always been able to adapt to my surroundings pretty well, so it's fine. I'm just rambling. It's great here.

So as I was saying, I've been having second thoughts, but a move to somewhere is inevitable. And it likely will be Decatur/Atlanta then who knows where to...

***************

Now. For some music--which has been my primary company lately...

Julie Dexter, "Choices"

Any youtube clip I post at this point is not one that I can actually see myself without waiting an hour for it to load, but I trust that others can.

peace!

Once More

2009-06-11T22:26:00.000-05:00

Ah, yes. Outside shots are just fine after 7 pm. It's still hot, but the beloved Sun gives me a break by then.

As seen on Flickr for Self Portrait Thursday

**********

Knit version of my scrap skirts.

Also on Flickr.

**********

I decided yesterday that I'm gonna start capitalizing the words Sun and Water. Some words are just a waste of capitalization, so I figure it's up to me to determine the ones I feel are worthy. *giggle*

**********

Sometimes I get antsy and anxious, then I take the time to stop, breathe, and enjoy the scenery. I feel a lot lighter in the end.

**********

My blogger friend Cut2Clothe updated her blog today with a "30 yrs. on earth/pay it forward" list that I found very wise and inspiring.

Check it out

>>>HERE<<<

**********

Just kickin' back with some D'Angelo.

peace.

Connect

2009-06-08T23:00:00.008-05:00

New mini dress that's a bit more "mini" than it was supposed to be.

I like the outside pictures. I really do. But between the scorching heat and the brown spider I saw scurrying across the grass while I was taking this shot, it might not work for too much longer. If there's one part of nature I never could tolerate it's spiders. eeeek!! (And it probably felt the same about me and these big size 10 feet treading through the yard.) Photos could always be taken when the sun is a little less intense, but the presense of those little creatures is not as regulatable.

***************
So, I'm back to dial-up, and it takes a picture forever to upload. Still, I'm just happy that I'm able to have internet way out here where I am. Nature, the peace and quite, the stillness, it's all beautiful, and I enjoy it thoroughly. When it comes down to it, though, it's great being able to connect with others via the world wide web.

***************

Since I love this song so much, here it is for your listening pleasure.

peace!

My Oh My

2009-06-04T09:55:00.017-05:00

Finally in a place where I can have some natural green as my background and maintain a decent amount of control over the camera (since all my shots are taken using the self timer).

medium-large

The idea for this dress pretty much came to me in process as I was trying to figure out what could be done with all that blue knit material. Versatile pieces like this--that can be worn alone, over pants/tights, with a shirt underneath, etc.-- are my favorite.

**********

I am enroute to the Atlanta/Decatur, GA area in order to engage in various fashion/design related activities but am taking some time to enjoy stillness and do my work in a very peaceful place in the back woods of north Louisiana. Then, in a few weeks I'm on the road again. Uuuumm, and I'm pretty much just gonna be winging it when I get to Atl, so if anybody has the word on decent, reasonably priced living situation in the area, let me know, please. Thankyaverymuch! :-)

**********

Found my old Des'ree cassette tape in the car the other day and have been playing it every since. The first 3 songs on the tape are some of my faves.

Classic

Then

And

Great Sounds.
peace!

Mission

2009-05-28T13:02:00.003-05:00

I've had this green, polka dot fabric for so long and finally put it to use.

small/medium

More views here.
**********

Revelation that came through doing:

I can't expend so much of my energy/effort towards the aim of upholding an unmotivated individual. It leaves me depleted and feeling hopeless. Not healthy at all.

And that's that.

**********

Groovin' to Teena Marie while ripping and running all over town today trying to take care of business before moving up out of here. (More on that later.)

Every time I hear it I think of my mom. I just have an image in my head of her dancing around to this at one point during my childhood. I can't recall the specifics exactly, but I'm sure it happened. She was/is quick to cut a rug at any party, family get together, or just around the house. Now I'm realizing where I get it from.

peace!

Spirits

2009-05-23T18:49:00.016-05:00

Nice and comfortable.

I hadn't measured this yet at the time of posting, but I thinking it's be best for a large.

**********

Friday night I actually got out of the house and went to Baton Rouge for a "Rock & Soul" musical event. My author-sistafriend Olympia Vernon (who was celebrating her birthday) and another sistafriend, Nikki, and I met up at Nikki's place before going. Y'all. I can't even express in words how wonderful it all was. We had so much fun! And the music! The music!!!! From EnVouge, to Al Green, To Run DMC, to Terence Trent Darby, to Morris Day and the Time, to Arrested Development!!, to Prince, to Montell Jordan, to on and on and on. They had the place rockin'. We danced/sang so much I was wishing I had a wheel chair to take me to the car. Soreness all over.

I only managed to get one photo of one of the bands early on (was groovin' too much to take pics), and it in no way captures to vibes that were flowing through there as the night progressed.

And the singer in the blue dress?? What a voice!

See them on myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/themichaelfosterproject

**********

A few shots from later that night:

Nikki, Olympia, Me

Crackin' up trying to get a shot. Has anyone else ever laughed so much that you felt like your, liver, spleen, stomach, kidney, or something was gonna burst if you didn't stop? Where you're laughing so hard that sound ceases to come out, and it's just deep inside? These ladies had me in tears laughing with their hilarious stories. I have little control when the laughter sets in. I seriously thought I was dying at one point. Couldn't breathe, sit/stand straight, nothing. Just debilitating laughter

Me teary-faced and in pain from laughing excessively. I eventually had to remove myself to another area to try to regain my composure. Apparently Olympia--the perpetrator-- thought it a great time for a photo. Please pardon the cleavage.

Ziggy Marley the cat making a toy out of my leg. Nikki's got one of the most sociable cats I've ever met. Reminds me of a little puppy with all his playfulness.

Me and the b-day woman.

So I ended up getting back home in Lafayette at 2:30 am only to have to go to bed and wake up a few hours later to be somewhere at 7:30. But it was absolutely worth it.

**********

Eden

You can read more about Olympia and her work via the following links:

http://blog.nola.com/newsouth/2008/01/pulitzernominated_olympia_vern.html

http://www.countryroadsmagazine.com/ViewArticle.php?articleid=679&page=1

http://www.collegenews.org/x7589.xml

Or just check out a post I did in October:

http://flytieonline.blogspot.com/2008/10/sensations.html

**********

With the help of Chrisette Michele I was able to make it home safely. I finally got her new album and have been listening to it repeatedly. It kept me awake on the 45 minute late night/early morning drive.

She's a superstar as far as I'm concerned. I can't wait to be at another of her shows to sing these new songs at the top of my lungs like last time.

Some of my favorites from her latest release:

"Fragile"

"Porcelain Doll"

"Another One"

An of course, "Epiphany".

Yes, yes, yes!

peace!

The Right Way

2009-05-18T14:50:00.010-05:00

I was commissioned by my blogger sistafriend Sewl Sista #1 to make her one of my reversible hoodie dresses in colors of my choosing. (The same Sewl Sista who sent me the wonderful fabric out of which I made the striped dresses seen here and here.)

You can check out a collage of different views on flickr.

**********

Tea and Honey Bread Shutter Click & Chat Sundays
(Umm, yeah, the Monday edition. )

"What would you do with an extra $100?"

I always find it difficult to answer questions like this for one reason or another, but I finally concluded that I'd put most of it towards the cost of new fabric and supplies and make a whole bunch of new garments that I could sell and increase my riches! But not before I use some of it to see if I can get my flickr/etsy friend moonstr to do one of her (above) "Frenching Moons" prints for me...since somebody else bought it before I could get to it!! So precious. :-)

**********

Yesterday I whipped up this lil number.

large/xlarge

I'm big on flared dresses with tie around belts.

**********

Smoothness, man. Just pure smoothness.

I've had this in my head for a few days now.

Hope y'all are doing well!
peace

So Alive

2009-05-14T18:52:00.009-05:00

Newness.

(Heart next to "L" and drawstring at center)

So I've made the decision to go ahead and combine my sewfly shop with my fly tie shop on etsy. Yeah, the shop's been empty for months, but I was preparing to add new artistic items to it when it hit me that I no longer feel the need to separate my 2 styles of clothing. So now garments that are painted or that utilize patches like the one above will be mixed in with all the other garments. I've already added one of the art tops to the shop, and it seems to fit in just fine. :-)

**********

Artwork that I really adore by my sistafriend Plantfolk.

"Connect"

Check out more at: http://plantfolk.wordpress.com/maart/

**********
Today I was given a lovely award by my blog friend Juana of Gallery Juana.

I always enjoy visiting her blog and am grateful for her visits to mine as well. :-)
Now,to list 10 honest things about myself...

1. I'm seriously infatuated with a certain somebody...
2. When I get books and dvds from the library, I renew them over and over via the internet even if I'm done with them to prevent having to take them back before I absolutely have to go that way. (No worries. If someone's waiting on it, they let me know, then that's a motivator for me to go over there.)
3. More often than not I live on the edge where finances are concerned. I'm pretty used to it and find it exciting at times and stressful at others.
4. I'm contemplating a move to another state in the next couple of months.
5. I recently had a conversation with a friend about finding someone with whom I can engage in a summer fling. (But knowing myself it wouldn't work, cause I'd get way too passionate and attached if it were someone I was really into. And it couldn't be with someone I wasn't into, so...)
6. I often have something random (or not so random) to say, and do so via posts on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/flytie
7. I still am not always clear on the correct use of who/whom and lay/lie and look them up whenever I need to use them. (However, I just took a guess at the use of "whom" in number 5.) Most things stick with me, but for some reason I can't internalize these.
8. Most of the time I just want to be cuddled up in my bed. (And it'd be nice if it could be with the certain somebody from number 1...at least some of the times.)
9. If it were economically feasible, I'd go to Jason's Deli everyday and eat off of their wonderful salad bar.

10. My father's birthday is either May 15 or May 16, I'm not 100% sure which. Despite inquiring about it numerous times, I can never keep it straight. Kinda like that who/whom, lay/lie thing. But either tomorrow or Saturday he should receive the card I sent. And I'll call Saturday, cause I've got a strong feeling that that's when it is.

**********

Last night I was sitting here thinking about this song, "U and I" that I really love by Emily King and wondering what's going on with her. When I first heard it in early '08 it was an instant fave. Then shortly afterwards I came across this abbreviated acoustic version on youtube and listened to it repeatedly. Chiiillls. What a great wedding song. Or just together song.

You can hear the complete version here

or via her MySpace page.

peace!

By Now

2009-05-07T00:13:00.005-05:00

Will definitely have to make some of these for myself.

large

Purple/black denim with a lil bit of stretch.

***************

School's over for me, and I'm so thrilled! I feel pretty confident that I'll get a's in both classes. Man. Linguistics is no joke, but I really enjoyed the class. At times I had to stop and be like, "Wait, wait, wait...lemme just...wrap my mind around this. Let it marinate for a bit." Really had to internalize a lot of it. Very involved stuff.

***************

I never did show y'all the outcome of that dresser I was gonna decoupage.

Still haven't done the top.

And yeah, the beads do get in the way when I open and close the drawers, but I like them there. Plus I needed to do something with my abundance of Mardi Gras beads.

***************

Stuck in my head.
(I sure know the feeling...)

T.O.N.Y. - Solange
(lyrics)

(And I just had a realization. This song and video remind me very much of Amy Winehouse's "Tears Dry On Their Own", a song that I've always liked. Something with me and these types of songs...)

See, when I first heard and wrote about "I Decided" by Solange I knew that I'd have to get the album. I still haven't, but I will soon. Cause I'm 3 for 3 on the songs I've heard through the grapevine by her. The one above along with

"Sandcastle Disco"

"I Decided"

So, I can only imagine that her album will work for me. I like what she's got going on.

Have a great day!
peace!

Unspoken

2009-05-03T15:43:00.011-05:00

Blue.

lrg-xlrg

Didn't mean to look gangster-ish in the photo. Tiredness translates like that for me sometimes.

And on Flickr you can see a collage of different views.

***************

A final exam Monday night. Another Wednesday. Then it's over!! I just need to collect my thoughts on characters and themes from The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, The Vicar of Wakefield, Pride and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey enough to write 4 well-developed short essays and answer some identification questions. Then look over the chapter on semantics in my linguistics book. Yep. That's all.

***************

Tea & Honey Bread Shutter Click and Chat Sundays

Theme: Prom

Click here for a clearer photo.

Long stories short: It was a last minute decision to go, and my general attitude towards it was, "Eh..whatever" Seniors were supposed to wear white, but I wasn't into that. I found that shimmering little red number for 60 bucks in Frederick's of Hollywood at the Mall in Irving, TX. Didn't have a date, so I went with to 2 friend (who didn't have dates either). The guy who I was into and had shared mutual flirtations with ended up going with someone else (see photo bottom left). That someone else was/is like a little sister to me. My mom babysat her for yrs. Well, he didn't know that and she didn't know about us (and since there was noting really concrete between me and him, I guess there wasn't a whole lot to know). By the time I'd decided I was gonna go and was eying him as a potential date, I got word that he already had a date (found out later that he'd gotten word that I wasn't going.) We had sort of a "You like me and I like you, but you make me much to giddy most of the time to talk to you directly, so I'll just have to hear through the grapevine what's going on with you" type relationship. In the end, prom was wack, and I wish I'd stayed home and watched Food Network. About the guy--really nice and respectful individual who I still wonder about from time to time.

***************

Sweet song to tie it all together:

Man. I won't even go into my love of and for Lauryn Hill (at least not in this post...my blog friend Jewelry RockStar did a great post that expresses many of my own sentiments about Ms. Hill), but after all these yrs. that I've been a huge fan and all this time that she hasn't really been on the scene, I still feel the same strong connection to her and her music that I did as a teen.

Peace!

Knowing

2009-04-30T00:25:00.002-05:00

Latest construction.

Part of my $30 and below collection/project.

**********

The festival was great! Seun Kuti wasn't there. :-( But from my understanding, neither was he at 2 other near-by festivals where he was scheduled to be, so something must have come up. Once it was all over on Sunday evening, I did feel just a slight tinge of emptiness, because I'd been loking forward to his performance for a few months. However! I very, very mcuh enjoyed:

Rootz Underground

Dobet Gnahor e

Locos Por Juana

I enjoyed several others, but these? WOW!

**********

As for seeing Erykah Badu in New Orleans, it didn't happem. The attempt was made but us running late + a 45 minute traffic delay in Baton Rouge = Us getting off on an exit and making our way back to Lafayette. We wouldn't have made it on time, and showing up 30-45 minutes into a Badu performance doesn't work for me.

I swear, having driven in places like Dallas,TX, Houston, TX, and Atlanta, GA--all 3 of which have high volume, busy traffic--I'd much rather be behind the wheel in those places than in Baton Rouge, LA. It's rare that I'm in that city or trying to get through the city that I'm able to complete my journey without some form of traffic delay. It never fails. At least in my experience in those other cities, the traffic flooooows. It might be fast and chaotic at times, but it moves, dangit!!

Rant over.

**********
What's interesting about it all, though, is that the day of the event I woke up with the notion that I shouldn't go. No doubt, I wanted to see her performance, but something felt off about it. I was mentioning this to my sistafriend over the phone moments before leaving--how I felt like I should just stay in Lafayette and enjoy the festival here, but since I'd been invited and was being given a free ticket, I just decided to go. Well, seems like things worked out just as they should have.

peace!

Kisses

2009-04-23T14:52:00.012-05:00

Well,that's the first word that came to mind when i was trying to come up with a title.
**********
Collage of a few garments I've made within the last couple of days

The style of the mini dresses is nothing new. I came across more of that gauzy fabric in that same green color and also in gold. The yellow and white striped halter top (cause that's what it is, even though you can't really see the print from the photo) is a style I've done before as well. The straps were just repositioned to see what would happen. I think I like. Oh, and some of you may recall the skirt I made for myself last August.

**********

Wow.

And yes, that was the name given to him at birth. And I don't know why my aunt had "Linc" put as his nickname knowing everybody called him "Lank"! ha! To all his children as well as grandchildren he was "Daddy."

It was unreal seeing my grandfather lying in a casket. I could barely stand to look at him. I'm more in disbelief than anything else. To know that both of my grandparents are no longer physically here is almost ludicrous! However, I'm glad to know he's no longer dealing with the pain and that she's free from that tiresomeness that she expressed to me and others the day before she unexpectedly passed....a day in a week where she was doing everything from fishing to cooking a feast, giving no signs that she'd be deceased by that weekend. What a bunch of devastated family members we were! But thank goodness for freedom. And their spirits live on...

The funeral was sad and cheerful. It was interesting seeing so many people from my days in the church. I hadn't seen a lot of them in nearly 10 yrs, so it was a celebration of life and a reunion all in one. When it was all said and done, it seemed that everyone left on a upbeat, positive note

I really appreciate all of your kind words on the occasion. Y'all are great. :-)
**********

Well, in a few hours I'll be heading out to my first night of FESTIVAL!
(http://www.festivalinternational.com)

Since I can't find a good video of any of the artists I'll be checking out tonight--aside from Seun Kuti, who I've posted before--I leave you with music from an artist I saw at festival 4 yrs. ago and another who I'll likely be seeing again at the New Orleans Jazz Fest on Saturday. It's been too long!

Zap Mama and Erykah Badu, "Bandy Bandy"

Cause I'll definitely be somewhere moving my body to the sound of music for the next 4 days.

peace!