Killing it in April!

Peace.

I am back at the challenges again and again I am back onto my appearance. I can’t let this go…

I have a coworker… who I strongly dislike… But I would shout if something foul was about to happen to her (I have another whom I wouldn’t). But she used to truly dislike me for no good reason. And that no good reason in particular was, “She think she cute!” Ebonics and all. Now… I don’t think I’m cute. I know it. I am a “Scriven” after all. B.U.T. She doesn’t hate me as much anymore. She has even started to speak! Imagine my surprise. I heard her talking and she was basically saying that I have been slipping in my game since I joined the cult. REALLY?

I must admit, parts of my game have slipped a bit since I came into KOS and started taking on lessons. I started wrapping my head and observing 3/4ths. That isn’t the issue so much for me, because I am well aware that one can be modest yet look really good. Contrary to popular belief, I’m a girly girl. One of the things I have been going back and forth with is makeup. When I 1st went under instruction, the male educator I had said absolutely NO makeup, ever! Now… he is a man. He doesn’t really get the what’s, how’s and why’s of makeup. Nor should he. Also, I have a lot of allergies and I develop new ones every day. I started to develop an allergy to my makeup at the same time I started my lessons. When I took the break, my skin relaxed so I didn’t go back to it with full force; a little lip gloss here and there and even that can cause a reaction. And I haven’t had a raise since…. 2 reviews, no raise. If I was fucking up that bad I’d have been fired. And my boss mentioned my lack of makeup at both reviews.

I swear I see more Earths wear make up than don’t. Not saying that Earths can’t. I just don’t think that it is something that we should do the way it is portrayed in the media. We have no business wearing it to look like Nikki Minaj or a drag queen. That makes us look other than self. But refinement is about putting your best foot forward. And, no matter how you feel about this, there are times when it is appropriate. Plus, I’m in my Culture Ciphers. I admit that I need some help. I just can’t wake up and fall out of bed looking like spring. Without makeup, I look tired. And constantly looking that way makes you appear old. They say “Black don’t Crack” But it does. I have never had an acne problem. I have eczema which is extreme dry skin, so my skin doesn’t have the oil in it that people with acne have. So I can see stages of pre-cracking.

I cannot tell you the last store-bought garment I bought. I really can’t. I make my own clothes and that doesn’t at all bother me. Though I don’t really want folks to know. It’s a hobby I enjoy and it’s useful. But it’s personal unless you want me to make something for you. Then it’s business. That needs to change to a small extent. When I make clothes, I strive to not get that “Beck-Home-Eccy” look. I peruse blogs and websites, but not stores. That needs to change. I need to go out a bit more and buy a few more items. I’m never striving for that low budget look. And I don’t think that’s what I get, but really. I need to do better.

My late husband used to be an intense fashion plate. I recognized that when I was with him I had to step up my game so we looked right together. It’s one thing if a man is a pig and the woman is super duper fly; but it’s a problem the other way around. He used to say that he had no problem being the most overdressed person in the room. He used to think I was the most slovenly female because I owned 10 pairs of jeans and 3 pairs of sneakers. He owned 1 pair of jeans… that I bought for him… that used to cut the grass. His sneakers came from the gas station. He only used them to cut the grass as well. I came up, but I suppose I have slipped in the years since his death.

Precise is a guy. A guy raised with a bunch of men and his mother. No sisters to soften him and teach him the ins and outs of girl stuff. You know green stuff on the face, having 50-11 purses, stressing out over belts, etc. He often doesn’t get my frustration. I think he thinks I’m crazy. He loves being comfy in sweats and jeans. I cannot count how many pairs of kicks he has. It’s a little disturbing.

I say this to say, that when I upgrade myself it will be because something within me says that I have issues. Not because I’m trying to piss off my coworker, not because I’m trying to re-live my glory days, not because I want a raise… well I do want a raise. You know what I mean…. Not because I’m trying to look good for a man. But because I need to feel like my best self and I haven’t been feeling like that for awhile. When I stepped in a room, I owned it. Now I feel invisible. This is got to stop.

So here is the challenge. For the entire month of April, every single day including the weekends, I am going to make sure that I look my absolute best. No excuses. This actually plays well for me, because I participate in “Me-Made-May” every year. And I will be giving my wardrobe special consideration. It’s all about me KILLING it!

Wish me luck…. I will need it.



Peace !

Peace.

I still have not been sewing. I have been cutting out patterns. But not sewing. I have been buying fabric, but not sewing. I have been making plans, but not sewing….

But let me show you what I have been doing.


My line sister had a bouncing baby boy. And as much as I wanted to make a pink and green confection that was all sugar and spice and everything nice for the new little “Honey-Don’t”, I decided to be a good friend, not soror, and make something more in line for a boy.

Everybody has been on a crochet kick so I made this sweater, hat, booties and bib. I was gonna make some shorts but I stopped wanting to crochet. I don’t enjoy it as much as people seem to think I do. It is monotonous and boring. But occasionally I do like to do it. But just occasionally. I think I might have put the buttons on the wrong side. If I did… Oh well. I know that sounds stank, but I don’t want to see any more yarn for a hot second. Remember… occasionally.

I initially wanted to make a quilt using the theme of the Jamaican flag. My soror and her husband are both from Jamaica. But I wasn’t sure that was in good taste. I could never quite shake the tacky feeling. So after purchasing everything I need for the quilt, I scrapped the idea. Those colors are dark and not at all baby-like. That is how we get stashes right? Buying everything and changing our minds. Oh well. Tell me what you think!!!!


Peace

Color Story

Peace.

I have listed this blog as the website for my “side hustle” I want to make a bit of knowledge born for those that don’t know. Within a calendar year, there are 2 fashion seasons. There is a sub-season of “resort” but that is a different build. Spring and Fall are your main seasons. All your clothes come out of one of those seasons.

But it’s not only clothes. It’s colors too. Colors are seasonal. Your favorite color might be sky blue and you want to wear it all the time. But you won’t be able to find it at will because it may not be in the color trend of that particular season. This goes for everything! Including yarn, fabric even furniture. I tend to move things around in my closets. If I know something is not on trend I may not wear it like crazy. I may not wear it at all. It might stay in the trunk until it is fashionable again. My personal style is pretty classic… sort of, and my clothes translate.

Something that has always struck me as interesting is when a color has been exhausted, yet people still wear it how “old fashioned” and “out of touch” they look. It’s a subconscious thing. Their outfits could be brand new, but the color is played out. Example: My sorority colors are pink and green. 10 years ago when I’d wear these colors together, folks thought it was a costume. Then it became the color combo of the season in 2005. Everyone thought they were AKA’s. Even folks who had no business… Then it trailed off. Now when I wear P&G, uninformed folks will get nostalgic. It’s only because the combo went out of style. I’m not suggesting that you should abandon your faves for what is currently on trend. Do I still wear P&G still? Every damn chance I get! But I am giving y’all something to think about when you make your current selections.

The colors from Spring 2013. This is what you will see in the stores…..

Your gonna have to click on the image to see it all.



Peace

Chillin' in the Cut.....

Peace,

I haven’t posted here in awhile. It is because I haven’t sewn a darn thing for me this year. There are a few reasons why….

(1) I have been trying to get my side gig up and running. I have decided to take on a FEW clients. It started at the nail salon. A woman was complaining that she needed something repaired and wanted to spend money with her own people. So I threw my hat in the ring. Since then I have a few clients, I have developed some business documents, got some cards, and one of those card reader things. I have been making big steps to make this a legitimate side hustle… BUT… I’m not particularly enjoying the work. People aren’t being honest and they don’t’ want to pay you for what you do. I kinda knew this going in. Folks are telling me that I’m mean and unprofessional. But I’m not making you a ball gown and procuring all the necessary supplies for $50. Also, when you try to tell folks something they clearly don’t know, or don’t want to believe they get hostile. One chick brought me a pair of pants that had a bunch of things wrong with them other than what she wanted done. Hems and seams were out; the zipper was broken, etc. When I brought that to her attention, she said I just wanted to jack the price up. SMH. Since this is a side hustle, and I have a REAL day job, I’m not taking this any more seriously than I have to. All the gold I make off these jobs, I will put in a fund toward my summer vacation. Folks like to think they pay your bills…

(2) Starting February 26, 2013, I will be juice fasting for 3 weeks. I do this every year. Obviously I lose weight when I do this that I eventually gain back. But I started running last July (and these clients don’t seem to understand that I don’t do consults when I am working out) and I’m hoping not to gain the weight back that I lose fasting. So it really doesn’t pay to make clothes that won’t fit later. Also, It’s still winter and my fast will be over in the spring. So…. There is no point in making clothes for myself right now and I can focus on these ungrateful clients.

(3) And lastly, though most importantly…. I don’t need anything. My closet is bursting at the seams. I have enough clothes that I don’t have to do laundry for a month if that’s what I choose to do. I don’t feel the pull to sew because of that.

Just because I don’t feel the need to sew right now doesn’t mean that I won’t. Mimi G made an outfit that has my name written all over it. Do you know that I had her body when I was in high school and just didn’t know what to do with it? I told the 7 that she stole my body. He told me to steal it back. LOL!!!!!! So there is a Mimi outfit that is a’coming. And while buying the fabric for that dress, I saw an orange fabric that I had to have. It was so lovely I bought it full price, which is something I never do. That will be my Easter dress. I already have shoes and accessories for it. I won a few patterns from a giveaway and I know what the orange dress will be…. So I’m here but low key.

I’m stalking y’all though……



Peace

B5793

Peace Y’all,

Like so many people, I have unblogged projects in my closet. When I realize that I have not blogged a project I labor to get it out there. There is, however, a reason why this particular project was unblogged. Technically it’s unfinished. But I’m wearing it without the least bit of shame so I might as well blog it. Shall we?

This little jacket was beyond easy. Seriously. I got the pattern on sale (and I’m not gonna keep saying that because I ONLY buy patterns on sale), it intrigued me. And for $0.99 you just can’t pass on it. Start to finish, my version took 30 minutes. There are 3 pieces. The most difficult part was finishing it off, which I admit; I could have done better… But I Didn’t!

B5793

Pattern Description: Misses'/Women's Shawl and Kimono Jacket

Pattern Sizing: XS-XL (I cut XL)


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I didn’t really need them. There were 3 (really 4) pieces. I could figure it out

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
This pattern intrigued me. It’s not like I was looking for a kimono jacket. But I thought it was interesting and it was on sale so I bought it. A jacket with ¾ sleeves? Who is that good for? And how does that work?

Fabric Used:
Acetate as per the store. I scored this fabric at a local mom&pop store and I had to take the cutters word for it. It was all of $2/yd. I could play…..

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
There was a piece I omitted from sheer laziness. It would have given the edge a nice finish. I decided to just fold and sew. And it works. I didn’t even do the sleeves, and I have gotten massive compliments on the jacket

Would you sew it again? I think so. I’ll do it right the next time. This might be good for a summer sweater? Or maybe in denim?

Would you recommend it to others? Definitely

Conclusion: Definitely give it try.

I rock this with a belt normally. I have worn it few times. I’ve worn it with a denim skirt and a turtle neck. Not for warmth but for style. Normally I secure it (because it isn’t meant to have buttons) with a belt. But I’m gassy today (I know TMI) and I didn’t feel like a belt across my gut. It’s good for vending too, because you can get this turned around quick.


Peace!

NL 6634 and 50/50

Peace!

I have a coworker who is a straight hustler. I don’t have that particular hustler gene. I am not good at selling anything. Not candy bars as a child, not Avon as young adult, not really anything. I am a person who can take no for an answer and not bother you again. This may be why my side gig of sewing for other people is just that. A side gig.

I was at a regional conference with a table full of crowns, bags, headwraps and other Nation paraphernalia that folks tell me all the time that they want. The operative phrase is FOLKS TELL ME THEY WANT. Last year I made so much stuff, and really only sold a little more than my expenses. I ain’t mad. At the end of the event is when I made most of my gold. People thought I would discount the prices rather than take product home. I told these people that this is a side gig and pays not one bill in my house. And it’s not like the product expires. I can sell it whenever; and do. Once people understood this they bought stuff. But why does it have to be like this?

Anywho…. My coworker had experience with selling surgical caps at a previous job. We work in a hospital. She doesn’t sew, but she knows I do. She convinced me to partner with her. I don’t really like working with other people, but I would never have thought to do any thing like this on my own. I have been working here for 9 years and never conceived such an idea.

Here is my problem with the set up….. She thinks we should split this 50/50. I’m uncomfortable with that. I buy the fabric and make the caps, All she is doing is selling them. That doesn't seem like it warrants 50/50. She says it’s her idea and she deserves to be compensated for that. We are still working out the details… Here is the cap…

NL6634






This pattern looks quite a bit like the Little House on the Prairie bonnet hats. I tried one on and if fit my big head with my mid-back length dreadlocks. So I don't think the size is gonna be a problem.

She thinks we should do only holiday ones. I kinda feel differently about that. Some folks like holiday kitsch…. Some don’t. I say, make the caps in holiday colors, yes… but make them in such a way they could be worn year round. Like for Xmas, red ones, green ones and gold ones. The red could work for Valentines Day and the green could work for St. Patrick’s. See where I’m going with that? In hospital environments there are a lot of people whom aren't American and don't share American traditions. They often don't understand our holidays. So I chose some light blue plaid and a moderately ethnic print. It's not really ethnic, but white folks would say it is. She bought a ½ yard of Snowmen fabric. (I convinced her to buy the fabric buy claiming I was broke and would be waiting until I got paid to purchase it. She didn't want to wait.) I got 6 caps out of that. I had some big scraps lying around and made another 7 out of them. We sold 1 yesterday to a male. He didn't like the snowman pattern. Said it was too girly.

Also… I feel like I’m not getting enough from the energy expended. When I make crowns, I can get 3 or 4 from 1 $3 skein of yarn. I sell them for $10 a piece. It is so worth it. If I sell 1 of 4, I have made my money back and then some. These surgical caps are a lot of energy for little return. I run them like an assembly line and it takes me about 10 minutes a piece. There is a lot of ironing and pinning involved. She spent $6 on a half yard of the snowman fabric (she bought no thread) and I got 6 caps. We are selling them for $10 a piece. So that’s $60. But… at a 50/50 break, I get $30. I’m just not feeling it.

V1296

Peace Y’all,

Y’all had a good holiday? Mine went as expected… DRAMA!!!! Oh well….

I don’t know if you remember this pattern. Over the summer I had decided to make a floral blazer from this pattern. I was ridiculously difficult, used a LOT of fabric and had boning in it. I was looking at the skirt pattern while I cut the jacket. It grew on me. I had this fabric in my stash for a while destined for a skirt so it was a good match.

The fabric is either black or navy blue with a white pinstripe. I initially thought it was navy blue. I need a navy blue skirt. That’s why I bought the fabric in the 1st place. But the navy blue thread I used didn’t match the fabric. However the black did. When I got done with the skirt I was pissed because I don’t need another black skirt. I have plenty of black skirts. BUT… In certain lighting, it looks blue. IDK. What are you gonna do?

V1296


Front


Back


Pattern Sizing: 24

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Where the instructions easy to follow?
Very simple. And not just Vogue simple, but simple simple

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
In the back, it’s not really easily seen on the pattern or on my picture, is like a fish tale? I like that detail.

Fabric Used:
Blue or black pinstripe suiting

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
All I did was lengthen in 2”. No big girl adjustments. I am okay sewing the biggest size out of the package. I am happy as a pig in poop that I don’t have to widen it.

Would you sew it again?
Yup, and plan too. I bought burgundy brocade. I think this will look really good in

Would you recommend it to others?
I really like this skirt. And it makes my stomach look flat!

Conclusion:
This skirt, NL6106 and B5760 are my current TNT skirt patterns. They look good on my shape and I can sew them out the package.... quickly



Peace!