"5 Things My Natural Hair Does, Naturally"

My hair has been in its natural kinky state for over 30 years, but its only recently that it has truly been natural.  For just over a year, I’ve maintained my natural hair environment by using the “water only method for cleaning and maintenance. This hair care regimen, has also lead to not using any commercial hair products, such as shampoos, conditioners or gels.  My hair is now what I consider really natural, and here are five things my natural hair does naturally.

The first thing my hair now does naturally is it sheds water very quickly, and dries faster after “water washing” now that it is no longer striped of its natural coating of sebum, because I don’t use shampoo or conditioner.

The second thing that naturally happens with my hair is based on its  full sebum coverage, which keeps my hair strands moisturized and protected from dirt and grime, so now my hair is naturally stronger and has a nice natural sheen.

The third thing my natural hair does naturally, is it consistently maintains hair strands definition in concentric coils, that are following a known natural pattern that is indicative of my ethnic heritage, and its really easy to manage.

The fourth natural thing my natural hair now does is grow, now that I’m not smothering it with all kinds of supposedly beneficial products, or using blow dryers or perming products, my hair seems to be growing quite nicely.

The fifth thing my natural hair does naturally is complement  me, and makes me feel good. My hair is no longer an issue, its now an impressive asset, that I love flaunting daily.

Its truly a great time in history, where the natural expression and identity of ethnic variances can be boldly projected. I don’t have to hide, or alter my hair to suit the idea of “good hair” set by anyone else. My natural hair is naturally GOOD.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.                  1Timothy 6:6

"Just Looking at the Stars"

Today I was in thinking mode, as I contemplated my new acceptance for change.  Life goes so fast that events are over before we have a chance to truly experience them.  I couple that with the senses overload I get by what's constantly being streamed at me through various media channels.  I personally want to keep my life simple, so as to have opportunity to be a part of humankind's change for the better.

Knowing that each change we make as individuals does affect the whole of mankind. This strain of thoughts brings me to the knowledge, if asked the question, "If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there, is there still a noise?"  The answer of course is yes, there is a great sound.  So I'm changing me, and my husband will be affectd, followed by my children, then co-workers and anyone else I come in contact with.

"The Things I Find When I Look for Something Else"

Trying to get the house in a holiday mood, so I've been looking for the over the door hook for hanging our wreath. Have not found the door hanger, but I did locate some of my creative work from the past. The first photo is my creation quilt, probably the second or third quilt I made.  Quilt number two is my "African Queens" wall hanging. The two following pictures are close up photos. It is hand applique and machine quilted. Sure was nice finding these treasures, and they are now on display instead of hide away.

...behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.  Proverbs 1:23

OOTD My Favorite Dress

Wore this to church today, its one of my favorite lagenlook styles. I'm not a true lagenlook wearer, because I really don't layer my outfit peices, but I do admire components of the style. Enjoy!!!

My dresses, always make me look bigger, they also make me feel wonderful and creative. So I wear them with joy, and look big.

 How do you feel about the way you wear your clothing, current fashion trend or indie style?

I am a artist.

"The Mister Needs a New Hat"

My hubby' old white linen hat has definately seen better days, so I promised to make hime a new one, if he got the fabric. To solve the problem, he offered an old worn pair of khaki's that had also seen better days. So the project is begun by opening up the pants, laying out my custom-made pattern and enjoying the work. Enjoy!

"Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded."

                                                                                           2Chronicles 15:7

My New Tablet Cover

This is the quick project I worked on today. I have a Trio 10.1 tablet, that has a really good camera, and my original case is only a sleeve style cover. The sleeve cover meant I always had to remove the tablet completely to use it. So after watching the TV show Sewing with Nancy,  on public tevevision this pass Saturday, where Nancy demostrated how to stitch circles to embelish your sewing projects, I decided I wanted to try circles. The circles would be useful to create an opening in a custom tablet cover for the fan, and camera lense located on the backside of the tablet. I repurposed an old cotton skirt, with a mock African print, and a random dark blue t-shirt from my stash. The following are the photos of the final project. Enjoy!

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.      Hebrews 11:1

End of Summer White Ensemble

The j juxtaposition of two time worn pieces, that I just don't want to get rid of.

More than one Way to Wear the Jacket

Got a chance to see a different take on the Western Jacket, as my client put some color in his style. The classic style of this jacket is definitely going to be an exciting staple in his wardrobe. A great new look is achieved by wearing a blue-green shirt, black pants, custom cowboy boots, and of course a mean black Stetson. Totally awesome!

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

2 Chronicles 15:7

Another Remix: XL Man's Shirt

Thrifting this XL man's shirt just because of its graphic print, and I knew there was a necklace in my jewely stash that would just match it. To create the dress, I upcycled a 100% cream colored silk pleated skirt I found some time ago at Texas Thrift, San Antonio for $4.90. The dress wears well, and its easy care because I machine washed and line dryed both pieces before construction. Not bad for $10 total in fabric and a days worth of pleasure sewing.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

                                                                                               Luke 12:32

New Dress, lots of Fun

This is what I did on Mother's Day----got some of my thrifted and given pieces and made a new dress. Love it!!!!

Thanks hubby for the impromptu photo.

When Being Creative goes Array!

It all started so innocently, a recent buy from the thrift store of a peasant style three tiered denim skirt. I just knew this soft denim skirt would be a awesome addition to my work wardrobe, but after trying it on at home, I decided the skirt just didin't compliment my figure at all. The question became what to do with such a great find, out came my sketchbook, and on came the light of creativity. This lovely bit of fabric could be a new purse, or part of some other project. I decided to create an infinity scarf with cut out t-shirt fabric embellishment and thread emproidery to start. To put it plainly, it didn't work---the finish project lacked something. I'm going to keep it around and see if it will grow, but for now the creative spark for this project is not shining to brightly.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.     Hebrews 11:1

Working with Yarn

The pass few weeks I’ve been frantically trying to finish a special gift for a special person. I have been working my small chrochet hook to create the lovely Chevron Lace Wrap I found on mooglyblog.com, using some gifted yarn. The mooglyblog.com included a great video, that helped me to get the pattern just right, after four failed attempts--thank you to Tamara Kelly for creating it.

“And said to the judge, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgement.”

II Chron. 19:6 

Putting on the Bright's: Thrifting Refashion

Totally loving some of the great finds at my local thrift stores, such as an extra-large yellow “Tommy Bahamas” polo shirt. I’ve been wanting to add some vibrant green to my wardrobe, and this yellow polo gave me the best opportunity. Some color block applique, with machine stitching to mimic an argyle pattern, and a chartreuse green lower banding. 

"Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded."

                                                               II Chron. 15:7

My Yellow Skirt

This was a great remake of an extra large men’s IZOD(c) cotton sweater. When I saw this sweater my first thought was to use it for the back of a demin vest I was designing for my new son-in-law, but I decided to make a nice long knit skirt for myself.  Sorry no before cut picture.  I did have to unravel some of the yarn to use for filling in the deep v-neckline. Stitching the side seams with a stretch stitch and adding a sew on fabric casing for elastic at the waist, elimated added bulk.  I’ve worn it a few times, making sure to wear a long slip underneath, and it is very comfortable.

“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious.”

Eccl. 10:12

Sewing is FUN

There is a small group of young ladies at my church I teach sewing to once a week, and they are having a ball. Here are a few pictures of first projects.

First project a stuffed pincushion embellished with buttons

Hannah modeling the first skirt she made (she's made a second skirt on her own).


"Be consistent and do everything with love."

"The Third Dollar"

Well today’s my husbands birthday, and we spent the majority of the day together. We started off with lunch at Somerset Mall in Birmingham, MI., and proceeded to just walk the mall, window-shopping. Now, window-shopping is my husband’s favorite thing to do, no buying, just looking. He must look and touch almost everything he sees, it gives him great pleasure, but it drives me nuts. This was his day, the 66th year of his existence, and my goal was to make it nice for him, so mall looking we went---and that’s where “the third dollar” comes into play. If its your birthday, that means you don’t have to pay for anything---and so he got lunch, then a small gift, then coffee to keep going, (Godiva’s hot chocolate sample got him started), a little valentine chocolate sampler and more Godiva hot chocolate, plus a 4 piece chocolate sampler. Change after all these purchases was $3.68 and I requested one dollar in change---“The Third Dollar”. That’s going to be how I remember my husband’s 66th birthday, with just a small amount of ready cash, a hour bus ride, visions of beauty (store windows artfully decorated to view), and of course a dose of time---PRICELESS. Happy Birthday Honey!

Be blessed this day, for you can only live one day at a time.

Denise Reed of “CASEY”…the Original Loc/Braid Hair Snood and “TOPAZ” a new style shower cap, check out the site at www.denisereed.com
And now there are prints, check out the site at:
“CASEY Prints: www.brownbuttons.etsy.com.