Holding On

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!

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!

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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!

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

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

peace!

Power!!!

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!

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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!