...He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Eph. 3:20
Quote Me
"I certainly don't regret my experiences because without them, I couldn't imagine who or where I would be today. Life is an amazing gift to those who have overcome great obstacles, and attitude is everything!" - Sasha Azevedo
I was sitting here here thinking and one thing that REALLY irks me about Vogue, Butterick, McCall's & Simplicity patterns... THEY ALWAYS USE SUPER SKINNY MODELS ON THEIR PATTERN COVER PHOTOS.
Now that may not bother some of you but is there ANYTHING wrong with using someone who has some size on them? Who aren't a size two?
No offense if you ARE a size two...most of the world isn't though lol.
I would love to see REAL people on these pattern envelopes.
I know they have the plus size patterns but some plus size women use the REGULAR patterns and modify them.
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? Very easy. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Loved the entire pattern.
Fabric Used: Stretch cotton sateen
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't add a zipper or the back split. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I won't sew this one again but I highly recommend it to anyone if you like this style dress. Conclusion: This was a great dress to make. One thing they had you do that I had never done before was fuse the interfacing directly on the dress across the pleats and on the back shoulder/armhole. Ive only made patterns where you fuse the interfacing onto another piece of fabric THEN sew it to the garment. I thought that was interesting.
There was enough stretch and the neck opening was large enough that I didn't have to worry about a zipper. LOVED that lol.
Love this dress and I can easily wear this into fall with a fall color cardigan.
There is a new phone in the family. This deserves it's OWN post lol.
Moms melon garden.
THIS dude took SO LONG AT THE ATM!!!! I was like MANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN.
Gizmo will squeeze into ANYWHERE lol. My puppy is SO spoiled lol
We have a student driver!!! It is AWESOME not being in school traffic. I still pick up Aj but that is sooooooo much easier than highschool & middle school traffic lol
The fees this year were HORRIBLE. Man, what if you have like 3 or 4 kids in the same school???? Bless Lord! I was blessed with some Old Navy gift cards! NOTHING like spending free money. We racked UP for Aj lol
We got some GOOD rain that day!
Gizmo loves to look outside lol.
Gizmo and Wallee get along great. MOST times lol.
Neither of them wanted me to look at my magazine though lol
Did I show y'all this? Yep she is OFFICIAL lol
He was OUT lol. He is always close to me when I sew lol
HAHAHAH That's Mc Hammer daddy lol. That part ALWAYS trips me out lol
Man. roots. Tony was doing some yard work and just had a revelation about roots. I'll do a post on that soon.
This commercial is HILARIOUS. Man, ESPN shows THE best commercials lol
My girls can SHOP. That is all.
My grandma cat bae bae. This cat is as old as I am. I KID YOU NOT.
This pic is OLD but hilarious because Tony SWEAR he doesn't like cats lol
Yeah so one HOT day in July my kids decided to make smores O_O
Craft night! Gizmo ALL in the way lol
Went to the mall and SOMEBODY got sick. SMH. Inbetween pictures I checked on her lol
My favorite mall food. YUM lol
I love these.
Man look. These things will mess up traffic SO BAD ITS HORRIBLE.
I went to a financial siminar tonight and these are some of the scriptures that were discussed. Sometimes, you just have to stand on what the Word says. Prayerfully this will bless and encourage someone.
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22
I love this verse. Remember "rich" is NOT always money.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2
Take therefore no thought for tomorrow: for tomorrow shall take thought
of the things for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34
Take
therefore no thought ... - That is, no anxiety. Commit your way to God.
The evil, the trouble, the anxiety of each day as it comes, is
sufficient without perplexing the mind with restless cares about another
day. It is wholly uncertain whether you live to see another day. If you
do, it will bring its own trouble, and it will also bring the proper
supply of your needs. God will be the same Father then as today, and
will make then, as he does now, proper provision for your wants.
The
morrow shall take thought - The morrow will have anxieties and cares of
its own, but it will also bring the proper provision for those cares.
Though you will have needs, yet God will provide for them as they occur.
Do not, therefore, increase the cares of today by borrowing trouble
from the future. Do your duty faithfully now, and depend upon the mercy
of God and his divine help for the troubles which are yet to come.
The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:8
The
Lord will perfect that which concerneth me - He will complete what he
has begun. He will not begin to interpose in my behalf, and then abandon
me. He will not promise to save me, and then fail to fulfill his
promise. He will not encourage me, and then cast me off. So of us. He
will complete what he begins. He will not convert a soul, and then leave
it to perish. "Grace will complete what grace begins." See the notes at
Philippians 1:6.
Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever - See the notes at Psalm 136:1.
Forsake
not the works of thine own hands - What thou hast made; what thou hast
begun to do. Do not leave me to perish. Prayer is one of the means - and
an essential means - by which the saints are to be kept unto salvation.
The doctrine of the "perseverance of the saints." is not inconsistent
with prayer, but rather prompts to it; and he who professes to rely on
that doctrine, and feels so safe that he does not need to pray, and does
not pray, gives certain evidence that he has never been converted, and
has no true religion.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20
Now unto him - It is not uncommon for Paul to utter an ascription of praise in the midst of an argument; see Romans 9:5; Romans 11:36; Galatians 1:5.
Here his mind is full of the subject; and in view of the fact that God
communicates to his people such blessings - that they may become filled
with all his fulness, he desires that praise should be given to him.
Exceeding abundantly - The compound word used here occurs only in this place, and in 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:13. It means, to an extent which we cannot express.
Above
all that we ask or think - More than all that we can desire in our
prayers; more than all that we can conceive; see the notes on 1 Corinthians 2:9.
According
to the power that worketh in us - The exertion of that same power can
accomplish for us more than we can now conceive.
I'm not perfect, just striving to be the woman God wants me to be. Keeping my life lined up with the WORD!
You know I've been blogging since 2005. I spent some time going through my posts and I've been sharing "stuff" since Day 1.
Tony was a little unsure of me being so open on here (although I don't say where I live, or what school the kids go to, or even what church I belong to, or where he works or where I have worked) but over the years he has come to understand my love of blogging.
I've shared my ups and downs. Scary moments, happy moments and everything in between.
I know a LOT of bloggers who stick to their craft and never mention their families and if that is what they choose to do, great!
I love sharing. I don't go into TOO much detail on here but those that KNOW me, truly KNOW ME.
You guys have watched my kids grow up.
Going through some old posts I got teary eyed. They have TRULY grown up. I'm typing this now and Jaelyn & Kayla are at a football game. Jaelyn drove. *sniff* They grow up so quick.
I've met some wonderful, wonderful people through this blog. Some of y'all I KNOW I woudn't have had a chance to meet had it not been for this great tool.
There are a few people I wish I could forget but all of that happened for a reason as well lol.
There are a couple people that I will always hold near and dear to my heart. Even if we don't talk anymore, I'll always have memories. " Suadade"
Going back through these old entries I can see so much growth in myself. The way I handle things now vs then.
Growth is a wonderful thing. WONDERFUL lol.
I guess I'm kinda all over the place. Im just thankful for where I am right now. Thankful for you guys!
I have a LOT of lurkers. Come on out today and say hello! Let me know where you are from. How long ya been reading...
That's it. Nerp, not shutting this thing down lol. I enjoy it wayyyyyyyyyyyy too much. Cheaper than laying on a sofa! LOL
Alright, that's it. Got some giveaways coming up next week so stay tuned!
Pattern Description: Pullover tops and dresses have elasticized neck/raised (seamed) waist, and narrow hem. A and B: sleeveless. B: applied hem ruffle. A and C: purchased trim. C and D: front and back extend into sleeve (wrong side may show). D: side slits and purchased trim for shoulder strap. Pattern Sizing: 8-16
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? Didn't even need them. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved that it was EASY lol.
Fabric Used: Cotton Jersey
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made it a midi- dress instead of a maxi dress. I ran out of fabric lol. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I might make this one again before the weather changes. I can still wear it with a cardigan. Conclusion: SUPER DUPER easy pattern. I think it took me longer to cut it out than it did to sew it. INSTANT gratification.
Pattern Description: Very loose-fitting, pullover tunic has princess seams, side slits, narrow hem, back longer than front (wrong side shows), and back neck slit with hook/eye closing. B: stitched hem on sleeves. Purchased bias tape finishes neckline, and armholes A. Semi-fitted, straight-legged pants have self-lined yokes, back zipper and stitched hems. Pattern Sizing: 8-16
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? For the most part. Were the instructions easy to follow?I didn't really use them. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Love this pattern.
Fabric Used: Neon green challis.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Instead of having two pieces to make up the front of the top, I taped it together and made the front one piece. I didn't like the original lines on the shirt. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I MIGHT make this again with sleeves. I really love it. I highly recommend this if you like this style. Conclusion: Great easy pattern.
Pattern Description: Fitted, lined jackets (do not meet at center front) have front extending into drape, princess seams and peplum with back pleats. A: contrast lined. B: self-lined. 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? VERY easy. I got confused when it was time to attach the peplum but it was MY fault, not the instructions. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This is VERY on trend. Loved it.
Fabric Used: Cotton/Sateen/Lycra
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I shortened the sleeves to 3/4 length. This has become my go to instead of grabbing a cardigan. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I am going to make this again in a darker color for the fall. I plan on lengthening the peplum. Conclusion: LOVE this jacket!!! Great addition to any wardrobe.
A closeup of my bracelets because I love them so lol.
Sometimes when I'm looking at sewing blogs I have to look up the pattern that they made because it looks nothing like what they are wearing. It helps me to see the line drawings. That's not necessarly a bad thing, just a personal thing I guess.
I can't seem to stop drinking water. Super thirsty.
Jaelyn made some snickerdoodle cookies. SO GOOD.
It's ALMOST time for school. YAY!
I have SO much to do the new few days. Lord help.
I STILL need to buy some ink for my printer.
I need to get some stuff in the mail. I HATE going to the PO.
I'm addicted to pearls right now.
I love when there is NO laundry to be done.
I got off track with my menu somewhere. NEED to get that back under control ASAP.
I need to make a run to Hancock, Joanns AND Hobby Lobby. Might don't make it. I need to really get dressed and go. For real.
I'm finally caught up on my email. I "star" a lot of stuff. I need to go through those items and clean them out lol.
O_O Just cleaned out my "starred" items. It went back to 2008. SMH
I love phone cases. Just FYI lol
As much as I love my phone, I'm SICK of hearing it ring.
I need a nap lol
I'm gonna start back doing you.tu.b-e videos again. It's been a WHILE lol.
Joanns charges for swatches O_O
They are FREE at Hancock.
My next few days are so busy. I can't WAIT till Monday!!!!
I made a HUGE pot of chicken soup tonight. It was SO good. We will eat it again tomorrow then I'll freeze the rest lol.
I'm SUPER DUPER SLEEPY> OH MY GOODNESS.
I will be gone ALL day Friday. Then there will be teenage girls at my house. OH JOY!
Pattern Description: MISSES' SKIRT AND SASH: Slightly flared, above mid-knee length skirts A, B, C, D have back zipper and waistline variations. A, B: front and back gathers, side seam pockets, waistband and self-sash. B: border prints. C, D: front and back pleats and self-faced yoke, upper edge of yoke falls at waistline. D: lined lower section with gathered bubble hem.
I made view A
Pattern Sizing: 14-22
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? Didn't really use them. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? LOVE this pattern.
Fabric Used: cotton/lycra blend
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None. Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I do plan on making this one again. I'm very much in love with full skirts right now. Conclusion: Great pattern. VERY easy. There is a misprint on the pattern. It says to cut two on the fold but it's obvious you only need one. Two is WAY too much fabric.
There were days when I just didn't want to get out of the bed.
There were days when I literally would lay on my bedroom floor and just cry.
There were days when I just went through the routine. I was so disconnected.
I had to keep myself together in front of everyone. Be strong for everyone, so they would be encouraged when I was falling apart inside.
I had to focus on ONE thing I was thankful for and concentrate on it. Give God praise for that. IN SPITE OF what was currently going on.
I thought the worst of what was going on was over with a few weeks ago. I just KNEW things were going to get better. They were already not as good as I wanted them to be.
WRONG.
I ended up sending out a "tweet" for my peeps to whisper a prayer for me. I was in a BAD spot y'all. I had been fighting tears all day long. One friend said she tried to call me but I didn't have a good signal in the building I was in. We sent a couple text back and forth and I sat there still fighting tears. In public. NOT a good look.
I had another friend text and ask if I could talk. I ended up walking outsideso I could talk to her and before I could even get to my car good, I just lost it.
I hardly EVER cry in front of people (or on the phone) but I couldn't help it.
We talked for a while and she blessed me in ways I can't even say. The fact that we don't talk frequently (we email/txt/tweet everyday) but this phone call I knew was lined up by God. You can't tell me anything different.
When we got off the phone, I felt so much better. Just being able to talk freely and not be judged but be listened to was just the thing I needed.
God did some other things that shocked my socks off but that's for another day.
I thought this was the beginning of things getting better. It was but then...
I got hit HARD a few days ago. Knocked the wind out of me. Hurt me like nothing else. I can't even describe it.
It wasn't until I talked to Tony about it that I just broke down. I mean B R O K E down ugly cry.
I went through a whole huge range of emotions.
I didn't even know HOW to pray. I would try to form the words but they never came. I would just cry.
Once I picked myself up, I decided I was going to encourage myself in the Lord.
I was going to get in my Word.
I was going to fast & pray.
I was going to get OUT of the funk I was in.
It's been a few days and I'm doing so much better.
Talking to me everyday, I don't think you would even know that things were going on with me.
I DO have down days, but I try to always encourage someone else. To put a smile on someone else face. To be a blessing to someone else. It seems to do me good.
There ARE times though when "I" need that as well. That's normal right?
I know that the storms that come to my life are only to make me stronger.
I can't tell you how much MY faith has grown.
I can't tell you how much MORE I trust God. I know "He got me".
I want to encourage you...
No matter what you are going through, no matter what you are facing TRUST GOD.
It may not feel good, it may not look good, it may not even sound good but TRUST GOD.
A good friend of mine told me today, " don't let your circumstances out talk you". That was so profound and RIGHT on time.
Don't be moved by your circumstances or situations.
TRUST GOD. Get in your Bible and Encourage yourself!!
That's what I did, and I thank God that I was able to get up from where I was and encourage myself.
I'm not perfect, just striving to be the woman God wants me to be. Keeping my life lined up with the WORD!
Man. Talk about not having enough fabric lol. I've had this fabric for two years. I obviously need to start buying 3.5 or 4 yards when I don't know what I'm going to make lol
We stopped to put some gas in Jaelyn's car and saw this ghetto hot mess. I was like WHAT!?
Someone went to the groomers!!!!
Spent some time looking at books. I can stay in the bookstore for hours and not buy one single thing.
Took forever for my desktop to boot. MY NEXT DESKTOP WILL BE A MAC!
This rain...mannnnnnnn. LOVELY
Gizmo had a field day while I was at church. I came home and he had taken all my pins out of the pin cushion. SMH.
I thought this was a lizard. I acted a fool for no reason lol
Taking a pic of each other taking a pic of our icecream lol
I WANT this lol
I was SO ready to go. SMH
They had to take my granddad to the hospital. He is still there. Prayerfully he will be out by the time this posts.
Cornbread in a cast iron skillet. There IS no other way lol
Awww him so cute lol
I love nail polish! Mani/Pedi day! lol
Before he got the extra polish off lol. It's so prettttyyyy lol
Fell IN LOVE with this fabric! Planning a cruise for my parents. THEY BETTER GO. That's hard work! lol
Lunch with my boo lol
PERFECT
We met Amber Bullock a few weeks back. The girl can BLOW.
I picked this book up from the library (along with SEVERAL others, but this one is my favorite) so I could figure out WHAT to put together with my juice.
I decided to start off VERY simple.
I'm ready to ROLL.
This is from ONE cucumber!!!!! I was like WHOA!
Added my carrots...
Spinach and some celery I think lol
That's everything. Now one thing I immediately did NOT like.
It was NOT cold enough. My fruits and veggies were in the fridge but I need this stuff to be COLD.
I covered it and sat it in the fridge for a few minutes but it started to separate (yuck) so I stirred it up and threw it back.
It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I will add some mint to it next time.
Do you juice? What's your favorite combo?
I'm ready to go back to the farmers market and get some more fruit & veggies! lol
In this lovely fabric I picked up in Chicago a couple years ago:
Got it ALL cut out, marked my notches got ready to sew.
I cut the facing piece on the RIGHT side instead of the wrong side so when I went to put the right sides together (front right and front right facing) it was backwards O_O.
There's no saving this one, that I can think of. I don't have any more fabric (almost didn't have enough as is) so in the trash it goes.
It was 11 PM and we were coming home from somewhere and the kids saw these stray kittens...they were IN THE STREET trying to catch them. It was HILARIOUS lol
Old school Tony lol
Look at AJ! LOL
Name that movie! It's my FAVORITE lol. I watch it every couple days lol
I had fun working with this fabric! More on that later.
Man! My machine was acting all the way up. I took the plate off and cleaned it out, this thing is sewing like it's BRAND NEW! lol.
Me and my bestie going to Junior prom lol. I showed this to her the other day and we both FELL out laughing lol.
Kayla is loving the PANK lol
My lil fashionista lol. she got her wedges from paylesssss lol. They LOVE when they have the BOGO sale lol
Man, my MIL cooked the best breakfast lol
FAVORITE GAME EVER
Went to an excellent mexican place with my friends.
Tony got me some cute socks lol
Have y'all tried this? It was $1.00 at "the" walm-art. Man. GOOD! I use it in my smoothies! LOL
Pattern Description: Misses' pullover dress in two lengths with tiered skirt or top and tie belt. Pattern Sizing: 14-22
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Pretty much. Were the instructions easy to follow? They were very easy until I got to the sleeves. I think I was tired because once I walked away from it and came back it made sense lol. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Peplum style top that is so popular right now.
Fabric Used: It's some mystery fabric I picked up from Hancock for like 2 bucks a yard lol.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't like the way the ties looked when hanging so I tacked them down onto the sleeve.
I also added some elastic to the waist. This shirt has NO shaping around the waist and a belt alone didn't help much. Adding elastic made it MUCH better.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I doubt if I make this one again but I highly recommend it. Went together very easily. Conclusion: Great top, very simple and on trend right now.
I used bias tape on the inside because I ran out of fabric lol.
Needless to say I LOVE this pencil skirt pattern lol. I did use a stretch denim and I tapered it in a bit at the knee. I need to take a better picture. I had just gotten out of the car and my photographer *cough cough jaelyn* didn't see that I needed to smooth my clothes out OR remove that thread from my skirt lol. Too funny lol
Tony & I went to a marriage retreat in FEBRUARY of this year lol, here are a few pics...
We ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp and it was GOOD-T lol If you ever get a chance to go to a marriage retreat. GO. SERIOUSLY. This one is offered through one of our sister churches and babbbbbby. It was THE BOMB!!!
