Happy Easter!!!!! You all know that with Easter comes all the Easter fashion. Dresses included. This year I had the opportunity to take part in Easter Spring dress sew along by the awesome sew sister, Judith Dee. I love a bit of a challenge and a push to get some sewing done, so this was perfect. I chose McCall's M7315 pattern View D without the bottom part. I used a floral foiled scuba knit from Joanne's which seems to have been a popular fabric choice this year for a lot of sewing projects. The pattern did not call for a knit but it worked out well. Here is my quick pattern review.



Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?: I think it did,  the fabric I had actually looked like one of the pictures

I decided to be a good steward and use the talents God had given me and be accountable for them. Like many other's I have some great days and some not so great days. I am not there yet and so I have a lot of learning to do about so many different things.  I find myself having the conversation of why do I still have to learn, the learning process ain't fun, LOL, why am I not there yet? In my meditations and quiet time, a small voice spoke to me and said, The goal or the achievement is most times for the spectator's pleasure, but the process and the journey is for you.

I sat and pondered on what exactly this means and realized that most times when we reach a goal, yes it's for our benefit, but there is a slight arrogance or air of, look at what I have achieved. No one has ever reached a goal and been quiet about it. So that is where the spectators come in. If other people were not there to witness our achievement, would they still really matter? On the other hand, the journey towards reaching the goal is what molds us, teaches us, refines us to be able to achieve those goals. Those are the things that are for you. I reflected on this and asked for the strength to be able to keep learning, keep being molded and keep gaining the skills I need to be worthy of the goals I seek.

So it's that time of the year again. That time when we come out and fully support Black owned restaurants in the Memphis, TN area (and a few other areas added this year). 

Me and my love at Onix during Black Resturant Week 2016 HM Dessert Lounge

It's no secret me and my husband have committed to date night every Friday. Ever since we got married we said we would not stop doing the things we enjoyed doing together. Going on dates was one of them. We promised ourselves Friday was our day and no matter what, it was the day dedicated to give unconditional attention to each other.

But do we run out of things to do? Maybe LOL but the point isn't on the things but on us/you. Sharing is caring so here are 5 things of many that we do for date night:

1. SET A DATE - I mean it should be obvious but when you actually set a date you have something to look forward to. We decided on Friday, your day may be Saturday or Sunday or any time of the week where you can break away and just have some time together.


2. DINNER - This is one of the most common things to do for date night, but it is definitely something to do. We like to try out different restaurants, some are repeat restaurants, others are new. It really doesn't have  to be anything expensive, it could be high end if you can afford it or it could be a hole in the wall

3. WATCH A MOVIE - Another easy common date night idea to do. This can be on the big screen on Netflix. One is cheaper than the other, but the choices are plenty

4. TAKE A WALK - People spend long hours cooped up indoors and driving here and there and unless you have an active lifestyle, walking may be something you don't do. Try it out, take a short walk around the neighborhood holding hands enjoying each other's company. Easiest thing you can do
5. TALK - I am not a big talker but I enjoy winding down the week, reflecting and debriefing and just having a good conversation. This for me is one of the biggest things to do because it helps with communication in a relationship and it keeps you connected.

So there you have it. These are small things that could help you bring your date night back to life. What you do isn't important. Who you do it with is.

Valentines week and ofcourse all things red are in the air. This year I wanted to not be cliche, so I decided I wasn't doing red other than a few accessories. Anyways, that is besides the point of this post.

An event was coming up and a friend Amy asked me to make her a jumpsuit. Now usually with custom orders I try to make what the customer wants, so I ask Amy what she had in mind. She didn't know???? Says just make me something smh. Hardest thing every lol. So I ask her to give me an idea of stuff she liked and that went downhill too LOL. Eventually, she sent me a few pictures of jumpsuits,  I sent her back some ideas, then after her saying I trust you, make whatever, I finally decided.

The original red Jumpsuit was inspired by Chic Couture's Red double flounce jumpsuit. I laid out the fabric, started to make it and eventually felt I needed to have classic touch. I couldn't decide and so I polled my trusty sewing groups and the response was overwhelming that I should make the flounce/frill detachable. So I ended up with Imagine two.

Original design

Design we went with

Polled looks.

 Amy tried came in for a fitting of the Jumpsuit and I thought she looked amazing both with the flounce and without it. She could go for a classic look without the flounce or a fun flirty look with it.

Final look on Amy and she was gorgeous. She got SEVERAL compliments on the way to the event and at the event too. I was happy with this creation. My mission is to make ladies feel beautiful. I think I did my job. She felt and looked beautiful.

I finally finished the rosette inspired gown. I really felt like I had no business wearing it LOL 

I can definitely see how this could be a $600 dress, but oh well this is a cheaper version.  A few disclaimers: 

1. The fabric may not have been close to what I thought it was. 
2. I had to make this work with just over 2 yards of fabric (wipes sweat from brow) 
3. I have no business squeezing myself into this LOL so please forgive the folds, fluff and such LOL. 
4. I would have gone with a waist-band but the masses voted no band thus deep v neck. 
5. The little lace in between was just a piece of fabric to hide my boobies otherwise imagine it without the lace (deep V neck is not my style but I had to model this) 

All in all this is a totally different dress because I had to listen to the fabric and which direction it was taking me. Now to find a new owner for this.( If interested, it's available on my Etsy store.)

I did not use a pattern for and ffree handed my way around this one. If you would like to make a version of this I suggest McCall's M7540 for the mermaid bottom. This is for woven fabric, so size down for knit fabric, and  M7167 for the top and criss cross back. Also for a woven fabric so size down. Other than that you are good to go.