Monday, April 18, 2011

Weekend Break Over

I took a break this weekend. Well, from sewing anyway. Friday night I had my weekly Bible study with my dear friends! Saturday was spent shopping for Adalyne's 2nd birthday and with the in-laws. Sunday, church first thing, then my best friend's wedding shower, then cleaning, and grocery shopping. A true break-from-life type of weekend? No. Break from sewing, yes. Honestly, though, I wish I had time to sew this weekend! I have so many projects to get done, and it really does relax me. So, back to work tonight!

I have three projects to get done THIS WEEK! And another one I need to make major progress on. My little hands are going to be worked to the bone! :)

I have realized lately that I have way more material than projects in progress, or than I have plans for. So, I am putting myself on a material hiatus. It is NOT easy! I love shopping for fabric. All the different textures, and colors, and patterns, and stretches, and endless ideas... My mind never stops when I am shopping. But, right now, I don't even have the room to properly store what I have! I think my husband is feeling replaced with my current love and excitement! Oops...

Friday, April 15, 2011

First dress, first flowers, definitely in love!

I am addicted to Burdastyle. I browse daily, sometimes multiple times a day. I love to see how so many different people interpret the same, or similar patterns. For this dress, I used the Coffee Date dress pattern, which you can find hundreds of on Burdastyle. I am willing to say that it is the most common used pattern for dresses on that site. The original pattern, and most of the completed projects, have a ruffle from the neck line down to the bottom of the bust. I personally don't like that style for myself.

When I found this pattern, I knew that I wanted to step a little out of my box of solids and alot of black. This material is a navy blue with a beautiful floral design on it. I added the belt, and attempted the fabric flowers to put my own spin on it. It was also my first attempt at a zipper! After a few tries, I got it figured out! I absolutely love this dress! I wear it every chance I get. And everytime, I get so many compliments on it! :) This particular photo was taken right before my husband and I went to a marriage date night at my church provided by the wonderful College group! (Yes, we had a BLAST!)

I intend on making more dresses out of this pattern. But, right now, I am busy busy with my best friend's wedding stuff! More pictures and updates soon to come!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Blessing from God! Wonderful news!

The first thing I do when I get to work every morning is check my email. With my job, there is always a ton of it to wade through. This morning, when I finally reached the last message to open and take care of, I discovered it was the email I have been hoping for: the advisor I have been working with for almost a month now emailed me to let me know I have been accepted to start the online program for Christian Leadership and Ministry, associates degree, this fall! I still have some forms to complete, and really need to receive more grants and scholarships, but the biggest step has been accomplished!

Once I am 45 credit hours into the associates degree, I will be transitioning into the Bachelors degree for Youth Ministry. This is something I NEVER saw myself doing. Yes, I like kids, love my own, but to be involved with other kids regularly, and deeply... Not me, no thank you! Well, God had another plan in mind for me. And let me just say, when God finally makes a dent in our stubbornness of what we want instead of listening to Him, He is relentless! It felt like, at first, I just heard this tiny whisper saying "You need to learn how to teach your kids about God". Ok, so I started singing "God songs" with them, talking to Krista (Adalyne is only 2!) about anything and everything she had questions about, reading Bible story books to her... But God said that wasn't enough. The voice got a little louder, it started saying "That's great, but it's not enough. What about kids that don't have parents that do that?" Ok, God, I will get involed in the Children's Church at my church. I am currently taking the steps to make that happen... But, God started screaming at me, "That's not enough. There are so many children who need the guidance that only someone who can relate to them can give."

I have been trying for 7+ years to figure out what I want to go to school for. I tried my hand at Business Admin. Yeah, that lasted 2 1/2 classes. Then I considered Fashion Design. Yes, I love to sew (obviously), but getting into a GOOD fashion design school, and then making something of your degree, extremely difficult. Plus, it just never felt right. Then, I thought maybe become a Pastry Chef to excell at the cake side of my business. I would LOVE to have my own cake shop someday. As gratifying as it may have been, again, it just didn't excite me. But then God made a dent in my stubbornness, and told me to become a Youth Minister. I have never been more exctited about even a consideration of college, than I am about this.

The process of getting there is not easy. Even though God will give us what we need, He's not just going to hand it over. We have to work for it! I spent a solid 3 weeks researching schools trying to find one that would work with my busy life, provide the education that I need, and have the accredidations so that my degree will be recognized anywhere I go. The accredidations are also extremely important for if I ever decide to actually go to seminary school and get my masters. I finally found the perfect school: Oklahoma Wesleyan University. My FAFSA application has been accepted and sent to the school. But, it's not going to be enough to keep me from having to take out loans, which I refuse to do. So, right now, I am praying like crazy for God to provide the funds for this to happen!

Next post: sewing adventures!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Journey Has Begun!

Well, here I am blogging, something I never thought i would do! my love, or as my husband would say, obsession, of sewing has brought me to this. So, I have joined the blogging world, and am hoping to get the hang of it soon!


Here's some background on how I got started in the sewing world:
        When I was pregnant with Adalyne, my youngest, I had several complications that limited what I could do. I had to have some outlet for my mental energy, so i decided to try my hand at sewing. I had attempted this before, with no direction or help, and failed miserably! But, this time, it worked! I started out by making Krista, my oldest daughter, a bedspread that includes 12 handsewn butterflies. It turned out great! I must admist it was not the easiest beginner's project. But I learned so much from it, and it helped remove my "I can't do that" goggles. Adalyne is almost 2 (less than a month away!), and my project that i started to keep me busy during pregnancy, has turned into an outright obsession! I currently have SEVEN different projects in the works. And that is a typical number for me!


People frequently ask me what I make, and if I sell my work.  Well, I can tell you the most common items, but I am willing to give anything a shot! Most of my items are for children. And, yes, Ido make items to sell, both stock items, and custom orders. Look me up on etsy.com! Link provided. I also have a facebook page. Just search for Adakris Creations. Now, as far as common items go, my most popular requests are car seat canopies, nursing covers, taggies, and crayon roll-ups. I have also made and apron with self designed pigs for a charity gala; several dresses, both for adults and children; currently working on a machine sewn quilt; and separates (skirts, shirts, pajamas).


Even though many people know that I sew, most of them don't know that I also make cakes! This passion started with the Saints vs. Colts super bowl. Then escalated to Adalyne's first birthday. Now I have made several cakes for birthdays, baby showers, family reunions, holidays, etc. In the next two months, I will be making my first Groom's cakes, as well! Most of my cakes are made from scratch. Although i do love Duncan Hines mixes, there is just something completely satisfying knowing that creation came completely from my hands! I also do fillings, different icings, and fondant from scratch. I love to bake! My husband teases me, though, because I can't really cook any real food at all!


Well, my dears, this is all for now! I think this is a plenty long enough post for my opening one! If you have made it this far, thank you! God bless you all!