A Change of Attitude (because I don’t know what else to call it)

I was doing some research for a school project, and came upon a statistic that said that only about 71% of Canadians have a full or part-time job. Now, I didn’t back that stat up with more research, but I think it is fairly close to reality.

This reality is incredibly sad. We live in one of the richest, well off countries in the world, and over 25% of our population doesn’t have any kind of job. Our literacy (ability to read) rates are not near as high as they should be either.

We can ask, “why?” We can try theorize about the how. We can blame it on the economy, the government or the number of new immigrants, anything. But, what is really going to change our country around?
It is called a change of mind. A mind of diligence and perseverance. A desire to learn and work and provide.

Attitudes need to be changed in all levels of society, from the poorest of the poor to the Prime Minister sitting on the seat in Ottawa.

And the only thing that is going to change those attitudes is essentially Christ. Naturally we don’t gravitate towards work. We are lazy.

So… starting the change? It starts with YOU, with ME. Sharing Christ’s love and gospel. Engaging in conversations and reaching out to people. Praying for lives and hearts to be changed. Having a vision of change.

The Wilderness vs. the Contentious Woman

The other day at lunch time Mom was reading from Proverbs 21. We were reading verse 19, which says, “Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman.”

We have heard that verse lots of times… and the thought is repeated throughout Proverbs. We know what it means.

Well, in the mind of a ten-year-old boy who would live outside if he could, this verse took on a literal meaning. It went something like this…

“Of course. I want to live in the wilderness anyways, so why don’t I just forget about the woman? No woman will want to live in the wilderness anyways.”

Problem solved. The wilderness always wins.

You will never have to deal with a contentious woman if you just don’t have one? Right?

I love little people logic. Sometimes it just makes total sense…

 

It is also a warning for us though. Ladies, don’t ever be that woman. EVER. Men, be careful in who you marry. Don’t marry a woman who is going to get under your skin every day.

Gift Giving -White and Navy Blue Chevron Dress

A family in our church just had a little girl last week. I made her big sister a Navy and White Chevron Maxi Skirt in the spring, so I thought it would be fun if they could match. :) 

A white knit bodice and lined chevron skirt. I added gathers to the shoulders for a more feminine look. I tried something new by adding the opening at the back. I think I like it. The hem of the skirt is left raw, so the stretch is kept, and just to add a bit of extra detail. :)

In the end, I love how it turned out. Simple, yet super cute. The best part is that the sisters match, but aren't totally the same. 

Congratulations Adrian and Katie!!! May your little lady grow up to bless many around her. May she become a woman who follows the Lord. :)

Re-Fashion: Cardigan Re-sizing

My sister and I bought these really warm cardigans at Tommy Hilfiger a couple of winters ago. They are the warmest ever, and yet so versatile and classy. I got the navy one in a size smaller, my sister got an oatmeal-grey. My sister’s didn’t fit very well, as it was a size too big, and was going to be donated. I wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass, so I re-sized it.

I followed simple re-fashion steps, taking in the side and arm seams. There are oodles of tutorials out there, you can also ask me questions if I am not clear enough.

I laid out the smaller one on top of the bigger one, and pinned where I would have to sew.

 

Don’t cut your sweater, just sew down the sides. You can trim off the excess, but be careful. Because these are knitted sweaters they will unravel easily; I would suggest using the serger.

I’ll admit it… I truthfully didn’t even cut the excess off, and you can’t even tell. I made it a bit looser for a more comfortable, relaxed look anyways.

The bigger one is a bit longer on both the body and the sleeves, but I don’t mind. :) Sleeves are usually too short on me anyways, so this is perfect.

Pair this newly-fitted cardigan with a jean skirt, a scarf (that is actually not a infinity scarf, but was tied into one), fleece-lined tights and boot socks.

The result: I super warm, yet classy outfit for these freezing cold temperatures we have been having.

*sorry for the horrible pictures. Frustrating problems with my camera*

Gift Giving – Jumper Set

Close friends of mine had a little girl at the end of January, so I wanted to give them something really special. And what can get more special than handmade, right? ;)

I took a size 3-6 months jumper from the shop, and added a diaper cover. For the diaper cover, I again headed over to Dana’s awesome tutorial. I love how her tutorials are so simple and easy to follow, and give you lots of room for creativity. I went simple on this outfit, but I love the fabric and the extra detail on the hem of the jumper. And you truthfully can’t get any cuter than a diaper cover. :)

A special gift for a special little girl!!! Congratulations Matt and Jess!!! :) May the Lord continue to richly bless you as you strive to raise your little lady in the fear of the Lord!!!

Copyrights and Creativity

I am currently taking a required communication course entitled ‘Critical & Innovative Thinking”. Each week we have to write a response to a certain question/issue and then post it on the discussion board. Here is this week’s assignment. As I was writing, I realized this is an interesting topic, and worth sharing.

Assignment: How, in your view, does music both respond to and create social activism? In your response try to consider some of the issues relating to protest (social commentary) songs and songwriters (Green Day, Beastie Boys, Black Eyed Peas, Ani DiFranco, Rage Against the Machine, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie etc…) and to how copyright/commerce might affect an artist’s ability to address ethical concerns in our society?

I am going to begin by saying that I don’t know much about music, and am not a music person. I enjoy the old classical composers, such as Bach and Mendelssohn, and a number of the songs by contemporary Christian singers such as Keith and Kristen Getty and Matt Redman. As for any other music, I can’t say much. I am coming at this from outside of the music world and looking in.

Music both responds to and creates social activism. Or maybe I should state that as ‘creates and responds to social activism’. I believe that social activism originates from ideas, and those ideas are shared through many different ways; writing, protests, music, etc. Music is a very powerful tool in sharing these ideas, and eventually triggering and creating social activism. It is also highly emotional, which I think is why it is so influential. Music is also created as an expression of response to this activism. People respond in various ways to the ideas flowing around them, and once again music can be a specific person’s response.

Here is where the real issue comes in. We have established music is both a response to and creates social activism. What about those copyright laws? Considering them creates an ethical issue. Are we stealing or being creative when we use, alter or base your ideas off of someone else’s?

There is a reason why there are copyright laws regarding music. I agree that taking what others have created and using, altering or using their ideas as your starting point is technically stealing. It is breaking the eight commandment (Exodus 20). In preventing this, those copyright laws are doing a good thing. But, do these copyright laws hinder us from being creative and from sharing and addressing other concerns in our society?
What are your thoughts?

The topic of creativity rises here. Is the using of another’s ideas true creativity? Is creativity completely original, or does it include working with what someone else has started, and making that so much better, and very much different? Does it include thinking beyond what someone else has started and creating something more wonderful from it? Is it fine if you cite the original author and market your version as an arrangement, alteration, or whatever you may call it? 

This issue is relevant across all areas of creativity. I run into the same issues with my sewing business. I am sure graphic designers and photographers run into these issues as well. Never mind all of you music people.

What are your thoughts on the following?
1) Do copyright laws hinder us from being creative and from sharing and addressing other concerns in our society?
2) What really is true creativity?

Needed: Advice for My Spring Line

So… moms/Grandmas/Aunties out there… I need some advice.

What are you looking to dress your little people in this coming spring and summer? What colors and styles? Casual, dressy? More boys clothes? Would you like extended sizing… so up to kids size 12 for example?

I am willing to take specific styles and suggestions… such as ‘pintucks on the hem of a skirt’ for example

And, I am also still accepting custom orders of any kind. Just let me know what you have dreamed up, and I will see what I can do to make it happen!!! :)

It is all as simple as leaving me a lovely kind note. Who knows, if you idea ends up in this new line… you could win something lovely!!! ;)