11/12/2014 0 Comments Your Questions Answered!Ok, now that you answered all my questions, I'll answer yours. I must admit I'm surprise by how many questions I received over the past two weeks. Honestly I was expecting only like two, but y'all went far beyond that. Thanks so much! It really means a lot to me that you all are reading and following along with this blog. I can't thank you enough! So without further ado, here's your questions answered. This first one is from my mother. Question #1: What are ya planning that I can't know about????? HMMMM??????? Answer: "I'm not telling you... stop asking. It's not lady like."- Bryce Dallas Howard (you know what movie :) Question #2: How old were you when you started to sew? Answer: I was about 9 years old when I first learned how to sew and have been doing it ever since. Question: #3 At what age did you realize that you no longer completely hated the nickname Susie-Chris and that your favorite aunt was actually the most intelligent one in the bunch for creating it? Answer: I can't remember how old I was, I just remember being completely in awe that I hated the name Susie Chris as a child and wondered why in the world I did. Because Susis Chris is the CUTEST nickname in the world and add on the fact my amazing aunt came up with it makes it extra special! ;) Question #4: If you could design and sew a wedding dress for any famous woman, past or present, who would it be? And why? Answer: That's a good question! After giving it a lot of thought I've narrowed it down to two women; one past, one present. The first one is Sarah Mally of Bright Lights Ministries. She wrote a book entitled Before You Meet Prince Charming: A Guide to Radiant Purity about preparing yourself for marriage and life beforehand (I totally recommend it. Every girl should read it even if she's not planning on getting married). Marriage is something that is very important and serious to me, so I would want to design a dress for a bride who understands the sacred, holiness of marriage and what she'd be going into. The second woman would be Pocahontas simply because I think that it would be cool to try to make a wedding dress that incorporates both the English styles of 1614 and her original indian heritage. Question #5: What has been your absolute favorite thing you have ever sewn? Answer: AHHHHHHHH.... Stop with the difficult questions!!!! Um... probably my cousin, Shelby's, wedding veil simply because that was a project that was very near and dear to my heart. She was a great "client", was very flexible with me and I think she loved the finished result. And that moment when I put the finished product on her head... it's moments like that I realize, this is my calling; to make my Creator King's children feel like the beautiful person HE made them to be. It's priceless. Question #6: Will you do a tutorial on how to sew zippers into dresses and skirts? Answer: Sure! Thats sounds like fun! There are so many different ways to install a zipper, I'll have to do some research first so it might take a little time. Keep an eye out! Question #7: How would you like to come to Mississippi and teach my daughter how to make a skirt? Answer: Is this an all expense paid trip? :) Question #8: Have you considered learning to quilt? Answer: Actually, my great-grandmother on my dad's side quilts and does an amazing job at it! I asked her at one point if she would teach me but I quickly realized that quilting was just not for me. I'm just more interested in sewing garments than I am quilts. Question #9: How many dresses have you sewn for yourself and how long does your average dress take you to make? Answer: My goodness! I don't know! Probably a few dozen, maybe more! It depends on the type of dress and what fabric I'm working with etc.. but on average I'd say from cutting out to finishing a hem probably about a week working on it off and on. Thanks again to everyone who submitted in the giveaway and celebrated my blog anniversary with me! I'm so pleased that I got to share it with all you lovely ladies. May G-d richly bless you during this holiday season and I'll see you at my next post!
Love, Susan
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10/19/2014 12 Comments One Year Later...HI EVERYONE! I'M BACK!!!!! Did you miss me? So sorry about my absence here on the blog but I'm *finally* able to catch up now so hang on to your hats! 'Cuz I've got some exciting news! So I've come to the realization that I've had this little blog for a whole year now! One year, one month and ten days to be exact. All through September I had been suspecting it but my life as of late has been like this: *Repeat* So thus, I missed it (sad face). BUT... That's not going to stop me from celebrating now! So after washing a load of dishes (giving me a moment to think of something I could do), I thought that first I'd do a flash back to where I've come from since my first post then I'll move on to a giveaway (sneaky sneaky). Since this is a sewing blog (that I throw in a bit of my personal life here and there) one of my goals was to document my sewing journey. Since I first started blogging I've: Learned to sew with knit materials (see a dress I made here) Learned to crochet Learned a bit of alteration skills (see here where I altered my first dress) Costumed half of a web series Made my first dog costume (you can view the cutie modeling it at The Athens' Regional Cancer Center in Athens TN) Created a wedding veil from scratch Sewed with terry cloth for the first time (see the apron I made here) and learned how to sew a vent in a sleeve (see a tutorial I made here) And I've also done a bit of business throughout the year (as in, projects I've gotten paid for! YAY!). I hope to double that amount of knowledge by this time next year, but we'll see... So what's in store for the upcoming year? What projects are next? Well hopefully if all goes as planned (which is never in my case) I'll be taking a few more online classes to increase my sewing skills and I have a few projects that I want to do on the side as well like: Sew a coat for the first time (I've never worked with wool before so I'd like to give it a shot) Add some new skirts and dresses to my wardrobe (because who doesn't want new clothes especially ones you made yourself?) Some tee shirts Doll costumes A new medieval gown for me (because for some reason I do not have a princess gown in my costumes stash. What's wrong with me?!?) More crochet and knitting projects A dress that I already bought fabric for (just haven't made yet...) and maybe some other things as well! We'll see as the year goes by! On the non-sewing related side, I'll still be sharing bits of my crazy life with you all including more book reviews and something else I'm working on. I can't tell you now but just know it's a part of my business and ministry. Hopefully, I'll *finally* start working on some of the other aspects of my website and this will become a part of that. If it helps, no one in my family but my brother Jonathan knows what it is either. But I hope to start posting about it soon. Okay, now onto the giveaway! Now that you all have gotten to know me over the past year I would like to get to know you! What's your name? Where are you from? Do you like Charlie Brown (I mean who doesn't?)? So here's how the giveaway works! Leave a comment on this post answering these questions: 1: What's your first name + gender? 2: What's your age? 3: What's your favorite part about this blog? and 4: Do you sew? Then give at least one question you would like to ask me and I'll answer them (within reason) in another post after the giveaway is closed. It's that easy! What's that? What do you win? Oh yeah! Well be patient, I'm getting there... The giveaway will close exactly two weeks from today (Nov 2nd). You can comment as many times as you want, but you'll only be eligible to enter once. In other words, you can leave six comments with different questions for me but you'll only be put in the drawing one time and only if you answer the four questions above about yourself. Make sense? Good! I know, I know, I'm getting there! Just be patient (it's a virtue ya know)... The winner will be selected at random the ole' fashion way, I'll write all the entries down on a slip of paper and have one of my handsome brothers draw a name out of a hat. Hey, remember this is my first anniversary party to throw! Give me a break! But y'all trust me right? ;) Okay, okay, OKAY! FINE! I'll tell you what the prize is now! If you'll remember I mentioned above (for those of you that skipped that part and moved on down to the giveaway) that one of the skills I learned this year was crocheting. So in celebration of all my achievements, I'm giving away a pair of crochet earrings that I made with me own two hands! Ain't they purdy? And if for some reason a guy is following this blog, (which would be slightly creepy...) if you win, I'll make a handmade bow tie that is an exact replica of the one Mr. News wears in S.C. TreeHouse Productions' Web series Literal: What We Believe. 'Cuz you wouldn't want a pair of earrings now would you? Course not! So I'll be fair. To recap:
Leave a comment before November 2nd answering the following questions: 1: What's your first name+gender? 2: What's your age? 3: What's your favorite part about this blog? 4: Do you sew? and at least ONE question you would like me to answer. You can only be eligible to enter ONCE but feel free to leave as many questions for me to answer. And don't be shy to ask random ones like: "Have you ever ridden a dragon before?" or "Do you have one pink toe?" I'll do my best to answer within reason :). Thank you all soooooo much for following along with me on this journey! I can't wait to see what else my Father and Creator has in store for me and to be able to share it with you all! Now go enter the giveaway quick! Remember, you only have two weeks! Love, Susan So I took another step in the adult world I voted Yep voted, and it was the scariest thing I've done this year. My mom and I had to vote early because we were going to be out of town on election day. So she and I rode down to the election office and pull into the parking lot. I'm extremely nervous. I mean THE ENTIRE FATE OF MY STATE RESTS IN MY DECISION OF WHOM I WANT TO RUN THE BALL GAME! No biggie right? Mom told me the whole ride there that I was going to do fine and not to be nervous. So putting on a brave face I step out of the car ready to fulfill my duty as a citizen of the Untied States of America... and right into politicians. The first guy I bump into into is Bulgy Bear. If a bear was turned into a human I'm pretty sure it would look like this guy. He lumbers over and says in his deep bear voice "Hello miss how are you doing today? (I'm pretty sure he meant my mom) I would apreciate it if you would vote for so and so for so and so position." We told him thank you that we were already planning on voting for this person. He looked at us like we were the first people to tell him this and he didn't know what to do now. Next we run into Mr. Peppy. "Hello ladies are how are y'all doing on this lovely day? Would you please write in my friend for this position? If you do you will be making an excellent chioce." he says as he hands us pencils with the person's name he's supporting written on a little flag (I must admit, the pencil flags were pretty cute). Then to top it all off, right before we enter into the building we meet Ms. I'm-running-for-office-so-I'm-meeting-you-in-person. She talks to us for a little while about what she stands for and that she would, (everyone say it together now) "really appreciate your vote". No pressure. So we finally get in the building and fill out the necessary paperwork. I'm given my ballot and I sit down at a table flanked on either side by cardboard walls preventing anyone from seeing my decisions (except of course the people right behind me counting the votes!) So I'm sitting at this table all alone with the only instructions to fill in the box COMPLETELY for your vote. I very much felt like Frodo with the ring at that moment. Scared and alone I put my head in my hands and prayed
"Lord give me wisdom" Then I lifted my head and knew what I needed to do. Minutes later I turned in my ballot and walked out. Mom was waiting for me with a big smile on her face "See I knew you could do it!". Really Mom? Then why do I feel the need to pass out? As we head out to make one more stop before heading home we pass by a sign promoting a man that I voted for. I tell Mom that I voted for him and she asks me who else I voted for. And I can't remember! Nope, can't remember who I voted for. Thus begins panic attack #2. To top off my first voting experience some 90 year old man at the store we stopped by on our way home had a stroke in the back. Guess who got to see him get rolled out (who by the way, doesn't handle big medical emergencies like that very well)? That's right, me. So how did I handle myself? Did I go to G-D like I did earlier in the day and rely on HIM to make sense of the matter? Nope I buy some candy and continue my panic attack in the car. America is in some trouble if I'm the one deciding who gets in office. G-D *help* America! Susan (My flower everyone signed at my graduation party) One year ago today, I accomplished the first to-do item on my bucket list:
Graduate as a homeschooler from start to finish. Even though I have finished all my "schooling", I've never stopped learning. During this past year I learned many valuable life lessons; some of which I'm still learning today. So I thought in honor of my graduation "anniversary" I'd share a few of those lessons with y'all along with the three best pieces of advice given to me since then. Some are a little silly and some are very serious but all have helped shape me into the person I am today. Hopefully, you can learn from me and give yourself a little laugh! So without further ado, here they are in no particular order: Lessons I've Learned Since High School Graduation: -Life is going to start whether or not you're ready for it -Marriage is loving someone unconditionally for the rest of your life -If you're buying gas and you're paying in cash, you must go in and pay FIRST before you start pumping. Otherwise, you'll be standing there wondering why in the world nothing is coming out - Who the woman doctor is (courtesy of Mrs. Shelby H. Thanks for that one!) -How to hide money in your bra (I was so proud of myself when I figured that one out!) -What it feels like to have absolutely no control of the things happening around you -How to play nerf war -How to stop said nerf war without lifting a finger. Just scream your head off and someone will call an automatic time out 'cuz they think you're seriously hurt or something -That I can be over dramatic at times (see above) -What happens when you put diesel fuel in your car that isn't suppose to run on diesel -When someone tells you to shut up; listen to them. (There're probably trying to save you from embarrassing yourself) -What it feels like to lose someone you love -What it feels like when a piece of your heart is ripped from you and buried alongside that person -How to cook chicken -How to dry out sweet potatoes in the oven -How to calmly address this situation: one of your friends decides that it would be funny to drop an article of food down your blouse IN PUBLIC! (I'm looking at you Annie W.!) -How to be a bridesmaid (which may or may not involve helping the bride pee 10 minutes before the wedding) -How I handle emergency situations (It's a good thing to know, because if you're like me and don't handle them well, you need to make sure you're always with someone who does) -That I HATE cast iron! It wants to be babied and I feel like it never gets clean. So if I ever get married, please DON'T BUY ME ANYTHING CAST IRON! -That even when I mess up, I am surrounded by o-mazing friends and family who love me despite my flaws and a Heavenly Father who loves me even more than that! "Being old is cool! You can choose to not buy cigarettes or respect the elderly in an adult manner, and no one can stop you." -My friend Robert who graduated two years before me "Don't worry, you'll be fine. You will mess up, but if you do, there is always Sonic and Hardee's down the road." -My Mum before she left me in charge of the cooking for a whole week while she took care of my Grandma in Mississippi "Your attitude affects your altitude! Soar high in all you do. God will see you through." -Donna H., my 5th & 6th grade Sunday School teacher Love, Susan 4/18/2014 1 Comment Love is....I have the wonderful privilege of babysitting two 4 year old twin boys once a week. I always have a fun time with those two and sometimes, they like to do or say things that catch me off guard. Like yesterday for instance. We have this thing where we will tell each other "I love you" just on a whim, then usually end it by tickling each other. So yesterday I was at the sink getting them some water and the oldest of the two was watching me. Suddenly he goes:
"I love you Susan" I smile back and say "I love you too baby" "You wanta know how much more I love you?" "How much more do you love me?" "I love you more..." he grins "than PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICHES!" Yeah I know, peanut butter sandwiches. But to a four year old who's favorite hobby is eating, (and who loves him some peanut butter!) that's a big part of his world right there! So I smile catching his meaning and turning to face him I say: "Well I love you more than bologna sandwiches!" (bologna is his next favorite type of sandwich) He stops and stares at me wide eyed like "nobody can love ANYBODY more than bologna sandwiches!" Yep sometimes they can catch me off guard, but then again, so can I! I love you all more than hot-dogs! Susan 10/7/2013 3 Comments Morning Mood SwingsHappiness is waking up to discover that in one of your refrigerators, there is a party tray full of Chick-fil-a minis.
Depression is looking in the second refrigerator, and seeing that you and your family have drank all of the raw milk you had and now you have to settle for the pasteurized store bought kind. (which is not nearly as good in comparison.) Morning mood swings. Don't ya love 'em? Love, Susan Hi Y'all!
Welcome to the blog portion of my website! Here you'll find some of my latest projects, tips and tricks I've learned, and a little bit of my personal life here and there. My prayer is that everything I do and post on my website will be pleasing and glorifying to my Heavenly Father who made me. As He is the one who created me and taught me to create, Everything my hands produce ultimately belongs to Him, my master teacher, ADONAI. I look forward to learning more from Him and getting to know you all! Thanks for stopping by! Love, Susan |
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October 2019
Book Review
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