On Being Crafty Me: How to Make a Western Indian Costume

I don't know how to sew a dress, I didn't even took a class on dress making, but I managed to make one using the help of youtube. After watching entries on how to make a dress, I decided to make my own Western Indian Costume. But before making, I need to have a design before starting everything. I searched through the internet on what design should I will be doing. Once I am decided of the design, I bought the materials and begin to be crafty.

Buying the Materials: 

I went to the store and buy the materials I needed. I bought the following:

1. Needle

2. 2 meter fabric (light brown) for the dress, and 1/2 meter fabric (dark brown) for the tassels

3. Candle Glue and feathers for the head dress

4. Some accessories such as lace that will be placed in my dress and garter for my hand and feet accessories

5. Pins

Our sewing machine is under repair and so I needed to sew it only using my own bare hands. So, 2 week before the event, I started doing my own western indian costume.  After buying the materials, I need a pattern for my dress. 

Pattern of the Dress:

I do not know how to make a pattern, so I used my old dress and use it as pattern. Using my old dress as a pattern, I fold it in half lengthwise so that it will be identical in both sides. Then, I draw the lines in the fabric using a pencil on where should I cut it. I add an extra of 2 inches in the edge of the fabric as a mark on where should I cut it.

Cutting the Fabric:

I cut the fabric based on the lines I've drawn.

Sewing the Fabric:

After cutting, I begin to sew the fabric using my own bare hands. This will take a long process since I am just using my hands. I turned the fabric inside out and fold at least 1 inch over on either side, and pin it so that I can follow the pins while sewing it. I begin sewing at the sides of my dress. When I am finished, I tried to wear so that I will know if it fits me. Unfortunately on my first try, It doesn't fit. So, I remove the sewn part and resew it again, this time I fold at least 1/2 inch over on either side. Once it fits me, I sew the neckline and the bottom of the dress. 

Cutting Tassels

Since it is an indian costume, I begin to cut tassels using my dark brown fabric. Cutting it easy since all I need to do is, cut the desired length of the tassel. I did not even use a tape measure on it. I cut atleast 2.5 inches of the fabric and begin to make cut it again vertically into smaller width so that it will begin to look like a tassel. I begin to make many of them for my accessories and for my dress.

Add Tassels in the Dress

Since I already have a simple dress and tassels, I begin to add tassels at the neckline and at the bottom of the dress. 

Add Laces in the Dress

After I've sewn all the tassels, I begin to add laces at the top of the tassels so that my not really good sewing will be covered by the laces. I also put laces at the sides of my dress where I sewed it. And so, my dress is now ready to wear.

Making a Head Dress

To make a head dress, I use the lace I made in the dress for uniformity. I measure the lace in my head, sew it so that it will now form a circle. Then using my candle glue, I stick the feathers at the back.

Making Accessories

I use the extra tassels, laces and garter in making accessories. I measure my hand and feet using the garter. I sew extra fabric and tassels in the garter. Then, I sew the lace so that it will look good and match my dress.

Finished Western Indian Costume

And finally, I had a finished western Indian costume. I had my dress rehearsal on the costume I had made that day.

On the Day of the Event

Since I made the dress a week before the event, I tried to make a little revisions of it. And so, on the day of the event, I looked like this:

Best Dressed Competition - Female Category (3rd place)
Since I am proud in making my own costume, I joined the Best Dressed Competition on Female Category and surprisingly, I got the third place for it. I had fun doing my dress and I am so much thankful to expose the little crafty side of me once in a while. To God be the Glory! 

ISD Family wearing all a western indian costume

Getting Out of My Melancholic Self

I am not a typical person who initiates friendship to a person. Well, maybe because I am a melancholic type of a person which means I am a perfect introvert. I am not saying that I do not like the company of friends or even strangers, but somehow there are moments in my life that I crave to be alone in order to recharge.

However, yesterday I tried to get out of my shell and somehow initiated a conversation to a seatmate during seminar. I got to know her name, her address, her age and other stuffs she likes. During lunch time, while I am wandering around the area at The Farm, Carpenter Hill, I saw her wandering alone. Knowing the fact that it is her first time in the place, I tried to tour her of the place since I am familiar. I volunteer to took a picture of her in different views of the place.

I only had a few conversation with her, but still I am happy that somehow, I took a chance to get myself out of box once in a while. I know that this is not my usual self, but I am happy because once in a while I am getting out of my melancholic self.

Here is the picture of the person I tried to have a little conversation with. And her name is Aileen.

OOTD

Someone told me yesterday that my dress is for an ootd. Despite of my enthusiast in social networks, I still do know what an ootd means. So, I searched it in the net and got to know its meaning which is "Outfit of the Day".

However, despite of my beautiful dress yesterday, I wasn't able to manage to get myself a picture with my dress. But since I am on a seminar today, I tried to wear a simple blouse and skirt. I know that this is not the best dress that I can wear, but I just feel getting myself a solo picture of myself and considered it as my first post under ootd. It is not really an attention seeker dress but atleast I feel beautiful wearing it. 

HIS FREEDOM VS MY FREEDOM

When your mourning turns into dancing, you will just be so much glad and happy about everything. It’s true that I wrote about my heart breaking into pieces a few days ago but it is also true that I am now claiming that my heart is complete again.

It is just so amazing how one person can break and shatter your heart in just a moment and how that same person can make your heart complete, without bruise and back to normal again. 

What happened between the two of us is completely misunderstanding. And when it happens, some people tried to fight while some just let go easily. I am glad that despite the pain, I tried to do my best to fight and hold on which he also did the same. I know that for some days, he tried to ignore me but he did it not because he doesn’t want me anymore, but because he loves me so much that he wanted me to feel the freedom that he thinks I must have. However, the freedom he is giving me where he is not part of it is not freedom for me at all, for life sucks without him in my life.

And now that he is taking that freedom away from me, my real freedom comes in. And that freedom means a life together with the person who loves me and the person whom I love, that freedom means a life with him.

And since I got my freedom, my mourning has really turns into dancing. I thank God because He has been the center of this relationship and of this freedom.

Holding on or Moving Forward

I am not sure what happened or how it happened. I just spilled it out. And with all honesty, I told you my feelings. I am sorry if it hurts you but I cannot hide the fact that I am scared if I cannot meet your expectations. I told you those things because I want you to understand me if there are times I fail you, and not scold me as if I’ve done a great evil in this life.

I did not tell it to you so that we cannot be together anymore, I told it to you because I want us to be better together. But it seems that you missed my point, because right now, you’re not talking to me anymore. Sometimes, I regret myself of telling it to you but I know that deep inside my heart, I need to tell it to you.

And now, I am pleading. I keep on begging you to answer me and talk to me and you also keep on ignoring me. Every time you ignored me, I feel that a bomb has been exploded right before my heart. And my heart is torn into pieces to the point that I am not sure how to mend it alone.

But I guess this is the point of time where I need to decide whether to hold on and to move forward. Since after everything I’ve done, I keep on failing to have you back. So, I guess this is the moment that I need to move forward on my own and at least save the remaining parts of my heart that is not yet broken. This way, I will be able to love you again if the destiny will allow us. But just remember that I choose this not because I want to but because you do not give me chance to choose the other way, which is to hold on to you anymore.  

Maybe you will never ever read this but I want to tell you that I tried my best so that we can be better together. I want to thank you for everything you’ve done, for giving me the best relationship that I could ever have. Thank you for loving me and for being the best man that I can have in this life.

Just always remember that when we were together, I am the happiest woman in this world.

Sunsets, Fire dances, Fireworks and a Wedding

I've been in a two day trip at Samal, Davao City last weekend. I was invited to attend the wedding of my high school friend and classmate, Greggy. I went there with my other classmates, Jeffrey, Meriel, Floribeth and Ronnel and his family.

Although the venue is far away, I still decided to go because as far as I know, they have a great love story. Greg and Joh are both Christians and I wanted to witness their journey to a new season, the season of marriage life. 

The wedding started exactly 4:00 in the afternoon, their motif is turqoise and peach. I decided to wear my turqoise colored dress. Greg and his parents walked in the aisle first, I remembered Greg told his parents that we are his classmates back in high school while we greeted him Congratulations as he walked in the aisle. I saw his excitement and joy as he walks towards ever after with her bride, Joh. When Joh is walking towards Greg, Greg cried. His cry is for me an unexplained joy, that everyone who witness can attest.

The ceremony started with a prayer and followed by exchanging of vows. I will describe their vow as God-centered vows. I am so amazed with it, that somehow deep inside my heart, I want the same vow with them when I get married. Like them, I want God to orchestrate my love story and let God be center of my relationship. 

As the wedding goes by, there is a beautiful sunset. I saw from the distance that Joh is smiling towards it and telling Greg of the beautiful sunset. Almost every one of us took a picture of it.

At the end of the wedding, when the Pastor declared them as husband and wife, everyone applauded. Pictures are then taken with the bride and groom.

After the wedding, we were directed to go near the beach for lighting the lanterns. Of course, since there are 200 lanterns to be lighted, I got one. Unfortunately, I fail to let my lantern fly. i guess, some kids got it and tried to fly it, but they failed to do so.

After the lantern, we are requested to stay put for a fire dance. Again, I am in awe because Greg and Joh made it sure that we will enjoy their wedding. We had our pictures taken together with the couple and the fire dance team. It is indeed the best picture I got for the night.

After fire dance, we went to the entrance of the function hall where cocktails are served, and photo booth is free for everyone. We also took picture of ourselves and tried to eat at the cocktail.

While waiting for the function hall to be ready, we went to our room and refreshed ourselves for the evening dinner. Then, we went back to the function hall and went to our seats and witness the program. The secondary sponsor had their dance intermission number and after a while, Greg and Joh entered the hall and had their first dance.

After that, we had our dinner. We also had our vodka drinks as they prepared each of us during the wine toast. I think I drank 4 shots of it and tried to enjoy the night.

After dinner and the program that night, we went out to witness the fireworks. It was great and it was a lovely evening as I witness how happy the couple is during the day. I am so much thankful to witness their wedding. 

I pray that the couple will continue to let God the center of their lives for blessings and more blessings will come to them. Cheers and Best Wishes to the newly wed! As I am writing this, they are now enjoying their honeymoon at Singapore. May God bless them with cute and adorable children. 

Bringing back my life

Today is my brother's birthday! I woke up early to post something for him in the Facebook. But beside it, I checked on my email and all of my other accounts, checking and hoping that he would get in touch of me. But I find nothing.

So there, I started my day with a hopeless romantic feelings. But then again, I prayed while listening to a song, "Still". And there, I begin to ask God for help again, to help me conquer this day despite of what is happening. I ask Him to be the source of my joy, my peace, my happiness, my love and my life. I ask Him to help me to be still and find calmness and quietness in His arms in this moment of time.

As I went to office this morning, I have said to myself that I will call my brother. And so, I called him this morning. I am happy to hear his happy and merry voice as I called. I greeted him with a very happy birthday. And at that very moment when I said that I love him, my heart skip a beat for a while and I realized that I still have a reason to live.

My family is still here. And I have to repeat it again and again with myself, they are still here with me and I can still live. I will stay, they will be one of the reasons why I need to bring back my life. I have to live and love them with all that I have. Because in the first place, I do not choose to be with them, but God chooses them to be my family. And so I have to treasure them with all I have and with all I can.

And so there, in  a short while, God answers me. He told me to bring it on in this lifetime for there are still more reasons to live. Praise be to God forever!

Barely breathing. Barely living.

I do not have a happy heart right now. Maybe I can manage a fake smile to the people around me, but I cannot deny myself the fact that my heart is definitely not happy. And I can only think of one factor why I cannot put a real smile on my face.

Getting up in the morning is so hard for me, I am no longer motivated to go to work. Maybe because I do not have any reason to live anymore. Since the day the person I love most doesn’t contact me and doesn’t seem to care for me, I feel like my entire world is also breaking. I do not care anymore with my work, with the people around me, with my other relationships; for all I wanted is just to die.

Yes, you’ve seen it right, I want to vanish in this earth. I am sorry if I post it here but I just want to be honest with my thoughts and with my feelings. As much as I want to do it, I cannot do it because I know that life must go on, with or without the person I love most.

And so, I cried to God for help, I shout for mercy and for grace so that I can live again. But He still doesn’t give me an answer. He is so quiet that even I search for Him in all the places that I know where He is, it seems He keeps Himself away from me. I know that He is a great God and He will be with me until the end of the days. But I want to hear from Him, I want to know what I should do.

Because what make me sad and lonely right now is not the fact that he doesn’t care for me anymore. But the fact that since the day he decided to not care for me, I do not longer live my life to its fullest, I am barely breathing and barely living and so it means that I am dying. And all I want is for God to help me to give back my life and find its meaning despite everything that happened.

WAITING

The moon goes dark tonight,

Stars are fading their light.

Dark clouds covering the skies.

Tear drops in my dry eyes.

Pillows, blankets and bed,

To sleep I do not mind,

Waiting and pleading,

Please come back tonight.

Lovely bones are breaking,

Lonely heart is crushing,

Lighting, thunders and rain,

Am I waiting in vain?

Alone in this cold night,

You are what I desire,

Tonight, I beg again,

Come back or I will die.