Winter Protective Styling

With the rain and cold air moving in announcing the approach of winter, I had to find a way to protect my curls. Then I came across yarn braids on You Tube and I thought "Why not?"

Here is what you need.

Yarn, lighter, rat-tail comb, scissors

Make sure you use 100% acrylic yarn  because wool yarn will lock your hair.

Cut the yarn to your desired length, For my shoulder length yarn braids, I wrapped the yarn around my ironing board and cut one end to form the braids. 

Before braiding I moisturized my freshly washed hair and the yarn using water and sealed with coconut oil and castor oil. I made parts in my hair using the rat-tail comb and braided with 3 strands of yarn. 

Another option is braiding with 2 strands of yarn which makes smaller braids.

Almost done!!! YEAH!!

Knot the ends of each braid and use the lighter to burn the ends. And here is the final product. 

Yarn braids without ends burnt

Yarn braids with burnt ends and half held back

I like the yarn braids because they are so light and look like dreadlocks. I think I will keep them in for 6 weeks.

Artsy Decor

Posts Coming Soon!

Hair Inspirations

Here is a collection of inspirational videos, articles, blog links that I found helpful or funny. The list will be updated periodically.

1. Thinking of growing natural hair?

Hair Transition Stories

Natural Hair Links

Natural Hair Journey of Longhairdontcare2011

TWA Hairstyles

I am loving the versatility of my natural hair. Check out this post periodically for styles that I am rocking.

1. Flat twists and twist out                                                                          


a)

Finger Coils Revisited

I didn't like the way the finger coils turned out the first time I did them. So this time around I took my time doing the finger coils, using Kinky Curly Curling Custard (KCCC). I sealed in moisture using a shea butter and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) mix before rewetting hair and applying KCCC. So far finger coils have lasted and this is day 3, with 1 work out session. 

** Holiday Diaper Cake Giveaway **

 *** CLOSED***


With the holidays just around the corner, we become engulfed in gift shopping, holiday cards, cooking, and best of all eating. But a few of us will also receive a special gift during this time--- a healthy, beautiful baby!! 

Source

To get a chance to win a diaper cake, comment below or send an email to bysparklearts@gmail.com on what ways your new addition has or will change your life. 

Jamila Henna /Finger Coils

For my 2nd henna treatment I used Jamila BAQ 2009. It was on sale on www.hennaforhair.com and I am one of those ladies that cannot pass up on a good deal...but I digress. So I used the same henna recipe (leaving out the lemon juice - see henna post) and added honey instead...thank you Curly Nikki http://www.curlynikki.com/2008/12/henna-pictorial.html. It worked out well.

I love the Jamila henna. It washed off easily and left no henna residue in my hair. I also like the color of my hair although this may be due to the fact it's my 2nd henna treatment. I must say since using henna my hair is breaking less, is so soft and has a wonderful shine to it.

Henna

My first henna experience was both great and not so great. The mixing application process was easy (without any spills....yeahhhh!!) but the removal was torturous. I think I spent a total of 3 hours in the shower trying to wash it off and get rid of the henna plant pieces stuck in my hair.

Henna for African Hair

1st henna application

 Henna Recipe
100g Henna for African Hair
Lemon Juice
2 Green Tea Tea Bags

Despite looking like a withered raisin, I like the way my hair turned out. There is extra shine and a faint auburn tint in the sunlight. I love it. I must say though that my scalp is itchy in some spots. I think it's the lemon juice. I'll leave it out next time.

My Crown

You may argue that hair has nothing to do with arts and crafts but I believe maintaining curly hair is an art and craft in and of itself. Once I took down my lovely mini-twist braids 1 month ago, I decided to grow out my natural kinky hair.

Mini-twist braids

As I embark on this journey, the memories of breaking combs, hot hair dryers, a burning scalp, tight hairdos, and dreaded salon visits weigh heavy on my mind. But it must be possible to grow kinky curly hair since many ladies on sites like CurlyNikki and NaturallyCurly show off their curls and share their journeys with fellow curlies.

Grandma Cardigan

Started 5/31/11; Work in progress

You can't imagine my horror when I showed my friend the picture of this cardigan and he was quick to say it was grandma-ish!! I was quite insulted to say the least.

Anyway I still love the color and pattern (designed by Kimberly McAlindin) and I hope to find a way to bring it to the 21st century...(hheeee...heee).

6/5/11 - I am right about to frog this project and use the yarn for something else. The instructions are so difficult to follow. Maybe I am being too adventurous crocheting an intermediate pattern with my beginner skills.

6/9/11 - I am glad I didn't give up. I asked for help on one of the crochet forums on Ravelry and now everything makes sense. I am well on my way to completing this project.

6/24/11 Finished the back and front, now working on the sleeves. This is coming along a lot slower than I would like it but I haven't worked on it in over a week. That's because I attended an intense gym class and was too exhausted and sore to do anything afterwards. You would think I should have known better from the name of the class - body attack!!!! 

Back and Front flaps

Sleeve

Pattern up close

JJ Bolero

Started 5/27/11; Completed 6/21/11.

My sister loves my black bolero and tried unsuccessfully to take it from me. Don't take her side!!!! I was lucky enough to get away with some clothes. Besides she took all my summer sandals so I am left with the odd colored and rugged ones :( ...sigh!!

Anyway I found a great bolero knitting pattern (designed by Kelly Maher) and decided to knit one for her in her favorite color - purple.

6/4/11 - This is an easy knit and definitely a great project for a beginner knitter to advance their skills a little more if they want to. I love the lace pattern and the fact that minimal seaming is needed. Here is a great video on how to seam using the mattress stitch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvAS-HCWk9I

6/12/11 - C'est fini!!! I think it turned out pretty well. The pictures below show the bolero before blocking.

Baby boy Diaper Cake

Usually I like to have time to come up with my creations but this weekend I only had a few hours to make this diaper cake and cook the assigned dish for a baby shower. Let's just say it was a hectic Saturday morning running around trying to come up with a theme for the cake but I made it. Phew!!!

Contact me for your own custom-made diaper cake.

Once I figured out what colors I wanted in the cake, it was a breeze finding what to put in it despite the limit in colors available for baby boys.

The top tier had rose sock cupcakes that were laced with mitten frosting on the side. 

The cake topper held messages for the lovely couple.

The cake center was decorated with blueberry burp cloths and chocolate ribbon lacing for an additional tantalizing effect.

The bottom tier was made from buttercream diapers, chocolate ribbon lacing, and teething ring frosting.

It was a delicious cake....YUMMY!!!! ;-) 

Get your own socks!!!

Started 4/19/11, Completed 4/30/11

Below is a picture of my once beautiful crochet socks.

To prevent further damage to my socks, I just had to knit a pair for my boyfriend so that he could stop destroying my socks.

Now his feet can stay warm and cozy and I can have some warm socks for myself :) I better knit more!!

Culture, History, Beauty

It is ironic how I did not appreciate what my country had to offer in terms of culture, history, and beauty. Now that I have lived abroad for so many years, my eyes and heart have been opened to what my country has to offer. Last week my family and I traveled to Mombasa which is in the eastern coast of the country. On the trip, I took pictures of the changing landscape, the hardworking farmers selling their produce, some wildlife, and of course the beautiful beaches.

 

 

 

I wish I could wake up to this every day.

Once again I was inspired by what I saw around me. The patterns on the native fabrics and the crafts sold at the Maasai Market are amazing!! It's not like this is my first trip home, but for some reason this trip is different.

I only have a few more days to enjoy the sunshine before going back to the rain and cold in the USA. Sigh!!!

Coming home

Having battled cold, hail and rain at the Cherry Blossoms festival this year, the warmth and heat of Nairobi city is a welcoming relief. Like every visit, I am hit by the overwhelming development of the city I once was so familiar with. Construction of apartment building dots every neighborhood and the congestion of cars edging to and from downtown is a sign of an every growing city.

This morning, I had a hearty breakfast of Farmer's Choice sausages. I savored every bite and was disappointed when they were all gone. But that was quickly replaced with the satisfaction of eating chapati (like naan) and ndegu (split peas), nduma (a type of yam), and fruit salad with mango, banana, passion fruit, pineapple, and pawpaw. YUMMY!!!!

 

What is great is the inspiration that is everywhere - from the beautiful flowers and trees, to the fabrics, metalwork, woodwork and beadwork made by local artisans. The colors, textures, lines all blend in wonderfully to create a picture words cannot explain. The picture below is one of the several African set ups my mom has around the house. This one is of 3 gourds and a sisal basket holding dried flowers. I love the patterns on the gourds and the texture in the basket.

I took some pictures of various flowers and trees. The beautiful nature in this country is wonderful. God is such an amazing creator.

 

 

 

From all this I am getting so many ideas for various projects I could work on. Its like my mind is being opened to see things as I would never see them before. It's both exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time.

My layaway on this trip was in Istanbul, Turkey. I am disappointed in myself for not taking more pictures but I will do so on my way back to USA. I was so impressed with the decor of some of the restaurants in the airport. If the airport is just a taste of the country and culture then Turkey is definitely a place to visit. I thought it was ironic though to have the English telephone booth.