Making a Custom Order for a client in African Print.

 I got a request to make a corset top Ankara jumpsuit, To make this jumpsuit, 5 yards of Ankara (African Wax Print) will be required. You can get some fabric here. Here are the panel  pieces for the bodice. If fancy one like this, get in touch with me here

 I ironed on a lightweight interfacing to the front and back bodice pieces. For these type projects
Were I only have to line the upper bodice, I like to use the same fabric to line or a similar fabric it makes the piece interesting and fun. The frame below is the fabric I used to line the upper bodice pieces.

I sewed boning on the lining pieces both back and front to give more structure to the bodice

Below is the inside back of the upper bodice

How to Maintain Health After Menopause

 Menopause is a time to listen to the whispers of your soul" Elizabeth Lesser

Introduction: Menopause is a significant biological transition in a woman's life, marking the end of reproductive years. While this phase brings about hormonal changes and potential health challenges, it also presents an opportunity to prioritise self-care and overall well-being. With the right strategies, women can navigate menopause with grace and maintain optimal health in the years that follow. Here are seven key ways to support health after menopause.

1. Embrace Hormonal Changes: Menopause brings a decline in estrogen and progesterone levels, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Embrace these changes as a natural part of the aging process. Dr. Christiane Northrup, a leading authority on women's health, emphasizes, "Menopause is a time of rebirth, not decay."
2. Prioritise Bone Health: Declining estrogen levels can increase the risk of osteoporosis, a condition characterised by weakened bones. To support bone health, focus on calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods, along with vitamin D for absorption. Additionally, engage in weight-bearing exercises like walking, dancing, or weightlifting to strengthen bones.
3. Maintain Heart Health: After menopause, women become more susceptible to heart disease, making cardiovascular health a priority. Adopt heart-healthy habits such as regular exercise, a balanced diet low in saturated fats and sodium, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and avoiding smoking. Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a cardiologist, advises, "Think about heart disease prevention as early as possible."
4. Manage Weight and Metabolism: Metabolism tends to slow down after menopause, making weight management more challenging. Focus on maintaining a healthy weight through a combination of regular physical activity like brisk walking and mindful eating. Include plenty of fibre-rich foods, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables in your diet to support metabolism and prevent weight gain. Now that Spring is here enjoy walking
5. Address Menopausal Symptoms Naturally: Many women experience bothersome symptoms during menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Explore natural remedies and lifestyle changes to alleviate these symptoms. Herbal supplements like black cohosh and evening primrose oil, along with relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing, can provide relief. Dr. Christiane Northrup advises, "Trust your body's wisdom to navigate this transition."
6. Prioritise Mental and Emotional Well-Being: Menopause can have a significant impact on mental and emotional health, leading to mood swings, anxiety, and depression for some women. Prioritise self-care activities that promote emotional well-being, such as spending time with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, seeking support from friends or therapists, and practicing mindfulness.
7. Regular Health Screenings and Check-Ups: After menopause, women are at increased risk for certain health conditions, including osteoporosis, heart disease, and certain cancers. Attend regular health screenings and check-ups to monitor your health and detect any potential issues early on. Be proactive about discussing menopausal symptoms and concerns with your healthcare provider. As the proverb goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Conclusion: Menopause is a natural and inevitable phase of a woman's life, and with the right strategies, it can be embraced as a time of renewal and empowerment. By prioritizing bone health, heart health, weight management, addressing menopausal symptoms naturally, supporting mental and emotional well-being, and attending regular health screenings, women can navigate this transition with grace and maintain optimal health in the years that follow. As Dr. Christiane Northrup reminds us, "Menopause is not the beginning of the end. It's the beginning of the best years of your life."

The house help stole my Cake! A comedy of Errors.

 The  house help stole my Cake! A comedy of Errors.

I was looking through my pics to create a reel for my birthday and I saw the picture below and I bursted out laughing to my self.

We were all enamoured at this technical piece of a sewing machine my sister made for my 50th. After the party, I decided to keep the top layer and the machine until the next weekend, we carefully wrapped it and put on the bottom shelf of the fridge.

Alas the day came and I went to bring out the rest of the cake and it had vanished. In shock I started looking up down and all around saying "aha didn't I keep this cake here"!

I called the maiguard ( Hausa pidgin for a person employed to guard the house) the maiguard was another personality I cannot explain(he said he had no wife and was a Christian yet different female personalities were sneaking out in the morning time)as for the driver (what we term chauffeur in saner climes) he was in a kingdom of his own! All three of them were a circus or should I say a comedy of errors! My driver's aura or should I say 'ayika or surrounding' was so pungent that we could not use the AC in the vehicle, I bought him soap and Sure deodorant. I remember my precocious sons(one of them was always correcting his English teacher while the older one was correcting the maths teacher Oyinbo children) and I debating whether he needed Colgate or Sure! He told me later that he only (fin Sa so ) sprayed on his clothes when going out with his (madamu) wife on Sunday!

Back to the cake, I called all three members of the circus, immediately the so called Christian maiguard told me that the house help stole the cake! He said when he asked her she said, I said she should take it!

To be honest I decided to leave them alone as my son used to say to me, "Mummy calm down, there's too many of them and too few of us"

I did not tell the lady to leave as the next one may be (worst) Naija speak for very very bad. After all the one I had before who was stealing video game ran away because I threatened to registered him in a school! I really wanted to help him as on one occasion I sent him to Goodies supermarket with a list, lamb chops, mincemeat etc, I told him to give an attendant the list, after 4 awas (hours) he returned with nothing! Looking back I think they go to a training school for lies, petty theft and the art of confusing your employer! Such are the clowns that many a hard working Nigerian family employ and provide a kind of social security for.

These clowns taught me the true meaning of the word 'frustration'.

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