Confessions of a Colored Girl...Part 2

My Love Is Too...Music

I'm continuing my series Confessions of a Colored Girl based on the 1975 Choreopoem/Play by Ntozake Shange recently brought to the big screen by Tyler Perry. This theatrical piece explores the complexities of relationships, discovering self worth and courage to face life and it's many challenges. I must confess I enjoyed the live theater versions I've seen far more than the movie, but I give Tyler "props" and kudos for bringing this work to a wider audience. I was actually shocked to find out so many African American women had never even heard of the play, actually thinking this was a brand new work. So I'm glad more people had a chance to experience his version of things.

The music in my world...

My husband has an amazing testimony and he shares it in his Christian Rap music ministry. There is always uplifting, upbeat or atmosphere changing worship music going on in our home. We love all genres of music from Raggae to Rap, Jazz, R&B and Pop. You can find all of these genres in the Christian music industry. My son's are very musical too. (wonder where they got it from???) I'll tell you about them later. For now, I want to celebrate the man I love; the man with the Holy Spirit and music running through his veins.

The digital stamp image is from Michelle Perkett Studio. I think it's called Val and Vinnie Valentine. Aren't they the cutest? I colored them with Copic and drew the music notes myself. Now that took some doin'. LOL

Thanks for stopping by! See you next time...

Confessions of a Colored Girl...Part 1

My Love is Too......Sanctified

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf is one of my favorite plays. Well, actually it's a choreopoem; a totally new genre created by Ntozake Shange herself. I had the honor of performing in a production of "Colored Girls" in college at North Carolina Central University in 1991 as the Lady in Orange. Later in 1996 I produced a performance of Colored Girls with a good friend Shelby at the Afro American Cultural Center to a sold out house every night.

This piece is so powerful and raw and in your face; even though it was written more than 30 years ago young women (and men) can still relate to the women who are known in the play only by their names. Except for Crystal. Who can forget Crystal and Bo Willie Brown??

I was proud of Tyler Perry's effort to bring For Colored Girls into the new millenium and onto the big screen. Because Tyler is most widely known for his comedy I was afraid that he would turn my favorite play into some sort of comedic farce but he definitely did not. He selected an incredible cast of amazing women and I went to see it the day it came out.

So, having said all that; I have been thinking about creating a series called "My Love is Too..." (some of the most memorable lines from the choreopoem) where I explain in my own way what my love is "too" of. This is part one in that series. I'm just doing reflection and introspection. Yeah, a colored girl let's you inside her head and heart for a moment..

photography by Jasiatic

When I think about SANCTIFIED love I think about how I struggled to accept God's love for me. I spent so many years not recognizing how much God truly loves me and the fact that He wants to give me such great blessings and healing and peace, and joy. I thought I could create it on my own. And He I was created, before I ever had one disappointment or struggle or failure or experienced on hurt; God had already placed IN me the tools and gifts I needed to make it through each situation. When I took hold of this I was liberated and cleansed; SANCTIFIED.

Happy New Year Resolutions

Happy Saturday and thanks for stopping by...

I cannot believe 2010 is gone!!! Wow! That was FAST! So on to 2011; bigger and better and stronger and (hopefully) wiser and sweeter and all the other "ers" I could add. Hope your new year's eve was happy and blessed and hope your first 2011 kiss was sweet....

So here's my first card creation for 2011. She was a little freebie from the Greeting Farm blog and I think she is just perfect. She's festive, joyful and cute; all the things you want to be as a new year begins. I added the hourglass and balloons.I used my cricut to create the large scalloped circle and in the spirit of "using stash"; I pulled out some old numbers from one of my scrap drawers and added them for the count down. Crystal lacquer made the hourglass pop and look so real I could almost see the sand descending. You may not be able to tell from this picture but I added some Star Dust Stickles to her headband, beauty queen sash and her starry earrings. She is colored with Copic Sketch markers.

As I spent some time reflecting today; the last day of the Kwanzaa celebration; Imani (Faith), I began to think about all those things I left undone in 2010 and the things I need to do (some immediately) in 2011.

Sorry to say I may not be crafting as often as I would like because I have some projects that I have put on the back burner that really require my attention. However, I will create as often as time permits because crafting is my little piece of quiet "me time" that invigorates me and calms my mind from some of the hectic-ness that occurs from day to day. So in addition to getting some things done, here are a few of my other new year's resolutions.

1. Pray and read my Bible more
2. Spend more time with my side of the family. I spend a lot of time with my husband's family, but I really need to spend more time with my mom and dad's family.
3. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse for my upcoming "one-woman" show.
4. Lose 40 lbs before my 40th birthday(July13th). I'm a little nervous about turning 40. I almost feel like I am officially old when I hit 40. But I know and know "of" many beautiful, strong, creative and happy women who are 40 and beyond (Jada Pinkett Smith, J Lo, my friends Alicia and Candace, Halle Berry...I could go on) So I need to get over my fear and embrace this new chapter with grace, creativity, courage, wisdom and some POW. I am only old if I feel and act old.
5. Adjacent to losing 40lbs is getting off of these blood pressure pills. I hate taking medicine and I believe if I lose the weight I can come off of the little buggers.
6. I am going to get the African Ancestry test done, so I can find out what African country my family comes from. This is so important to me. Most people can trace their heritage back for many generations. This is quite difficult for most African Americans. I just believe that knowing more about my ancestors may unlock some doors and connect me to something so ancient and significant....I can't wait. I'm definitely going to blog about that.

I guess that's it for now....Whew...That's alot. LOL

Happy 2011!!!!

Thanks for stopping by....See you next time!