Summa-time Shenanigans Music Playlist

Well it is here...Officially.

 Summertime yay!

 Now,  Lord knows I would be lying if I said I was happy about all this heat and stuff

- because to be honest... unless I am at the beach, in a pool or in the air conditioning... I am not the most positive, happy person to be around-

bitch mode activate

However, I must admit that there is something about the summertime that always gives me a giddy feeling.

The warm sand under my feet, the palm trees blowing in the breeze, the family barbecues, the outdoor parties that go long into the night.  The beach bonfires, the surf sessions, the possibilities of a summer love.....

 (the booty shorts and bikini's amIright?)

Yes, there's something quite infectious about sommer here in California. It's resonance is palpable.... if resonance can be..uh...palpable.  

Whether you're chilling at the beach, river, pool or wherever you prefer (or imagine you are), there is nothing like some slick grooves to get you in the summer mood. 

Here's a little playlist of some of my favorite summer grooves.  I will most defiitely playing this playlist today at the beach! 

Hope you enjoy it!

OH yeah,

And PLEASE try to stay out of trouble ;P

get into ALL the summa-time shenanigans you possibly can!!!!! Do it!!!!!!!

Happy Saturday!

 Ttyl,

 Jeshua

Duets for a Year: Coffee House Sessions

So recently I have been trying to get back on my performing game.

After an injury and resulting surgery a while ago, I was forced to call it quits.
To be honest, insecurities and doubts really got to me during my rehab time and only recently have I really been back in the studio dancing and picking up my instruments and using my voice again.

And let me me tell you..

.ooh chil' it is rusty!!!! 

Nevertheless the answers to my prayers have come in the forms of my talented musical friends who are always pushing me to "Keep Pushing!" lol

you know who you are ;P

When my good friend Taylor Gordon asked me to accompany her in this performance, I couldn't be more excited!

This performance was an awesome opportunity to play my guitar in public (for the first time...oh LAWD I was so nervous but alas.. It went pretty well.

 Here is one of my favorite pieces that we performed that night, our version of  the Carrie Underwood song "So Small"

I am unfriendly

in my dressing room before a show...you got it...door closed and all alone!

Well....actually, I'm not! Or at least I don't think I am....
Buuuutttt, there are some people who would disagree.

I mean, even a couple of my friends have admitted to me that they thought I was really stuck up before they got to know me; and thought I was a total snob because I didn't talk to them in dance classes or I had a "don't mess with me" look on my face.

Well, as you can probably imagine, I was totally confused by this.

"WHAT?  ME???? AN UNFRIENDLY SNOB?"

I DEF don't feel like I'm in any position to think I'm above anyone...

except for people who say carmle instead of caramel...I'm totally better than you

 After some crying self observation, I think I've begun to discover/understand the root of the problem.

So, 1. I'm über shy and awkward!

Like seriously, I get anxiety having to go to the bank and talk to a teller (ATM ftw!)
I get nervous when I meet new people or when strangers try to make conversation. I get nervous when there is a group of people that are all friends and I only know like one or two people.

ughhhh, I can't believe I'm admitting this -_-

When at "Hollywood" or industry parties, you can usually find me posted in the food area instead of networking like a smart business man would.
 I'm like "Hi food, you can be my friend and we can hang out all night, we don't need anyone! Perf!"

Ok, now this one seems to be a REAL biggie......

2. I can get like, really, really intense and hyper-focused.

When I'm in dance classes, I get really in-the-zone.  Because I'm so freakin' shy I guess I just pour everything into my training and if I have a pissed face, it is only because I'm really hard on myself.  It's not directed toward anyone...for the most part lol.

Oh.. and before a show?...omg...don't even try to talk to me while I'm in the makeup chair.  I am taking that time to just zero in on everything, and between sets or shows I will usually curl up in the dressing room all by myself.

It's not that I'm trying to be rude or anything...I just need that time for my own sanity and to calm my nerves..and honesty...sometimes it's just easier to be alone.

I mean, I want to be social.... I want to be friendly...I guess, sometimes I just don't really know how.

It just sucks that people misconstrue my shyness for arrogance. :(

now I just feel whiney *rme* 

I think I definitely have to learn how to take the person I am at home,with my friends and family, who I am onstage and translate it into who I want to be in social situations.....

Just part of my life journey I suppose or maybe just some more ramblings of a Boi.




note to self: ok Jeshua, no more writing at 3 am....

DIY No Sew Mexi-fabric Pocket Tank

 Lately I have been all about the "Accent Pocket."  From the runways to the streets of the hood (outside my window -_-) everyone is hot on the AP trend. 

Here's an easy NO SEW tutorial to give your summer clothes new life and some extra kick.  

Step 1: 

I started with and old white cotton t-shirt that I had ombré dyed with Tulip's One-step tie dye.  You can see my ombré dying video here to learn how I achieved the look. 

Then, I cut the t-shirt into a tanktop.  

Step 2: 

Next measure out a 5"x5" square onto some card stock paper.. I would explain more but um... just look at the pic yo! lol

Trace the pattern onto the fabric with some fabric chalk then cut it out with about a 1" seam allowance.  

To give the pocket a little more weight, I cut a strip of fabric. About 2 1/2" in height and 7" in across.

Step 3: 

Use Aleene's peel & stick Fabric Fusion tape to seal the seams of your pocket by folding excess fabric in on itself.  

Create seams for the fabric strip and use the fabric fusion tape to adhere strip to the top-front of your pocket  

Back of finished pocket

Front of finished pocket

Step 4:

Trace pattern with chalk onto tank to get a general idea of where you want your pocket placed.

Add Fabric Fusion to back of your pocket.  Be sure to only add the tape to the sides and bottom of the pocket, otherwise the pocket will be sealed and...uh...won't be a pocket...

so yeah...

Now you're gonna place the pocket onto the tank.  The tape is like, SUPER permanent so you are gonna have one shot to get the pocket in the right place so..uuh..GOOD LUCK brah!

Press down firmly to make sure that your pocket is completely adhered to the tank.

Step 5:

Finally I added this Crafty Chica iron on applique to the pocket using a high heat iron, on the "wool" setting.  Then just follow instructions on the packaging.    

...BOOM...

That's it! Pocket finished!

I even made a few different pockets with different design patterns!

Enjoy making your own rad, no-sew pockets ya'll!

Smothered and Covered

So now that it's summer time, the nights are warm, inviting and just begging to be spent out on adventures. This cover happened after one such adventure

...at four in the morning...

when I was just getting home.

(sigh)

 Why I decided to sing at that unholy hour of the morning is beyond my comprehension...

alas...

My cover of John Legen'd Ordinary People :D