Textures and Treasures

Tryin da collage!! FUNKY UPDO!!

2008-05-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

Roll, twist and tie!!

2008-05-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

2008-05-25T09:44:00.000-07:00

HAIR SHOTS!!

Another style I came up with by rolling, tucking and tying! I took some locs from slightly past the middle of the top of my head brought them foward and rolled slightly back to get the 'rooster' top. I then took the locks in the front and covered the rolled locs, securing them by taking locs from either side and doing a half plait and secured by taking another section of locs from either side and tying! Quick and easy!! Check out the funky updo I did while in Vegas...

My honey likes my locs curled, I just don't know how many times I am going to be able to do that this summer!! My hair is longer this summer than it was last summer and having the curls means that for the most part my locs will be loose...its HOT as chicken grease here in AZ!!! I guess I'll have to come up with curly updos that don't look like I'm going to a wedding everyday!! Any suggestion?!

2008-05-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

This is an updo I came up with while in Vegas. I am finding that is it easy to just either do a flat twist or plait and tie locs to secure my hair and come up with some funky styles!

2008-05-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

LAS VEGAS!!

I've been to Las Veags several times, however this trip was the first time I drove it! My cousin came out to visit as part of her month long birthday celebration and she'd never been to LV. So we packed up the car and set out with the help of Map Quest (and my honey's verification of instructions!!)

Finally found a hat to fit my head n' locs!!

2008-02-15T17:39:00.000-08:00

Just a coupla pics of a hat I was able to find today that actually fits my head with my locs!!! I pick them up at Lids, my mom told me about a couple of hats she found there that fit her and her locs when she was in Florida. My dad is out visiting and he wore one and I fell in love!!!

2008-02-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

Today the weather is beautiful here in AZ (78 degrees), and it's February! That is one the GOOD things about living in the southwest this time of year!! Going to movies with my S.O., I really want to wash and curl, but that will have to wait until this evening, so I decided on this quick and EZ style!

2008-02-09T16:28:00.000-08:00

Here is where I combine three thin locs together over a year or two ago...I will show pics of this one once I decide which one to sacrifice, but then I will combine the two left and let them grow! I do plan on cutting them all to one length after a year or more, once I get more overall length! The point to which I cut them is where they have locked onto one secure loc. I'm patient enough...unless someone is all in my head, you really can't tell the difference and that difference doesn't really bother me at all!

2008-02-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

The same loc as above after cutting one head off...

2008-02-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

Here's another...

2008-02-09T16:21:00.000-08:00

This is loc after cutting one loc end, you may be able to see the difference in the thickness between where they have grown together and the end, where I cut one end. Can't really tell the difference once this one loc is intermingled with the rest.

2008-02-09T16:15:00.001-08:00

This is an upclose of 2 locs that I combined over a year ago. I am not sure if you can see the thread holding them together.

2008-02-09T16:04:00.000-08:00

NEW PICS AS PROMISED!!

2008-02-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

Hello All!! I have been very busy over the last six months. I have completed my BSN (bachelors of science degree in nursing)!!! I plan on taking update picutres this weekend...I tried to take a couple for you tonight, but realized that I did not remove the batteries from my camera the last time I used it, therefore I am out of juice!!!

As some of you know I combined my locz (originally started with Sisterlocks) a couple of years ago and there are some who want to now what type of thread I used to do this. I used simple sewing thread (black). I doubled it for strength. I am now finding lose threads in my locks and I simply cut off the ends(of thread) and keep going! I have trim off the shorter of the two of three locs combined-which some ended up being two/three headed dragons. This worked out fine as well. I have had no issues with the combining of my locs, nor the cutting of the shorter loc.

I am STILL in love with my hair!! I have colored it several times since starting my journey and after literally PULLING myself away from Blaqkofi's blog I know want to highlight it as a birthday/graduation gift for myself. I am going to start researching a for a professional colorist here in Phoenix, AZ for someone who has experience with coloring locs.

Believe it or not there are black folk in the desert!!

I have been curling my locs with black sponge rollers, I found that using a setting lotion (which is usually the small bottles of leave-in conditioner and setting lotion that my daughters don't use when we do touch-ups with thier relaxers--1 teenager and 20 year-old, who say "you look good in locs mommy, but they aren't for me") after I rinse or wash, holds the curls for weeks!! I usually pull the rollers out in a downward motion which gives my curls a 'shirley temple' -type curl that I just let fall over time. I will re-curl the stubborn ones at night, other than that I sleep in a bonnet...not sure how long I will be able to fit that thing on my head though!!

I also do braid-outs, which last forever when I use the Gentle Treatment leave-in conditioner and setting lotion...BTW I don't experience any dryness or flaking with the GT setting lotion. For daily use, well actually every other or every three days I use JML No-itch spray or African Pride's Braid Sheen Spray(regular). I'll use JML Cactus Leave-in Moisturizer or African Pride's Gro Fast Moisturizer once or twice a week...both smell great and leaves my locs soft, full, and bouncy. Once a week I spray "at" my scalp with the Olive Oil spray sheen and wash every 2-3 weeks with Pantene's shampoo and condition once a month with Pantene's conditioner (Relaxed and Natural). Now that I see it in print it kind of sounds like alot, but when I'm getting ready for work in the mornings it doesn't take long at all! Blaqkofi, that portable hair drying bonnet is the BOMB!!! Use can use it and actually hear TV!! I love mine...it fits over my big head, rollers and all!! I initially bought the Carel with the bonnet, but the connection between the hose and bonnet started coming apart after about 6 months, so I went back and got the one you show on your blog...actually love them both...actually fell asleep with the Carel once..but the locs were nice and curly!!!

ENUFF talk... PICS COMING SOON!!

2007-07-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

This pic kinda gives you a little better look at my locz...I gotta take some close-ups of texture.

I combined some of my locz a little over a year ago, now they are double and triple headed dragons, so I have started to trim some locz under the long ones to see how they will hold up to a cut. I'll have to get some pics up to show you all...so far they have been doing well!

2007-07-05T21:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of my best friend(and daughter) and inspiration for locking!! MY MOM!! She has sisterlocks and has had them now for approxomately seven years. Hers are so soft and long!! She is the one who keeps me encouraged when I THINK I want to get rid of mine because of a bad hair day!! Love ya mama!!

2007-07-05T21:03:00.000-07:00

Another pic from my 'back home visit', you can see a little better how much my locs have grown over the last year! No this is not my SO, this is my favorite cousin!

2007-07-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

This pic was taken this spring in Sedona Arizona, my SO and I took a weekend trip, words cannot explain the beauty in Sedona with all of its red rocks! Not a good pic to view the progress of my locks...sorry!

It's been a while!

2007-07-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share a photo me and my girls took when we visited my oldest daughter this summer.

I have to do better!

2006-03-04T15:19:00.000-08:00

It has taken a while for me to get this update!! I have been taking pictures though! I will continue to do so, so even if I don't update as often as I should or would like, I'll come back atcha with some new pics!!

42 and still looking good!

2006-03-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

Please don't take this as being conceited, I'm just learning to love me!! I no longer wait for others to tell me that they love me, I tell me every day!! I turned 42 on the 4th of February. My family suprised me by visiting me here in Phoenix, AZ, from Gary, Indiana. My daughters planned the whole thing!! It was the best birthday in years!!
Hey, for those who watch TLC, have you ever wondered why they rarely have African Americans on '10 Years Younger'? Like my aunt always says....Black don't crack!!

Lovin' my Locz!!

2006-03-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

The lock are coming along well!!

2006-03-04T15:02:00.000-08:00

Top view

2006-03-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, I love this pic!! It shows how thick my babies look after a couple of after a wash...Lovin' it!!

Close up of side

2006-03-04T14:59:00.000-08:00

2006-03-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

Here are more views of the loose curl from my soft spikes. I will wait for longer length and do the shirley temple curls

2006-03-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

This is the top view of curls via soft spikes. I prefer loose curls, that give body over tight curls. With the curls being loose, they only lasted one day, which was fine with me...I like free-stylin'!

It's a wrap!

2006-03-04T14:52:00.000-08:00

You know how you try something new when you're not going anywhere, then when you are planning to go somewhere, you try that new somethin' again and it doesn't work??!! That's what happened here, I'm glad I thought enough to take a picture!!

UPDATE!

2006-03-04T14:47:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update with these pics. It has been about 3 or 4 months now since I decided to double twist my sisterlocks. They are coming along pretty well. I'm still having fuzzies and what not, but it is all good. There are some areas on my head that are taking longer than others to lock, i.e. the twists come untwisted!! But there are areas that are staying put just fine. I'm still enjoying the process and taking pics!

My Granddaughter

2006-01-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

I had to post a picture of my grandaughter and all of her natural glory!! According to my daughter, she loves to run around with her hair loose!!

2006-01-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

Just an update...approx two weeks into my 'redefining'. I am satisfied with the results! I want to take the time to say this...there have been some that have not been satisfied with how thier SL's progressed after making such a huge investment. Like I've stated before, SL's were my way to loc'd hair and I proudly tell people that I started with SL's and recommend them to anyone who asks! I want those who start out with SL's to know that this is just one alternative to cutting your investment (in both time and money)!! BTW, I am not a professional hair ANYTHING! This is just my journey....and I, like my locz are continuing to evolve and I'm lovin' it!!

The Results!

2006-01-07T12:01:00.000-08:00

This is the results of my combining of my Sisterlocks. I honestly like the look and thickness. I did palm roll after washing. I didn't roll too tight and didn't keep the clips in long. I wanted the look of 2-3 day old twists on the first day! I like the fullness. So for now we will see how this goes!

Redefining my locz

2006-01-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

I decided to combine the remainder of my locks by two strand twist (some 3 and 4!). I secured them with black thread through entire length of combined lock.

Reconsidering...

2006-01-07T11:45:00.000-08:00

I was having a difficult time with how thin my locks were (IMO). I had already had some combine because they were the size of cotton crochet yarn. So here you can see in comparison the pencil the size of some of my thinnest locks. I know with SL's this is probably nothing to fret about. For me I know I wanted locks! Sisterlocks TM opened the door for me, as did braidlocks, twists, and coils were the way for others. I also wanted thicker locks...without all the 'two-headed dragons'.

Changes within a year

2006-01-07T11:08:00.000-08:00

These pictures represent the different changes my hair went through over the first year or so of Sisterlocking, from bottom to top. I often thought that the locks were on the thin side, but was told that they would expand over time.....
I knida like the way they were looking here, still on the thin side to me.... It took some courage to go to work sometimes, we are worst critics! When I thought they looked really bad I would wrap with a scarf or wear a head band (above/below) which I made, inspired from one I bought during the Essence Music Festival.....

The early months, relaxer still on ends, which as they continued to grow cause problems with bunching, resulting in 17 mos locs with fat ends! People have said that the fat ends adds character, I don't know....I'll let you decide as I post more recent pics.

2006-01-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

2006-01-06T11:00:00.000-08:00

This is the rest of the people that mean so much to me! From left upper corner on around, keep up if you can!! My mom and dad, my brother and his wife, my uncle and aunt (mom's sister), me and my girls, my grandaughter and my nephew (brother's son), my grandaughter on her first recital day (Yeah, Southwest had better gotten me there!) , my nephew, my parents and brother and sis-in law again. Aint family GREAT!! My daughter and granddaughter, although not here with me, are being cared for by the..., well, next to the best! My brother watches out for her! She lives around the corner from my parents...so she is in good hands and truly blessed!!

2006-01-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

These are my daughters (pic's aprox 1 year old). From left to right: Victoria, 20, mother of one, Dental Assistant, sophmore in college pursuing her Dental Hygenist degree. Tiffani, 14, freshman in high school, trying to get out!!No seriously, she is on the Step Team and I am so proud of her! Joia, 18, sophmore in college pursuing a degree in Court Reporting. Tiff and Joia still live with me here in Phoenix, AZ. Victoria returned to Gary, IN to continue her education at Indiana University Northwest, while having the help of her daughters father in raising her. You gotta let go sometime :( Girl, but aint nobody gonna do you like your mama!! Okay moving on!

2006-01-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

I was told my hair was not long enough to hold a pattern, so I was scheduled to return in 4 weeks. The second visit my consultant (who is the BOMB) started to hook me up and as soon as she would finish with one row and start on the next, the previous row was unraveling!! She tried several times before giving up and giving me another appointment!! I later learned that I had been the first in her 7 years of Sisterlocking TM, whose hair had given her the flux like mine did!! In my frustration I left her house and promptly went to the beauty supply, returned home with my purchase and RELAXED my hair!!! I was like, forget this, I can't keep going around looking like who shot John! By this time my hair had grown out of the cute little TWA and was just there!! I, like many other locers, did not take the opportunity to explore, experience, and enjoy my hair in its naturual state outside of the confines of a TWA. I have to tell you though that as I was rinsing the relaxer out of my hair, I immediately regretted putting it in!! My hair, which is pretty thick, felt thin and lifeless! Needless to say after three months I return to my consultant and becuase of the length, she was able to put in my Sisterlocks TM. I was elated!! The above collage (Picasa got it going on!) shows my hair a day or two after getting my SL's. I had braided and rolled on perm rods to get this effect. But get this!! I had a pack of Soft Spikes in my bathroom drawer that my mom had sent me...I JUST started using them, almost 1 1/2 years later!! BTW my locversay is August 17, 2004.

2006-01-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

I first want to thank Brunsli for her help in me finally getting this up and running! She was so helpful in the simplest way...so Thanks Brunsli!! I want to start this out by letting you know a little about me and my family, so I can then get down with the get down and talk HAIR!!

The above picture is the 'beginning' of my loc journey. You see I actually started this journey in February of 2004. My mom, who has been my inspiration through muchof this journey started her Sisterlocks TM approximately 7 years ago, well, she'd had them for 5 years when I thought about joining her. Her locks were and still are gorgeous and quite frankly, I just had to "have them". So in Feb of 2004 I cut off all of my shoulder length relaxed hair, I did it on my birthday! Now this isn't as dramatic as it may sound, I have cut my hair to the quick before and thinking back on it now, if I would have known what I know now I would be rockin' some waist length ropes about now!! But I didn't, so here I am, or was. I allowed my hair to grow out for approximately 2 months before going for my consultation for Sisterlocks TM. Here's the condensed version, I went 3 separate times over the following three months to no avail! My hair just wasn't having it! The first time I went the consultant did her thing and assessed my hair...oh I said I would introduce the family then get down to the hair!! But I know yall aint mad at me so I wll continue:)!

2006-01-06T10:08:00.000-08:00

The Beginnings

2006-01-06T10:00:00.000-08:00