Costume Creations

Here are some of the costumes I created

 for our Troupe's out-of-this-world play.

Wat, Erm and Elon Aliens

(I designed these, but had a parent graciously offer to help sew them!)

Robots and their instruments

(I coached some moms on how to make the robot costumes

and I made the instruments -there was also a horn.)

The Knock-Knock Brothers

(This fabric played crazy tricks on my eyes!)

The Source and his Fishman Minion apprentice

( I really liked the chartreuse fabric & shiny scales)

The BURPS!!

(This were inspired by the Yip-Yip Aliens from Sesame Street. Esther is the one in pink.)

One day, we made our own boulder



One Day Weldon built me a boulder...





with PVC pipes, chicken wire, and fabric-paint mache.

Here is the finished product use in our Troupe play.

Chase the Moon with Me

When life lacks joy and vigor
And dreams beckon to be free
Like a child with wide-eyed wonder
Come chase the moon with me.

Celebrating fourteen years
along life's journey with my love, my friend, my Weldon!

Teenager in the House

My Beautiful Boy

is now a teenager!

Happy 13th Birthday, Jadan Alan!

I love you!

Double-Digit Girl!

Happy birthday to my Double-Digit Girl!

My, my...how time flies!

I love my Esther!

Retro Refashion

I bought this vintage shirt...

more for the fabric than the fit.

So, I decided to do some "minor" alterations.

I turned the sleeves into a long sash...

then stitched the sash into a ruffle.

The result? My "refashioned" retro ruffle shirt.

Completing a Good Work

A few years back, I came across a box full of vintage fabric, most of which had already been cut into various sizes of patchwork squares. I couldn't imagine someone spending all that time and effort to prepare the fabric for quilting and then, for whatever reason, not be able to see the project through. So I took it upon myself to finish the good work that had begun. A quilting connoisseur friend told me that most of the fabric is from the 1930s. All I know is that the are vibrant colors and patterns and I love them!

Because I knew this quilt was destined to be "old-timey", I decided to piece it by hand. I put the pieces into a bag and carried it with me on trips, recital practices,and swim lessons.

Piece stitched to piece stitched to piece...

 to the tune of 20 rows of 20 squares.

By the time the rows were done, I, too, was ready to be done, so I used my machine to attach the strips to each other. Before I could begin, I had the painstaking process of laying out the rows to make sure the patterns and colors were pleasantly aligned. I employed my parents in this step because they both love Sudoku puzzles, so they played Sudoku Squares!  As the rows came together and the quilt began to take shape, the length of the attached rows began to vary. I had not bothered to measure each square for uniformity before I pieced them and this kinda skewed things a bit, but I think it adds to its charm.

The blue and white checked backing fabric is a remnant I had left over from a jumper I had made for Jadan when he was a baby. There was just enough of it to use for the back and edges and I was thrilled to use it with this special piece.

A labor of love a long time coming.

Trinity Uniform Throw

My children have attended Trinity Episcopal School since preschool and the uniform shirts that they wear have become iconic of their childhood. A few years ago, Trinity changed the required colors and logo, so we had a stack of shirts that we were no longer able to wear. Yet again, I stashed them back for a rainy day project. Esther and I worked together on the design for this quilt. It was fun to watch the pattern emerge as we laid out our cut pieces. The knit was a HUGE challenge - not every corner precisely meets, but I allowed myself to believe that it is okay. It ended up being much larger and heavier than I expected. The measurements were perfect for me to use a flat twin size sheet for the backing fabric, which was extremely cost effective. I am currently in the process of quilting the layers together. Because the knit is so heavy and contrary for machine quilting (at least for me, at this point), I am hand-tying it at each square intersection. This is going to take a while... 

Rock Hard Cozy Quilt

I surprised my friend Julie with this throw made from her collection of Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts

that she and her husband have collected from all over the world.

She wanted to mount it on the wall as "art", but it is much too cozy to become a tapestry piece!

In addition to the 8 shirts, I "repurposed" the rockin' flannel guitar fabric from an never-worn pair of Weldon's pj pants. The backing is a super soft heather grey jersey knit.

The Tees of the Tiger

Here is the first of my summer creations:

It is a quilt made from my kiddos' old ETBU t-shirts and Weldon's old blue jeans. When my dad first started working for the university, my children were toddlers and we had them outfitted for every game and alumni event. As they outgrew the shirts, I couldn't bear to part with them, so I saved them back for this project. Working with denim and knit fabrics was a challenge, but I am very pleased with how it turned out. It has a thick cotton filler and is backed with navy blue flannel, so it is a substantial weight and very warm - great for picnics and ball games.

This weekend is the annual ETBU alumni retreat. My kids get so excited because we get to spend the night in my old dorm room in Linebery Hall! I shared that 3-person room with Brandi and Felicia during my sophmore year (which also happens to be the year that I met Weldon). I always enjoy reminiscing about the fun times and wonderful memories I have of my time spent on "the Hill". It is also highly entertaining to listen to the other generations of alums share their stories as well.

What Light Through Yonder Corner Breaks?

But, soft! What light through yonder corner breaks?

It is my sewing nook, and the summer is my bliss!

Now that my summer coursework is over, I can fully embrace the bliss that is summertime. Not that I don't love my school time routine, but summer is time for me to focus on the things that bring me immense joy that are almost always neglected due to daily responsibilities and commitments. Summer is a time for me to take a little time for myself. The sewing muse has beckoned and I have eagerly responded to her call.

I lovingly refer to my sewing space as "my nook". I have posted pictures to encourage others who don't think they have room for a creative space. I literaly have a corner (thanks to the distressed door screen) in my bedroom, but it inspires me. I find so much satisfaction in being industrious at home.

Fourth of July

Our "fireworks" display

This is one of Weldon's favorite desserts - it literally brings tears to his eyes when I make it. It is a "Poke Cake" that his great-grandma used to make. According to Weldon's dad, Mamaw started making this novelty in the 1950s which were somewhat of a hayday for Jello and Tupperware, as they created a mold for the jello. It is made by inverting an angel food cake into a Tupperware bowl or mold, poking small holes in the bottom (we used Esther's pinkie finger), then filling the holes with strawberry jello. We topped our with whipped cream and fresh berries.

A nostalgic sweet treat!

Rearview Mirror

Wahoo! What a ride!

I haven't blogged since last September. Time flies when you're having fun, I suppose. Thankfully I don't have to rely on my memory to catch myself up on nearly a year's worth of happenings. Last year I started a "Gratitude Journal". I have long been a journal keeper, but have had a hard time commiting to consistently keeping one. Sometimes the day in and day out happenings of life can become a little dull and uninspiring. The idea of daily finding things to be grateful for has helped me keep an attitude of gratitude as I meet each day and encourages me to look on the brighter side of what life brings my way. So, in order to keep my blog journal up-to-date, I perused my daily journal and collected a few tidbits of the major events that have transpired since my last post.

Hold on to your hats....

September 2009

*I started graduate school through Texas A & M. I enrolled in 2 classes this fall.

*I wrote two 4 page papers

*Had a poem published in the devotional book, Learning to Soar" by Avery Willis

*Co-wrote a play for our school Troupe: The Dr. Bill Show-Fairytale Friends: Happily Ever After?

October 2009

*Jadan turns 12!

*Weldon & I celebrate 13 years of marriage!!

*I wrote two 10 pages papers

*Participated in Homecoming at ETBU

*Halloween festivities (Jadan was Mario, Esther was a life-size doll)

*Weldon installed a tile floor in our kitchen!!

November 2009

*Directed 30 students in the Troupe production of "Dr. Bill" plus created set and helped with costuming, props and sound.

*Presented a Veterans' Day program with all of my K-8 students plus helped President Jadan write a speech to introduce our veteran speaker, Judge Jim Ammerman.

*Experienced my first school lockdown with 25 children huddled in my room while a crazy man with a gun was loose in our neighborhood.

*Worked with our art teacher to have my 4th graders create painting that were displayed at the ETBU Children's Concert - "JAZZ" was the theme.

*Jadan presented the country of Kenya during World Bazzar. He was able to dress in an authentic costume thanks to his Papa Tapp's trip last spring.

*I wrote one 5 page paper and took an poorly written, thus difficult to take, mid-term.

December 2009

*Presented our annual Trinity Christmas Program at ETBU to an almost full house in Baker Auditorium (nearly 1,500 people).

*I wrote two 13 page papers, took another difficult exam. Received an A and a B. Not bad.

*Enjoyed a visit from my Mom's two sisters, my Mimi and her husband, my cousin and her son, and friends the Websters from Mississippi, as they gathered for Mom's graduation celebration.

*Was pleased to be asked to say the invocational prayer at Mom's graduation from ETBU. She was very surprised!

*Hosted our annual Christmas caroling party. We had 26 folks at our house for neighborhood singing and holiday feasting!

*CHRISTMAS!!

January 2010

*Weldon & I went on a much needed and long overdue getaway weekend. We stayed at a B&B near Canton and had a grand time bargain hunting!

(My Treasure - new Fiesta colors)

*I started my second semester. I decided to only take one course this spring. My first paper was 11 pages.

*I spent most of the month of January feeling sick and puny. My throat hurt so bad I resorted to letting Weldon fix me a "hot toddy" with whiskey, lemon, & honey...which made me a little tipsy, but I slept REALLY well.

February 2010

*Weldon's birthday!

*Presented an all-school Grandparents' Day program full of shmaltzy songs.

*Planned to go with my folks and my kids to San Antonio to the Texas Music Educators conference, but had to cancel because of sickness and weather.

*Produced another 15 page paper.

*Enjoyed our SNOW DAYS!! We walked in our neighborhood wonderland, built a family of snow men, and enjoyed lots of hot chocolate!

(The four of us, with cat & dog)

March 2010

*I actually had left several days in March blank in my daily journal. This would indicate a disruption in my routine due to sickness, stress, busyness, or quite possibly, all of the above.

*Spring break was spent enjoying some R&R, visiting a daffodil garden, and we took a road trip to see Weldon's family in Houston.

*Co-wrote another play for the Troupe, "Sweetwater Swap", a wild-west version of the Prince and the Pauper.

*Wrote a record breaking 28 page paper...and made a 100 on it from a professor who said he doesn't give 100s!

April 2010

*Spent my days teaching my students how to sing and dance to the music of the 1950s! My favorite was teaching my 3rd and 4th graders how to partner dance! We had a ball!

*Painted props including: an 4 x 8 ft. long Chevy, an 4 x 8 ft. Strawberry Shake, a 6 x 4 ft. ice cream sundae, a "supersized" meal (burger, fries, and green glass coke bottle), an 8 x 6 ft. jukebox, and a 4x4 ft. diner sign (that lit up!!)




*Took pictures for Miller Photography at a Gone With the Wind private party in Jefferson. People from all over the country were there and most were in period costumes. We even got to meet one of the original cast members, Cammie King, who played "Bonnie Blue Butler" (she was also the voice of the doe Faline in Disney's Bambi)!

*Wrote another paper. This one was only 25 pages.

May 2010

*Esther's dance recital at the civic center. Weldon ran the sound/lights for the show. He was also the tech for two other recitals this spring.

*Produced and directed "Sweetwater Swap" with 40 Troupe players.

*Produced and directed Trinity's spring show "Fabulous Fifties!" for an audience of approximately 700 people!! This was my favorite show we've ever done!



*Jadan participated in Renaissance Fair as Galileo. He took Grandma & Papa Tapp with him on his end-of-the-year field trip to Medieval Times in Dallas.

*Jadan was also given a free ticket to see Star Wars in Concert at the Centurytel Arena in Shreveport. Having never been to an event of that scale, this experience, understandably, made a huge impression on him!

*I turned in my last 13 page assignment and made an A in my class. The next week, I started a May Mini Course and finished it with an A in only two short, intense, weeks. YAY!

*Esther got a new "DO" right before school let out. She's been begging to get it cut and we thought it was time for a more grown up cut, as she will be starting middle school this fall!!

June 2010

*Helped mom with yet another garage sale.

*Spent lots of time "reclaiming" my whirlwind ravaged home.

*Took a short overnight trip to the Metroplex to see my brother and take the kids to the Bass performance hall in downtown Ft. Worth to see "Little House on the Prairie: The Musical" featuring Melissa Gilbert, the TV series "Laura", who played as Ma. Another life-enhancing experience for my kiddos.

*While we were in Ft. Worth, Weldon made a quick trip to South Dakota for yet another Joe West reunion concert.

*Enrolled, like a glutton for punishment, in a Summer I class.

*Worked on long dormant sewing projects (I've got at least three quilts in the works!).

*Spent hours at the pool for swim lessons

*Esther enjoyed VBS and Jadan got his first taste of youth group at day camp.

*Celebrated another year of leading a very full and fulfilling life!