He.e.e.e.l.l.l.l.o.o.o.! Is Any one out there?

Sometimes a bloger's life is lonely. Am I writing and spinning my words into cyberspace for just myself to read? Is there anyone interested in reading what I spit out?

A blogger can be considered the ultimate self-centered creature. That's what I thought when I first heard about blogging. Why would anyone want to read what I write? But then my daughter got me started on it, urged on by her BFF, who is an excellent blogger. For me, it is a way to hone my writing skills (I teach writing at a community college.) Sometimes, I catch myself making the same grammatical mistakes I just cautioned my students not to make, like writing run-on sentences, etc. etc. etc.

I've read some very interesting blogs, written by people with a special love for special topics. My blog focuses mostly on sewing, quilting and costuming.

But, is anyone out there? I never know, because only a few people comment on my blog. Come on folks, you don't have to be a registered blogger to comment!

I found out that my cousin who lives in San Francisco reads my blog. It is her way of keeping up with this branch of the family! And the other night, while waiting for "Doubt" to begin, one of the actors said, "I read a blog today written by someone who must have seen the first night of Doubt, she liked the show and gave me a good review." I told her, "I have a blogspot". Then we found out that she found my blog through Google, and had read my review of the opening of her show (read "Another Opening, Another Show" where she read the review.)

So I guess there really are people out there who read my blog. Since it is my photojournal of things I work on for different shows, it is a way for me to send lots of friends pictures, since they live far away and can't get here to see the shows.

But make a comment once in a while, OK? Do it as an annonymous person, I don't care! Just let me know you are out there!

The Cowgirl, Elf and the Curmudgeon

There is no rest for the wicked. I guess that puts me in the "wicked" category!

This weekend has been an ongoing costuming session, fulfilling commitments I made to folks I love to make special things for them for Christmas occasions.

A precious little girl needed a "western theme" costume for her school's Christmas program, a cute little broomstick skirt and matching vest would be just the thing. It will also be one of her costumes for "A Christmas Carol"....

A dear wonderful BFF of my daughter's, great blogger, scrapbooker, DIYer, and wonderful philanthropist, is playing "Santa's Elf" to deliver Christmas baskets that she and her co-workers are collecting for needy families...Of course, she needs to be well dressed to play her role in spreading Christmas joy....

And the curmudgeon, a.k.a. Ebeneezer Scrooge, needs to show his grumpy face for a photo shoot for publicity shots for "A Christmas Carol"..oh, I almost forgot, so does his little benefactor, Tiny Tim!

BUT, HERE'S THE CATCH...this was the weekend they ALL needed their costumes! So, that has been what I've been doing for the past two days.

Got the little cowgirl all fixed up on Friday. Got the elf started and basted and tried on during the day yesterday,because she doesn't really need it until next week. Then I created Tiny Tim's outfit and Scrooge's duds by picking through stuff I own, going to the thrift store for a grungy shirt for TT, and making an overcoat/cape for Scrooge. I have a wonderful Scrooge hat I found at the antique mall, a gently used "made in Paris" top hat, very vintage. I thought of a way that they could take the publicity shots using no people, just hats, canes and crutches, then I wouldn't have to dress anyone! Too bad I don't have all four elements, or I'd do it myself! Similar to the photo in this blog!

So today, no sewing, except for a snap or button on the overcoat. On the agenda today is "Doubt", which closes today, we do strike, then on to Christmas Carol rehearsal and photo shoot.

When Monday morning rolls around, I guess I will have earned my day off in the office grading papers, because this weekend was anything but a restful couple of days off!

P.S., If the photo shoot were tomorrow, I would have Scrooge's rental costumes, they will be ready tomorrow. Then I wouldn't have had to fool with him at all! Ah, deadlines, they mess up everyone's life!

Pictures from "On Borrowed Time"

Mr. Brink, (aka "death"),is a dapper fellow who gently tells the characters, "It's time to come with me now"..where the woodbine twineth...Gramps resists and tricks Mr. Brink to climb an old apple tree to get him an apple before he goes with Mr. Brink. Gramps had made a wish that anyone climbing the apple tree had to stay there until he said they could come down. The wish really comes true, and Mr. Brink (and death) is stuck in the apple tree!

All of this trickery is designed to keep Gramps here on earth a little longer to be with his beloved grandson Pud, whose parents were killed in an auto accident. Aunt Demetria has designs on Pud, more on the money his family willed him, rather than on her desire to show love and care for the boy.

Gramps is declared insane by reason of his claim to have death caught up in the tree. Dr. Evans, the Sheriff, Mr. Philbeam and Marci try to convince him to relent, and let Mr. Brink down, which finally happens when Brink tricks Pud to climb the tree, and as a result, the boy dies. Gramps decides to go with Mr. Brink also, to that wonderful place into eternity, to meet his dear wife Miss Nellie, who still chastizes him in eternity for swearing!

An endearing story, and played very well by the Hawthorne Players! Thought the subject is somber, it is treated in a light-hearted way, and as a result, no sniffles at the end, only happiness that Gramps and Granny and their dear PUD are together once again!

Mr. Brink tricks Pud to climb the tree
Mr. Brink's first encounter with Julian, and Julian resists the call to "come with me now"
Aunt Demetria--flowered dress from vintage pattern (see earler post for pattern details)

Aunt Demetria in another vintage dress.

I found many of the costumes in closets, at thrift stores, and I built several for the women. Aunt Demetria looks fabulous in her costumes! She liked them so much, she purchased them for her own collection! The little boys wanted their thrift store shirts and my famous boxer shorts as a remembrance, so we let them take them home. I found Dr. Evan's checked coat and vest at Goodwill, perfect fit and style, and although he whined about looking like Herb Tarlick, I think he looked great, so did his girlfriend and many others!

It was fun to do the costuming for this show, despite the fact that I was doing two shows at the same time, but neither of the two were that demanding, so it worked out OK.

On Borrowed Time

These are some more of the pictures from On Borrowed Time
Dr. Evans and Mr. Grimes, director of the state insane assylum
Grandpa Julian and Grandma "Miss Nellie"
John Gilford Northrup, aka PUD
Sheriff--notice his "gaff tape" Sam Browne belt! It's a miracle what gaff tape can do on stage!

The boy applestealer

Another Opening, Another Show

That's a familiar opening to a famous show. My blog has been neglected for 10 days because of two openings to two shows that I've been working on. Two tech weeks in a row make for a very busy schedule! So here's an update!

"On Borrowed Time"(Hawthorne Players) openend Nov. 6. It is being shown at the James J. Eagan Theatre at the Florissant, Civic Center. Shows this weekend are Friday and Saturday at 8, and Sunday at 2. Opening night saw a very enthusiastic crowd, small but enthusiastic enjoying the show. Characters were "on" for the night, and the show went on without a hitch. Grandpa and Grandma were great, the kids were awesome (lots of lines to deliver for young actors). Mr. Brink was very mysterious, but entertaining in his own quiet way. The other supporting characters did a great job of helping to tell the story. Larry Marsh directed and designed and constructed the set. Fabulous job in both areas! And it was very entertaining!

Last night, Nov. 13, the show "Doubt: A Parable" opened at Clayton Community Theatre, at Washington University South Campus Theatre. They knocked one out of the park, so to speak. Sr. Aloysius had many friends in the audience, and they reveled in her characterization of the crusty old school nun getting in the face of the young fresh-faced arrogant priest! Mrs. Muller riveted everyone to their seats, as she fought her way through her "visit to the principal" meeting. She caused everyone in the audience to get so quiet you could hear a pin drop as her emotion went from controlled "nice" to letting it all hang out in anger over the plight of blacks in the early '60's--"That's just the way it is, Sister!" Sr. James showed a wide range of emotion within the confines of her black nun habit--from exhuberant "joy of teaching" to fear to embarrasment to anger to sadness over the loss of her innocent way of looking at life. Great Job!

They actors and actresses all looked great! Of course, I'm biased! From the stylish 30's chick Aunt Demetria (aka Pismire!) dressed in her authentic '30's design suits, thanks to the patterns my friend gave me, to Father Flynn in his pretty authentic looking chasubles, I'm pleased with the results of the costuming.

I'll get a CD from the professional photographers who took pictures of both of these shows, and post some of the best shots from each show. I'm very proud of these productions from my own point of view, and I think the audiences were highly entertained by the productions.

Dress Rehearsal Night

Tonight is dress rehearsal night for "On Borrowed Time". I officially finished sewing my last costume at 6:45 this morning! (Last minute changes brought about decisions made during a by full costume, full make-up and hair rehearsal last night.) Hope the changes go well. The sets are beautiful, the props are very interesting, and hopefully the costumes all fit people!

Last night, I left rehearsal at 8:30 in time to make one more trip to the fabric store for patterns and fabric to make this last costume change. Luckily, the fates were on my side, and I was able to find what I needed in 20 minutes before the store closed. Darn, patterns are going on sale today, so I had to pay $12 for a pattern that would be $1 in 3 hours. But I did not have time to wait. I went home and in a frenzy of activity made a retro style apron, and started on a retro style dress. Got up early this morning to finish the dress. I didn't get much sleep in between those two sessions, so that made for a VERY SLEEPY DAY for me!

This afternoon, I took a nice long nap! After my frenzy of activity last night and early this morning, I needed it. Tomorrow, I hope to be able to sleep in, knowing that NO MORE COSTUMES need to be provided for this play, and we can all say, "Break a leg" and let the show go on!

Happy Halloween!

OMG! Precious! The M & M's on Halloween!

Batman and Batgirl had a lot of fun trick-or-treating last night! Their last stop of the night was to Aunt Monkeygirl's house, where Grandma Sew What was also visiting! This is how the little Bat pair looked!

Little girl M had three options for costumes. Two were Grandma's creations. She had Tinker Bell wings from last year, that was option #1. Then Grandma made a "Glinda of Oz" beautiful long sparkly dress for Option #2. But when she saw her brother's Batman costume, and saw that there was a pink /purple sparkly Bat Girl option, she wanted that also. So Grandma happily obliged and made Option #3.

This is a little girl who, true to womanly whims, changes her mind OFTEN! Sometimes it cycles on a 30 second basis! When the Tinker Bell option was mentioned by her, Grandma cringed! NO, I MADE YOU TWO OUTFITS--AND YOU WANT TO WEAR LAST YEAR'S COSTUME? Luckily for my blood pressure, she cycled through BatGirl and got dressed at the same time!

They look absolutely precious. They are so photogenic, love to pose to get their pictures taken. So many kids run from the camera, but not these two! And they did get their pumpkins full of candy, and a liberal chocolate fest followed the trick-or-treating, once we retired to the house to warm up!

Oh, Aunt Monkeygirl was precious also. She was a ???, (I forgot what she called herself), resplendent in blue neon hair tied up in pixie pony-tails, butterfly wings and black knee high boots. Why didn't I get her picture? Sorry, Monkeygirl, you were so cute! Mommy was a bad girl for not taking your picture.

P.S. The dog wanted to eat the butterfly wings, he kept lunging toward them all night. The zap collar kept him under control, and nothing was lost to his waiting jaws, not even the chocolate bars the M & M's waved past his face as they were feasting.

P.P.S Our 4th annual Halloween party on the court was non-existent this year. For the past 3 years, we've gathered on someone's driveway, brought food and drink, had a fire in a firepit, and waited for the kiddees to make a one stop download of candy to their bags. Last year, we only had 8 kids come to visit, besides our own. So this year, everybody exited the court, and only 4 out of 15 houses were giving out candy. There is a street in our neighborhood that has FULL participation, about 600 kids per year! Every house participates, more than one make a haunted house tour, and the cars were lined up for blocks looking for a place to park so the kiddees could participate in the fun. I drove past it last night on my way to Monkeygirl's house, and it was really jiving! That must be where they all headed, because our street was extremely dead. We maybe had 15, including our own families.