Here's my Hat

Getting inspiration from hats viewed online and in the movie, everything but the hat came from Hobby Lobby. 

Instead of using a hat pattern, I decided to use a torn hat to decorate for the Ascot Gavotte race scene.

Because the lavendar color showed through the white satin, the center is covered with a scrap of white material. In this case, some lightweight nylon.

Next I laid a large piece of white satin over the center and secured the base with rubber bands linked together like daisy chains, creating one strong rubber band large enough to go around the hat crown. Then I laid the fabric loosely in pleats before gluing the fabric in place along the edge.

Using double-sided fusing material to cover underneath the brim, I ironed first to the wrong side of the black satin fabric, then removed the paper backing and ironed the other fusible side to the hat. After placing the white satin on top, I trimmed the excess fabric and used a hot glue gun to attach a velveteen ribbon 1 1/2 inches wide along the edge of the hat, covering both the black and white raw edges of fabric.

For the fabric roses I used organza. Using 1/8 of a yard folded in half lengthwise, I stitched 1/4 inch along the raw edges side, curved at both ends so that stitching begins and ends on the fold. Cut the excess fabric along the curve.

Pulling gently on this long running stitch gathers the fabric which then is twisted to form the center of the rose. Continue wrapping around the center and stitch through all layers of fabric to secure the rose.

After using hot glue to secure the feather trim around the entire brim of the hat, which measured 60 inches, I secured the roses with massive amounts of hot glue in front of a fan I made out of tulle.

Now I'm making a ballgown. I feel like one of Cinderella's mice embellishing a dress with scraps of fabric, ribbon and even using drapery trim.

Instead of whistling while I work or singing "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes," I watch/listen to the movie My Fair Lady as well as all of the bonus features about the film's restoration.

A fascinating story of artistry, craftsmanship and people's commitment to excellence and the resolve to preserve this masterpiece, the restoration of this "national treasure" in 1994, 30 years after the original film debuted, involved a frame by frame video reproduction and transfer that took 2 years and 2 million dollars to complete.

Considering that the film originally shown in only 300 select theaters across the country, how loverly that anyone can actually own a copy of a copy. http://www.amazon.com/My-Fair-Lady-Audrey-Hepburn/dp/B002HK9IDQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1264536530&sr=1-2

While keeping a notebook of MFL trivia to pass on at a later date, for now the sewing machine trumps the computer. With a little bit of luck, I will finish my costumes soon.

Hat-making 101

When I auditioned for the chorus of My Fair Lady back in November, hardly then could I have imagined that I would make a hat to wear in the "Ascot Gavotte" number http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Sq1Pax7h8&feature=related .

As in the movie, the Adult Ensemble will wear black and white Victorian/Edwardian fashions. Think the era of the movie Titanic.

The First United Methodist Music Ministry http://www.fumc.com/music/theater/_theater.htm presents a Broadway musical production each year in February, performed at the Civic Center for three performances. Rehearsals began on January 3, and well, I will keep readers posted as to how this goes.
"… I have never been so keyed up …"

My research surfaced some surprising sights regarding costumes. Most astonishing to a person who lives Texas, hat-making or millinery is alive and well, and women still wear fancy hats to the Ascot races held just outside of London, England each year in June.  http://www.amazon.com/Kentucky-Edwardian-designed-Morning-Purple/dp/B0015L67QY/ref=pd_sbs_a_5

Check out this video if you want to see some of the more recent creations, including a picture of the Queen who attends the weeklong event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnN7lJwAvJA&feature=player_embedded

An American counterpart, The Kentucky Derby, also features extraordinary hats, and apparently these hand-made creations can sell for hundreds of dollars.

So after a day spent hunting and gathering supplies, I begin my own hat-making adventure. Will post pictures along the way of my creation. If all goes well, I may start yet another business that loses money.

A Story Footnote

Surprised by the kitten who popped out of the box, Ava loves her new pet.

Kitty spent the first night in her new home sleeping in a pink crate on the nightstand next to Ava's bed.

Ava read to her kitty two books about home safety "so she would know what to do."

Ava asked Mom, "Should I say meow or read to her in English?"

Fellow Reader, how would you answer that question?

A Cat After My Own Heart

Keeping this sweet kitty since Saturday until tomorrow when she makes her debut at Ava's birthday party. A gift from Mom and Dad who have planned this surprise, Ava wants a kitten even more than she wants her ears "peered."

Kitty sat on the book I was reading this morning. She sat there for a long time, warming herself under the lamp.

Granddaughter Ava, six-years-old tomorrow, had 3 stacks of books on the foot of her bed which she intended to read yesterday afternoon.

I can envision Ava curled up with a book and her kitty. A girl––and a cat––after my own heart.

It is written

Before a recent flight from Lubbock to San Antonio, I got pulled aside at Airport Security. The man checking my bag, after issuing instructions that I refrain from touching any of my belongings said to the person working beside him, “It’s probably the books.” 

“Yes," I said, gesturing toward the Erasmus quote on the side of the carry-on I had purchased at Barnes & Noble. "Read what the bag says.”

“Read what is written,” he said.

“Pardon me?”

“Read what is written. The bag doesn’t say anything. The words are written on it. So you read what is written.” Then he added, “My mother was an English teacher.”

I, Miss She-who-corrects-your-English, while subject to Airport Insecurity—the imperious, impersonal and oftentimes invasive of U.S. Constitutional rights, which prohibits unlawful search and seizure—learned a lesson. 

A man who treated me not as an anonymous traveler responded to what I had said; he heard and then he taught me something.

I should have hugged him, freaked him out, invaded his space. Instead I thanked him. I really did. I felt grateful, almost giddy in spite of the irony. 

What is written? And where? And who validates what is written that people should pay any attention?

So much information, too much white noise and so many voices vying for consideration.

In a matter of days, the calendar page will turn to 2010. It is written, 2010, or soon will be. How will the numbers scrunched together sound to the ear?

Will you say two-thousand and ten? Or two-thousand-ten? Or twenty-ten? Or two-zero, one-zero? Or does the ring of this New Year remind you of 90210? 

I kind of like the rhythm of two-Oh, one-Oh. How about you?

It is written in Luke 2:1 that in the days of Caesar Augustus a decree for a census set in motion the events surrounding the birth of a person whose life and death changed the way the world tracks time.

Quibble over exact dates or the time of year or change B.C. to B.C.E. [“Before the Common Era”] to dismiss or diminish the significance of that single birth, the sounds at Christmas remind us that Jesus Christ still brings Joy to the World. 

Christmas, before the year changes to 2010, adjures everyone: Read what is written.

Tears On My Pillow

Last night's ABC News featured a follow-up story on Susan Boyle. The release this week of her debut album, "I Dreamed a Dream," went straight to the top of the pop charts––best-selling female singer debut ever.

Susan Boyle Shakes Up the Music World

Later, after returning from a meeting, I found this surprise on my pillow.

My husband had gone out in the cold, dark night with snow falling on glistening streets to make my birthday hold as much happiness as possible. I cried.

Thank you, sweet James.

Kudos that here the music-loving world has recognized in this video-driven age of celebrity illusion that talent comes in all sorts of packages.

A music industry spokesperson said, "She's not the most beautiful flower in the bouquet, but she's a special flower." Indeed.

She is, as my husband said, "the real deal," not a studio creation, but a testimony to the Creator's creativity.

Inside the CD cover, Susan wrote:
  "I would like to dedicate this Album to my beloved Mother, to whom I made a promise to 'be someone.'"

Her Mum lived to age 91.
        
Mid-life, Susan has become emblematic of dreaming dreams that may yet come true.

Our best dreams distill the hope of being someone, not to the anonymous masses, but as Victor Hugo wrote, to those who love us in spite of ourselves.

Happy Thanksgiving

The pie was yummy.

A new family favorite: Chocolate Silk Pie, recipe from the Blue Bonnet Café in Marble Falls, TX.

Ummm. good.