My Other Life

I am a person who is never satisfied doing one thing only.  As a college student, I sang in an opera chorus and did some community theatre in my spare time.  As a teacher, I nannied, did a little community theatre, worked as a dresser/nanny at the Lyric Opera, and worked on the musicals at the high school I taught at.  As a pattern designer, I am still helping out with the musicals at the Willows, 15 years after I started teaching there.  I LOVE it!  But, it makes me busy and sometimes keeps me away from my other obligations.  These days, that means that I do not get to sew as much as I need or want to.

This year's production was Roger and Hammerstein's Cinderella.  It's always a challenge to do a full scale musical at an all-girls school.  We have to hire out a prince, and many of the girls play male roles and well as female.  Luckily, in the 'Cinderella days', the men probably wore low pony tails, so no one had to cut their lovely locks.

Of course I am constantly looking for links to quilting in every aspect of my life.  During this show, I was able to help with not only the students and their rehearsals, but also the set and the costumes (See the stone wall in the photo above and the pumpkin carriage in the photo below).

It really is a fun change from my normal day.  When else would I go to JoAnn Fabrics and buy 50 yards of orange tulle?  I mean, who even knew they sold orange tulle??  And in multiple shades of orange?!  And when else can I go to Home Depot and purchase spray paint in every shade of beige, brown, cream and gray that they have with no questions asked?  (Either I don't look like a graffiti artist or graffiti artists don't favor the "neutral-castle wall" color palette)

The bottom line is, I got to help out with the musical AND talk a little about color and design as well.  And the best part?  Maggie got to tag along almost every day.  Working at home has been the best gift ever because I get to spend every day with her!  Here she is with the Fairy Godmother--one of her favorites.  She can't wait until she can be in the play...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the work continues on the basement.  It got a whole lot better looking...and then....it got a whole lot worse.

But the fine details are now being taken care of and we are on the home stretch--or so they tell me.  I have happily taken over the ENTIRE house at this point with my fabric and now that the play is over, the days find me furiously sewing at the dining room table or cutting at the kitchen island.  But, more on that later!  It's late and I have to rest up for a big day of sewing tomorrow!