Sometimes the dilema with having SO many ideas is that everything becomes interesting.  How is this a problem you ask?  Well, it isn't really, except that I begin to collect things. 
Stuff that sparks my imagination. 
All these possibilities lead to me having piles...not those type silly!
I have piles of:

• books - all the better to read
• paper - to write, fold, collage and post 
• fabric - for sewing, patching
  

As well as piles of clothes, work stuff, stationery, note books, letters, the list goes on...
Stash, what a wonderful hoard.  An amazing mix of pleasure and pain, if only I could make as fast as the ideas arrive!
Making and creating means having a certain amount of equipment and it can easily get out of hand if not well organised.
These piles like to migrate from one place to another, intermingle, play hard to find, grow and diminish.  Though my piles weigh me down occasionally, they are rather comforting in their way.
I have piles more bubble wrap waiting to metamorphose!
I also have piles of dishes and washing...including piles of reasons to avoid doing them just yet and piles more words in my head to throw around!

deconstructing altering up-cycling layering
adding subtracting stitching draping

How to transform an old lacy curtain into a wispy waif costume for the school musical.

Start with an old dress.

Determine the the neckline and width of the front dress panels.

I imagined draping Ancient Greek style, two long rectangular panels that cross over the front into a v-décolletage, cinched at waist, flowing out and down with the length and hem tattered and scraggly.

I cut the v-neck into the front but decided to leave the back as is.
I cut/tore four long panels of roughly the same width to cover the front and back, making them wider so I could scrunch and pleat them onto the dress.  I cut off the bottom of the sleeves, slashing the length into strips up to the shoulder.
I pinned sections into place and once happy, roughly stitched them into place.  The front is cinched in slightly and the back was left loose.

I have kept it looser than my original idea and I’m pretty happy with how it looks.  Next step will be fitting to seeing how it looks on and probably some art finishing to give it an old dusty feel.

testing testing 1 2 3...
After a rather long absence, Frankie agreed to model this little number.
We are still deliberating the final details because, interestingly enough the finishing off process is often more time consuming than the making itself.
It really is quite incredible to be able to experiment and create small wonders out of almost anything.

Duct tape
Hot glue gun
Metallic paint/spray
Tie wire for headband
Trim
Decoration? Flower, yarns, buttons, feather...

Sometimes I have a plan and it changes.  Smooth changes are best and this week my hat theme turned into shoulder pieces.  I am helping out with costumes for the school musical and decided to make the most of the opportunity by creating an assessment task for some of my students to design and make costume accessories.  Exciting stuff!

Criteria: imagine a decorative shoulder piece...what materials can we use to create it?

This is an interesting learning experience for all of us.
As inspired as I am by life and all the possibilities it offers, how can I help others to discover this?  To see it in their own way?

I teach 3 days a week with a lovely bunch of people in a rural high school and am part of the support unit team.  This means that I teach students with particular needs, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are any less capable, only that they learn differently or may need extra assistance.

Lucky for me, I like improvising and working out of the box.  Each day is a teenage lucky dip and keeps me on my toes...physically and mentally.
We are making some amazing pieces!