Friday, April 12, 2013

Clouds in my Coffee... obsession with marvelous mugs!

I am not sure when, but somewhere in my adulthood I became obsessed with unique coffee cups.
My coffee time has become very important to me as a mother.
It is just that...MY coffee TIME!
It is time to be away from the kids, the noise, the crying, and the world 
and just disappear into relaxation and meditation.


COFFEE POEM
by Tabitha Seaton

It is the first thing I think about when I wake up.
This is the time I pick out my favorite cup.
I pick the cup that sets the mood for the day.
I don't want a set, I want an array.
It is a time for me to be alone in the midst of the daybreak
I slowly nurse my cup enjoying each sip I take.
I feel the creamy sweetness go down
while a smile of comfort is born from a frown.
I put on my face and curl up my hair
lifting my voice in a dawn prayer.
The clouds in my coffee go up with my voice
carried away to my idol of choice.
Spending time with my Father in the morning so still, 
I awoke so empty and He begins to fill.
I sip and I talk with Him about my concerns
as each drop of coffee down my through softly burns.
I drink away my mug till the last drop is gone
starting my way to a new dawn.
I started it off right with my cup and my Maker, 
 When my morning was shaky, He was the breaker.
This will be a good day ahead of me
as I look at my beautiful mug happily.
________________________________________________

Hold you applause please and continue reading...
I want more mugs!
Yes, every store I enter that may have a mug
I set my eyes for the prize.
It has to have that certain flair that make this girl smile. 
I don't want it to be super silly in a cheap comedy way, NO NO...
That's not me.
I want it to just be beautiful or be unique.
I like them to have a story or spark a memory of mine from the past...
The mug just has to do something other than be a vessel for my drink.



Here are some mugs that I would like to own one day...
Matryoshka Teapot

See more on my Pinterest!


I do not want to drink from the same mug everyday!
How boring is that!?
I like to pick a size, shape, color, form, or whatever to set my day in the right direction.
These are some mugs I currently possess that I love...



Large Owl mug- Peir 1 Imports
Children's Cow mug- Canton Tradedays
Retro Flower mug- Target
Stein mug- Uniques and Antiques of Mineola
Apple Mug (seen below as well)- Cracker Barrel
WOoden Giraffe mug- from my friend Cara on her Africa trip
HillBilly mug- Antique store in Tomball, Texas
Maw Mug- lost track...


My New French Provincial Mug from Target



                                                                     Maw and Pa Mugs

I want to thank my talented photographer, Shannon Seaton, 
 for always putting up with my hair brain photo ideas.
I know he is totally and continually annoyed, but does it cause he loves me.
Right honey?....



 


PS. I love me some flavored cream. When it comes to coffee, it's the only way I go. 
A little coffee with my cream!
See what I started doing with my creamer bottles when I am done...

Blessed Blogging!


Thursday, April 11, 2013

Fun Filled Weekend!

THis weekend started off GREAT with a date night for me and my hubby eating candlelight dinner at Kitchen's Hardware and Deli. Then we went to the Select Theater in town to see a documentary on the Theater itself. It was very interesting. Then, the best part....
DRUMROLLL.........
WE GOT TO GO TO WALMART ALL BY OURSELVES!!!!
for the first time in forever.
Usually we are with our two girls that make each task just a little harder.
Gotta love em. 
On Saturday, we went shopping at the mall. I bought a dress for the first time in forever. 
Dresses are my worst enemy. They never flatter my figure it seems, so I just avoid them in general. 
But I actually tried one on a whim and it worked.
Then we ate at Salsaritas in Tyler and all talked about how delicious it was for the entire day!
If you have not been it is amazingly delicious!

Then on Sunday, 
After church we went out for a photo shoot with the girls...







I made invitations for my soon to be 2 year old's 
Maddy Monster Birthday Bash...







I have always had a soft spot in my heart for saddle shoes.
They are so typical vintage wallflower at a Sock Hop ball...

I made some saddle oxfords from cheap-o shoes!



I have also had this strange new obsession the last couple weeks for metal badges.
I wanted to get one for and art award to wear as an accessory and conversation pieces, but could not find one anywhere. I know I have one from High School VASE, but where it is is another question.
So, I just bought some pendants and made some myself...

I made 2 metals for accessories...
The anchor one is my favorite because of the sentimental reminder it holds...
from a page in my
"Art of SmART Thrifting" Journal...

Also,...

I have added multiple pages to my SUPERTAB autobiographical comic...
see here... 
BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO COME!





American Gothic Spoofing


For so long, I have been in love with the famous American Gothic painting by Grant Wood. 
I just love the moody mystery behind the portrait. 
But it is funny the real story behind the portrait. 
Since I love the painting, I create my own spoofs of it often. 

Texan Gothic
by Tabitha Seaton

Sketch for Mineola Gothic
 Another spoof I created of my bear, Mindy.
Mindy Gothic by Tabitha Seaton
Buzz Gothic
by Tabitha Seaton
For our school office to hang in honor of Buzz, the yellow jacket (our mascot)

I also teach my art students about the painting every year and have my 6th graders do a spoof of the painting. Here are some examples...
see more of my lesson plans here on my art teacher blog
http://tabithaannthelostsock.blogspot.com/







Friday, April 5, 2013

We Can Do It! Art Encouragement...

For those of you that read my blog
(my current zero followers, boo hooo hooo)
that may not know, 
I teach Middle School Art. 
I do not consider it a "job" because I enjoy every moment of it 
(well mostly every one moment).

I felt like the kids around my art classroom needed a little boost of encouragement. 
They make such amazing things and don't realize that this is a gift from above. 
They get discouraged when the compare their work to others that may be more advanced around them in the room. But, I have learned as a regular 2nd place B Team kinda girl, that you just do YOUR PERSONAL best. Comparing yourself to others will do nothing but bring your down. I have discovered in my closer walk with Him, that when I get down on how I was created, I am INSULTING MY MAKER! That is the last thing I want to do is offend my Creator. 
I passed by another teacher's classroom one day and saw the "We Can Do It" poster in her room. I have seen it many times before but never really hit me as anything personal. I love the era it represents, the design and the colors, but I really do not consider myself a feminist of sorts. .I thought that the poster was more of an "In You Face Stinky Boys!" kind of hateful message, rather than what it really is. I thought that was what the poster was about, but I was naive.
When I really researched the picture itself, I realized it's original purpose and was very please with my discovery. 

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Can_Do_It!

Did you know the lady in the poster was
Geraldine Hoff, not Rosie the Riveter...?
                                            
So, just like the Geraldine Hoff's image encouraged the Westinghouse workers to work to their own personal best capabilities, I want to also encourage myself and my students to work their best in the art room. In case you did not notice, I changed my patch on my collar to represent my faith and art. I was nudged by Christ to start an after school program at the school to aid students in ""Creating for their Creator". We decided to call it Art With a Purpose (AWAP). This badge signifies my allegiance to the idea of a higher power being the backbone of my creative success. I did not create myself, so I cannot take credit for anything that I make. I own all my success and power to the One that strengthens me...
Philippians 4"13

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Thrift Week One...

This week, I had a great opportunity to go to local GoodWill. My hubby bought me gift card to there for Valentines day and I have been dying to spend them all. A nap from my toddler made this possible for me!
YEAH GOODWILL!
So, I found some great anchor pieces. 

What is an anchor piece? see here...


I found a jean pinstiped vest, a nautical stirpped quarter length shirt, (both above), 
a blue jean flare skirt, a brown baby doll sweater (below), a sheer long sleeve brown floral undershirt, a sheer feminine lacy Victorian cami!
I loved each piece individually and could not wait to put it all together. 
Here is my week of fabulous finds...

 

                                          In these 2 above photos, I am wearing the same blue jean thrifted skirt.
A lot of the other items are from previous thrift shopping trips. I love my orange leg warmers i the first photo. I made them from sweater sleeves.

These 2 above pictures, I am wearing the same sheer thrifted top in different ways...
The pink corduroy jacket and pinstriped khaki skirt are also from previous shopping trips at GoodWill.
I like this out fit a lot. I am wearing the same sheer floral brown undershirt as above, nut in a new way. I was so happy to grab it for this mauve shirt. I usually feel uncomfortable wearing it cause the sleeves are too short and tight for my taste. But, this sheer under top is perfect for me to wear beneath it!
I am also sporting my newest creation, my Monster Mug Buddy. 
I made it really for my husband, but I had to get a picture of it. 
See more of them here...
http://thelostsocklife.blogspot.com/2013/03/coffee-creamer-pals.html

Here in the last (but not least) outfit, I am wearing 2 anchor pieces. 
I have on the same jean skirt as the first pictures from this week's Thrift Run, and a cropped army green corduroy jacket from a previous run. I also am wearing a floral head pin that I made recycled from altered skirts.I shortened. It is one of my favorites!




Here in these 2 photos I am wearing a Gap vest (thrifted/gifted), OldNavy Tuxedo ruffle tshirt, maroon thrifted skirt, brown tights, owl pendant ribbon and pearl necklace both made by LostSockCreations.


THis has been a great thrift week for me. 
Hope you are inspired and ready to go too!
Happy Thrifting! 
Go here to see Thrift Week Two!
 http://thelostsocklife.blogspot.com/2013/05/fashion-week-2.html