Lost Sock Thrift Fahion

REASONS I THRIFT,

1. MY MOMMY DID.

From the pages of SUPERTAB, my autobiographical comic

Thrifting has become a part of my lifestyle because it was part of my mom's. 

Although I was embarrassed about her thrifty lifestyle during childhood, 

I began to claim it in high school.

2. IT'S SPIRITUAL

Okay, before you roll your eyes and scroll past this one, hear me out. 

I LOVE FASHION!

But it is NOT my first love.

I love God more. 

It is hard for me to not get carried away with vanity and earthly consumption.

I want more more more! That is my earthly desire and it will never be totally fulfilled with whatever I purchase. I do this thing where I obsess over a piece of clothing that I want. It consumes my mind until I consume it! I think it will make me cool and happy forever. So, I buy it!

A year later, It did not do as i thought it would and i haven't worn it in months. 

Isn't that life? To be hungry for more STUFF all the time?

We desire to consume and our appetite is insatiable. 

I believe in my own "Lost Sock" philosophy. 

This is where you use you imagination and creativity to find things that seem "trash" to the world.

From the eyes of an imaginative child, you can seek for "treasure" in things discarded. 

I believe it so much, I wrote a book about it called, "The Lost Sock". 

There's more to it than that though...

His Word says... 

Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life... about your body, what you will wear. Is not life and the body more important than clothes?  ...And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ... ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has

enough trouble of its own.

'The grass withers, the flower fades,

Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 40:7-8

I know that everything I possess there physically will eventually wither away and waste. 

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

When I find myself obsessing about clothes, i take a step back. I change my perspective and look at what I DO HAVE instead of wanting more. I shop my closet, get rid of things that don't work anymore for me. 

I thank God for all the beautiful clothes I own, give back to the store what I no longer need, and support them when I need more.

Matthew 6:33 Seek God first, He will give you your desires.

Phillipians 4:11-12- learn to be content and tankful in all circumstances.

Hebrew 13:5- Do not love money, be content. God is always there. 

1 Timothy 6:6-8 be content with clothes and food. You will leave here with nothing.

If I do find myself REALLY wanting something, I pray that God will make it happen while thrifting. You know it is a HUNT when you go there, so I just believe I will receive if He wants me to have it. 

If I do find it, I THANK GOD for putting it there!

Just like a parent likes to buy things for their children, God likes to give us things we want.

Mathew 7:11 "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" 

James 1:7 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the 

Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

3. LOW COMMITMENT

When it comes to making decisions, I am pretty indecisive. 

I annoy myself with it. So, If i really want something, I pray and think about it. 

4. SELF EXPRESSION

My Style, Tabby Style

As an ARTIST, I feel the need to express myself always.

I am a visual person.

If I had to define my style, it would be eclectic.

It is a mix of bohemian, artsy, retro, 70's, collegiate, nautical (sailor/pirate), grandma chic.

I enjoy mixing and matching textures and patterns, like polka dot and plaid.

I also like juxtaposition of fancy and casual, like heels and a t-shirt or tennis shoes and a blazer.

I dress the way I feel inside and at times dress the way I want to feel.

For example, if I am feeling weak, but want to appear strong, I will dress is something

sharp, classy, and professional even though I do not feel it.  It is like armor to psyche myself out.

This song, "Doing ME" by Ray BLK expresses how I feel about clothing.

Listen...

Although I can sorta define my style, it

Changes over the Years.

I like to document days when I feel good about my style.

2025(above)

2022-23 (above)

2012 (above)

Looking back, Lots of these clothes I do not even own anymore 

because I would never want to wear that outfit again. 

At the time, it was "ME", but the fun thing is, we grow and change.

Thrifting makes it easy to rotate your wardrobe without feeling guilty. 

One of the only thrift vlogs I made from Mineola shops.

I am inspired to do many more, but fear the cringe of myself.

My Favorite Thrift Vlogers on YouTube:

make list

Fashion Icons & Inspiration

Iris Apfel for her colorful, playful, youthful, independent, artisitc style.

She is infinite in her Fashion Wisdom. 

Denises Huxtable from "Different World"

Ms. Hannigan from original "Annie" movie.

Fur, lace, robes, jeweltones.

Doris, from "Hello, My Name is Doris"

I love anything 70's! 

Mostly because of the shapes and colors of the Era.

Pinterest Board for Fashion

Read more here...

THE ART OF SMART THRIFTING

 

Jesus is my True Love

The Tattoo I Designed 

Size Imagined: 

 4 inches tall, 5 inches wide on upper left outer arm. 

Sailor, Classic American style:

My Pinterest board: 

 Colors needed - bold black lines, white highlights, yellow, robins egg blue, red. Blended to make greens and neutrals. 

Symbols

Heart- passion, relation, center 

moth- all physical will crumble, 

weakness of human love, earth is temporary

yellow rose- beauty, growth, strength, 

fragrance of worship,  Texas 

Jesus banner ribbon- never going back, true love, unashamed

Reflections of Christ all day everyday.

As I go through life, I find myself developing a sensor for sincerity and genuineness. I've been hurt and disappointed by people that I look up to and think of them as God's hands and feet. I continually ask for discernment for these things. I often think if I had one superpower, it would be to know if somebody is lying or not. I wish everybody had Pinocchio noses, but it's not that simple. I have tired to chose friends and mates based on these senses. For if you cannot know sincerity from your loved ones, what can you really know? My biggest turn off for friends and love is a fake person. I want friends that are the same everywhere, around every person everyday. I do not want a chameleon friend that changes their personality when they are around other people. I know certain people may bring out certain finer qualities in you (humor, tastes, conversations, interests), but I do not think you should change your character, what you believe in what is right and wrong, when your environment, company and circumstances change. 

                 Proverbs 27:19 

As water reflects the face,

    so one’s life reflects the heart

2 Corinthians 3:18

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Being a Christian makes this even harder. Especially when you have not had the same beliefs all your life, you may find yourself slipping back to your old ways when you are around old friends. Or maybe you are doing the same types of activities you did before, but find it hard to get in the Jesus groove in this activity. This is where we must decide, "Does this friend or activity make me a better person, or is is pulling me down?" I heard somebody say, you don't just need Christian friends to lift you up, you need lost friend that you can life up too. But if your lost friend are pulling you down, either your faith needs more work or you need to lose that friend. We are a reflection or Christ everywhere we go. When people know you as Christian, you are a constant target of their ideas of who Jesus really is. We have to be very careful. There's nothing Satan loves more that a wavering Christian. He uses them to make faith look weak. We need to be changed if He changed us. We need to be consistent in our Christianity. I think we should just imagine Jesus with us all the time. Easier maybe, wear a symbol of Christ everywhere we go, knowing that people see that symbol and are looking to us for a reflection of Christ. If you don't cuss at church, you should not cuss at home. If you wouldn't have certain conversations at church, don't have those conversations anywhere. If Christ is inside of you, you take Him everywhere you go. You should remember Peter. When Jesus was right there by his side, he thought he would never deny Jesus. But as soon as Jesus was out of sight and headed to the cross, Peter felt as though if was more comfortable to blend in with the crowd. He denied his beloved Jesus three times, as Jesus had told him he would. Our love for Him is not a physical reminder that can be taken off and put on when we feel appropriate. 

In Him was Life

I created this drawing based on John 1:4-5.

Breaking this verse down was where I started. The verse is very deep. I asked my husband, Todd, for help with his idea of the verse. We both started simple with the idea of a glowing figure with flame light inside. After further thought, Todd thought of maybe having life showing inside the figure rather than a flame of light. Although this was more challenging, I really liked this idea. 

I see the "Life" as things growing and living. God created life from nothing in the Garden of Eden. Life sprung from Him. He is the Creator. 

That created life was the guiding light of truth for all other Creation to come.

 Life itself is a testament to a Creator. 

Romans 1:20 says, 

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities- His eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse". 

This light that has been there since the beginning, shines in the darkness. We do not have to be afraid of being overcome by sin, darkness or satan. His light is always with us in the dark world if we choose to carry it. By GOd's Son, Jesus, death and darkness have been overcome. He won already. We know the end. It is not a mystery how it will turn out. It is promised. 

1 Corinthian's 15:55-57 says, 

"O Death, where is your sting? O death, where is your victory? For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sing its power. But thank GOD! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

I wanted to snake to be in the darkness, looming powerless behind God. 

The butterflies came from this creation and light, 

Ephesians 5:8

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light. 

John 8:12, says

Jesus spoke again to them, I am the light of the world: he that follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 

1 John 1:5 says, 

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 

When the butterflies flutter together in fellowship, they are stronger. 

1 John 1:7

"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin."

If our lights are on in the darkness, the sin cannot hurt us. We are fluttering with His salvation inside us. We are no longer like Adam and Eve, we have Him inside us everywhere we go. There is no forbidden fruit, slithering sneaky snake or lie that can smother the light of the truth. 

Lukie 10 :19 says, 

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions

 and to overcome all power of he enemy: 

nothing will harm you. "

These butterflies cannot be taken by the snake. 

Satan tried to ruin it from the start with the first created beings. 

But Jesus came and fixed it all, giving the snake no more power. 

The fruitful tree satan once used against us is known for what it truly is... a lie. 

God will have His way, no matter what. 

His way is the whirlwind in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. 

Nahum 1:3

So, look up and know that he watches over you. 

If He is for you, then who can be against you?  Romans 8:31

Have peace that He is with you on your journey. 

Cardinal Tree

Cardinal Tree

In order to dance and succeed,

you must let Him take the lead.

No matter your plans,

You are in His hands.

So, be still

and accept His will.

Let loose of what you want to do

and grow where He plants you.

You are the one God sent,

so get comfortable in your environment.

All around, His blessings are blooming.

So, stop uprooting what He's doing.

Don't brush away

the birds that want to stay,

Listen to then sing

and be a branch for their weary wing.

He's growing so many branches for so many birds,

Many opportunities for your encouraging words.

Keep growing where he planted you,

Trusting His plan will prove true.

 

Poem by me, Tabitha Morgan

 

I made these picture below that coincide with the portrait.

 

 

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE

 

I  LOVE DRAWING!

but,  I really hate drawing portraits.

I feel like everything I do looks like Trisha's Portrait

from Napoleon Dynamite.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JNYttUZRKc

 

But I pushed through and did all lot of work (like 3 hours) on the bottom lip. lol

for real though, I did.

So, I guess it turned out ok. It's the idea of it that I am happy with.

 Many things inspired me to create this picture.

But it all came together in my mind this weekend after the TAEA Conference.

 

Mostly my teaching position over the last 4 years inspired this picture.

 

I taught middle school art for 10 years and loved it. I felt happy, successful, wise and confident in my career. I had a life change and moved to another town and taught elementary art. I KNOW it was a God move. I prayed about it and He gave me very clear signs that I was to be at the grade level and this school. I teach at Krahn Elementary and we are the CARDINALS.

I love my little cardinals, really. But, my first 3 years there I felt

sad, unsuccessful, clueless and defeated. Kindergarten ate my lunch for 3 years. I did not want to make teacher friends because I knew I didn't want to stay. I distanced myself from anything that brought me comfort because staying was not MY plan.

Proverbs 19:21, says,

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

 Every year I tried to switch grade levels.

Each year I was unsuccessful with transferring. Finally, I decided after three years to just stop fighting my spot. I had to quit being stubborn and start being still. I had to take my shoes off, get comfortable, stay a while, let my roots loose in the dirt, trust God, try to do my best, look at the positive and grow where I was planted. I prayed for His perspective, strength, wisdom and acceptance.

I'm happy to say, This year things are different.

I don't even want to leave anymore. Not even on my hardest days. My cardinals are my children. What I once saw as a curse, I see as a blessing.

I teach the ENTIRE SCHOOL! This is hard, yes. But hard is good.

Hard is resistance. Resistance gives strength. I am the teacher these kids will have consistently from K-5. Art may be their safe place. Art may be their only light all day. I will get to see them grow from babies to young adults. This IS a BLESSING.

 The background...

TAEA 2017 Conference in Galveston, Texas

Native Lee (Speaker at conference) and her paper bag technique,

Matthew Brundage (Copic Marker guy),

Marantha Liga (Artist of "Wishing Tree Me") on display at TAEA,