Making due...wizard-style

As we approach the end of our school year, fun things start happening as our year wraps up. Our CC campus has chosen to have a "Celebration of gifts" (a.k.a talent show) for the students there. This is their second year to do it. Obviously, this is our first year since we are new to this campus, but I was excited for our students to put something together to present in the talent show. The mom coordinating the show mentioned that last year the Challenge classes each put something together. So, I encouraged our class to do the same this year. They decided to act out a scene from The Hobbit. A book they had just finished reading that everyone loved. (Have I mentioned that during this year the students read 19 pieces of British Literature?!!...I LOVE that CC makes this possible!)

As our three students were deciding which parts each student would play, it became pretty clear that Josiah was going to be playing the role of Gandolf. So my mind when into motion as to how we could put together a Gandolf costume. Because, come on, if you are going to do it...do it in costume!!

As Josiah and I started brainstorming, I came up with some ideas. Start with a camo Santa hat that's been hiding out in the window seat in Jeffrey's room since I don't know when...cut off the top and paint it with black powder paint that's been in the top of Jeffrey's closet since I don't know when. Actually, I generally know...and it was probably 12 years ago when I bought powdered paint for an art class our boys did way back when. Good news...powder paint doesn't go bad! 😊

 

 Of course, Gandolf needs clothes, not just a hat. So, we pulled out a graduation gown (gonna  be using that one again soon) and a beloved Zorro cape, lovingly made by Granna circa 1998-9. Oh the stories that cape could tell!! 💕 Add a white "beard" (really a piece of square fuzzy white cloth with some elastic attached, which has also adorned a Dagerath posing as Pythagoras, and made in appearance in Shakespeare line recitations through the years), and some Roman soldier "boot covers" purchased years ago (that have also served well in Roman/Latin speeches and Shakespeare recitations).



But we didn't just need a Gandolf we needed a hobbit hole. According to the book we needed " a perfectly round door, like a porthole, painted green with a brass knob in the exact center."

Cue to trampoline, a green throw blanket that was sitting out on our couch and a couple of coasters.

Put it all together and you get a lovely hobbit hole (though "exactly in the center" isn't how I would describe our brass knob...but it's close enough!) and Gandolf. The students all did a great job on the delivery. You can check it out here on YouTube.

All this mismatch stuff to make a costume (which happens more often than not around our house!) made me think I should create my own "design" website. I think instead of Pintrest where everything looks so posh, put together, new and crisp, I'll call mine "Jentrist". 😀 The goal at Jentrist is to see what you can do with the stuff you already have. The great thing about Jentrist projects is when you are done with what you need, (like our hobbit hole and Gandolf costume), you just go home, hang back up the robe, put the zorro cape and beard back in the costume box, put the blanket back on the couch, put the coasters back on the table and then jump on the trampoline. No added new junk! I think I may be on to something! 😉

As I was looking through some books this week, I came across this darling gem from Josiah's "Faces of History" presentation in 6th grade. Though the costume was purchased online, you'll notice a Jentrist creation on his head. Yep, it's the styrofoam part of an old bike helmet, with the end of a broom sticking out of it. Around the front of the helmet is an armband from big brother's Roman soldier costume. Makes me think of a little poem I've heard before that I think will be the motto on Jentrist:

Use it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or do without.

Works like magic!!