Halloween Altered Paintbrush - Entry to Wicked Designs by Brenda's "What Says Fall to Me" Challenge

This is my first altered paintbrush project. I guess the brush connected my mind to brooms and witches, because the natural thing for me to create was a Halloween themed project.

I used an image of Elphaba from "Wicked" on one side and a bat with a quote from Macbeth on the other. Using autumnal colors like the pale forest green and orange corded trim with the black of the paintbrush and wired ribbon I think came out quite nice.

Check out Wicked Design's Monthly Challenge and play along for a chance to win a great prize!

Please go check out Brenda's fabulous digital images at her blog: http://wickeddesignsbybrenda.blogspot.com/
She is incredibly talented and has great personality-filled images!

HELP Velocityvette08 on Youtube Reach Her Dream! --Not NYC related

There's No Place Like Home

Jane (Velocityvette08 on youtube) is a really talented crafter/designer. She creates the most detailed and unique canvases, journals, albums, and so much more! Her mixed media pieces are one of a kind objects of art.

Mixed Media Journal

She is real, authentic, and super gifted. She once had a channel on YT (different from this one) and she was forced off by some really mean and conniving folks who appropriated her name. That channel was almost at 2000 subscribers when she had to withdraw from it. She is close now again on her new channel and would like to reach that elusive goal.

Altered Printer's Tray

Let's help her regain her lost subscribers and succeed beyond her wildest dreams!
She is hosting a great giveaway. As soon as she reaches 2000 subscribers, she is going to draw 3 winners to win handmade works of art by her!

Mixed Media Pumpkin

Join the fun, become a subscriber and support a wonderful artist. It costs you nothing!
Thanks for your consideration

Coffee Brigitta Antique Style Banner/Card - not NYC related

So I recently purchased my first character stamps and have been having loads of fun creating different cards, altered items, and banners.  I strive to try the unexpected or the untried so I have used this super cute little girl stamp and made a grunge/vintage style (which is the style the recipient likes) banner/card.  This is a birthday entry for CC Design's Monthly Challenge, and I am really excited about the way it turned out.

  
 The front includes craft flowers with auburn bling, some black and white baker's twine, some tea-dyed cheese cloth, a stained asterisk wood piece, and of course the really cute Coffee Brigitta. I colored her with Derwent water soluble color pencils and paper pieced her sleeves and pants (I like how the chevron pants echo the baker's twine).










The back is also covered with coordinating vintage-style clock paper and there is a little tag that has the sentiments tied up with a little frayed strip of fabric.  All the edges of every paper piece is stained with Tim Holtz antique photo stain or using black felt tip pen.

Let me know what you think.  Thanks for stopping by!

Butterfly card - not NYC related

I have recently taken up crafting as a hobby on Youtube.  There is an amazing community there for almost any interest! As part of that new endeavor, I created a butterfly themed card that I have in mind for a good friend who is celebrating her 6th year in the event planning business (Rex and Regina).

There is an Irish blessing that is very appropriate I think for my friend, and butterflies that I fussy cut out from a free digital image sheet of butterflies from Cathe of "Just Something I Made".

This is the link to my YT video of the details of the process: Butterfly Card Share

By the way, I'm participating in a craft challenge with this card at Seemacrafts . Check out her great blog.  Lots of fun in this crafting community and super welcoming too (even for us novices) :)

Thanks for looking!

Shakespeare in the Park: Central Park (west) and 81st Street - FREE

Many of you may say that while watching a show in Central Park might be fun, that Shakespeare is not for you.  Shakespearean plays are generally long (~3 hrs) and the language is hard for today's audiences to enjoy without some effort.  If that describes you, you're in luck this summer.

Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater (the west side of Central Park by 81st Street) is presenting modernized, re-interpreted versions of Shakespeare in 2013.  I generally don't like re-makes, but the version of The Comedy of Errors (May 28 - June 30) that I saw last night was really good!

The story of two sets of identical twins separated as infants who are later brought together after many comical mis-identifications is fun, light-hearted, and warm.  You may recognize some of the cast like Jonathan Hadary (Egeon-merchant of Syracuse--of NY), Skipp Sudduth (The Duke), Hamish Linklater (Antipholus, both master twins), and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Dromio, both servant twins; also in Modern Family). (see photo at right for image of last 2)

 Tickets are free, but you have to wait in long lines in advance (Shakespeare in the Park Info) unless you are lucky enough to score tickets through one of the sponsors (mine were through a friend who works at Bank of America--the lead sponsor for almost 10 years) or the like.

Anyway, if you have the time and even a little interest, I highly recommend this summer's productions (the other one is Love's Labor's Lost (July 23 - Aug 18)).  They are modern (aka easier to relate to) and shorter (90 minutes rather than 3 hrs).

Dog Friendly NYC

Biscuit Leads a Doggy Conga, with El Bandito Bringing Up the Rear at a Dog Park

Well, it's been a long long long time since I last posted on this blog.  I took a break and did some consulting work; got a new dog, El Bandito (an adorable Havanese); and generally tried some new things not directly related to exploring NYC.

I wanted, however, to share with folks thinking about visiting NYC with their dog(s), that NYC is VERY dog-friendly.  Unlike most cities where dogs are not generally welcome, NYC allows dogs to enjoy the City with you when you go shopping (not only big department stores but small boutiques too), when you go out to eat (if there is outdoor seating they are usually allowed if you ask nicely beforehand), and even in your hotel (The W, The Beekman, Doubletree Suites, The Four Seasons, and so many more!).

Recently with the weather finally turning nicer (although the last couple of days we were hit with the humidity normally reserved for mid-summer), I've visited some local dog parks.  This is a great link that has maps and rules about them all over the five boroughs: NYC Dog Parks

I often go to the Peter Detmold Dog Park between 49th and 51st just west of the FDR. But for cool breezes, the East Side Pavillion (see right) with entrance ramps from 66th and 60th off the FDR is hard to beat.

A few words of warning:  Not all dog owners are watchful of their dogs.  When I go to dog parks, I ALWAYS scope out the dogs and their human companions.  If any of them look aggressive or oblivious, I move on--better safe than sorry (I've heard too many horror stories of dog attacks).  Also, if you have a small dog, take extra care when crossing streets, as some drivers take corners or turns tightly and quickly and could hit a dog that runs ahead or lags behind you.

Enjoy the City with your furry companions!

Art Around NYC: Various

If you walk the streets of NYC with your eyes open, you will be rewarded with some really amazing artwork.  Don't make the mistake of just keeping your head down shuffling from home or subway to work and back.  Look up and take a look around.

If you live or work in midtown east, you may be familiar with the Lever House.  This commercial building often has art exhibits on display in the lobby for public enjoyment.  Richard Marshall, the curator the for the building's art collection, does an amazing job bringing fabulous art to New Yorkers and NYC visitors.  Located at 54th Street and Park Avenue, the current exhibit called "Land Mind" by Paula Hayes is a man-sized tulip-shaped aquarium housing exotic fish (Bangaii cardinal fish, purple-faced fire fish, shrimp, snails, clown fish, a starfish and various coral) (see above).  It is spectacular and definitely worth a look if you are in the neighborhood. In the past, they have had a great building-sized collection of Hello Kitty sculptures.  I love walking by this place.

Currently, there is also a fun exhibit in the Anthropologie store at Rockefeller Center.  "War Against Gravity" (see left) by Gordon Harrison Hull, is a fantastical motorbike/tricycle that looks like a vehicle that Mork from Ork would drive (yes, that's old school).  They also have a rotating exhibit so if you can spare a little time from your shopping adventures, poke your head into this side room on the main floor and be dazzled.

Not that long ago, there was also one of the magnificent giant balloon dogs by Jeff Koons in an office lobby in midtown east.  I was afraid to take a picture, as Mr. Koons is so litigation happy (did you read about how he tried to sue a S.F. gallery for making balloon dog bookends?--as if he can now claim that he owns all balloon dogs).  

Anyway, I just wanted to tell people about the real art available for the public to see for free around NYC.  Enjoy!

Chelsea Market: 9th and 10th Aves between 15th and 16th Streets

I suppose the Chelsea Market is not a "unique" shopping/dining mall (unless one over-uses the word "unique" the way people are negligently apt to do now). 

However, it is a great place to do some eclectic shopping:  There is a dairy, a separate artisanal cheese shop called Lucy's Whey, gorgeous chocolates at Jacques Torres, and distinctive clothes at Anthropologie, just to name a few.  Then there is great food, including a super gluten-free-friendly place called Friedman's Lunch, a fantastic flavorful Thai place, and what I consider the best gelateria in NYC -- L'Arte del Gelato. 

Finally, it is great to spend an afternoon taking in temporary art installations (see the "Dog Show" photography exhibit by Lucille Fornasieri Gold at right and currently on view through March 31, 2012), and (best of all) you can pass hours just watching New Yorkers in their element.

The market was originally the National Biscuit Company in the late 1800s.  Yes, this was the original home of the Oreo!  In 1913 this main building was built on landfill - the timbers, chain and anchor of a two-masted schooner were found during excavation in later restorations.  If you look closely around the mall, you will see evidence of the history and archeology.

If you are in the neighborhood, take a step in and you are bound to be surprised to be face to face with history and perhaps find things that you never knew you needed (ok, wanted).  It is very accessible, friendly, and quirky in the best way. 

You might also see a celebrity or two (Food Network films Iron Chef here), and Genevieve Gorder of HGTV also frequents the shops here.

Enjoy!

Belvedere Castle: Central Park around 79th Street

Sorry it has been a while since my last post.  I have been going through some personal projects and had decided to not go crazy by adding this blog to my "must do" list.

However, I think/hope I am back on an even keel now, and I wanted to tell folks about the great walking tours provided by the Central Park Conservancy.  They have guided tours and hands on activities offered almost every day (check out their calendar at Central Park Tours).  I imagine as the weather becomes more and more mild, the tours will be more and more popular.

Today's tour began at Belvedere Castle (see left), which is a 3/4th-sized replica of a fort in Normandy, France.  It was built as a folly, simply to attract attention and be a whimsical addition to the park.  It never housed any grand personage.  And it has really only served as a weather station and an office for the Central Park Conservancy.

From the top of the castle, which is the highest point in Central Park, you can see equipment for the weather station in the Rambles to the south, the Delacorte Theater (where the summer time Shakespeare in the Park performances are held) to the north, the Great Lawn (where summer concerts are held -- the latest one being that of The Black Eyed Peas), and the man-made Turtle Pond (filled with NYC drinking water and home to 5 species of turtles) to the east (see right).

The guided tour lasts about an hour, and includes a leisurely walk between various points of interest.  I won't be a spoiler and go through all of the stops, here, but I want to just mention some of them in order to illustrate the care with which the tour was designed.  The Greywacke Arch (see above left), which is one of over 30 uniquely designed tunnels/bridges in the park, opens up to views of the back of The Metropolitan Museum (constructed to make reference to the great Egyptian pyramids). 

The statue of Polish King Jagiello (one of over 50 statues dotting the park, see above right) that was presented in NY during the Worlds Fair of 1939 and found its permanent home in Central Park when it could not be returned to Poland due to the Nazi invasion following the fair.  Then, of course, there is the great Egyptian obelisk (the oldest monument in the Park) from 1600 BC; take the time to walk all the way around the obelisk to get better views of the hieroglyphics, as the wear patterns vary greatly due to how the obelisk spent hundreds of years on its side after wars and earthquakes.

Throughout the tour, the guide answered questions from the over 20 visitors on the tour.  He was very informative about the history of the park, its construction, and restoration projects led by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses.  He also shared the philosophies of the 19th century designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux who wanted the park to be a natural refuge from the City.  Insights about the variations from the original designs (there was only supposed to be one statue in the entire park--the Angel of the Waters Rising from Bethesda Terrace, also called Bethesda Fountain), the needs of the growing City, and the resurrection of the park from its graffiti-ridden and violent history of the 70s, were all woven into a very interesting hour.

I would highly recommend these free guided tours of the park.  They are casual, friendly, and enriching.  Rather than just walking through, as I have done innumerable times in the past, this time, the great vistas (see above left a view of the Great Lawn with the NYC skyline of buildings to the south) came to life.

Sony Wonder Technology Lab: 55th St & Madison Ave

There is a saying that "you get what you pay for" but when it comes to the Sony Wonder Technology Lab in Manhattan, that is definitely not the case.  This FREE technology and entertainment museum (Tues-Sat 9:30am - 5:30 pm) is fantastic.

I happened by this museum when I ducked into the public Sony Plaza just to get out of the rain.  I saw a small group of people clustered around an elevator and decided to see what they were waiting for since I didn't have to be anywhere soon.  When I saw it was the museum I had heard about from a friend in the past, I checked to see if I could get a free stand-by ticket (you can reserve advanced tickets (online or at 212-833-8100) and it is recommended during more busy times of year) and I scored immediately. The next group was being taken up in 1 minute and there was no line.  What luck!

Upon entry, they distribute an electronic "ID" that you use to activate any station you are interested in interacting with.  You get your picture taken, design your "voice image" and fill out a few other characteristics that help make the experience personal (these are all recorded on your personalized certificate print out at the end).  My "logo," which I created by manipulating my picture on their easy-to-use touch screen, is shown at the bottom right in the picture above alongside the images of fellow visitors.

Then you start winding down the 4 flights of the museum and can read innumerable displays and interact with over a dozen exhibits.  It is fun and educational (and not in the way that they say that phrase in school or most other museums--these are really fun!).  I learned about how digital signals travel, programmed a robot (see above right), tried digital animation, took a turn in a dance motion capture (fancy term for the Wii-like dancing game), designed a racing game, made a little movie clip including sound effects and music, and so much more! 

My favorite activity was the computer graphics dancing program.  In film making, they usually put sensors on major joints of the actors and let the cameras that are digitally "connected" or "reading" the actors movements, create animated characters that move the way the actors do (see photo at left that shows the angles used to translate the movements).  The little girl pictured at right is my animated character mimicking my dance moves to Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair."

If you are ever in the midtown east area, you MUST visit the Sony Wonder Technology Lab.  It is truly a gem in the City for young and old.

Christmas Show Tapings: Various

The Wendy Williams Show

If you are lucky enough to have free time in NYC during the holiday season, I would highly recommend getting tickets to some of the numerous shows that tape in NYC.  Among them are The View, The Nate Berkus Show (this is the last season, as it was not renewed), Martha Stewart, The Wendy Williams Show, and Rachel Ray.  I was fortunate enough to get to three of these shows before I went on vacation and it was a blast!

This is the season of audience-give-aways.  At The Wendy Williams Show, it is a big dance party.  The music is blasting, and the audience is hip and jamming.  It is not for the faint of heart, but if you are up for a morning party, it is fantastic.  I walked away with gifts that were valued at up to $250.

The Martha Stewart Show

At the Martha Stewart Show, I noticed that the gifting was a little lighter than in the past (I had heard that Martha Stewart Omnimedia is dealing with some financial concerns), but our audience went home with a book and a one-cup coffee maker.  Besides the entertainment provided by Joey Kola was great.

Finally, for The Nate Berkus Show, I responded to an executive producer email, asking for volunteer participants and was rewarded handsomely.  I brought an old shirt about which I was able to ask Isaac Mizrahi about re-freshing/salvaging.  Isaac drew a sketch for me with his ideas, and Nate gave me a $300 gift card!  Plus the whole audience received gifts valued at over $800--yes, we lucked out and were in the BIG holiday gift show.

The Nate Berkus Show

Even if you aren't able to coordinate requesting tickets online in advance (they are free directly from the show websites so don't fall for online re-sellers/aggregators), you can also try to get stand by tickets. 

Although it is after the holiday gifting season, I may try to go on the Monday after Christmas or the Monday after New Years Day when our work office is closed.  Can you tell?  I'm a little obsessed.  What can I say?  Who doesn't love getting free things?  And while not all the gifts are things I could/would use, don't worry I'm not hoarding things in my small NYC apartment.  There are worthy charities as well as eBay to help manage the potential clutter.

Christmas Time in NYC: Various

Christmas time in New York City--what could be more festive?!

Bryant Park (42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues) has an ice skating rink outdoors (see above) surrounded by pop up shops that include fabulous kettle corn, a pickle shop, and a place mimicking an outdoor porch in the Southwest (see right) complete with heat lamps and swing benches.  The shops that line the passage ways also have lots of shops that sell items for great gifts like one of a kind metal sculptures, artisan jewelry, and stocking stuffers like ear muffs and scarves.

Then there is Rockefeller Center (50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues), with its ice skating rink and huge Christmas tree (which was first lit by President Obama--yes, he was back clogging up traffic again).  I was there the day before the tree was fully assembled (did you know it comes in parts and gets screwed in together?) (see left) as well as a few days after it was completed (see below right).  Generally I try to stay away from the masses of tourists and frenzied shoppers, but I had my own holiday shopping to do, which led me unavoidably through this area.

If you can't get your fill of Christmas trees, there is also a pretty one in the courtyard of the Palace Hotel (50th Street and Madison--the place the Pope stays whenever he comes to NYC), which is flanked by two men dressed as toy soldiers (great for photo opportunities). 

If you'd like a more sophisticated looking tree, then I think there is nothing as striking as the tree in the courtyard by the famous Le Cirque restaurant (59th Street between 3rd Avenue and Lexington) (see below).  With its white lights and the white Moravian-style lighted ornaments, it really is beautiful--plus, you can get some shopping done nearby at the newly opened CB2 or Home Depot (my secretly favorite store).

Finally, as always, NYC has its share of spectacular outdoor sculptures and exhibits, and the holidays bring out the best.  As an example, on 6th Avenue just around the corner from Rockefeller Center, there are huge ornaments along the east side of the street (see below).  











There are innumerable holiday sights to take in around New York City.  Not least of all, the famous Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall (6th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets) with the Rockettes (tickets are still available).  So if you happen to be in the City during this wintertime, I hope you have a chance to enjoy all that the City has to offer.  

Big Apple Circus: W 63rd St & Broadway

It's a major NYC icon and a perfect winter activity for young and old.  It is fun, friendly, and full of fantasy.  It's the Big Apple Circus!

They have the traditional clowns (this is Grandma's farewell tour, so if you want to get one last glimpse, you'll have to go before this tour ends on January 8, 2012) who provide comic relief, do some pretty amazing magic tricks, and play some fun tunes.

There is also some wonderful audience participation portions.  There was a funny water spitting act with Grandma (see left), and another older gentleman who waltzed with her.  And of course to tie in with the title of this year's tour, an audience member boy "dreaming big" about a rope acrobat.

What I thought was the best performances were turned in by the animals, which included horses, dogs, a porcupine, and what looked like a giant ground hog (but was probably some animal I just don't know).  They weren't doing phenomenal tricks.  They were just cute and presented well (which makes all the difference and makes them even more accessible--yes, I think I can teach my miniature poodle biscuit to do some of those things).

Although they were not as polished or perfected as the Cirque du Soleil acrobats, I thought the Chinese (Mongolian?) acrobats were also pretty fantastic.  They had great balancing, tumbling, and gymnastics performances.  My favorite was the human pyramid jumping rope! (see right).

There were also a glow in the dark juggler (see left), a woman who balanced showing great strength and flexibility on two posts mounted on a round platform (see below right), and a fantastic finishing act of trapeze artists directly above the audience (see at bottom).


Again, the Big Apple Circus is not as flashy as some other shows I have seen, but it was wonderfully homey in a festive way.  Surprising for the glitz of NYC, it is a heartwarming way to take a break from the frenzy of the shopping season and bring in the good feelings of the holiday season.

NY Historical Society: 77th St and Central Park West

Side Entrance with Statue of Frederick Douglass

Just a block or so south of the American Museum of Natural History is the New York Historical Society, with its own wonderful collection of paintings, home furnishings, memorabilia, and historical artifacts. It has been closed for renovation for the past year or so, but was re-opened last week.

I had never been there before today, and was pleasantly surprised by what I found.  I had mistakenly assumed this would have men's club style (like the Explorers Club), but it was wide open, bright, and exhibited amazing collections in traditional museum style, a kind of salon style, as well as a warehouse style (see Tiffany lamps displayed/stored at left).  To get more out of the visit, I downloaded the free audio guide from iTunes (which was helpful and enriching if a little cumbersome without an order or accompanying map), but if you are less technologically inclined there are free daily guided hour-long tours (check for times on level one at admission).

The museum has an extensive painting collection that rotates and has some great recognizable portraits of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, miniatures on ivory of New York society women, and Hudson River scenes that highlight NYC's natural beauty.

There are also one-of-a-kind historical artifacts like George Washington's cot from the Revolutionary War (believed to have been the one he slept in at Valley Forge) and the ceramic jug which was a gift to Thomas Nast (whose cartoons in Harper's Weekly blasted and brought into public light the corruption of Tammany Hall) decorated with a depiction of snake-bodied William S. "Boss" Tweed (with beard and without glasses) and his corrupt political gang, some diving in headfirst into the "pot of money and power" (see right). 

There are also rare historic pieces like the fancy Engish-made Beekman family coach from 1766 (one of only 3 that survive from the period), the one-of-two ladies' dressing tables built in New York of this design in the Federal style after the American Revolution,  and the slavery chains (see the tragically child-sized shackles at left).

Perhaps because of my earlier visits to Hamilton Grange and the Morris-Jumel Mansion, I thought the highlight of all of the artifacts were the dueling pistols used by Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton (see right) when Alexander Hamilton was killed.

My favorite part of the museum was the 18 minute multimedia film that relates the story of New York City and its rise to prominence from what was once considered a far-away colonial outpost.  From the dredging of the Erie Canal through the American Revolution and the influx of immigrants and the political and economic upheavals centered around New York, the film weaves an amazingly coherent story.  Obviously it is a summary, but it relates history in a meaningful and elegant way without being overly dramatic (yes, they cover recent events like 9/11 poignantly but without belaboring the details; I understand the society is also collecting artifacts from "Occupy Wall Street" in case it becomes a historical phenomenon or movement).  I would recommend this film to all NYC residents and visitors--really, that is how good it is. 

If you haven't been to the New York Historical Society, run, don't walk, to spend an afternoon there.  ASIDE: If you have kids, set aside some time to visit the lower level children's history museum, which has lots of educational and interactive exhibits.

Pratt Institute: 7th Ave and 14th Street

Twist and Drop Necklace with Double Duty Hook and Eye Clasp

I've told you about The Pratt Institute before (Pratt Gallery), but for the past two weekends, I have been in a fabulous intensive jewelry making class there that I had to share.

Twisty Curl Earrings

I've never made jewelry before.  I had no tools, no beads (other than the ones that I had on jewelry I had bought), and no idea what the class would entail. 

Sea Glass Wrap Pendant on Suede

To my delight, what I found was a small class (6 students were in my class) with lots of individual attention, a really patient and creative teacher, and two full weekends of absolute fun. 

I ended up with 6 pairs of earrings, 6 necklaces, a pendant, a bracelet, and two repaired pieces of jewelry that I love (I had kept broken or damaged pieces that I couldn't wear anymore and repaired or repurposed them). 

We knotted and strung pearls on silk threads, made a simple elastic bracelet, and learned about ribbon knotting.  We also did extensive wire twisting and wrapping, beading, and crimping.

I learned so much more than I thought I would.  I got to indulge in my love of poodles (see Ribbon Necklace and Basic Bead Earrings at left and Elastic Faux Pearl Bracelet with poodle pendant (I added the bone charm too after I took this picture) at right), while also diving into the deep end with a new creative hobby. I also pushed myself to try new colors beyond my black/white/clear, and blues to include some pinks and autumn colors (surprisingly this was one of the harder things to do).

Friends and family should expect one-of-a-kind jewelry this holiday season!

Knotted Grey, Pink and White Pearl Necklace and Matching Earrings

Floating (Flex Wire) Necklace and Matching Earrings

P.S.: I made this last set (and parts of my poodle necklace above) out of some clear and frosted glass balls that I dismantled from a holiday garland (currently available at Crate and Barrel)!  After taking a class like this, my creative juices are really flowing--I've been looking at simple household items in whole new ways. Oh yeah.