Great Windows and Store Displays in NYC

A Dress made out of spoons. The writing said "eat drink and be marry". 

This dress would be great at a wedding by the dessert. 

                                         

                                      The colors in the gloves made this just to cool to pass up.

                                        What a beautiful mosaic I couldn't take my eyes off it.

              What a weird window I had to stand in front of it for a few minutes to see if it was really Kusama, a        Japanese artist who is designing for Louis Vuitton.  I think it could be possible for her to do  performance art in a New York window. This would fit with her style.

                                    This Moose was covered in cut paper.  The horns were painted papier mache'.

       The top of this dress is all paper and the bottom is tulle. What  a cheap way to come up with a new   dress fast!

                                                    I loved this display it's just a bit creepy.

Incredible Lace a Lost Art

This Fall I went  to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City  and I saw a very small but impressive lace exhibit.  

  This lace was made in Brussels and is thought to have been bought  by Empress Maria Theresa to give to her daughter Marie Antoinette. 

Laces were worn by noble men on the ends of their scarfs.

 This hankie was made by Emma Radford from Devon England it's called Honiton Lace. Queen Victoria used this style of lace for her wedding dress in 1840. 

 This lace was developed in Austria at schools started by Empress Elizabeth it was popular in the mid 19th century.

                            To see or learn more here's the link to the Metropolitan Museum of Art

                          http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/120044978

The White House

I thought it would be fun since we all are just winding down after a crazy election to tour the White House.
                             Just click on the link below and use your mouse to go on a virtual tour.

                      http://www.googleartproject.com/collection/the-white-house/museumview/

Hornby Island, BC Canada

Hornby Island is one of the most beautiful Islands in the North West. It is full of parks and beaches. It is rather hard to get to because you have to take three different ferries which also makes for a beautiful trip. Here are some pictures and if you click on the first and last photo or link you can see more. 

http://teawithlavera.com/Helliwell_Park_on_Hornby.html

                                                 http://teawithlavera.com/Travel_Hornby.html

Making a Cabinet from a Window

I like to find neat old things like this tiny window and make them usable again. This is how I made this cabinet.

1) I measured the window and then made a box that would fit perfectly behind it. To make the box you will need to cut a piece of plywood the exact size of the window.
2) Then cut two 1" X 4" boards the width of your plywood.
3)  Then two more pieces the length of the plywood minus the width of the other two boards.
4) Screw the frame together.
5) Now screw the frame to the plywood.
6) Paint what you've done.

7) Glue some fabric on the back. Be careful or the glue will bleed through your fabric like mine did but I liked it because it made my piece look older. You could also use a beautiful paper.
8) Now measure your shelf to fit inside and screw it in place.
10)You'll attach the window by hinges to the back following the instructions on the package.
11) I found paper mache flowers at an estate sale that I used to decorate the top and sides.  I glued them on and then painted then painted the flowers and the window frame.  I used a semi-gloss latex paint.

13) Add a door knob.
14) Add a latch to hold it closed and your done.

Inspiration and Vincent Van Gogh

Inspiration can be found anywhere and can move you in many different directions. I love when I get caught up in something that inspires me, it's an exciting feeling that gives me a sense of freedom.

I was looking through Vincent Van Gogh's art when I found a perfect example of inspiration.

 In 1872 Ukiyo-e wood prints dating from 1860 c started arriving in Paris from Japan. They eventually fell into the hands of some French impressionist painters bring on a fire storm of inspiration.

Starting a trend in art called Japonisme (a French term for the influence of Japanese art on the west.) Here's how it affected Vincent Van Gogh.

                                                The Bridge in the Rain (after Hiroshige) 1887

                                                        Japonaiserie (after Hiroshige) 1887  

                                                     Japonaiserie Oiran (after Kesai Eisen) 1887

When Vincent was alive he only sold one painting yet he kept painting, following his heart. He has a quote "I cannot help it that my pictures do not sell. Nevertheless, the time will come when people will see that they are worth more than the price of the paint." .... Now they sell for millions.

Blossoming Almond Tree 1890

As an artist I know how hard and exciting it can be to paint what you believe in even if it doesn't sell, to follow your heart and your inspiration while gallery owners ask you for landscapes and try to keep you locked into a painting style. I think we can all take a lesson from Vincent.

What do you know this about the office of President?

*The U.S. Constitution has only three requirements for a president.
1) They must be at least 35 years old
2) They have to have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years
3) be a natural-born citizen

*The tallest President was Abraham Lincoln at 6'4" and the shortest was James Madison at 5'4".

*James Buchanan is the only bachelor to be elected.

*Eight Presidents have died in office.

*Martin Van Buren was the first natural-born American to become President in 1837.

*The Presidential election is traditionally held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. November was chosen as the election month because it was a convenient time for farmers when the weather was still nice enough to travel to the polls and the bulk of the harvest chores were finished.

*Prior to the 12th amendment to the constitution in 1804, the Presidential candidate who received the 2nd highest number of electoral votes was named the Vice President.

* Only 12 U.S. Presidents have been elected to office for two terms and served those two terms.

Please vote it's important.