1 June 2010
spring competition winner
Our spring 'win a sewing kit' competition was won by Karen who attended a beginners day, and then went home and made this cute dress for her little girl. She used a library book we recommended to make the project, and is so pleased with the dress she has now bought the book! Another sewing addict is born.....
First day on Prima Donna In Toronto
Having arrived late on sunday from NYC, i only got a brief glimpse of the city, but i did marvel at Niagra falls when we flew over it. i have been but nature just astounds me- think i will pop over on my day off on sunday and see it again.
This is the view from my room, i am on 35th floor!
Had a fab veggie meal in a great veggie restaurant- only down side- they don't sell booze! Veggies drink, i am veggie and i love a cheeky beer on a sunday evening.....
Cost of living is pretty high in Toronto, think i will be spending all my pd's just on food! Pd's are the daily cash allowance we receive when touring abroad- if you're clever it is a great way to avoid spending your salary. We often refer to it as "free money"
Finished off my evening last night in a bar having some cheeky cocktails with my pal vicky. Rudely awoken at 4 am by the sound of a fire evacuation. When you are in a high rise building that is pretty scarey. It was called off so we all got back to sleep eventually!!
Checked out the theatre today, then headed on the subway to rehearsals. Subway was so busy, but not quite as organized as London or NYC. Am looking forward to taking the tram soon! Ended the day fitting the new cast members we have on the show.
This is the view from my room, i am on 35th floor!
Had a fab veggie meal in a great veggie restaurant- only down side- they don't sell booze! Veggies drink, i am veggie and i love a cheeky beer on a sunday evening.....
Cost of living is pretty high in Toronto, think i will be spending all my pd's just on food! Pd's are the daily cash allowance we receive when touring abroad- if you're clever it is a great way to avoid spending your salary. We often refer to it as "free money"
Finished off my evening last night in a bar having some cheeky cocktails with my pal vicky. Rudely awoken at 4 am by the sound of a fire evacuation. When you are in a high rise building that is pretty scarey. It was called off so we all got back to sleep eventually!!
Checked out the theatre today, then headed on the subway to rehearsals. Subway was so busy, but not quite as organized as London or NYC. Am looking forward to taking the tram soon! Ended the day fitting the new cast members we have on the show.
Our tips of the month
Website of the month
This website is the online version of cloth magazine, and is dedicated to complete beginners.It has fantastic clear photo tutorials on all things cloth related. One of the editors is a Costumier like us, and there is a lot of passion in this magazine. It also has a great round up of events all over the UK, and competitions!
This book is from the american domestic goddess Martha Stewart. She has pioneered so many domestic crafts, and the internet is littered with her wonderful sewing tutorials. I am going to buy some of her time saving sewing gadgets whilst in the states this month, and i can't wait to tuck into this delightful book.
29 May 2010
Day 2 in NYC
Today was really about catching up with pals. I have done a few shows in New York and made friends with the american crews that I met. I also have some really great american actor friends that I worked with in London, and I try to see them all whenever I can.
I love central park, but almost avoid it as I always get lost, today was no exception.....
I had arranged to meet my friend Jeremy and his wife south of the turtle pond, another pal Matt was gonna swing by too. Central park has no signs inside it, and although it's a lovely place to wander through aimlessly, that's not so good for meeting people! After 15 mins of aimless wandering i called matt, who started to look for me. I had wandered into an area called the rambles, and got lots of differing advice on where to go! Needless to say, i had to retrace my steps and get back to the street, and matt had already left. I finally hooked up with Jeremy and Linda, and was excited to see that they are expecting. We went into the park and met with some of their friends who were picnicing, really lovely to hang out in the blazing sunshine with pals.
My next meeting was almost 100 yards away at the open air theatre in the park. Kimberley and i got some lunch and caught up on the lawn. She only had an hour dinner break, but it was so good to see her, it's been 2 years since i saw my american chums!
I caught the subway downtown to 50th street, and did a quick stop off at 2 theatres to say hi to other Costume pals who were working. Jessica is on 'La Cage' and we had a really brief, lovely chat. Robert is on 'Rock of ages' and we had an even briefer chat, but so good to see him. As i was leaving the theatre i ran into a Stage manager that i'd worked with in London- small small world.
I hot footed back onto the subway to meet Matt and Jason on 14th street and 8th avenue. We spent a really fun evening bar hopping in the village, starting in the stunning bar at the Jane hotel. Really glad i came to new york just for the opportunity to catch up with my friends- facebook is just not the same as sitting down together!
A little tipsy i got on the NJ transit and almost missed my stop! Luckily for me, another passenger woke me up......
I love central park, but almost avoid it as I always get lost, today was no exception.....
I had arranged to meet my friend Jeremy and his wife south of the turtle pond, another pal Matt was gonna swing by too. Central park has no signs inside it, and although it's a lovely place to wander through aimlessly, that's not so good for meeting people! After 15 mins of aimless wandering i called matt, who started to look for me. I had wandered into an area called the rambles, and got lots of differing advice on where to go! Needless to say, i had to retrace my steps and get back to the street, and matt had already left. I finally hooked up with Jeremy and Linda, and was excited to see that they are expecting. We went into the park and met with some of their friends who were picnicing, really lovely to hang out in the blazing sunshine with pals.
My next meeting was almost 100 yards away at the open air theatre in the park. Kimberley and i got some lunch and caught up on the lawn. She only had an hour dinner break, but it was so good to see her, it's been 2 years since i saw my american chums!
I caught the subway downtown to 50th street, and did a quick stop off at 2 theatres to say hi to other Costume pals who were working. Jessica is on 'La Cage' and we had a really brief, lovely chat. Robert is on 'Rock of ages' and we had an even briefer chat, but so good to see him. As i was leaving the theatre i ran into a Stage manager that i'd worked with in London- small small world.
I hot footed back onto the subway to meet Matt and Jason on 14th street and 8th avenue. We spent a really fun evening bar hopping in the village, starting in the stunning bar at the Jane hotel. Really glad i came to new york just for the opportunity to catch up with my friends- facebook is just not the same as sitting down together!
A little tipsy i got on the NJ transit and almost missed my stop! Luckily for me, another passenger woke me up......
28 May 2010
Day 1 in NYC
I took the NJ Transit into the city- journey time door to door from hotel to penn station around 1 hour. Not too bad considering i got lost on the newark airport mono rail system.- a round trip into the city is $30, so reasonable
The early part of the afternoon was spent at a knitting session in Purl Soho with the amazing Jeremy. I used to be a knitter until I discovered chopping up big pieces of fabric rather than making them. In 1992 i began knitting a cute jumper, which has been in my cupboard ever since, Jeremy refreshed my knowledge with some advice on cabling, increasing and decreasing, and i felt like it hadn't been so long since i knitted! I love the shop in broome street SoHo and wish i could have bought everything!
I moved onto a shop called sew fast, sew easy that also teaches sewing. It is a small shop inside a large building, and although i was hoping to browse the selection of gadgets i was rather rushed into making my purchases which were some nifty magnetic seam allowance guides , flexi rulers , and a couple of books. It's a shame i couldn't have stayed longer, but the owner had a student she needed to get back to.
I strolled about 20 blocks up to central park, and sat enjoying some rays, i was joined by a really colourful rickshaw driver called garth, who wanted to chew the fat a little.
My next stop was MOMA- a museum i have meant to visit on every one of new york trips. Luckily for me on friday evening it's free- so it was really buzzing. great photographic exhibition by female photographers.
On leaving Moma, i had a great cheap mexican in Chipotle- a sort of fast food mexican place, so it was pretty cheap and really tasty. I left the restaurant and strolled through the manic hustle bustle of times square, which never fails to delight me. there are several ships in port this weekend, so the city is teeming with sailors in crisp uniforms.........
Caught a double decker NJ transit train back to the airport and my hotel. Train full of colourful characters
The early part of the afternoon was spent at a knitting session in Purl Soho with the amazing Jeremy. I used to be a knitter until I discovered chopping up big pieces of fabric rather than making them. In 1992 i began knitting a cute jumper, which has been in my cupboard ever since, Jeremy refreshed my knowledge with some advice on cabling, increasing and decreasing, and i felt like it hadn't been so long since i knitted! I love the shop in broome street SoHo and wish i could have bought everything!
I moved onto a shop called sew fast, sew easy that also teaches sewing. It is a small shop inside a large building, and although i was hoping to browse the selection of gadgets i was rather rushed into making my purchases which were some nifty magnetic seam allowance guides , flexi rulers , and a couple of books. It's a shame i couldn't have stayed longer, but the owner had a student she needed to get back to.
I strolled about 20 blocks up to central park, and sat enjoying some rays, i was joined by a really colourful rickshaw driver called garth, who wanted to chew the fat a little.
My next stop was MOMA- a museum i have meant to visit on every one of new york trips. Luckily for me on friday evening it's free- so it was really buzzing. great photographic exhibition by female photographers.
On leaving Moma, i had a great cheap mexican in Chipotle- a sort of fast food mexican place, so it was pretty cheap and really tasty. I left the restaurant and strolled through the manic hustle bustle of times square, which never fails to delight me. there are several ships in port this weekend, so the city is teeming with sailors in crisp uniforms.........
Caught a double decker NJ transit train back to the airport and my hotel. Train full of colourful characters
27 May 2010
On tour!
I have been lucky enough with my theatrical career to have come to NYC every year between 2003, and 2008. However my last visit was march '08, so when i got a tour with Prima Donna to Canada i jumped at the offer to have a few days in NYC before i started.
So here I am, attempting to have a 'Thrifty' trip to NYC as I am skint, any money saving tips I glean in the next 3 days, shall be passed on. My first money saving idea was to stay out of Manhattan itself as hotels this weekend are really expensive due to it being a holiday. For half the price I am at the renaissance newark airport, and I will commute into the city.
Never really having explored new jersey before, i am off in a moment to Jersey garden's outlet mall- a massive 200 discount shops! Banana republic factory stock too, which could be dangerous......
So here I am, attempting to have a 'Thrifty' trip to NYC as I am skint, any money saving tips I glean in the next 3 days, shall be passed on. My first money saving idea was to stay out of Manhattan itself as hotels this weekend are really expensive due to it being a holiday. For half the price I am at the renaissance newark airport, and I will commute into the city.
Never really having explored new jersey before, i am off in a moment to Jersey garden's outlet mall- a massive 200 discount shops! Banana republic factory stock too, which could be dangerous......
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