Motley Mondays

Hello! I am indeed still alive and a lot has changed and a little has changed at the same time. I have decided to launch what I am calling:

Since Monday is my usual day off, I will write about various ways I have been crafty, saved money and stage managed like nobody's business!

I am taking the opportunity this Monday to catch the WWW up on what I have been doing. First thing's first, I moved to NYC! The move happened in late December because I wanted to ring in 2012 in my new home.
I am currently in Brooklyn and love it. The rent is way less than Manhattan and I am actually not too far away from anything! (except if I want to get to Queens by subway...)

My biggest way I have been saving money lately is by making things I might buy in a store at home. Granola, for instance. I have made up my own recipe after test driving many others. The biggest problem I had with granola is I would always burn it in this one corner of the oven. The solution? Don't preheat the oven! I put my mixed up granola on a cookie sheet in a cold oven and then close the door and start the preheating!

I have discovered Pinterest since my last blog entry and am inspired daily by things that others pin. You can follow my pin boards here. Next week I will post pictures of my Easter creations because 1. it's still Lent and 2. I don't want someone to see the Easter Bunny surprise for them.

I finished all of my Aprons for last year! (Except Feb. see this post.)

My backstage apron!

My "Art Apron" made using freezer paper stencils

Ok so I didn't make this one but I WON it! (which I decided counted)

No pattern, just old sheets and some freehand embroidery!

My favorite Apron of the year! I guess I learned something making all these aprons!

I actually made the December apron back in 2010 and it was what started the whole project. As soon as I find it and get a picture I will post it!

Stage managing! I have actually been very fortunate to have work. I left my internship in CT went to a job in NC and within a month of being in NYC I had an ASM gig. I am proud to say that I have work officially until July currently. Let me assure my non-theater professional readers that this is good news.

Tune in Thursday for my Thursday Tips, Templates and Tutorials!

More Restaurant Reviews!

Guelaguetza

Mexican Restaurant in Hell's Kitchen

www.guelaguetzanyc.com
This Mexican Place was perfect for my boyfriend, friend and me when we wanted a lowkey, cheap dinner. I left STUFFED and spent less than $10. First time I have had actually legit spicy good food in a long time! Downside, they didn't serve margaritas or have free water.
Healthy: 3 it was all made fresh in the kitchen where we could watch, and it wasn't greasy or anything, but definitely not calorie free...
Cheap: 4 $9 for two tacos (one lengua, one steak) and 1/3 of chips and guac!?! cheap.
Yummy: 4 not the BEST Mexican food I have ever had but pretty darn good.
Total: 11/15

Cafe Cello

Deli in Midtown West

Healthy: 2 I had a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich...
Cheap: 3 $7 for a sandwich is normal in NY
Yummy: 4 it was good! not as good as Captain Nemo's in Irving, but good!
Total: 9/15

More things later!

Stage Managing

So as promised, here is my post about Stage Management! These will be divided into different categories;

• ·   Tips
• ·    Templates
• ·    Tutorials

(I promise the T’s was not on purpose…)

The first tip is from the PSM I am currently working with. I made a comment about how now that I am not at a music stand, my book is not at the nice incline that I like and would get from a music stand or lectern. He said he also likes his at an incline and he found a cookbook stand with adjustable incline and uses that when he is calling the show from the tech table. GENIUS! Cookbook stand is now on my list of things to look out for when I am shopping. I imagine a nice collapsible, but sturdy would be ideal, so it can fit in my backpack, but not break on the job.

I love line notes. (weird I know) But I HATE writing them out by hand… ugh. Come on people! Modern Technology and we are still living in the dark ages writing out line notes!?! no. ANYWAY here is a typing format I have adjusted and use. Click to Download I put in BOLD the words/phrases in question and will crossout things that they said wrong. Then I convert the doc to pdf and email/print as necessary. This becomes a matter of cut&paste when a digital copy of the script is available. During the run I go through the hardcopy of my script and mark with my pencil and my own shorthand. Easypeasy and super fun!

EDIT 9/5/11: Since I can't figure out how to make the link work, here is a picture of what my line mote docs look like:

As I mentioned in a previous post I am making a backstage apron as my July Apron (yes, I realize it is already August…) well I need to buy a bias tape maker and then I will be able to finish the apron. But in the mean time I will post pics of what I have done so far and the plan for finishing it.

First I had to make a template for how I wanted my apron.

Then I cut the pieces out of a $1 black bedsheet from Goodwill.

Then learn how to do the zipper I wanted so I followed the tutorials on these blogs.

http://kotkarankki.blogspot.com/2011/07/zippered-pocket-tutorial-and-bird.html

http://www.creativecutie.com/2010/06/zipper-pocket-tutorial.html

Then I made the zipper pocket for the front piece. Then I had to stop, because I want to attach the straps (made out of my homemade bias tape) on and then bias the outer edge, but alas I want the bias tape maker which I think I might get online because I think it will save me some money. But if not I shall head to JoAnns or find a place that is on my way into my job in New York City, where you can buy anything.

Until next time!

I got pretty desperate today...

Yes this is what I pushed into the city. Here is a detail on the sign.

I am not actually homeless, but I had to take a lot of stuff in that cart and decided to make a joke out of it! I made some people smile. but alas, received no tips.

til next time, 

My first major fail of the summer...

And it was something fitting into sewing AND stage managing... Some black backstage pants.

I'm too embarrassed to even show the back.

Great idea, horrible outcome. I just don't wanna wear these in public, PLUS they scream, "HOMEMADE!!!" and that is not usually what I want to go for. I guess that is what I get for measuring from my natural waist. Oh well! PJs.

Places to go NYC

At the request of some of my followers (mainly my mother) I will review some more places I have been in NYC.

Magnolia Bakery

I got a "Grand Central" cupcake (I was at Grand Central Terminal)

Pretty, huh?

Healthy- 2, I mean it's a cupcake...

Cheap- 3 at $3.25 I'm not thrilled by the price.

Yummy-5 VERY yummy!

Total: 10/15

Next up

Junior's Restaurant

I had a sandwich and a piece of cheesecake. My review only reflects the cheesecake. 

Healthy- 2, again, it's CHEESECAKE. It took me two sittings to finish this rich slice

Cheap- 3 it was about $5 for a slice, but worth every penny...(but still not cheap)

Yummy-5 MOST. DELICIOUS. CHEESECAKE. EVER.
Total 10/15

Shake Shack 

I went to the one in Madison Square Park.

Healthy- 2 Hamburger, shake, fries...I've had healthier.

Cheap-4  I got a burger, fries and shake for about $11, not bad for NYC!

Yummy-5 I was skeptical since everyone I have talked to has raved about it, it lived up to expectations!

Total: 11/15

Last but not least for today, 

Yaffa Cafe

I loved the fun quirky atmosphere I went twice in 24 hours!

Healthy- 3 everything was fairly healthy, salad comes with things etc.

Cheap-3  Nothing too cheap, nothing too pricey. 

Yummy-4 some of the food was DELISH! some of what I had was okay. But still yummy overall

Total: 10/15

That's all for today!

Aprons

I made an Apron in December as an "I am at home and have no project" project but it was so Christmas-y that I couldn't wear it every day of the year! so I made it my New Year's resolution to make an Apron a month! Here is how it is going so far...

Made from an old skirt. 

February

Complete disaster. I gave up on this one. I may pick it up later, but for now it looks like a big pink heap of yuck.

Made from an old dress that was too small.

Made from a $2 hideous skirt. Pattern is reminiscent of a Reggae Band, "Watusi" I played with for a show.

Made from a window panel from Goodwill. $1.00. 

A "June Cleaver" Apron for June. Made from a Goodwill  bed sheet.

July

 I am doing something different by making an apron for backstage! More details to follow!