Art for the eye at the Carousel Bar, New Orleans

 

Famous revolving bar on Royal Street in New Orleans, LA.

 

To my surprise my favorite place inside the lovely Hotel Monteleone was the bar.  For those of you who know me well you know then that I do not drink.  But to view the beautifully designed bar at the Hotel Monteleone is a sight to see. I enjoyed my stay discovering the hotels history of hosting literary giants and "set" locations for movies and TV.

Downstairs I enjoyed a quick tour of the famous Carousel Bar. This bar is quite unique as it rotates around and looks like a colorful carousel with a "wild animal" circus theme. The ceiling in the lounge looks as if it's covered in stars. I loved the piano and live piano music in the evenings.

It overlooks famous Royal Street through large fan windows.  Originally installed in 1949, the 25-seat carousel bar turns on 2,000 large steel rollers, pulled by a chain powered by a one-quarter horsepower motor.

 

Hotel Monteleone

Immortalized in the writings of Ernest Hemingway among others, the revolving Carousel Bar is a part of New Orleans history. Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams and Winston Grooms (Forrest Gump) were among its famous patrons. This revolving bar is one of three lounges in the elegant Monteleone Hotel.

The bar was renovated in 1992 when the current carousel top was added. Fiber optics were installed in the ceiling to create unique stars in the night sky and even one special shooting star was created to cross the room at regular intervals.

 Today, the Carousel still attracts celebrities, including some recent sightings – Michael Jordan, Dennis Quaid, Greg Allman and Sally Struthers.

Distinguished Artwork

These photographs are Jazz Era portraits by Alfred Cheney Johnston who photographed celebrities throughout the 1920s and 30s.

He is best known for his work featuring the Ziegfeld Follies and silent film stars of the era. The beaded embroidery was intended to bring life to the black and white costumes and complement the sparkle and whimsy of the Carousel Bar and subtlety reference the beads of Mardi Gras. The beading work was done by Binka Rigava, a bead artist in Latvia

Two famous drinks were invented by Carousel Bartenders:

 

Vieux Carre Cocktail; (1/2 teaspoon Benedictine, dash Peychaud, dash Angostura, 1/3 shot each rye whiskey, cognac and dry vermouth – shake and serve on the rocks with a twist of lemon)

The Goody; (1 ounce each dark rum, light rum, Orgeat, pineapple juice 2 ounces orange juice – mix well and serve in a tall glass over ice.)

Lov'in my Polar Fleece vest - and I made it myself

 

 

 This circle Vest made out of Polar Fleece is quick and easy to make.  Here are some tips...

 

 

The temperatures have been dipping, and I am constantly layering up even while in the house.  My Mom had made this wonderful polar fleece vest and I thought that it would be a great addition to my wardrobe too.  This is very easy to sew even if you are a sewing beginner and it took no more than an hour to make my second vest.

 

I found the directions On the Threads blog. My Mom re-designed the pattern making it much longer and I copied the longer look.  You can find a shorter version and all the instructions here: 

 http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/11045/circular-vest This vest was featured in the Threads magazine issue #146. All you need is about a yard of fabric and binding and you can make this project from start to finish in a couple of hours.

Of course I changed things up a bit.  We both made the vest out of Fleece and used pinking shears to finish the edges.  This makes the vest softer and lighter weight.

For this super-comfy version, I choose a thick non pill polar fleece. For a more sweater-like one you could choose a loose knit fabric. For a double-sided option you could topstitch two layers of fleece together and have a heavier outerwear weight vest.

The fabric makes this vest.  I went to three fabric stores before I found polar fleece that looked “grown up” and fashion forward.  I bought both the navy blue and circle fleece at Joann’s Fabric and Craft store.  Be sure to look for non pill polar fleece.  This vest is the perfect addition to my winter wardrobe adding that “extra” layer of warmth, and style.

What’s Next???

I’m so in love with this vest I want to make one of those trendy faux fur vests.  You can also use this method to create a pattern for a super-quick faux fur vest like the one on PS I Made this blog http://psimadethis.com/post/207675229/fur-get-about-authentic-pelts-fakes-are  I have used faux fur years ago when I made teddy bears for my daughters.  Faux fur does not ravel, so you don't have to finish the edges.  Stay tuned for more….

Directions to make the vest:

1)   Buy 1 yard of Polar Fleece fabric and matching thread.

2)   Pre-wash the fleece. Machine wash it and dry it in the dryer without fabric softener sheets.

3)   Go to Threads link and make a pattern.  Then lay it on the fabric and pin it down.

4)   Cut out the fabric around the pattern with pinking sheers

5)   Turn under raw edges (to wrong side of the fabric) of arm holes and sew ¼ inch seam. I caution you to make the holes smaller than you think you need, they really “grow” once you turn the edge under to wrong side.

6)   My mom added patch pockets, and I love that feature so I added them too.  The secret here is to match the pattern so they blend in.  Cut out the pockets with pinking sheers, put on vest and place the pockets pinning them on.  Turn top of pocket under and top stitch.  Topstitch pocket on sewing close to edge.

 

Hope you enjoyed the Polar Fleece Vest, let me know how yours turns out!  Jonelle'

Discount Fabrics Berkeley CA.



Discount Fabrics Store - Street View

Discount Fabrics Berkeley CA.

 

 Located off the beaten path

Discount Fabrics is a huge warehouse of many kinds of fabrics.  They also carry notions and trims. Sewing notions from brands such as Bosal, Pellon, Dritz, Dill Button, Green Earth, Guterman, Coats and Clark, La Mode and Organic Elements.  They also carry a large selection of foam and upholstery supplies.

 

Contact for Discount Fabrics:

 

 

3006 San Pablo Ave.
at Ashby

Berkeley California

510.984.3725

 

Mon-Sun, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Web site:

http://discountfabricssf.reachlocal.com/?scid=1599303&kw=2229219:1610&pub_cr_id=4582789179

 

 

I saw several laddies from our group purchase those magnetic pin cushions.

 

 

Lots of Home Decor

 

The home decor section seemed a football field long. Rolls of beautiful decorator fabrics in every color imaginable. They also carry bolt ends from Pottery Barn, and some of the top furniture designers. These are nicer more expensive fabrics so bring your measurements as you will not want to guess and buy too much or worse yet too little.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found some neutral color wool sweater knit material that was "Yummy". Browns, camels and greys, (picture). They even had hard to find Alpaca wool, though at 99.00 a yard I could bring myself to get any.  I'm sure the price was fair and there was an additional 20% off all wools so that would bring it down to nearly under $80.00. But I didn't have my pattern and I am just too practical to just buy two yards not knowing if it would be enough or too much.

They had beautiful wool suiting too, some wonderful greens.

If you go be sure to check out the 50% off shelves on the left when you go into the store. I did find a few wonderful pieces, many there just because the bolt is down to a few yards

I bought a fabulous piece of copper and black knit that I will make a shell out of.  While in line to pay for it another friend loved it too and cut a few yards for herself.  The cost was $7.99 for a yard and a quarter.

Ohio, land of the "Swing State"

I was in Ohio this past week. I went there for my work, and what a week I picked as both our President and opposing governor Mitt Romney was also there.  When I flew into Cincinnati every channel on the radio of my rental car was talking about the election, or a commercial for the candidate. Ohio is a swing state for National elections, thus an important state with sway come election time.

Besides being an important place to gain a vote I noticed EVERYONE had something to say about sports.  The state's major professional sporting teams include: Cincinnati Reds (Major League Baseball), Cleveland Indians (Major League Baseball), Cincinnati Bengals (National Football League), Cleveland Browns (National Football League), Cleveland Cavaliers (National Basketball Association), Columbus Blue Jackets (National Hockey League), and the Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)

Another thing I noticed while driving from city to city was that there was a lot of Ohio Pride.  On the sides of old Barns I saw painted the state colors for their Bicentennial of a few years back.  I also was asked several times while looking at a map if I needed directions or assistance.  Nice!

People there are friendly and try to be helpful. 

The outdoors is a wonderland in Ohio.  So many walking trails, beautiful bridges everywhere and a very clean and tidy hiking trail system

Here are a few links to walking trails in Ohio

www.traillink.com/stateactivity/oh-walking-trails.aspx’

www.neonaturalist.com/trails

So next time you are looking for a State that will serve your need to wander, check out Ohio and their friendly hospitality.