Richela Fabian Morgan's Blog, page 13

TAPE IT & MAKE IT: Make A Stylish Feather!

So, ya want a sneak-peak of my duct tape crafting book TAPE IT & MAKE IT? Here is the feather project from chapter one. Actually, it's project no. 1 of 101! (Want to buy the book? Check it out on Amazon.com.)

Because you only need two strips of duct tape at least 9 inches long, this is a quick and easy project. It's also quite versatile since you can mix-n-match different colors and patterns. Attach a finished duct tape feather to an alligator clip and you can wear it in your hair, on a belt, or on a bag.
Send me some of your finished feathers either by posting it on my Facebook page or via Twitter. I would love to see them.

Lights, Duct Tape & A GIVEAWAY!

I recently made a light for my Rockaway Beach friend. It's one that I've made before and can actually provide instructions for. So without further ado, I present you with my tin can pendant light.

Materials:
1- 28 ounce printed tin can
1- pendant light kit (IKEA and Pier 1 Imports sell them)
1- light bulb

Tools:
Awl
A pair of tin shears
masking tape
Black marker

TIPS:
When opening the can, do so from the bottom. This will ensure that the printing on the outside of the can will be read upside down.


You can create a design by drawing on the can freehand with the black marker. But you can also print out a simple message onto a piece of letter size paper using a word processing application (like MS Word) via computer. These instructions below assume that you do the latter.

 


Instructions:
1. Tape your design onto the front of the can. Be sure it's secure and won't move or fall off.

2. Using your awl gently but firm poke holes into the can as if you were creating an embroidery pattern. Be sure to space the holes approximately 1/8-inch apart.

3.  Take the light kit. Unscrew the bottom piece from the light socket. Center the socket on the top part of the can. Trace the outline of the socket onto the can.

4. Using the tin shears cut out the outline of the light socket. Be sure to not make it bigger than the outline. You should have a round hole large enough to push the threading of the light socket through, but it should stop at the wider ridge above the threading.

5. Place the light socket inside the hole at the top of the can. Take the bottom piece and screw it in place from inside the can. This should secure the can to the light socket.

6. Screw in bulb.

7. Hang it up!

I've made a few different lights and you can see them in the picture gallery section of my website. It's not the most original work, but I like to make lights. My motivation is usually this: I see something I like and say to myself, "I can make that!" I think most of us crafters do that.


DUCT TAPE NEWS...DUCT TAPE NEWS...DUCT TAPE NEWS...DUCT TAPE NEWS...

Okay, now on to DUCT TAPE NEWS!

I am giving away a free copy of my book TAPE IT & MAKE IT. (Cue to the hootin' and hollerin'...)

But I'd like to know if anyone out there crafts with duct tape, too. Or maybe you have a kid that can't get enough of the sticky stuff. I WANT TO KNOW! So leave a comment and let me know. I'll announce the lucky recipient of my book on Monday, October 1.

LEAVE ME A COMMENT! GET A COPY OF MY BOOK--FOR FREE!

And keep crafting with duct tape because it's simply the best material around.

Duct Tape Duties

I've finally listed a few new things in my ETSY shop. Some bags and hair barrettes to start. There will be more soon.

I'm getting some copies of my latest book TAPE IT & MAKE IT soon and I'll have a few giveaways in the next few weeks. There was a delay in the publishing date of the book so I couldn't give anything away this week. My apologies.


Here are some of the flower hair barrettes on ETSY:
        








I have a list of events promoting the new book on my  Facebook page. So far I've only listed my local events in lower Westchester County (New York). I'm hoping to expand it, so check back every now and then. And while you're on my page, feel free to click on the "Like" button. Go on. You know you want to...

Mommy Summer Camp

Although summer is not officially over, my summer is pretty much done. I want it to be. I need it to be. For the past 10 1/2 weeks I was the sole source of diversion for my two children, being at various times their cruise director, drill sergeant, chauffeur, cheerleader, art teacher, sherpa, navigator, personal chef, party clown, and ATM. We traveled around New York City, either researching our destinations or leaving our house with no particular place in mind. We got around by train, bus, car, bicycle, and foot. We woke up late and ate dinner for breakfast. We rented movies and had sleepovers in my bed. We did nothing with abandon. We listened to music and read books. We obsessed over different cooking shows on the Food Network. We made stuff, we saw stuff, we did stuff, we ate stuff. We were joined at the hip and did everything together. Everything. Suffice to say I am exhausted.

At first my daughter Masana and my son Mack were skeptical that we could pull it off. No summer camp? Whatever shall we do? So we began the summer with a late morning pow-wow over cold cereal and buttered toast. I asked them what they wanted to get out of our being metaphorically shackled together like a chain gang and handed each of them a sheet of paper and a pencil. Then I left the room for fifteen minutes. When I came back, they handed me their sheets and went upstairs to the safety of their rooms. Mack wrote a list of things he wanted me to cook for him. Masana drew pictures of mustaches across the page. I was not being taken seriously by my own kids.

Despite the inauspicious beginnings, we had quite a summer. And of course it helped that we live in one of the greatest places on Earth in terms of food and culture. Here were some of our destinations.
   New York Hall of Science (Corona Park, Queens)What's not to love about an interactive science museum? An outdoor Science Playground, a helpful and enthusiastic staff, and live demonstrations make this place fun for both the kids and me. And the proximity to the Lemon Ice King of Corona is also a plus.



Museum of the Moving Image
(Astoria, Queens)
This was our favorite summer destination. There is arcade filled with early 80's video games (Asteroids, Space Invaders, Break Out, Ms. Pac Man, Donkey Kong) that kept all of us occupied for an hour! We watched an episode of "The Muppet Show" in a small viewing room, and the collection of Star Wars action figures was mesmerizing. For a nice inexpensive meal we ate at the Arepas Cafe a few blocks away.




5 Pointz 
(Long Island City, Queens)
This place is the graffiti Mecca of the world! The murals change frequently and you can catch a glimpse of it if you are riding on the 7 train. When I brought my kids here, a group of artists were just sitting around on metal fold-up chairs. One of them approached us and gave a little tour of the joint. He then proceeded to give my kids a human beat-box lesson--now that's New York City for ya! This place is in danger of being demolished, which is a shame since there aren't many places where graffiti artists legally display their art. You can sign the petition to help save it, but be warned that there is a solicitation. It's for the site ipetitions.com and not 5 Pointz. I don't think you have to donate in order to sign it, but I gave $2. (Why not.)
We ate at Manducati's, an Italian restaurant that pre-dates the gentrification of this Queens waterfront neighborhood. The store front is fairly nondescript and easily missed. I ate here once back in 1999 (and Frank McCourt was at the next table!), so I wasn't entirely sure where I was going. But we found it and the meal was divine.


Untitled (Maria, Lilly Lamont) 2003Bronx Museum 
(Grand Concourse, Bronx)
This museum is tiny! And free so we had to check it out. But be warned about parking in the garage suggested on the museum's website. I truly believe that I could have double-parked outside, gone in, checked out the entire museum, and then hopped back in my car before the cops could have given me a ticket. We were there a scant 20 minutes. But I am glad we went because the art has an urban sentiment that is indigenous to the Latino population in the Bronx. That makes it unique among the larger and more publicized museums in New York City. The location along the Grand Concourse and small scope of it's collection make it difficult to justify a visit. But if you are on your way to a baseball game at Yankee Stadium (which is nearby) you can double-park your car out front and...well, you get the gist of it.

New Bags For Fall

Duct tape bags are nothing new to me, but I have been taking my time constructing the latest bags for my ETSY shop. Of course it helps to have a young 'tweener in the house whose sense of style is daring, whimsical, and practical. My daughter Masana has become my arbiter of cool!

I'll have these bags listed on my ETSY shop by the end of the week. And I'll also make a few extra to give away once my book TAPE IT & MAKE IT comes out on September 17. Be sure to check back here next week!

 

Duct Tape Tom

The right image is everything. I have a lot of magazines with Tom Cruise gracing the front cover, but making him into a duct tape cut-out requires a certain picture. It has to be a straightforward headshot which is not something easily found in magazines like Vanity Fair , Esquire , Interview , Details , or GQ . The headshot has to capture something quintessential about the person, a personality trait exposed in a simple upturn of the lips or glint in the eyes.

I think that I previously mentioned my collection of magazines with Mr. Cruise on the cover?? Well, I leafed through my stacks to see if I could find something better than what the internet had to offer.  And I found the perfect picture in the July 1999 issue of  Harper's Bazaar . The front cover shot of Tom is a headshot, but it didn't convey his flirty/fun side. Who wants "too-cool-for-school" Tom? Not me. But inside the magazine I (re-)discovered a great shot.

I played around with the photocopier and made a black-n-white copy of the magazine picture. It was slightly smaller and the contrast was pushed as far as it could go. Then I made a white duct tape single layered fabric and placed my photocopy on top. With a craft knife I cut out the negative (aka black) space.

 



I won't lie and say that making a duct tape Tom Cruise was easy. But it was a ton of fun. And now I have this kick-ass bag with his face on it.

Duct tape is one of my favorite materials to craft with. I recently wrote a book called TAPE IT & MAKE IT (Barron's Educational Series) that comes out on September 17. Check out Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookseller to get a copy. I'll be giving away some of my duct tape wallets, purses, and hair feathers to celebrate it's publication in the next few weeks, so don't forget to check back here to see what's going on.

Oh, and NO, my duct tape Tom Cruise bag will not be part of the giveaways! Sorry. This baby is mine.

This Is What It Shall Be

I'm in need of a good mantra. I'm about to combine two rather disparate passions in my life into one crazy project and a good mantra will keep me from abandoning ship. Because it's really nuts.

So I've had this Tom Cruise crush since he first appeared on screen as Steve Randle in "The Outsiders." While most 12 year old girls were swooning over C. Thomas Howell or Ralph Macchio, I had the hots for the wild greaser that acrobatically flipped over the chain link fence before the big rumble scene. He was loud and crazy and had me at "Beer for breakfast there, Two-Bit?" And almost 30 years later I'm still inwardly smoldering for the guy. He is and will always be my first true celebrity crush, but I usually keep it private. I won't wear a Stacee Jaxx t-shirt or a pair of Maverick style aviator shades. But then again I won't bother hiding my collection of magazines with him on the front cover, either. And if you ask me if I like him, I will quickly and loudly say YES.


My other passion is working with my hands and making all manners of "stuff," from silly sock monkeys to duct tape purses, from cheese babka to smoked baby-back pork ribs, from an oatmeal can pendant light to a cork map of the United States. Creating something with my hands gives me great pleasure. And sometimes I get the opportunity to teach children or adults how to make "stuff" through actual classroom instruction or by writing about it. My latest book TAPE IT & MAKE IT is a duct tape craft book with 101 projects and it will be available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local bookstore on September 15.

Okay, now on to the big reveal: my crazy project that combines my movie star crush and crafting obsession is a Tom Cruise duct tape messenger bag. I made a NYC subway duct tape messenger bag a few months ago, but a TC bag is more my style. I know that it sounds like a craft-fail in the making, but repeat my mantra with me:

This is what it shall be!
This is what it shall be!

I'm borrowing my mantra from my Italian friend Umberto, who has the propensity to says things in English with great authority. He usually says this particular phrase before announcing our plans for the evening which can be an elaborate 8-course meal of raw seafood plus wine pairings. But no matter. I'm taking it and running very, very fast. Like Tom Cruise in many of his "Mission Impossible" movies. I'm going to make this work, so stay tuned.

Ten Things You Should Know About Rockaway Beach

My time here in Rockaway Beach is coming to an end soon, and I thought I should share some things that I've learned.

1. Don't wear a fancy sun hat on the beach, especially after 2PM. The wind dramatically picks up and you will find yourself chasing your stylish chapeau as it rapidly travels across the hipster landscape. Nothing can ruin an afternoon more than pale tattooed fedora-sporting men snickering at your attempts to remain dignified while running unevenly in the sand.

2. While most people learn that "frozens" are lovely alcoholic slushies served at the local watering hole Connolly's on B95th Street, the most important word to have in your arsenal is "floater." Ask for one with your frozen and the bartender will top it off with a shot of rum. Oh, my!


3. Every few blocks you will notice a newly orphaned pair of underwear on the boardwalk. Most often it's not "skelly" and you should feel sorry for that poor kid walking around in a wet, sandy swimsuit against his will. And after a few weeks of these sightings, you will begin asking overly encumbered parents if the orphaned underwear belongs to them--which is a BIG mistake! They usually get defensive and give you a dirty look. So don't do it.

4. "Skelly" is a word that you will hear the locals using a lot. It is often used as an adjective and means unhygienic.  A "skell" is a really unhygienic individual who is basically a bottom feeder. So when a local calls you a skell, you can bet it is not a compliment.

5. EVERY food stand on the boardwalk is a cash-only business. So be sure to bring a few greenbacks with you to the beach. But you don't need a lot of money. $20 can get you a meal (average price is $6-7), a drink (sangria slushie from Low Tide Bar is $8), and a dessert (a small Italian ice from DiCosmo's is $2.50).

6. Everyone loves dolphin sightings and there are plenty of them in the Rockaways. Even the most cynical and "cool" twentysomethings will melt once they hear someone yell, "Look! A dolphin!" I've seen it happen and I'm reminded that deep inside we are all still silly children. So don't despair if the picnic tables at the concession stands are overrun with hipsters; they are people, too. (Just yell out, "I see a dolphin!" and see for yourself.)

7. Rockaway Beach is the longest urban beach in the United States. I am stating this because I've heard it a thousand times while eavesdropping on some painful conversations. And I've regurgitated this fact to many friends who have come to visit me here. Impressive, isn't it?
Which means that the best way to get around the boardwalk is by bike because, well, it's the longest urban beach in the United States. Just be sure that the tires have air in them and that your seat is springy. It's a bumpy ride! And be sure to bring a lock because bicycles tend to get stolen. (It's still the city, after all.)

8. The birds on the beach are ballsy creatures. They are known to go into your beach bag, pull out ziplock bags, and attempt to fly away. I caught this nasty bird on the right trying to get away with my cell phone in a ziplock bag. A helpful pair of young ladies threw sand at the bird and it dropped the bag--but didn't leave! So if you go to the beach, be sure to bring a beach bag that can close at the top.

9. Even though JFK International Airport is less than a ten minute drive away, the sound of airplanes does not dominate the sky. But if you do look up for a long stretch of time, you can spot the airplanes coming through the clouds one at a time as they prepare to land. And it can be as soothing as counting sheep, especially if you are preparing for a midday beach siesta.

10. If you stay for a week or so, you'll notice that the guy from Rockaway Taco is like Zelig. (I don't have a picture of him, but you'll know who I'm talking about.) You will see him everywhere--and be comforted by it! He's a friendly bloke and will wave back if you wave at him first. Try it. You'll like it. And you'll probably go to Rockaway Taco more because of it. Oh, wait. No. You'll go to Rockaway Taco because it's absolutely delicious!

Summertime Sweet Treats

Every summer the kids and I eat copious amounts of ice cream and Italian ices. I consider our vast consumption hard-earned since we suffer in a house with temperamental air-conditioning and lack the funds to fix it. I suppose a sensible person could argue that if we saved all the money earmarked for our summertime sweet treats then we could probably afford central air, but I would then quickly turn around and accuse that person of being a wet blanket. But I digress...


This summer my kids and I have travelled through a few of New York City's boroughs for some urban exploring. In addition to a museum or park, we've had the pleasure of experiencing the local food scene. And guess what that includes? Yup, ice cream and Italian ices. Even though the summer isn't over--and neither is our adventure!--I thought it would be nice to report on the places we've been to already.

I'll begin with the Lemon Ice King of Corona in Corona, Queens. We wrapped up a trip to the New York Hall of Science with a visit to this Italian ice landmark which is only a few blocks away.  The flavors range from the eponymous lemon to fruit cocktail. I am happy to report that there are pits and pieces of fruit in the ices, which means that they are made with REAL ingredients. We tried the vanilla, watermelon, and fruit cocktail.
 
We explored a few different areas in the Bronx.  The first place was City Island, and, yes, it is actually an island that is accessible via bridge. Out of sheer curiosity my kids and I drove there to look around. It's small, which meant that the only ice cream shop in town would be really popular with not only the locals (affectionately known as clam diggers) but the visitors (not-so affectionately known as mussel suckers). The ice cream shop Lickety Split looked quaint from the outside, which added to the small fisherman vibe of the island. We were excited to check it out, but once inside we realized that they did not make their own stuff. It was disappointing. But they did have a nice selection of ice creams, frozen yogurts, and Italian ices, so we didn't leave in a negative mood.  

I somehow tied in a trip to the Bronx Zoo with a visit to Teresa's Italian Ices & Cafe and Loretta's Pizza in the Schuylerville neighborhood of the Bronx. It's nowhere near the Bronx Zoo, but I was interested in comparing two different Italian ices in the same neighborhood. Both these places make their own Italian ice. Teresa's was our first stop and I made the mistake of getting the honeydew flavor. It wasn't so good. But my kids liked their choices of cherry and watermelon.



Loretta's Pizza is known for many things other than their cold sweet treats. And when we walked in the smell of their marinara sauce made my mouth water. But guess what? Their Italian ices are superb. Masana tried the lemon, Mack had the rainbow, and I bravely tried the birthday cake remix. The flavors were rich with the right amount of sweetness and the texture was creamy. 






 


Rockaway Beach in the southern most part of Queens has been our beach home for the past several weeks, and we've eaten our way up and down the boardwalk and boulevard. (I will write a post dedicated to the food here soon.) DiCosmo's, which is originally from Elizabeth, New Jersey, makes our favorite Italian ices. The flavors change daily, and they are ALL incredibly delicious. So far I (we?) have tasted star grapefruit, coconut, avocado, lemon, mango orange, and pear.

 


Okay, I've saved the best for last. Steve's Ice Cream has a special place in my heart for different reasons. First, they make a strawberry ice cream that completely reinvents the flavor for me. It's actually strawberry ricotta and it's absolutely addicting. Strawberry happens to be my favorite flavor and I use it as a barometer for the quality of an ice cream joint. If they can make a good strawberry ice cream then they can make good ice cream period.

The second reason I love Steve's is the BKLYN Blackout. I am one of those people that love chocolate but HATE chocolate flavor ice cream. I actually get angry if someone tries to serve me chocolate ice cream. BUT Steve's BKLYN Blackout has me swooning with every lick (why does that sentence sound wrong?).

And the last but most important reason why I love Steve's Ice Cream is the list of flavors. It's short (8 signature flavors and 3 flavors of the day) and every one of them is delicious. But out of this selection there are dairy-free options (3 signature and 1 flavor of the day) that don't look or taste like the crappy soy or rice milk substitutions I've encountered. (They are coconut milk based.) Which means that my dairy-allergic son can eat an ice cream cone with the rest of his family and not feel different. He is having his first true boardwalk ice cream experience and if you have a child with severe food allergies then you know how priceless that is.

Thank you, Steve's Ice Cream!


Walter Winslow eating a strawberry ricotta ice cream sandwich. He loves Steve's Ice Cream, too.

Summertime Sweet Treats

Every summer the kids and I eat copious amounts of ice cream and Italian ices. I consider our vast consumption hard-earned since we suffer in a house with temperamental air-conditioning and lack the funds to fix it. I suppose a sensible person could argue that if we saved all the money earmarked for our summertime sweet treats then we could probably afford central air, but I would then quickly turn around and accuse that person of being a wet blanket. But I digress...


This summer my kids and I have travelled through a few of New York City's boroughs for some urban exploring. In addition to a museum or park, we've had the pleasure of experiencing the local food scene. And guess what that includes? Yup, ice cream and Italian ices. Even though the summer isn't over--and neither is our adventure!--I thought it would be nice to report on the places we've been to already.

I'll begin with the Lemon Ice King of Corona in Corona, Queens. We wrapped up a trip to the New York Hall of Science with a visit to this Italian ice landmark which is only a few blocks away.  The flavors range from the eponymous lemon to fruit cocktail. I am happy to report that there are pits and pieces of fruit in the ices, which means that they are made with REAL ingredients. We tried the vanilla, watermelon, and fruit cocktail.
 
We explored a few different areas in the Bronx.  The first place was City Island, and, yes, it is actually an island that is accessible via bridge. Out of sheer curiosity my kids and I drove there to look around. It's small, which meant that the only ice cream shop in town would be really popular with not only the locals (affectionately known as clam diggers) but the visitors (not-so affectionately known as mussel suckers). The ice cream shop Lickety Split looked quaint from the outside, which added to the small fisherman vibe of the island. We were excited to check it out, but once inside we realized that they did not make their own stuff. It was disappointing. But they did have a nice selection of ice creams, frozen yogurts, and Italian ices, so we didn't leave in a negative mood.  

I somehow tied in a trip to the Bronx Zoo with a visit to Teresa's Italian Ices & Cafe and Loretta's Pizza in the Schuylerville neighborhood of the Bronx. It's nowhere near the Bronx Zoo, but I was interested in comparing two different Italian ices in the same neighborhood. Both these places make their own Italian ice. Teresa's was our first stop and I made the mistake of getting the honeydew flavor. It wasn't so good. But my kids liked their choices of cherry and watermelon.



Loretta's Pizza is known for many things other than their cold sweet treats. And when we walked in the smell of their marinara sauce made my mouth water. But guess what? Their Italian ices are superb. Masana tried the lemon, Mack had the rainbow, and I bravely tried the birthday cake remix. The flavors were rich with the right amount of sweetness and the texture was creamy. 






 


Rockaway Beach in the southern most part of Queens has been our beach home for the past several weeks, and we've eaten our way up and down the boardwalk and boulevard. (I will write a post dedicated to the food here soon.) DiCosmo's, which is originally from Elizabeth, New Jersey, makes our favorite Italian ices. The flavors change daily, and they are ALL incredibly delicious. So far I (we?) have tasted star grapefruit, coconut, avocado, lemon, mango orange, and pear.

 


Okay, I've saved the best for last. Steve's Ice Cream has a special place in my heart for different reasons. First, they make a strawberry ice cream that completely reinvents the flavor for me. It's actually strawberry ricotta and it's absolutely addicting. Strawberry happens to be my favorite flavor and I use it as a barometer for the quality of an ice cream joint. If they can make a good strawberry ice cream then they can make good ice cream period.

The second reason I love Steve's is the BKLYN Blackout. I am one of those people that love chocolate but HATE chocolate flavor ice cream. I actually get angry if someone tries to serve me chocolate ice cream. BUT Steve's BKLYN Blackout has me swooning with every lick (why does that sentence sound wrong?).

And the last but most important reason why I love Steve's Ice Cream is the list of flavors. It's short (8 signature flavors and 3 flavors of the day) and every one of them is delicious. But out of this selection there are dairy-free options (3 signature and 1 flavor of the day) that don't look or taste like the crappy soy or rice milk substitutions I've encountered. (They are coconut milk based.) Which means that my dairy-allergic son can eat an ice cream cone with the rest of his family and not feel different. He is having his first true boardwalk ice cream experience and if you have a child with severe food allergies then you know how priceless that is.

Thank you, Steve's Ice Cream!


Walter Winslow eating a strawberry ricotta ice cream sandwich. He loves Steve's Ice Cream, too.