Tag Archives: The Enchanted Manor

Craft – Floral Pineapple Decoration

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Pineapple decoration -finished closeup
Sitting on a table in our library is this floral pineapple decoration that I recently made, I had seen one in a magazine several years ago and I thought it would make a lovely arrangement for our home.  The original arrangement was larger and used artificial apples but I altered the craft project to a smaller size and used pieces from pinecones because I thought the seed scales would resemble the “texture” of a real pineapple and the finished piece would have a more realistic style.  The project is a little time consuming, it took a couple of hours to complete, but I think it turned out wonderful!

Pineapple decoration - supplies

Pineapple decoration supplies

  • Several pinecones
  • Several pheasant feathers and some additional feathers in a coordinating color
  • 1 Styrofoam cone
  • 1 urn, vase or other container
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Scissors and tapered pliers
  • Craft gloves (optional)

 Pineapple decoration instructions

  1. Using the tapered pliers, deconstruct a pinecone by removing each individual seed scale. If you wish to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the pinecone, craft gloves can be used during this process.  Using the scissors, trim the bottom of each individual seed scale leaving a straight edge to help it lay flat on the Styrofoam cone during the gluing process. Sort the pinecone seed scales into three different sizes – small, medium and large.  (Craft note: This step was the part of the craft project that took the most time)
  2. Cut off the top and “carve” the bottom section of the Styrofoam cone.  The shape of the cone should be altered to resemble a pineapple form – narrow and tapered top, wide and fuller middle section and slightly tapered, rounded bottom.   (Craft note: My completed floral decoration is more elongated then a real pineapple, if a shorter and wider style is desired  I would suggest using a Styrofoam block instead of the cone)
  3. Starting at the top of the Styrofoam cone, glue the individual pinecone seed scales in rows, overlap each additional row until the entire surface of the Styrofoam cone is covered.  Use the small pinecone seed scale for the top portion, the medium for the middle and the large for the bottom portion of the Styrofoam cone.
    Pineapple decoration 1    Pineapple decoration 2    Pineapple decoration 3
  4. Insert the pheasant feathers and additional feathers to the top of the Styrofoam cone.
  5. Place the completed pineapple decoration onto a urn or other container, secure with glue if you wish to attach it permanently.

Pineapple decoration - finished

 

The Lion King Musical

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The Lion King Musical

On today’s date in history the Lion King debuted on Broadway in 1997.  Even though this animated film was not one of my favorite Disney stories, (I prefer the “Lion King 1&1/2” prequel), I think the musical’s staging, costumes and scenery are absolutely wonderful!  I was fortunate to have seen the production twice and it was just as exciting seeing it the second time with my children and the whole family enjoyed the show.

As mentioned, “The Lion King” musical is based on the 1994 Disney animated film and featured music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice with an additional musical score by Hans Zimmer.  The theatrical production was directed by Julie Taymor and the story is brought to life by actors dressed in animal costumes and also features cleverly designed puppets with some very unique staging.  The musical was previewed at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the New Amsterdam Theater in New York City before officially opening on Broadway on November 13, 1997.

The play’s original director and costume designer, Julie Taymor, had become fascinated by the elements of traditional Japanese puppet theatre, Bunraku, shortly after graduating from college in 1974 while she was on an extended trip to Indonesia and Asia.  When she returned to the United States after five years to begin a career in the theater, she began mixing the traditional form of Western storytelling with the Asian techniques of using rod puppets and masks creating a new and innovative mixed-media style of production and staging.  During the 1980s, she was very successful as a costumer/set designer and later as a playwriter and director.  She eventually came to the attention of the Disney Theatrical Company in 1994 when they decided to turn “The Lion King” story into a large scale musical production for the stage.

By 1995, Taymor had proposed an ambitious production blending actors wearing elaborate masks with oversized puppets and an innovative set design of the African plains as depicted in the Disney animated film.  With a huge budget of almost $29 million, Taymor was able to expand the 75 minute animated film storyline into a dramatic and at times humorous two act stage production with a brilliant staging and unique design concept.

Opening scene        Pride Rock

For the musical stage adaption, several changes were made, such as the character of Rafiki from a male mandrill monkey to a female character because it was felt that the addition of another female lead was needed in the story.  In addition, several songs and scenes were added, such as the “Madness of King Scar” scene and the “Shadowland” song that depicts Nala asking and receiving permission to leave the Pride Lands after she refuses and rejects Scar attempts to make her his mate.

There were over 300 puppets specially created for the production and Taymor took inspiration from the look and style of the animated film as well using the influences from African tribal design in the pattern of the cloth used in fabricating the costumes and puppets.  Taking into account the style of each individual character, the design the Mufasa mask appears strong and powerful while the Scar mask is extremely angular and asymmetrical in design to signify his hostile personality.  Both the Mufasa and Scar costumes had a mechanical device that with the press of a button can be lowered and raised to give an illusion of these lion characters lunging at one another during a dramatic scene.  Some of the animals in the production were portrayed by actors with extra devices to create movement, such as the giraffes with the actors on stilts or numerous gazelle attached to the actors who leap across the stage creating an illusion of a stampeding heard at a climatic point in the production.  In addition to costumes, Taymor and her creative team used music and choreography as well as set design and lighting to bring “The Lion King” musical to the Broadway stage.

Scar and Mufasa            Gazelles

“The Lion King” Musical went on to win six Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director for Taymor, who became the first woman to win in that category.  She also won a Tony Award for Original Costume Design, which I think was well deserved!  “The Lion King” Musical has gone on to become one of the highest grossing Broadway musicals of all time earning $853.8 million.  Currently there are several national and international productions worldwide in over 15 different countries.

Simba and Nala    Timon and Pumba

Craft – Rustic Table Centerpiece

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I had mentioned in a previous post, Thanksgiving dinner I used very rustic table decorations for our dining room table.  During the spring my husband and father-in-law were clearing some of the trees in the forest boarding our house.  I noticed they were several logs stacked ready to use in the fireplace this winter.  I decided one of the logs would be perfect to use as a base for a floral centerpiece.  I had also purchased some flowers from a clearance sale at the local craft store and the color would coordinate with my rustic Thanksgiving table decorations perfectly!

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Rustic Table Centerpiece – supplies

A tree log
An assortment of artificial flowers
Artificial greenery
Saw and drill
Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Rustic Thanksgiving Table Centerpiece – instructions

Warning: Please use caution when using a saw and a drill for this craft project and wear protective glasses and work gloves

  1. Select a log and cut to the desired length (when selecting a log be sure that it will sit balanced on the table and not tip over)
  2. Cut a space a few inches deep into the of the log, this will be the area used for the floral arrangement
  3. Drill a hole for the greenery stem  (this is an optional step and can be omitted)
  4. Cut the greenery stem to the required length and using the hot glue gun secure the greenery into place.  (Another option is to separate the greenery and glue the individual stems directly onto the log)
  5. Cut the individual stems of the artificial flowers to the desired lengths.  Determine the placement of the flowers.  When you are pleased with the arrangement, glue the individual flowers directly onto the log.

20131031_075653    20131031_091627

I was very pleased with the floral arrangement I had created and I think it looks very nice as the centerpiece for our rustic Thanksgiving table!

Decor – Thanksgiving Table Decorations

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This season while shopping at the local craft stores I noticed that many home decorations featured different uses of burlap material.  So, this year I decided on a very different style of table for our Thanksgiving dinner.  Normally, I would set the table in a very formal style with our beautiful china, silver, crystal and lovely linens.  This year the table will be set in a more casual way with rustic decorations incorporating burlap materials  and softer colors, such as pale blue, sage green, ivory and brown.

The first of several layers of table linens was  an inexpensive ivory tablecloth.  Next, I added an overlay of burlap material in a lovely pale blue.  This unexpected color for the fall season goes beautifully with the chair pillows and other decorations in our dining room.  I was also creating a table centerpiece with artificial hydrangeas in a similar blue color which coordinated with the color of the burlap.  To finish the table linens, and too add a touch of softness, I added a vintage crocheted doily in ecru color.

The main decoration of our Thanksgiving table will be one of this month’s craft posts.  During the spring my husband/father-in-law were clearing out some of the trees in the forest next to our home and I had them save one of the logs for me.  I wanted to use the log as a base for a floral decoration and I thought Thanksgiving would be a great opportunity.  I used blue, gold hydrangeas and greenery to create the floral decoration and I found some inexpensive artificial mushrooms at the local craft store and scattered them among several candles placed on either side of the centerpiece.  I think the colors I used complement the table linens beautifully!  (Please check out the Craft Post, Rustic Table Centerpiece, for a supply list and instructions for the floral decoration)

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Next, I set each place setting with an ivory dinner plate, another smaller green plate, green salad bowl, silverware and glassware.  I used an ivory napkin with a green leaf napkin ring and placed a small burlap bag filled with candy into the salad bowl for a party favor.  It is always a good idea to have something special for your guests to take home after a luncheon or dinner party … of course for Thanksgiving our guests will also be taking home containers filled with leftover turkey, etc.!

To finish the table decorations I tied two colors of burlap “ribbon” to the dining room table chair backs.  I used the traditional brown color of burlap and a sage green color of burlap “ribbon” tied with green string.  This was the perfect way to finish the table decorations while adding another rustic element and also another way to incorporate burlap material into the table design.

The other decorations in the room included several glass acorn ornaments hanging from the chandelier on brown ribbons and the gold floral arrangement that is usually displayed on the dining room table throughout most of the year was place on the tea table across the room.  In the china cabinet, is a display of three Currier and Ives porcelain houses, small artificial pine trees and figurines set on a silver mirrored tray.

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Finally, I would like to mention three craft projects – the first two craft posts are Framed Floral Decorations and Glass Dome Arrangement which were posted in the month of August and one October craft post Jeweled Pumpkins.  The Framed Floral Decorations are hung above the side chairs on either side of the china cabinet, the gold roses and autumn leaves are the perfect decorative accent for the holiday.  The Glass Dome Arrangement now sits on the tall cabinet across the room and the rustic elements coordinate with the dining room table decorations.  The Jeweled Pumpkins are on display in the china cabinet.

Framed floral final    20131110_132455
 

Classic Jeweled Pumpkin on display in china cabinet

Travel – Georgia Aquarium

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Georgia Aquarium

On our way back from a summer road trip to Florida this year, we made an unscheduled stop in Atlanta and visited the Georgia Aquarium.  Our family enjoys going to aquariums during our travels across the United States, there is always something interesting to see and learn about the animals of the oceans, lakes and rivers.

In 2001 Bernard Marcus, a local Atlanta businessman, announced a $250 million donation for the purpose of building a world-class aquarium that would benefit the city of Atlanta economically while providing an educational experience for the community, an additional $40 million was obtained through corporate sponsorship.  After 44 months of design and construction time, the Georgia Aquarium opened in 2005 and is located near the World of Coca-Cola and within walking distance to the Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.

The Aquarium building is more than 600,000 square feet and has over 110,000 fish and sea animals that represent more than five hundred species that are displayed in six different exhibit areas.  The largest is the Ocean Voyager exhibit which contains a 6.3 million gallon water tank that measures 284 feet by 126 feet with depths between 20 and 30 feet and includes a 100 foot underwater tunnel that visitors enter for an amazing view of thousands of fish, it is the largest indoor aquatic habitat in the world.  The exhibit is designed as the centerpiece of the aquarium and features several whale sharks and it is the only institution outside Asia that has these massive fish on display.  Also featured in this large tank are several manta rays, in 2008 when these rays were first put on display at the aquarium it was one of only four sites in the world to keep them in captivity.  (The long entrance tunnel gives visitors a very unusual view that feels like being underwater with these sea animals and near the exit of the exhibit is a series of very large observation windows for more amazing views.  I could have stayed there for a long time just watching the fish swimming by!)

Aquarium Virtual tour

Georgia Aquarium - tunnel 1  20130607_100943

To left of the entrance of the aquarium is the Georgia Explore exhibit with displays that are especially created for children to explore and there are several “touch tanks” with rays and sharks. Other tanks in this area of the aquarium features sea turtles and an interesting displays of several different sea animals that can be found in a National Marine Sanctuary called Gray’s Reef just off the Georgia coast.

Georgia Aquarium - albino alligator

Nearby is the River Scout exhibit of the aquarium which features an overhead river tank where visitors have a view of several different varieties of North American fish from the bottom up.  Other tanks in this area display piranha, electric eels and other unusual freshwater fish.

The most recent addition to the aquarium opened in 2011 and it is the Dolphin Tales exhibit which features an indoor dolphin show that is included in the cost of a general admission to the aquarium, visitors are required to select a specific time for one of the three dolphin shows held during the day.  Construction on the $110 million expansion began in 2008 and includes over 84,000 square feet of exhibit space that contains a 1.3 gallon water tank, a large stadium seating area and observation windows where visitors can see the dolphins during non-show times.  The Dolphin Tales show is an elaborate production of musical numbers featuring numerous performers and several bottlenose dolphins.  (The show is absolutely wonderful and was the highlight of our visit to the aquarium!)

Georgia Aquarium - Dolphin Tales

Another area of the aquarium is the Cold Water Quest exhibit area which features beluga whales, penguins and sea otters.  The final area of the aquarium is the tropical Diver exhibit which features a 164,000 gallon tank containing a large reef with several species of tropical fish, the aquarium actually “grows” their own coral for the display.  Other sea animals found in this exhibit area are different tanks containing sea horses, jellyfish, shrimp, and lobster.

Georgia Aquarium - beluga whale  Georgia Aquarium - penguins
Georgia Aquarium 1  Georgia Aquarium - crab
Georgia Aquarium - jellyfish

Travel information for visiting the Georgia Aquarium

  • Tickets are available at the ticket booth or can be purchased in advance online at www.georgiaaquarium.org or by phoning the Call Center at 404-581-4000.  General Admission includes both the Dolphin Tales show and the “Deepo’s Undersea  Wondershow” movie at the 4D Theater.  (Travel note: When purchasing general admission tickets be sure to select a show time for the Dolphin Tales show and arrive early prior the scheduled time to assure a good viewing area as the stadium seating does fill very quickly!)
  • The Aquarium can get very busy and crowded, especially during the summer months, so we advise arriving early in the morning.  If you want to avoid the crowds, consider visiting the aquarium during the fall or winter seasons.
  • Allow at least 3-4 hours when visiting the Aquarium, this will provide plenty of time to visit all the exhibits and to see the Dolphin Show and 4D movie.  (Travel note: When arriving at the Aquarium check for the posted feeding times for the animals on display, the animals diet is generally food normally found in their natural environment and watching the animals being feed can be an interesting experience)
  • There is an on-site food court, the Café Aquaria, which offers visitors a wide variety of menu items.  If there are dietary concerns and requirements, please check ahead on the Aquarium website for more information and a detailed menu at www.georgiaaquarium.org
  • Take advantage of the guided tours that are offered at the Aquarium.  The “Behind the Scenes” tour is limited to visitors 10 years or older and can be reserved prior to a visit and can be purchased tickets online or by calling the phone number listed above.  The one hour “Behind the Scenes” tour takes visitors into the areas of the most popular exhibits that are generally off limits and also to the Veterinary Clinic where the Aquarium staff cares for the animals and the Commissary where they prepares the food for the animals.
  • For visitors looking for a closer look at the Aquarium’s animals and a very unique experience, consider one of the Animal Encounters programs,  such as the “Dolphin Encounter”, the “Sea Otter Encounter” or the “Penguin Encounter”.  There is also other opportunities for visitors and animals to interact, such as the “Journey with the Gentle Giants” where visitor swim or dive with the whale sharks, manta rays and other sea animals in the Ocean Voyager exhibit or  the “Beluga & Friends interactive program” that provides an exclusive experience.  (Travel note: Check the Aquarium website for more information, prices, restrictions and limitations for these programs)