Easter Egg Surprise in New York

Last year my children and I went to New York City for spring break.  We packed many activities into a few short days - Grand Central Station - the NY Public Library - the Empire State Building - Shows at the Lincoln Center - Times Square in the day and at night - the Metropolitan Museum - the Cloisters - the Frick Museum - the Whitney Museum - the Guggenheim Museum - Central Park - the Rockefeller Center and the Top of the Rock viewing deck - multiple taxi rides - one long Bus ride - multiple subway rides and a boat trip around Manhattan Island near the Statue of Liberty.  We ate out.  We got lost. We found unexpected surprises.  We had fun.

Faberge New York City Egg Hunt - Painted Eggs

One serendipitous find was the 2014 Big Egg Hunt New York display, sponsored by Faberge.  The Big Egg hunt consisted of approximately 235 large (3 foot high) eggs decorated by designers and artists then hidden all over the city.  Near Easter, the eggs were gathered and displayed in and around the Rockefeller Center Plaza.  We "found" the eggs on display there when we went to the Lego store at the Rockefeller Center.

Faberge New York City Egg Hunt - Eggs and surface detail

I loved everything about the egg collection.  Experiencing the creativity of 100's of artists decorating the same 3D object - "an egg" - can be an inspirational exercise. More then half of the eggs were painted - with with vastly different results - showing a gamut of painting techniques and finishes.

Faberge New York City Egg Hunt - Mosaic Eggs

Other eggs had shells, button, fabric and decoupage treatments.  The textures and colors fascinated the eye, and the bending surface of the egg shape adds to the delight.  There were so many beautiful surface decorating techniques.  Some of my favorite eggs featured mosaics.  Not surprising since I make mosaics, but can many resist this age old technique?

Faberge New York City Egg Hunt - Sculptural Eggs

A variety of eggs were "sculptural", and some artists created abstract sculptural eggs as well.  

Some of these eggs didn't photograph well.   The metal egg in the photo above contains an iridescent sphere in the middle surrounded by people shapes, and looked more impressive in real life.  In fact, most of the eggs appeared more stunning in person.  Reflective surfaces, crowds and little time prevented me from getting better photos.  (Even seeing 200+ eggs in less then 2 hours was a challenge - not surprisingly, I wished I could spend more time.)

Abalone - Free desktop background 1280 x 1024 pixels

The materials in many of the surface decorations delighted me.  I am including a handful free desktop background images I made from the eggs displayed.  You can download and save these as a computer desktop background.  (I find myself changing desktop backgrounds almost weekly - does anyone else do that?)

Rhinestones - Free desktop background 1280 x 1024 pixels

Eventually the Eggs were auctioned off for charity, and this once in a lifetime exhibit has now disappeared.  Once home I discovered that Faberge sponsored this hunt once in London in 2012 and once in 2014 in New York.  I feel lucky I "found" these eggs when I did, and I hoped you enjoyed the images.

Pearls - Free desktop background 1280 x 1024 pixels

Once home I discovered that Faberge sponsored this hunt once in London in 2012 and once in 2014 in New York.  I feel lucky I "found" these eggs when I did, and I hoped you enjoyed the images.



Here is an official site showing each egg from New York.





Click on the images to see them enlarged.




If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

NY Christmas Part 4

NY Christmas Part 3

NY Christmas Part 2

NY Christmas Part 1

New York Egg Hunt

Winter Garden

Dogs of New York

Chicago Xmas

Grand Canyon Ruins

GC Running Rapids

Spooky Paris Museum

Germany Castle

  Other Easter posts post you might like:

Prague Wreath

Spring Gift Tags

Eggs of stone

Eggs-travaganza

Chicago Tulips

Spring Needlework

I am linking up to these parties:

Mariaelenas: Tues at our home 104 (Entry 90 of 97.)
* Mod Vintage Life: Mod Mix Mon 185 (Entry 49 of 52.)
* Coastal Charm: Show and Share (Entry 4 of 170)
Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 54 (Entry 52 of 314.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 263 (Entry 71 of 317)
Cedarhill Ranch: The Scoop 165 (Entry 89 of 295)
Carolyns Homework: Inspiration Board (Entry 125 of 147.) *
Dwellings: Amaze Me Mon 103 (Entry 141 of 145.)
Cozy little house: Tweak it Tue 134 (Entry 154 of 161.)
Upcycled Treasures: Makers link Party 58 (Entry 206 of 247.)
Bddesignblog: Outside the Box 28 (Entry 24? of ~56.)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 214 (Entry 93 of 309.) *
Someday Crafts: Whatever goes Wed 262 (Entry 78 of 350.)
Gingersnap crafts:Wow me Wed 198 (Entry ? of ~568.)
Ivy and Elephants: Whats it Wed 159 (Entry 61 of 152.)
My Salvaged Treasure: Vint Inspiration 182 (Entry 11 of 114.)
Rooted in Thyme: Simple and Sweet (Entry 1 of 119.)
Style Sisters: Wednesday Spring Party (Entry 13 of 67.)
Posed Perfection: Creative Ways 46 (Entry 83 of 178.)
Southern daydreamer: Outdoor Wed 324 (Entry 1 of 49.)
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 142 (Entry 10 of 149.)
Creative Princess: Its a Party 203 (Entry 16 of 112.)
I Gotta create: Wildly original 148 (Entry 49 of 382.)
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 182 (Entry 146 of 513.)
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 198 (Entry 8 of 136.)
Delightsome Life: Home and Garden Thurs 91 (Entry 15 of 140.) 
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 213 (Entry 24 of 135.)
French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 30 of 259.)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 68 of 248.)
Craftberry Bush: The Inspiration Gallery (Entry 135 of 366.)
Chic on a Shoestring: Flaunt it Friday (Entry 90 of 235.)
Life as We Know: Weekend party 129 (Entry 22 of 175.)
Bloom Designs: Lovely Little Link Party (Entry 172 of 355.)
My Repurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can 206 (Entry 17 of 41.)
Simple nature: Fab Friday (Entry 79 of 96.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 108 (Entry 24 of 149.)
Mstoodygooshoes: Best of week 97 (Entry 225 of 501.)
Its Overflowing: Count your Blessings (Entry 5 of 48)
Lakeshore Drive: Bouquet of Talent (Entry 2 of 340.)
Jembellish: A Round Tuit 236 (Entry 31 of 221.)
Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon  (Entry 19 of 55)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry ? of 151?)
Silver pennies: Silver Pennies Sun 114 (Entry 35 of 74.)
Karens Hill: Something to talk about 11 (Entry 20 of 167.)
Glimpse inside: Handmade Hangout 41 (Entry 40 of 366.)
Enchanting Rose: Inspiration 12 (Entry 75 of 96.) 
Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 29 of 163.)
Marcela Cavaglieri: Finde Frugal 69 (Entry )
Maleviks Rosentradgard: Saturday Show Off (Entry 19 of 45.)
Classy yet Trendy: Mix it up Fri (Entry 23 of 29.)   I was featured!

Tatertots: Party Palooza (Entry 63 of 633.)
Whats on the list.net: GDay Fun Party (Entry 3 of 67.)
Funky Junk: Salvaged Junk (Entry 14 of 60.)
Girlish Whims: Whims Wednesday 207 (Entry 63)
Stone Cottage: Tue with a Twist (Entry 86)

Another post on the New York Egg Hunt - Millefiorifavoriti 
 
187000

Valentine Hutch

Valentines Day Hutch

 

Here is my hutch arranged for Valentines Day.  I have five contemporary novelty plates on the hutch that don't quite fit with the rest, but I am going to pretend that they work.   

Swinnertons Staffordshire Plate

 

I like Swinnertons "Kent" china from Staffordshire England for Valentines day.  I think they really have a valentines feel to them because of the border.

 

Otagiri Birds

 

The two cute birds above are manufactured by the Otagiri company.  I got them for $1.50, and I like their cheerful chubbiness.  They keep hanging around from plate change to plate change.

Next year I hope to have more time to arrange my hutch for Valentines Day, and include some Valentines I have.  I look at my photos now and I want to spread out the contemporary plates better.  But for 2011 time has run out.  This year I am just digging through boxes to see what I have.  (I am kind of photo inventorying my collection now that I have a hutch to display them in).

Click on the images to see them enlarged.


If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

My Collection of all Hutch Posts!

I am linking to these parties:
Bargain Hunting for Valentines Party (I was entry 99 of 102.)
This is my 12th entry to Mosaic Monday (I was entry 35 of 92.)
Roses for Show off your Cottage Mon (I was entry 1 of 58.)
Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Mon (I was entry 63 of 276).
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Mon 7 (I was entry 6 of 61.)
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tues 50 (I was entry 23 of 141.)
Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingies Thur (I was entry 11 of 39).
Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thur 102 (I was entry 1 of 121.)
Brambleberry for Time Travel Thur 32 (I was entry 2 of 48.)
Common Ground for Vint Inspiration 25 (I was entry 22 of 102.)
Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home 2 (I was entry 39 of 44.)
Romantic Home for Show and Tell (I was entry 40 of 251.)
French Country for Feathered Nest Fri 11 (I was entry 8 of 115.)
Hills are Living for Favorite Things Friday (I was entry 5 of 76)
Cottage Charm for Trinkets and Treasures (I was entry 10 of 15.)
A Picture is Worth for 2nd Time Around (I was entry 11 of 13.)
How Sweet for Pink Saturday (I was entry 118 of 186.)
Funky Junk for Saturday Night Special 69 (I was entry 53 of 184.)
 

This post and other hutch posts were featured Here!

Flow Blue China Patterns

Lugano Flow Blue Plate Detail

Some of my favorite china is blue and white.  I love the combination of cobalt blue with the clean white, ivory, or creamy off whites of the base porcelain.  This combination has resonated with more then just me, and starting in the 1800's, blue and white china from many manufacturers in many patterns were popular with china purchasing customers.

Astoria Flow Blue China

An important historical subset of blue and white china is called flow blue.  There are many sites that can describe the "how and whys" of flow blue china, but I will just describe flow blue in my own words.  Flow blue china has deep cobalt blue color applied over a white china base, and the chemistry over time has blurred the once crisp lines.  Instead of this manufacturing problem disappointing customers, the resulting dreamier blurry lines have inspired fans and collectors, including me.  

Lugano Flow Blue China

I wish my photos could show you the beauty of the flow blue plates - the beauty that I see when I hold them in my hands.  The colors from a distance command attention, and then the delicate lines, flowers and scroll work hold your attention when you examine the patterns up close.  The soft blurry lines seems to contradict the cool smoothness of the china itself -- china which is smooth and hard to the touch, and yet known to be fragile, 'breakable'.  Times has 'changed' this seemingly permanent china, and yet the touch of time has been kind.  

I can stare at a single plate for minutes at a time - time many of us rarely have the ability to take.  (OMG, strange...)  I'll point out only a few details to notice in the three photo-mosaics I have assembled here.  The Astoria china photo-mosaic shows details from two different plates on the bottom edge.  There is a large difference in the blurring between the two plates, yet I got them together and believe they were likely to have been purchased originally at the same time.  The Lugano flow blue plate has brush stokes visible in the solid blue background, which I find I enjoy.  And the Brunswick china has dots that have blurred to form the solid blue background.

Brunswick Flow Blue China plate

Another fun fact about my collection of flow blue is that most of my flow blue  plates are chipped, crazed and/or flawed.  I call them my collection of chipped and broken plates.  I couldn't/can't afford 'perfect pieces'.  Originally I collected chipped and even broken plates (usually glued together by a previous owner).  I have favorite antique dealers, who have kindly 'given' me/sold me the damaged pieces that they get when buying a set for sale.  (Many of the dealers I know don't typically resell damaged pieces of non rare china, and yet I know one or two that have a hard time throwing out the damaged piece.) 

Originally I bought broken plates, intended for mosaic projects that would get me "as close to owning flow blue" as I thought I could ever come.  I would also sometimes get chipped plates, but somehow I couldn't use them in my mosaics, and they started showing up on my plate rail or wall, chips included.  (Sometimes with another plate overlapping a chipped area)  [So, if you have a beautiful damaged or broken china plate, you don't want to keep yet don't want to toss, consider contacting me - I will add them to my collection of chipped and broken china orphans that I cherish.  I don't mind a yellow brown rind of old glue running through the center of a beautiful plate.  I can pay shipping and handling ;)  ]

May we all age as gracefully as this china, be lucky to survive intact, and in our old age find a home where we are cherished and loved. 

Click on the images to see them enlarged!

I blog for fun and my blog is ad free.  Comments encourage me, and I sometimes need encouragement. Please leave a comment if you have time!  Anonymous comments and comments months/years later are welcome!

_____________________________________

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

China Cabinet

Hutch Treasure

Halloween

Thanksgiving

Christmas 1

Christmas 2

Blue-Wht Hutch

Valentine 1

Valentine 2

St Pats Hutch

Spring Hutch 1

Easter Hutch

Easter Hutch 2

July Hutch 1

July Hutch 2

Flow Blue China

_____________________________________

My Collection of all China Posts!

_____________________________________

I am linking up to these memes:

This is my 11th entry to Mosaic Monday (I was entry 15 of 84.)

Roses for Show off your Cottage Mon (Entry 15 of 47.)
Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Mon (Entry 73 of 324.)
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Mon 6 (Entry 57 of 72.)
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tues 49 (Entry 47 of 183.)
House of Grace for Twice Owned Tues 38 (Entry 12 of 68.)
Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 8 of 50.)
Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thur 101 (Entry 25 of 124.)

Brambleberry for Time Travel Thur 31 (Entry 8 of 36.)
All Thingz for Anything Related 35 (Entry 79 of ?)
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration 24 (Entry 18 of 103.) 
Romantic Home for Show and Tell (Entry 84 of 312.)
French Country for Feathered Nest Fri #11 (Entry 1 of 119.)

Hills are Living for Favorite Things Friday (Entry 6 of 105) 
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home 1 (Entry 19 of 50.) 
My Cottage Charm for Trinkets and Treasures (Entry 5 of 7.)

A Picture is Worth for 2nd Time Around (Entry 7 of 10)
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday (Entry 75 of 86.)