Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Artful Blogging in the West Village

This weekend I took the subway from my home in Brooklyn to the West Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan.

The weather in New York City has been absolutely lovely the past week and many people were out strolling around and eating at the outdoor tables in the corner cafes.


Many windows were open to welcome the breeze!


I walked past Saint Vincent's Hospital with tears in my eyes, as it closed recently due to financial constraints. It had been a Greenwich Village institution for over 160 years, and was New York City's third oldest hospital.
I had my first job in Saint Vincent's Hospital  as a "Vincenteen" when I was in high school. The hospital gave Vincenteens the opportunity to train to work part time as nurse's aides in an effort to encourage young women and men to consider nursing as a career choice.  I worked weekends and during the summer months and enjoyed both the work and the opportunity to be part of the Greenwich Village scene.  The Village was always an interesting, and chic, place to visit!


The poet Edna St.Vincent Millay was named after the hospital, as you can read in the sign above. It is very sad that the hospital closed, and now a whole neighborhood is left without available emergency care and a full service hospital in close proximity.


I continued to walk along West 12 Street towards Eight Avenue and passed many beautiful brownstone homes such as these.


This house partially obstructed by scaffolding on a building next door that was undergoing repair caught my eye as it had an informational plaque on it. I always stop and take a look at these as there is so much history in the Greenwich Village neighborhood.

So fascinating!


I finally reach my destination!  The Ink Pad is located at 22 Eighth Avenue.  It advertises itself as "New York's Only Rubber Stamp Art Shop."  Let's go inside.


It is a long and narrow store but it is filled to the brim with rubber art stamps and papers, embellishments, inks, crafting tools, magazines and books from hundreds of vendors.


There were all types and themes of rubber stamps for sale, but I was there to purchase a magazine which I knew they would carry, and whose summer issue was released on May 1, and put on the shelves for sale.


It was the 2010 summer issue of Artful Blogging Magazine!  I was very excited to see it as a photograph from my blog was published in this issue in an article about the Pink Saturday event held every week by Beverly of the blog "How Sweet The Sound."

Can you guess which one of these wonderful photographs in the article is mine? (all photos can be enlarged by double clicking on them -- then use your browser's back arrow to return to this post)


This is it!  This photo was in this post: "Pink Saturday Christmas Chandelier."  It is a photograph of a 1,900-piece, Louis XV chandelier that once hung in the main banking hall of J. P. Morgan at 23 Wall Street. The two commercial properties have been converted into luxury condominium apartments and the chandelier was saved and put on permanent display as a design element.  When I walked by the building in December the chandelier's beauty made me do a double take and I went back to take a photo of it ... pure serendipity!

 Information  from the Artful Blogging Magazine website:
 "Welcome summer with the new issue of Artful Blogging. Sit back and prepare to be inspired by the most visually stunning blogs on the Internet. From photographers, to mixed-media artists, to authentic souls, we present a bounty of artists to be your guide as you journey through the world of blogs. Whether you have a blog of your own or just admire them, you will find no richer landscape to spark your own creative fires."
It was such a thrill to see one of my photographs in a magazine, along with so many other beautiful ones.
Thank you Beverly for hosting the Pink Saturday event each week and giving us all the opportunity to be published in this way. Part of the joy of blogging for me has been joining the challenge of weekly events and meeting so many wonderful new bloggers through them!

I am adding this post to the following weekly blog events: Susan's "Outdoor Wednesday,"  Jenny's "Alphabe Thursday" (the letter is "P" perfect for Pink Saturday and pink chandelier),  Claudia's "Friday Finding Beauty" and Beverly's "Pink Saturday."  Please visit these blogs on their respective event days and take part in all the fun!





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81 comments:

Barb said...

Congrats,your photo is beautiful I know you must be thrilled. I loved the history with your other photos it's always a treat to see you wonderful pics....Barb

Anonymous said...

yes, congratulations..that photo is something else! wow!

and that stamp pad shop is amazing too...i've never been in one place that has that many stamps at the same time!

great post! love all the photos...

ciao bella
creative carmelina

Maria M. Boyer said...

Very excited for you, Pat! Gorgeous photos, as always! You know I always wish I were there with you!

myletterstoemily said...

well done, pat, but i am not at all
surprised. you are an extremely
talented photographer.

i am always transfixed by your
art. the chandelier is exquisite.

Mary Ann said...

Absolutely gorgeous photographs. As a southerner I couldn't imagine the lovliness of spring in NY until I saw these pictures. You have such a talent. What a lovely book these would make.

Annesphamily said...

Congrats on having your phoro published! I was thrilled to know Pink Saturday made it into the world of publishing!

That stamp pad shop is totally cool.

I was sad :( about the hospital closure. This health care situation has gone from bad to horrid. 27 years in the medical field and I am truly frightened. There is no health reform in America. Only taking away from the working tax payers and giving away to those who have no work ethics.

I hate to be a downer here in blog land but the truth is hard to take these days! We are slipping away and no one in Washington DC cares.

Anonymous said...

Wow how great yes I remember that photo. I am surprised more of your photos have not been picked up somewhere. Gosh it hurt my heart to hear about the car bomb in New York. Thank goodness it did not go off. The story about the closing of the hospital is so sad too. Blessings
QMM

Ciao Chow Linda said...

very cool to see your photo in that magazine. It is soo sad about St. Vincent's. I just can't believe they would close down. The Village won't be the same without it. And for you to have a direct attachment as a "Vincenteen" - you must be really saddened.

Debbiedoos said...

Ok how many times do I mention your photography? Just about evertime! Congrats....so sad about the hospital had no idea....that really is sad! Love the brownstones, always a favorite of mine to go by.

Ebie said...

Wow! I am excited for you! Honestly your posts are very well themed giving us a real visual tour of your world!

Now the sad part of the medical institution. I understand about the demand for nurses or any medical personnel, but because of financial problems, hiring has been frozen. My daughter, a BSN-RN only works 2 to 3 days a week. Its sad, but we are keeping our hopes open, after gaining her one year experience, hopefully, she can land a regular job.

Congratulations, again!

Carol said...

How cool is that to have your work published in a magazine, congrats, Pat! That is great! looks like a great time in the Village! Used to go with my friends and shop til we dropped!

I never knew St Vincent's was named for the poet! It's terrible that they are closing the place! My husband did electrical work there over the years. I can imagine how sad you must be, being a Vencenteen and all. Hate to see it close.

pam said...

How fun to be part of the article. That stamp store is packed...amazing to think it's the only one.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to YOU, Pat. You are certainly an Artful Blogger!!! You know I fell in love with you and your blog the first time I visited!!!

L, Dana

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Pat, I am so thrilled for you!! You are a very talented photographer, so I am not surprised that your picture was chosen. It is gorgeous!!! I will have to look for that copy of the magazine. That stamp shop looks awesome too. I love to stamp and make cards! I always look forward to your posts, as I feel like I have traveled to New York myself each time I read your blog. Have a wonderful day! Love & blessings from NC!

dianasfaria.com said...

Congratulations on your picture being published in the Artful Blogger magazine Pat! How exciting! & your photo is lovely.
: )
Coincidentally I did a post on the Ink Pad's window display from last Valentine's Day,here.
I was sad to hear of St. Vincents too - my son was born there.
It's really hard to believe it's closed.

Judy said...

Oh...how exciting is that? Congrats on having your photo published...a beautiful photo it was! I'm wondering if that magazine would be available anywhere out here. Hmmm.

And thanks for sharing a little about Greenwich Village...a place we used to hear a lot about.

Anonymous said...

I hadn't heard of that magazine- it looks interesting. Congratulations for having a photo in it.

Love the area where the shop is. Amazing number of rubber stamps in there!

Old Kitty said...

Yay!!

I picked the right pic before I saw the answer - yay for me!

LOL!

What wonderful, wonderful news and so great to see your pic published - fantastic stuff. The mag is such a brilliant idea. You know I've come across a few blogs (like yours!!) whose photographs and images are just beyond stunning! So this is a great thing to have such wonderful bloggers' artistic ventures recognised.

Absolutely brilliant.

Thank you for the stroll through Greenwich Village. It is such an awful shame about St Vincent's Hospital. Awful. This should not have been allowed to happen - not to an important and crucial service - and one with such a historical significance for the Village.

How awful. What's going to happen to the building? Terrible.

I love these plaques (they're blue here) that are dotted around buildings. It's always a nice surprise stumble across one and read who used to live in this building etc and what they did. You are so right, they are always fascinating! Now I know that the landscape gardener of the White House was a neice of Edith Wharton! Brilliant.

And of course Ink Pad is a treasure trove of all thinks.. ink-inpired! LOL! Wonderful, wonderful.

Thanks for a brilliant stroll under the New York sunny skyline to another stunning area of that wonderful city!

Take care
x

Allie and Pattie said...

Pat, I've been looking for that magazine since it came out! Hard to find in NC! Aongrats! Very well-deserved
xoxo Pattie

diane b said...

Wow what an interesting post. The shots of the village are wonderful and good enough for any magazine. Congrats on the pink chandelier pic getting into a blogging mag. I didn't even know there was such a mag. Well done.

My name is Riet said...

Congratulations Pat. I remember you posting and showing that chandelier and I said it is the most beatiful chandelier I ever saw. I guessed right about the picture. My magazine will come by mail I hope today. there is one shop in Holland that sells it. A friend bought it and saw my name , glad she told me.
How sad that hospital had to be closed and that people now don;t have a hospital in the neighbourhood. Beautiful surroundings ther. And I love that little stamp shop. Wow , so full with goodies.
Have a nice day.

Kat said...

Another great tour Pat. So sad about the hospital closing, what a shame for the people who depended on it for nearby care. But on a happier note, congrats on your photo being chosen for the magazine spread! I've always said that your photography is amazing. I remember the shot of the chandelier from your original post. I just love seeing all of your beautiful little slices of NY life. Kathy

Rettabug said...

Congratulations Pat...any ONE of your wonderful photos could have been included in that magazine! BRAVO!

I ♥ your tours of your city. Keep 'em coming!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I'm so happy for you and proud! How special! And what a wonderful photo! I'll be on the lookout for the magazine, too. Hugs to you this morning! ♥♥♥

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Stunning post! I loved that picture of the chandelier the first time around, and love it even more now. Congratulations on the magazine and congrats to Beverly too. I have always said that you need to publish a coffee table book...I will be first in line to buy it!
♥, Susan

RoeH said...

Oh wow. Gotta have that chandelier. It's bigger than my house though but I'll just live around it. Soo beautiful. I love the springtime effects on the streets. Gee I'd like to see all of that.

Grace said...

Congratulations! I bought the magazine at Border's yesterday. I loved the post you did with this chandalier I love chandaliers. Hugs Grace

Killara girl said...

what an amazing chandalier...how fun to be published...i've seen this mag on the digital art sites, must pick up a copy.

Marg said...

What an amazing shot of that chandelier. Wow...this is great to see you having shots in that Blogging Magazine. I was not aware that there was one like that.
It's been so much fun being able to post about blogging and the people we've met.
I can sure feel along with you...as you close down one medical facility.
It's part of your community, it's part of your heart.

Shellbelle said...

How fun that Pink Saturdays was featured in the magazine and that one of your wonderful photos was included! Congrats!

I always stop and read those signs also, they are always so interesting. I've seen a few around my new town and one has to do with George Washington. The first thing I thought was that it would make a great post, lol.

So nice to finally be back to blogging, I missed everyone so much!

GailO said...

How much fun!..Congratulations on being published!...That magazine is very beautiful...I have bought them here in RI at regular bookstores...

...and I loved the trip through the West Village...So sad about St Vincent's...and so amazing to have a shop with so many rubber stamps!

Kathleen said...

Hi Pat..
CONGRATULATIONS! That is wonderful! I feel like I know celebrities..you, Pat Back Porch, and Yvonne..
Just wonderful!
It is sad to see St Vincent's go..I have to find the magazine!

Jeanne said...

Hi Pat, I envy you being able to buy the May issue of Artful Blogger. We do not have a bookstore or anyone who would carry that magazine. I need to order it on line. Congratulations on your beautiful entry. A very worthy choice. Such a gorgeous chandelier. I have never seen that many stamps in one store before. Wow, how can you choose. My cousin Marilyn has tons of stamps. I THOUGHT! HA!

How sad about the hospital Pat. Our world is changing isn't it? Not for the better either.

Thanks for sharing the MAG. I loved seeing it. Now I want it for me!!! smile.
Hugs, Jeanne

Ms. Bake-it said...

Hello Pat,

Congratulations on your picture being published in Artful Blogger! Great photo and love the history. So sad about St. Vincent's Hospital. My goodness! The Ink Pad is amazing!

Thanks for sharing!

~ Tracy

Annalisa said...

What a wonderful post!
I love the photos and love the ink pad shop, wish there was a place like that here, I would be there everyday for hours and hours!!!!
I love the photos, and love this post, c'est magnifique!!!!
I love your blog, always so interesting,
love, Annalisa

Jennyff said...

The village looks really interesting and very villagey, not at all how I imagined it. There must be lots of interesting litte shops like the stamp pad place. Congratulations on having your photo published, it certainly deserves to be shown to a wide audience, well done.

Nola said...

I'm so proud of you! And by the way, I guessed which one was yours. I'll have to try and lay my hands on a copy!

Claudia said...

Huge congrats on the photo, Pat - it is just so exciting and wonderful! Tears as you visited the Village - my old stomping ground. I lived on W. 10th. And so sad about St. Vincent's - a piece of history, a stories, of healings and passings...

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Pat, I love to see pictures from Greenwich Village. My first husband's aunt was Dean of the school of Nursing at New York University for many years--and she lived in the village. She's dead now---but I remember her telling stories from that wonderful area in NYC. Thanks for sharing!!!! Bet she lived in one of those places you showed!!!!

We've had a wonderful day today at the beach... Beautiful weather after the rain yesterday (clear, sunny, breezy, warm---PERFECT)...

Hugs,
Betsy

Tracy said...

CONGRATS on your WONDERFUL feature! What a thrill to be on show in that great magazine. So happy for you. And I'll take that pink chandelier! And maybe a few of those rubber stamps too. ;o) What great place. And sight-seeing along the way. Thank you for such a fun outing. Happy Day ((HUGS))

Gracie said...

Thanks for the walk Pat! You're a lucky girl, here the weather simply sucks! We were supposed to go an a 3-days-bike-trip on the next weekeend (we celebrate today 26 years of marriage) but the forecasts are very bad!
P.S. I've always dreamed about living in one of those brownstone houses......

nanny said...

Congrats....I think they need to feature you every month or maybe dedicate an entire issue to you!!! You promote NY in a wonderful way...Your pictures are georgeous and your articles are so much fun to read! They make everyone want to pack up and head to NY! I want to visit the sights you post about, so many are not where most tourists go!!!

joanna said...

Congratulations on your picture being published in Artful Blogger-- and what a stunning photo of one "Magnificent" Louis XV chandelier. Oh the changing faces of New York.

Thanks for the stroll down memory lane it has been awhile since I have lived and have visited New York. I am pleased to see the informational plaque of Beatrix Farrand who designed the Rose Garden in the Bronx Botanical Garden - a place where I went to often and took horticulture classes there -- so many hidden gems and treasures of my beloved New York.

Joanny

CatHerder said...

BEAUTIFUL PICS as always...the ink pad??? hmmm....i may just have to road trip!!!

Sea Witch said...

How exciting for you to see one of your photos in Artful Blogging...love that mag. Of course,your blog is so lovely and wonderful and informative that you could almost have your own magazine. This post, for example, I felt like I was strolling along the streets of NY with you. So sorry to hear about St. Vin's. My dad would have been crushed. It was an icon. Sea Witch

Jenny said...

Wow, what a profound surprise on your post today. I actually picked the chandelier picture before you divulged it!

That is really neat, Pat!

As always my little stop here on Alphabe-Thursday's Letter "P" takes me on a wonderful journey!

You are amazing!

A+ and Congratulations!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jo said...

Congratulations on the publication, your photo of the pink chandelier is stunning!!! and oh i wish i was in that stamp store ... i just know i would be walking out with more than a magazine ... i think there are several sommerset publications out right now ... they are my fave!

Shirleyanne said...

Congratulations! That's absolutley brilliant Pat! The photo is amazing & deserved to be published! What a shop aswell with all those rubber stamps. Thoroughly enjoyed your walk. A great shame about the hospital as I'm sure it's much needed.
Also liked your Shakespeare Garden Post.
Kind Regards

Viki said...

Wow, congratulations for having your picture in the magazine. I always love coming to your blog and seeing your NY pictures. You are a great photographer and show NY well.

nycstylelittlecannoli said...

big congrats on the photo publishing! I was in the west village this past Saturday..we should have met up! Next time! I did not see this rubber stamp store - looks very neat. Thanx for the photos as they are all great!!

http://nycstylecannoli.blogspot.com/

Christy said...

Congrats on being published! It is a stunning picture. How sad about St. Vincents closing. I hate when that happens.

Claudia said...

Oh Pat!! Congrats on being PUBLISHED :) well deserved.

You have known for a very long time how i adore your finds and mind set. I would love to come visit NYC and have you as a tour guide.

Love that stamp shop... someone could loose alot of money there :)

Thanks so much for joining us at Friday~~finding beauty!

Hugs GF

Claudia

elvira pajarola said...

WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHY and exciting writing!!!!!!!
I enjoyed looking at your blog; what memories......I lived in Manhatten for a year....but of course it's almost 20 years ago....I was a young student!!!!!!!
Travelled though then back very often to NY City until mid 90 ths.....!!!

Very lovely to discover You and your fabulous work!!!!!!!

ciao ciao elvira from Tuscany

Trotter said...

Hi Pat! Shame that St. Vincent closed... Have never been there, but was a nice company seeing it busy late at night after a late show at the Village Vanguard...

Waiting for you at Ephesus... ;)
Have great weekend!

Tracy said...

what a lovely post this is my first visit loved it would love to be an artful blogger cant even add buttons

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, Pat! Congratulations on your photo making it into the magazine! HOW NEAT! I'm thrilled for you!

On the flip side of that coin, I can't believe that St. Vincent's closed! WHAT??? That just blows my mind!!! The world is becoming a place I hardly recognize.

I have missed you SO much during my absence, but I came back yesterday to play with Shelia at Notesongs. Where is YOUR diva post, BTW??? LOL!

I loved reading this. Your blog is one of my all time favorites. I'm thrilled that you were recognized in that magazine.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Anonymous said...

I wondered if you'd had any connection with St. Vincent's. I thought it was sad and I've never even seen it. From everything I've read, it's a loss to history as well as to the people who need its services.

mrs. c said...

You are such a great artist! It is so much fun to look at all your photos, it is like a picture walk through NYC! I would think I have died and gone to Heaven in that stamp store! WOW! I too like all the different blogging memes!

Proud Italian Cook said...

I loved that photograph when i first saw it. What a beautiful tribute to your wonderful blog Pat!

Vee said...

Oh it is fun to see this come to fruition. Hearty congrats! I will not be surprised when others of your photos are published either!

I found so much of interest in this post. How sad about St. Vincent's and I had no idea that Edna was named for the hospital. Also, thanks for stopping to read those signs. You've learned so much and shared so much.

(Thanks for your good wishes for my mom.)

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

What a great tour you took us on!
It is so very sad to hear of that hospital closing. We had several local hospitals here that were bought out by larger concerns and then merged and closed.
I have been a nurse for 32 years and it is so sad to see the turn medical care has taken. It is run by insurance companies.
HPS!
Debbie

Sarah said...

Thanks for taking us along on the walk. I always enjoy visiting the WEst Village when I'm in NY. I'll make a note of the Ink Pad. Looks to be a fun shop. The chandelier is amazing. I'm going to make a point to go see it.
Happy Pink Saturday!

Taste of Beirut said...

Beautiful photos! It brought back some memories as I lived in GReenwich village (La Guardia Place) in the eighties!

myletterstoemily said...

hi pat!

i came back over to wish one of my
favorite bloggers a "happy mother's
day!"

love,
lea

suzanna said...

Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on being published!

Anonymous said...

very sad about the hospital.

congrats on the publication of your photo!

that stamp store is cool. never been there before.

paz

Pondside said...

Congratulations on the publication of your beautiful photograph!
I enjoyed that stroll through the West Village. Parts of it make me think of a European street-scape. I could lose myself for a few hours in that stamp shop!

Unseen India Tours said...

These are some really fantastic,beautiful and lovely shots !!Simply amazing and great !!Unseen Rajasthan

Laura in Paris said...

I wish I could tour the city with you! It's incredibly cold in Paris these days ...

Marina Capano said...

Congrats!!!fantastic!cool pics!
I love pink saturday, too!!!

xoxo

Beverly said...

Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Mother's Day, Pat.

I enjoyed learning about Saint Vincent's Hospital. Your memories touch my heart.

I'm so glad you got your copy of Artful Blogging, and I'm so happy for everyone. Pink Saturday is special because of all of you.

La Petite Gallery said...

PAT IT IS SO NICE TO TAKE A TRIP WITH YOU,, some fixture, no work of art.


Happy Mother's Day.
yvonne

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Way exciting to see your beautiful photo in such a great magazine!

What an amazing rubber stamp shop ~ bet you could spend hours in there :)

Nice visiting with you!
Kindly, ldh

steviewren said...

Wow Pat, you have indeed had one wonderful stretch of blogger's luck! Congrats on some many wonderful blessings, the painting, the trip and the fame of being published! Love it all!

Just a little something from Judy said...

You deserve to have your photo in that magazine. Your photography skills continue to be a blessing in my life.

I would have loved to visit that rubber stamp store. I think I could have easily passed an hour or two in there. Thank you for sharing more beauty of this city.

Steph said...

This post is wonderful. I felt and wished that I was really walking through Greenwich Village with you - sharing in your memories, new discoveries and that awesome stamp shop. Congratulations! Your photo was amazing and a work of art. I love visiting New Your with you!

Natasha in Oz said...

A beautiful pink post!

That chandelier is amazing!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Unknown said...

Pat,
What a wonderful post, and Congratulations on being in the article. Your pink chandelier photograph is amazing!! What a great place to poke around and to find your Artful Blogging magazines.

Karen

Rachel Inbar said...

I really enjoyed that build-up. I loved the walk - I don't usually think of New York as so beautiful, but I guess you can find beauty pretty much anywhere.

Congratulations on having your photo published too!

Rachel
(Modiin, Israel)