Paper Bird

Artful Thursday- Box Redux

I started my Artful Thursday late in the day and found I needed a little creative inspiration.  Do you have those days? I knew exactly where I could find some to make something pretty. I found a sweet project in my favorite magazine, Somerset Life.  I love this publication.  It is always filled with beauty and inspiration and infused with such talent and creativity.  Did I tell you I LOVE this magazine?

A simple project- using empty food boxes.

Box-Redux 

 

The project I chose seemed simple enough and I had everything I needed to complete it.  I thought that they would make a sweet little May Day basket.  I gathered  a few small boxes from my pantry.  I chose small boxes and gathered a few pieces of pretty paper, spray adhesive, a hot glue gun and a craft knife.  The first thing I did was to carefully pull apart the opened box, separating the glued areas and then flattening the box and cutting the very top part of the box off.  I cut my paper to the approximate size of the unfolded box, considering which way the pattern was supposed to be and then with spray adhesive glueing the paper to the box.  The next step is to carefully trim around the edges of the box.  At this point you can then glue paper to the inside of your box.  When this step is completed you remake the folds in your box and re-glue the bottom and side seams.  Punch holes in the sides of the box where your handles will attach. Make a handle for your box with wire or ribbon and attach to your covered box.  Now the fun part-embellishing your box.  I gathered my favorite ribbons and a few pretty millinery flowers, a little bit of this and that and transformed my throw-away box into a little bit of pretty.  The box is perfect for small gifts.  They also make pretty containers to hold small treasures.

Wouldn't this be fun to leave on a friends door for a sweet May Day surprise?

This was a pudding box I transformed.

This was a tea box

 

This was a match box

They make wonderful little gift boxes.

 I've seen a few of these decorated match boxes here and there on different blogs- here are a few I thought were so pretty.

 Little Pink Studio 

Speckled Egg

Since this is the last Thursday of the month it is time for my Artful Thursday giveaway.  Leave a comment and I will pick a winner when I post my next Artful Thursday project.  This month I will give the winner a copy of Somerset Life and a tiny May-Day basket filled with sweet treats. 

Happy Artful Thursday    

  Is it possible to go through Pastry with-drawls?  Ever since we have been home I have been craving the sweet Macrons and the flaky croissants we had in Paris.  Nothing seems to satisfy this craving.  I think if I could have just one more wonderful chocolate croissant I would be ok.  So sad, I have become a food junky!  It will almost be a month since we left for our vacation to France.  Already it seems so surreal.  The wonderful photographs we have are a testament that it was not just a dream, but we truly were there!  The treasures I gathered on our journey also serve as a reminder of the amazing time we spent in Paris.  I had promised in one of my earlier posts that I would share with you a lovely little tea shop, boutique and brocante shop (all in one), Mamie Gateaux's  that we visited while we were in Paris.  It was recommended to me by a sweet blogging friend, Carola of Boxwood Cottage.  I was so happy she suggested that we venture to Mamie's.  We really enjoyed visiting this sweet treasure amidst the big city of Paris.  The quaint little tea shop was so charming decorated with vintage kitchen ware.  The counter was laid out with pretty white cake plates all filled with homemade baked goods.  So Yummy!  The hot Chocolate LuLu ordered was a dessert in itself.   Almost like chocolate soup!  The little shops were closed but the kind owner opened the treasure filled brocante shop just for us.  He wrapped everything with such good care and I had to smile when he giggled at his wifes little bags that were hand stamped with sweet little images.  I could have spent hours just looking at the wonderful things they had.  It was great fun digging for sweet treasure's in this little Brocante heaven.  It definitely made my heart pitter patter!   So many of the things we enjoyed in Paris were suggestions from bloggers who have been to Paris. I have to thank Heidi from Birds of a Feather  for her sweet recommendation to visit Giverny which was a highlight of our trip.  Although I'm not so thankful for the extra three pounds I gained from the wonderful Pastierre Laduree she suggested I visit.  So addicting!      

 

  

 Some of the treasures we found at Mamie's-

Antique sewing cases

School notebooks dated from 1926

The handwriting in the notebooks are so beautiful

We found these wonderful vintage handwritten letters at a small street market-

They are tied in tiny bundles with vintage seam ribbon and a tiny French velvet flower ready for my etsy shop.

New stock Vintage bowls- My favorite color pink. 

 Vintage glass dome for my cake plate

  
 We might have looked like the Beverly Hillbillies at the airport with our luggage, bags and sacks- maybe just a little!

 
 
Nope- the hubby says  more like ALOT
 
 

 
  
  
  
 

Artful Thursday- Paper People

Do you remember as a young girl loving paper dolls?  Creating them from bits and pieces of paper and designing tiny wardrobes for your sweet creations.  When we decided to have a paper doll exchange for the art group I belong to, I felt that same excitement from days gone by.  The whole process of creating a tiny paper person thrilled me.  I started with a painting that I had finished a few months back. 

  

I made a good quality print of the original painting.  I cut the doll out and shrank it to my desired size.  I adhered it to some pretty scrapbook paper that had been sturdied with heavy card stock.  I made the paper people tag and glued it alongside the paper doll.  I cut out tiny hats and crowns and fairy like wings and glued them to a vintage book page that had also been sturdied with card stock.  I made copies for each of the ladies and filled little glasine bags with bits and pieces for them to decorate their paper dolls. 

 

 To create my paper people I cut out the paper doll and it's fairy like wardrobe.  I glittered and glued tiny bits of ruffle, tooling and ribbon and completed them with fragments of scrap treasures such as vintage millinery leaves and flowers, german glass glittered stars and tiny beads and buttons. 

  

My sweet little paper people completed just in time for Artful Thursday and for the paper doll exchange.

 
 
    Happy Artful Thursday
  

 
 (We traveled to Idaho to celebrate a few of the munchkins birthdays- I brought my lap-top to post my Artful Thursday.  I have had nothing but problems posting from this computer- anyway this is the reason for it's late post :(

PS.  The paper doll exchange was so much fun.  As soon as I get permission from everyone I will post their creative dolls.  Julie has hers posted for her Artful Thursday project-stop by and see her sweet paper doll.  www.theadventuresofbluegirlxo.blogspot.com     

 

 

Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.  ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Most recklessly indeed and we are enjoying every minute of these lovely spring days!  We know only to well that Old Man Winter is sure to play folly and wreck our hopeful hearts.  Last year we had snow in mid May!  I love these sweet spring days.  Everything so fresh and new from it's long winter's nap.  The greens are prettiest this time of year and the fragrant flowers bursting on the trees seem so magical.  I love gathering the pretty blossoms and putting them in old glass jars- their perfume filling the house.  I have a collection of antique mason jars from Europe- I was so happy to find one in France to add to it.  When I saw this pretty blue birdcage my heart skipped a few beats and I can't even believe it now sits on my kitchen table.  What a sweet husband I have, he never grumbled once as we packed that huge piece through the Airport!  I had to laugh when we passed through customs and I was asked if I had packed a bird in the cage?  Well, I did want to take home one of the sweet pigeons that ate from my hand in a Paris park but I knew that would send Mr. we are not having anymore pets right over the edge!   

I was able to bring home this antique wire glass holder.  It looks so pretty on my kitchen counter containing my favored green glasses.

The stone bird is from our trip to Italy.
 

Happy spring.
 
 
 

ARTFUL THURSDAY- Angels Among Us

I am so happy to be home.  Our Journey to France was wonderful but there is no place like home.  It has taken me some time to get back in to the swing of things.  I came home from Paris sick with a cold that induced asthma problems.  It has not been very much fun and I am behind in everything.  Today I am feeling better and look forward to getting back to a routine.  No better way to start than with Artful Thursday! Today the sun is shining through my kitchen nook window, my favorite place to create art.  It is a perfect day to paint with the light streaming through.  It has been awhile since I have painted and I have missed it.  It is one of my favorite things to do and a skill that I want to perfect.  I started this painting a while back and thought that I should get it finished.  I am donating it to a fund raiser that is being held for a young wife and mother of two who has been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.  You can read more about it here www.anythingforafriend.com. When I made the commitment to donate the painting they asked me to write up a description.  So I did and titled the painting "Angels Among Us".  This morning when I visited the blog  of the young mother- tears fell as I read the title of her post.  She had titled it "Angels Among Us".  I had no idea about her post when I titled my painting.  It was such a sweet coincidence.  I believe in angels.  Not just in the heavenly winged angels, but sweet earth angels who are examples of good, administering kind deeds.  We have all experienced the administering of such kind deeds by family, friends, neighbors, someone we barely know.  Sweet earth angels, they exist all around us.  What a sweet blessing for each of us.

I am still having problems doing eyes.  I know it just takes practice but that's what gives me the most frustration.  She is almost completed.  I am going to add text that says "Angels Among Us".  I will tuck her in a pretty frame and hopefully someone will want to take her home.  

 Happy Artful Thursday

Today we visited the beautiful Sacre Coeur basilica located in the Montmartre area.  It's lovely white domes soar high above Paris.  It was my favorite of the Cathedrals we visited.  We were not permitted to take any photographs inside except in the crypt where we paid a fee to explore.  We climbed the 300 time worn steps to the top of the dome of the church where we were able to view amazing sights of the city and graffiti- I just can't comprehend why anybody would defile such a beautiful piece of history- truly it was sad.  I wish we could have spent more time in the Montmartre area.  It's steep streets and tilting houses just beg to be explored.  We passed a wonderful old cemetery with large headstones and monuments.  I would have loved to stroll through this ancient resting place.  Along the streets there were flea markets and little stands where artists sold their goods and the home where Van Gogh lived with his brother Theo.  Anyway it was just not meant to be.  C'est la vie', (this is life).  Beautiful Life! 

 

 

 

 

 
  
  

 
 

  
 

We had a busy day today- running, trying to fit in as much as we could.  I can't believe that we have been here for seven days.  Our Journey here in Paris is coming to a end... we leave to go home Sunday morning.  The time has gone by really quickly but we have enjoyed each and everyday here.  The best thing about France- the many incredible sites and of course the Pastries.  The worst thing about France- all the smoke you are exposed to.  My lungs feel polluted and I am having a hard time breathing but still it was an amazing day.  The skies were sunny and blue- it was the first day I did not wear a coat!  We visited Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe, climbing the 284 steps to get to the top.  Just as we did the sun was setting and the lights of the Eiffle Tower lit the sky.  What a sight to see.  We visited a few antique fairs but discovered they were not what we expected.  We did visit a quaint little tea shop recommended by a sweet friend.  The tea shop, Mamie Gateaux's was a little treasure to be found.  They have a little boutique and a wonderful antique store that they opened just for us.  More about that and the treasures I found in another post when I get home.  For now just a few pictures of our day as I need to get some rest- I am exhausted and I think I am catching a bug- darn the luck! 

PS.  Have I told you what a wonderful husband I have.  I adore him.

 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 

   

Today we visited the Louvre museum.  Mona resides there.  I became a little emotional and weepy eyed when I saw her.  She was as lovely as I imagined her.  Our meeting was not as I hoped.  She is popular you know?  Crowds gathered around her, her face conferring upon us the feeling of life.  Her smile her claim to fame.  I would have preferred our meeting less crowded but still to see that Mona Lisa smile was a sweet blessing, one I will always remember.  I wonder if Leonardo had any idea of what a masterpiece she would be?  The museum in years gone by was once a chateau filled with royal collections.  Now a museum with national collections there is so much to see, almost overwhelming so.  The building itself is incredible.  My favorites after the Mona Lisa were the Italian Fresco's.  Particularly the Madonna and Child paintings.  The colors, the sweet faces.  They were all so beautiful.  Wow, if only I could paint like that!  It was so fun to see the excitement in LuLu's eyes as she viewed art that she has been learning about in school.  She taught us the history behind many of the Roman statues.  We left the museum tired and hungry.  We ate at a little cafe and called it a night.  Tomorrow we are heading to the Cathedral of Notre Dam and a few flea markets.  How fun will that be?

 

 

A well-spent day brings happy sleep. 
Leonardo da Vinci 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 

It was a beautiful day today- the clouds threatened rain but luckily we did not experience any.  It was probably one of the nicest days so far.  We traveled by train to the beautiful countryside of Vernon.  From there we rented bikes at a little pizza cafe just outside the Vernon train station.  We were a little apprehensive, nervous we might be crushed by the cars whizzing by.  But before we knew it we were on a walking/bike trail that took you to the quaint little village of Giverny.  The scenery is worth the ride as you travel through the beautiful French countryside.  As you continue on the path, coming closer to Giverny you pass small cottage homes made from stone with lovely tiled roofs.  The homes are tiny with pretty gardens surrounding them.  I can imagine myself living in such a fairytale cottage.  In just a few more weeks I'm sure the country side will be stunning- it is still early spring and not yet in full bloom.  The gardens were still worth coming to visit as spring bulb flowers, pansies and primroses were abundant.  The home of  Claude Monet was lovely to see.  It is filled with prints of his beautiful paintings.  Photographs of his life there graced the home.  It is a little Eden, a beautiful place to paint and create.  I can see why he loved this place so much.  I'm so glad we came here to visit.  Only three days left and still so much to do and see!   

Our train ride to Vernon. 

The Ancien Hotel Baudy where students who came to paint with Monet stayed. 

 

The little painters cottage situated behind the Hotel Baudy where students and other famous painters gathered to paint.

Inside the beautiful little cottage

We enjoyed a delicious lunch of turkey with potatoes au gratin- so delicious. The view of the French country side was so beautiful.

Ted and Lu Lu in Monet's garden.  I really need to buy him a man bag!

A spring Daffodil

The lilly pond of the gardens.
 

 It was such a gorgeous day to visit Monet's home and the gardens where he painted.
 

 

 What is this spring bulb flower- I love it.

This was the largest rooster I have ever seen- you can't tell by the picture.

I am trying to convince Mr. we are not having anymore pets if I could please, please, pretty please have a few of these!
 

The home of Claude Monet-  We were not permitted to take pictures inside the home.

The bike ride to Monet's Home and gardens from Vernon where the train made it's stop is only about a half hour ride and the scenery makes it such a lovely ride.

 

A beautiful church in the town of Vernon.
 

 

 
  
 
 
  

 
  

  
  

We woke late this morning missing breakfast at our hotel. Our stomachs growling we knew exactly where to go.  Paris has a wonderful bakery called Laduree.  There is always a line of customers trailing out the door.  We discovered why-  Wow do they have delicious pastries.  We took our baked goods and headed to a little park outside the Louvre and ate our breakfast in the morning sunshine.  It was so lovely.  The grass was being mowed leaving the smell of fresh cut grass to perfume the the air.  It was a wonderful start to our day.  We headed to the Louvre only to find it closed on Tuesdays- it really pays to read the fine lines!  We decided to venture to a mercerie (dressmaker and sewing store) that I had read about it in a little book I purchased called Paris Made By Hand.  It is a sweet little boutique filled with stock from a bygone era.  Vintage trims and ribbons, a treasure trove of sewing supplies.  Like a kid in a candy store I could have spent hours there but my time had to be cut short.  Our next stop was the Musee d' Orsay where we saw some amazing art from such artists as Claude Monet, Pierre Renoir and Vincent Van Gogh.  I have to say it was another wow of the day, both my husband and I had goosebumps viewing this art that has been around for centuries.  The artwork is very close for your view allowing you the ability to admire the work of the artist.  It was a pretty full day.  Our plans for tomorrow are to take a train to Vernon and ride bikes to Giverny to visit Monet's home and gardens.  I am really looking forward to that.  Maybe a little nervous about catching the train, I hope we catch the right one!  

 

  

   

 

      

We woke to beautiful blue skies this morning.  Clouds hung over but we did not experience one drop of rain.  The cold remained but still we had a wonderful day.  No matter where you go in this great city there is something wonderful to see.  Beautiful old buildings that have stood the test of time.  Monuments and Cathedrals with a history to tell.  A view from every corner.  We spent the day exploring some of the Cathedrals that line these Paris streets.  So many and each so lovely.  Filled with art that will make your jaw drop.  Many are being restored.  We took a shuttle-boat ride along the Siene River to rest our tired feet and to feel the warmth of the sun that streamed through the shuttle windows.  The view from the water was incredible.  We had hoped to tour the Eiffel Tower but the crowds were overwhelming.  Being terrified of heights this was one tour I didn't mind giving up.  Besides, we have decided that the best views of the Eiffel are from the outside looking up!

These are some of the many views of the Eiffel we saw today.

 

  

 
  

 

 Boy was it cold here in Paris today. I thought I might cry a few times because I was so chilled.  It rained and even hailed most the day but by about 5:00 the sun made it's grand entrance.  We were so happy.  We stood in the sunshine basking in it's warmth until the frost escaped our frozen bodies.  It was amazing how our spirits changed and you could see it in all the people around us.  Families with Little children came out to play and the laughter was healing.  Our bodies are starting to adjust to the time change making our time here more enjoyable.  We walked miles and miles today, enjoying the energy it gave us and we were amazed by all the spectacular sites that Paris has to offer.  There is so much to see.  We spent most the day in Square Des Batignolles where a brocantes market (antique) was being held.  Situated in this little square was a beautiful park that mingled right within the city.  It was a beautiful little park where spring has begun to make it's sweet approach.  Pretty spring flowers are beginning to bloom and the park is a haven for bird life.  I am so amazed at the sweet little sparrows that will eat right out of your hands.  It was a good day and I am excited for what tomorrow will bring.  Pretty please can we have a little sunshine!

 

 

Well I guess thats all the pictures for today- I am having problems downloading my images.  Such a bummer!

 
 
 

 
   

 

 
 

Today as we explored the beautiful streets of Paris we couldn't help but notice and be amazed by how this city that is so rooted in history could bring so many people together to wonder at it's greatness. It is so impressive the number of nationalities that walk these streets to gaze at what man has accomplished in the centuries before us. Unbelievable the number of different personalities and cultures that make up this world, brought together to stand in awe of one of man's great creativities. So many different people from so many places, yet so alike in so many ways. We all take the funny pictures posing with the naked statues. We all crowd around to watch the pigeons eat croissants out of a persons hand. We argue with each other as to which direction we should be going,( and darned if the husband will ask for directions, while the crying kids get dragged along hungry and tired!) We rely on total strangers to take that picture that will be a treasured keepsake.  We sit on the street corner with hundreds of people passing and text our loved ones half way across the world to check on the cat.  We all sit in the chapels and listen to the quietness of the centuries gone by, a testimony to man's devotion to God. We stand in front of a great painting, only to be inspired by the genius in the hands that created it. So many people in this ever growing, small world.  How blessed we are to be able to experience this amazing journey.  We have been treated with kindness by almost everyone and although there is a communication barrier we have learned a smile is universal :) 

From what was once a chateau, now an amazing museum called the Louvre.  

Sweet little French sparrows eating croissants from LuLu's hand.

 

 

I wanted to bring this little Pidgy home. 

We toured beautiful churches centuries old.

It was a cold day today, and the rain and wind made it bitter to the bones but we all seemed to keep a smile.  Of course when you are in sniffing distance of a chocolate croissant how can you not smile! 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

  
 

 

 

Our adventure in Paris has begun.

We arrived at Charles DeGaulle airport about 6:30 this morning.  It is a crazy big airport.  After the plane landed it essentially pulled into a very large airplane parking lot.  We evacuated and boarded a shuttle bus full of haggard travelers.  We found our way to our luggage where we discovered one bag was missing.  One out of three is not bad!  We hailed a non smiling taxi driver and traveled to our hotel destination.  The first thing you notice as you travel from the airport into Paris is the graffiti.  Some very nice art work but graffiti still the same.  We arrived at our hotel and left the taxi driver smiling as we gave him a big tip- I knew we could do it.  Check in at our hotel was not available until two in the afternoon but the hotel staff was very accommodating and they let us use the spa to freshen up.  They stored our luggage and led us to a wonderful breakfast buffet.  Meats, cheeses, fresh fruit and wonderful flakey pastries.  My favorite was a small chocolate filled croissant.  Miem miem! (yum yum in French)  After filling our bellies  we ventured out into the beautiful streets of Paris. It is a cold day and most everyone seemed to be wearing black attire.  We found our way to a shopping plaza so we could purchase little LuLu a few things since it was her luggage that was missing. She purchased a pair of leggings and some under Lu's, at of all places- the Gap!  Hubby was hungry after we completed our shopping.  He chose a Cafe' on the top floor of the Shopping Plaza.  The view was amazing, the food not so much, they specialized in imbergars...umbirgers...almbergers... just a little Pink Panther humor there- their specialty was hamburgers!

I am revolting against hamburgers on this trip- "Ted, hello we are in Paris- they are famous for their fine cuisine!!!" 

   

The view from the Cafe'

Pretty displays in the Shopping windows. 

Walking the streets of Paris- I can hardly believe it.

 

 
  

A trip to France and a little Artful Thursday

I should be packing- finishing last minute items on my to do list.  But here I am at 2:45 in the morning writing my weekly post... just a few day's late!  I have been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.   Franticly trying to accomplish but not accomplishing much at all.  I am overwhelmed with anxiety, an emotion that takes over when I am traveling far away from home.  I love to travel, I just hate leaving.  Makes no sense at all.  But then again, it does.

Did I tell you I was going to France?

I know I am a lucky girl.

I hope to post a picture of our Journey in France everyday- hopefully all will allow for that.

  

Gracie Bird will grow a lot in the eleven days that I am gone.

This will make me sad.

Some of the anxiety I feel.

 

 

 

What a sweet heart.  She was so good for her 1st photo shoot.

My daughter-in-law Allyson was the photographer for these photographs.  I think she is quite talented. 

  And Artful Thursday- 

not quite finished, but I sure did try. 

A little paperclay art.

Almost, but not quite done.