I Upcycled A Crab Apple

Wondering what this is?
Yes, I upcycled a crab apple.

At the Spring One of A Kind show the booth directly across from me featured beautiful botanical art. Diane has figured out how to dry and then artfully arrange some very interesting fruits and vegetables. I was especially attracted to the pomegranate and orange slices.  I joked with her that if botanical was my art I would be wearing fruit and vegetable jewelery.
More than likely I would arrive every day looking very much like Carmen Miranda in her fruit head piece.
Since I wanted to experiment with fruit she gifted me with some samples on the last day. I coated these slices with....no surprise to my loyal readers....resin. I was not sure how the dried fruit would do. I thought it might get a lot darker, but the fruit was just fine.

Drilling small holes into the dried fruit (after the resin dried) was no different than drilling through dried polymer clay. Then I made some bead components and started looking through my stash for a necklace I might break up or borrow parts from to create a finished piece.

Some how this cheap old pearl necklace worked. From a distance you have no idea what is being dangled under the pearls.

I really like it on a darker fabric.
So the crab apples worked out really well...I still have the orange slices......stop me if you see me buying a fruit drying machine....I wonder how bananas would look....

Little Things from Brugge

Sigh.

Now that I am home, I am looking through all my purchases from my trip to Paris and the extraordinary side trip to Belgium.

The postcards I found in Brugge are so pretty...I wish I bought more. They are dimensional and perhaps the nicest in my collection.

And I found these felt rings in a little shop.

They were only $2 Euros. I couldn't even find the felt to make them for that price. But, I am very happy to have what I did bring back.

There is always another trip and another hunt for pretty things.

My French Postage Collection

I am a person who follows certain paths every time I go to Paris. It really gives me a sense of comfort knowing that some things do not change.

I go to the same post office in Paris to get my fashion stamps every year. Just stepping in the office and spotting the new stamp set makes me happy. Isn't this year's sheet fantastic?

Special thanks to everyone who left comments on my blog while I travelled this year. It really encouraged me to think of new and interesting posts for you to enjoy. I have thousands of images to sort.....and my art card series this summer will reflect some of my new images and Paris finds. It was a truly spectacular April in Paris trip.

Getting Yelled At In Paris

The "no photo" grouches in Paris must have formed an association.

I can't tell you how many ridiculous signs I saw.

And really, I don't get it.

If I am in a museum and copyright and light damage issues are at state...I respect the rules.

Or if I am in a store..I respect their right to control their own space.

But here?

An an outdoor antique market.

Where the only goal of this seller is to sell stuff.

It makes no sense.

This doorway was chalk full of interesting items.

As soon as she saw my camera...the vendor yelled "No Photos."

And while I said nothing in the moment...here is what I think I might start yelling back.

"Okay. No sale either."

How do they know I am not shopping for someone? And really...if you put merchandise out for display in a public market...don't you think it is crazy to think you can control what people do on the sidewalk? Why not put some black paper up in your window and just list what merchandise is for sale and then let people make an appointment.

My patience has worn out. But I am getting faster at taking the pictures I want to. I hope you enjoy this second picture. I took it at the risk of being yelled at.

Near The Bon Marche

An unexpected find.

I had been hoping to catch a black tulip all week.

I found one all by itself in this little park by the Bon Marche department store.

Puce De Vance Market

While you were sleeping we got up early to go to the smaller outdoor antique market. A perfect place for Marie to scout for new companions. It is supposed to rain all day today...so I was worried the morning would be a bust. But the rain held off and we are back now ready to head out for our last day in Paris. It is much cooler than it has been all week, so my felt scarf will finally come out of the suitcase.

You can never get tired of looking at things in this market. They are often badly arranged, poorly marked, over-priced and dusty..... but so much fun to handle.

This is something I might have missed if it was not for the box. I saw it under a table.

A beautiful trunk holding this broken statue...I tell you if I lived here.....she would have been in my shopping cart. Who needs groceries?

Taking photos is almost as good as buying the items themselves.

Hallo aus Belgien

We had a spur of the moment chance to go to Belgium today.

Bruge to be exact. I can't begin to describe how fabulous the "little Venice of the North" is. A canal system runs through the whole city and most people ride bikes. We walked into the city from the station which is on the outskirts of town. Bruge is one of the only European cities to have avoided major damage in World War I and II. They say if you are born here...you never wish to leave. I can see why now. Lucky, lucky people.

Bruge is known for their Notre Dame Cathedral which houses Michelangelo's Madonna and Child. The church is under renovation on the outside and I didn't dare show Marie off inside.

We took a canal tour which was wonderful. It whizzed by so many great building...we were anxious to just get out and walk.

This is the site that greets you when you enter Notre Dame. The statue is behind a wall of bullet proof glass.

But, it you are crafty with your camera, you can get a great picture!

We shopped for lace. I can't tell you how often I have said Belgium lace...but never thought I would see and buy it in person. Most people focused on the chocolate shops....

But I found a "Curiosity" shop I could have died in.

I can't stand knowing that there are stacks and stacks of vintage papers I will never get through.

So I just purchased some stunning old post cards. I need to come back and spend a whole day just in here.

Waffle lunch.

I think it is illegal to leave Brussels if you don't eat one.

(We have bags to go to.)

Sacre Coeur to the the George Pompidou

Bonjour again!

As you can see, it was another blue sky day in Paris. Perfect for a day we set aside to cover several areas in the city. We headed to Montmartre first thing this morning. Most people go to see the church...but it is also adjacent to the fabric district which I live for.

This time the silks were unreal. I had a very hard time picking some pieces. I did find some classic Provencal cottons which will be for our kitchen table. I need to bring a little France into our sunny kitchen at home. After the fabrics, we walked the artist district...but I'll show you some of those images later.

This is my favorite dessert in Paris.
I had it with lunch today.
It was to celebrate my successful fabric buying trip...and the restraint I exerci$ed.

We dashed back to the apartment and then headed out to the Modern Art Museum - the G. Pompidou. This building is considered the ugliest in Paris...but somehow it works for the art it showcases. The key exhibits are Kandinsky and Calder right now. They were both beautifully shown. A real privilege to see so much of their work in one spot.

It was pretty warm today. In fact, I might say it was HOT especially if you stepped out onto the museum's rooftop restaurant. Not an inch of shade. I was a little worried that I would melt like the Wicked Witch of the East so I opted out of a snack here. To be truthful...I have been wanting to go to this restaurant (named "Georges") since Carrie in Sex and the City went here during her Paris series.
I didn't realize there was an "inside."

Sweet Mother of Pearl!

Look how stunning the inside is.

Oh. And is that air conditioning I feel?

No one would come in! The French love the sun.

We had the place all to ourselves.

I could not decide where to sit. There is a pink, yellow, white and orange section.

In the end though, Marie just had to set her bags down. A smoothie was ordered and enjoyed.

Another fantastic outing for us in Paris.

Bonjour From Monet's House

One metro, one train and one bus later and we were in Giverny. We located all the transportation ourselves and were quite pleased with ourselves. It is nice to choose your own schedule and walk around at your own pace. Tours are nice...but being on our own was better.

Claude Monet, the painter, established an amazing garden in Giverny. When you stand here, you understand his painting better than you can imagine.

Marie is standing on the famous bridge. So many of us have a poster or postcard image of Monet's bridge paintings that you instantly feel a connection to the spot.

Finally, me in a photo. Trying not to laugh as people approach and see Marie in my hand. I managed to pose her in several flower patches and I have a good shot of her in the dining room.(NO PHOTOS PLEASE.....then the security guard left the room.....)

I would have to show you a video for you to really appreciate the sheer volume of flowers in this garden. The colours are so vivid. This is just one tiny section.


I have over 100 tulip photos....but I could not resist sharing these white ones. You can see what a stunning day we had. I almost whined a little about the heat.....but I didn't Karen!

In the "too good" department....our hotel for lunch. I really want to stay here some day.

But for today, I had to be satisfied with just having lunch in the garden.

Marie sneaking about the dining room.....

Letters From Lilac

This tree was so pretty. You can tell by the brightness how sunny yesterday was.

But then we noticed the note. In French and English. Merci.

Dear Passer-by,

Every year I try to bring you pleasure with my prettier
blossoms. Look at them, smell them, but please don't pick them!
This way I will be bigger and prettier next year when you pass by again.

Thank you

Lilac

Don't Hate Me - I'm In Paris

Yes, I am enjoying my trip!

Of all the friends Carmi could have travelled with I am apparently the best companion she has had to date. Although, I have spent a little more time in her purse that I had planned to.

This is our street. We pop right out and can see Notre Dame.

Very convenient.

This is our view at lunch. What more can be said.

We walked eight hours today. There isn't a side street leading to the tower that we didn't meander down.

This is how Carmi wants to be immortalized.
In marble.
Over a doorway in Paris.
That's really doable I think.


This is her favorite shot of the day. The tower is secondary to the blooming trees.
As it should be.