The Heads In Paris - Creepy or Cool?

 These are a few of the mannequin heads I photographed in Paris this month.  Look at those eyes.

 I can't decide.  Are they creepy?  Are they retro?  Would I want one staring at me?

They sure do wear polka dots beautifully!  What do you think?  Do they make you want to leave my blog post quickly?

 

 But before you go, here are my crafty blogger links!

About Family Crafts
Do you want to learn how to make mosaics? Sherri can help!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi's big Fairyopolis card making post is over on the Crafter's Companion site this week. 

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside we have a Royal wedding post by Natalie from the UK, a fun way to display your mixed-media inspiration elements, a shadow crazy quilt piecing technique and a fun bunny cake decorating idea. 

Crafty Princess Diaries
How the heck do you make holes so you can add some fashionable crochet trim? 

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Check out the Mother’s Day Parade of Crafts on The Artful Crafter. You’re sure to find something to make that will put a smile on mom’s face. Kid-friendly projects are indicated by our little Miss SmArty icon.  

Mixed Media Artist
Have you seen Lark Publications' beautiful new book, 500 Raku?  

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery

Book Review: Knits That Fit from Potter Craft

Painter Marie Laurencin

Marie Laurencin (October 31, 1885–June 8, 1956) was a French painter and print maker.

Portrait de Mademoiselle Chanel 1923.

The more I go to Paris the less I seem to know.

This year we decided to visit The Musée de l'Orangerie in the hopes that we would finally see the big Monet's Water Lillies paintings.  Little did I know that there would be a whole basement of amazing impressionist art! I am so glad we did because I was exposed to this amazing painting.  I took the picture myself.  Something I may not be able to do in the future if all the Museums ban cameras.

My Typewriter Salute

 Last week quite a few of us were sad to read that the last typewriter factory was shutting down.

 I have been taking lots of pictures of vintage typewriters.

 I love the older antiques and the retro 60's typewriters best.

  Pink Petticoat had some fabulous down loadable typewriters that are perfect for card makers.

I built my cards and used some new papers and embellishments that are in my studio right now.  The paper you see on these cards are from the new Crafter's Companion Fairyopolis Paper Pack.  The rhinestones are from a Bling Bling set by 3 Birds that we should be launching on The Shopping Channel soon.

The digital files I downloaded also came with these sentiments.  I mounted mine with a little bit of double-sided foam tape.

 

 You can make up your saying too.

 So here is my salute to the typewriter.  

You got me through high school and university.  Kids today have no idea how easy they have it.  No carbon paper.  No white out.

 I think I will still look for one of these antiques to have on display in my studio.

All Time Greatest Paris Sign - The Zipper Sign

The alterations shop in the 4rth.

What can I say.  This is the most fabulous sign ever created!

I am at Crafter's Companion today!

I have my first blog post on the Crafter's Companion blog today!  Please visit!

Snow Globe Blues

I still can't get over this snow globe.

Thankfully I took a picture through the window.  This is one of my favorite stores in Paris.

I never know if they are open or closed on a Monday.  This year I found them closed so lesson learned.

The picture is quite pretty though!

I am heading into the garden today to visit my really big gnome.  Given the conditions in the garden this winter I bet he would have loved for me to keep him under glass.

The Scarf and the Bauble

Some of our fabulous finds during the trip to Paris this month!

The Big Bauble and A Scarf

One of the shops I showcase in my book Art Girl's Guide to Paris outdid itself with these window designs this month.

 French women are universally admired for their ability to wear a scarf well.

 My scarf loving friends and I have no idea how they manage to keep them in place so perfectly!

 

These pictures also show you a new way to wear a big bauble type necklace!

3D Paris Cards

I have gone into this shop in Paris once a year for a decade now.  Their merchandise does not change very often.  It gives you a sense of security knowing that the special thick paper you need to write one perfect letter is always available here.  You can buy one piece of paper and one envelope.  The paper feels hand made though.  So, I almost fell off the sidewalk to see all these new card additions!  

The tiny pop-out cards of the famous sites fold flat for mailing.  These make me want to buy a laser cutter!

And then these 3D cards were calling to me.  Aren't they cute?  We spent a happy 20 minutes in this shop looking at them all.

Pauline Came Back!

In my book "Art Girl's Guide to Paris" I have a section dedicated to the two antique markets I always go to.  I have noticed that many of the vendors are there year after year.  This lovely lady was not at the market for a few years.  Pauline popped up in a little empty space at the market a few years ago and everyone with me bought a painting or two from her.  Each year I wondered if I would see her again.

Last Saturday as we were starting to walk back to the Metro she appeared.  Wearing what I think is her lucky blue suit.  I think the other vendors just let her set up when there is an open space.  How could you say no?  She is cute as a button!

She uses oil on a thin wood board for her paintings.  I would love to have a long chat with her.  Sadly, I didn't bring a copy of my book to the market.  I think she would have been very surprised to see a picture of herself in it.

Easter Bonnet Day

I photographed this mannequin head last week at the smaller antique market in Paris.  It looked like she was having a hard time deciding what hat to wear. Happy Easter!

My Bead Blogging Links

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy's made some new blush pink drops, come see what she's done with them!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
We all scream for Ice Cream! Melanie shows how she designed and made a new line of sweet pendants.

Resin Crafts!
This week Carmi has a short tutorial on using resin as a glaze.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Rio Grande is encouraging a wonderful way of helping the people of Japan and it is SO EASY! Read about it on Jean's blog!

Strands of Beads
Melissa is brooding about issues of originality this week.

The Bead Dreamer
A lovely tree branch, soft pink flowers and wisps of silk inspired two necklace designs.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew takes a peak at Anne Choi's new BRONZE beads

A Bead A Day
Do you like glitter AND jewelry making?! You are going to love this project that Lisa found over at FusionBeads.com!

About.com Jewelry Making
What are your plans for your siver scraps now that silver is crazy expensive?

Art Bead Scene
Here's a fresh idea for spring - a garden gate clasp.

Barbe Saint John
Barbe's giving away the latest Industrial Chic booklet and some charms!

Beading Arts
As part of the Artbead challenge, "What's Old is New Again", Cyndi has constructed a flapper-style necklace from some very cool components!

Carmi's Art/Life World
This weeks blog features the poppies of Paris and the jewelery it inspires.

A Model of Restraint

This beautiful pile represents my entire ribbon purchase during the April 2011 trip to the Paris fabric market.  I really held back!  Truth be told.  I did not use a piece from everything I bought last year....and usually that means I can't buy any more.  But these were so pretty.  I could not leave empty handed.

I love how the shop girls roll the ribbon.  This is exactly how I received my ribbons after they were cut and when I pulled them out onto my table, they were still so nicely rolled.

A Little Easter Chocolate

These are some Easter Chocolate windows I photographed in Paris last week.  It is way too early to have some chocolate now, but if I look at these pictures any longer I am going to need to switch to hot chocolate instead of my morning cup of coffee.

My Crafty Saturday links are back!

Aileen's Musings

Aileen shares a free printable cupcake for you to download and use in your art!

Carmi's Art/Life World

A little sachet tutorial for Easter or Mother's day projects. 

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world

This week at Craftside there are tutorials on how to paint a hatching chick, make a recycled book page egg ornament, and a tilt-shift photography effect along with bunny and squirrel clip art.

Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy is dreaming about her chance to craft and write over her summer break. 

Eileen - The Artful Crafter

Celebrate spring by making a pressed flower card.

Mixed Media Artist

Cyndi has been sharing a travelog of her most recent trip to Guatemala! 

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
How to make a "black sheep" necklace. 

My Paris Dog - Still On Duty

 Every year at the antique market I hold my breath.  There is an area I look through hoping to see my favorite Paris Golden retriever.  He works here and until I see him I am anxious.  Last year he looked very old.  But he was still on duty this spring!  How happy I was to see him again.  It has been seven years since we first met.  How amazing it is to see him year after year.  That's what makes Paris such a special place for me.

I really hope to see him here always.

The Easter Boudoir

Not too far from Montmartre in Paris is this little grouping of shops.  Each cuter than the next, they were a showcase for vintage clothing, altered couture and boudoir style.

 These cute accessories were handmade in the shop.

Le Boudoir de Marie featured some wonderful pictures in the window.  Marie and a friend dressed in burlesque style clothes. Who knew pale pink would look so cute for Easter?

It would be fun to see the Easter Bunny delivering these pretty items.

My Heart Belongs To Paris

 Even the cactus are in love when it is spring time in Paris.

 I have never seen a heart shaped cactus before.

I would love to have one of these little pots.

I took these pictures of the cactus in a window in the 4rth.

The Easter Flower Fairy

 This is my Easter Fairy!

I love the flower fairies from Crafter's Companion.  I used Rose-Bay Willow Herb for this card project.

The unmounted stamps are easy to cut and I used my Rock-a-Block to stamp the image.

After I stamped the fairy on smooth white paper I used the stamp packaging to help me with the colouring.

 I cut out the fairy and with the addition of a few embellishments and pretty paper I built my card.

 The basket is an iron-on embroidery.

I could not resist adding a few flowers to the card.  Easter and spring go hand and hand.

The Poppies In Paris

I did a pretty post on my other blog today about the poppies I saw in Paris.

Poppies to Wear and Enjoy

These poppy earrings stopped me in my tracks last week in Paris.  I had one second to take a picture of them from the inside of the store.

I always have a hard time photographing poppies because they are so light they sway in the slightest breeze.  And they are often all gone by the time I land in Paris.

 This year I had better luck though!

 Even the poppies I photographed through glass worked out.  Isn't this necklace lovely?

 Like it's inspiration, these wearable flowers were oh so delicate.

I spent so much time staring at them.  I have no idea why I didn't just buy one!  Now that I am home I am kicking myself.

Poppies.  For now I will just enjoy the pictures.