French Connection - for Francoise of Maison de Provence with love xx

 This is my favourite card so far I think, which I hope speaks for itself; mainly because I made the cream pattern paper from scratch myself and because of the awesome, flamboyant, amazing woman it has been given to (and her incredible family).  Her expectations of my creations led me to aim for heights I would not nor could not ordinarily spend the time to reach but on occasion it's nice just to spend the time just because.  

Francoise, her husband Eric, grown son & daughter (my only and very special French friends) along with their TRIPLET sons now TWO, are happy owners of the French Tea House & gift ware business called Maison de Provence newly re-opened in Cooroy.  We sadly miss them in Pomona but wish them every success in this new incarnation of Maison.

 The cardstock (Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke & Bravo Burgundy & Chocolate Chip) is accompanied by pattern paper from a 6" Stack in my stash.  All the edges are distressed with my free and favourite "fingernail technique" as well as edges inked, smudged and sponged.

The Very Vanilla was first lightly stamped using Stampin Around Wheel "Antique" using Creamy Caramel & Mellow Moss inks.  Then I used pieces of this to make the Card front "face" on which I've stamped the Eiffel Tower then cut out it and the mats with Spellbinders nestable labels.  The artichoke layer is embossed with cuttlebug texture folder and inked with off white and gingerbread chalk inks and then I've trimmed this by hand with scissors on the embossed edge and cut a chocolate mat to fit nicely behind.

All the other lightly "antiqued" vanilla pieces I have stamped with the remainder of the stamps from this set (Purchased from her original store in Pomona several years ago Pre-triplets) to make the patterned paper, stamp, post mark circle and "Paris" sign.  They have then been cuttlebug dry embossed using various folders, inked, sponged and variously distressed, matted and foam mounted.  I hope this photo's show some of the detials.

This Camelia like flower I made myself with leftover hand made pattern paper and loosely interpreting the instructions from Magnolia Magazine (#3?), distressing it in my own fashion.  I have really gone to town with these and am now branching into different sizes and using different punches to make variations.  I love that they match the project so perfectly.  This one is suitably flamboyant and spritzed with Glimmermist and touched with Stardust stickles.

The Roses are from Bizzy Becs & Wild Orchid, note the bright red which adds a focal point and POP to the whole creation.  The pieces of pearl swirls are Prima I think, purchased in a store in Hervey Bay while visiting my Mum; the tea pot is from Patchwork habidasherie Cooroy as is the organza. The Braid & lace which hold up the Easel card are from Daisy Chain Scrapbook store in Nambour.  I hope you enjoyed viewing this as much as I have enjoyed making it.  I'm wondering where I go from here;) Have a wonderful week. xx