A Trip To Paris - By Three Bugs In A Rug

I almost missed these Paris papers at the Craft and Hobby show. They were in a booth that didn't look like it had a section dedicated to all things Paris.

Then I spotted the tower out of the corner of my eye and the ladies were happy to show me their complete "Trip to Paris" line.

Love the black. The edging in the corner shows you the colour on the reverse side of this 12 x 12 paper...it isn't part of the design.

I love this repeating pattern. Perfect for an art card series!

And what would a line be without a set of words? Three Bugs In a Rug is available online too!

Making Memories - Je t'Adore

All these lovely samples are part of the new product line coming this December from Making Memories.
Je t'Adore looks like a wonderful salute to all things Paris!

Parisian Anthology by House of Three

I am at the Craft and Hobby show in Chicago, so naturally I am looking around to see if there are any new paper and embellishment products with a Paris theme. Happily, I can report that pinkpaislee has a new featured collection from "house of three."

The samples in the booth were lovely. You know how I love mannequins!

Florals and french fonts. So great. I especially loved the ruffled ribbon and the other flashy bits of flair. You can learn a little bit more about the development of this line on their website. No doubt they'll have the actual items online after this big convention is over too!

Flown The Coop

Just in Chicago this week attending the Craft and Hobby show.

I am anxious to see how many Paris themed paper products I can discover. I'll post my discoveries here!

You Can Be The Mona Lisa

I laughed when I saw this postcard. I love these street vendors who pop up near the major Paris tourist sites.

But I laughed a lot more when I actually saw such a street vendor and posed for this picture.
I think it cost 5 Euros. Priceless.

The Paris Dog

If you saw this image and didn't go awhhhhhh, then you must need more coffee this morning.
This is the cutest dog wallet ever!

I bet you are thinking that I have both.
Sadly. The store was closed and all I got was these pictures through the window.
And look, only 8 Euros! A BARGAIN!
These purses were probably "handmade in china." There are several really cool stores in Paris with goods from Asia. I bet I could find this purse in our China Town here in Toronto. The only difference would be that it wouldn't be artfully displayed in a window with a tea pot with a blue lid. And really. I would rather buy it in Paris. That's my new quote. I am starting a list of the things I always say.

The Book Cover

For the longest time this picture was going to be the one I used for my book cover. I always loved it because it sums up the antique market buying experience. This is what you expect to see when you go for a day of antiquing. Vintage mannequins, unusual clocks, odd jewelry and furniture you image taking home and re-painting. In then end though it didn't make the cover, so the only way it will get some exposure is by posting it here. It came in second place as my cover pick. Perhaps next time I can use it to illustrate a chapter.

Capturing an Idea

This picture is a typical example of what happens when you try to take a picture of a window. The reflection is brighter than the interior. It looks like I am in the shop, but I was trying to take a picture of the sign in the door which really appealed to me: "Art Textures." I noticed today that I might have taken a better picture if I didn't have so many bags in my hands...ahhh. Shopping in Paris.

Anyway. Into the store I went and naturally, since I was inside I asked if I could take a photo. This frame of frames was such a great idea. White on white. The postcards in the frames just popped and I thought I would like to make such a frame myself. A photo for inspiration was needed...but again, not a great picture on my part.

But when I got it home and uploaded the picture into my computer I was able to lighten and brighten it. Now you can really see the concept!

Just One In A Million Great Display Ideas

There are window displays in Paris that will stop you in your tracks. They are always difficult to photograph because the glass is reflective or spotty. Sometimes the sun is hitting it in such a way that your images are flaring. But occasionally you can capture something that is perfect.

This window was right near my apartment and I didn't realize until a few days had gone by that these were artfully arranged scarves in the window. My picture looks like it was taken inside the store but I did photograph it through the window. You want to just reach out and try one of these scarves on.

Beautiful Mannequins

One of the things I noticed is that quite a few of us "Paris lovers" are also "vintage mannequin lovers." When I see one I just swoon.
Thank goodness they won't fit in my luggage or I am sure I would have dozens of them stock piled in the studio by now. This mannequin head was hard to leave behind though. Wood and clearly needing a little love, she definitely called to me. I especially wanted to set her free from the grumpy old antique dealer who immediately yelled out "no photos." Ha. I snapped one image and it was just perfect. I would have loved a close up though.
My policy is, no photo, no sale.

Love For Paris

I am so happy to have written Art Girls's Guide to Paris and starting this blog.
Thank you for your comments and emails!
This really is the place where I can highlight my Paris pictures and ideas and since this blog is about Paris I won't feel like I am overdoing it like I do on my other art blog. If you are here reading this than you love Paris as I do!
This is a picture I took in Montmartre. A heart, in the heart of the artist district.

Are The Flowers Prettier In Paris?

I am amazed that I have not fallen or been hit by a car in Paris.
Whenever I go walking I am struck by a photo opportunity every few feet. I am either looking up or sideways...I bet people have to walk around me all the time.
It is because of windows like this that I am the perpetual tourist in Paris.

I look up and wonder "who lives there?" I love this style of window gardening. In Canada it is so rarely done since we immediately hear that the water will rust the balcony and the flowers might do damage to the wood...and it goes on and on. But really. I don't think people want to create a flower show that they won't be able to see. This is a flower exhibit just for people walking by on the street. This is a gardener who probably does not have a back yard so naturally the only place to create one is here in the front windows. The window gardeners make Paris even more beautiful.

My Blog Banner

This is a photo I took this spring in the big antique market north of the city of Paris. I have a section in my book explaining where I shop when I head to Les Puces de Paris Saint Quen. I think the photos I take are more valuable then what I buy because these are the mementos I treasure the most when I get home. I used this photo to create my blog banner. Some tweaking in photo shop and my hot pink birdcage banner was completed.

Welcome To My Art Girl's Guide To Paris Blog!

In 2010 I announced the release of my very own "Guidebook To Paris!" I published it myself and I found the whole process very rewarding.

This is the guide book to Paris I wish someone had written for me ten years ago when I first started going to Paris. I have managed to learn more and more about Paris each time I visit. Like any grand city, it could take a life time. For those of you who have followed my travels to Paris on my other blog I hope you will be happy to hear that I have pulled all my research and tips into this guidebook!

This book began as a quick email. The email turned into a memo. Then the memo turned into a blog series. All because ten to twelve times a year I get a message which always begins with "Hi Carmi, I know you go to Paris every year, do you have any recommendations for us?"

I think of going to Paris as a workshop. It is my opportunity to see new colours, new embellishments, new designs. This is what inspires me.

I normally go to Paris once a year. So far, the places I love remain open. I would hate to send someone to a cafe or store that has closed. Now that I have this blog and a Facebook page I'll do regular updates. 

The book is available for you to preview and buy at Blurb.com.  You can purchase a digital or hard copy!

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