Monday 1 October 2012

Paris At Make My Monday. . . . . . . . . .

I was honoured when asked to be a guest designer at Make My Monday for October. Making cards is not my first love but I couldn't say no to such a wonderful opportunity.

The theme this week at MMM is Paris - a really gorgeous theme as it is a city I have been lucky enough to visit on several occasions and each time I fall in love with it all over again. I felt that the design for my card should just let the city speak for itself and what better image than the iconic Eiffel Tower could I use?

I decided to opt for a vintage image taken through one of those typically French windows, framed by beautiful iron work. This image was taken in the early 1920's and therefore the lack of clarity can be forgiven I think, don't you?

I found a tutorial for flowers on Jennie Atkinson's blog 'Living The Dream' - if you have never seen Jennie's work then you need to go there now and be prepared to be wowed as she is tremendously creative! I adapted one of her tutorials to make this flower and will also be trying out her gorgeous Dahlia tutorial too!
Thank you so much Jennie for your inspiration.

Here's my card and a few words to describe how I made it:
Perhaps it is a cliche but Paris is considered to be a city of love, so I wanted to reflect this romantic notion in my choice of imagery, colours and embellishments.

I found the image on the internet and printed it without any editing because I think it's beautiful just as it is - beautifully composed, monochrome and slighty distorted - no mega pixel cameras in those days.
The inky background was created using distress inks and stamping in one of the colours used. The edges were inked heavily with the darkest colour and machine stitching was added to the edges. Probably, because of my job in previous years, I feel unable to make the stitching untidy so I hope you'll forgive me for trying to keep it straight!!


The flower is made using several inked layers of tattered florals and some beads. I could have gone to town on the centre of the flower but decided that a light touch of just a few beads was enough - any more may have resulted in over kill I fear!

Rather than add a specific sentiment, I used a Paris stamped script image, cut it out, inked it up and finally covered with glossy accents. The cut out was attached using foam pads to add extra height. Some matching wired ribbon was manipulated into shape and attached. A piece of Tim cardstock was used for the base and the edges were 'roughed up' a little.
I like the finished piece because I set out to produce a somewhat grungy, yet totally feminine and romantic image and in my opinion, the original idea is pretty close to the finished piece. What do you think?

27 comments:

  1. This is gorgeous Julia. Love the warm red tones which look so striking with the image and your flower looks fabulous.
    Well done on your sewing as I can't sew straight to save my life!!!
    Hugs, Fliss xx

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  2. Open the gates to visit Paris...lovely Julia, how you have made this creation!
    And what an honour to be a guest designer at MMM! Congragulations...

    Hugs, Alie :-)

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  3. Hi Julia, you will do MMM proud this month - Congrats! Your card is a beauty ...love the deep rich tones used. Suzanne x

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  4. Hi Julia
    Firstly, thank you for all the visits you make to my Blog, Adorn. I wanted you to know how much it is appreciated.
    Oh Paris, a favourite theme of mine. You captured the romance to perfection with that deep rose and that amazing flower, so special.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  5. Beautiful card, the flower is totally gorgeous! Valerie

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  6. beautiful Julia and love that flower.

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  7. Ab-so-lu-te-ly beautiful, Julia! Love the wonderful color and all the deteils you brought in again ... always a stunner.
    Best, Suzanne xx

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  8. The black & white image looks fabulous against the warm, rich red and that flower is stunning. (away to have a peek at Jennie's blog). A gorgeous card Julia. xx

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  9. Whhhoooo Hooo, guest designer hey - well done you.

    Great theme too.

    Love the colours you've chosen and that Eiffel Tower image is perfect.

    Sam xxx

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  10. I think you definitely achieved what you set out to do Julia, it is gorgeous. Well done on the Guest Designer spot too! Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  11. I love the vintage image and the misty look it has, full of romance and promise. It's a gorgeous card! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

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  12. Love the vintage look and the image is beautiful as is the flower mm think I need to have apeek at the MMM blog....x

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  13. Seem to remember you saying you couldn't do 3D flowers? Well I beg to differ Julia:) This one is a doozy and reminds me of a peony as it's coming into full bloom. That image works beautifully too, as you say an iconic landmark shown from a different perspective. Can't wait to see week 2!! (no pressure:) Hugs, Buttons x

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  14. Lovely card and I see the sewing machine has been out again, great touch. BJ

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  15. This is such a beautiful card, the colour and image are lovely and the flower is gorgeous.
    It was lovely to meet you at Ally Pally too.
    xxx Hazel.

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  16. Hi Julia! Thank you for your kind words and visits to my blog recently. There is no question in my mind as to why you were selected to be the Guest Deign Artist at MMM! One feels like the stepped straight in to Paris with your beautiful, well thought out card. C'est Bonne! Best wishes, Yvonne

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  17. This is beautiful Julia!!!! That image is gorgeous and your flower.....perfect! x

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  18. SO excited to have you this month at MMM! This is absolutely stunning! The black and white photo paired with the gorgeous red is just amazing! That bloom is fabulous! :)

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  19. Stunning - love it to bits - thanks for being our GDT this month at MMM - can't wait to see what you do next - Jacqueline xx

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  20. You had me at the color!!! Burgundy is my fav, and I totally love your Parisian chic theme! Fabulous!

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  21. This is Beautiful Julia! I adore the colours the image is just lovely.. the black & white is perfect The flower is fab.. thanks for the link!!! I do hope you make more cards as I love this!!!! Hugs May x x x

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  22. The framed window with that wonderful view at the Eiffel Tower is absolutely beautiful, Julia!!!
    Tres chiq, as the French would say ;)

    Servus from Vienna,
    die amelie xx

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  23. It's beautiful! I love the way you set the ribbon and of course that stacked flower with the nestled gems is just gorgeous!

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  24. This is absolutely wonderful!Although I've never been, your card captures perfectly what I think it would be like! The picture is beautiful and the flower is stunning!

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  25. You've created a stunning setting for that wonderful old image Julia! Your flower is amazing!
    Alison xx

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  26. Lovely card Julia and congratulations for being guest designer!!

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  27. A fantastic card Julia - the colours are just so sumptious and your flower is gorgeous. Thank you so very much for your wonderful kind words. I am so pleased you found the tutorial useful. Congratulations too on being guest designer at MMM - so well deserved as your work is always so fantastic (colours, textures and inspiration).

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax