Rochambeau

Miss New Orleans

 
Miss New Orleans is currently making her way to the vernissage at the Galerie dans la Cave in Cadrieu, France.  Laury of Soar Dream France has masterminded the show:

I Know what it Means to Miss New Orleans

The curator lived in the Crescent City for many years, but fled to France during Katrina and made Cadrieu her new home after the storm.   We met a few years ago though the magical world of blogging and our mutual appreciation for New Orleans.  We hope to meet one day in real life, but in the meantime she has met one of my friends, Katia in Germany.  It is indeed a small and wondrous world.  

On the reverse side of the assemblage you will discover a hand written scroll with words that are quintessential New Orleans.  If you've lived there or visit often, you will probably know many.  If not, you must one day discover what they mean for yourself!

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      Antoine's       Chicory     Cafe du Monde       The Carousel       The Brennan's      Lucky Fava Bean      Beignets      Boudin      Hurricane          Beads        "Hey Mista'  throw me some beads"!!       "Darlin"      "I know that's right"!     Commander's      The Mississippi          Lagniappe          Mirliton          Krewe's         Montelelone             King of Rex          Streetcar         Bourbon Street         Herbsaint            Absinthe      Crawfish           Etouffe           Jambalaya            Snowballs        Fillet Gumbo        Vieux Carré       The Quarter           Jackson Square           Jazz & Heritage  Fest          Tulane           Zulu          Zydeco         Turtle soup            Kermit Ruffin's          Louis Armstrong        Voodoo         Marie Laveau         Ersta ~ Oyster       Magazine  Stree          Central Grocery         Muffalatta        Brunch         Ursline        Pontchartrain         Poboy         Harrry Connick  Jr.            St. Patrick's Day Parade            Tipitina's            Pat O'Brian's            Garden District          Uptown           Lee Circle          Tabasco        Crescent City              Daubloons            Olive Salad     Bayou St. John     Sazerac          Big Easy     Croissant D'or      King Cake          Grits n' Grillades        Chicken Pontalba      Adelaide   Brennan         Pascals Manale       B.B.Q  Shrimp         Crawfish Monica             House of Blues          Napoleon House         The Buddy Bolden Band          Neutral Ground         Dirty rice          Wrought Iron Fences   St. Charles            Fleur de Lis            The Saints          Good Mojo       Masks          Humidity     Katrina          Riverboats       Mardi Gras            French bread            Zydeco        Hangover       Party         Saint Louis Cathedral        Rue Royal        Buskers            Jean Lafittes Blacksmith Shop       Laissez les bon temps rouler     St. Louis Cemetery            Zombi                Pirogue            Gambino's Doberge  Creole       Cajun           Blue Dog         Abita     Galatoire's        parade watching ladders        Gris  Gris      Alvin Alcorn      "Yeah you Right"!     Jazz Funeral    

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Have a wonderful & creative week and don't forget to let the good times roll!

 

xox

Constance

       

 

 

~ Paper Trail ~

Paper flowers by The Green Vase.

Fine French writing paper by G. Lalo & note books by Chairefontaine, both found at Exaclair.  The unplugged notebooks feature the most unique paper, allowing a pen to glide smoothly across the page and even makes handwriting look nice!

 

The papier mache animal masks by Isabelle Thibeault  (found at Ullabenulla) are unbelievable!

And, speaking of Ulla and unbelievable, check out her waxed crepe flowers on Etsy.   She will also be creating more Bridal Garlands (like the one above) in June, after a Textile Art Show she is currently preparing for.  And, look for classes at Castle in the Air  if you'd like to learn how to make one yourself!

the illustrations in the Garden Mania , The Ardent Gardener's Compendium of Design & Decoration are great!

These Scalloped Popcorn Boxes were scored in Walmart's Party Department.  Standing by: Pierrot and Pierrette, a perfect gift from my friend, Marianne.

What a beauty! This Antique French Papier Mache Horse Carnival Costume is up for auction! 

Paper eyelashes, fun!  Found on Goole Images. A fun party fav idea!

The cheeky postcards of Ken Brown discovered at Tesoro (a gold star boutique in Austin, Texas).

 

a DIY Parasol, fabulous!

Rice paper sandles by Seychelles at Freepeople.   Each sandal is made from recycled rice, detergent and storage bags so sandals vary in color and design.

  
Chinese Paper Kite

Wilton Doilies discovered at the dollar store.  The pastel ones are 4" and the white one underneath is 3"wide and a long strip. 

Lets end on another sweet note!  These paper wedding cakes are the absolute BEST,  don't you agree?   I can't find the name of the artist who made them or the name of the photographer.  If you do, will you please advise.

 

Thanks for following the paper trail with me today!

xox

Constance

 

A Day for Discovery

As you navigate your way through life today, may you see the world through the eyes of an explorer! 

If I had to be in a situation that I didn't want to be in,  my friend Mary (who had studied Anthropology) used to say,  that I should look at the circumstance through the eyes of an Anthropologist.  She helped change my life, by encouraging me to view life from different angles and perspectives.  Her words sunk in and still help me.  Soon it would have been Mary's fiftieth birthday.   I dedicate this post to her and to you.

 

xox

Constance

 

Paper Memories Unfold

Isn't this the most fabulous foam core dog in the world?  It was created for a window display at Bergdorf's by artist James Vance . 

It's Creative Paper Sharing Day!  Rebecca of Recueda Mi Corazon  invites everyone to share your own paper artworks, or other fabulous paper art finds!  Part of this post is a rebroadcast of my all time paper faves.   The fanciful paper dress above was created by Isabel de Borchgrave. 

 So divine is  Miss Clara's  work!!

Nancy Burn's slipper's of Fete et Fleur   are most enchanted and elegant!

 

Susanna Gordan of Susanna's Sketchbook recently created a series of papier mache animal masks that are simply amazing!

 

I admire greatly the work of Julie Addison's and all the tresures to be found at Addison Endpaper's .  What unique style this box has!

 

Here is one of my newest creations, a Paper Pagoda Box,

 I will conclude with my most cherished paper possession, my mother's handmade paper doll..............

and ensembles!

Paper ~ made from trees ~ kept alive by artists ~ incredibly inspiring and malleable ~ comes in many colors ~ holds a plethora of thoughts, memories, dreams~ can be drawn upon ~folded ~ painted on & on go the ideas for this magical medium, Paper!

 

 

Magical Paper Stars

 

How enchanting and amazing, are these colorful Origami Stars?  They were an unexpected gift from a kind friend, Becky.  She has an acquaintance who  makes the little lovely's,  each tiny star is filled with air and a miniature work of art!  As hard as I tried, I couldn't figure out the technique, so I Googled and discovered the secret.  If you want to learn how too, travel here !

A Pea Green Boat

 

My ship's come sailing in! 

 

A few months ago I discovered this image in a library book and it inspired me big time. I was certain I needed to create  a bateaux to hang from the ceiling of my studio and knew exactly where it would go!

The process began with cardboard and glue, paper and paste.  Soon after I realized that I was not alone in my boat building endeavor!  I discovered Ann Wood had created a beautiful boat already, thanks to Rebecca of Recuerda mi Corazon  on this post.  Here too, you will find an invitation to share your own fabulous  Paper Art discoveries on:

September 1, 2010.

This pea green vessel could be a romantic setting for a love affair, don't you think?

 

One between a fine Hibou et Minou,  The Owl and the Pussycat!

This boat symbolizes my imaginary & creative travels and inner journey.  

One's that I'm now able to take, here in this very room.

Fabric used for the sails, found at City Craft Modern Fabric, a gorgeous little shop on Lovers Lane, in Dallas, Texas.

 

Thank you for traveling along on the journey with me!

The Owl and the Pussycat Poem

The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
"O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are, you are, you are,
What a beautiful Pussy you are."
Pussy said to the Owl "You elegant fowl, 
How charmingly sweet you sing.
O let us be married, too long we have tarried;
But what shall we do for a ring?"
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-tree grows,
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose, his nose, his nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.
"Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling your ring?"
 Said the Piggy, "I will"
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon.

And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand.  They danced by the light of the moon, the moon, the moon, They danced by the light of the moon. 

Poem written by:

Edward Lear in 1871

**My mother painted the owl and pussycat and also impressive...she can also recite the poem above in it's entirety, by heart!

¡ Ninguna Volencia por favor !

 

A dress created with love~
Representing the women of Juarez, Mexico,
who have suffered abuse and been mistreated.

To learn learn more about
DRESS UP FOR A CAUSE
Please visit:
aDressing the situation
The Woman of Juarez
~
 The artist, Monica Magness
who's blog:
 Girl Gone Thread Wild ,
is the lovely woman behind this
 Project of Hope!

Maybe it's
not too late for you to make
your own dress contribution!


here is the collection of dresses,
(so far) to be sent July 1st
 to Stampington and Company,
in hopes that the publisher, will feature
this story told through art,
 in one of there beautiful publications.
And maybe one day soon,
share a ray of hope
& a beam of light down upon
a sad situation.

We all need one another!

xox
Constance




No Violence Please!

Le Divan Fumoir Bohémian

Have you met Florizelle in Paris?
We met through Ulla a few years ago.




Le Divan Fumoir Bohémien, her site
 is filled to the brim
with interesting artworks.



Florizelle has an keen eye for the unusual,
and sometimes the quirky.



She has a special reverence for
 the past, finding and
sharing forgotten treasures.



On her site you will discover wonderful
 places and fabulous photographs.....



divine fabrics....



& intriguing artwork!




If you've never visited
Le Divan Fumoir Bohémiain before,
you should take a ride over....



to her place in
Paris~


Drink in the ambiance of
 artists and artisans
from the past and present.



Check out whatever fancies you
by paroozing the archives
cataloged on the left of her site.
~

~Homage to Calligraphy~

It takes a steady hand, beaucoups patience
& much practice to become a calligrapher!

Above Jean Miélot,
 a European author and scribe at work
in the 1400's


While in college I experienced two years
of calligraphy classes.  For awhile I
did calligraphy to make extra money.



Here below are images to inspire
perfect penmanship!





Letter with drawings by:
 Matthew Darly ~ 1778
 Henry Francis DuPont Winterthur Museum



Pretty Flourishes!


And numbers......


image from the
The White Asile


Works by the Masters!

Donald Jackson
Monmouth, Wales
The wisdom of John Fitzgerald Kennedy
1969



The artwork of
Bernard Maisner
Master Cartographer
~
(photo:  Town and Country Magazine)



The fine art of Maybelle
in San Francisco..........



and the wonderful penmanship of the
 mystery 'in~house' calligrapher at
Bell'occhio

 

Fabulous lion by:
Ahmad Hilmi

Penning Accoutrements:

Marie Claire Idees



The very best calligraphy supplies can
be found at J. Herbin



Things like this goose feather quill pen.


and the very best papers.


wonderful inks.......


and sealing wax.  Even a kind that can
be used with a glue gun!



Above a supreme Asian Calligraphy Brush~
Silver Point 




This rock is a calligraphers
paper weight.




A stamp with my name
in Chinese to be used with
calligraphy, a gift from Nöelle.


As far a communication goes....
nothing  compares with a beautifully
hand written letter or note. 
~
Viva the hand written letter in
beautifully written calligraphy or script.
A sacred treasure!

La Danse Magique!

Do you believe in Magic?

~

If so, there is secret hiding behind closed doors, just waiting.  A little surprise for you.  Are you ready?

~

In order to see the magic, it's important that you pin up your hair and step into you finest tutu....

~

then tie on your best pair of
dancing slippers!

~

Just look a you.  A true confection!!
If you're ready, follow me and we're off.... heading out onto a very famous stage.  Lets peek behind the curtains, shall we?

~

Have you figured out where we are yet?  Well yes indeed, you're right!  We are here at
Le Théâtre d'opéra de Paris!
And tonight it's our night!! They're honoring
Les Belles de Bloglandia!

~

Since the orchestra has warmed up and the chorus is in position, we should take our place on stage.

~

Come!   Don't be shy, it's no fun hiding away
in the wings. The world is waiting for YOU
and frankly, there's too much fun to be had!

~

Jump in!  Let's Dance!   If you don't know what you're doing, just make it up as you go along and remember, there are no rules tonight......except to "enjoy"!

~

Go for it!

~

Lets pirouette and chassé and dance to our hearts content!  Wow, you are such terrific dancers, each one of you! But why does that not surprise me?

~

And will you look?!!  Seems we're getting
a standing ovation!

~

Take a bow girls!

~

~

Merci friends for meeting me here on such short notice and for being willing to whirl and twirl the night away!  Isn't dancing heaven on earth?  It's been such delicious fun, but now it's late and they're coming to lock the doors.

~

~

Just so you know, I'll be Jeté (ing) off to visit my mom.  While there I will post when I can, but If I don't stop by as often to knock on your door, know I'm still thinking of you and will miss you very much!

~

Bonne nuit mes amis !

~

(This Paris Opera Theater was just completed for a client)