Whimsy Stamps ~ Dreaming of Paris

Hey crafty friends, I've been very quiet on the blogging front this past couple of weeks, but super busy behind the scenes. So I'm glad to find a moment to share this lovely make with you tonight. Those of you who have been following me a while, may recall that I grew up in France when I was small. So when I saw these beautiful Quick Card Fronts from Whimsy's latest release, I just knew I had to create a shabby chic homage to a city that has a big place in my heart. 

I wanted to expand on the romance so beautifully depicted in these stunning Quick Card Fronts, so chose to do a shabby chic style card. I had some white corrugated packaging on my table from something I'd kept out of a parcel anticipating it's use in something like this. I inked the ridges, tore the edges and used it as a dimensional layer. I pulled out some papers from a now retired paper pack from Whimsy called Farmhouse. Still available at some resellers and such a great paper set. The dark woodgrain made a lovely base layer for the card. There was another page which had a newspaper adverts style of theme and it made me think of the 'marchand de journaux' we would encounter along the Seine and streets of Paris. So I thought it was a nice touch to tuck in a little strip of that paper.

I used my favourite script background stamp to add some detail and interest along the edges of the beautiful panel. Just a touch in two of the corners. I distressed the edges of the panel and the papers with my scissors. I tucked some pink cotton lace along the left edge of the panel. Then started to add the embellishments. I chose a woodchip sentiment from Kaisercraft, from my stash and added some little pink dragonflies, which were offcuts from a die I'd used recently. I added a soft wash of pink over them and then added glitter to their wings. I added just the three little ones for some movement and interest in the scene. I wrapped some pretty wide organza ribbon around the card base after laying down the base papers and then added a double bow to the left hand side, so it didn't obscure the Eiffel Tower. I had tried it on the right first, but it overshadowed the tower.

I chose to finish the right hand side of the design with some soft pink paper blooms and I twisted the little wires they come on to add as little whispy tendrils around the spray of flowers. I'd cut some soft romantic foliage from vellum to lay under the blooms for a bit more interest and delicate touches that extended the spray along the right hand edge. I absolutely love this foliage set, it's called wild weeds and it was just perfect for this floral touch. I completed the design with some Honey Bee chocolate coloured pearls for a tone on tone subtle finish. I really love how this card came together and the happy news is, I've still another 7 panels to play with and I'm working through a design idea already! 

Thank you for stopping in to visit, I hope I've inspired you to check out these lovely romantic Parisian themed Quick Card Fronts and if I have, be sure to let me know what you make with them too! I will of course be back again soon, with another crafty adventure. I've a little catching up to do, having got thoroughly swamped with admin' stuff, but all will be revealed on that soon and I can't wait to share! Hugs and happy crafting, Wends xoxo

(If you like any of the elements I've created with, I've added thumbnails to make your shopping easier. I do use affiliate links where possible, which gives me a tiny commission but costs you no extra whatsoever, though more importantly it helps the companies I design for to improve their marketing practice and track my contributions. I am deeply grateful if you use them for these reasons. I only design for companies whose products I absolutely love and buy for myself. My opinions are always my own.)

Challenge Entries: