Finding French Inspiration

French Inspiration

French StationeryI love French inspiration and I just found out that Kaari of the French General and Marcia of Tinsel Trading Company are collaborating on a new book called Small Beauties.

French Stationery

French StationeryI was in one of those French moods, thinking of white on white, taupe and French embellishments.

Inspiration Stamp

French StationeryWhat is it about a box of notions,



ribbons,



and trim that inspires?



It is exactly the way I felt the first time I entered tinsel trading company. I wrote about it on a post same time last year.

French Ribbon

French StationeryFloor to ceiling boxes, drawers, baskets and containers...



Embellishment Punctuationfilled to the brim with every kind of embellishment known to man or woman.

embellishment-french-ribbon

French StationeryI first discovered The French General when I purchased Kaari Meng’s book



at the Tinsel Trading Company.


"I couldn't wait to have my morning coffee so that I could sit and read about The French-Inspired Home."

embellishment-stationery

French StationeryAhhhhh but the magic of getting lost in a mood surely follows with a bit of creating.

embellishment-french-stationery

Embellishment PunctuationThe truth be told, I don't speak French, I don't cook French, but I can create in French.

French Inspiration

French StationeryNow besides being in love with french ribbons, notions and embellishments, I have been known to take a trip to French places in Blogland. Here are a few lovely ones.

French Inspiration

French StationeryAn American writer named Nicole is living in Paris, and her blog is called Little Brown Pen, and I love Claudine's blog, Claudine atelier cote jardin and there is always A Heart in Provence.

Letters of Inspiration

Embellishment Punctuationand a new one I just discovered called Baucis & Philemon.

Inspiration Stamp

Embellishment PunctuationI hope I have sent you on your way with a bit of French inspiration. Here is the video of Kaari browsing in Marcia's basement uncovering loving notions and ribbons from France, in the basement her old shop.

embellishment-piece

Embellishment PunctuationOf course, it goes without saying I adore French music and the song for this post is Les Avions en Papier

My creation

h, before you go, please make sure that you leave a comment on my giveaway HERE before midnight tonight, Eastern Standard Time February 11th for Lisa's One World One Heart Giveaway. So far, there are over seven hundred comments...isn't that amazing?



So, before I go to bed tonight,

French Inspiration

I'll be staying up to find the winner of my giveaway, which I will post tomorrow.


Blondie's Journal said...

Karen,

I find it amazing that all these little bits of this and that can turn into a work of art with the right amount of creativity. I see this in a lot of your photos. Very beautiful.

As my husband is French, I must say I love all things French also!

Thank you for leaving your kind comments on my blog.

xoxo
Jane

Deanna said...

I love your posts. I cease to hear anything around me when I'm over here visiting you.

My mother had a rather large tin filled with all kinds of notions. She had slender tubes of glitter, lace, hundreds of buttons, sequins, ribbons....and my sister and I would love to take the tin to our bedroom and we would sit quietly for hours and just create to our hearts content.

Thanks for bringing a wonderful memory to me tonight.

Deanna :D

LiLi M. said...

Bonjour Karen, though at yours' it will still be bonne nuit! When I will be in New York I will definitely visit the Tinsel trading company! How exciting that there is going to be another book of Kaari Meng! I don't have much time right now, but I will be back to read your post of last year and to check those blogs, thanks for sharing! Your post is beautiful!

Kathleen Grace said...

How gorgeous! i would go nuts in a place like that, they would have to drag me out kicking and screaming!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I am excited to hear there will be a new book. Your French insired post today makes me very happy. I love anything French. Thank you for the new French blog links. I knew of a couple, but there are some new ones for me to investigate!
Hugs,
Penny

Anonymous said...

Karen, you have beautifully transported my spirit. Thank you for making my day.

xashee's corner said...

i don't know what it is but i LOVE any box of trims & ribbons and notions! Thank you for sharing your AWESOME writing! :D

MARIA said...

Dear Karen, you can create in many. In French is sooo beautiful! How could you do such beauty? You inspiring me.

My next post I'm going to dedicate to you.
God bless you!

Rhondi said...

Karen
You continue to amaze me with your creativity and I can tell you had a lot of fun creating this post! I love the beautiful collages you created. Thanks for the new French
blogs to visit
Adieu, Rhondi

Tara said...

Karen

Speaking of French...you have been my inspiration to start a "French" inspired playlist...I "stole" some of your french songs for my playlist> Today I played it today in my office as we have had a strassful work week...everyone loved the songs! Thanks for the inspiration!

:0)
Tara

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Karen

I always mean to visit Tinsel Trading when I am in Manhattan and then forget! Ack! I know I must go there soon.

Your collages are so pretty! Thanks for the links to the French blogs too!

Donna said...

I love all the French inspiration, Karen! Beautiful. Thank you for listing some links....on my way to check them out.

Hugs,
Donna

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I love the music. So very beautiful...m.

Anonymous said...

Hello Karen,

What an amazing post!

~ Gabriela ~

Anonymous said...

A beautiful and inspiring post, Karen! I love all things French ... always have. The French Inspired Home is one of my favourite books ... I'm excited that a new book is on the way!

Enjoy your creative muse!

xo,
Lynda

Gwendolyn said...

Such elegance and class! I want to take your trip to France via the posts you mentioned! It will be lovely and you've done such a great job of displaying it all! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh, all those ribbons and notions have me salivating! I just LOVE ribbons.

And all that beautiful French Blue with the white-on-white things, so pretty.

Kate (Shibori Girl from OWOH)

Sharon's Cottage Quilts said...

What an AMAZING Post Karen! I will need to put that book on my list! *smiles* I can't wait!! Thanks as always...you are..an inspiration to me! God Bless You
Sharon

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