Journey to Paris

Good morning folks and big warm welcome to my new followers, it's always lovely to 'meet' new friends! Today's card was made for the challenge at A Vintage Journey where the theme is 'A little bit French'. This project was actually inspired by the alley way next to my work, not as glamorous as Paris, in fact its a very scruffy and rundown little street in the town centre but among all the weeds, muddy parking bays and old wooden doors with peeling paint there are pretty forget-me-nots, little wild birds looking for nesting materials and bees and butterflies. You really can find beauty everywhere.

I'd made this background a few weeks ago using a mask from Clarity, Stampers Anonymous stamps, Crafters Workshop harlequin and squares masks and distress inks (tumbled glass, broken china, old paper, vintage photo and walnut stain). Once all the ink was dry I applied Maimeri Glassy gel over the squares through the stencil and then sprinkled with micro beads, I love this effect its so pretty when the beads catch the light.

The images are two of my favourite stamps from Crafty Individuals, coloured with Graph'It markers and distressed with Old Paper and Vintage photo distress inks, I added some pretty blue lace and bead trim to the bottom of the images.

I've added some crinoline flowers, an Ideology facet layered over a sentiment from the Gecko Galz. I've stamped some butterflies, fussy cut them and layered them over the card and to finish off I've added a seam binding bow and a gorgeous mother of pearl button topped with a twine bow.

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Individuals: Nature's Beauty 

Docerela Creations: anything goes

Fussy and Fancy: all about travel

Its all about the vintage: shabby chic

Penny Black and More: blossoms and blooms

Well I'd better scoot off to work now so thanks for popping by today, 

Claire xx