Playing With Paper

Decoupage Bird Eggs

With the dreary March weather we’ve been having I’ve been keeping my fingers busy by making some happy springtime creations.  I started out by taking an old book, one I’ll never read, and ripping it up in little pieces to make my version of vintage shabby chic style eggs that transition well from Easter right into any springtime decor.

Blingy Glitter Eggs

Large Glittery Eggs

Mini and Small Eggs in Carrot Dish

Small and Medium Eggs in Bunny Bowl

I think I had a bit of a glitter overdose while making these.  I’m still finding glitter where glitter shouldn’t be :p  They range in size from just under 2 inches to almost 5 inches.

As I was ripping up the paper, I got thinking, since I have a kobo, does this make me a bad person for tearing up books… I think not, since these books would have been destined for the dumpster and now they’re something pretty to enjoy once again.

Then of course since I have the attention span of a…. Squirrel  I spent some time on Pintrest, and of course got some inspiration… after all isn’t that what it’s there fore?  And this is what happened.

Book Page Wreath

Book Page Wings

Anyway, that’s what I’ve been doing to keep my fingers busy and a smile on my face.

How do you keep yourself sane… I wanna know

Sherry

Come get inspired with me

A week or so ago, I was invited to join Pinterest. It’s kinda like having a cork board where you can pin up all the great ideas and pictures that you find while wasting time surfing.  But it doesn’t stop there, you can look at all the other pictures that other folks find interesting too.  Everything from the sublime to the ridiculous

Well, I’ve started a couple of boards, there’s not much there yet, but I don’t think it’ll be too long before they start to fill up.  I have all these great ideas in my head that are hard to explain.  This way when I see something that catches my eye, I can pin a pic here and you know the old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words”  and it’s so much easier than typing

Some images I've pinned

Why not come along and get inspired with me, shoot me an email, or place a comment here and I’ll send you an invitation to have some fun on Pinterest too.

Sherry

Coining a New Term

Image by bourgeoisbee via Flickr

Ok, so you are asking yourself what does she mean with the title of this post.  Well, let me explain it to you.  As a store owner, I keep an eye on what the newest trends are that are happening mainly by looking online and through the forums that I’m on with other store owners, just the same way most folks do.  Now since I’m in Canada and most of my info comes from connections on the other side of the boarder and  it seems as though we are a little behind the times as far as decor trends go.  For about the last year & a half, I’ve been in LOVE with the Shabby Chic design trend and I’ve been bringing bits and pieces of it into my little gift store, but when I’d try to explain to customers what Shabby Chic is they’d look at me as though I had three heads.  There were very few people who understood the concept.

A Brief History:

The term “Shabby Chic” was coined in the 1980s by interior designer Rachel Ashwell who later founded the decor company by the same name.  Basically, shabby chic is a type of style that centers around a white or off white colour scheme accented with soft pastels.  Old furniture is painted in a white wash, or new furniture is distressed to make it look old.

As you can see since the Shabby Chic came to light in the 80s, even though I’m ahead of the game, I’m still behind

My Personal Shabby Chic Style

I personally love the look of anything with a Parisian influence.  Old french postcards, Busts & Statues, Candelabras & French Ephemera.  The colours of black, white and sepia just make me smile.

Ok, we’re getting to the point

So anyway, this last weekend I attended the Canadian Gift ant Tableware Association, a large trade show in Toronto.  To my delight, there were some vendors who had items with look I so desire!  From table ware to wall art, linens to jewelry , oh I was in heaven… unfortunately (or could it be fortunately) my credit cards were already maxed out.  When I got home my husband asked me how it was.  I said that “finally there was pieces of Parisphernalia to be found!”  He said what a good term for it  So there you have it Parisphernalia is my term for anything with a Parisian Chic feel to it.  So if you ever here Parisphernalia being used you can say that you heard it here first and Sherry Campbell was the one who coined the term;)

I did pick up these cute magnets while I was at the show.

Parisphernalia Magnets

They measure 3 1/4″ X 2 1/4″  and priced at just $2.29 each the are a cute and inexpensive way of starting your own Parisphernalia collection.

Cross $2.29

Eiffel Tower $2.29

Crown $2.29

Fleur de lis $2.29

My head is swimming with ideas.  Here is a picture of my Paris Chic gift tags.

Paris Chic Gift Tags. Set of 6 $5.99

You get a set of 6 hand made gift tags.  Printed on premium cream coloured card stock these tags measure 3 1/4″ X 2 1/4″.  The edges have been inked and the card stock distressed to give them an aged feel.  They tie with aged seam binding and embellished with glass glitter.  They are suitable for any occasion.  More styles are coming soon.

To see other bits of my Parisphernalia, click here.

Well, that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it

TTFN Sherry