EAB Designs

Paperie Party

Once upon a time there was a little girl who fell completely, head over heels in love with paper. Growing up she would sit for hours turning the pages of countless magazines and books. Beautiful stationery and wrapping paper stopped her in her tracks. With the discovery of handmade paper she was in heaven...what more could a girl want?  Vintage wallpaper, sheet music, and vintage books!  That little girl was me and today I continue to love creating with paper.  So it's no surprise that I'm happy to be participating in French Cupboard's Paperie Party.

 

For those of you who have been following my blog, you may remember some of these past projects.  I'm posting a few of them again here today to celebrate my love for paper and all of the wonderful things you can create with it.  Like beautiful picture frames made with handmade paper.

 Or one-of-a-kind journals which mix vintage paper and lots of embellishments.

There are so many things I've created with paper... magnets, decoupaged eggs, and even paper rosettes and a tutu!

If you have a passion for paper as well, I invite you to link up to the Paperie Party to enjoy all of the other wonderful projects being shared today.  Just click on the link at the beginning of my post.  Enjoy!

French-Inspired Linen Favor Bags

I'm hosting a French Bistro luncheon featuring lots of fresh ingredients from the summer garden.  The table decor will be simple, but elegant ... white dishes, French striped runners and pretty glassware. As a treat for my guests, I made some of my favorite Fleur De Sel Caramels. Keeping with my French theme, I sewed up these very simple linen favor bags to place the candy at each guest's seat.

 

The French postcard graphics were printed on inkjet cotton paper, cut out with scalloped scissors and applied with Fabri-tac adhesive.

 

For each bag, I cut two pieces of linen, 9" high by 4" wide.  Right sides together, using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew the bottom and sides, leaving the top open. Turn inside out, press and trim the top with scalloped scissors. Fill with your favorite treat and tie with a bit of twine.  Your guests will love you!

 

Be sure to make extra caramels.  They're so good you'll want to keep some for yourself!

Postcards from Quebec City Part II- Food, Fun & Fabulous Sites

While vacationing in Old Quebec City we enjoyed some delicious meals.  Two of my favorites were... flavorful savory and sweet crepes (the simply prepared lemon/sugar one was the best!), and French bread topped with delicious aged cheese, roasted tomatoes, and fresh herbs, which was served hot from the oven. The best part was dining in the outside cafes, or quite often we were lucky enough to be seated at a table right by the open window.  Doesn't food always taste better when dining outdoors?

 

Being able to walk everywhere was a highlight of the trip - no cabs or public transportation required.  Our hotel was by the river and each day we would walk (aka climb) the hills and cobblestone streets to Upper Town which lies on the top of Cap-Diamant promontory.  We would pass by the high stone wall, which surrounds this portion of the city, lined with many original cannons.

 

In all fairness to my husband, the girls and I had to force him to pose with this cannon.  (Although, secretly, I think he actually enjoyed it!  Hopefully he won't discover I've posted this picture.) 

Upper Town is filled with charming old buildings and offers sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River.  The most recognized building is the massive castle-like Chateau Frontenac Hotel which is perched on top of Cap-Diamont.  Here you will spot authentic horse-drawn carriages filled with tourists exploring the city.

 

There were many beautiful churches to visit and on Sunday, we had the pleasure of listening to the church bells ringing.

On our last evening, we took a round trip ferry ride to Levis to enjoy the beautiful view of Old Quebec City by night.

 

Au revoir, Quebec City!  We hope to return - perhaps during Winter Carnival.

Vintage Faceted Stones

Received a shipment last week of a collection of beautiful faceted glass stones. My favorite - the Olivine pear shaped stones which will be perfect for the upcoming autumn months, especially when paired with shades of mustard and chocolate brown.  Here's a peek at a selection of earrings I have added to the shop featuring these colorful stones.

  

From Dorm to Apartment

Sweet girl will be moving out of the dorms this school year and into an apartment on campus with two of her girlfriends.  We've had so much fun this summer selecting things for her new apartment and last week we bought the furniture for her bedroom.  She drew a floor plan, complete with "to scale" furniture drawings, to be certain that everything would fit.  Then it was off to Ikea! It's amazing how an entire room of furniture can fit into flat boxes, and how many of those boxes you can fit into a mini-van!

Move-in day is this Saturday.  Wish us luck!  I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss this smiling face!

Petite Vintage Style Mannequin

I'm loving my new petite vintage style mannequin.  An ideal piece for displaying necklaces and pins, or sometimes a note with an important reminder. It's covered with a hand-stitched antiqued cotton, and has a wood stained base with an adjustable pedestal.  Perfectly charming all around.

 

 
 

A Wedding Feature

The Wedding Row, Charleston's elite resource for the most elegant weddings, featured an absolutely gorgeous wedding on their site today.  The photographer beautifully captured all of the amazing details, most of them DIY projects.  I was especially happy to see this lovely couple and their "vintage - garden - romance" wedding featured as the bridesmaids are wearing earrings and necklaces from my Pemberley Collection and the bride's earrings are from my collection as well. Click here to view the beautiful photos of their special day.  I especially love the cake, inspired by the bride's couture gown, and all of the wonderful creative touches.