Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Paris is always a good idea...

We have returned from our trip to Paris over Easter break.  Thought I might share a few pictures with you today.


I was asked to teach at Version Scrap last year so I have know for long time that I would be going to Paris.  Around Christmas time I got this photo in a text message from my 11 year old niece, Maddie.  I knew at that minute that I wanted to take her to Paris with us.  I mean really, who could resist paper diorama of Paris? 

So we rented a nice apt close to the Eiffel Tower.  I figured if we were taking her to Paris I wanted her to be able to walk by the Eiffel Tower every day.  Which we did.

Finally the day arrived to leave...and then we got stuck in Philly due to mechanical difficulties.  After re-booking ourselves through Switzerland we finally made it to Paris a day and a half late.  Boo, on USAirways for stranding 300 passengers in the Philly airport with just a piece of paper with a phone number on it to re-book!  That was more than stressful!
By the time we finally arrived, we were more than ready!  

This photo was taken on our first outing, walking up Champs de Mars to the tower.
 We were lucky enough to meet up with my good friend, Sande Krieger who was in Paris at the same time (her husband was running the Paris Marathon).  We spent the day at a flea market, walking a neighborhood by the Rue Cler looking for a great Art Nouveau door we saw online,
a bit of time in the Marais to visit at St Paul's church (built in the mid 1600's) and shoe shopping.  

Maddie tried ditching her Converse for these wedges but I said there were not approved for 11 year old's.  The lady at the shop was very nice and let her try them on anyway.  Oh, and I think they were 200 Euros...but very cute.
Then ended the night by having dinner in a great little cafe by our apartment.
Favorite little shop I visited?
Easily, Au Petit Bonheur la Chance in the St Paul area (just a short walk from the large St Paul Church).




Favorite monument we visited? the Opera Garnier (finished in 1875, 14 years after it was started)
with it's huge 7-ton chandelier...
and the 1964 Chagall ceiling (it is suspended below the original).  Some people love it, some hate it.  I am not a fan of Chagall myself, but I did think it was pretty with all the bright colors...it just doesn't go with the rest of the architecture of the building.  I'll leave it up to you for your own judgement.
 can you see the Eiffel Tower?
Plush red velvet seating.  If you take a tour of the Opera you are able to go into the auditorium if there are no rehearsals going on.  They were only doing stage work the day we went, so were were able to go in and sit in the seats.
There are two alcoves on either end of the grand foyer that we loved for the metallic paint.
This is the moon room (with the bats and owls).
 And this is the sun room with the salamanders.
 This is the grand foyer. 
Amazing as the chandeliers were all of 8 or 9' off the ground.
We also visited the Louvre a couple times.  I think the best picture we took is this one of all the people trying to take a picture of the Mona Lisa, that is behind the rail on the right.  Downright crazy.
This was Maddie's favorite painting...the enormous "Coronation of Napoleon" by Jacques-Louis David where Napoleon is depicted crowing Josephine.  We went back to see it again because we liked it so much.
I'll finish up with one of my favorite pictures of Maddie eating a Nutella crepe on the Rue Cler one of my favorite little streets in Paris.  We went there 3 times in one week she loved them so much.  And yes, it was that cold that we had to buy her a wool coat at Gap kids and some ear muffs.  Sometime, we will have to go back in the springtime where we don't have to bundle up so much!
So, enough about Paris itself.  The last part of the trip I was able to teach at Version Scrap event on the outskirts of Paris.  There were many teachers, but just 3 Americans: Debby Schuh, Sharon Laakkonen, and myself.  I was able to teach 3 classes using Distress Stain, Distress Markers and lots of idea-ology trinkets.  My students were more than kind and very grateful.  Really, I could not have asked for a better group of ladies to work with over the course of the three days.

 My best little helper
She worked two 10 hour days helping me set up, clean up, and pass things out.  Love this girl.
 inside the classroom
This picture was taken through the glass windows that covered the back wall of the classroom.  Perfect light for the technique table!
Sandrine (on the right), the BEST interpreter a girl could hope for.  She was amazing, not only interpreting but helping in class.  I felt so very lucky that she was assigned to my classes.
Sandrine's sister, Estelle on the left was the scrapper of the two (Sandrine is a scientist) and help Sandrine learn some of the lingo she might need to know for the class.  A HUGE thank you to both of you!
Here is our little American group, Sharon Laakkonen and her husband Bill.  Debby Schuh and her husband Dave.  We had a lot of fun at dinner and it was nice to relax after the 10 hour work day.  I also learned to spell Sharon's last name on this trip which I think is quite an achievement!

Well that is all for Paris.  Even after a few mishaps with the airline, it was a great trip.  We enjoyed ourselves and are looking forward to going back again.

I will be back soon with the last segment, "inserts" of the mini book I have been working on all month.
See you then and cheers for a great week!
paula

28 comments:

  1. it must unreal walking past the Eiffel tower every day! You have an adorable and hard working assistant there :D
    TFS and looking forward to your inserts Paula. :D

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    1. thank you so much - she was wonderful to have in class! we did enjoy walking past the Eiffel tower each day. So very beautiful...still seems dreamy.

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  2. Wow, gorgeous photos. Looks like you had a wonderful time. That art nouveau door literally gave me chills, it's SO incredibly BEAUTIFUL..can't imagine seeing that in person!!

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  3. Love these photos...especially the architecture ones.

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  4. I HAVE BEEN ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THIS BLOG POST!!!!!!!!!!!! It's fabulous.

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  5. Oh, thank you for the glimpses of Paris -- it brings back memories! What a lovely time you had! And that door!! Wow!

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  6. I LOVE that little shop, Au Petit - so many wonderful things but pricey so I could only take a couple of items home. I still want an enamel number 22 - my lucky number. Maybe next time.

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  7. What a wonderful experience for both of you.

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  8. You are the BEST Aunt ever! Taking your niece to Paris - can I be your niece next year???

    You created memories that will last her a lifetime - now get busy and make her something to remember those memories - I think some of Tim's new release will be just perfect for that!

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    1. I agree Kat! It is already in the planning stage hopefully for next week!

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  9. Looks like a fantastic time was had by all how lucky is Maddie to have such a lovely auntie x

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  10. I am going to start working on MY diorama of Paris and get my "niece" adoption papers in order so you can take ME to Paris with you the next time you go! Beings how I can't get you to come to St Pete, FLORIDA, I guess I will have to accompany you to Paris!!

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    1. you are too funny Sue...I swear I am going to get to St Petes this year!

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  11. Welcome home, love all the photos!

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  12. So glad you have returned.... I was having 'Paula withdrawal'. Thanks for sharing special moments of your trip. Maddie is a lucky girl!

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    1. thanks Joy. Couldn't help but think of you in the little vintage store and how much you would like it.
      p

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    2. I was drooling at EVERYTHING in the photo. I am so glad you had such a good time and that so many people benefited from your creativity. We are so fortunate.

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  13. I'm glad to see that you enjoyed your trip in Paris ! I enjoyed your class at Version scrap, it was great to play with distress stain and your are so cheerful. Hope you will come back in Paris next year !

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  14. awwww so happy for you to be able to go there and Thank you for all the photos, you tell the story through them! Sp happy for Maddie that she was able to join you and what a great memory for her! YOu are amazing!!!!

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  15. What a lovely trip! Did you buy anything in the little vintage store? I could get lost in there forever! Thanks for sharing.

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  16. What an amazing trip, looks like you had a great time, been to Paris a few times and I love it there, shame it was so cold, it has been very cold here in the UK too, the coldest march and Easter on record. Your daughter is very pretty.

    Carol X

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  17. Bonjour Paula,

    I hope that you recovered from your trip. I see plenty of pretty pictures, hopefully you 'll scrapp them soon!!
    It was an honor to meet you and to participate to one of your workshop. Thank you again for everything, it was wonderfull.
    I just finished Treasure Journal. Here's the link if you want to see it http://lescrapdopsite.over-blog.com/article-mini-album-treasure-journal-paula-cheney-workshop-117056320.html
    Thank you for the picture, I feel like a star now!!!

    Estelle/Opsite

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  18. Awesome photos of your trip ! Thanks for sharing !

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  19. How darling is your niece and what a great auntie you are! Loved all the pictures and I can just imagine you rummaging through those little shops. You are a great ambassador as you travel to all these countries with your happiness. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. What a lovely trip and your niece is adorable! Glad you had such a good time. Thanks for sharing all the pictures.

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  21. Your classe was wonderful and I am very happy to meet you, thanks a lot !!

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  22. Glad to hear/see that you had a nice time.

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