GCD Designs 'Provence'...Bold Pattern Series

I always look forward to Fridays, for many of the same reasons you do....the weekend is here, for many, it's a great 'date night'...but for me, it is also the night I have set aside to share with you a series of projects featuring specific colors, designs, themes and more. Tonight, I am happy to share a couple of projects that I made this week using a paper set that I showed you a couple of weeks ago and have been so excited to use! GCD Designs, which just finished a fabulous blog hop over at their site, is the name behind this series called 'Provence'. If you have come to know me, even a little, you know that my dream trip is to this region in the South of France. So let's go on a little tour of Provence right here at The Open Window.

If you have studied any French decorating, you know that the patterns and colors are bright and bold. Ochre, Cerulean Blue, Bordeaux...just to name a few. I think the colors and patterns on this first card are so classic. Stripes mixed with bold patterns. This card has a real feel of a wallpapered wall, don't you think? Because I have not seen these papers sold separately, I don't have names for the individual sheets, but what I do love, is that in each set, there are pattern choices on both sides. So coordinating is a cinch....especially when you are talking about 'busy' patterns. My philosophy is...if it's all in one set, you can mix any of it together!

I used the Martha Stewart Loop Around the Page punch just for something different as well as a vintage button and a soutache-style ribbon for focal points. Everything was aged using Ranger Archival ink in Coffee and the sentiment stamps
are from Scrappy Cat.

To quote Monty Python (and my friend Sarah!)...
and now for something completely different...

Yep....these patterned papers are from the very same set! What a change in theme though, huh?! I fell in love with the gold-striped paper, which I also used on the card above AND on the card from yesterday's post. It really set the 'gold tone' for this card. It also features one of the die-cut tags that was included in the set.

The 'extras' on this card include a very 'vintage' lace that I inherited from my seamstress grandmother, Martha Stewart rhinestones in my grandmother's birthstone Garnet, copper brads and these fabulous Holiday Brads from K&Co. The snowflake was cut using 'The Bug' and the Snowflake Nestibilities and then covered with fine gold glitter. Don't let glitter scare you! It's not nearly as messy as it used to be. There are so many great techniques for applying it as well as the quality...that can make all the difference in the world. The source for the rubber stamped sentiment is unknown, but I love the vintage 'feel' to it.

I'm curious....back to glitter for a moment....do you use glitter? How often and what's your favorite thing to make? Do you have a favorite brand? PLEASE LEAVE ME A COMMENT because I would love to know what you do with glitter. I specialize in making themed glass ornaments all year-around and every ornament is 'tricked' out with some glitter.
I would love to share some of my glittering 'secrets' with you!