It's all about Paris!

Month of Daily Downloads No. 6

Seeking a compromise between an Eiffel Tower postcard and a street scene per readers' requests, I came up with this. Whatcha think? As I was working on this image, I wrestled with a question that I wrestle with often: how shabby can something be before it crosses the line from chic to ick. I love an aged look, but I don't like it when a white background looks dirty and soiled. Fingerprints on postcards do intrique me, though! Is that kinda creepy? Below is the 'raw' original. I'm beginning to think I should NOT have put my FrenchKissed name on this image!ha! But I wanted you to see the before and after. Also, you might have your own textures, overlays, special tricks you would like to use on the not-so-white background. As you can see in 'my' version at top I gave Paris a pretty blue sky (in reality, today is the first day of snow in Paris and it's VERY cold, like in the 20s -- according to Eric of Paris Daily Photo.) And I used my favorite standby overlay from Jerry of ShadowHouse Creations.

With so much blank space, there's room for your special touch. And the design of the card allows for you to cut off the Eiffel if you want and just focus on the metro. I'd love to see it big with those blank windows filled with smiling faces:) I'm thinking that I will dedicate most of this week to Paris images. I'm still looking for a street scene that isn't too dark. Often, the cars and the horse and buggies just blend in against the dark buildings. I have plenty of cards with gorgeous architecture, an emphasis on the buildings, but not as much exciting happening at ground level. SO... we'll see. I'll keep looking.... 

In the meantime, my mind is working overtime. I am a "go with the flow" sort of person. But I think I'm going to have to become more focused and think ahead to get my 12,000 new customers streaming in.... SO....here's what I've got on my mind.

Let's officially dub this Paris Week with a gift giveaway and winner announced Sunday night. 


Rules: leave a comment, jump through 5 hoops, clap your hands, click your heels, chew 4 pieces of Double Bubble pink bubble gum at one time, visit 10 other French-themed blogs, link back to my blog and then....hehe! OK, just joshing. Seriously, LEAVE A COMMENT during Paris Week. Any time, any post, between now and Sunday night 9 pm Pacific time. No more than one comment per day per person. I'll use a random number generator thingie and that lucky commenter will be the winner of a batch of vintage Paris postcards. Batch as in a couple dozen or more....These are postcards mailed in the 1950s and '60s. Not antiques, but almost:)

Next week: Postcard images that I consider 'under-loved.' Images that have me scratching my head as to why it's not the next big thing. Images I adore but are mostly snubbed. I'm gonna gather up an assortment of these and then issue a challenge to make an ATC, gift card, greeting card, journal page, whatever that you will mail to me. I haven't decided at the moment how the winner will be chosen (name in the hat, popular vote or simply my own Napoleonic arbritrary whim....) But that winner will receive this darling pink and gold unused antique book of postcards. It looks orangey peach here, but trust me when I say it's pink!

 Way toward the back is an Eiffel Tower postcard:) And there's a great street scene on  Boulevard de Italiens along with 10 more Paris landmarks. Each postcard is separated with an onion paper slip.

I apologize for not being able to scan in more but the book is so 'unused' I don't want to break the spine and I can't manage the maneuvering with my one arm....It's a gem of ephemera! As the contest nears, I'll post my address.

 Until then, will you continue to be my FrenchKissed ambassadors and spread the word about my 

1) Month of  Daily Downloads

2) Paris Week Comment Contest

3) Underloved Challenge

Ever how you can spread the news, to help me reach my ultimate goal of  12,000 new customers this year, will be appreciated BEAUCOUP:)

there is SO much more i'd love to yak with you about  .... BUT... the trauma i referred to last week is continuing as i contact the police from here to portland in an effort to find my nephew who is mentally ill and off his medicine. it is a long story, it is sad one but i'm still hoping for a good ending as i track his bank account, play detective, connect with compassionate people and deal with those who can't help because they are bound by the fucking stupid LAWS:)

PS dear potential 12,000 new customers, i don't use the F word in my blog too often....