Thought I'd share with you what I've been up to lately, since I've been conspicuously absent from Bloglandia the last two weeks. I've been busy creating mini-albums, and having a grand time doing it!
Today, I thought I'd post my "Portraits of Marie" album - though it did keep growing as I went along, and at 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" x 6" deep I think it no longer qualifies as a mini-album. It's just an album.
The cover features a vintage enameled frame with a lot of what-I-think-is-bronze-but-may-not-be decorative work. It holds one of the best known of the formal portraits of the Queen. The rest of the cover is embellished with Petaloo flowers, brass accents and vintage ribbon.
Because I'm never one to leave a space unadorned if there's room for an embellishment, the spine has decorated with tassels of ribbons, chains, faux gems and jewels, really pretty cloisonne beads, and a porcelain headed doll wearing a silver and rhinestone tiara...the perfect bauble for a queen's album, I think!
The inside front cover has several drawings of Marie Antoinette, and is embellished with gold foil filigree doilies, Petaloo flowers, ribbons, and a beautiful Petaloo silk butterfly. The first page has a pocket outlined with rhinestone 'bling' and decorated with die cut ornamental iron work, Petaloo flowers and rhinestones. The page features at the top a lovely crown brooch with lots of faux amethyst jewels in it The drawing of Marie imagines her with wings as a fairy - and both that tag and the gold tag behind it can be used as photo mats or journaling space if desired.
The next page has some luxurious ribbons, layered to create depth and texture and a Petaloo flower. The page is printed with drawings of Marie and the tag, held in place by the ribbon, has embossed and glittered fanciful designs, as well as a cameo of the queen in a charming setting.
The right side features two lift-up flaps (or, as they're called in min-album circles, "waterfalls"). Again, each has been stamped, embossed and glittered in pretty swirls and feathers. There is a large rhinestone pendant hanging from the top waterfall page and the bottom of the page is decorated with an especially lovely piece of ribbon, with a pewter embossing embellishment of Marie Antoinette and more Petaloo flowers.
On the fourth page, there is spark aplenty! It has been completely trimmed in single, double and quadruple rows of golden rhinestones. The tag is an illustration of Marie, out strolling - or probably shopping! - with her parasol. The two corner pockets at the bottom also hold a tag, which I only just noticed is missing. It must be off drying somewhere out of eyesight. I know it's pretty. LOL
The facing page has really stunning paper which doesn't read well in the photos at all. It's quite regal and dignified. The image, again trimmed out in gold rhinestones, is a portrait of 'toinette with two her children. The page is finished with a delicate piece of gold lace ribbon, topped with a luscious French bombe glacée cake.
The next spread starts with a page completely framed out in gold German scrap ... a fitting tribute to the Austrian princess. The pocket is decorated with another formal portrait of the Queen, ribbons and more gold German scrap. The back ground paper, as well as the tag is a luxurious flocked paper which feels as terrific as it looks. One of her better known formal portraits is on this tag.
The facing page has a pocket trimmed in pleated paper, ribbon with fleur di lis on it and a nice pink and white cameo of a flower and butterfly. The tag is adorned with a vintage metal oversize button with various colored rhinestones and a lavender feather.
The next page uses the elegant stamped, embossed and glittered patterned paper with another quite famous portrait of Marie Antoinette. She is on a hinged (liftable) flap. The embellishment is glittered tulle gathered by a gold German scrap sun and a heavily embossed brass crown.
The facing page has some gorgeous lace on the pocket. I don't believe it's vintage - but it's definitely high end couture stuff! Another tag with a well-known portrait of Marie embellished with silk seam binding.
The 10th page has an illustration drawing of Marie dancing on a tag which rests against a glittered pattern paper. The jet beading fringe does hang straight down, but when taking photos I had to put the album flat to photograph it, and there was no way to keep them hanging straight!
Next is a whimsical illustration of the Queen which teases her preference for outlandish over-the-top hair design and decorations. It is framed with rhinestones; the pocket has a piece of gathered fabric trimmed with rhinestone edging and a laser cut die cut crown.
The 12th, and final, page has a waterfall of four portraits of drawings of Marie. When the ribbon is untied, each of the individual flaps will lift up. The page is trimmed out with fabric flower trim and ribbons with beaded embellishment.
The inside back cover features another whimsical drawing of the Queen wearing a huge ship in her hair. Her famous words "Let them eat cake" (which she never actually said!) is in the lower corner, surrounded by a plethora of laser cut die cut French pastries and cakes. A delicious way to end the album!
Thank you for visiting - I hope you enjoyed the little tour through "Portraits of Marie." I won't be back again for several days ... I go into surgery tomorrow for knee replacement (Fred Astaire, watch out!), so I'll be incommunicado for a few days.
Please leave a comment so I know you visited ... and now go make something beautiful!
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥
