Sparkling Eiffel Tower

I'm sorry. I just can't think of the Eiffel Tower as anything other than a *Sparkling* Eiffel Tower. Ever since my trip to Paris with my sister in 2006, I have never forgotten the outright jubilation and excitement I felt when she and I witnessed this.



But here, You've got to watch it. Maybe it will make you smile after yesterday's Black Monday news...



Did it work? It works for me. It's just a beautiful sight.

That being said, I had to add sparkle to the Eiffel tower on my pants before sending them off.


Remember, I'm entering Pants Pants Revolution into the sewing stash contest hosted by Kaari Meng of French General? Ahh...French General...the Eiffel tower -- Maybe we'll have a French lunch...a bit of cheese, a great baguette and perhaps a sip of wine...


OK, I'm back. Back to sewing up the last details on these pants before I ship them off today. Hope I can get to the post office...We're having a bit of a snowstorm.


You may remember this Sparkling Eiffel Tower that I made for my sister last Christmas to commemorate our trip. Though the picture doesn't show it very well, each of the intersections of metal thread is covered with a crystal rose montee which makes the whole thing -- you guessed it -- *sparkle* !


And how about this post about the Timmy Woods Eiffel Tower purse that made it's debut in the movie Sex and the City?

And, on the topic of Eiffel Towers, I have to share this fabulous ornament from my extremely-talented-crazy-quilter friend, Irene Leizer. She made this for an ornament contest we had in our Embroiderers' Guild. She and I both made Eiffel Towers that year, go figure...


Check out the Chanel sweater, the champagne bottle and grapes, the painting by Toulouse Lautrec, the little parfum bottle!! Total French Fabulosity!

Au Revoir!

Eiffel Tower Hits the Big Screen

OK, I'm probably the only 43-year old woman who has not watched one episode of Sex and the City. That being said, I will probably watch the movie on DVD just because this headline says the CLOTHES make the movie. As I read on, it turns out that there is a particular purse made by designer Timmy Woods which is starring in the movie...you can see Sarah Jessica Parker holding it in this picture. It's an Eiffel Tower purse made from wood and covered in swarovski crystals. Well, I was so excited when I saw it! If you remember from this post, I too was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and made up my own design. Of course, Timmy Woods is much smarter since his purse is selling for $3,000...

I thought it was interesting that both were covered in swarovski crystals. It doesn't show up so much in this picture but it really sparkles in person.


It turns out that I have a thing for eye candy in movies. In fact, my favorite part of the Academy Awards is when we get to see all of the nominees for Best Costume Design. In 2007, Marie Antoinette won that award so when the movie came out on DVD, I bought it right away.


I love to watch it on a big screen just so I can see a close up of all the silks, feathers, velvets and trims. It is a delight for the senses...My husband laughs since most people watch movies on the big screen for the action shots. Not me. It's all about passementerie, pastries and pumps.

The story itself is good but not great; but the cinematography is outstanding!Even though I have a thing for all of these beautifully coiffed dresses and accessories, I rarely wear dresses myself or put my feet into fancy shoes. No, I'm into yoga and I'm athletic so most of the time I'm in very sensible shoes but I LOVE the thought of all that fancy stuff.

I think it translates beautifully into needlework and needlework design. I can't wait to stitch my "Marie Antoinette" crazy quilt block. Dare I dream, maybe it will be a whole Marie Antoinette crazy quilt! Unfortunately, there are a few other projects in line before it. In my dreams, it's fabulous! I was so excited about the wonderful "pictures" in this movie, that I bought Sofia Coppola's book from Amazon so I can carry it around with me. The book was a bit disappointing since the pictures were small so I cannot recommend it without reservation.

I haven't yet watched Memoirs of a Geisha for it's eye candy but I've heard from Japanese-culture aficionados that the costumes in 1980's Shogun were much better. I guess I'll have to watch and see.

Oh, and before I leave...check out the big flower on this dress...can't you think of a million ways to use that in your work? Fabulous!