Blue Silk, Antique French Passementerie and China Pink Roses
All shoe designs are created and copyrighted by Fete et Fleur Designs. In no way may they be reproduced in any form. Thank you!
Paper Shoe Gallery
I'm happy to announce that new shoes will be available for sale in My Paper Shoe Gallery on Monday, March 2nd.
These shoes are examples of my new antique ledger paper shoes. I love these with their beautiful script. The ledger paper dates back to the 1880s! 
Use What You Have
If you have lovely things hidden away, take them out of the closet, cabinet or storage space and use them.
I love transforming everyday items into romantic decorations. I’ve been creating away over this last week. It has inspired me to weed through my things and bring out some things long forgotten. I’ve made my part-with pile and my keeper-pile.This one is a keeper.
I came across this old butter dish and thought it would make a beautiful candle holder.
Do you have everyday items you’ve transformed into romantic decorations?
Natasha's Questions
Natasha left me a comment about the Photobucket tutorial I just posted. I wanted to answer it here for everyone to see, because I have the same problem.
Here is the comment:
Thanks for the excellent tutorial Nancy! I always got stuck at that bit where I changed the width and got annoyed that I had to change the height too, but now you've shown us to just delete that bit! Yay!
I wanted to ask you, or anyone, if you have the same problem as I do, which drives me nuts.... when uploading this way, using bloggers uploading tool and using the bit where you paste in your own URL as we have just done here..... I always want to upload five photos at a time, yet blogger ALWAYS shuffles the order now. it never used to do that, and now it goes all weird on me.... anyone else have that problem???
Here is my answer:
Hi Natasha!
Unfortunately, I have this problem too. I thought maybe Blogger was uploading them alphabetically, but that wasn't it. Then I thought Blogger was uploading them in the order they appeared in my Photobucket, and that wasn't it!
My conclusion is that it is a flaw in Blogger's URL buIk uploader. Something we just have to live with. I usually write out my post and figure out where I want the photos and load one at a time. Sometimes, I will use the bulk uploader and will just cut and paste the Html code for the photos where I want it. I know this is a bit of a pain, but it’s worth it to me because of the photo quality. The process goes pretty quickly for me now. I wish I had a better answer.
If there is anyone out there that’s figured out how to manipulate Bloggers Bulk URL uploader to upload your photos in the order you like, please let me know. I will post your answer here on my blog.
Here is the comment:
Thanks for the excellent tutorial Nancy! I always got stuck at that bit where I changed the width and got annoyed that I had to change the height too, but now you've shown us to just delete that bit! Yay!
I wanted to ask you, or anyone, if you have the same problem as I do, which drives me nuts.... when uploading this way, using bloggers uploading tool and using the bit where you paste in your own URL as we have just done here..... I always want to upload five photos at a time, yet blogger ALWAYS shuffles the order now. it never used to do that, and now it goes all weird on me.... anyone else have that problem???
Here is my answer:
Hi Natasha!
Unfortunately, I have this problem too. I thought maybe Blogger was uploading them alphabetically, but that wasn't it. Then I thought Blogger was uploading them in the order they appeared in my Photobucket, and that wasn't it!
My conclusion is that it is a flaw in Blogger's URL buIk uploader. Something we just have to live with. I usually write out my post and figure out where I want the photos and load one at a time. Sometimes, I will use the bulk uploader and will just cut and paste the Html code for the photos where I want it. I know this is a bit of a pain, but it’s worth it to me because of the photo quality. The process goes pretty quickly for me now. I wish I had a better answer.
If there is anyone out there that’s figured out how to manipulate Bloggers Bulk URL uploader to upload your photos in the order you like, please let me know. I will post your answer here on my blog.
Photobucket Tutorial
It’s a beautiful day here today and spring is beginning to awaken my narcissus bulbs. I had to take a photo for you of course uploaded by Photobucket.
I wanted to let Sherry know that I think our photo storage capacity with Blogger is 1GB, which is a nice bit of photo storage. Also, Kathleen I left my response about the DSLR question in the comment section in my last post. I think you should go for it and share what you love.
I wanted to let Sherry know that I think our photo storage capacity with Blogger is 1GB, which is a nice bit of photo storage. Also, Kathleen I left my response about the DSLR question in the comment section in my last post. I think you should go for it and share what you love.
Here are the instructions for uploading large format photos from Photobucket. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a cinch.
First thing, go to Photobucket and open an account. Then upload photos from your computer to Photobucket. The Photobucket account is free, at least until you max out your account bandwidth.
After you have uploaded your photos to Photobucket, you are ready to upload them to your Blogger post.
You will need to open two internet windows. One window with your new Blogger post and another with your Photobucket account.
Below are the steps to upload your photo to your blogger post from Photobucket. I am assuming that you already know how to upload photos to Blogger by clicking on the add image icon in your Blogger compose mode.
1. Open the two internet windows as stated above.
2. In your Photobucket window where your photos are, you will have a choice to select a code for the photo you want to post on your blog. Scroll over the photo and it will show you the options.
3. The code you want to select is the one that says Direct Link. Copy the direct link code now.
4. Now go to your Blogger window and click the upload image icon. Paste the code from step 3 into the add another image from the web URL section of your Blogger uploader photo window. Next, click the upload image button to upload the photo. Click Done and the photo is uploaded.
5. Now go to your Blogger post. Select the Edit Html tab. This will show your photo’s Html code.
6. You will now need to adjust the code for the photo like this:
You need to find the section of code in your photos which looks like the one below.
WIDTH: 1000px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 750px; TEXT-ALIGN:
1. The code that I highlighted in yellow in the example above (1000px;) tells you the size of your photo. This can be adjusted as small or as large as you want. I usually set my px between 500px and 700px. This makes a large picture, but still retains the quality.
2. Then you will need to select and delete the code that I highlighted in blue that reads: CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 750px;
Your section of edited code will know look like this:
WIDTH: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN:
And you’re done! I hope these instructions work for you.
Have a great weekend!!
What I've Learned About Blog Photo Quality
This post is about the actual quality of Blogger’s photo uploader versus Photobucket’s uploader. Yes, Photobucket is the uploader I use for my photos. In a side by side comparison of Blogger and Photobucket: Photobucket’s uploader is better. In the beginning, Blogger and Photobucket are free services. Eventually though, if you blog long enough and post enough photos, you will have to start paying for those services. The only alternative is to create a new blog and open up another Photobucket account.
Eventual costs involved using Blogger and Photobucket together:
Blogger Users ~
Did you know that your photo storage for your blog will reach a maximum limit? I think that Blogger allows for 1 GB of photo storage space. That is quite a bit, but you may need more storage later on. At that point, you will have to start paying Blogger to host your photos. I think the extra storage cost for 10 GB of storage is $20.00 USD per year. That’s a lot of photo storage! To confirm this I would click on the help tab of your Blogger Dashboard and type in Extra Photo Storage. The link for the Blogger photo FAQ sheet will be there. Click on it for more information.
Photobucket ~
Their service is free at first, but eventually you have the same issue as with Blogger. You will max out your monthly bandwidth and have to get a pro-account. The cost for the Photobucket pro-account is $39.95 a year, or $11.00 for every three months.
So the current combined cost for Blogger and Photobucket will be either $59.95 or $64.00 a year, depending on how you pay for your services.
Typepad ~
If this seems expensive (remember, you won’t pay anything until you’ve maxed your Blogger and Photobucket accounts), there is a third price comparison using Typepad as an example. By the way, Typepad has a better photo uploader than Blogger. But it isn’t as good as the Photobucket quality I’ve been getting. All that said, if you don’t want the hassle of two separate accounts, Typepad may be for you.
If you have a Typepad account, you have the ease of directly uploading your photos with good photo quality. Also, it includes the large size format. The only drawback is the monthly cost. The lowest priced Typepad account that serious bloggers would want to use is $8.95 a month. Your total for the year would be $107.40 with Typepad. So it is a little pricier. The more bells and whistles you want to add to your blog, the more expensive it becomes.
Phew, I didn’t mean to get into all of that. I hope this information is helpful to you all.
Eventual costs involved using Blogger and Photobucket together:
Blogger Users ~
Did you know that your photo storage for your blog will reach a maximum limit? I think that Blogger allows for 1 GB of photo storage space. That is quite a bit, but you may need more storage later on. At that point, you will have to start paying Blogger to host your photos. I think the extra storage cost for 10 GB of storage is $20.00 USD per year. That’s a lot of photo storage! To confirm this I would click on the help tab of your Blogger Dashboard and type in Extra Photo Storage. The link for the Blogger photo FAQ sheet will be there. Click on it for more information.
Photobucket ~
Their service is free at first, but eventually you have the same issue as with Blogger. You will max out your monthly bandwidth and have to get a pro-account. The cost for the Photobucket pro-account is $39.95 a year, or $11.00 for every three months.
So the current combined cost for Blogger and Photobucket will be either $59.95 or $64.00 a year, depending on how you pay for your services.
Typepad ~
If this seems expensive (remember, you won’t pay anything until you’ve maxed your Blogger and Photobucket accounts), there is a third price comparison using Typepad as an example. By the way, Typepad has a better photo uploader than Blogger. But it isn’t as good as the Photobucket quality I’ve been getting. All that said, if you don’t want the hassle of two separate accounts, Typepad may be for you.
If you have a Typepad account, you have the ease of directly uploading your photos with good photo quality. Also, it includes the large size format. The only drawback is the monthly cost. The lowest priced Typepad account that serious bloggers would want to use is $8.95 a month. Your total for the year would be $107.40 with Typepad. So it is a little pricier. The more bells and whistles you want to add to your blog, the more expensive it becomes.
Phew, I didn’t mean to get into all of that. I hope this information is helpful to you all.
Now for a look at the quality of the photos using the Blogger and Photobucket uploaders. Below I have marked the photos for you to compare. I think it’s pretty clear who the winner is.
This photo was uploaded with the Blogger uploader, using their large format.
The photo looks hazy and grainy to me.
This photo was uploaded with the Photobucket uploader, in the same size (400px) as the Blogger photo above.
There is a huge difference in quality!
This photo was also uploaded with the Photobucket uploader, but I then edited the code to the size I normally use. Note that when you upload from the Photobucket uploader, the photos will be super large and you will need to edit the size.
By the way, Ulla and Tatting Chic: this photo features a polymer clay pin cushion I fashioned out of a fairy stool. The little fishbowl stickpins are vintage and they do hold vintage paste rhinestones. Good eye, Tatting Chic!My next post will be a detailed post on using Photobucket to upload your photos to Blogger.
Ultimately, if we all owned DSLR cameras, we wouldn’t have to go through any of this! Oh well, c’est la vie!!
Cozy Day
The sky outside is gray and rainy. It’s a good day to stay in and just rest.
I've been experimenting with my camera and with Blogger’s photo uploader. I've had some of you ask what kind of digital camera I use. I shoot my photos with a Canon PowerShot SX 100IS. It is not an SLR digital. It’s a simple point and shoot digital with some manual capabilities. I hope to someday own an SLR digital and grow my photography skills, but for now I’m learning all I can with my little PowerShot.
I’ve also had some of you email me about my large photo size format. I’ll post a small tutorial on that later this week, but the trick lies in the photo uploader you use and then mainipulation of the code.
Meanwhile, the photos below were taken in a lowlight situation and then uploaded to Blogger directly in their small photo format. I don’t think the quality is as good as the uploader I am using right now. This little experiment has shown me that it really comes down to the camera and photo uploader you’re using to create quality shots.
Any thoughts on these smaller sized photos and their quality?
I've been experimenting with my camera and with Blogger’s photo uploader. I've had some of you ask what kind of digital camera I use. I shoot my photos with a Canon PowerShot SX 100IS. It is not an SLR digital. It’s a simple point and shoot digital with some manual capabilities. I hope to someday own an SLR digital and grow my photography skills, but for now I’m learning all I can with my little PowerShot.
I’ve also had some of you email me about my large photo size format. I’ll post a small tutorial on that later this week, but the trick lies in the photo uploader you use and then mainipulation of the code.
Meanwhile, the photos below were taken in a lowlight situation and then uploaded to Blogger directly in their small photo format. I don’t think the quality is as good as the uploader I am using right now. This little experiment has shown me that it really comes down to the camera and photo uploader you’re using to create quality shots.
Any thoughts on these smaller sized photos and their quality?
The Greatest Gift
When I was young, I told myself I would never marry. Strange thoughts for a little girl barely more than 7 years old, but there were situations in my childhood that formed that idea. I shut my heart down, thinking it would be easier not to have any pain or cause pain to anyone else. My Father in heaven was looking out for me more than I knew and must have chuckled when I made that vow. He knew that what I needed more than anything else to mend my broken heart was someone of incredible beauty in my life. So I grew up and stayed out of relationships because they were painful, complicated things to me. Then I moved away from it all and found him. His sweet and gentle manner captivated me. I never knew that a man could be so loving. He wooed me in ways I had never known.
It is years later and here we are, still together and in love. It hasn't always been easy. In fact at times, it's been more than a bit of a rollercoaster ride. The greatest gift I could have received today was written here. See why I fell in love, when I thought my heart was destined to be my own forever.
It is years later and here we are, still together and in love. It hasn't always been easy. In fact at times, it's been more than a bit of a rollercoaster ride. The greatest gift I could have received today was written here. See why I fell in love, when I thought my heart was destined to be my own forever.
LOVE
All Photos © Fete et Fleur Designs
Elizabeth Barrett-Browning
Sonnets from The Portuguese - XLIII
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight for the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. I love thee freely, as men strive for right. I love thee purely, as they turn from praise. I love thee with a passion put to use in my old griefs and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life! And, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.
Sonnets from The Portuguese - XLIII
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight for the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. I love thee freely, as men strive for right. I love thee purely, as they turn from praise. I love thee with a passion put to use in my old griefs and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life! And, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.
Happy Valentine's Day
Gifts!
I recently co-won a naming giveaway from Rosemary at Roses Petite Maison. Rosemary had the sweetest little crowned crow who needed a name. I came up with Princess Crowy and Lisa B came up with Poe. Rosemary combined the names so the little crow has been dubbed Princess Crowy Poe!
I just received my giveaway and I created a photo montage to compliment it. When I first opened the package, I was greeted by red glittery tissue paper and one beautiful sparkling star. Further in, I found a crown tag which read Royal, and then came the pièce de résistance . . . a beautiful Marie Antoinette paper cone. The cone looks perfect hanging from my supply cabinet. I love it all, Rosemary. Thank you so much!!
All Photos © Fete et Fleur Designs
A Quick Hello
I don’t know how you feel about tidying your bed, but I really love to make mine up before the day begins. Our pillows and duvet are gentle shades of gray, creating a peaceful atmosphere in our bedroom.
I’m finally working on some projects and it feels so great to be in creative mode again. I'll share some photos soon.
I’m finally working on some projects and it feels so great to be in creative mode again. I'll share some photos soon.
Hot Colors!
First, I have to start by saying that I love decorating with a white and a pale color palette (in fact I did a post about it here).
That being said . . .
I just received my Romantic Homes color issue and I’ve been pouring over its hot color for 24 hours. There is no denying that happy colors make you feel happy! I think this is the best Romantic Homes Color issue they’ve ever put out. This issue features Crown and Crumpet a marvelous new tea salon that has opened in San Francisco. The photo shoot in this tea salon is eye popping, WOW!! It inspired me to create little mini-vignettes based on my favorite hot colors.
If you don’t have a subscription to Romantic Homes you should run out and get this issue. You won’t regret it!
All photos © Fete et Fleur Designs
That being said . . .
I just received my Romantic Homes color issue and I’ve been pouring over its hot color for 24 hours. There is no denying that happy colors make you feel happy! I think this is the best Romantic Homes Color issue they’ve ever put out. This issue features Crown and Crumpet a marvelous new tea salon that has opened in San Francisco. The photo shoot in this tea salon is eye popping, WOW!! It inspired me to create little mini-vignettes based on my favorite hot colors.
The gorgeous silk ribbon rose pictured above was a gift from lovely Heather of Pretty Petals.
If you don’t have a subscription to Romantic Homes you should run out and get this issue. You won’t regret it!All photos © Fete et Fleur Designs
Drawing
My whole life I’ve had a fascination with drawing and painting. Unfortunately, my drawing and painting skills are not the best.
Today, I decided to try something new. I have a fascination with eyes. I do believe they are the window to the soul. When you look into someone’s eyes, it is easy to see how they feel about themselves and the world around them.
I found this on-line tutorial and this was the end result.
Have you ever had a love for something that isn't your forte, but pursued it anyway?
Today, I decided to try something new. I have a fascination with eyes. I do believe they are the window to the soul. When you look into someone’s eyes, it is easy to see how they feel about themselves and the world around them.
I found this on-line tutorial and this was the end result.
Have you ever had a love for something that isn't your forte, but pursued it anyway?