August 18, 2010

Giverny and Versailles

The internet connection at my last hotel was terrible! I'm on a train to Birmingham right to get ready for the Show and I finally have an opportunity to catch up.

Giverny and Versailles were stunning! One simple and the other very extravagant. Going to one after the other was interesting and when comparing the two, I found that I much prefer the simple sweetness of Giverny to the ornate and fantastical palace of Versaille. Still Versaille was absolutely incredible, I just don't think I could have ever lived there.

I loved this street in Normandy that led up to Giverny:




Giverny was the home of the impressionist Claude Monet. He was a creative mastermind in my opinion and I have an even greater appreciation for his work now that I have been to the source of his inspiration. He created a little slice of heaven all around him. The japanese gardens, the normandy gardens, and even his home were filled with every imaginable color. Photographs wer not allowed inside the house, but I did get some beautiful shots of the outside and the gardens. The road to Giverny:













There were many varieties of flowers, and even some I have never seen before. I think I took around 500 pictures! There was a lot of inspiration there for me to draw from on my future fabric collections.

After Giverny we stopped for lunch at this Fairy Tale cottage in the French countryside:



Versailles was massive! I could not believe how long it took us to walk through the palace. It was also very crowded, but we were still able to get a good look at the rooms and the hundreds of paintings that it housed.



The most impressive thing about the interior were the paintings on the ceilings.


I don't know why, but I love this room!

Of course the Gardens were my favorite part. The weather was miserable, cold, and wet, but the gardens still took my breath away:



24 comments:

Jennwith4 said...

What beautiful pictures!

Anonymous said...

The paintings are amazing!

trollsandraatyahoodotcom

Cindy Sews said...

Wow!!! You are having a fabulous time. Thanks so much for sharing. I am enjoying your posts and looking forward to each upcoming post.

Taya said...

Quaint towns, beautiful gardens and fairy tale cottages what more could you ask for. Looks like you are having a great time.

Anonymous said...

Next time can I go with you?

Kimberly said...

That cottage is so cute! I would take that over a castle anyday!

Joy said...

Beautiful!!! It looks like you are having a wonderfull time. I hope that setting up for your show goes great.

Kerrie said...

I so agree with you, Versailles is amazing but I LOVE the sweet little streets of Giverny, and Monet's garden are a little glimpse of Heaven! I'm loving the pictures of the Versaille gardens too though, we have a "little" DuPont mansion here, Nemours, that was modeled on Versaille, LOVE it but maybe someday I'll get to the real thing!!
(http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=229254&id=674051513&l=acf14d71bb if you'd like a peek! :) )

Abbey said...

Wow, thats about all I can say! Doesn't help that GREEN is my FAVORITE Color and apparantely its everywhere around you!

clairesmom05 said...

Ohhh..the gardens...I can't imagine seeing it in person! So jealous!

Amanda said...

The flowers are beautiful. And the fountain is really cool.

Sarah Norman said...

What is your first "project" when you get home? I have an idea it will have something to do with a gigantic photo album. :)

everyday inspirations said...

I remember Versailles and all that gold! Yeesh! And the gardens there were enormous.

My fav two things from your photos today ::

1) The French cottage - want to move there...now.
2) Your purple coat against the green in the gardens. Awesome. I love it.

catherine s.
imaginethatdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I've never been to Normandy but I have been to Versailles. So lovely and oh the gardens do take your breath away! I'd love to see Monet's inspiration though. Can't wait to see your new fabric designs based on it!
denise_franklin(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Sarah said...

the flowers are beautiful, they almost seem fake!!

sarah8914 at gmail dot com

Jordan and Heather Humbert said...

Wow, talk about a dream trip!

Diane in AZ said...

What can you say about the bed with the gold valance. So beautiful, and the pinks. WOW Lets make a quilt from the flower photos!

Eydie Watkins said...

Great Pictures! Love the paintings on the ceiling.

ElizabethH said...

My French teacher in high school never showed us pictures this beautiful!

Jen said...

That water shot was amazing and your purple coat - also amazing - you look so cute!

The Urban Child said...

Amazing!!!

Jamie said...

The flowers are amazing, looks like you are having a great time.

Anonymous said...

The lilly pads are gorgeous!


cheri@readytek.net

Strictly Sewing said...

Wish I were there!