P is for Photographs and Paintings in Paris.

For many years Mr B was the photographer in the family, he was always up to date with the latest kit and each time he upgraded I received his cast off camera. Worked that way with PC's too, for a while! When I began scrapbooking I commandeered first his Nikon, and then the Lumix which is everything I need for blogging too.
I use Ashampoo Photo Commander to manage/edit all my Pix and Photoscape and Picasa to create the mosaics.
I blogged last month about our visit, whilst in Paris, to l'Orangerie in the Tuileries Gardens and my mosiac today, using Picasa, is of some of the wonderful paintings which we saw that day.


The painting in the centre is "Bouquet dans une loge" by Pierre August Renoir.
then clockwise from top right:
Portrait deux fillettes: Renoir.
Antonia: Amadeo Modligiani.
Paysage: Paul Gaugin.
Rue de Mont Cenis: Maurice Utrillo.
Deux fillettes: Renoir.
Le Boudoir: Henri Matisse.
Bouquet de Tulipes: Renoir.
Paysage de Niege: Renoir.
Le Chemin de Montbuisson: Alfred Sisley.
The header painting is by Picasso.
I'm linking through to Jenny Matlock's great blog Off On My Tangent for Alphabe- Thursday where the letter "P" is under the spotlight.

Mosaics, Meringue, Marais, Monet & Maggie's giveaway.

Mrs Matlock's class is discussing the letter M for this week's Alphabe-Thursday and to be honest I was spoilt for choice when thinking about today's post.
One of my very favourite weekly meme's, which I always try to join, is Mosaic Monday @ Mary's little red house. It was through Mary that I came to learn about Mosaics and how to create them. Click on the MM link to see Mary's Crab Apple Blossom Mosaic today.
When I wrote to ask her advice on how to make my mosaics larger she very kindly shared this information:
"to make your square mosaics (or pix) large, click on "Edit HTML" and change the width and height to 800 pixels. Also, change the bit of code that says s400 to s800. Then click "Save." That should do it.
For rectangular images, the numbers are 800 and 532, and s800."I followed these instructions and the results were very good however this only worked when I was using the Minima Stretch template.
With a three column template the mosaic was too large and was cut off on the right hand side. To make it larger for a three column layout change the first two numbers to 600 and the last to 800.
I use Photoscape mostly for creating my mosaics I like the large choice of layouts that it offers, you can also adjust the size at the same time which makes life easier!
When I blogged recently about our long weekend in Paris I received so many wistful comments, from blogger friends who had visited Paris and would love to return, and from others who still had a trip to the City of Lights on their wishlist.
If you didn't see those posts first time around then click here & here to read all about the wonderful time we had.
Here is a little peek into one of the Marais' best kept secrets, "Le Loir dans la theiere", a cosy and charming tea room in the rue des Rosiers.
If you ever find yourself in the Marais I highly recommend this quirky place with it's eclectic furnishings and decor.

I have never in my life seen a lemon tart with a Meringue as high as this! Historic! It was delicious and too much, even for two of us to finish.
Time to segue into My giveaway.
To celebrate two years of blogging, all the wonderful friends that I have made and all the interesting things I have learned along the way, I have gathered together some gifts that may bring Paris a little closer for one of you.

To start your day off beautifully, a large porcelain cup and saucer, transfer printed with black and white scenes of Paris perfect for any petit dejeuner.
A slim volume entitled "Verrines" - 30 recettes faciles", crammed with wonderful appetizer recipes and illustrated with great photographs, it is sure to awaken the "Julia" in you.

From my visit to the Orangerie in the Tuileries Gardens a Book of Postcards of Monet's Garden at Giverny by Elizabeth Murray and finally a small notebook, featuring Renoir's painting of "Gabrielle et Jean" on the cover.
If there's space in the Colissimo box I may well be able to squeeze in a few more little souvenirs, who knows?
To enter the drawing for this cadeau français just leave a comment on this post only before the drawing takes place on my blog's 2nd anniversary: 24th April.
Bonne chance tout le monde

Blue (&White) Monday @ Le musée Carnavalet.

The musée Carnavalet is a wonderful museum to visit.

The parisfr. website describes it thus: The paintings, sculptures, furniture and scale models, that the collections in these two erstwhile townhouses in the Marais conceal, tell the story of Paris from prehistoric days to the present. This museum also features a handsome collection of drawings, prints, photographs and posters – and a remarkable coin cabinet.

Tucked away in a corner I discovered a tiny parlour with a display of the most wonderful blue and white ceramics.

So, I thought I'd share some pix with Smiling Sally and all the great bloggers that gather at her place for Blue Monday.

Come back for Outdoor Wednesday and view Paris from a bateau on the River Seine.............