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Sunday 7 April 2013

How Do Parisian Mice Squeak? (And A Musical Gift)

"Denise stood transfixed ... this shop which had suddenly appeared before her, this building which seemed so enormous, brought a lump to her throat and held her rooted to the spot, excited, fascinated, oblivious to everything else.  The high-plate glass door, facing the Place Gaillon, reached the mezzanine floor and was surrounded by elaborate decorations covered with gilding.  Two allegorical figures, two laughing women with bare breasts thrust forward, were unrolling a scroll bearing the inscription "The Ladies' Paradise"."

Emile Zola, The Ladies Paradise, translated by Brian Nelson (Oxford World's Classics), p.3.

This is an extract from one of my favourite books, Au Bonheur des Dames, first published in 1883 which is also, incidentally, the year of Coco Chanel's birth.  For those who are not familiar with this novel it traces the creation and rise of the department store and the love story of provincial Denise Baudu with the hugely wealthy shop owner, Octave Mouret.  It is, as far as I know, one of the few Zola novels to end happily.  It is also a fascinating read which delves into the social history of mid-nineteenth century Paris and is teeming with fascinating descriptions of innovative retail techniques and fashion.  I love it and have until now hesitated to watch last year's BBC adapted series The Paradise.  Have any of you seen it?  If so, did you enjoy it?

Denise Baudu, fresh off the train, has just arrived in Paris when she sets eyes f
or the first time on the "endless spectacle" of The Ladies' Paradise shop window.  This may simply be a department store but the marvel she feels matches my own about Paris in general.  Like humble Denise I often feel "a lump in my throat" as I wander the city's streets.  I may have lived there for a few years, chased metros, blundered past pedestrians on dirty pavements on my way to work and experienced week upon week of public transport strikes, nothing can diminish my love for this city.  Every street corner offers the possiblity of a chance encounter and a flash of beauty.

Please don't laugh at me for I have decided to create a series of mice - and dolls too - named Les Parisiennes.
Please meet the two sisters ; Hortense and Angelina.
For more than a century, the tea room, Angelina, has been a celebrated Parisian address for gourmet pleasures in the heart of Paris on the rue Rivoli a couple of minutes stroll from the Louvre museum and across the road from the Tuileries gardens. The decor, by the famous belle époque architect Edouard-Jean Niermans, mixes elegance and charm. Angelina is still famous for its hot chocolate and Mont Blanc whose centuries-old secrets remain well-kept.  It also happens to be a favourite haunt for these two mice!
Angelina Mouse adores to dress in her finest clothes, eat chocolate cake and sip tea at Angelina's.  She usually invites her sister Hortense to come with her.
Hortense culitvates violets in her small Parisian garden and always carries the elusive scent of violets with her. After tea she encourages Angelina to accompany her across the rue Rivoli to walk in the beautiful Tuileries gardens to admire the parterres of flowers and watch the children chasing hoops and laughing on the colourful merry-go-round.

I have had so much fun making these little ladies over Easter.  Handmade lace, 1900's hand-embroidered tulle, vintage fabric and buttons made this a wonderful week for me.  There were a few French chocolate eggs to hand too although I kept my fingers clean, mostly!  These creatures are longer limbed than my hares and measure almost 18" tall.  The idea behind them is that I will have that much more freedom to make them more clothes: consider them models of some sort :-)  I am hoping to be more adventurous with my themes.  These two are fairly tame!

As I type these words in the early hours of the morning I notice that Angelina has been whisked away - perhaps by a galant Pariisan gentleman mouse?  If you would like to take a peek at Hortense you may find her here.

Please don't skip off just yet!  I would like to share a little gift with you in order to celebrate my first Parisian mice.  A few weeks ago I purchased a CD for Tristan and we have had so much pleasure listening to it that I decided to order an extra copy for one of you.
French nineteenth- and twentieth-century composers.  What could be more apt?  It is the most exquisite harp music.  Le Jardin Féerique or The Fairy Garden.  If you interested in this recording please just leave me a comment below and, if you are new here, it would be marvellous if you could become a follower of my blog.  If you feel compelled to spread the word about this little giveaway just come back and let me know so that you may have two chances to win.  I will announce the winner on my next post.

A bientôt,

Stephanie



71 comments:

  1. I just love your attention to detail... they are beautiful... Harp music count me in... Cx

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  2. Quelles belles petites dames!! I was transported back to a time when in Paris I too visited that tearoom though there were no mice there then! Fairy garden music sounds wonderful and played on the harp too - what pleasures!

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  3. Carol says - Oh yes, I too love your little mice and I would love to hear your CD Le Jardin Feerique - The Fairy Garden. Carol xx

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  4. I need something to relax my nerves right now, but I think I may wait a little bit longer!!!!
    Your mice sisters are just adorable!!!
    thanks, xxx Ale

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  5. Hello Stehanie

    Wonderful Miss Mices,so very delicate and fine and your combination of colours used is magnificent . As mentiond on facebook I can just see the Miss Mices dancing or tiptoeing around a Maypole in May. Beautiful.

    Pls include me in your generous giveaway and as you may already have noticed I already have a button on my blog linking to you as I am a fan as well as a follower. However I certainly shall paste a link to your giveaway on my blog too.


    keep well

    Amanda :-)

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    1. Dear Stephanie
      I would love to be entered into the CD giveaway - I really enjoy harp music. Your mice are absolutely lovely - very many congratulations on your exquisite workmanship.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  6. Dear Stephanie
    Apologies for using the 'reply' button for my comment above - I think seeing the sun must have gone to my head!
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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  7. Thank you Stephanie for the little trip to Paris on this Sunday morning! I love your new Parisian ladies, so pretty. :) Hortense and Angelina are so beautifully dressed!
    Thank you too for the wonderful giveaway.
    Happy Sunday my friend,
    V xxx

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  8. I am off now to pop your giveaway on my sidebar to spread the news!
    V xxx

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  9. Oh oh they are just amazing.....I wish a gentleman would whisk me away to Paris! Such fun! Please could I be included?! :) x

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  10. Oh they are so gorgeous ... fine clothes, chocolate and tea ... Angelina is a mouse after my own heart ... Bee xx

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  11. Stephanie, these sweet mice are so adorable. I love the ears and their sweet expressions. Well doneas always,
    Meredith

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  12. Oh, mice, Paris, hot chocolate and harp music - all my favourites in one post! Hortense and Angelina are beautiful and I just love their pretty outfits. That lace is just to die for.
    Love, Sue x

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  13. Good Morning - Your mice are beautiful :) I love the details in their clothing. Please enter me for a chance to win your CD giveaway - harp music would be wonderful while I knit :)
    Smiles, DianeM

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  14. Bonjour mon amie!

    Tout d'abord, je voudrais te dire que le "paquet" dont tu m'as parlé n'est pas encore arrivé; je m'en fais! Je ne veux pas que ton cadeau se perde!

    OK......I am enchanted...I am totally blown away and also wondering how throughout my entire French degree, I could have missed reading this novel by ZOLA! I am getting my husband to order it for me IN FRENCH, TODAY! I do not have it in my little French library upstairs!

    What a wonderful premise for a novel, but in Paris? PARFAIT!

    Then the Pièce de Resistance"......ces souris! I just clicked on your Etsy to purchase HORTENSE, only to find that THEY ARE ALL SOLD OUT??????????????

    I need one of your mice. Dearest, you are magic. THANK YOU. Please let me know when you are making more; I would like the blue-earred girl!

    BISOUS ET MERCI! Anita

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  15. these mice are so cute~ love all the little details and especially the lace pantaloons!
    i remember reading au bonheur des dames soon after arriving in france, in school-i barely spoke french and had no idea what it was about ;)

    please include me in your cd giveaway :)

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  16. oh, the details!!! (I particularly love the macaroons on Angelique's dress...I bet she pops into Laduree, too, n'est pas?)

    wonderful giveaway!!

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  17. Stephanie, your Ladies are just delightful! Well done well done well done :-D I love their outfits - those knickerbockers (?) are so sweet and their colour combinations are perfect. Mel x

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  18. Dear Stephanie
    As always a captivating post full of ooohh and ahhh moments. I watched the Paradise and adored it- even my big strapping boyfriend who usually sighs with a resigned knowing when any period drama comes on tv (he knows I will be parked in front of every episode wishing I was born in the days of swishing skirts) was hooked. We even got his brothers and their wives watching who all loved it too. Mouret was very charismatic and the unfolding love story was just wonderful. I had no idea it was adapted from a book. Oh, I have to read it now!
    The mice are simple exquisite - I am in awe of your creativity and ability to create such beautiful things. I will be watching with interest what you are inspired to make next as I know there will be one that strikes me as the
    perfect friend for Mademoiselles Versailles.
    Beautiful work - as always utterly inspiring.
    Sophie
    X

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  19. Love the mice, especially the lace trimmed bloomers...beautiful.

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  20. Oh your Parisian ladies are so enchanting Stephanie, I love how you really bring their characters to life. Hortense has got to be my favourite xxx Penny

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  21. Your mice are beautiful, I love their long elegant limbs. And we would love to try listening to harp music, if we were lucky. Juliex

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  22. Oh what a wonderful give away Stephanie ............. Spring & Summer Days listening to the glorious music. The Parisian Mice are *delightful* ......... I am a follower

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  23. Gorgeous!!!! I absolutely adore your 'souris Parisiennes'!
    Marian

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  24. And of course I'd LOVE to listen to the harp music of 'Les Jardins Féeriques'! The harp is such a beautiful and exquisite instrument. I especially love to listen to music played by string instruments, maybe because one of my sons and my daughter both play the violin.
    Marian

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  25. Les Parisiennes are clearly the embodiment of the perfect mouse ... they are absolutely exquisite Stephanie, and utterly adorable!

    Happy stitching my friend :)

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  26. I love your Parisienne Mice, they would look so elegant having tea in Angelina's. I hope your future mice will take us around adventures in Paris too!
    Please add my name to your giveaway for that wonderful music.
    Sarah x

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  27. Your Parisian ladies look very stylish with their bonnets and floral dresses! Exactly how I imagined a French city mouse would look like :-)

    I enjoyed the extract from the book by Zola. I haven't read any of his work before, because I thought it was all quite 'heavy'.

    I would love to take part in your beautiful giveaway. Sounds like the perfect music for laying in the garden, enjoying the flowers, birdsong & harp!

    Happy week dear Stephanie!

    Madelief x

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  28. Absolutely adorable. I like them even more than your hares. My nickname at school was Midge after a cartoon mouse that played the flute. The cartoon was called Mary, Mungo and Midge. Midge played the flute much better than I did and felt it was a huge compliment. Without knowing or reading on I knew you were talking about the Paradise drama on the TV. I loved every minute of it but I don't know how closely it stayed to the book that you love so much. Can't wait to see where your creativeness takes you next. Stephanie you always leave me with a contented sigh of happiness.

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  29. I LOVED The Paradise on ABC and fell in love with Mouret just as Denise did. so pleased to hear it is going to have a happy ending. Would love to read the book! And as for harp music, it is one instrument that I would love to learn to play. Gorgeous mice!

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  30. Stephanie, I think I'm actually speechless! Those mice are so dear and I have the wanties terribly. Such a lovely post, again!

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  31. Hello, Stephanie

    I enjoy the stories you weave about your mice and hares. Such wonderful lives they lead!

    Thank you for the giveaway. I'd love to be entered in the draw.

    -Karen

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  32. I love the details Stephanie....the organza bows on the leg....adorable...N.xo

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  33. Oh those mice are true beauties and such finery they wear, too. Sigh!
    Please do enter me for your giveaway, it looks perfect. Hoping all is well with you Stephanie x

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  34. These creations are exquisite! I love the lace on their pantaloons and their little knit shawls with those adorable buttons.

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  35. Beautiful mice - love the embroidered tulle, I look forward to seeing more of your wonderful creations. I will have to look out for The Ladies Paradise - sounds intriguing. Thank you for the chance to win this CD.

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    1. Have just requested The Ladies Paradise from my local library - can't wait to get. Thanks for the recommendation.

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    2. It's a pleasure, Julie! I'd love to know what you think of it...

      Happy week to you.

      Stephanie

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  36. ~Dear Stephanie....I was jumping with JOY, when you mention the 'Paradise'.....I fell in love with this adaptation that was on our screens last year! The dresses, the hats and beautiful displays.....and the way of life in general! I saw a little bit of my self in Denise also....~ Of course I find your 'wee' mice enchanting and so beautifully made...I wondered could I be entered in your give away~ Please and Thank you .....I will add to my side bar too....~ with kind thoughts and a few 'Twinkles' *** Maria x

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  37. lovely these sisters mice like the blue one very pretty
    leon1o

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  38. I ADORE their little shawls, such a lovely touch to the sweet mice sisters. your creativity is awe inspiring :)

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  39. Dear Stephanie,
    Another perfect post! It's always such a pleasure to read you (just like siping tea at Angelina's, not too fast to enjoy every minute).
    Your Parisian mice are as adorable and elegant as your Mademoiselle hares. Love their little cute ears.
    I remember beiing fascinated by "Au bonheur des dames" in my teens. So log ago. It was my favourite Zola (I definitely must read it again!)
    And then, there's this wonderful giveway... I'll hope for it (and in case I'm not the winner, no matter, I'll ordered it).
    Have a nice week

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  40. I am completely entranced by the stories that you have built up behind each of these little mice - they are all the more adorable because of their backgrounds. I also have fond memories of a a few months spent in Paris, and your descriptions brought memories flooding back - thank you :) I avidly watched the BBC adaptation last year and absolutely LOVED it, although I have never read the Zola book so I can't say how accurate it was, but what I can tell you is the filming was enchanting, I became totally wrapped up in the world that was created ...
    Em xx

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  41. Your mice are adorable, i think i like the ears best :)

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  42. Stephanie, your creativity continues to give us a visual feast! The Parisiennes soeurs are exquisite. One of my NYC friends has just returned from a holiday in Paris, and so I have had several sources of wonderful Paris spirit in the past few days. Each adds to the other.

    I will surely seek out the Zola novel when I next visit my library.

    Thank you also for allowing us to hear some lovely music.

    Our city temperatures are gradually warming...flowers are beginning to put on a show. I must return to the Park!

    xo

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  43. Dear Stephanie, I just love reading your blog and have been a secret reader for about 6 months now. Nevertheless I went back and read your blog from the beginning! In just over two months time I will be in Paris for the first time, (I am Australian) and can't wait to walk aound the streets of Paris for 5 days, enjoying the places that people mention online that they think are worth the visit. We will be staying in a hotel on Marcel Avenue. I look forward to a hot chocolate at Angelina's and will think of you whilst sipping it. Your mice and hares are divine and so beautifully made. Thank you for such an interesting blog which has contributed to my interest in visiting France. Please add my name to your giveaway.
    Robyn

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    1. It is very lovely to 'meet' you Robyn! (I've always liked that name!)

      I am thrilled you will be visiting Paris! Should you ever need any suggestions about places to visit, etc. PLEASE do not hesitate to ask!

      Stephanie

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  44. Stephanie,
    Your post is lifting me during a cold thunderstorm, my husband's little red Jeep having just driven away from the farm after an all too brief visit here. The very last of our snow and ice disappeared in the night and there is no color anywhere, yet. But your post is bursting with color, its beauty refreshing my parched spirit.
    Thank you.
    Misses mice, how can you part with them??

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    1. Dearest Sharon,

      It is ALWAYS a pleasure to see you here. Thank you for taking a few minutes from your busy, busy day to come by to say hell with such kindness.

      Warmest wishes from pretty blustery France!

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  45. Hello there. I've also been silently reading your lovely blog, though not nearly as long as Robyn, only a matter of weeks. But I dearly love harp music, and this giveaway is just what I needed to break my shyness.

    I have never read anything by Zola, but it sounds interesting. I'll have to see if they have it at my library.

    Also, I absolutely love your little mice. Their stories are charming, and I adore their ears!

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    1. Thank you, thank you for breaking the silence! I am overjoyed to see you here and to discover that you possess a violin! Welcome Sherlock! I studied the violin for years and years and two years ago my husband smuggled my very aged violin out of hiding and took it to an instrument maker here in Tours to repair it. I think you can imagine my joy!

      I will put your name in the hat for the Harp recording! It really it wonderful.

      Warmest wishes,

      Stephanie

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  46. Lovely Parisian mice. I am a longtime reader but fairly new commentator. I will definitely look into "The Ladies Paradise."
    Please put my name in your hat for the CD.

    Merci bien,
    Anne
    PlumCreek22
    Etsy

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    1. And a warm welcom to you too, Anne! I will put your name down for the CD and scuttle off to look you up on Etsy!

      Stephanie

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  47. Precious Stephanie!!!!

    How delighted I am to wake up to see your lovely comment/message!

    Where do I begin to tell you how KIND you are to go to such great distances for MOI? THREE TIMES you have had to battle with Amazon! WOW, I don't understand it. But I think I mentioned to you once that I had won a give away from France once and the item was lost TWICE and the third time it finally arrived, but the box was damaged and even torn into !!! So I will keep mes droigts croisés!

    Oh the joy to see your comment ma chère. Mille bises, mille mercis and I wish you a fabulous French day; we got snow last night, that will continue all the day long. I tell you, I would love to also buy one of your little blue mice, but like I mentioned, they were all sold out in your shop! I could use a little color around here!

    Many hugs sweet friend, Anita

    OH! I will let you know when the parcel arrives!

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  48. Oh what a pretty blog you have, and I just love Angelina & Hortense... I shall look out for them next time I'm in Paris (also a favourite city of mine!)
    I look forward to following your adventures,
    bonne journee et a bientot
    xx

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  49. Your mice are simply adorable, they really are. Such attention to detail and exquisite work. You are very talented. x

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  50. Love the mice, they are very lovely. They have sweet little faces :) and such adorable little clothes.

    I haven't read Zola's The Paradise. I do want to very much however. I didn't think I would like the BBC production at all. I did though, it became my guilty pleasure. It was very silly in parts but really rather good in some ways too. I also liked the music. I can't imagine that it has anything much to do with the novel except the names of the characters though. It takes an awful lot of poetic licence and the shop is set in the north of England and characters are introduced that are not in the book.

    If you like a fairly light-hearted period drama which does look very pretty, and you are not bothered about authenticity, then yes I would say to watch it. If detail and accuracy bother you, then no, I wouldn't as it could really annoy you! I found it to be surprisingly engrossing and I looked forward to each episode. I liked the cast too. On the other hand I couldn't bear Lark Rise to Candleford (I read the book and the sugar candy version was just too much to bear), Cranford, once past the 1st series as from then onwards it was written up for the BBC and nothing to do with the book, also Upstairs Downstairs although I liked the original series.

    I do like Mr Selfridge, Downton Abbey, Pride and Predudice and right now The Village, which is a much harsher kind of period drama.

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  51. Oh no, blogger ate my comment! It was long and admiring!

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  52. Okay, I am convinced! I MUST read this novel!! And those mice are absolutely charming, I want one!!!

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  53. Angelina Mouse and Hortense are absolutely enchanting... definitely in need of a suitable gentleman companion (or should I say gentlemouse companion?).
    P.S. - I adore the title of your post!
    Janine xo

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  54. Those mice are darling! Love them. Jacinta

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  55. I love the pantaloons and the sweet little shawls! Beautiful! x

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  56. I missed that series on TV but I do like the acress Sarah Lanashire. I'll look on the web. :) I love your Parisienne mice! I'm biased because I lOve Paris, it's such an inspiring place to be for an artist. :)
    I hope I haven't missed your giveaway! I'll put a link on my FB art page for an extra chance!xx

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  57. Your mice are every bit as special as your hares and you know how much I love those!

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  58. Oh my goodness your Parisian mice are so beautiful. I have hopped over here from Knitsofacto, and can't wait to have a proper peruse of your gorgeous blog here.

    I went on an amazing holiday with my husband to the Loire just after I graduated from university, and we fell in love with the whole area - you live in one of the most glorious places! It is time to take our children there. Belinda x

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  59. Hello Stephanie and hello too to your beautiful Parisian mice. Their outfits are exquisite and most befitting of a visit to Angelina, I just love their lace edged pantaloons!

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  60. I stumbled upon your blog looking for something else. I read a few of your posts and really enjoyed reading about your side of the world and your doings. Your mice are extraordinary, and your hares are soooooo beautiful.

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  61. My friend was just in France and saw mice like this in a fabric shop there. It was in Lyons. They were only there one day and the store was closed that day. Do you know where we can order patterns for these adorable mice? I would also love to have a pattern too. The store she saw them in does not ship to the US. Thanks for any help.

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  62. Awesome details, many thanks to the writer. It is incomprehensive to me now, but in common, the effectiveness and importance is frustrating. Thanks again and fantastic luck!

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