Thursday 2 February 2012

Darcy's Postcard Challenge. France

This week postcard is a picture I found from 1949 on the internet, I hand tinted it with Prisma colour pencils.
A bit of a cop out using a photo from the net but I have not had  a good week with my arthritic hands so this was better than not doing one at all.

Now continuing the story


 When Gil had finished the family portrait for the wealthy people he met in Brazil, he left China a very wealthy man! He wanted to get back to Europe and decided to stay in a small town called Dijon near Paris. He rented a couple of rooms over a lovely little café where he was woken up each morning to the smell of croissants and hot chocolate, which he treated himself to frequently!
The café also sold small gifts and postcards, there was one of the café so he brought one and sat to write to Lavinia.

Dear Lavinia,
                     I am now in Dijon, a small town just outside Paris France! Not far from your lovely London! The picture on the front is the café below where I am staying. There is a small balcony where I can sit, draw and watch the world go by! Across the road you can see the small art gallery where I have some of my paintings for sale!
I missed you not sending me a reply. I hope you are well and I have not offended you or your family somehow!

Gil X

He added his present address in hope she would reply.
It was just a short walk to the post box before he set off to display his artwork in the small gallery over the road from his rooms.
He really hoped he had not upset Lavinia, he would be unhappy if they could not carry on writing to each other.




Another postcard arrived from Gil. Lavinia read and reread the words over and over, she had upset Gil by not replying to his last postcard.
She felt guilty for hurting him and guilty towards her husbands memory. She thought of her husband, they had been so happy together, would he want her to be happy? Yes of course he would! Would he mind so much if she just wrote to someone who she found intriguing? No he wouldn’t mind.  She pondered what to do over a pot of tea and decided to write a note to Gil.


Dear Mr Brockman,
                              I am sorry for not replying to your last postcard. I feel somewhat guilty in finding pleasure in receiving and reading your postcards, I am sure I will get over it! I am also envious of all the beautiful places you are travelling to.
Please do not stop sending them though!

Lavinia Loveday.

She put the note in an envelope and addressed it, when she went out for a walk later she would post it she thought with a smile on her lips.
That night she had a restless night, she dreamed of her late husband. He was trying to tell her something, Lavinia woke up in a terrible state. She tried to remember the dream but she could only see Anthony’s face smiling  then frowning at her.
Had she done the right thing in sending Gil the note?
It was too late now it was already on it’s way!

Thank you for all the kind comments last week!
If you want to read more postcards or find out more about Darcy's Postcard Challenge go over to Darcy's blog!

(I really don't know why a portion of the text has decided to be a different font and I don't know how to rectify it!)

30 comments:

Sunshineshelle said...

Oh my goodness this is adorable, what a wonderful idea to hand colour :)

Alison xx said...

It's a great image and your colouring makes it some to life. FAb story, maybe Gil isn't all he seems !! A xx

miniroses said...

the handtinting worked out wonderfully, Lynn. It evokes the feelings of a bygone era.

Jen said...

Wonderful find that postcard. Your story and descriptions are brilliant. I can see his surroundings and feel for her. Can't wait for more story.
Jen x

San @ Made in Hem said...

I so hoped she would feel better about it by now... Poor thing!
Your card rocks! I love it! ♥

APG Jamie said...

I love it! I understand what you mean by "feel like a cop out" That was me last week for China (family stuffs ya know) but this is for our fun'age as well as sharing.

Your card is fab Ooh la la

xoxo

debbi taylor said...

beautiful postcard - we should all have more days sat outside cafe! especially in France x

Margaret said...

Lovely card, great subtle colours, it really makes your image come alive. M

lorig said...

Beautiful hand colouring on the old photo.

Katie said...

This is wonderful! I love your story. wow! Glad to meet ya!

Nicki said...

What a great idea, I love your added colour to the photo.

Nicki.xxx

Darcy Marshall said...

this is such a wonderful gentle story, I a very drawn to your characters.

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful card! Hope your hands are soon better! Valerie

Gina said...

No it was not a cop out...it was a brilliant idea :D The photo gave you the opportunity to show us a snapshot of Gil's life. In my mind I am walking that sunny street with Gil surrounded by laughter and the smells of coffee and chocolate :D XXX

Cazro said...

Oh! isn't this dreamy and romantic, I can see it unfolding into a wonderful romance. (I hope). I actually love the old photo, terrific touch up job. Caz

Jay said...

Love the picture you used

WrightStuff said...

This is turning out to be a fabulous story. I am always intrigued by what will happen each week.

Halle said...

Love the photo and esp. the hand tinting.

CRAFTY WOMBLE said...

Scanned back. Really enjoying the insight into the receiving of the postcards, such a lovely touch. Love the France postcard, subtle and yet stunning :)

Sid said...

Love the tints !!

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Great idea with the picture postcard. :) Great story developing as well. :)

Janet said...

Fabulous card, the tinted effect is very atmospheric. Can almost smell the coffee and cakes!

Janet xx

Alexandra Charlap said...

Great idea for enhancing the image!

gottahavemoxie said...

What a delightful postcard. I love the coloring you did, very pretty.

Unknown said...

Hey Lulabelle! I bet me and Pierre walked right past you at your bistro. 'Our' bistro may be close by! I say 'our' because me and Pierre are in love.
The colored pencil touch is really wonderful. Love your card, *smiles* Norma

The Dolphin Inn said...

I adore the image and the way you have gently added colour, such turmoil in the writing, poor thing xxx

Leialoha said...

oooh la la! FABulous Dijon, France...so enjoying your characters and storyline...Aloha

Unknown said...

I LoVe old photos so love your choice of image for France. (Wish I was there at that table of people!)

I love your story and have bookmarked your blog, so I won't miss a week! (just late visiting!)

Kathy Hunt said...

Lovely artwork and great storyline.

Cynthia said...

oh waking up to the smell of croissants and coffee. love the photo and the hand coloring fabulous. love reading both characters stories.