Butterfly in Neutrals

Hello!  Did you all have a good weekend?  I had a happy one.  My husband planned an overnight getaway for just the two of us, at a luxury hotel in Philadelphia:  The Hyatt at The Bellevue.  We each had a massage, and he also had a facial, and for me - a detoxifying mud wrap for the body.  Oh, did my skin glow!  We had dinner at the famous Ruth's Chris Steakhouse a block away and it was so yummy.  It was very precious and special to hang out with the love of my life, all alone.

I wish I had brought my camera with me, because the Bellevue hotel (click on link for more history on the building) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and first opened its doors in 1904.  Here is some  info from the website page:

The Bellevue-Stratford opened its doors in 1904 and became known worldwide as Philadelphia’s pre-eminent hotel, nicknamed “The Grande Dame of Broad Street.” Famed hotelier George C. Boldt (he also managed the Waldorf-Astoria in New York) wanted to build the best hotel of its time—and he did.

Designed in the French Renaissance style, The Bellevue features Gilded Age architectural flourishes including a magnificent two-tiered ballroom with delicate light fixtures designed by Thomas Alva Edison, stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany, chandeliers by Lalique and a celebrated cast-iron circular staircase. Many of these flourishes remain and make it the marvel that it is.

Famous guests include Jacob Astor, J.P. Morgan, William Jennings Bryan, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, and the Vanderbilt family in addition to countless socialites, luminaries and heads of state.

Every US President since Theodore Roosevelt has visited The Bellevue.

Here are some photos I found on the Internet:

The lobby, photo taken in 1976.

One of the lobbies, and this is where we checked in.
When the hotel was new back in 1904, guests checked in on the top floor (19th), then went downstairs to their rooms.  The tradition proved too cumbersome,
and the lobby was set on the ground level.

This photo of Hyatt at the Bellevue is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The Cafe on the top floor, where we had lunch and breakfast.
I wish there was a photo of the ceiling.  
It's just loaded with Gilded Age details.

This photo of Hyatt at the Bellevue is courtesy of TripAdvisor

It was a bit too cold to be on the restaurant's balcony.
This must've been taken in the summertime.

This photo of Hyatt at the Bellevue is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The famous XIX Restaurant,
so named because it is on the 19th floor.
Look at the beautiful pearl chandelier draped over the tables.
It is so gorgeous in person.

This photo of Hyatt at the Bellevue is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I do have a card to show you today, too!

This is entered in the City Crafter Challenge:  "It's All Natural" (use natural colors).

Inspiration photo from City Crafter.

I used two stamps, available through Blockheads Paper Arts.  Using the Shipping Ephemera stamp and Crumb Cake ink, I created my own background paper.  Then I stamped it one more time on a scrap, trimmed it, inked the edges and mounted it on a piece of Early Espresso cardstock.

The butterfly was colored with Copic markers, then trimmed and mounted onto the card.  I added three petals of a paper Prima Wildflower, which had been dyed with coffee.  Since I was unable to save the antennae when I cut out the image, I drew them on with a marker instead.

The base of the card is simple:  vanilla cardstock base, followed by an Early Espresso panel (embossed with the Textile embossing folder by Cuttlebug, then distressed the edges).

Hope you enjoyed the photos today!  It was fun looking for them so I could share them with you.



Stamps:  Shipping Ephemera - Blockheads Paper Arts; Butterflies - Lost Coast Designs
Paper:  Early Espresso, Very Vanilla - Stampin' Up!; white - PTI
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso - SU; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other: Copic markers; taupe trim; pearls - Queen & Co.; coffee-dyed paper flower - Prima Wildflowers; Big Shot; Textile Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug