Moulin Rouge Art Event Bijoux Box Swap

I don’t know if you have noticed this button on my sidebar. But, I have signed up to attend another Art Event hosted by the amazing Kim Caldwell. I went to my first “Kim Event” in July of 2010 & fell head over in heels for Manhattan Beach, CA & Kim’s MAGIC. The theme was Mermaids for the last event (Go HERE) to see more(there are actually like 4 different posts but, this will get you in the right time frame). Over The Top is the only words to describe these events for they will blow your socks off! This years event is Moulin Rouge! Although not one of my favorite movies… I LOVE Paris & MANY THINGS FRENCH!

In honor of this upcoming event I changed my blog design back to my much loved Paris Theme & Banner (created by the amazing Tiffany). Hope you are enjoying it as much as I do.

One of the things that often occurs for these events is SWAPS. I usually get excited & sign up for them. Then the next phase is the WHY DID I SIGN UP FOR THIS? And then the buckle down & get’er done phase happens. This time I signed up for two swaps. I have completed the first of them with the HELP of my precious friend Cindy Craine of Lilly’s Lace! Last week I went to Cindy’s house & she had bags of lace, trim & other stuff out as she thought we were going to make Magnolia Pearl Bloomers. But, after looking at the fabric she had chosen we decided it was too stiff & we would work on my Bijoux Box Swap instead. THANK GOODNESS because it is less than a month & the clock is ticking! Here is the result…

Top... Beautiful cotton lace on a padded top. The Eiffel Tower image under a sparkling frame. Under that frame is tea stained bridal netting from under one of the MANY different bridal gowns that Cindy has tea stained (she has a great tutorial for that HERE). Also, in two corners are large pieces of tea stained bridal lace. And then I used vintage jewelry pieces. The bracelet, an earring, & a little stick pin.

For this swap you were supposed to find an old jewelry box & decorate it. Then fill it with whatever you wanted to. A little treasure box. I didn’t have one of these little jewelry boxes so the search started on EBay & Etsy… $15 (& with $12 shipping do the math…) later this one was mine & in pretty rough shape. COVER the whole BOX!

The side view… Pretty pearl colored paper with tiny polka dots & some wonderful vintage Paris/French images. Gel Matte Medium was my messy friend.

A back view.

My partner wanted neutral colors with a little bit of pink or aqua… ?????…. Neutral/Pink/Aqua OK! That didn’t quiet compute but, I aim to please… Soft pink lining in the box. And some Aqua beads, German Glass Glitter… A few pages out of a vintage French Book. French to English Flash Cards…(thank you Linda) Some pretty vintage crocheted lace(Linda’s Etsy Shop again), a brass filigree heart, a vintage earring, Pink wrapped dark chocolate raspberry filled Ghuradelli squares…

The words Moulin Rouge spelled out on a Scrabble Tray(found at Bloom & Bee Swanky an adorable shop in downtown Waco & the owner Amy is such a cutie) , a pearl bracelet from another Art Event I went to (I didn’t need this or amazingly I hadn’t taken it apart)

I bought this adorable little box from Leaping Frog Designs. She made a jewelry box that pulls out to reveal THREE domino’s that have been repurposed with wonderful French Images. Notice the aqua color? Was that a lucky find or what?

And above is a Gallette hand made by my friend Jan Armntrout. She is an excellent needlework artist & loves doing ribbon work & lace making. When I told her about this swap she was working on a class sample for another event & she said “Let me make a Gallette for your box”. What is a Gallette? A French ribbon work created by MANY folds. She did it in the most beautiful sheer cream colored ribbon. And backed it with a German Glass Glittered back. She also made a Cacard (kind of a ribbon rosette) for the back to be glued on to the glittered part. But, I couldn’t glue it on the back for it would be smashed in the box. And I’m not sure I can part with this treasure although… she promises to teach me or make me another for myself… Let’s take a closer look at this amazing work of art. Beautiful isn’t it?

The box isn’t full yet but, I’m working on it. When do you stop? How do you know that it’s done?

How can I thank my generous friends for sharing their time, talent, & supplies? What wonderful fun times we had sharing & laughing as we created these gifts to give to a total stranger. Jan & I played one day last week on my second swap (A Pocket Pillow) but, it is not finished which is an excuse for another play date this week! I can’t wait! And Cindy… we still need to make those bloomers. THANK YOU SWEET FRIENDS!

Hugs from a busy crafter! Moulin Rouge I’m workin my way to you as fast as I can!

Charlene