Finished Altered Cigar Box Purse & Book Winner!!

If you recall last week I started an altered cigar box purse to celebrate Laura Childs new book "Postcards From the Dead".    As one of the projects in the book made at Memory Mine I thought it would be fun to make one as well.

So, here is where we left the purse last week...drying after 2-3 coats of collage medium to seal the paper and make it more durable.

 

Next I screwed in a couple of eye screws into the holes we drilled at the start of our project.  These eye screws make it really nice because you can use just about any type of handle you want.

 

 

Now, here is where being a pack rat comes in handy!  When I go to garage sales, flea markets, etc. I always keep my eye out for old metal belts or necklaces.  You never know when you're going to need them.  I normally don't pay more than .50 each so they are a real bargain when compared to spending $10-30.00 a foot for this type of chain at a craft or beading store. 

 

So, which would you choose????

 

 

I went with a twisted rope design (in the upper right corner of the above photo).  I was able to open up the existing connecting link and hook it right into the eye screw.  It works well with another embellishment I wanted to incorporate.

 

 

Next I added that extra bit of style with this black & gold fringe tassel. 

I simply positioned the tassels as desired; tied the cord in a knot around the eye screw and snipped off the excess cord.

 

 

And here is how it looks at this point...

(sorry about the bad light...it's our bathroom & it's got awful lighting)

 

 

Now originally I had planned on adding an image of the Eiffel Tower on the front but I really don't think it needs it.  I kind of like the look it's got at this point so I decided to just leave it as is.

 

 

I didn't do a thing to the inside either except add a bit of ink around the edges...I like the natural look of the wood.  You of course could get real fancy and finish off the inside, add a mirror to the lid, lining to the bottom section, etc.  But it's totally up to you :)

 

 

Now, I had originally planned on giving this cigar box away but to be honest with you I just love it way too much to part with it - LOL!!

 

So, I tell you what I'm going to do ~

 

I'm going to give away a wood cigar box, a few similar pieces of paper, eye screws & some chain so you can make your own cigar box!

 

To be entered into the drawing, simply post a comment telling me when and/or where you would use your finished cigar box purse.  The folks who posted on the first installment will be entered into this drawing as well!

 

Carmela (from the book) took hers to the opera and received many compliments!

 

You have until 10-19-12 to enter.

 

AND

 

Now for the winner of the autographed copy of

 "Postcards from the Dead".... 

(as drawn by random.org)

 

is....

 

Kristy Tyra!!!!

 

Kristy Tyrasaid...

This sounds fun. I have never read any of her books, but the genre is one of my favorites. Now I need to go look for some of her books!

October 4, 2012 7:30 AM

 

Congratulations Kristy!!

Please contact me with your snail mail addy so I can pass it along to Ms. Childs.