Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Emily's Carnet de Bal

Welcome to Cuttlebug Be Inspired #49!

This week's challenge is to design a mini album to match the birthday theme you have chosen 2 weks ago, In my case Princess Emily's 21st Birthday Party

I have been always fascinated by Royal court etiquette and especially balls where nobility used to wear fancy costumes and dance those lovely dances we can see in Pride and Prejudice movie.

So I decided to make a "Carnet de bal" (this is French and, strange as it may seem, also Romanian but I would appreciate if anyone could tell me the English word).







Card recipe: Mini album from Create & Treasure Publishing; Paper: Core'Dinations Black Magic, ivory shimmer paper (for the rose) and vellum from stash; Cuttlebug folders: Fleur de Lis; Stamps: Studio G, Stampin'UP! Wonderful Wings; Others: gold and black acrylic paint, sanding paper, ribbon and lace, embossing powder, embossing ink; Tools: Cuttlebug machine, Heat tool


Le Carnet de Ball - A History Lesson


Many of you might not know what a Carnet de ball is so I took some time and documented it for you. Here is the link for those who understand French.


The Carnet de ball have been used since the 1820s in the public balls to remember the order of dances and who each lady will dance each dance with.

In the beginning they used to write on the back of their fans but soon the manufacturers started to transform the Carnet de bal into real works of art using precious materials like silver, ivory or pearl.

Later these programs were printed on cardstock (see image on the left).

11 comments:

June Houck said...

Stunning and elegant, Meda :) I love your color combo.

csroyal said...

Very elegant, Meda! and no I didn't know what a Carnet de ball was

Shantaie said...

Meda,
this is so gorgeous, and fit for a queen!

Unknown said...

Oh Meda, this is absolutely stunning! The colors are so dramatic...definitely a royal creation!

(-: Heidi

Ingrid said...

It's beautiful and very elegant.

TexasGrammy said...

Oh
My!
Thanks for explaining and doing the research for us, Meda! This black & gold creation is absolutely 'stunning'! It's been far too many years since I took the required 2 semesters of French, then never had the opportunity to use it again. I love your exquisite creation, and the meaning behind it!

~Bev

Donna said...

Beautiful job, Meda! It looks very elegant. I finally finished last week's project last night but haven't posted it yet. I hope it's okay to be a little late. I've just been too busy to keep up with all the crafting lately. I'll post it tonight. Also working on my guest designer spot for Christmas All Tear 'Round for October. Hope all is well with you!

Tatanky said...

Sooo elegant. Really nice and thanks for the history lesson very interesting in some Jane Austen novels she's mentioned it.

SJDWolf said...

Wow really stunning, thanks for sharing and the history lesson! :-)

Elaine A said...

Hello Meda -

I hope you check back on older blogs. I just happened upon your blog and I love it! I believe that in English a Carnet de Bal would be called a "Dance Card". As you state in your blog, a young lady at a ball would have her card filled before the dancing started by young men who wanted to dance with her. They usually had ribbon so the young lady could wear it on her wrist or attach it to her purse. And in most cases a small writing implement was also attached, where the gentlemen would inscribe their names. Hope this was helpful to you?

Elaine Allen

Lynne Phelps said...

Yes, Dance Card is correct! How charming to see some antique and your modern versions! That fleur-de-lis folder is one of my favorites too! Beautiful!