Did you see this week’s Crafting with the Stars?
We got third place- and we’re moving on to round 2! Yikes! My project was the book clutch…this is the post:
A little vintage book… upon further review is actually a clever clutch.
This upcycled clutch is sure to be a conversation starter wherever you go. Made from a vintage book and old bag found at the thrift store melded together to create this little gem of a purse. When your activity doesn’t command a large bag, just stash your cell phone, keys and cash in this little clutch.
Smart and fashionable.
Did you vote for us? Shelley is an awesome partner. You should take a look at her blog. It’s more of a guide to life. There is so much to look at!
I get too excited about projects like this to stop at take photos for a full tutorial. But if you want one of your own here’s a quick how-to.
How to make a book clutch:
Scour every thrift store for purses with metal frames and a books about the same size. The book and metal frame need to match up in size, at least along the spine edge. These are the two I ended up using, though I have a stash of old books and clutches now.
(This is where I stopped taking pictures, sorry!)Then cut up the purse and glue it into the book with some heavy duty glue. I had to look high and low for the right size purses and the right size books. It was actually kind of hard to get it just right. Cutting out the metal frame in the purse is tricky. You have to make sure you get enough of the existing purse fabric, but not too much. Play around with it, you’ll get it :) The fabric is what you’ll glue to the inside of the book.
I added a little lace to the spine for some Jane Austin flair and to hide the edges where the book and purse meet. The book is called Miss Minerva and William Green Hill. Haven’t read it. Probably won’t, though I did save the inside just in case. I chose it because it A. was the perfect size and B. had perfect pinky red book cloth and a cute spine. But I think this project would be even better if it was done in your favorite book or a neat classic. Or a dictionary. But with 4 days for this challenge there just wasn’t time for that.
Now it’s off to make the project for round 2: Decoupage. This group of contestants is so talented. Here are the other fabulous Round 1 projects.
P.S. I stole this idea from Kate Spade (The Great Gatsby is sold out, but that was my favorite!) She’s my idol. Plus we share a first name. That makes me almost half as cool as her, right? Her book clutches are $325 but you can make one for $5. Boo yah.
P.P.S. I hired a model! No more awkward pictures of me taken by my husband. At least, until she goes back to school. And by “hired” I mean she’s awesome and will work for dresses. Hahaha.
Kimberly
I LOVE your book clutch!!! LOVE. I totally voted for it, hands down. And now I’m following you. Thanks for the how to!
kiki comin
i loved this. seriously, such a fun and creative project. amazing.:)
Lorajean
this is awesome!!! I want to make one really bad now! Love your photos too! :)
Jayna Rae
I so knew this project was yours. It just had that perfect Kate flair. The Great Gatsby is my favorite book also. I don’t know if I could cut up a hard backed copy of it though. I love your ideas, even if they’re stolen.
Amanda
I totally voted for you…hehe
WobiSobi
Oh i So love this I can’t wait to make one!!!
Anna
This is so, so clever and cute. I’m very impressed kate :o)
Emino
I, too, voted for this. I’m so glad it was you who did it! Thanks for the tutorial, too! :)
Maggie @ Black and White {Side by Side}
this is adorable!!! if done poorly, it could look really bad, but you executed it perfectly!!! great job!
Ash
What a brilliant idea! I love it!!
taidyeoriginal
this is so creative! I am your newest follower and this just made the “must make it” list!
April
girl, you are too adorable. i LOVED the book clutch and voted for it <3 so glad it was yours!
i definitely can not follow along without pictures for a tutorial… i was lost at “cut up your purse.” haha :) please put some in your etsy!
Liat Cohen-Shakked
Me too! Need more explanations where and how to cut the purse.
Liat Cohen-Shakked
Me too! Need more details about where and how to cut the purse.
Stephanie Rose
You are my idol!!! I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, I have to have one now!!
nila1920
so so so so so cute! uh..oh now I’m gonna be hounding thrift stores for books and clutches too:D
MaryJanes and Galoshes
I don’t follow crafting with the stars, but I did go and vote for this when I saw it, I think it’s genius and will be attempting it myself!
Taylor
Curtains In My Tree
Well aren’t you miss smarty pants? I just love your idea and now you need to sell a few
Janice
Becky Holmes
What a great clutch! I love it!! Just found your blog via Somewhat Simple…and your newest follower ;)
Amnah
Gor-geous! So awesome.
Michelle@Somedaycrafts
This rocks! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com.
Allie
I voted for you, too! This is awesome! Fantastic idea and I love how it turned out! )
Brenda
I want to make one! Super cool! Best of luck to you!
Kris {The Freestyle Mom}
Please sell these! I want to buy a dozen.
Tyler
What a great idea! I saw your post from somedaycrafts. I’m now a follower :)
Tyler
Days at Buttermilk Cottage
This is such a clever idea and so unique!
Best,
Susan
The Bonjour Four
how cute are these! so clever!
Jackierella
Thank You, Thank You! I did vote for this, it was by far my favorite project! I am so pleased you posted the instructions. You made my Friday!!! Off to do some thrifting tomorrow for the supplies!!!
Spunky Junky
Totally featured your rad clutch on my blog
http://spunkyjunky.blogspot.com/2011/01/feature-friday-and-who-said-you-cant.html
Great Job Chicka!
Halsey
Young and Crafty
This may be the coolest little purse I have ever seen! I bet nobody would try to mug you because they would have no clue it was actually a purse!
Thanks for sharing in FFA!
Hannah @ http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/
Razz My Berries
i love this! if you make them ill sure buy one from you.
Christine
I love love love this
LIke really love it
Great job
Christine
greatoakcircle.com
Moe
This is so cute! I’ve tried to do something like this before with no success…so glad you offered a tutorial!
I am popping by from young & Crafty!!
Heather at Blessed Little Nest
that looks amazing!!
Leslie @ top of the page
you are a genius! thanks for sharing. i’d totally try this, especially with the new brightly colored cloth-covered classics novels at anthropologie right now. i saw your link on BLN today!
Pamela
This clutch is amazing! Something a writer definately needs, wouldn’t you think? You made it seem easy–I’ll see if I can achieve this.
Valley Girl
All right then. That is hands down the COOLEST thing EVER. I now know what I will be making the coolest of cool ladies in my life for Christmas this year. Must get started finding the right pieces. LOVE that this baby is crafted from thrifted items.
Madigan at madiganmade
This is seriously beyond clever! Love, love this! Just darling! (planning to share link to this on my FB page this week.)
Randi
I love that. Love it. And I’m loving your blog … I’m going to go read a pile of your old posts now.
DWYHomemaking
LOVE this! Very creative!!! You should stop by my linky party and link this up :)!
http://www.dontwasteyourhomemaking.com
Jana
How cute & clever. Thanks for linking up over at Giggles, Glitz & Glam!
Amy
I absolutely LOVE this!
I’m featuring it on my blog:
floweryfashion.blogspot.com
Attempting Aloha
Very, very clever! I so want one now!! And I voted for you. :)
Aloha,
charlie
Carly
OK, you won me over with this. New follower:)
Jennifer Juniper
Oh my gosh is this cute! You look so studious carrying it too :)
Kristen @ ladybug-blessings.com
oh this is such a cute idea!! Thanks so much for linking up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings!
greenbean
how stinkin’ cute!…i do have the real deal (the great gatsby one to be exact) but i love your version!….
c.w.frosting
sew adorable, even more so than the original kate spade! i love the lace detail. can’t wait to try making one. it will be perfect to keep things organized inside a larger purse.
-caroline
Bromeliad
Your project is awesome.
Its So Very Cheri
Hey I am finishing up my post and have you in my favs
Cheri from Its So Very Cheri
Amanda
Thanks for an awesome post! I featured it on my blog today!
Amanda
http://www.todaystoptwenty.blogspot.com
Shayna
Such a cute idea! I am a new follower :) I also just started my own diy blog and would love for you to check it out! Thanks and keep creating!
http://shaydesoflife.blogspot.com
Ms Muffin
Totally loving this!!!
Thanks for showing how to make one. Will have to try!!!
So amazing!
Marie C.
This is *such* a great idea! And now I have an idea for Christmas/birthday gifts for all the teachers in my life. Thank you!
I just stumbled upon your blog today and am now a follower. :-)
Soccer Mom Style
This is amazing. I found your book-clutch ling on Bromeliad. I just purchased a paper mache book cover from JoAnn’s in hopes of turning it into a book clutch. Love your final result. Fabulous!
ALi
I saw this on another blog and think it is so creative. I love your idea.
Soccer Mom Style
Hi there! It’s me again. I’m finally done with my book-clutch.
Please check out my version on:
http://byebyesoccermom.blogspot.com/2011/04/existential-housewife-diy-book-clutch.html
taidyeoriginal
I made on of these!! Just posted today! Thanks so much for the inspiration. I linked to you here:
http://taidyeoriginal.blogspot.com/2011/04/celebrating-100-followers-book-clutch.html
Meowcake
Hey, what glue did you use? You mention “heavy duty” but not a lot of glues are labelled specifically “heavy duty”. What sorta glue will I be looking for? Obviously not paper craft glue! :p
meowcake.blogspot.com
kendimce
Really it’s so great! just like this http://kendincee.blogspot.com/2011/05/kitaptan-cantaya.html
The Fashion Curl
Great!!!
I Love your blog…i follow U!!! =)
angie-venturi
I love your blog and I thought this clutch was so adorable so I made one today! Here is the link to my deviant art page with pictures: http://ahngee.deviantart.com/#/d45wk6r
It took two tries, but I finally got it to work! I love it! Thanks for the inspiration!
Haruto
asd
irem
great , i love it =)
http://irem-just-a-dream.blogspot.com/
Dana
LOVE this project and SUPER LOVE your blog! Just re-posted this over on my blog, Love Covet Crave (http://love-covet-crave.blogspot.com). Thanks a million, will be making this super quick! I’ve got an awesome vintage hand-reading book I think I will try out for this… :)
Kimmay
Wow this is so cool! I am having a vintage book themed wedding next year and this would be so cool for my bridesmaids to carry :) Thanks for sharing!
If I make them, I wills surely post them on my blog leading up to my wedding. http://www.hurraykimmay.blogspot.com Will keep you updated. Thanks again!
XO
Kimmay
Jacqueline
Hey, Kate!! I DO think this is so creative and vintage! How can I vote for you?? Could you hope over to me and leave it on comment as I can’t be back here for 2 days at least…life is so crazy. Thanks for adding your cool blog to my link-up ~ it should be fun and a neat project for my visitors :)Hope to see much more of you :)
Jacqueline @ DeepRootsAtHome.com
Tawnya
Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I linked to this post on my blog, thequasilibrarian.com. Great tutorial! Thanks!
Julie
My fifth grade teacher read us this book in 1961 and I read it to my children. It is one of my favorite books ever because I always read it in her voice in my head. She did all the southern dialect…
Lauren D
LOVE.Love.love. Found this last night and went out to a thrift store today, got SUUUUPER LUCKY, and found only one book small enough for the clutch i also found there! I used Summer at Tiffanys and I love it even though i messed up ALOT. Yours looks amazing!Thank you for this!
Isabella (Crafter)
it’s awesome:)
I made a list of Clutch tutorials on my blog <3
You’re in it, hope thats okay :)
http://crafterlifebyme.blogspot.com/2012/02/lot-of.html
wordsbecomelegacies
I love this! I love your blog! Keep em coming! =)
Petra & Saar
Hi Kate, just wanted to let you know that this inspired me to do a similar project. It turned out a purse instead of a clutch because the lining didn’t entirely fit, but it’s equally lovely, so thanks! http://sprklng.com/2012/04/book-purse-make-my-own-diy/
Cathleen
This is so cute! Although I am reluctant to gut any of my books :(
Laura
I’ve wanted to do this ever since I saw on of my favourite books as a bag but at a veryhigh price, thanks for the tutorial!! Going to go to my local second hand bookshop ASAP to find a book for this :D
Dana
LOVE this idea, and I happened to have some old books here found inside a pie safe from an estate sale, and a $1 clutch I’d been wanting to do something with. Thanks for sharing!
Abby
You look like the girl from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants! Rock on, great idea!
Kris
Because who the fuck needs reading when you can look FABULOUS!
meenakshi
I have seen a book turning into various things but a clutch for the first time. Where did you get inspiration from? or how you thought of making a clutch out of a book cover. I would name it boo-lutch. ;)
Victoria O'Donnell
You are awesome and do great work! (www.knowingthinker.yolasite.com) (@knowingthinker via twitter) (lionsugar.wordpress.com)
notsolinnear
Hi Kate! This is so cute. Thanks for sharing :)
Anonymous
awesome but, poor book!
Anonymous
destroying books for fashion purposes
Ellorias Boutique
So pleased The Old Button showed us the way to your fantastic blog! We’ll be making a book clutch for sure :-D
Holly
I looove this! Though I wish there were more pictures to go with the “tutorial”. I’m at a complete loss as to what to do after the last picture you took. Haha. I’m more of a visual learner than a text learner.
Friolina Fancy Designs
So amazing! cant wait to try this out, with my Alice in Wonderland book
Tara Celeste
What a great idea! Now if only I had a spare clutch lying around…
Bbakeca
Wow! Amazing…I want one!
Lucy MC
sooo cute..I totally want to try this..thanks :)
Rory McShane
Saw and instantly fell in love with the idea, made one for my girlfriend – thank you so much :D
Alison Bender
gorgeous execution
XincontriAdulti.IT
Great idea for a post.Thank you!
XincontriAdulti.IT
Great idea for a post.Thank you!