Vintage beaded and sequin purses seem to call my name at every flea market and antique store I visit. I have a few that I use for special occasions, and the rest...apparently I'm just hoarding :). Making a journal out of one of these vintage purses helps to justify my collection.
Here's how: Start with one adorable vintage clutch purse. It's OK if it's damaged, you won't feel too bad about altering it! Mine is quite small-the finished pages are 3"x5"!
Use a seam ripper to open the side seams. The bottom of the purse will now be the spine of your journal.
Cut watercolor paper to fit the measurements of your purse. I used 4- 6"x5" pieces of watercolor paper which I folded in half to make 3"x5" finished pages. 4 sheets of paper= a journal with 16 pages (front and back), and that was all my little purse could hold, and still be able to close. Play around with the size and number of pages, and find what fits your purse best. I like watercolor paper because it is nice and thick, and you can sew and paint on it with ease. I embellished the right side of the pages, and kept the left side of the pages blank for journaling, sketching and collage. Here are the "right" side pages...
I punched two holes in the fold of the pages, that I will later use for binding.
You can see that the "left side" pages are blank {for now!}.
When I stacked all 4 sets of embellished pages inside each other to make one signature, my journal was too thick to close. So, I made 2 signatures and tied them into the "spine" of the purse/journal with seam binding.
I threaded the seam binding through the holes in the fold of my pages...
and punched corresponding holes into the "spine" of my purse/journal with a crop-o-dile. I also used scraps of fabric to cover some of the inside of the purse, because it was stained. I was still "in progress" when I took this photo. I just stitched this piece of fabric on 3 sides, so that it formed a secret pocket:)
Here is a side view of the signatures tied into the journal with seam binding.
The edge of the pages...
I tied the ribbons into a bow on the spine, and added a bit of lace and a rhinestone button to the cover.
I think this idea could make a great wedding keepsake or guest book. I am making another one as a scrapbook for my daughter and filling it with the photos I took of them on their anniversary in September. But don't tell. It's a Christmas present!
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing- I could see it being a recipie book too!
Posted by: Alison | November 09, 2012 at 06:53 AM
That is beautiful and it looks like it would be so fun to work on! Thanks for sharing this creative idea!
Posted by: Susan | November 09, 2012 at 08:18 AM
What a fun idea! Your book is gorgeous!! All the pages are so, so pretty!!! I always love all of your creations!
Michelle xoxo
Posted by: Michelle | November 09, 2012 at 03:51 PM
This is simply GORGEOUS! I love it and am pinning it.
Posted by: Danielle @ Blessed Serendipity | November 09, 2012 at 08:57 PM
What a GORGEOUS book and perfectly great tutorial!!! Thanks so much!
Posted by: annie! | November 10, 2012 at 09:17 AM
OH MY GOSH!!! It is SO BEAUTIFUL Suzanne!! I can't wait to try it! Thank you!!!!!!
Posted by: Laurie | November 10, 2012 at 09:48 PM
Wow! This journal is amazing. Your work is absolutely beautiful. I love the idea of making a journal out of a vintage purse. Have a lovely Sunday. ~Marti
Posted by: marti | November 11, 2012 at 11:06 AM
That is darling, what a great idea!! I wonder where my vintage purses are??
Posted by: Heather | November 11, 2012 at 05:57 PM
I LOVE this journal! Thanks so much for sharing!
Sarah :)
Posted by: Joy For the Journey | November 12, 2012 at 06:01 PM
Whew. Deep breath. Not sure I could cut into one of these lovelies, but this journal makes it tempting. Lovely.
Posted by: Charlotte | November 17, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Oh I love this! What an awesome idea! You have such lovely taste and I am always inspired by you!
Posted by: Debbie Keady | December 01, 2012 at 08:26 PM
You always make wonderful things, but this is one of my all time faves of your creations!!!
Posted by: karla nathan | December 02, 2012 at 09:08 AM
Beautiful! I love this idea. Thanks for sharing the how to of it all.
Posted by: Holly R. Moore | December 02, 2012 at 02:41 PM
What a beautiful idea, thanks for sharing. I found you from Cerrie's post where she featured your purse tutorial, so now we are all crazy-in-love with your sweet idea!
Have a great spring week!
Posted by: Kate | March 11, 2013 at 09:16 PM