Having a lot of fun making these altered book purses.

This book purse is made from "Only a Girl Like You" by Sidney Offit. It is a fun orange with gold lettering. The title is what caught my eye.

The cover is embellished with Swarovski Crystals in a straight line on the front and the back. The handles are hand beaded with Swarovski Crystals and various beads that coordinate with the fabric, and the purse closes with a brass tone button.

Alice is one SmartGirl

When I first saw this book I new I wanted to make it into a purse. First of all Alice ins my absolute childhood favorite character. I had a vinyl record read and sing along that I could not get enough of. It wasn't the Disney version but some unknown. I wish I still had it to share with my Amanda. She is the age that I was when I would act out the scenes in my room.

Search Amazon.com for alice's adventures in wonderland

The book is a beautiful pink with black with gold accents.  I found metal leave that I painted gold that I was able to embellish with. I also found gold keys to hang from the handle.

I use Swarovski crystals and the fabric is...well a perfect compliment. The handles coordinate with the book and fabric and the button is a swirly antique brass button.

I am really proud of how this came out if I may say so myself.  I hope others love it as much as I do.

Would you like a book with that Purse?

I've been giving everyone who buys a SmartGirl Purse the original book back rebound.

 I decided to decorate it a little to match the SmartGirl Purse and I like it. A nice bonus don't cha think?

Turns out "The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll" SmartGirl Purse is quite valuable.

I decided to list The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll SmartGirl Purse on etsy store. Using the pictures of the one I made for a client. I figured I better get started on making one in case some one orders it. I go on line to order the book and it is no longer in print. Not only is it not available but there are no used ones out there since it was a new limited Barns and Noble Leather Bound Classic. If I want to purchase from ebay and buy it within a collection or buy it from a private seller it will cost me at least 80.00 plus shipping. Wow...I could never spend that kind of money on a book I plan to alter. Or I would have to sell it for a lot more...wait a minute, I can do that!

Well I will not let that happen again. I found the most beautiful book to make SmartGirl purses that any Lewis Carroll fan will have to have.  I will be buying quite a few of them. Wait to you see the fabric I ordered...

Two More To Go Today

I am so excited that things are going good with my new SmartGirl Business.  I am in the process of setting things up. Lot's to learn, but first I need to make two more Wicked Son of a Witch SmartGirl Purses.

Wicked Son of a Witch SmartGirl Purse

This is a birthday gift for my Mother's cousin Gigi from her daughter Rosemarie. Hope she loves it. I'm making two more tomorrow for twins who's birthday's are on Halloween.

Time to make another Jane Austen SmartGirl Purse

This morning I thought I would post the pictures of my Jane Austen SmartGirl Purse on my etsy store  store and by the time I came home from running a few errands I got the email from PayPal. I cannot believe it sold so fast. I'm excited because my orders usually come from word of mouth.  This is my first Esty sale.Now I have to make another stat. I think I am going to make two of them so that I have an extra one to sell.


Tonight I am working on a new one...Wicked Son of a Witch.  It's going to make a great SmartGirl Purse.

Introducing The Jane Austen SmartGirl Purse

This is another SmartGirl Purse that I am proud to show off. I love everything about this purse from the fabric, the beads selected, the ribbons to the Swarovasky crystals.

Lewis Carroll SmartGirl Purse

I donated a SmartGirl Purse for a silent auction for the Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida. From doing this I got 3 more orders. Then shortly after that I received 2 more SmartGirl Purse orders. I cannot believe how busy I am this month.

The first SmartGirl Purse is a graduation gift. She purchased the book herself and I would say she did a great job. The book itself is beautifully embossed in gold on a burgundy leather cover.

I used fun embellishments I bought at a (my favorite place to shop) scrapbooking store and the glass and gold tune beads to make the handles came from a craft store.

I thing picking out the beads, embellishments, and fabric are my favorite part of the process. I get to shop in a quilting store where I find a large fabric selection.

I had to paint the metal Tim Holtz Foliage gold because they only come in silver, bronze and pewter. The metal corners are from Tim Holtz and so are the leaves.
I gently removed the pages and rebound the book. It is ready to be read and enjoyed again.
I Love the way it turned out and I think the SmartGirl who is receiving this as a graduation gift is going to love it too. The theme for the graduation is Alice and Wonderland...perfect!