SmartGirl.me

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T12:55:00.000-08:00

I think my first New Years resolution, besides the many others I will come up with today, is to write more often in my blog. I neglected it terribly. I wish every one a

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My SmartGirl Book Purses’ have a new online store

2010-08-22T04:34:00.001-07:00

I am very excited to announce my new online store. I am able to post beautiful photos of my SmartGirl Book Purses and I like the design. What do you think?

SmartGirl.me

Little Women are all about Do-It-Yourself

2010-08-09T19:41:00.000-07:00

Before the DIY network, before eHow.com and before the super box hardware stores one would learn how to change a washer on their sink with a good old fashion book. This SmartGirl Book Purse is made from a vintage copy of Do-It-Yourself Encyclopedia.

And Little Women are all about Do-It-Yourself and books of course. Cute pink Little Women SmartGirl Book Purse.

My SmartGirl.me Workspace

2010-07-31T21:09:00.000-07:00

I finally cleaned and organized my workspace. The colorful walls are due to the fact that this was Amanda's playroom, which she never used even when she was young. Both Ben and Amanda have the rest of the house. This is now all mine...

Ben hates the logo on the wall. I on the other hand, feel like branding it claims it as my own.

I love the view...sitting at my drafting board and looking at my back yard. I get great natural light all day.

I hope I can keep it this way. I feel inspired when everything is in it's place.

I keep my thread behind the door along with a stencil butterfly Amanda and I made years ago.

These are all the SmartGirl Book Purses waiting to be assemble. I keep them in plastic bags that hold the fabric and handles I've selected.

Fabric, handle frames, and beads are kept in these fun boxes.

My Scrapbooking paper which I hope to find time to use soon. I am 3 years behind on Amanda's books and I have clients that have commissioned me to make albums. This room will not stay like this when I start scrapping.

I keep my fabric logo tags in spaghetti jars.

I love my workspace!

SmartGirl's blood sweat and tears.

2010-07-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

Saturday, I try and pry a rhinestone from a button with my scissors and jammed it into my hand. This was while I was making the Modern Biology SmartGirl Book Purse. I did not need a biology text book to tell me that if you cut a living being's finger, it will bleed.

Last night while finishing my Gray's Anatomy SmartGirl Book Purse my x-acto knife rolls off of my drafting table and stabs me in the foot.

To Med Express this morning. OUCH!

The Vampire Chronicles SmartGirl Book Purse

2010-07-19T09:33:00.001-07:00

Before Twilight, before Bill and Sookie, there was Annne Rice's Vampire Chronicles.

If you love all things Goth you will love this SmartGirl Book Purse. It is made from a copy of "The Vampire Chronicles" by Anne Rice.

SmartGirl and her equipment

2010-07-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

Ben came into my studio and laughed at my use of my weights.

I use my dumbbells as weights to help adhere the glue between the cardboard reinforcement and the spines. See, they were not a waste of money.

I think I need a nap now.

Hans Christian Andersen SmartGirl Book Purse

2010-07-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

Book Red being my favorite color, I could not let this beautiful book sit on a shelf. Now it can still be read, but more importantly, it is now functional and fashionable. I am going to have a hard time packing this one when it's sold. I want to keep it..

Jane Jane Jane Austen...Who knew this SmartGirl Altered Book Purse would be so popular?

2010-07-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

Juliet knew. I showed this book, the fabric and beads I selected, and she loved it. The Jane Austen SmartGirl Purse has become the biggest seller. I have to make three more this weekend. Good thing my daughter is camping this weekend and I have plenty of time to play in my studio.

It's going to be a great SmartGirl weekend. Hope you have one too.

Pick a SmartGirl any SmartGirl

2010-07-06T11:33:00.000-07:00

I found this great picture of all the books I have available to make Custom SmartGirl Purses. Remember, no books are harmed during filming.

See any you like? I would love to make you one.

My SmartGirl Book Purses are selling and being featured in publications.

2010-07-05T07:44:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe how quickly I am selling my SmartGirl Purses. While Ben and I were away this weekend the Only a Girl Like You sold.

Then this morning I woke up to another sale. The Jane Austen SmartGirl Purse. This is the third Jane I've sold. I better make a couple more.

I also want to mention that The Jane Austen SmartGirl was featured in Jane Austen Sequel Examiner . How cool is that?

Having a lot of fun making these altered book purses.

2010-06-29T20:26:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-06-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-06-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-09T19:40:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-07T17:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

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!

Andrea is a SmartGirl

2010-05-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

Last Christmas I bought my niece Andrea the Twilight Book Series . She loved them and read them before the new year. This year I made her one of my SmartGirl Purses. The handles sport Black Onyx and Swarovski Crystals. The front cover is decorated with Swarovski Crystals as well. The interior is velvet.

She told me she cannot wait to show it to her friends. "Look what my awesome aunt made...what did you get?"

Twilight Book Purse in the making

2010-05-16T15:01:00.001-07:00

I bought the Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga for my niece Andrea last Christmas. She loved it. I read the book with my book club, so I can appreciate why she was so crazy for it. I on the other hand did not care for it at all, and Bella made me want to scream. I hope most young readers did not find her to be a

Anyway, I think it would be fantastic to make her a SmartGirl Twilight Purse. I ordered the book today, so hopefully I will be working on it by Tuesday.

Here is a SmartGirl's Twilight review that I love.

SisterSalad YouTube Channel

I cannot wait to get started on this purse. Thanks Missy for the idea!

SmartGirl's First Photo Shoot

2010-05-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

A talented friend photographer Bonnie Greenberg shot my SmartGirl Purses. I love the way they came out.

Do We Like The New SmartGirl Logo?

2009-08-29T13:49:00.001-07:00

Amanda's SmartGirl's Art

2009-08-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

After I removed the pages from the original Scarlet Letter to make my SmartGirl Purse, I rebound the book and made a new cover that Amanda and I designed.
All SmartGirl Purses will include the rebound book with a new cover designed and crafted by my little artist Amanda.

My Second SmartGirl Purse

2009-08-29T13:46:00.002-07:00

I start with a used classic hard cover book that has some interesting details and I carefully remove the pages and put aside. Amanda will be making new artwork for the new cover. A SmartGirl loves her books.

After careful measurements I cut out the lining. Using a high quality velvet I emboss using a rubber stamp.

I sew the lining and set aside.

Some beading...Only the best; Swarovski Crystals, Swarovski Pearls and even black onyx. All of the fittings are Sterling Silver.

Two rows of Swarovski Flatbacks. One in the front and one in the back.

Putting the lining in was very tricky. No pictures I was too busy crying.

I like it. With a little more practice, I am going to be able to make them for others.

My DIY Photo Box

2009-08-29T13:46:00.001-07:00

How cute is my model? She is more than happy to get in the picture.

My friend Juliet showed me how to make one and I did. Now all I need is a REAL camera. I want to take professional pictures of my SmartGirl purses.

A Little SmartGirl Action

2009-08-29T13:44:00.001-07:00

This was an experiment to see how I would construct my new SmartGirl Purse. I wanted to make sure they would look as fabulous as I imagined. Considering I used Jo Anne Fabric's beads and materials along with stuff from my craft room, I think it came out great. I am now working on one I think is going to come out gorgeous. I am using finer materials from local specialty stores. I cannot wait to show you all my next bag.

So what do you all think?

So What Is SmartGirl You Ask?

2009-08-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, I am quite the crafty chica and have been trying to make a living out of my craft room for some time. I also have a book club and know many smart mommies who love books. But the thing that I am the most passionate about is being a woman. Women rock! I love everything about us, from our soft feminine side to our strong, tough side and with the use of our intuition we can accomplish anything. If we make sure our girls know that, great things can and will happen. This is partly why I became a Girl Scout leader (Amanda being the biggest part) and this is why I surround myself with amazingly smart women.

So you still ask “what is this SmartGirl”? Well, while I was on my 10th year anniversary cruise with Ben which was eventful in itself….we had a man-overboard situation. Yea…can you believe it? Anyway, while we were at one of the late-night pool-side parties I saw with my slightly intoxicated eyes a woman carrying a book or maybe a purse, either way it looked stunning with her outfit. On closer inspection it was just a purse, nothing special, however; what if it was a book purse? How cute would that have been?

So when Ben and I were not having a romantic moment, or sleeping, eating, dancing, or thinking about the man overboard, my mind was on how I was going to make a book into a fashionable, wearable, piece of art and how it can make a statement about the woman who is carrying it. My creative, entrepreneurial mind would not stop.

Imagine, ordering a one of a kind purse that shows off your favorite author, or that one book that changed your mind about reading or where you wanted to go with your life. Your purse would not only be a story in itself but it can be a way to express a snippet of your story.

Now imagine with every purchase of a SmartGirl purse, a $25 donation went to help fight illiteracy, or $25 went to help a girl across the world get an education or even $25 going to a local non-profit that helps young girls meet their full potential.

Better yet, imagine the girl who instead of buying a purse with some designer label or a celebrity’s pick, chooses to buy a SmartGirl purse. What does that say about her?

So, I have been busy researching, and crafting since I’ve been back from our cruise. With the help of my friend Juliet, I think I figured out what these purses are going to look like and how they are going to be made.

Oh and if some of you are wondering how this book-loving, Prius driving, re-user can destroy a book…no worries. I carefully remove the pages from the used book, and I've commissioned my daughter Amanda to create the artwork for new book covers so that the actual pages can be enjoyed again if one wishes.

I’m excited! These purses are going to be stunning. The SmartGirl bag is going to bring literature, fashion, art and charity together. I will keep you all posted.