Dotted Dream Purse

Free pattern download by Ottobre.

Wallpaper Purse

Rachel, of Rayela's Fiber Focus, made this amazing purse--a true work of art.

It is created using the traditional method for weaving candy wrappers or chip bags, except she utilized sample pieces of wallpaper.
The blog post includes how-to information.

I hope you're inspired to try this method.
Call it folk art, or tramp art, or a rediscovered recycling craft...
I just call it gorgeous.

If you're interested in purchasing a how-to video on weaving candy wrappers, one is available by The Candy Wrapper King.
He says, "I just used upolstery thread and a homemade plastic "flat" needle. It's actually fairly simple once you know how."
(note, I have not seen the video, so am not endorsing it, but am giving you the information if you are interested)

Paper Purse Pattern

This super cute paper purse is available for download, courtesy of Meggie Cat.
By all means, use the free pattern, but please stop by her blog
(or anyone else's where you get a pattern or even an idea)
and give her a thank you :).
Courtesy and feedback are really gestures we all should remember.

More ideas for refashioning a readymade bag

Boy, links for inspiration are tough on this challenge.
But I finally found a few.
Okay, now that's what I'm talkin' about!
Leave it to Crafty Chica to make a fabric collaged bag to die for.

And there's even a Tutorial!
She made it from scratch (the handles are embroidery hoops!), but just use the same concept to cover a readymade one.
You can do it!

What if you transfered your photographs onto fabric and collaged those?
Or you could put the paper photos under vinyl.

Collaged and stamped cigar box purse.

Re-style a wooden purse with wood-burning, from Craft Lab.

Refinishing a leather handbag.
More here.

Party centerpiece

For your next party, have some fun and carve a watermelon shaped like a purse!
Here they've filled it with watermelon slices shaped like lips.
Instructions on wikihow.

Freebie!

Nannybird Crafts is giving away a bag for her blogiversary!
Go leave a comment and tell her I sent you.

How about giving painting a try?

When I linked the collaged purse from Violette's Folk Art, I didn't even realize how many more amazing examples she has.
The instructions for this bag are in the Spring issue of Creative Techniques.
She says, "I bought the purse for 2 dollars at the thrift store then revamped it with some of my art".
Also, "If you're not familiar with Creative Techniques i'll tell you a bit about it. Each project inside the magazine has to be created with 2 computer related techniques. I used Photoshop to work with my images as well as my Word program to type up words. It was fairly easy! If you are computer savy and would like to submit some project idea don't hesitate to contact the magazine"

Painted case, also collaged with photographs and ephemera.


Through Violette's blog I also found out about Alisa Burke, an artist who paints purses (and is coincidentally holding a class soon in my area. Hmmm...)



You can purchase some of her creations in her etsy shop.
AND, most exciting of all, she has a book coming out!
More info here.

If you're like me, and painting is a bit scary, this is the perfect opportunity to try something new.
Attempting new mediums is what this challenge thing is all about.
About stepping outside your comfort zone, and growing...
Go for it!

Recycled neckties bags

Check out my post about designer Laura Kluvo on my neckties blog.
There are several inspirations there for handbag designs.

The Jill Bag

Jill Bag x 4
Originally uploaded by rosesareblue

I love multi-purpose items, including aprons that double as bags.
This rocks (though it's my competition in the Amy Butler Sew Inspiring Contest!).
Kara is considering making a pattern of this.
I can't wait!
Read more on her blog.

More ideas for the new theme

What else can you do to refashion an old purse?
Embroidery
Stencils
Screenprinting
Decals (make your own by cutting out vinyl shapes)
Duct tape?

You might want to stamp and/or bead a bag (tutorial on HGTV)

how to paint on a purse, from Stylelicious.


You can make a new cover with fabric:
Julie Ree made a new fabric cover for her mom's old Bermuda bag

Picnic hamper to purse, by So, anyway...

And, as I've already mentioned, there's decoupage:
Using decorative paper to decoupage a purse, by Veralucia on ebay

Decoupage old vinyl purse or kids purse with cut paper, by DIY Kids

decoupage suitcase by DIY Network


Here's a fun train case with collaged images
currently available on eBay by the seller Vintage Butterfly.

Decoupaged cigar box purse, nicely done by Thrift Shop Romantic, using images from old calendars.

If you've got a really nice quality vintage purse, you might want to be careful with how you go about restoring it.
Tips from Antiques off Broadway

New gallery, new theme, and a twist!

Oh my, how is it already the 1st?!
Sorry for my delay in posting the gallery.
You know, it has just been one of those days. I woke up to find someone had egged my car.
Hmmm...
not a good beginning.

My brother came over and ran some test on my car (nothing to do with the eggs).
Result: blown head gasket.
Sigh. The dealer says it's a minimum of $3000 to fix.
I have to dog sit a sick dog in the north county at the end of the week.
In Southern California, you NEED a car.

Anyway, my original plan was to finish my bag and post it here, but forgive my lateness yet again.
I did, however, get my Amy Butler bag in by the deadline, so cross your fingers on that one. Boy, I could use a new Janome!
I'll be blogging about that bag soon on Woof Nanny.

Okay, but to business at hand.
Ten bags were presented in this challenge.
Ten is an okay amount, but I'd like to at least double that.

Check out Karen's amazing towel to cosmetic bag transformation!

Words don't even express how much I adore this!
See all the gallery photos.

Okay, the new theme: Refashion a readymade bag.
You're like, "huh?"

For example, go to the thrift store and pick up a 50's patent leather clutch, or an old train case, or a wooden basket purse.
And embellish it, or recover it, or somehow make it new again.
Preferably exterior and interior, but exterior for sure.
Okay?

I've never done this either, and I'm looking forward to giving it a whirl.

Here's a collage purse from Violette's Folk Art Tips

I can't find the permalink, so I'll just post her tutorial:

"This is a fun project if you want to resurrect an old purse and exercise your creative juices! You can put almost anything onto your purse as long as you use the proper adhesive and numerous coats of modge podge and varnish."

Materials
Old leather or vinyl purse
Collage items (Scrapbooking supplies)
sandpaper
Photocopied words or quotes
Gems, sequins, stars
Glitter
Stickers
Paper doily
White glue
Modge Podge
Varnish
Acrylic paints


Directions
1. Scuff purse with sandpaper
2. randomly paint acrylics over surface
3. choose your images that you have cut-words, faces, alphabets and patterns
4. Modge Podge on the surface of the purse in a pleasing fashion
5. Glue on sequins, Stickers, gems, stars and glitter
6. When dry modge podge several coats over entire design
7. For extra protection coat with varnish

Sounds fun, eh?
Please send me a jpg. to barbian7@yahoo.com of what you make by April 30, and I'll post it in the gallery May 1.

BUT, there's a twist!
In order to stir up more participation, this challenge will involve a prize!
Please leave comments about ideas for cool prizes.
I can't afford much, but maybe some purse notions, or a small gift card for Starbucks or something.
You tell me!