book purses

the naked books i showed you yesterday were the surgically removed innards of three great finds at the library's book sale room. yes, i cut apart perfectly good books for crafting purposes. and no, i don't feel bad. :) this is my first attempt at a book purse. i've seen this idea carried out as both purses and clutches, and the purse (with handles) made more sense to me than the clutch (without handles). so, i went with handles. :)


the book is The Oxford History of the American People, and the printing on the front is the american eagle head that's often found atop indoor flag poles. so i figured going all patriotic only made sense. :)


the purse has a button and ribbon closure and measures approximately 9.5" wide, 6" tall and 2.75" deep. the handles are wood. the package claimed they're black, but i'd call them dark reddish brown. i like the handles, but i wonder if the piece loses too much of its book-ness this way?


so for my second book, i made a clutch.


Joy Street by Keyes, which i believe was in the mystery section. i'm keeping the pages for another project (not sure what that project will be), so perhaps i'll read it before recycling it. ;)


it opens to a brown creased fabric and measures approximately 8" wide, 5.25" tall and 1.25" deep.


a close up of the closure. the black band is elastic and easily (but securely) slips on & off the decorative button. i really like this closure. i find it easier to work than the button/ribbon on the first one, and it holds the open end snugly closed - especially important since it's a clutch.

overall, i prefer the clutch. i wasn't expecting to prefer the clutch, but i really like how book-y it feels. i have one more book (named Rebecca ... how perfect!) that i've started. i bought a decorative hook and eye clasp for it that i'm hoping will work. if not, i can easily swap the eye for another elastic band. i'm pretty sure i'll keep that one a clutch, too. and that one, will be mind to keep. :)