DIY Book Clutch: Manon Lescaut

So, it's no big surprise that I have been lusting after Kate Spade's book clutches. And if they weren't US$300 plus, I might have splurged. But that is just too darn expensive for something soooo small. And that could get accidentally forgotten, you know, because you thought it was a book instead of your purse.

So on our journey to Centro today, we went to Berinjela. I recommend--good quality used bookstore. And I found this orange beauty...which became my evening's craft project. Now I have a purse! I should have taken pictures of the process but it was:
a) messy
and
b) totally unorganized.

Anyone with a little forethought (and access to a sewing machine) will probably do a better job. :)

Still, it was fairly easy. I cannibalized an old Target wallet for the framing supplies, used sticky ribbon for the lining and tape binding (because I was too lazy to glue things down) and fabric from one of V's old shirts for the sides. My teeny hot glue gun and E6000 also made an appearance. I don't think our ventilation is as good as I thought it was, cause I can still smell the latter!




I was super lucky that my frame was pretty much the exact size of the book; I was contemplating using a zipper, which would have been MUCH more work. Also, don't be stupid and glue the frame backwards. (Or if you do, catch it before the glue dries, like I did!)

Finished photos:





Big enough for a wallet, a phone, some chapstick. Whaddya think? Would you cannibalize an otherwise perfectly good book for this purpose?