Upcycle an Old Book into a Purse (+Instruction)

One of my readers emailed me asking for some instructions on how to turn a book into a purse. I did some research and picked some of the nicest looking DIY projects to answer the question.

I have already listed cool book purses but there are no instructions. This time I made sure each project had a detailed instruction.

Here you go: How to upcycle an old book into a cute purse:

1. How to make a purse/clutch from a Book

 

I LOVE what it looks like!

Full instruction: How to make a purse/clutch from a Book

2. Turn an Old Book into a New Purse by A Beautiful Mess 

Depending on the book color you'll need to pick a matching material. I wish it had a holder but it looks neat nonetheless! You look like smart fashionista!

Full instruction: Turn an Old Book into a New Purse

3. Homemade Book Clutch 

This one comes with a very details instruction and it looks like a real book from outside. But the inside looks very practical!

Full instruction: Homemade Book Clutch

Bonus: Book iPad cover!

This one has no instruction but what an idea! If you get excited by one of the above purses, there's nothing stopping you from implementing the same techniques to create a cool iPad cover!

(Source)

More upcycled purses for your inspiration:

• Candy Wrappers Purse
• Stylish Vinyl Records Purse
• Recycle Tetrapak into a Coin Purse 

Old Socks into Stylish Gloves

Great idea for fashionistas! And for moms looking to educate their little girls on sustainability and upcycling (as well as have fun time with them).

Turn your old sucks into neat fingerless gloves. Let your imagination fly: Come up with different-colored decor elements to match your manicure!

Instructions are here; Discovered on Pinterest. Thank you, Dr Elaine Nicholls, for sharing this great resource!

For more upcycling fashion ideas, subscribe to the awesome Pinterest board: Refashion

More upcycling fashion ideas from this blog:

• 5 Awesome Book Purses
• Repurposing Last Season's Sandals
• Vinyl Record into a Cool Necklace
• Film Negatives Handbags
• Chick iPhone Outfit
• Candy Wrappers Purse
• Pop Tabs Wristlet Bag
• Cool Newspaper Handbags
• Stylish Bracelets Made of Negatives
• A Geeky Keyboard Belt
• Stylish Vinyl Records Purse

Crafts from Trash: Scrapbooking with Found Objects by Christy Strickler

Welcome to our next edition of "Featured Readers' Crafts"

Today we are featuring a great series by Christy Strickler over at MyScrapbookEvolution.com

Christy uses all possible items she can find (including shopping bags, plastic lids, and metal pop tab lids) to add texture to your papercraft projects and create awesome-looking crafts!

Please check out Christy's series here: Scrapbooking with found objects

Here are some great scrapbooking supplies:

From Shopping Bag to Layout:

From Scraps to Woven Layers:

DIY Stencils from Lids:

Thanks for sharing these with us, Christy!

5 Cute Upcycled Hacks for Christmas

Christmas is coming, and no that wasn't the beginning of a carol. We are gearing up for one of the most popular holidays around, putting up our trees and hanging up stockings. It also means that DIY junkies like me are looking for projects for house decor and handmade gifts. Especially those that upcycle old items and save on materials.

Pinterest has once again come to the rescue. Anyone who has been on their DIY board knows that it is filled with cool ideas in both the simple and impossibly advanced categories. Whatever level you are at yourself, you can find something fun to do any time of the year.
But with it being winter, you can bet there are even more Christmas themed upcycle projects than ever. Here are five super cute upcycled hacks for the holidays.

1. Sock Wreath

5 Awesome Book Purses

Reading is a treasured pass time and one of the greatest things you can do. There is nothing quite as satisfying as sinking into a story and losing yourself to the plot, characters and excitement.

Which is something that fewer and fewer people are enjoying these days, the lack of appreciation of books depressing. Even with the creation of ereaders, which give us greater access than ever.
Why not do your part to show books some love? Check out these awesome purses that upcycle your favorites.

1. Harry Potter

While the series is now over and done with, Harry Potter will go down in history as one of the most popular fictional worlds of all time. Order of the Phoenix is a favorite of many, and this Etsy seller is offering purse with custom fittings, buckles, straps and decorations using the cover. I have seen many other Harry Potter books used, with every title available.

Stylish Bracelets Made of Negatives

Remember that nice lamp made of negatives? This project is even cooler!

This is another way to take advantage of old negatives you already don't remember how to use: create stylish bracelets.

A Geeky Keyboard Belt

OK, after creating a keyboard necklace and a keyboard bag, a keyboard belt is what you just must have for the full picture.

I am sure your friends will gladly share their old keyboards with you in exchange for the idea! (As, I am sure, you are running out of used keyboards by now).