inspiration monday

as much as i love playing in my art journal, sometimes i get the itch to do something completely different.  i've had my eye on elke bergeron's "leather clutch" workshop over at creativebug for quite a while, so i decided this was the perfect time to learn something new!

while elke's class doesn't include this step,  you probably know i don't do too many projects unless it includes letterforms, and i couldn't resist using my set of hand-carved stamps for this little clutch!  so i put a piece of washi tape across the front of my leather to use as a guide, and then i placed an acrylic ruler under the top to provide a firm surface for stamping.

i used a white pigment stamp pad that i had on hand,
and then i heat set the ink with my heat gun.

then i rounded the corners,  punched some holes along the side,
and stitched it up with some linen thread.

for my closure, i decided to add a snap….

and now i have a really cool leather pouch….and it was super simple to make!

the only two things i would do differently next time:
first, to make the stamping more permanent, i think i'll try using acrylic paint...

and secondly,  i'll pay more attention to the mantra
"measure twice, cut once" before i start my next project!
my plan was to store my inktense pencils in here, but when
i finished the pouch and tried to put them inside, they were too long!!
so now i have a leather clutch that's perfect for my glasses and micron pens,
but it's marked "pencils" on the front!  aaack!
:))


for more information about elke bergeron's creativebug class, click here
to watch a tutorial for setting snaps, click here


{supplies:  leather piece from hobby lobby, leather punch, hammer, 
hand-carved letter stamps, white ink pad, linen thread, needle, snap set tool, snaps}

leather book: after

here is the "after" shot of my finished leather book!  i've always wanted to make one, and i'm so glad that i finally did...i really love it!  
this book began as a kit that i ordered from volcano arts (see yesterday's post).  it came with the leather, paper for the inside, waxed linen thread, a small button, and instructions.  as you can see, i made a few changes.  first, i cut a curve on the outside flap to add more interest...i liked the idea of it "hugging" the fabulous vintage coat button that i wanted to use for the closure (replacing the button from the kit was the second change).  i also used a small silver spiral charm to finish off the closure cord.

the last change:  i wrapped some beautiful handmade paper around each signature before i bound the book.  it was the perfect finishing touch to the inside!  

leather book: before

i have always wanted to make a book with a leather cover.  thanks to this kit from volcano arts, today is the day!  i'll share the results with you tomorrow!