Make It Monday - Notebook Purse or Briefcase

Check it Out!  It's Make it Monday and today I wanna share one of my favorite altered items.  Using just about any notebook, you can make a cute Notebook Purse or Briefcase! 

I love that these are actually functional and I think are fun to make!  They are much easier to make than they look and the possibilities are endless as to shapes and sizes.

You can use pretty much any type of notebook, even spiral bound and you can decorate them in so many ways.

  

So here is how I make them:

First cut 2 corners off the composition book, I used a metal ruler and a utility knife.  To make the briefcase don't cut the corners at all. 

Choose scrapbook papers or fabric to use for your covers and inside covers of the book.

I used ModPodge to affix my paper to the cover of the noteboook.  Center the book to your paper making sure you have excess on all three sides.   I used the natural binding on the composition books and for the spiral bound books, I first created a strip of paper to cover the wire and then applied the cover paper.  Smooth it out with a brayer or similar tool.  Fold the excess over to the back, cutting to miter where needed, applying mod podge and smooth flat.  Glue ribbons on for handles before you apply the inside cover. I used chipboard that I heat embossed to look like metal for the handles on the briefcase notebook. If using a closure, be sure and affix it before applying the inside cover as well as any embellishments like ribbons that fold over the edges.  Use this same process for the back cover as well.

I used velcro dots hot glued to my ribbons for the closure as well as flowers made from paper and fabric.   Embellish as desired. 

I have made so many of these and they make wonderful gifts because you can personalize them for the specific person. Use chipboard letters to add a monogram and if you give it as a gift, write a note/letter on the first page before you give it!