Photo Brag Book

Materials:

12" x 12" Extra! Extra! red letter print paper
8-1/2" x 11" Extra! Extra! paper: plain dark gray, black print, block print
Extra! Extra! stickers and alphabet stickers
5 yards Extra! Extra! red fiber
blank CD
floss threader
ruler
cutting mat
craft knife
1/4" and 1/8" hole punch
bone folder
1/4" reinforcement labels
1" binder ring
vintage photo distress ink
hook and loop tape
12" eyelet friend

Note: For a diagram of the purse parts, see the diagram photo at the right.

1. To create the purse: Cut red letter print to 5-1/2" x 6-3/4" and 10-1/4" x 6-3/4" to create the front and back panel of purse.

2. Measure and mark eyelet holes every 1/2 inch around the perimeter of the back panel. Punch 1/8-inch holes on the marks (figure A).

3. Lay front panel onto back panel. Using back panel as your guide, mark holes for front panel. Punch.

4. Use curve of CD to measure (figure B) and cut curve into front panel (figure C).

5. Align side and bottom panels to front and back panels to trace stitch holes. Measure and score according to diagram. Punch holes (figure D).

6. Measure, cut and score side and bottom panels according to pattern. Align side panels with front and back panels. Mark holes and punch.

7. Lay out all five prepared pieces. Use a floss threader to thread 48 inches of fiber. Start at the top of the front and left side panel (figure E). Then attach the bottom and right side panels.

8. Next, with remaining fiber, attach the back panel (figure F).

9. Make a score marks on the back panel to create folds for the top of the purse.

10. Add additional fibers to the left side of purse to create a handle (figure G). Attach a square of hook-and-loop tape for a front closure. Round the corners of purse if desired.

11. To create the album: For inside album pages, cut three 8-1/2" x 11" papers into 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" rectangles.

12. Rub vintage photo ink over 24 white reinforcement labels. Punch a 1/4-inch hole into the upper left corner of each page, and attach labels to the front and back of each page (figure H).

13. Connect 12 pages with a 1-inch binder ring (figure I).

14. Number the pages from 1 to 12 on the lower left corner with tiny number stickers.

15. Add photos, journaling, titles and embellishments to fit your theme (figure J).

Tip: Once you've made this purse in the dimensions provided, you'll be able to explore new size options and different binding techniques such as wire, paper cord, hemp, string, etc.