As seen in
Crafts 'n Things
magazine
©2007-2008 The O’Neil Sisters, All Rights Reserved
Harlequin Handbag High Tea
Once upon a time, there was a Valentine’s tea party just for princesses. They donned their tiaras, nibbled on cookies, and sipped tasty tea. Then they made naughty-but-nice romance novel handbags they will cherish for all eternity!
YOU’LL NEED
Materials
  • Classic paperback romance novel (the more dramatic the “bodice-ripper” cover, the better!)
  • 1” diameter clear plastic tubing, two 14” lengths
  • Self-adhesive laminating sheets, 4 pieces, 5” x 8”
  • Heavy-duty clear vinyl, 2 pieces, 3½” x 8½”, 1 piece, 3½” x 5½”
  • Brass ball chain, two 18” lengths
  • Brass catches, 2
  • ¼” brass grommets, 4 pairs
  • Brass brads, 46
  • Organza drawstring favor bag, 6" x 10", white or gold.

Tools & Supplies
  • Paper cutter
  • Hole punch
  • Scissors
  • ¼” grommet setter
  • Hammer
  • Craft knife
  • Ruler

WHAT TO DO
1. Carefully remove the front and back covers from the paperback. Trim the torn edges with scissors.

2. Laminate the front and back covers and trim each down to 5½”x8½” with the paper cutter. Use the scissors to round the corners.

3. Punch two holes along the top edge of the covers, 1½” from the side and ½” from the top. Using the grommet setter and hammer, grommet each hole.

4. Starting ½” from the edge of each laminated cover, punch 9 evenly spaced holes down the left side, 4 across the bottom, and 9 up the right side. (Do not punch any more holes across the top!)

5. Fold the 3½”x8½” vinyl piece in half lengthwise and sandwich it between the laminated covers so the cut edges are aligned and the fold is inside the purse. Push one brad through each of the punched holes and through the vinyl. (If the brads don’t cut through the vinyl easily, use the craft knife to make a small slit in the vinyl.) Fold the ends of the brads back. You will have 9 brads on the front cover and 9 brads on the back cover.

6. Repeat step 5 to attach the 3½”x5½” vinyl piece to the bottom and the 3½”x8½” vinyl piece to the other side of the purse.

7. To connect the bottom vinyl piece to the side vinyl piece, pinch the open edges together and cut a slit just big enough for a brad at the center ½” from the edge. Push one brad through the slit and fold the ends back. Repeat for the other side.

8. Feed the ball chain through the plastic tubing to create the purse handles. Attach the handles by feeding the ends of the chain through the grommet holes from the outside and connecting the ends inside the purse using the brass catch.

9. Tuck the organza bag inside the purse as a liner.



Pennywise Paperbacks
For a steal of a deal on trashy romance novels, seek out the tawdry titles at thrift stores. You can pick them up for a buck apiece!
©The O’Neil Sisters 2008