I shared this Chalk Board Purse a few weeks ago over at Mod Podge Rocks and just realized I had forgotten to post it here so that it was on my site as well.
The fun thing about this is that you can carry this book to church, doctors appointments and restaurants. Great for keeping the little ones entertained quietly while waiting. There is also a secret little storage area inside that can hold their chalk and a small rag to erase their drawings.
You will need an old board book that you don’t care to part with. I found mine at the thrift store for .25 cents. Make sure the book is think enough with a few extra pages to fit a piece of chalk. {If you want to add a pocket, if it is not thick enough you will not be able to shut the book}.
Flip to the back of the book and save the last three pages. DO NOT CUT THESE PAGES OUT. Then take an exacto knife or a sharp razor blade and cut out the middle section of several pages of your book. Check to see that it is deep enough for some chalk to fit inside.
Be sure to save a couple of pages at the front of the book to be your chalk board pages. DO NOT CUT THE MIDDLE OUT OF THESE EITHER!
After your book pages are cut out with and you have left some uncut at the front and end of the book, turn to the second to last page of the book {or the middle page of the last three.
Then take a purse handle {I bought mine at JoAnn’s} and a 2 lengths of ribbon. The length will vary depending on the height of your book. I used 20 inches for each ribbon. Feed the ribbon through the bottom slots of the handle and lay one end of the ribbon down behind the middle page so that it is between the last and the middle page.
Then run the end of the ribbon up around the bottom of the page to the front of the middle page. Bring the other end of the ribbon from the top of the page down so that it meets the other ribbon. Pull the ribbons tight so that the handle is snug against the top of the book. Staple the ribbon to the middle page in several spots. This will hold the handle firmly in place.
Take a smaller length of ribbon {I used brown and white polka dot ribbon) about 7 inches in length. Staple the end of it on the same page but coming out of the middle of the side. This will be the ribbon used to keep the book closed. Leave it hanging out.
Turn the top of the three pages so that it covers the stapled ribbons. Glue together the three pages. You will also want to cut a peice of scrapbook paper and glue it to the top of the three pages. This will be the bottom of your storage pocket. Then hold together with clamps or by setting a heavy object on them while it dries completely.
Next, glue together all your cut out pages around the edges. Cut scrapbook paper to go around all the sides of the storage pocket and use Mod Podge on the front and back to add the paper to the top of the first cut page. Place a heavy object on it so that it stays and dries flat. Leave for several hours.
Now you will need some chalkboard paint. I found a DIY Chalkboard Paint recipe that you can make yourself. Click the link to see the Chalk Board Paint Recipe or use some store bought chalkboard paint.
Rough up each page with some sand paper so that the paint will stick better (chalk can take some of the paint off if you push too hard otherwise). Paint every page that you saved except for the front cover. Let dry thoroughly. I needed two coats and cover the book pages completely. Before you can draw on the chalkboard you will need to run the side of a peice of chalk over the entire surface of your chalkboard pages and then erase. This preps the paint so that it can be drawn on with the chalk.
After the paint has dried, you can take and cover the front and back of your chalk board purse. I used Mod Podge on both the front and back to hold it and seal it all together.
Finally, take your ribbon you left hanging out of the end of the book and lay it to the top front of the book. Measure how long it need to be to shut nicely. I added a strip of brown ribbon to the front of the book. Then I glued a cut peice of magnet {I used a take out refrigerator magnet} onto the end of the hanging ribbon and one to the front of the book so it could attach and keep the purse shut. Add some a peice of chip board or cardboard and decorate to hide the magnet.
And there you have it. Sorry about all the pictures! But I felt it will be easier to make your own by referencing them for more explanation.
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Suzanne says
I would have never thought of this! It's a great idea. Thanks!
Are you kidding me?? This is brilliant Amy!! I love the ideas you come up with!
Love it!
What a fun project! Thanks for sharing!
WoW! Love this idea – so clever!
I love it!! I can't wait to "boy" it up and make one for my little man!
I, like you, have need to turn some projects I find into more masculine crafts. What did you come up with to make this more for a boy?
SUPER cute!! Another great idea, off to the thrift store!
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That is way, way cute and such a grand idea. I hope Tomie DePaolo does not read your blog however, because he may not be as in love with your project as I am…heehee
Oh such a darling idea Amy!! You have lucky kiddos to have such a creative Mama :) I'll definitely be making one of those for my Little Brooks as he gets older :)
What a fun idea! I'm going to ponder how to adapt one of these for a 6 year old boy. I'm thinking maybe take an old luggage handle and cover the outside with faux stickers/stamps from other places in the world. Perfect for all the "boring" places I make him wait for me – thanks for sharing!
Oops, left a comment logged in as my hubby…he's not really in to crafts! :)
This is such a great idea! (It will be a perfect craft to make this week before a LONG plane trip with a 3 year old and a 1 year old…by myself!) But since I don't have a little pink one to craft for, I think it will work perfectly to just use more boyish paper to cover, and maybe canvas straps or something a little less purse-ish for the handles…and voila! A boy chalkboard tote! Thank you so much for the tutorial!
I totally love this idea!!! I will be making some for my neices!
I just have to say I freaking love love you blog !! Super cute and with great idea's !!! I'm new to blog land and yours was the first one I saw and I just love your crafty ideas :) I love to craft myself and you give me so many thing I would want to try!
Such a cute idea! But I can't help but have a hard time seeing one of our favorite board books cut up…hope you have another copy of that one ;)
I love this idea….went out yesterday to get items needed to make for my niece (and now daughter wants one, too) Just one question, do you put the modge podge on top of the paper as well when you are attaching it to the book pages? I see that you use it as a type of glue, but then I am assuming you put it over the top to seal it all up right?
What a cute idea. I just had to copy it. You can see it here: http://craftmethis.blogspot.com/2011/04/chalkboard-purse.html
Thanks for sharing such a fun idea!!!
i love it :) My nieces want homemade presents for Cmas (YAY ME!) and this will go on the list for SURE!!!
You could make a brief case, or suit case to make it more for a boy, especially if you are going on a trip.
Love it!! :)
This is awesome!!! Perfect for church!! I love it! New followers:)
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