I learned of this project a couple of years ago when a group of my crafty friends spent a weekend sharing ideas. You start with 2 - 12 x 12" sheets of double sided scrapbook paper. Most of 1 sheet is used to create the 'purse', and the leftovers of that sheet along with the other sheet are used to create as many cards as possible that match the purse.
The sheets I used were striped on one side and had a flower design on the other. This is a side view of the purse with the cards inside. The purse is made up of 4 pieces of the paper.... body, top flap, and 2 side panels.
I used a decorative edge punch on the front flap. And I use eyelets in the top flat and some white cord to create the handle.
I used the striped side of the paper to create this 'cabin-themed' card. I added some dark brown and red card stock that matched well with the colors in the stripes. I ran the red card through the cuttlebug with the 'distressed stripes' embossing folder. Spellbinders oval dies were used to cut the stamped image and the red and brown layers. The copper tree brads were added to the bottom corners.
On this card I used the floral side of the paper. This side of the paper allowed me to work with an entirely different color palette. I stamped flourishes on the yellow background and attached a fabric flower created with 4 pieces and a gem brad. The word stamp is from 'Dylusions' (Ranger). I stamped and cut out with spellbinders dies adding the gems in the corners of the orange layer.
This card also used the floral side of the paper. The bloom stamp, a $1 purchase, was layered on brown and orange pieces cut from Spellbinders dies. My Momento 'Ruhbarb Stalk' ink seemed a perfect match in this color scheme. I used it to stamp the flower on the yellow layer. Three types of fiber were tied around the top layers to add interest.
I used the stripes side of the paper for this 'coffee-themed' card. The coffee cup was stamped and cut with a Spellbinders die as well as the blue and brown layers that it was attached to. The blue ribbon and brads were attached before the coffee cup image. The saying was stamped on an off white paper and cut into a rectangle, and then layered onto brown and blue.
Everyone can use a birthday card. This one is very bright and cheery with the red and blue colors. The medallion under the birthday stamp is cut from the striped paper using a spellbinders die. A couple of square red brads add a little interest.
Back to the floral side... The floral piece was passed through the cuttlebug with a floral embossing folder to add some dimension. I'm not sure if I achieved the look I was expecting, but it's okay. I stamped the flower on pink card stock by applying my markers directly to the stamp and then lightly misting the stamp with water. I love the watercolor look it creates. The words were stamped in pink and cut with a spellbinders die. The pink ribbon with brown polka dots was attached to create a border between the pink and floral card. I used a marker to draw the dots and squiggles around the right side of the card.
Red and pink made this floral themed card very bright. The pink and red floral pieces are cut with cuttlebug dies, and a rhinestone-like embellishment is attached to the center of each with a glue dot. The green leafy branch is a sizzix die. The red layer was passed through the cuttlebug with a floral embossing folder before attaching to the pink card and adding the striped piece to the top.
I think this is my favorite card. I love the pink and olive green. The bicycle was stamped on white, cut with a spellbinders oval and layered onto an olive green scalloped oval. I ran the pink layer through the cuttlebug with the dots and spots embossing folder. And I found some pink and green ribbon in my bag of ribbon that was the perfect finishing touch.
Now, I will take 6 of these 8 cards and put them into the purse... which should I choose???
