Little leather note book - with a splash of liberty print

Last year I went on a fantastic weekend book binding course with the very talented travelling book binder Rachel Hazell.

It was great fun and we learned lots of different ways to make books. This is a set of little mini books I made, all bound with different stitches. 

 I also made this larger concertina book as part of the course which I filled with little drawings and paintings inspired by my favourite songs. 

Putting my skills to the test I made a simple note book for my Mum last year using some leather I had, but since then I'm sorry to say I haven't been binding any books.  

So I decided to do something about it and made up this little note book, again using leather. I also decided to brighten it up on the inside with some Liberty print. Here is how I did it.....

I used an old spiral bound note book that I had for the pages of my new book - just had to trim off the bit that was in the spiral. Then I used my lovely bone folder to crease the pages in half. 

Next I cut out my leather cover with a strip to fasten it closed. I used bonda web to line the inside cover with a Liberty print. 

I then made the holes in the pages ready for being stitched together. 

Next I punched corresponding holes in the leather cover. 

Then using some strong top stitch thread I stitched the pages and cover together, using little wooden beads on the outside to bung up with holes that I made in the leather. 

Lastly I cut a slit in the front cover for my strip to slot into and keep the note book closed and snug in my bag. 

Here is the finished book.....

...and the gorgeous Liberty print on the inside. 

Leather Purse - with two section snap frame

I love getting a new purse...I think it gives you a chance to clear out your old one, get rid of all those tattered old receipts, out of date vouchers, expired loyalty cards...and if your lucky you might even find a scrumpled up tenner!

Coin purses with clip frames seem to be getting more and more popular. Those of you whole follow Mollie Makes Magazine may remember the free gift coin purse kit from issue 6. Of course I had it made up within a few days.... but I tend to carry more bits and bobs in my purse than would fit in this little one.

So I decided to experiment and make a bigger one! I found a lovely double pocket clip frame from U handbag which arrived in no time at all...then I had to work out how to to create a purse that had all the little pockets and sections I needed.


I'm really trying right now to use up stuff that I have already...I like buying new fabrics, trims, ribbons, buttons...(I could go on)...as much as the next craft fiend but sometimes I forget how lovely a lot of the stuff I have already is.


So I had a rummage...last year when clearing out my parents loft I found a huge basket of leather cut offs which my mum kindly gave to me. I managed to find a bit of navy blue soft leather big enough for the frame I bought.

.....Then I choose this Liberty print I've had for a while which I thought went well with the leather.

I stiffened the cotton with some interfacing and picked out some flowers to appliqué onto the front with my machine (feed dogs down).

I made up the lining in the same liberty print with pockets for my cards....

....added my name on the bag...(a bit geeky - I know)....and found a scrap bit of lace that was luckily just the right length to finish off the back.

I really pleased with it and felt really chuffed when the guy who served me in Anthropology complimented me on it and said 'you could sell them in here you know'....shame he's not a buyer! Maybe one day.....a girl can dream!

If you like the look of this purse...fear not...it will be on the workshop programme at my craft venue and haberdashery shop...opening later this year in Moseley, Birmingham.