The options for personalization with your z becky brown handbag is almost endless. This very fact can cause many to freeze up, not knowing how to narrow down the choices. This short test can help unfreeze your creative muscle.

z becky brown Style Quiz

Choose the single option that best fits you.

 1.   Things that match make me:

   a. crazy

   b. happy

   c. couldn’t care less

2. When placing an area rug in a room it must:

    a. be on an angle, to give it a casual feel

    b. be centered within the area (I’ve even been known to use a ruler)

    c. depends on my mood

3. When setting the table for a meal everything must:

    a. be mismatched and casual

    b. match perfectly

    c. must blend together, but doesn’t have to match

4. My desk at home and filing system:

    a. consists of haphazard looking piles where only you know where to find something

    b. is clear, except for a few things

    c. is a mix of a and b

5. My clothes closet is:

    a. totally unorganized, blouses, skirts, pants all hanging mixed together

    b. is organized down to items and even color

    c. slightly organized, not by color, but all similar items are grouped together

6. When I get ready to go to work or out on a date I:

    a. spend lots of time trying things on and discarding them

    b. don’t have any trouble because I’ve always laid out my clothes

    c. have an idea beforehand of what I want to wear and spend little time tweaking the final product

Answer Key

Mainly a’s – you’re relaxed and, by the world’s standards, slightly disorganized. Order, with lines and grids tends to make you feel stifled. Your style tends toward bohemian. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a wild mix of colors and patterns. Trust your instincts.

Mainly b’s – order is your best friend. Some people may first think you’re uptight, but what you really are is in control. Your style tends toward the classic. You’ll be happiest with slightly understated style that matches your wardrobe.

Mainly c’s – you are the true eclectic. Change and variety are your friends. Begin with colors and patterns that blend with your wardrobe, but don’t be afraid to add new colors and patterns. Go with the way things make you feel and you’ll always come away pleased with the end result.

This quiz should give you a good place to start to express your personal style. You’ll find that personalizing your z becky brown handbag is a great way to experiment with style.

Christmas Presents Handbag

Supplies:

Paper Studio – Wonderful Christmas Wishes Scrapbooking Kit

K & Company – Yuletide Layered Accents

Instructions:

Step 1 – Use the zbeckybrown insert to cut border print paper to size

Step 2 – referring to pictures, arrange the sticker to the front insert of handbag.

Polished Glitter Handbag

We all want to show off our creativity during this season of gatherings, but the last thing anyone needs during the holidays is the stress a complicated project can bring. zbeckybrown handbags can help. This project couldn’t be easier, but only you and zbeckybrown will know it. The finished project is polished, adding sparkle to any ensemble.

Instructions:

1. Use the zbeckybrown insert to cut paper to size.
2. Referring to pictures, arrange the holly 3D sticker to the front insert of handbag. Add the 3D K & Company Sticker making sure to avoid areas that will be hidden by clasp.
3. Referring to pictures, arrange the stickers on the back insert in the same manner.
4. Tie Ribbon to handle.

Supplies:

Scrap Ribbon

Scrapbooking Paper

The Paper Studio – Red Holiday Glitter

 3D Stickers

La Petites – The Paper Studio

K & Company

Polished Glitter Hanbag, back

Ornamental Handbag, Front

1. Use the zbeckybrown insert to cut scrapbook paper to size
2. Referring to pictures, arrange three ornament cut outs on front insert of handbag. Making sure to avoid areas that will be hidden by clasp.
3. Glue the scrap ribbon to insert, making it appear as though the ornaments are hanging from the ribbon.
4. Referring to pictures, arrange three ornament cut outs on the back insert of handbag.
5. Glue scrap ribbon to back in the same manner as the front.
6. Use remaining cutouts to decorate both side inserts.

Ornamental Handbag, Back

Scrap Ribbon 

Scrapbooking Paper -

My Mind’s Eye, Signature Paper – Holiday Glitter

 3D Stickers -

La Petites – The Paper Studio

K & Company

Asian Collage

By Judi Kauffman

This purse begins with hand-stamped paper, but if you don’t feel like stamping your own background you can use printed paper and stickers instead. The goal is to create front, back and side panels that look good together, but where each also stands alone as a separate and distinct collage. No matter which way you look at the purse you get to see something interesting.

If you’re new to collage, don’t worry—it’s easy. You get to move and rearrange the pieces for as long as you want. When everything looks right, you remove the elements and glue them in place one at a time, starting with the bottom layers and finishing with the accents that are on top. The purse shown has papers that are both torn and cut. You can change to exclusively pieces that are cut or everything torn by hand. You’re in charge! If you don’t like the results, you can start over. Cut up the rejects and use them in a different insert.

Once you start making collage inserts for your z becky brown purse, it’s a safe bet you’ll want several sets. If you don’t want an Asian theme, substitute cancelled postage stamps, low denomination coins from other parts of the world (or shiny pennies) or whatever you want.

Possible Variations: So that you can substitute other supplies and customize the design, these are some things to remember.  

• The front of the purse has more elements in the collage than the sides or back so it is the focal point.
• Avoid placing important parts of the collage where the clasp on the purse will be.
• Collage requires contrasts. Some things should be large and some small, some horizontal and some vertical, some light and some dark. There are no diagonals in the designs shown so the look is serene and formal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your collages all about angles.
• Collage is supposed to look like it was made by hand, don’t worry if something is blurry or imperfect.
• Remember that the inserts are slightly narrower at the bottom than at the top.  Use the templates, measure and cut carefully.

 Supplies:

• Rubber stamps from Red Castle, Inc. (from sheets #49140 and/or #49150)
• Yellow/gold cardstock (3 sheets, 8.5” x 11”)
• Bubble wrap (packing material, used to create texture)
• Tsukineko Brilliance ink pads (Rocket Red, Galaxie Gold and Copper)
• Ranger Big & Juicy Rainbow ink pad (Mountain Meadow)
• Ranger Nick Bantock Collection ink pad (Chrome Yellow)
• Patterned origami paper (red background)
• Mesh origami paper (orange)
• Sulyn Industries Asian coin reproductions (5 large, 6 small)
• Beacon GemTac and PaperTac glues
• 

 Instructions:

1. Begin by using different stamps and textures to give your paper color. Don’t cut the paper to size yet, wait until you’ve finished with the collage and choose your favorite areas for the inserts.
2. Cut patterned origami paper into varying with strips and small squares. Cut one 2” square of origami mesh for front and back, cut three 1-1/2” squares of origami mesh for the sides (two for one side, one for the second side).
3. Cut front, back and side pieces from stamped card stock using z becky brown templates.  Cut and/or tear pieces of remaining card stock to use in the collage.
4. Arrange stamped, origami paper, mesh and coins as shown or as desired. When you’re satisfied with the arrangement, glue everything into place.
5. Add more stamped images, overlaying some of the elements. Sign and date your creation.
6. When inks and glues are completely dry, put the inserts into your purse.

 Resource Guide:

Rubber stamps

• Red Castle, Inc.

Inks, glues and embellishments

• Beacon Adhesives
• Clearsnap
• Ranger Industries
• Sulyn Industries
• Tsukineko 

A Symphony in Black and White Scrolls

Every handbag should do more than make a statement. It needs to compliment an outfit. This zbeckybrown handbag design does just that with its elegant black scrollwork and understated white moiré background. It’s the perfect companion for any affair.The directions for this design are as easy as the bag is simple.

Supplies:

• White Moiré Scrapbooking Paper or Wrapping Paper
• Black Scroll Scrapbooking Stickers 

Directions:

1. Begin with white moiré scrapbooking paper or even wrapping paper. Cut paper to size using your zbeckybrown insert. Depending on the size of the paper, it may be necessary to cut the four sides individually.
2. Next, try the moiré inserts in your handbag and note where the handbag lid and clasp falls.
3. Remove the inserts and, beginning with the front panel, add stickers, avoiding areas that will be covered by the lid or clasp. Move to the back panel next, and finish your design with the two side panels.

Remember, in this design, less is more. 

Variations:

Any two color theme works well for this design. You could even add some gold or silver accents for the holidays.

Just remember to have fun personalizing your zbeckybrown handbag!

By Judi Kauffman

Vintage Papers Handbag

This project couldn’t be simpler and it’s a perfect way to illustrate our Family and Friends theme for the holidays! First, grab your zbeckybrown handbag, then head for the aisle where scrapbook supplies are sold. 

Choose any coordinating printed vellum and paper or card stock, plus a long narrow border sticker and some low-relief embellishments like buttons or charms. Follow the simple instructions to make inserts for your purse, sit back and wait for the compliments!

 Options: Add small photos, ticket stubs, cancelled stamps or other memorabilia to your inserts. 

Instructions:

1. Use the photo as a guide for layering torn vellum, border stickers and buttons on inserts.
2. Cut front, back and two side inserts from the opaque paper or card stock following the z becky brown templates. 
3. Cut a piece of vellum for each insert, tearing one edge so that the translucent vellum covers some, but not all, of the opaque layer.  Glue vellum layer in place.  Hint: Use more glue in the areas that will later be covered with stickers and embellishments, but only a tiny dab at the top, bottom and side edges.
4. Add a long patterned border sticker toward the bottom of each insert.  Sew or glue a button or other low-relief embellishment to each of the inserts. 

Resource Guide:

K & Company papers

Debbie Mumm buttons

Beacon Adhesives

Debbie Mumm stickers available at www.scrapbook.com

Vintage Papers Handbag, Finished Design

Vintage Papers Handbag Detail View

Due to the size of the background paper Susan had to make four separate inserts. She wanted a way to camouflage the transition from insert to insert so she used a large paper punch for the three white medallions that decorate each turn of the corner on her zbeckybrown handbag. It’s an elegant, decorative solution.

Susan also utilized several other scrapbooking techniques—including collage and stamping—to make a beautiful addition to her holiday accessories.

As an award-winning artist for most of her adult life, Monita Mahoney knows the importance of self expression. She has spent her life expressing herself through color and texture. Her fiber, mixed-media and works on paper have been juried into numerous national and international exhibitions. Monita fosters this love in others through numerous workshops on marbling as well as mixed media. “For me, a z becky brown handbag is the perfect way to showcase my creativity.”

To make her z becky brown handbag her own, Monita started with a piece of her hand-dyed paper. On it, she collaged a few of her marbled designs.

When all the elements were dry, she inserted the design into her handbag for a one-of-a-kind piece of art.

We’d love to see the designs you’ve come up with.

Upload your     pictures using the form on this page and let us    showcase your work!