I came up with the idea of making a "denim" covered purse out of cardboard and acrylic paint.

Step 1: Cut Pieces Out of Cardboard

For this purse, the length is 7 and 1/2 inches. One piece is cut to to a width of 3 and 1/2 inch, while the large, triangle shaped piece is 7 inches overall.

Step 2: Using Paper As the Hem

Cut several pieces of kraft paper to 3/4 of an inch. This will be folded in half, fitted to the cardboard pieces of the purse, and glued into place.

Step 3: Glue the Two Pieces Together

I used regular white glue for this, but a tacky glue is good too.

Step 4: Prime the Pieces With White Paint

Just like painting the barn, you need to start with a primer coat.

Step 5: Paint Purse With "Denim" Colored Paint

Paint with the grain of the cardboard, and try to leave bits of the white primer showing through. Using a "dry" brush works best.

Step 6: Paint White Highlights

Again, using a dry brush, add white highlights to the blue denim "material".

Step 7: Paint on Stitching

I used an orange paint diluted with some white so the thread appears faded. It is used denim, after all. Each stitch is highlighted with an off white, and a shadow is placed next to each stitch with a very fine marker. Dots are painted at the end of each stitch.

Step 8: Add Rivets and Clasp Button

Here, I painted the rivets with orange and burnt sienna. A shadow is drawn with the black marker to give the appearance of a shadow. For the clasp button, I used a template to draw a black circle, then filled it in with a gold paint. Lettering is added: Levi Strauss....appropriate enough.