Repurposing a small cross stitch sampler

Here is sort of an unusual gift I just made. This stitchery piece, originally intended to be a birth sampler, had been languishing in my stack of UFOs for more years than I even want to think about. I think I didn't finish this until the baby in question was around 6 or 7 years old. I kept thinking I would frame this for her wall anyway, but it didn't fit a standard frame. So I thought this year (as she is graduating from high school) that I would frame it in fabric. Then that seemed not a great idea, since she will be heading off to college and it would just be something to leave behind at home. I thought a tote bag might work, but then it would have to be a very small tote bag in order not to overwhelm the size of the stitchery. Looking through Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules Sewing, I came across a pattern called an Artsy Clutch. So I decided to try making one, using this stitchery for one side.

The project was easy and fun to make. I used a vintage green floral slipcover fabric for the lining.

The closure is a stitched-in elastic loop and a vintage green button.

I'm still not sure how much I like the result, but the recipient seemed pleased. I thought she could use it to hold jewelry, or socks, or even a Bible or other book.

I would definitely make more of these clutches, though, from regular fabric rather than a cross stitch sampler. They are easy, and would be cute in many variations of color and fabrics.