i found it easier to post here than on the photo...hope that's OK!
I'm sure there's a million ways to create a purse cake- this is my abridged version...
Bake 9x12
Cut in thirds the long way and stack (fill with buttercream as you go.)
Carve purse shape. Crumb coat. Chill.
Cover in one piece of fondant and smooth.
Add seams and stitching with roller tool thingy.
I freehanded the "C" and then cut it out to make a stencil with cardstock, then placed it on cake and traced with food pen, and colored in.
Added brown bottom pieces and brown zipper base.
The rest is gumpaste.
To make the rings, you just shape them, let them dry, and paint with gold highlighter dust mixed with vodka. Same for zipper and zipper pull, as well as rivets.
To make the handles, just cut strips of brown gumpaste, use the stitching tool thingy, and wrap the ends around the rings. Leave on sides to dry.
Adhere with royal icing.
I did use a "leather" embossing stamp all over everything that was brown, but it'a a little harder to see in the pic.

Anyway- it was my first purse- can't wait to do more! Thanks for all of the encouraging comments!

Thanks for sharing, your purse came out beautiful.

Great job! thanks for sharing.

Congratulations you did an amazing job.

I Loooooooove it

Thank you very much for this instructions they're awesome!!!
Quick question...you said that after you traced the Cs you colored them, what did you colored them with?? I tried to do that on a purse I made long time ago, but the color didn't look smooth/uniform. I used the wilton's brand tint and diluted with vodka, but I could never get the color to be smooth like yours.

Ok, thank you again for this great instructions!!

Saved!