Purdy Everyday

Up-cycling fabric swatches 101

2013-03-12T15:30:00.000-04:00

I love donations! Thanks to my new friend for donating lots of unique fabric swatches.

I think I'll make some IPad covers.

And some clutches, and........ it is a surprise.

Light is important

2013-03-07T16:13:00.000-05:00

I made a photo light box..

Now I have pretty (Purdy) photos

Local love every week

2013-02-16T13:04:00.001-05:00

Last week I made my first treasury list on Etsy. I was a little timid and not sure what to include, too many options. I played around for hours looking at clothes, jewelry, wall decals, knitted scarves and hats, wall art, and the list goes on and on. I finally typed in the word "chevron" in my search and found an abundance of baby items, so that is where I started. Now to this date I have made about four treasuries, that comes to two a week. I don't think I am obsessed yet, but it really could happen. The treasury I did yesterday was called "Local Love" and it included all shop owners that lived in Cincinnati. I was surprised how excited folks were about this treasury. I had comments from people saying "hi" to each other and one was excited that she and her sister were both in the same treasury (I had no idea they were sisters). Then last night someone commented on Facebook that she was a Cincinnatian that sold on Etsy but was not included in the list. That made me think.......we do have a plethora of talent in this area, can I continue making a Local Love treasury every week. And with that thought I decided that Yes, I can. If you live in the Nati then be excited, send me your listing, email me, I want to see your stuff on etsy. Each treasury is only 16 listings and I try to make them flow in some way. I'm excited, hope you are too!

Paper Garland by The Blushing Buttercup

Coaster set by City Stock Pile

Here is a link to the Local Love treasury #1
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTUyNzkzMnwyNzIzOTg1NDQw/local-love?index=0

Next Local Love treasury will be Friday 2/22/13

Valentines Day special on Etsy

2013-02-06T21:00:00.000-05:00

Want a special, unique, pretty, awesome, never seen before gift for the one you love. Look no further, we can help. All red items on our etsy page are 10% off now until 2/14.........what are you waiting for. Enter code red10 at checkout.

Got Crafts?

2013-02-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

Attention all crafty folks that like to seller their crafty stuff. February is the month to get organized and plan your craft schedule. I have complied a sweet list of some super amazing local markets that are looking for vendors. As you can see most of these applications close by the end of February, so that means you need to register now.

Here are some awesome craft events. Start applying.

INDIEana Handicraft Exchange - Indiana- applications open now
The City Flea - Cincinnati - applications open 2/21
Crafty Supermarket - Cincinnati - applications open now until 2/28
Craftin' Outlaws - Columbus - applications open now to 2/28
Columbus Craftacular - Columbus - applications open now to 2/22

By the way, I guess we should let you all know what is in store for Purdy this year. We are planning to offer our up-cycled stuff in our esty shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/PurdyEveryday and locally at boutiques in and around Cincinnati. Currently, we have stuff at Marketside Mercantile in Northside and Younique Boutique in Harrison.

Younique Boutique has lots of our necktie purses for sale including this one.

We have headband, necktie bracelets, and wrist purses at Market side Mercantile

Peace!
Joy and Christina

Spring cleaning in 15 degree weather

2013-02-04T12:52:00.000-05:00

I recently got rid of all my hand-me-down living room furniture, now I have an empty room. It is hard for me to justify buying a new couch, chairs, end table, etc. Since I am not going to buy new furniture I enjoy browsing World Market's living room displays online, but I know it is just a fantasy.

The interesting thing is that since the furniture removal, the room has become a place to hang out. Yeah, it is strange to think an empty room would be inviting. I was thinking that some floor pillows would make the space even better. Okay, floor pillows are freaking expensive. Yikes, I can't afford pillows either. The other day I went fabric shopping at a new store called Silk Road Textiles. I found some nice fabric for a good price. My successful week ended with 3 new beautiful, affordable pillows. I even stuffed one of the pillows with scrap fabric.

Stuffing pillow with scrap material.

The scrap piece pillow

I am sure others have been frustrated by the price of purchasing pillows, so I am going to write a tutorial later this week.

Handmade for Newtown

2013-01-14T11:49:00.000-05:00

I donated one of my wrist bracelets to The Heart Auctions which is running an auction for the families of Newtown, Connecticut.

"From The Heart Auctions is proud to be partnering up with one of our long time supporters imagine gnats and new partner Casa Crafty to bring some relief to the town heard round to the world, Newtown, Connecticut, with an auction to benefit Newtown Parent Connection." From the Heart Auctions Facebook Page.

The action runs today thru jan 18, click below to bid.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.230627576973396.49188.230255717010582&type=1&l=61dbbf823b

Here are some of the items I am loving!

Customs anyone?

2013-01-13T22:59:00.001-05:00

Thought I would post a couple of the custom orders that I did for 2012.

This is the first bag that I have added stitch detailing to the shoulder strap.

I forgot to get a picture of the finished bag. Here it is just pieced together.

Pin it...to your shirt

2013-01-04T16:27:00.000-05:00

Last month, I made some necktie pins, but never made the time to post any pictures. Here ya go!

******Head bands too******

Pins and headbands will be listed at http://www.etsy.com/shop/PurdyEveryday soon.

Savings ends soon

2012-12-23T12:23:00.000-05:00

It may be too late to shop for holiday presents online, but it's not too late to get holiday presents for yourself. Just found this great site that lists discount codes on Etsy.

Get all your etsy discounts codes here. We are still offering 20% off select items until 12/31/12!!

Tradition

2012-11-22T10:29:00.001-05:00

There is a tradition in these parts that includes shopping at odd hours, waiting in long lines, and spending endless amounts of time looking for a parking place. As tempting as this tradition may be you don't have to give in because we will be offering some savings too, but this offer won't involve punching someone to get the front of the line before the store opens. Starting now through Monday we will be offering 20 % off any purchase on Purdy's Etsy page. So sit back, relax and do some shopping from your couch this weekend.

Use code 20NOVDIS to get your 20% off!!!

Always a bridesmaid or not

2012-11-18T11:30:00.003-05:00

Another fun re-purpose.........

Subject: a sparkly bridesmaid dress, never to be worn again.

Conclusion: a sparkly infinity scarf to be worn again and again!

This scarf and many other cool items will be available at the City Flea's Wrapped Up Holiday Market December 8th

Holiday shopping time

2012-11-15T12:40:00.000-05:00

A few of you may have asking us to offer some of our up-cycled items online, so here we go! A small listing of items will be available on Etsy through the holidays and maybe a little bit longer, we will see. If you don't see something you like, then let us know, we do fabulous custom work!

Mark your calendar's

2012-10-18T13:19:00.001-04:00

Factory Flea........be there October 20th at the American Can Lofts in Northside

Wrapped up ......December 8th in the newly renovated Washington Park

The fabric swatch bag with a "go green" button
This one of a kind bag will be featured at the Factory Flea.

Don't miss out on the most spectacular events of the season. For out out of town folks that are missing out on these events can get Purdy stuff online at http://www.etsy.com/shop/PurdyEveryday
Yes, we are on ETSY, so start shopping!

It's that time of year

2012-09-14T11:57:00.001-04:00

Fall is just around the corner and that means T-shirt scarves are in production.

Visit us tomorrow at The City Flea to see this fall's collection of scarves, plus lots of other handmade goods.

The next phase

2012-09-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

You may be wondering what else can we make out of ties?

Here it is, the wrap tie bracelet.

Why are these bracelets so cool? They wrap around your wrist creating two times the fun. Okay, they just look good!

We will have these new bracelets available at the September City Flea.

Nothing left behind

2012-08-09T22:05:00.000-04:00

I have been making bags out of neckties for the past couple of months. That left a ton of small tie scraps, so I made wrist tie bracelets!

Sizes available for men, women and children.

The Recent Flea

2012-08-06T16:10:00.000-04:00

http://thecityflea.squarespace.com/

Be friends with your neighbor

2012-07-10T09:30:00.002-04:00

I have been buying neckties online for weeks now, but that is all over. My neighbor just gave me boxes of ties from the 1960's and 70's.

The deck is the best place to lay the ties out and start putting color combinations together. Wow, that orange tie on the left really stands out.

Good combo - green, purple and mustard.

Look at this gem!

Not sure what to do with this one. (The tie, not the dog.)

I learned that you never know what treasures are hidden behind the walls of someone that is so close. Thanks neighbor.

Sugar

2012-07-03T11:26:00.000-04:00

I like dessert, well maybe love dessert is more accurate. I could and do eat dessert everyday. That said, I need some options to keep the calories down and prevent me from eating a whole tray of cookies in one sitting. I came up with a single serving brownie.

2 Tbsp butter or butter substitute - I like Earth Balance
3/4 tsp brown sugar
squirt of agave
2 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp 2 tsp cocoa
1/4 tsp baking powder
a tiny pinch of salt if you like
a couple drops of vanilla

In a small bowl or mug melt butter, add sugar and agave to butter and stir. Add remaining ingredients and mix until just combined. Taste batter. If batter is not sweet enough or too dry add some more agave. Microwave for ~30 seconds. This time will vary. Yum

I have more recipes coming soon.

Pins not included

2012-06-19T11:35:00.001-04:00

The upcoming City Flea will be filled with vintage ties and vintage inspired aprons. We are having a blast coming up with new designs.

What I am working on this week.

What I worked on last week.

Aprons and more at Second Sunday on Main

2012-06-13T11:07:00.000-04:00

Summer Vacation

2012-05-29T21:25:00.001-04:00

This summer is shaping up to be a busy one. I will be spending the warm summer months making new stuff for upcoming shows in the city. So Tutorial Tuesday's will be on vacation until August. That will give me plenty of time to create some new re-purposed items and tutorials. Here is the much awaited line up for Summer 2012.........

JUNE 10th Second Sunday on Main

JULY 14th, AUGUST 18th and SEPTEMBER 15th The City Flea in Washington Park

Here's a sneak peak of stuff that will be ready for the summer shows.

Easiest tutorial ever

2012-05-22T13:00:00.002-04:00

When I think of Spring, I think of garden parties, and pretty place settings. So, I thought I should make napkins for the tutorial today.

Materials: cotton fabric (I used some old sheets)

Cut out two 11" x 11" squares of coordinating fabric.

Place right sides facing and pin together.

Stitch along the edges leaving a 4" opening on one side. By the way, I used a 1/4" seam allowance.

Clip the corners at an angle on all four edges.

Pull fabric through through to right sides facing.

Press......

Top stitch along the outside edge of the napkin to create a finished look.

Fold napkin in half and press to create a guideline to do a finishing stitch across the fabric.

Stitch across the napkin to the opposite corner. Repeat on the other corner to create an "X" top stitch. The top stitch prevents the napkin from wrinkling after washing.

Okay, spring napkin is finished.

Don't be afraid to mix patterns and colors when creating these napkins. You will be surprised how well they will go together. I make a hobo style shoulder bag that blends together many different fabrics. When I start piecing the bag together, I wonder if the combinations will work, but in the end they do. Thinking outside of the box is a good thing.

Cork board

2012-05-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

A couple of months ago, I bought some cork pieces and mounted them on the wall. I used the double sided tape that came with the cork pieces, bad idea. All of the cork fell off of the wall within the first week.

This is what my wall looked like after the cork fell. Now, I have to peel all the tape off the wall. Not a fun job. I decided today that I was going to do something with the cork. So today's tutorial will be a cork board re-purpose.

Materials: Cork squares (available a craft stores or just use the ones that fall off of your wall.)

wooden frame (I found this frame in pieces in my basement)

spray paint

shelf liner (Another basement find. The liner is from large metal storing shelves.)

Tools: glue gun

hobby knife

newspaper

The frame was in pieces, so I had to put it back together with some glue.

I just added glue in the creases, as shown below.

Then I spray painted the frame. I let the frame dry for awhile in the sun while I hunted for something to mount the cork on.

I measured the liner to fit the wooden frame, then cut off the excess plastic with a hobby knife.

I applied glue down the sides, top and bottom of the plastic and then pressed it onto the back of the frame.

After the backing was secure, I added glue on the back side of the cork. I placed the cork directly onto the plastic.

I could fit two pieces of cork inside the frame with a little of the plastic showing on the sides.

The fun thing about this project was that I got to go shopping in my own basement. I found things that were just sitting there collecting dust and found a new purpose for them. So take my guidelines, and create your own unique cork board!

Now the hard part, mounting it on the wall.