Some of my favorite things...Spring has sprung!

Even though we have had a little late cold burst, which if you have lived in Louisville long, you know is pretty normal... Spring has sprung for sure.  Around the city you can see preparations beginning for the infamous Kentucky Derby. The Triple Crown of Running has been completed. The barricades are still sitting around town, because the Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon and Marathon will be run on April 28th. Everyone in the city has a spring in their step and it seems like Christmas as everyone is in a great mood, enjoying the festivities that will be going on leading up to the Derby race itself. To me, this is one of my favorite times of the whole year! I'll probably be posting more on Derby as events start taking place. Again... My FAVORITE time of the year!

The Derby is just one sure sign of spring!  Starting this weekend you will also find some of the farmer's markets popping up all over town. One of my favorites is Douglas Loop Market. They actually just closed their indoor winter market a couple weeks ago. The farmers there are awesome. On a beautiful day they will be bursting with people seeking everything from herbs, fresh baked EVERYTHING, to the weeks bountiful crops. My goal this year is to try one new item at least every two weeks (a goal I set only because I realistically know life can get in the way).

If you can't make it to the farmer's markets the I highly suggest you go meet Ron at The Root Cellar, a small market providing Old Louisville with locally grown produce, meats, eggs, dairy and more! He has provided me many great treats during the winter months. I recently got some Ramps (click for more info) from him. Ramps are wild leeks, like green onions but with a hint of garlic. I had no idea what to do with them. So I stored them best I could hoping they would stay good until I could do something with them... Well last night I had salmon patties and instead of onion I used a few of the Ramps. Wow! What an awesome flavor... little garlic, little spicy onion. I loved it. He has a link on his Facebook page for Ramps and wild leeks. Can't wait to try more! Be sure to stop by and check his store out! You will not be sorry you did!

Beach on Market Street in the NULU District!

Another fun thing to do this Saturday will be The Flea off Market! This is a monthly market held in the NULU district at Shelby and Market Streets. The food trucks will be out in full force (and if you have never eaten from a food truck, you don't know what you are missing). You will find everything from the typical flea market used items to new items made from old items. My kinda place. There will be many local shops represented! It is supposed to be beautiful this weekend so take a few and stop by. The NULU district is fast becoming one of my favorite spots to hang. I mean heck, they even brought the beach to Louisville! How can you not love this place?

DIY Louisville Monday Magazine Challenge

White Bean & Tortellini Soup

I didn't do much shopping this weekend so no real deals to be found and haven't really been through my coupons and ads yet since I spent the day yesterday with my Dad and kiddo's for Easter, so no Frugal Monday post. But I thought you might enjoy checking out the gals over at D.I.Y. Louisville who are doing a Monday Magazine Challenge. And of course I thought it would be fun to join them. I have TONS of magazine recipes cut out and full magazines with DIY cleaners, crafty projects, etc that I would love to accomplish, but yeah, like most they are sitting on a shelf or basket or in a binder. With the cooler weather coming in this week, I thought I would have one last round of great soup. Yesterday morning I pulled out the March 2012 issue of All You Magazine and threw together this yummy soup for me to eat on this week while I attempt to work on my blog and sewing projects. 

Here's the recipe White Bean and Tortellini Soup. I made my own chicken stock from a neck and back I had put in the freezer and added onion, celery, dried thyme and a couple bay leaves. I also wanted to use ingredients that I had on hand, so I made some minor modifications. I used some left over Rotel tomatoes and along with a can of diced tomatoes (and all the juices) with oregano, basil and garlic already in it. And instead of oregano, which I didn't have, I used up some fresh basil I had. The only thing I had to get from the store was the Tortellini and an extra can of beans (Great Northern beans) because I could extend the number of servings with this inexpensive add on. This is enough soup for me to eat on a couple times this week while plugging away at this Blog and finishing up the many sewing projects I have going and I am still able to freeze some for another cool down. You know we will get another before Summer gets here! 

ENJOY!

Ruffle Purse, Easter Baskets & a Magazine Challenge

This past week I finished up the cutest little girls purse for a friends niece's birthday. I had never really worked with ruffles but found this to be fairly simple. I think it is just darling for any pre-teen. After I finished it, I was wondering around JoAnn's (imagine that right?) and got thinking of all kinds of cute combinations of fabric for this purse. This one is going on my list of purses for craft fairs for sure.  Now I am working on a University of Kentucky purse with a new fabric they have come out with. So girly! I love it! Hopefully pictures of that next week.

Look what my friends, Kim and Julee, over at D.I.Y. Louisville are working on. These ladies are some of the craftiest people I know. They have wonderful ideas and create beautiful stuff. They also host a  craft meet up on the first and third Tuesday's of the month. Be sure to check out their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/diylouisville.  This week Kim made the cutest Easter baskets with very little work. Now, if I can get her to grow grass in them next year instead of using that other stuff!

The girls over there are also doing a Monday Magazine challenge. This is where you pull out all those old magazines that you have dogeared and saved for projects, recipes, etc. for the near future, that you have yet to accomplish. Here's one Julee did this week: Paper Mache Easter Egg. They would love for you to take on the challenge with them and post pictures of one you get done this week! My challenge: I'm going to go through my magazines this weekend and see what kind of Spring decorations I can make using items I already have on hand.

Enjoy! Use it up, Reuse it, or Recycle it!

This Weekend & Last Week's Freebies

Well... I didn't go out looking this weekend for any great deals...Friday we had horrible weather and a couple nasty tornadoes hit just about 10 miles north of here and Saturday I cleaned and worked on the throws. I did make it out to JoAnn's to get fleece for the throws and fabric for two purse orders. Then Sunday was spent on the soccer field and at the laundromat! I'll be couponing tonight and hopefully will be able to share with you any great deals I find. :)

But last week I did receive 3 more items in the mail free; Aveda Hair Repair kit (shampoo, conditioner and a leave in), a Tide Pod and OB samples and a nice plastic carrying case.  Only thing... no coupons. I thought that was weird. The hair products are great for camping trips, traveling, etc. And with soccer season coming up, the sample laundry detergent is nice to take with us so we can clean the wonderful mud and grass stains on the uniforms when we are at tournaments. And all are great to donate to local disaster relief if you don't use them yourself!

Vinyl Record Bookends

I did get some Mocha Chocolate Granola Bars made and I also played with my butane torch (cheap thing)... then broke it. I'll post pictures and the recipe for the granola bars Wednesday along with pictures of the finished throws. They are turning out better than I imagined. But here's what I did get made before I broke the torch. Enjoy!

DIY Friday - Laundry Detergent

Homemade Laundry Detergent

As you probably know by now, at the beginning of the year I took a pledge that I was going to become more frugal. One way I decided to accomplish this was to try various do-it-yourself projects, like make my own laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent and to do a lot more scratch cooking. I made a list of  items I intend on trying this year. Mostly these are cleaners, homemade beauty products, etc. But there will also be new recipes, cooking tips and short cuts, and other creative DIY projects that I would like to tackle. 

First on the list is laundry detergent. After I had a weird, major allergic reaction this fall (unsure what but I ended up at the emergency room), I was leery of trying anything new like this. But the ingredients are natural and there are no weird chemicals/fillers in this, I decided to try it. If I couldn't use it, then the local family shelter would have a nice supply of laundry detergent donated. I found I had no allergic reaction to it. And my son who does occasionally break out in a slight rash from various detergents has not had any problems either.

This recipe makes a 5 gallon bucket full for just a couple bucks! I have shared this with my family and they seem to absolutely love it! Three simple ingredients...  a bar of Fels-Naptha, Washing Soda and Borax, all found in your grocer's laundry isle. (NOTE: The Fels-Naptha can be substituted with Ivory soap if you prefer.)


What you will need....

Empty 5 gallon bucket, with lid

Hot water
1 cup Washing Soda (I used Arm & Hammer)
1/2 cup Borax 
1 bar Fels-Naptha
*I highly recommend using an old, odd pan for this and I would  NOT use a non-stick one. I wasn't thinking and used a Teflon coated pan (well it was all I had) and now I can't use it for anything except for making this and as the bottom pan for a double boiler.

1. Grate the bar soap and put it in a small to medium sauce pan with enough HOT water to cover. Stir constantly over medium-low heat until soap is completely melted.
2. Put the Borax, Washing Soda and melted Fels-Naptha into the 5 gallon buck. Stir well until completely dissolved. Then fill the bucket up with HOT water. Stir well.
3. Cover and let sit overnight. It will turn into a gel-like substance. Stir well again the next morning.
4. Using an old detergent bottle, I just fill as needed. The original directions say cut in half with water and use 1 full cup. My thought is why waste time with that step. Just use 1/2 a cup full per load. It's going to mix with water anyway, right? Be sure to shake the bottle well before each use.

Have a great DIY household cleaner you would like to share? Feel free to email me or to comment below! Enjoy!

What to do this weekend... March 2-4, 2012

Happy Friday Eve everyone! Spring is springing early and the art & craft fairs and shows are getting into full swing! The Louisville and Southern Indiana areas offer plenty to do each weekend all the way up through the end of the year. Each Thursday I will give you a heads up on where you can find local artists and crafters. Please feel free to submit any event you would like included via email.

On Saturday, March 3, 10am-2pm Southern Indiana Homemade Craft Fair will be held at Valley View Golf Course in Floyds Knobs.

Kentucky Crafted, March 3 & 4 (open to public), Lexington Convention Center. 10am-8pm Saturday, 10am-8pm Sunday.


21st Annual Salem Maple Syrup Festival  Runs this weekend at Leane and Michael's Sugarbush in Salem, Indiana, 9am-5pm. There will be music, crafters, food, fun and of course, plenty of maple syrup! Bring the whole family!

If you are looking for something to do next Tuesday, March 6, why don't you join me and a great group of crafters for the D.I.Y. Louisville meet up at Sunergos Coffee on Woodlawn Avenue? Starts at 6 and goes until 9. Check these great ladies out at www.diylouisville.blogspot.com or find them on Facebook for more information!

Calling all Artist! The First Annual "Old Louisville SpringFest" is being held along 1st Street on Saturday, May 19. The booth application is due March 31. Visit http://www.oldlouisvillespringfest.org for more information. 

Working Wednesday... What I'm working on this week!

Good morning! Each week I would like to take you inside Wilygreenhorn. My little business that has been comprised of purses, totes, diaper bags, embroidered gifts and key fobs and whatever else I feel like creating or someone needs, with the exception of alterations. I refuse to mess up someone's fine clothing! Some weeks I am working on lots of projects, other weeks I'm searching Pinterest for projects. Feast or Famine! 

This week, and the last couple weeks, I have been working on an upcycling project of sorts... I've been making two Memory Throws for someone. I have no quilting experience and other than a quick fleece rag blanket I attempted when I was learning to sew a straight line, I have never done anything like this. But I got a call from a friend asking if I would attempt it... Besides it will give me some practice before I attempt a T-Shirt Blanket for my daughter this spring.

Topper almost complete

This particular set of throws was to be made out of the material from sports jackets and dress pants. Whew! It was a lot more work than I thought taking all those jackets apart, seam by seam. But I did it. Now it's making the sewing of the squares seem quite easy! I have actually thoroughly enjoyed working on this project. I would be done by now had it not been for a few days of being sick. Here are some pictures to show progress. I should be able to post pictures next week of both completed throws. I know the recipients of these will just absolutely love them!

Creative Reuse: My Story

Creative reuse is the process of taking used or recycled materials and turning them into creative pieces of art, home decoration, or other useful items. (Wikipedia)

Upcycle, Recycle, Reuse... All words associated with taking various materials and giving new life to them. I first started 'upcycling' a few years ago when I started sewing. I had this really cute skort given to me by my Mother-In-Law. It was not really something I would wear. It had Toucans and Parrots on it. Just not my style. But I held on to it for some reason. During a cleaning session at the house I tossed it into my sewing room. I decided it was too pretty to be given away and possibly thrown away. 

I carefully ripped the seams, saving everything I could, including the zipper. I searched online for a purse pattern that would work for the amount of material I had. I cut and sewed, and ripped and resewed (remember, I was still teaching myself how to sew). Finally, I had created a purse and it was pretty impressive for my first one, especially for being made from upcycled material. I returned it to my MIL who loved it and was excited to see one of her favorite pieces of clothing able to live on.

I have crafted many purses and totes from old t-shirts, skirts and jeans. I also turned sweater sleeves into boot socks, old vinyl albums into bowls and attempted fusing plastic bags together so I could use them in various ways, but not had much success with that yet. Think it is the iron, couldn't be the user. ;)

During all this I have found a passion for making sure things find a second (third, fourth, etc.) life. I have also found a love of FreeCycle and the free and the Arts & Crafts sections of Craigslist. I have gotten quite a few things from both to use in various ways and I have also given scrap, extra thread, fabric, etc. away to teachers and other artist. While doing this somehow I came across creative reuse centers online. 

I believe the first one was SCRAP in San Francisco. I started following them on Facebook. I loved the concept. A store that served teachers, artists and the city with what they did. They collect donations from manufacturers and public, much like a Goodwill does, except these items are for reuse in art. 

During more research I found SCRAP PDX in Portland, Oregon. They also have sister stores in D.C., Denton, TX, and Traverse City, Michigan. This is when I decided that I really would love to have one of these type stores right here in Louisville. I have communicated with the Director in Portland and the Co-Directors in DC. They have been helpful in getting me pointed in the right direction. I am currently working up a plan and looking for people who would like to make this a reality!  Keep a look out, as I plan to post my journey through this winding path of trying to make this happen. 

If you are interested in helping out, please feel free to contact me via my email, sewfrugalscrap@gmail.com.  Hope you enjoy watching as I run through the trials, tribulations and I'm sure a few tears along the way and even better yet, I hope you will get involved!

How did Sew Frugal Scrap originate?

About a year ago I started a business, Wilygreenhorn, that offered new and upcycled bags (purses, totes, etc.), custom made diaper bags, personalized key fobs and various embroidered gifts. All this items actually evolved over time, as it was just diaper bags and bags when it started. Though the embroidery was a good business, it didn't seem to fulfill my create needs like the purses and other bags did, especially the upcycled ones. Towards the end of the year, I took a step back and decided I needed to get back to why I started the business in the first place. I took a lot of time to write out and plan where I wanted the business to be in a year, two years, five years. I decided that the embroidered gifts had to go. I still offer the key fobs, especially as fund raisers for various groups. And I love making the diaper bags. But my main focus this year is going to be purses, totes, bags, both new and upcycled, along with other various upcycled/recycled items, like memory throws, reusing vinyl records in various projects, and where ever else my creativity seems to flow.

The frugal part came about from a necessity partly; living on my own for the first time in my life. But I have always been pretty frugal, looking for the best deals, coupons galore, and I love freebies I can get in the mail. But in 2012 I have made it a goal to buy nothing new, with the exception of a few things like undergarments and socks, but only when needed! No new clothes, household items, etc. If I need something, I have to first see if I can borrow it (books, dvd’s, tools, etc.). Then if that doesn’t seem to work/fit then I go through this list, in order:

• Can I make it from items I already have on hand?
• Can I make it from used items I can buy or get free?
• Can I get it on Freecycle or the free Craigslist category?
• Can I find it in a charity thrift store?
• Can I buy it from Craigslist?
• Can I buy it at a flea market or Peddler’s mall?
• Can I buy it at a locally owned small business? First a consignment store, then if all else fails new from a local shop.

I currently attempt to buy most of my food from local sources, like farmer’s markets, locally owned stores, but I am still attempting to be frugal at the same time, so there are still quite a few items I get at the chain, Kroger, because I love my coupons and find awesome deals. I am also cooking more from scratch. So forgive me on this one, but my top goal is to save as much money as I can!

Granted, so far I haven’t always been great at following this, but 95% of the time I do and I know that I’m saving money and helping local charities and people/businesses in the long run.

From these two things, Sewing and Frugality, I have come across an idea that I think is very much needed in the Louisville area. I dream of opening a Scrap Reuse Center in the next year!  This is a non-profit that collects items that can be reused in art projects and office supplies. It will allow art teachers a way to save on their budgets that are being cut every day; allow reuse artists to get materials cheaply, display and sell their work (art showings and a retail boutique) and share their skills with classes and workshops for the Tinkerer’s, like me. It would serve the community by sharing the benefits of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, through public initiatives in schools, speakers, classes and workshops.

Through this blog I hope to gain champions who would love to get involved, keep the locals updated and add the value of accountability by posting publicly my thoughts, ideas, goals and milestones.

I am open to suggestions, thoughts, ideas and especially your own DIY creations! So feel free to email me at SewFrugalScrap@gmail.com with all of them! Enjoy! 

Welcome to Sew Frugral Scrap!

Welcome to SEW FRUGAL SCRAP! A long time in the making! I hope to share with you three journeys I am taking this year, along with creative DIY’s, food & recipes, local happenings & artists, thrifty, coupon and freebie finds. The blog idea started after reading some other wonderful blogs and determining that sometimes public accountability is extremely helpful in fulfilling goals and I also love to share some of the fantastic finds, whether from a thrift store, freebie or coupon deal, along with recipes, upcoming arts and crafts fairs, wonderful artists, local businesses or a crafty DIY. So… I thought I would give it a try.

The above mentioned journeys consist of building my sewing business;  my goal (or resolution) to become more frugal, from both necessity and tiredness of being a slave to things; and the third is an idea I have that was created from both of the above journeys… My ultimate dream of having a craft reuse center here in Louisville that would serve Fine Arts teachers, artists and ‘tinkerers’ like me, and in turn would bring awareness in the community of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

So there you have it, the reasons I started the blog! I do hope you find things I post informative, fun and inspiring! And welcome to my crazy life of Sew Frugal Scrap!