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!

20 Things you can do to lead a more frugal lifestyle...

20 Things you can do to lead a more frugal lifestyle . . . 

1. Use your library.
2. Eat the food you’ve bought, and eat then your leftovers.
3. Shop from your closet instead of buying new clothes.
4. Give gifts that you already own, like a couple of great books or an admired knick-knack.
5. Go for a walk outside instead of on a treadmill.
6. Cook from scratch.
7. Send your kids into the backyard instead of taking them to a movie or arcade.
8. Repair items instead of replacing them.
9. Turn the thermostat down in your house and add an extra layer.
10. Plant a vegetable garden. It’s amazing what you can grow in even a small space. 
11. Make your own cleaning products, or better yet, clean with water.
12. When a friend wants to get together, go for a walk instead of eating out.
13. Choose a simple close-to-home vacation instead of a can-only-get-there-by-flying elaborate trip.
14. Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Always. And then make sure they give you that three cent per-bag refund.
15. Minimize your garbage output, then go to a less frequent pickup service.
16. Drive less, and then contact your insurance agent to get a discount.
17. Hang-dry your laundry.
18. Decline invitations to those Tupperware, Party-lite, Pampered Chef etc. parties.
19. Buy used whenever possible. Better yet, join The Compact.
20. Refuse to use credit cards for anything that’s not an emergency. (To avoid credit cards all together, you should have an emergency fund in place. But that is a personal choice.)

Thanks for reminding us Katy, The Non-Consumer Advocate  


You must be the change you want to see in the world. - Gandhi 

Working Wednesday & Mocha Granola Bars

FINALLY!!!! I have completely finished the two Memory Throws, after about four weeks of working on them and allergies that kept getting me down. These turned out so cute! Especially since I have never done anything quite like this. They go to their new owner this evening. I am so excited to share them with you! They are made from men's suits... The best of upcycling!!!! I know the recipients of these will be extremely happy. Don't you just love the sleeve and pockets that I incorporated? I hand stitched around the sleeves with a red yarn to make it stand out and to highlight the red plaid squares which are very special to this project. Then backed it with a charcoal blizzard fleece, sewed the edges in red and then tied it off with the red yarn. I absolutely love these! It really gets me excited to begin working on my daughter's t-shirt quilt.

Also this week I made a version of Mocha Coconut Granola Bars a friend of mine posted on Facebook. My kids don't care for coconut so I left out the sweetened coconut and the coconut oil. I replaced the coconut oil with canola oil and I added a little more brown sugar and flax seed meal in place of the coconut. They turned out pretty good, though I think a little to chocolaty for me (yes ladies, I'm one of the few that isn't big on chocolate) and they don't stay together very well for bars (maybe could have cooked them a little longer and actually went with less oil than was called for). I plan to make the slightly less modified recipe (I will add flax seed meal probably a little less cocoa powder) this weekend if time permits .

Enjoy!

Sew Much Ado

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!