Emergency Purse Kits Revisited

  

A couple of years ago I posted about these handy emergency purse kits made from Altoid tins and scrapbook paper.  They can be filled with just about anything and make great gifts for any occasion.  Since the original post, I discovered that using duct tape to cover the tin is a much simpler and less messy process.  I've posted a video tutorial on youtube if you would like to check it out.

http://youtu.be/TGh-zbTOosk

Become a subscriber to my youtube channel so you don't miss out on any future videos!

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How to Make a Duct Tape Purse and Flower

One of the more popular posts on my blog has been duct tape purses.  Many of you have contacted me asking for directions, especially for the flower.  I'm happy to announce that I have completed two videos that take you step-by-step through the process.  I hope you enjoy them!

This purse is made from denim blue and white duct tape with a yellow gingham fabric lining.  

  

It features a bright, bold yellow flower! 

The corners are boxed. 

The handles are secured with silver brads.

To view the video tutorials, just click on the photos below, or the links, where you will be redirected to my youtube channel.  If you like the videos, please like, share, or subscribe to my channel so you can be informed when new videos are available.  Thanks!!

http://youtu.be/J_uKzZVlCIk

http://youtu.be/epEoyueh8Ls

 I like to link to these great parties!

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Ginger Snap Crafts!

Divine Duct Tape in Haute Handbags!

I'm excited to announce that my first magazine article hits the stands on April 1st!  My duct tape purses were chosen to be featured in the Spring edition of Haute Handbags by Stampington.  Three of my designs are pictured in the magazine, along with step-by-step instructions on basic handbag construction.  

Stars and Stripes

This patriotic handbag features a shoulder strap, front flap, and red, white, and blue plaid lining.

The Sunflower

This tote has black and white striped lining and a shoulder strap that features eyelets and a buckle. The bright yellow sunflower is adorned with a vintage earring center.

You Are My Sunshine

This bright handbag sports an outer pocket and sunny plaid lining.  The pocket is adorned with a vintage button earring.

More of my duct tape purses can be viewed here.

I like to link up to these great parties.

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Sugar Bee Crafts

Duct Tape Purses

UPDATE 4/28/2013:  If you would like to view a step-by-step tutorial of a simple, fabric-lined duct tape purse, visit my youtube channel.  Become a subscriber so you can be informed when I add new videos!  Click here to view the video!

The other day I submitted some duct tape purses to the editor of Haute Handbags.  I received word today that they have chosen 3 of my 5 designs to include in their April 1 edition of the magazine!  I'll keep those designs a secret...you'll have to wait for the magazine.  But here are the two "rejects!"

The first one I named "Anenome" because it reminded me of the ocean.  I used chrome duct tape, silver brads, vintage jewelry, and D-rings to give it some silver accents.  The flower was made by backing a long strip of duct tape with another strip of duct tape—offsetting the strips about 1/4" so that you end up with both edges having 1/4" of stickiness.  Trim away one of the sticky edges.  With your scissors, make 1/8" snips in the tape, cutting to, but into the sticky edge.  This will create a "fringed" strip with an uncut sticky edge.  Determine how big you want your flower and make a circle base with the duct tape.  I overlapped side by side a couple of 3" long pieces of duct tape, backed them with the same, then cut it into a 3" circle.  Starting with the outside edge of the circle, begin to stick your fringe onto the base.  Keep adding the continuos fringe around the circle until you get to the center.  You may need to cut more fringe to complete the flower.  Using epoxy, add a vintage piece of jewelry to the center.  Epoxy, or hot glue gun the flower to the bag.

The next one I named "Black Tie."  It has a fancy tuxedo look to it.  I folded the white duct tape over on itself to within 1/4" of the edge, leaving a sticky strip.  Then I gathered it as I stuck it to a duct tape base.  Chrome duct tape was also used for accents.  The black tie is actually a shoe clip that is epoxied in place.  The fabric lining wraps over the top edge to the front to add some extra interest to the purse.  Small black brads were added to the base of the handles to make them more secure.

I always knew that duct tape was functional, but who knew it could be so pretty also?

UPDATE:
I just finished one more purse to add to the mix.  This one has a different flower.  It's made the same way as the first one, only cut with petals instead of "fringe."
Watch my youtube video to see how its done!

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Woman's Day

Girl's Camp Crafts

I just returned from Girl's Camp where I had the privilege of helping with crafts.  I have been to camp for 17 years now as a leader, but this is my first time working with the crafts.  Thanks to all the wonderful ideas on the internet, we were able to do some awesome crafts with the girls!  So here goes...

First up were these wooden plaques with vinyl lettering.  My friend over at Vinyl Craft Lettering provided us with two different fonts and colors.  I cut the boards 31/4" x 18" from MDF, then routered the edges and drilled the holes.  The girls painted them with their choice of color—some even doing multi colors, splatters, flowers, borders, etc. They then applied the vinyl lettering and added the wire hanger.  Just make sure the paint is good and dry before applying the vinyl.  Simple and successful!

We also made no-sew braided headbands that day.  I found this great tutorial over at sugarbeecrafts.com....GENIUS!  The girls LOVED this craft.  They made them with flowers and without.  In fact, they continued making these throughout the week!

On day two, we made duct tape purses.  Anything with duct tape is always a big hit!  In fact, the adults wanted to make them, so we did a late night crafting session—which was great in helping us work out the bugs before teaching them to the girls!  I found this great tutorial at allthingsthrifty.com.  I loved the use of fabric for the interior (it was cute and cut down on the amount of duct tape used.)  We started with a piece of fabric that measured 9" x 18".  The boxed corners at the bottom really gave them shape!  Our budget didn't allow for cording and grommets for the handles, so we used fabric and duct tape.  All we did was lay a 14" strip of duct tape sticky side up, and then placed about a 1" strip of fabric down the center (usually the same fabric as the interior.)  Then the duct tape was folded about 1/4" over the edges of the fabric.  We made two of these for the handles.  Here are the creative purses that some of our leaders crafted.  They are a perfect size for lunches, scriptures, or water bottles and necessities! 

UPDATE 4/28/2013:  If you would like to view a step-by-step tutorial of a simple, fabric-lined duct tape purse, visit my youtube channel.  Become a subscriber so you can be informed when I add new videos!  Here's the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_uKzZVlCIk

On the third day, we made notepads from cereal boxes.  I found the idea at infarrantlycreative.net.  I didn't get a picture of the ones we made, but this was the idea...

(source)

We also made emergency purse kits from Altoid tins.  This was a project I posted earlier on my blog.  These really come in handy.  One of the girls that had made one originally with me says that she uses it ALL the time!

UPDATE:
If you would like to view a video tutorial on how to make these little kits covered with duct tape instead of paper and mod podge (much easier), visit my youtube channel and take a gander.  Here's the link:

http://youtu.be/TGh-zbTOosk

Become a subscriber so you don't miss out on any future videos!

All in all, I'd say that craft time was pretty successful this year.  Now we have a whole year to scour the blogs and find cute things for next year!

Lisa and myself, a.k.a "Crafty Ladies!"

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