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!

Featured on:

Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo
Keeping It Simple
Saved By Love Creations

Woman's Day

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Tiann from Bits and Pieces who is the winner of the White Rabbit's Timekeeper from Shabby Apple!  For those of you who didn't win, you can still take advantage of the 10% off code for another 3 weeks.

Thanks to everyone who entered!  Tiann, please contact me so that I can get your information forwarded to the folks at Shabby Apple.  Congratulations!

Shabby Apple Jewelry Giveaway!

Sorry, this contest is now closed!

I am so excited to be hosting a giveaway by Shabby Apple!  For those of you who don't know, Shabby Apple in an online boutique specializing in Women's clothing and accessories.  I love their philosophy:

ABOUT US

A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything...no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!).

We started Shabby Apple because we saw a need in women’s fashion that was not being met. A need to make women feel feminine and beautiful for what they wear, not what they bare. We offer flirty, stylish dresses a woman can wear just as comfortably in the office, at a family dinner, or on a date. Shabby Apple is a fashion company for women, by women, and of women.

Because serving women and families is a core value at Shabby Apple, we devote a certain percentage of our net proceeds to charitable causes serving women and children.

Their clothing is modest and stylish...what a great combination!  Check out some of these beautiful dresses...

They also specialize in vintage jewelry.  Here are just a few of their fantastic pieces...

I was lucky enough to choose one of their beautiful pieces to be given to one lucky reader.

It was a hard decision, but I finally settled on

The White Rabbit's Time Keeper.

This beautifully crafted pocket watch necklace is made of etched antique brass metal.  Glass front opens to reveal clock.  Glass face is diamond cut in a lovely shade of golden brown. 

Necklace is 24” long  

Handmade in the USA

A $64 value! 

Isn't it just GORGEOUS?!!

And that's not all!  They are also offering a 10% off coupon to my readers to be used within the next 30 days...just in time to pick out something lovely to wear for the holiday season!  Just use the following coupon code:

To enter to win this amazing necklace, do either (or all) of the following—leaving a separate comment for each:

Visit Shabby Apple, look around, then come back and leave a comment telling me what you like about their boutique.

 "Like" Shabby Apple on facebook and then leave me a comment saying you did so.


Become a follower of Second Chances by Susan and let me know that you did so.  If you already are a follower, leave a note reminding me that you are!

The fine print!  The winner must have a US shipping address.  And, there will be no exchanges for the winning piece of jewelry.  Contest will end at 9pm PST on November 24, 2011.  Winner will be chosen using a random number generator and announced on November 25, 2011.

Good Luck!!

Faux Painted Crown Molding

When my boys were little I had painted their ceiling as a sky and then painted a border of kites around the room.  It served its purpose for several years, but as with most decor, it began to feel outdated.  So after 13 years and before the arrival of our last one I decided to repaint.  Well, that was 8 years ago, but I still enjoy the ceiling.  For awhile, Buzz Lightyear flew across the night sky, but now it just has the glow-in-the-dark stars.  The crown molding and circular molding was painted using various shades of cream, beige, and gray.  I drew the circle on the ceiling by attaching a string with a pencil to the fan which was centered in the room.  One trick I discovered while painting the circular trim is that electrician's tape worked awesome for masking it off.  There is enough stretch to it that it smoothly formed the shape of the circle.  The only dark blue paint I had at the time had a gloss finish, but I kind of like the sheen that it gave the night sky.  So even though it rains quite a bit here in Oregon, I can always lay in bed and have a great view without even a drop falling on me! 

Mega Man!

This year our youngest wanted to be Mega Man for Halloween.  I had the perfect colored stretch lycra material already in my stash.  I picked up the rest of the supplies at a thrift store.  I used a basketball for the helmet.  It worked perfect because it was soft and pliable and I was able to cut the shape with scissors.  I used a football for the mega blaster.  These were both covered with the lycra and glued in place on the inside with the glue gun.  I cut a hole at one end of the football and wedged a flashlight in it.  It serves two purposes.  One, to use as a handle to hold the blaster, and two, as a cool light-up power source.  I covered the lens with transparent red tape.  The boots were made using thick plastic/foam placemats.  They were also covered with the fabric.  He LOVES it so I'd say it was a success!

Where's Waldo and Wenda?

Who knew Waldo had a girlfriend?  Apparently, he does, and her name is Wenda!  My daughter and her husband thought they would be fun costumes.

Apparently, red and white striped shirts are hard to come by.  So, duct tape to the rescue!

To see more of her craftiness, visit:

easypeasypie.blogspot.com

Going Bananas!

My crazy boys got the idea one day to make banana costumes from "egg carton" foam mattress pads.  They even made one for my youngest.  They made signs that said, "Please don't eat my babies," and hung out at the grocery store by the bananas...we'll at least the older ones did, I wouldn't let the youngest go (actually, I would have preferred that none of them go, but hey, they're teenagers!)  They even wanted to stand on a street corner and see  how much money they would get with a sign that said, "Need $$ my wife split!"  I don't think they ever did that...at least I hope they didn't!  I do know they went crazy running around the WalMart parking lot because I've seen video evidence of that!

Costume Tip:  No real tip, just guard your foam pads, or you might end up sleeping on a hard mattress!

Click HERE to see more costumes!

A Bun in the Oven!

When my daughter was expecting her fourth child, she came up with this costume...a bun in the oven!

Notice the timer...it was five weeks until her due date (which was on 12-01!) 

Going Super Saiyan!

Personally, I just don't get Dragonball Z...it's A LOT of yelling, in my opinion!  But, my husband and boys seem to enjoy it.  Last year, our youngest wanted to be Goten.  And, with his strawberry blonde hair all spiked up, he went super saiyen!  The undershirt and black swim shoes were thrifted.  The main jumpsuit (actually, two pieces for convenience) was made from broadcloth.  You know, anytime I can make a costume that allows my son to carry a sword and run around screaming all the time, then I know it will be a hit!

You can't see in the picture below, but the excess t-shirt material that was cut from the bottom was sewn into "cuffs" around the ankles.  Black swim shoes worked great to complete the outfit.

Just in case you haven't had the Goten experience...

Costume Tip:  The small emblem on the front of the costume, and a much larger one on the back was made using my Cricut.  I have Sure Cuts Alot v. 2.0...and LOVE it!  I ironed heat-n-bond to some black broadcloth, then ran it through my Cricut to cut the image below.  I lightly ironed that cut image to white broadcloth, cut around the circle, then lightly ironed heat-n-bond to the back of the white fabric.  The whole image was then securely ironed to the costume.   It's a great way to add details to a costume!

Click HERE to see more costumes!

Yo ho, yo ho!

I think one of the easiest thrifted costumes is a pirate.  Its usually pretty easy to find "pirate" shirts, pants, vests, jackets, belts...whatever!

A large shirt, cut off at the sleeves, makes a good vest.

(These adorable pirates are my daughter and son-in-law.)

My black velvet coat was actually a dress (I'm going to guess from the 80's) that already had a flared skirt, satin and lace cuffs, and extra lace around the neckline.  I just cut it down the front, added a satin collar (with the original collar lace on top), and added a few gold buttons.  It worked great!

This was another activity where we wore our pirate outfits.  My husband's boots actually only came midway up his calves.  I extended them by using the top halves of sleeves from a leather coat I had thrifted for use in another costume.  He just slipped the sleeves on first (inside out), then the boots, then he turned the wider part of the sleeves down to form a cuff for the boots.  They worked great!  

One event was actually a "trunk-or-treat" activity in the church parking lot.  We decked out the back of the van with all sorts of pirate goodies.  We even played pirate music from the van speakers.  It was a lot of fun!

Costume Tip:  Don't be afraid to dye suede.  I picked up an awesome "70's" suede coat for only 99¢!  It was a natural color, but I wanted it to be darker.  So I filled the washing machine tub with hot water and dumped in some brown Rit dye.  I added the leather coat and let it sit for awhile.  When it was all done, I loved the way it turned out.  The embroidery didn't take the dye, so it stayed tan in color and really "pops" now.  The rest of the leather was a bit blotchy, but great for a pirate's coat!

Click HERE to see more costumes!