Monday, April 18, 2011

Happy Earth Week - {Eco Friendly Purse}

A thrift store in a neighboring town advertized a re-purpose contest for earth day.  I thought, hey, I’m re-purposing all the time, I can make something to enter.  Who knows, maybe I can win the $50 gift card they are giving away.  Can you imagine how much stuff you can get at a thrift store for $50?

I had to try to win it.

I had a few ideas on what I was going to make but the week before the item was due I got so sick and tired that I had a hard time making anything.

I had told one of my sisters about the contest and I knew what she was entering so if I wanted a chance at winning I knew I really needed to step and and enter something good.  I gave it my best shot and completed a purse that I cut out a month or more before.

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The whole purse is made from thrift and recycled materials.

I used a leather jacket, a shirt and a belt.

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I cut it out so I could use one of the front pockets from the jacket on the outside of the purse.

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I think I’m really going to like having a pocket on the outside of the purse.

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My daughter had this fun retro looking shirt with a mushroom pattern that was beyond repair. 

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I loved the pattern so kept the shirt knowing one day I’d use the material.

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The handle was a belt I picked up free at a garage sale for the D-rings. 

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I love the rustic look of this purse and the buttery soft leather it is made from. 100_6843

I think this will be one of a whole lot of bags I make from the ever growing collection of leather and suede jackets I have.

I’m not sure if I’ll win the earth day re-purpose contest but either way I win, I’ll have a new to me purse and feel good that is a completely eco friendly purse.  It’ll be nice however if I have a purse and $50.

June

I usually link to these fabulous parties:

5 comments:

  1. Beautiful job! Love how you used the leather, the shirt, and the belt!

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  2. What a great idea! My husband has a number of leather jackets that he had custom made while stationed in Korea years ago which he no longer wears. I think I see a few new purses or even totes in my future! Once again thanks for the inspiration!

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  3. Is there somewhere we could go to vote for you?

    Gloria in Virginia

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  4. Now that is what I call ingenuity, June! What a great way to repurpose what may havev otherwise been tossed out! Love the outside pocket, and I am sure that your purse would be the perfect spot for the $50 prize! Good luck:)

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  5. Gloria I entered a store specific contest so no unless you would happen to be visiting central Minnesota but thanks for the offer.

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