sports Archives - Tarpestry

Posts

Festival with Tarpestry

May 8, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

Are you a festivarian at heart?! Whether you are someone who just likes the occasional outdoor concert or are the festival every weekend type, the Tarpestry is up for the task to make your experience more comfortable and full of visual fun! Did you bring an ez-up on your adventure for shade? Hang your Tarpestry up with bungee hooks as a tent wall and not only have a decorated interior but you’ve effectively blocked the wind, rain, sun or anything else that comes your way too. Once the sun goes down or your ready to head to the show, just unhook your Tarpestry and take it with you for your personal dance floor or place to sit and enjoy the show a little more relaxed.

There are so many ways to use a Tarpestry at a festival! Do you have kids? Tarpestrys are the ideal blanket/tarp for kids at festivals. Especially the more kid-proof “Rugged” style as you can easily wipe up spills, mud, etc but still be comfy and have a home base among the festivarian masses.

Maybe you want to head over to the second stage and check out one band, so you don’t really want to pack all your stuff as you’ll just be back in an hour or so. No problemo…..Simply put all of your gear on one half of the Tarpestry and then fold the “empty” side of the Tarpestry over your stuff. This protects it from the rogue rain storm, sun, the random beer spiller etc. If you want to be really secure about it you could even stake the grommets down after you’ve already folded in it half helping hold down the Tarpestry over your gear if a wind burst comes through!

Use a Tarpestry inside your camping tent to stash your gear, or as a central mat (depending on how big your camping tent is). You can even put your Tarpestry in front of your tent under your rainfly as a drop spot for backpack, boots, etc. We’ve even used the Tarpestry as a rain fly a couple of times!

We have heard countless other stories of how Tarpestrys have been used in the big beautiful world of festivals and we have also used them in so many more ways than shared here. There are lots of styles to choose from that will fit your festival needs and lots of different artistic designs to satisfy your aesthetic style. We wish you many great Tarpestry moments at the next festival and beyond!!

Tarpestry at Telluride

March 8, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are doing a series this month reviewing different festivals that we love. This is not just a festival but an organization that is creme de la creme. We will be featuring the epic Telluride Bluegrass Festival produced by the great Planet Bluegrass. Planet Bluegrass also produces RockyGrass (and RockyGrass academy) as well as Folks Fest in Lyons, CO. RockyGrass and Folks Fest are also some favorites of ours that we have sadly not been able to do since we moved to North Carolina. We highly recommend checking either or both out as not only is it amazing bluegrass and folk artists but they are located at Planet Bluegrass headquarters on the St. Vrain river right down the street from Oskar Blues Brewery.

Oh yeah….back to Telluride!!! Wow…..Telluride Bluegrass is just one of those festivals that should be on every festivarians bucket list. Telluride Bluegrass festival is nestled in the town of Telluride, CO at 9,000 ft elevation so be prepared for all types of weather including maybe even some snow. Held every year during the Summer Solstice Telluride Bluegrass offers an experience like no other. Epic landscape with some of bluegrass’s most incredible talent, and some of the happiest people on earth. You can hike to mountaintop lakes, take in the town life, or throw your Tarpestry in or around town park and listen the music play while taking a siesta by the river under some pine trees. Tarpestry hosts a giveaway every Saturday morning at Telluride Bluegrass for all of the legendary early morning tarp runners. If you don’t know what I’m talking about as far as tarp runners, check out this video! Smiles and sunshine and some of the most delicious food you can find inside and outside of the festival grounds. Telluride is a well oiled machine going on 46 years and is one of the most safe, green, happy and well organized festivals we have ever been to. Can’t really say enough about Telluride Bluegrass except that you need to go!

Tarpestry at Floyd Fest

March 7, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are doing a series this month reviewing different festivals that we love. Today we will be featuring a newer favorite that we actually went to 10 years ago when we were vending tee-shirts for a Denver based print company. Sidebar: A most fond moment was the late night show featuring a customized car turned life size dragon that breathed fire…..AWESOME! Today we present the amazing and ever growing, community based Floyd Fest. Floyd Fest is based in Floyd, VA and is located right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway with amazing campsites and views. I mean it’s worth the trip just for the drive/road trip getting there!

Once the festival kicks off (officially on Wednesday!) it is just a stream of mindful, happy people from all types of backgrounds. A lot of families, a lot of veteran festivarians and a large number of younger newer festival goers as well. Always a good time in VA with some epic food vendors (Sugar Shack “Breakfast Thing”……say no more), always an incredible lineup with multiple stages to choose from with plenty of space on the grass fields to spread out your Tarpestry, eat some of the delicious vendor food, kick back and listen to some epic live shows. After our hiatus from our first Floyd in 2010 Tarpestry has vended every Floyd since 2016 and have found that Floyd Fest is deeply rooted in good causes through the festival and local VA communities. We love every minute of it and are hopeful/excited for this year! String Cheese in the line up!! Hopefully we’ll see you there.

Tarpestry at Northwest String Summit (Strummit)

March 5, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are doing a series this month reviewing different festivals that we love. Today we’re featuring The Northwest String Summit otherwise known to those who have been as “Strummit“. Strummit is a pretty magical place with a legendary history of shows. Surrounded by moss draping off of giant trees you are likely to see peacocks upon entering the festival. Truly one of the happiest crowds of people who just came to have a good time. A lot of trees to hang Tarpestrys for privacy around your campground and the top of the hill is a great place to watch shows on your Tarpestry. Camping can be crazy if you show up late, there is even an entire campground named “Slantytown”. Amazing crowd, amazing music at one of the most magical venues in the country Strummit is one of Team Tarpestrys most favorite festivals of all time.

Tarpestry at Delfest

March 4, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are doing a series this month reviewing different festivals that we love. A festival that we had wanted to go to while living in CO, we finally got the chance to go the last 3 years. Delfest is an amazing festival tucked away on the fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD on the Potomac River.

Opposite of the main stage there is a giant cliffside that lights up at night with Del McCourys face and the Delfest Logo. SO COOL! Easily, consistently the best line up year after year, 2019 is again loaded with talent. With lots of camping near the river and pretty much a 2 stage set up, Delfest is a very easy to get around event with great food and craft vendors. We have the best neighbors at Delfest with Apsara clothing and the Artist Ryan Kerrigan whom we have collaborated with a few times on Artist Series Tarpestrys. One of the top festivals we have been to on the East Coast without a doubt. We haven’t heard back yet for this year but we are crossing our fingers!

Tarpestry at Trondossa

March 3, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are doing a series this month reviewing different festivals that we love. Only on it’s second year we are stoked to be heading back to Trondossa this year!

Trondossa is held on quite the venue at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. Not only headlined/hosted by one of our favorite bands, Widespread Panic, but also just stacked with talent for an all day two day festival on the riverside in Chucktown. Last year I remember looking around the Spanish moss covered trees while setting up our Tarpestry vending booth and was stunned by an enormous tanker floating down the river. With tons of green grass to lounge on throughout the day and great food (I ate a Jerry Roll last year!!!) this is a great festival to just hang out on your Tarpestry all day, listen to great music and watch the sunshine (and later moonshine) off the water. See you there fam!

Tarpestry at Merlefest

March 2, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are doing a series this month reviewing different festivals that we love. Up first is one of the earliest festivals we attend. I know there have been quite a few festivals underway in FL and AZ already but we will be kicking it off in our home state, North Carolina.

Merlefest is held on the Wilkes County Community College campus which has a few hills but a beautiful layout and landscape and still pretty easy to get around. With at least 9 stages, it is a great festival for families as there is no alcohol or tobacco allowed and a great kid zone and stage! We love the fact that you can bring in your own cooler too. It’s pretty fun to walk around and see festivarians having solid family time at the main stage while sitting on their Tarpestry and enjoying a little picnic while listening to some of the best folk and bluegrass on the scene. Merlefest gets great talent annually with notable bands like Scythian, The Waybacks (tribute hour), Sam Bush, Jim Lauderdale, Donna the Buffalo, Peter Rowan and sooo much more. Click here for full lineup. This year we get the treat of hearing Grammy Winner Brandi Carlile! We love Merlefest and are so excited to be there in a little over a month!!

Festival Feature Series

March 1, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

This month we are going to feature some of our favorite festivals around the country. The pros and cons, type of people, camping situations, stage accessibility, where and when to use your Tarpestry and maybe something about food if it is notable. We moved Tarpestry to the east coast around 2015 and have gotten to experience a whole different region of festival life. We are still working on going to more festivals in the upcoming years so we will update this blog series as we continue to hit the road.

Here is a short list of some of our favorite festivals around the country! Each festival has it’s own story to tell every year and we are so stoked that festival season is right around the corner! Without further ado:

Telluride (Rocky Grass, Folk Fest, Planet Bluegrass)

Greyfox

Nedfest

Useable Art

February 25, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are big fans of art and we are big fans of cool products that are really useful. This has become a driving force behind Tarpestry for pushing the boundaries of getting some amazing artwork on a versatile, all purpose, water repellent, outdoor camping blanket. Art is nice on the wall but we are here to help you get your favorite artwork off the wall and hanging with you at your next tailgate, festival, or camping trip. With the grommet rings that come standard on our outdoor blankets you can hang up the artistic Tarpestrys inside on screw in hooks so that you can unhook it from the wall and take it on your adventure with no effort. It makes for a great way to store the Tarpestry when you are not on your adventure, and who is going to be looking at the artwork inside your house when everyone is out camping, at the beach, or at the BBQ at the local park?

There aren’t too many places and times that you can admire artwork and get some good use out of it too! Take art from your favorite artists via Tarpestry to all the fun places you go! Art and functionality can work together for you with Tarpestry.

Festival Campsites

February 20, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

When you plan your festival and festival campsite this year here are a few Tarpestry Tips that might be useful! We have received a bunch of pictures from Tarpestry Campsites over the years and have made a few pretty outstanding campsites ourselves. One of them….Bonnaroo 2013 I think….we surrounded three pop up tents with Tarpestrys so it was an L shaped living space with Art Walls that kept the sun and wind and rain out! Oh yeah we had an air conditioner plugged into a generator too….. =o.

Okay here are our tips for your festival campsite:

Check out the Team Tarpestry FB page and see if there are any other friends of Tarpestry going to the same festival. Might be cool to meet some new awesome people and have a bigger campsite!
A nice option for using a Tarpestry is to hang it on your pop up tent with bungee hooks when you are at camp to block the sun, wind, rain or other outdoor elements that mother nature wants to throw your way. You can easily unhook it and then take it off to the show!
Fold your Tarpestry in half if you leave it on the main field. Put your gear just to one side of center with the Tarpestry laid out fully. Fold the half without stuff on it over the stuff. You can even stake down the corners in case the wind picks up. This protects your stuff from the weather and makes sure everything stays dry from the top and bottom of the Tarpestry.
Have Fun of course and take your time! You’re at a festival!

Lifer Hiker

February 15, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are going over various types of hikers that we meet along the trail when out enjoying nature and today we are featuring the Lifer Hiker.

The final featured hiker in our types of hikers series, fittingly, the Lifer Hiker is the embodiment of all types of hikers already mentioned. That is to say, the Lifer Hiker has at one point in there hiking career been at all of the various stages of hiker mentioned, for instance maybe they transitioned from a Hippie Hiker > Free Range Hiker > Birder Hiker. That isn’t to say that there is a ranking or starting point of types of hikers but rather a progression may occur from one type of hiker to another over time. The lifer hiker hikes so much that they have actually progressed through all types of hikers at different points in their lives and now they are simply the Lifer Hiker.

The Lifer Hiker has seen it all and been through quite a bit on the trail. They may be hiking with a Rugged, Classic or Mini Tarpestry depending on the hike and trail conditions. Of course they will know all the ins and outs of most trails at this point so they will have a very informed decision making process when choosing their desired Tarpestry for the hike. Always prepared (probably even carry a 1st aid kit with bear spray and metal weather blanket), the Lifer Hiker will have everything they need and stay pretty quiet to themselves and most likely wont necessarily have a destination in mind but will rather just start on a hike and decide along the way. The Lifer Hiker knows that anything can happen on the trail so they don’t set their expectations to high and are prepared for it all. Typically not one to offer, the Lifer Hiker will most assuredly share supplies or advice when asked upon. Don’t be afraid to engage with a Lifer Hiker, although they stay relatively quiet, they are not shy and will talk about anything you want to ask. A Lifer Hiker is a gem on the trail and are typically great people all around whether on or off the trail.

Free Range Hiker

February 11, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are going over various types of hikers that we meet along the trail when out enjoying nature and today we are featuring the Free Range Hiker.

I think we have all been a Free Range Hiker at least once in our lives and if not perhaps we have dreamt of how freeing and wonderful it would be to roam a mountainside unattached to any trail and as far removed from civilization as we can get. A quick warning to the dreamer from those of us that have engaged in Free Range Hiking, it does SOUND very liberating and fanciful……typically not quite as glorious as the dream. Now this is not to be confused with Mountaineering which most times have destinations and general routes mapped out even if they aren’t technically trails. The Free Range Hiker is more avant garde about the route and determined they can figure out how to get back to the start using their instincts.

Now the Free Range Hiker isn’t often spotted, as they are not on the trail and in fact most likely actually lost somewhere randomly in the woods. Thankfully they will most likely have a Classic or Rugged Tarpestry with them as they at least understand there is a chance they “may” get lost and weather protection “might” be necessary. When you do come across a Free Range Hiker be prepared for everything opposite of the Birder Hiker. You will need to fully engage the Free Range Hiker as they are most likely thirsty, hungry, tired and a little bit scared and they will need to tell you their entire hike story so far, and need to know how to get back to the parking lot at the end of all of that! After you tell them how to get to the parking lot, say something like “well glad you’re alive” or “you’re doing great and so close to your car”. Often very confused when you find the Free Range Hiker it is best to proceed with caution but don’t be scared of them they just might need a little guidance…..and food…..and water…..etc.

Birder Hiker

February 9, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are going over various types of hikers that we meet along the trail when out enjoying nature and today we are featuring the Birder Hiker.

The Birder Hikers, similar to their study matter, are quiet and can be hard to identify at first glance. In fact sometimes they are the smarter version of the Free Range Hiker and if that is the case can be one of the most elusive hikers on the trail. For obvious reasons, the Birder Hiker has to take long pauses in their hikes to bust out the binoculars and must stay very quiet (so as not to scare the birds). If you are either a Free Range Hiker or a Hippie Hiker, you may run into the Birder Hiker more frequently than others and if you do, it is best that you just stay quiet around them and try to just leave them alone. Perhaps you could pull out your Rugged or Classic Tarpestry and share some quiet bird watching space together. Sometimes teamwork makes the dreamwork.

One of my favorite hikers to find and engage with if they are willing, the Birder Hiker is the intellect of the hiking species and most likely is a wealth of knowledge not easily accessed. Along with birds, they will probably know plant types, tree types, have some foraging knowledge and perhaps know about the history of the area as well. Certainly the will know weather and climate patterns to the local area and could probably engage in some sort of philosophical banter if prompted. Elusive and hard to engage with, the Birder Hiker is rare and pleasant to come across on the trail and if you can befriend one it could open up your eyes to nature even more!

Trail Runner “Hiker”

February 8, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are going over various types of hikers that we meet along the trail when out enjoying nature and today we are featuring the Trail Runner Hiker.

Now the Trail Runner “Hiker” is a special breed of hiker. Hiker is in quotes for the Trail Runner because they hike at a much higher speed and depending on your definition it might not really look like what you’ve experienced as hiking. Some Trail Runner hikers even take it too the next level by adding weight jackets. Gotta feel the burn! Besides the weight jackets the Trail Runners typically have no other weight except perhaps carrying a squirt style water bottle. There will be a Tarpestry at the end/beginning of the trail either at the car or campsite for easy wardrobe change. Trail Runners are often seen in the parking lot in the back of their suvs sitting on a Classic Tarpestry eating orange slices and either tying or untying their trail sneakers.

It is quite impressive passing, or getting passed by, a Trail Runner “Hiker”. While the normal hiker is maybe breaking a small sweat and breathing a little harder than normal the Trail Runner is whizzing by, not sweating, not breathing hard and wearing a weight jacket. Just remember not to judge yourself and be grateful for the time you have out there too. You’re doing great! We’re talking about some serious athletes here. Always happy and full of energy the Trail Runner “Hiker” is typically fun to talk to but this most likely will only happen at the parking lot. One of the most elusive hikers on the trail….either seen by all or seen by none.

Dog “not” on a leash Hiker

February 7, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are going over various types of hikers that we meet along the trail when out enjoying nature and today we are featuring the Dog Hiker.

From here on out I’ll be referring to the Dog “not” on a leash Hiker simply as the Dog Hiker. One of the hardest things to do if you are a dog owner and you like to hike, is to keep your dog on a leash on any trail. You’re dog pretty much wants to do one thing…..go roam around or at a minimum run as far up the trail as possible so they can come back to tell you about it. Hence the Dog Hiker’s full name as it is very common to see the Dog Hiker with their dogs off leash even when they aren’t legally supposed to. (Guilty)

Generally happy hikers, the Dog Hiker normally hikes the trail light weight so will probably have a single back pack to fit the mini Tarpestry or Tarpestry Dog Duvet, travel dog dish, human treats, dog treats, water and extra water. They will have a full size Classic or Rugged Tarpestry at the car however, just in case the boots and dog got a little muddy. The Dog Hiker must be ready to hike relatively fast as dogs like hiking faster than most humans. Although we feel inclined so often, please refrain from trying to pet the dogs, just in case! Typically responsible hikers except for that handful that just ran out of Puppy Poop bags and thought “it’s just nature anyway”. At least kick it off the trail or dig a hole for it! Dogs are our best friends and it is very common to see them on the trails too with the ever committed Dog Hiker.

Hippie Hiker

February 6, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are going over various types of hikers that we meet along the trail when out enjoying nature and today we are featuring the Hippie Hiker.

Similar to the City Hiker just discussed, the Hippie Hiker can often be smelled prior to being seen. Now, obviously, these are both very distinct and different smells and you will quickly understand the difference after only a handful of encounters. The Hippie Hiker is in no hurry, in fact they probably haven’t even decided if they actually want to hike to a destination or just turn around whenever. The most important thing for the Hippie Hiker to have on hand is a good amount of water, a Tarpestry, and of course the rolling papers. I mean, you know, what’s not better than smoking while hiking?

I know not all Hippie Hikers will fall quite in the “trail smokers”* crowd, however they will still most likely be hiking a bit slower than most on the trail and looking for a neat spot off trail where they can relax in the wild and see even less people. A Tarpestry of any kind is a crucial companion for the Hippie Hiker. Not necessarily in it for the exercise, we can all learn from the Hippie Hiker to slow down a bit, take a deep breath and just be one with nature.

*Even if you aren’t into breathing second hand smoke on the trail, please try not to be too judgmental of the trail smokers….they really were trying to light up when no one was around.

City Hiker

February 5, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are going over various types of hikers that we meet along the trail when out enjoying nature and today we are featuring the City Hiker.

A lot of times you can smell the City Hiker before you see them. This may not be their fault as they have most likely been in an office, coffee shop, or just in traffic. An enthusiast of nature who still enjoys the night life in town, most City Hikers can be spotted on the trail around noon or just after 5 depending on work schedules or of course anytime on weekends. The City hiker may carry a variety of Tarpestrys around in their car so that they can use the best Tarpestry that matched the hike. For instance, a full size Tarpestry would work well on the short hike for a nice lunch break picnic but a mini Tarpestry could be better for a “workout” hike after work for that moment of reflection at the peak.

Be kind to these hikers as you pass them by as they can often be worn thin by the city bustle and need that restorative fresh air of nature. They probably aren’t going to be to parched (they’ll have on a water pack) or hungry (they’re prepared or already ate) and they may just need a nice smile or “hello” upon passing. Remember this is a nature break from the city not just a passive hike around.

Granola Hikers

February 4, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are going over various types of hikers that we meet along the trail when out enjoying nature and today we are featuring the Granola Hiker.

The “Granola Hiker” is that person we meet along the trail that we have a hard time figuring out “does this person live out here” or “one day I’ll hike as much as they do”. This hiker typically has calf muscles larger than most peoples’ biceps and as the name implies always has some assortment of granola in the backpack or fanny-pack. Always into the light weight hike, the Granola hiker will undoubtedly be carrying the Tarpestry mini so they can easily take it out for a quick pit stop to decipher the types of trees and birds, take a swig of water and chomp down two or three almonds and one off brand m&m.

Encountering the granola hiker on the trail can be a bit intimidating as they are normally passing us. We’re not talking about the passing us in different direction kind of passing but more the “making you look slow” kind of passing. Although the granola hiker is highly interested in the wildlife, trees, rivers, scenery and so on, they are so experienced that they just know how to hike at super speeds without breaking the tiniest sweat, and while going for hours off a few drops of water and a few dehydrated mango slices. But let it be known that if you do encounter a granola hiker on your path to the mountain top, they will always be kind enough to offer an almond or two, or a (1oz) sip of water to the weary before they march on.

Hipster Hiker

February 3, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are going over various types of hikers that we meet along the trail when out enjoying nature and today we are featuring the Hipster Hiker.

The Hipster Hiker is someone who enjoys nature but also enjoys fashion. Sometimes we can be confused when encountering a hipster hiker as we may think things like “am I not dressed appropriately for this occasion?” or “I wonder if this person has ever hiked before”. Rest assured a lot of hipster hikers are no rookies on the trail and are often very diligent, determined hikers who often know of secret waterfalls or really cool overlooks. Maybe this is driven by the insatiable craving of taking the best selfie or maybe this is just a person who likes to be on the “in” with putting their best foot forward in nature.

A hipster hiker will often travel light weight so you may find them with the Tarpestry mini or as mentioned earlier may be more into fashion than other hikers so may opt for an Artist Edition Tarpestry instead. Either way the hipster hiker will definitely have very clean leather boots with tight jeans rolled slightly higher than the sock line, a plaid shirt either buttoned two buttons down with a white shirt underneath or simply tied around the waist. Hair will be impeccable and only the strongest wind at the top of the mountain peak could blow it from its state of perfection. Don’t let appearances fool you though, the hipster hiker is normally a very tough individual with lots of class and style who will easily get more likes on their social media account than you ever could dream of, while being one of the nicest individuals on the trail. They will happily snap your photo if you kindly ask them to!

Types of Hikers

February 2, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

It’s time to take a peek inside the lives of hikers. Hiking is one of those activities that quite a wide variety of people enjoy doing as, let’s face it, it is glorified walking. Yes you do get those epic mountain views or relaxing river chillouts and if you’re smart enough, you bring your Tarpestry along so that you can have a relaxing sit while enjoying your hike snack and views. We have made a ton of different Tarpestry designs over the years, almost as many Tarpestry styles as there are hiker styles! We want to bring you a little taste of what we’ve seen out there on the trail over the years. Over the next month or so we are going to divulge in the various types of hikers so we can all understand each other a little better when we say hey along the trails.

So Let’s get out there and explore the wonders of nature on our hike through the mountains, through the natural wild lands or along a quiet beach reserve. Let’s head to our favorite national or state park, river or lake, or secret trail and be kind to those we meet along the way. Get your granola and Tarpestry in the pack and meet the diversity of nature and those who enjoy it too.

Types of Hikers (the short list):

Dog (not) on a leash Hiker

Tarpestry Featured Artist: Ryan Kerrigan

January 31, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We have officially completed 2 Artist Series Tarpestrys with artist Ryan Kerrigan! In fact, the most recent collaboration with Ryan ended up being the first square (5’X5′) Tarpestry we have ever done. It came out great and we had great feedback, so expect more to come in 2019.

Currently in Portland, OR, Ryan has been crushing the rock poster art scene nationwide. You can now use Kerrigan’s “Instruments” Tarpestry and “Grande Mandala” Tarpestry (Sold Out) when you go camping, head to the beach, get to your next festival or park concert series or really take it on any and all upcoming adventures! We are excited for more Tarpestry/Ryan Kerrigan collaborations this year so we can help enhance your outdoor activities through art and tarpology.

Valentine’s Day Sale 2019

January 31, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

January has just flown on by this year….is it really February already?! Well we all know what February is good for right? Snowboarding, skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating, sledding, snow ball fights, high heat bills…..oh yeah and Valentine’s Day!! That’s right, it’s the time to slow down a little, crank up the heat a tad and cozy up to our Valentine. We understand Valentine’s day isn’t just about your wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend. Some of us have different Valentines……like our pets, our Teddy Bears, or even our favorite movie on our favorite couch with our favorite pillow and of course some popcorn or chocolate we bought for ourselves. Well whoever (or whatever) your Valentine happens to be this year, we want you to make Tarpestry a part of your Valentine’s Day celebration.

Enjoy 15% off during our Valentine’s Sale! Get the “Union” Android Jones Tarpestry for your significant other, or perhaps a Tarpestry Dog Duvet for your furry friend, or let yourself know that you love YOU and get yourself a Tarpestry of your very own! We love you and wish you a very happy, warm Valentine’s Day!

2019 Custom Tarpestrys

January 15, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are gearing up for 2019 with more exciting custom Tarpestrys from different bands, festivals and organizations on the horizon! In 2018 we collaborated on some pretty epic custom Tarpestry runs including Leftover Salmon, Telluride Bluegrass, Sancho’s Broken arrow, Ryan Kerrigan just to name a few.

If you are interested in creating a custom Tarpestry you can! For school groups, clubs, bands, corporate promotional items, breweries, NGOs, or maybe just for arts sake we can create your very own custom high resolution durable Tarpestry blanket. These can be resold as retail merchandise or given out as promotional items to friends, family, clientele or in house staff. Get your image, brand, logo and/or artwork turned into a Tarpestry in 2019!

or Get more info and check out other custom Tarpestrys here

Beech Mountain Snowboard Trip

January 12, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

Our international Tarpestry ambassadors Jake and Ashley (IG: Jashlandia) rolled into town a couple days ago and we we’re debating a snowboard run at Beech Mountain Resort, but based on weather reports it looked like warmer temps and rain were in the forecast. We woke up the morning after they arrived to steady snowfall and we decided to make it happen!

What a great decision! Jake and Ted went snowboarding during the night session and luckily had the Artist Edition Tarpestry “Maroon Bells” by Kind Design packed so we could get our boot change on while keeping our feet dry! The mountain was great with limited people, perfect temperatures, and even a little snow started falling mid snowboarding session. Jake and Ted both hadn’t been snowboarding in a few years so needless to say they were a little sore the next morning! Fun winter adventures were had, to say the least, and we’ll be ready, Tarpestry in hand (or in backpack), for more action packed outdoor activities!

Tarpestry Featured Artist: Android Jones

January 10, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are beyond stoked to have the pleasure of working with the artist Android Jones on the Tarpestry collaboration “Union”. Android Jones is a unique digital artist who is featured internationally, has been exhibited in the Smithsonian and has created a virtual reality simulation of some of his artwork too!

We collaborated with Android Jones printing another great piece of art on a functional all purpose outdoor tarp/blanket. You can now take the “Union” design anywhere. Hang this Tarpestry blanket at your next festival campsite or any campsite for that matter. Use it for your next picnic, beach trip, mountain hike or even hang it inside to bring life to a blank wall.

Check out more of Android Jones art – http://androidjones.com/

Check out the “Union” Tarpestry – https://bit.ly/2La6lVu

Check out other Artist Edition Tarpestrys – https://bit.ly/2Us1weP

Tarpestry Intentions 2019

January 1, 2019/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

It’s a new year and we have set a few intentions here at Tarpestry.

Mindfulness: we are practicing mindfulness in all business practices including production, sourcing of materials, our contribution in the festival community and the time we spend in nature testing our outdoor blankets.
Art: we are bringing more art and more artists to the Tarpestry Artist Series line. We understand the intrinsic value of art and what it means and can do for the artist and the observer of the art. Bringing unique and beautiful artwork to the outdoor community is one of our main goals.
Joy: we are having fun! It’s easy to get wrapped up in the daily business grind so we are making a point to bring joy into our workdays. We do get to work at music festivals, after all. And camp and hike and lake and picnic and waterfall, etc.

Dog Duvet Covers – for cats too!

February 27, 2018/in 101 Ways To Tarpestry, Blog /by carrie swartzbaugh

When we released the first Dog Duvet Cover, our dog Luna LOVED it. She immediately scratched, spun around and laid down on it. What we weren’t expecting, was that as soon as she got up, Moe the cat curled up and took a nap on it. We have a few Dog Duvet Covers around the house – one in the bedroom, one in the den and another on the sunny front porch. The one on the porch is the cat’s favorite Tarpestry. She naps on it all day, basking in the sunshine. We’ve since been tagged on social media with photos of kitty cat Tarpestry fans.

Don’t forget about your kitties…they need Tarpestrys too! Shop Cat Duvet Covers here.

Re-use items that are bound for the landfill to stuff your Dog Duvet Cover. Old blankets, linens, pillows, clothes, even old dog beds and stuffing! See this post to learn how to stuff the Cat Duvet Covers.

Take a break on the slopes

February 23, 2018/in Uncategorized /by Ted Swartzbaugh

Are you planning a ski trip or are you regular on the mountains? We get up to the snowy mountains as much as we can for ski and snowboard adventures! It is smart to be prepared on ski trips too, as we have found. There have been a lot of times when we are plowing along and decide it’s time for a lunch break, or a water break….or sometimes just a break! Skiing and snowboarding can be exhausting!

Over the years we have packed up our Tarpestrys when heading to the mountains whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter. What better way to take a break when on the slopes than to throw out your Tarpestry and just lounge for a bit? I’ve opened up a tarpestry for the crew to hang on in the secret shacks, in the treeline, as well as right out front of the food shacks!

Sidenote: Also makes for a great boot change and place to put your wet gear on the ride home! 😉

Do you take your Dog hiking?!

February 21, 2018/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We here at Team Tarpestry are huge dog lovers! That being said, we know that our pups love to get as dirty (and muddy) as possible, whenever possible. So when you take your dog on a hike the inevitable muddy paws are something we want to prepare for.

Hiking is one of our favorite activities we share with our dogs but at the end of the hike, regardless of how dirty our little friends have gotten, we have to pack them in the car for the ride home too. Dirty paws and wet matted fir is fit for only one place………..on a Tarpestry! Flip your Tarpestry so the artistic design side is down and the tarp backing is facing up. This way you are protecting your Tarpestry and car at the same time from a muddy mess and serious clean up. Toss your muddy boots back along with anything else that that might dirty up your ride.

We love our dogs and we love keeping our cars clean too! Tarpestry for the Win!

Weekly Giveaways

February 19, 2018/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We are giving back and having some fun at Tarpestry in 2018! Last year we had a monthly Mini Tarpestry giveaway…..This year we are adding to it with a weekly promo item giveaway! We will be giving away Hats, Stickers, T-shirts, patches, 3D Glasses and yes we will still be having our monthly Mini Tarpestry giveaway too.

These contest will be on various social media sites but mostly focused on Instagram and Facebook. They could be anything from share a picture contest, to pick a random number, to tag a friend and share our post. We want to keep it simple and just let you guys enjoy some fun engagement as well as FREE STUFF!

We would love for the winners to showcase their new items with us on social media. Is your new sticker on your car? Did you take your new Mini Tarpestry to the mountains? Maybe your new patch is added to your favorite day hike backpack! And of course we always love the candid shot of “the friend trying the 3D glasses” shot! =)

Now Let’s have some fun!

How To Stuff Dog Duvet Covers

February 16, 2018/in Blog, Uncategorized /by carrie swartzbaugh

Want to learn the art of stuffing a dog duvet cover? Feast your eyes on this enlightening how to video:

Your dog’s new best friend – and a friend of the planet! Re-use items that are bound for the landfill to stuff your Dog Duvet Cover. Old blankets, linens, pillows, clothes, even old dog beds and stuffing! Shop Dog Covers here.

Artist Series – The Ultimate Tarpestry

February 15, 2018/in Blog, Uncategorized /by carrie swartzbaugh

If you’re wondering which Tarpestry style is the ultimate, you need to know about our Artist Series! What makes the Artist Series special are the designs from amazing artists whom we admire. We print their unique works of art onto durable, UV resistant poplin fabric and back it with our water-repellent polyester. We get to turn their art into functional outdoor tarps! Because the fabric is fade resistant, Artist Series Tarpestrys are perfect for the sunny beach and long days at the park.

We have worked with: Jeff Wood, Mandala Dyes, Phil Lewis, Eric Maiorana, Hugo Pineda and Nathan Huffman. Expect to see new additions to the Artist Series this year. Art by the people, for the people. To see our current Artist Series line, visit this page!

We love YOU!

February 14, 2018/in Blog, Uncategorized /by carrie swartzbaugh

Happy Valentine’s Day! We are grateful for your support, thanks for the love!

We hope you have a lovely day. Take a hike, have a picnic, or just relax outside on a Tarpestry with the ones you love this Valentine’s day.

PS – today is the LAST DAY to take advantage of our Valentine Sale. ALL designs including; Artist Edition, Dog Duvet Covers, Rugged, Classics and everything else! Spread the Love with Tarpestry this Valentine’s Day!

Dogs Love Tarpestry

February 9, 2018/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

Well there are a couple things we know for sure…….We love dogs……and dogs LOVE Tarpestry! We have received pictures since Tarpestry started by dog lovers showing how much their dogs love their Tarpestrys. In 2015 we decided it would be a good idea to add a Tarpestry Dog Duvet Cover to our line. Tarpestry has provided a comfort zone for pups at home on the front porch, as well as a home on the road while camping, on beach trips, on mountain getaways and sometimes in the back of the car too.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and some of our closest companions are our pets. Make sure to treat your pet to a well deserved Valentine’s day treat with a brand new Tarpestry Dog Duvet Cover for their dog bed and save 15% while you’re at it. Here’s to extra licks and slobber!

Valentine’s Day Sale 2018

February 8, 2018/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

The best times we have on a Tarpestry are the times we get to share with our closest friends and family. Valentine’s day is about the love we share with those closest to us. So we want to extend our love and offer a Sale on this Valentine’s day so that you can share your Tarpestry moments with your loved ones too!

Whether your husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, pet or closest family member Valentine’s day is most of all about the time and love we share with them. Take a break from your busy life and breathe some fresh outdoor air. Take a hike, have a picnic, or just relax outside on your new tarpestry this Valentine’s day. Surprise your loved ones with the gift of love by sharing time well spent at your favorite outdoor spot on a new Tarpestry!

Get 15% off your Tarpestry order Feb. 5th – 14th. Any design including; Artist Edition, Dog Duvet Covers, Rugged, Classics and everything else! Spread the Love with Tarpestry this Valentine’s Day!

Custom Tarpestrys

February 7, 2018/in Blog /by carrie swartzbaugh

The wonderful world of Tarpestry just got way more fun…you can have any image you want on a Tarpestry! If you love your dog’s face, put their photo on a Tarpestry. If you have your own artwork, put it on a Tarpestry. We can have any high resolution image digitally printed on top quality fabric. These custom Tarpestrys are great marketing/promotional items as well as merchandise and a prime opportunity for artists and businesses. Put your design or logo on a Tarpestry!

Leftover Salmon had us make a Tarpestry of their Album cover for their merch. Northwest String Summit created a Tarpestry with their logo which sold out the weekend of the festival! We’ve also done a few collaborations with artists. Isadora Bullock, Ryan Kerrigan and Kind Design had Tarpestrys made of their designs.

For more information, please see our Custom Order Info Sheet.

Ski & Snowboard, Tarpestry Style

February 6, 2018/in 101 Ways To Tarpestry, Blog /by carrie swartzbaugh

Pack a Tarpestry on your next ski or snowboarding trip! It’s the perfect companion for all things wet, snowy, and gnarly.

When you get to the parking lot, it’s time to put on those snow pants and ski or snowboard boots. Lay a Rugged Tarpestry on the snowy ground for a dry boot change and gear up. No more hopping on one foot with the risk of the dreaded wet-sock!

Pack a lightweight Mini Tarpestry in your backpack and hit the ski lift. Shred the gnar and pull the Mini out for your backwoods break time in the warming hut. Keep your ski bum dry. When your day on the mountain is complete, pull out the Tarpestry once again for ski boot change. Afterwards, lay it down in the back of the car – water-repellent side up! This will protect your car from wet snow drips.

Ready to make your powder days on the ski mountain even more epic? Shop here.

Universal Shaman by Jeff Wood

April 19, 2017/in Blog /by carrie swartzbaugh

Meet the newest member of our Artist Series: Universal Shaman! This native-inspired work of art is designed by legendary artist Jeff Wood. The original artwork was featured on Widespread Panic’s 2011 Red Rocks show poster. Universal Shaman is our second collaboration with Jeff Wood. A few years ago we made a run of Tarpestrys from his “Red Hot Mama” design.

The Tarpestrys from our “Artist Series” are the ultimate in quality thanks to the upper fabric. We take high resolution images of artist’s designs and have them digitally printed on sturdy poplin (poly/cotton blend) fabric. This printing process creates a UV/fade resistant fabric that will last for years and years. Add that to our weather-resistant base and you have the ultimate Tarpestry!

The Universal Shaman won’t last long, shop now!

Earth Day

April 16, 2017/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We like to treat every day like Earth Day at Tarpestry! We work hard to have an eco-conscious and sustainable business and are always brainstorming ways to be better – because we love the Earth! We’re super fans of playing in nature, whether in the woods, at the beach or just taking a stroll through a city park. There’s symbiosis between us humans and the Earth and getting out there and being in nature helps us to understand the true connection.

For this Earth Day we plan to celebrate by getting out into nature and enjoying it’s splendor. We often take a Classic Tarpestry out into the woods and find a nice quiet place to sit and watch and listen. What starts as a quiet sit in the woods is soon filled with chirps of the birds, rustling of the leaves, and other wildlife scurrying around. Laying down and closing our eyes next to a stream is one of the most comforting feelings we have found. So, this Earth Day to we invite you to join us by taking your Tarpestry out into nature to reconnect with the Earth!

See our Sustainability page to learn how we are striving do our best for the Earth.

Tarpestry Tour: MerleFest

April 12, 2017/in Blog, Events, Where To Find Tarpestry /by carrie swartzbaugh

We’re excited to be headed back to one of the oldest and premier music festivals in the country – MerleFest! April 27th – April 30th. This will be our second year vending at Merlefest and we can’t wait to be back to see the kind folks and great pickin’ once again! Last year our favorite shows were: John Prine, The Waybacks, Brandi Carlile, The Wood Brothers, Dave Rawlings Machine, and Love Canon…just to name a few.

It usually rains during the weekend of Merlefest and you know what that means…soggy, wet grass. So make sure to bring your Rugged Tarpestry our come swing by our booth and pick one up! You can wear it like a poncho when the storm hits in the middle of your favorite show. Then lay it down on the lawn for a dry seat. If you’re headed to MerleFest, please stop by our booth and say hi!

Want to know where else we will be this summer? See our schedule here!

Bike With Tarpestry

April 7, 2017/in 101 Ways To Tarpestry, Blog, Uncategorized /by Ted Swartzbaugh

Are you a biker? Yes, that means bicycle and all types of motor bikes! The Tarpestry can be a great asset to the bike lover in many ways. Let’s start with bicycles. Tarpestrys are great for long road trips because you can pull it out of your pack for an anywhere picnic! If a big storm appears on the horizon you can take cover with your bike under your Tarpestry. The Mini Tarpestry is great to have on hand if you’re leaving your bike out in the rain. Cover your bike seat with it so you can come back to a dry seat.

Into dirt biking? You can get some good use with the Tarpestry in additional ways. Maybe you take a few friends to the dirt track with you who just want to watch. Set them up with a sweet Rugged Tarpestry to sit on! The Tarpestry is your best friend if you have a muddy day on the track. Lay your it down in the back of your car with the water repellent side up and pile your dirty gear on top. Your Tarpestry is tough and the water repellent side is easy to clean once you get home!

Do you enjoy riding a motorcycle through the curvy mountain roads to find peace of mind? Although you may be traveling longer distances at higher speeds than bicycles, the Tarpestry can come in handy in similar ways. The Tarpestry rolls up nicely and can be stored in a saddle bag very easily. Pull it out at one of the pull offs on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a picturesque view and some lunch! Maybe you like to take your bike to remote camp spots but are wary of rogue storms. Use your Rugged Tarpestry to cover your bike to keep it dry to ride for the next day’s adventure!

Tarpestry Festival Tour 2017

April 5, 2017/in Blog, Where To Find Tarpestry /by carrie swartzbaugh

It’s our favorite time of year again – music festival season! Every Spring through Fall we hit the road and set up our traveling booth across the country. We have a great lineup this year, concentrating mostly on the East Coast but heading out West for Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Tarpestrys are the perfect companion for music festivals because you can use it at camp AND take it to shows! If you’re headed to any of these festivals please stop by our booth and say hi!


April 27th – April 30th	MerleFest	Wilkesboro, nc

May 19th – May 20th	Hidden in the Hollow Festival	Butler, TN

May 25th – May 28th	DelFest	Cumberland, MD

June 15th – June 18th	Telluride Bluegrass Festival	Telluride, CO

July 27th – July 30th	FloydFest	Floyd, VA

We will add more festivals in a month or two, so check our Tarpestry Tour page for updates.

Tarpestry-Cycle Campaign

April 3, 2017/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

Protecting the environment is a number one priority for us and we are always striving to do better. Tarpestrys help eliminate single use plastic tarps bound for the landfill – instead of buying a tarp for a one-time outing, Tarpestrys can be used for years! But we started thinking about the actual life cycle of a Tarpestry. Even though they are durable and made to last, the Tarpestry too has a shelf life. That got our brains working about how could we extend the life of the Tarpestry even more and prevent them from heading to the landfill. We came up with a great plan that works for us with an added benefit for all Tarpestry owners. We are proud to introduce our Tarpestry-Cycle Campaign!

Ready to retire your well-loved Tarpestry and trade up for a newer model? Save the landfill and your bank account by sending your beloved to us – we will recycle and repurpose it! When we receive the Tarpestry we will send a 25% off coupon code. We will re-purpose the old materials (when possible) into a variety of handy items like tote bags, dog bed stuffing and more. More importantly, you will be saving your Tarpestry from the landfill and 25% off your next Tarpestry purchase! We want to keep Mother Nature as clean as possible and we think this is a small action we can all take to make a big difference. A win for everyone!

Learn more about our Tarpestry-Cycle program here.

Tarpestry and Sustainability

April 1, 2017/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

Since conception of the Tarpestry business our number one goal is to be a sustainable and eco-friendly company. Because alongside taking pleasure in the environment there have to be provisions to protect it. That is why we are dedicated to incorporating sustainable components in all aspects of business and life. Here are a few examples of what we are doing:

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

Tarpestrys are hand made in Boone, NC, where we live and run all aspects of the business. Local manufacturing reduces transportation as well as freight oil and gas consumption. Producing our product locally is very important to us as we believe it enriches our community and local economy.

CLEAN WATER

Classic Tarpestrys are printed with vegetable dyes. This prevents toxic chemicals from entering the water supply during the printing process.

RECYCLE & REPURPOSE

We recycle or repurpose all shipping materials, cardboard, paper and plastics. We encourage you to do the same with our shipped order materials!

GREEN PACKAGING MATERIALS

Tarpestrys are packaged with biodegradable thistle and paper. For shipping orders, Tarpestrys are wrapped with paper instead of plastic.

REUSE

Eliminate single use plastic tarps bound for the landfill. Instead of buying a tarp for a one-time outing, invest in a Tarpestry for years of enjoyment!

TARPESTRY-CYCLE

Ready to retire your well-loved Tarpestry? Save the landfill – send your beloved back to us! We will recycle and repurpose your Tarpestry and give you a discount for your replacement. Learn more about our Tarpestry-Cycle program here.

Guest Blog: Spring Hiking + The Mini

March 27, 2017/in 101 Ways To Tarpestry, Blog, Uncategorized /by amanda swartzbaugh

Guest Blogger: Amanda Swartzbaugh

Ahh, the tease of warm weather in late Winter and early Spring! When you get that sweet taste of what Mother Nature is about to unfold. What do you do when gifted a warm day in midst of (typically) the coldest time of year? Well, if you’re a vitamin-d-loving-eager-beaver-adventurer like me, you throw on your hiking boots, grab your backpack and a Mini Tarpestry and head to the mountains. Full disclosure, I am fortunate to live in Colorado where The Rockies are my playground and I try to take advantage of that as much as I possibly can.

I recently got to enjoy one of these sunshiny days and it’s still true – there is nothing that makes me happier than being outside. And, as much as I love the Classic Tarpestry for practically anything I do outside, I have to brag on the Mini for a minute because it is quickly becoming my new go-to.

Here’s the deal – if you really want to spend your day enjoying the great outdoors, you don’t want to haul around a lot of extra weight or gear. Trust me, after just a couple of hours of “moderate” Colorado hiking….continue reading.

Spring Cleaning Sale

March 15, 2017/in Blog /by admin

Spring is here and so is our annual “Spring Cleaning Sale”! March is a great time to start planning your outdoor trips for the year. Lock in those dates for music festivals and camping and beach trips. You will need Tarpestry to up the comfort ante on these trips – so shop our sale. Tarpestry also makes the best presents! Plan your gifts for weddings, birthdays and graduations that are coming up fast. The Spring Cleaning Sale runs March 20-27 so take advantage while you can (Shaman Tarpestry not included). Get your Tarpestry today and get outside for an adventure! Shop the sale here.

From Colorado to Carolina

March 8, 2017/in Blog /by carrie swartzbaugh

Ted and I spent 8 amazing and transformative years in Denver, Colorado. During that time we started the Tarpestry business, got married, explored Colorado and traveled across the country on festival tours. All Tarpestrys were made locally at Stryker By Design – a manufacturing company right outside of Denver. After a few years of deliberation we decided to move back to the Blue Ridge Mountains in our home state of North Carolina.

In late 2015 we packed ourselves and the business and moved to a family farm outside of Boone, NC. We set up our office in a beautiful old barn and set out to find a local manufacturer. We lucked out and stumbled upon Tsuga, a company that designs and produces quality outdoor products and bags. In early 2017, Tsuga completed the first Tarpestry line of the year.

We are proud of our Colorado roots and are excited for our future in the mountains of Appalachia. Tarpestry is officially….Built in the Blue Ridge.

To learn more about our origins, see the Tarpestry Story!

Custom Tarpestry

March 7, 2017/in Blog, Uncategorized /by carrie swartzbaugh

The wonderful world of Tarpestry just got way more fun…you can have any* image you want on a Tarpestry! If you love your dog’s face, put their photo on a Tarpestry. If you have your own artwork, put it on a Tarpestry. We can have any high resolution image digitally printed on top quality fabric. These custom Tarpestrys are great marketing/promotional items and great merchandise. This is a prime opportunity for artists, bands, festivals and businesses. Put your design or logo on a Tarpestry!

What will you put on your Tarpestry? See this page for more info!

*Ok not anything, licensing rules apply

Meet Gypsy

March 6, 2017/in Blog, Uncategorized /by carrie swartzbaugh

Gyp·sy /ˈjipsē/ : a nomadic or free-spirited person.

We’ve just released a brand new design to our Classic collection: “Gypsy”. The upper layer of this Tarpestry features a soft 100% cotton fabric. This Tarpestry is the perfect traveling companion because it can be used as a tarp for camping, a blanket and a comfortable seat to share. The mandala design brings out your inner gypsy with funky shapes and colors. To see all the ways we love the Classic style, see our blog post.

Pack this Tarpestry on your next gypsy journey!

Camper and RV with Tarpestry

March 3, 2017/in 101 Ways To Tarpestry, Blog, Pack Your Tarpestry /by carrie swartzbaugh

There’s nothing quite like camping with a home on wheels. Traveling with a camper or RV is a comfortable way to go, and there’s no better way to complement that experience than with Tarpestry. First of all, you don’t have to make a reservation at a (potentially questionable) hotel. There’s minimal “setup” time needed – you pull in and park! It’s quiet and it can be safer than a tent if the weather gets weird. Now let’s take that comfort level up a notch and add Tarpestry to the equation.

You can hang a Tarpestry from your awning for the ultimate comfort and privacy. The sun can make or break your camping experience, but with Tarpestry, you can make your own shade. These durable tarps block the sun like no other, so hang one up for instant cooling. Does your campsite view include a port-o-potty? Do you want a little privacy from your not so distant neighbors? Hang a Tarpestry as your shield. Lay down a Rugged Tarpestry for your chill zone, then pick it up and take it with you to the river or to see some music!

Home is where you park it…and pack your Tarpestry!

Collaboration with Mandala Dyes: Oasis

February 28, 2017/in Blog, Uncategorized /by carrie swartzbaugh

Mandala Dyes is a husband and wife team with over 10 years professional experience creating artistic and unique tie dye from their home Studio in Fort Collins, Colorado. We first met the Mandala Dyes family around five years ago at a festival on the Colorado River. We were instantly drawn to their beautiful tie dye work as well as their warm and positive personalities. We have since kept in touch and reconnected at multiple music festivals.

We are teaming up with Mandala Dyes for our fourth collaboration: Oasis. This one of a kind design is made with spiritual and peaceful intent, designed to help open hearts and expand minds. Each tie dye Tarpestry is hand tied and dyed by Kevin and Kyla with professional grade fiber reactive dyes as well as commercial quality detergents and fixers. This tie dye Tarpestry is UV resistant and will not bleed.

Support artists! Shop the Oasis here.

Artist Series

February 15, 2017/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

One of our goals for 2017 is to collaborate with more artists and grow our Artist Series line of Tarpestrys. The Artist Series is a priority for us because we love working directly with artists to showcase their one-of-a-kind pieces. We print their unique works of art onto durable, UV resistant fabric and back it with our water-repellent polyester. We get to turn their art into functional outdoor tarps! So far we have worked with: Jeff Wood, Mandala Dyes, Isadora Bullock, Phil Lewis, Eric Maiorana, Kind Design, Leftover Salmon and NorthWest String Summit.

This Spring we are bringing back two artists, Jeff Wood and Mandala Dyes. This Summer and Fall we plan to introduce a few new artists to our Artist Series. Connecting with artists directly allows us to build a bridge between outdoor lifestyle and the creative spirit. Art by the people, for the people. To see our current Artist Series line, visit this page!

Get to Know the Mini

February 1, 2017/in Blog, Uncategorized /by Ted Swartzbaugh

We call it the hiker, the one-pounder, or the two seater. But don’t let the “Mini” name fool you, this Tarpestry packs possibility! The Mini is around half the size of the full-size Tarpestry and weighs in at just one pound. We make the Mini in the Rugged style so this durable Tarpestry is fit for any adventure and any season.

The Mini fits perfectly in the side pocket of a backpack and doesn’t weigh you down on long hikes. When you need to take a break on the trail, just pull out the Tarpestry for a comfortable seat. If you’re hiking with a friend there’s enough room for two. To see how we use the Mini on ski and snowboarding days, see our blog post.

At home the Mini can be your new best tool. We’ve laid the Mini over our windshield to protect from hail and ice, laid it under the car for a quick oil change, used it for hauling firewood, and even as a baby changing blanket! If you’re ready to take the Tarpestry Life to the next level, shop the Mini here!

P.S. An Artist Series edition of Mini is in the works!

Collaboration With Kind Design – Maroon Bells Tarpestry

January 19, 2017/in Blog, Uncategorized /by carrie swartzbaugh

Kind Design has released their second Tarpestry and it is breathtaking. The “Maroon Bells” design is a unique rendering of the iconic peaks in Aspen, Colorado. There are over 12,000 hand made triangles in the artwork!

This Tarpestry is truly one of a kind in design and functionality. It’s the very first “Rugged” style artist print we’ve ever made. Which means it’s water-repellent and UV resistant on BOTH sides. You can really put this Tarpestry through the wringer – it’s perfect for all things outdoors. The beach, lake and river are perfect destinations for the Maroon Bells Tarpestry. Since it’s UV resistant the colors will last and the double sided water-repellency means double the durability.

To shop the Maroon Bells Tarpestry and all designs from our Artist Series, visit this page.

Tarpestry Toes

January 3, 2017/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

This year we are running a photo contest called “Tarpestry Toes”. Photos that are submitted for the contest will be featured on the website and/or social media and the winner will get a Tarpestry of their choosing! The rules are pretty simple: submit pictures via social media or our website that include your Tarpestry, your toes and your view. We are open to as many submissions as you want to send. In October we will pick the top 5 Team Tarpestry favorites for the general public to vote on. The submission with the most votes at the end of the allotted time will be our Tarpestry Toes Winner! So take your toes to your favorite spot with your Tarpestry, get creative, and start snapping epic pictures.

Monthly Giveaway Contest

January 1, 2017/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

This year we will have a giveaway contest for a Mini Tarpestry every month! We want to show our appreciation to our followers by sharing what we love – Tarpestry! We use the Mini Tarpestry as much, if not more than, the full size Tarpestry. We throw one in our backpack for every hike and there’s always one in the trunk – just in case. The contest will be held on our Facebook page and it will be very easy to enter. We thank all of you for following us and our crazy adventures. Stay tuned in to our Facebook page at the beginning of every month for your chance to win a Mini Tarpestry!

To see all the ways we use our Mini, check out the blog post: “Why Choose Mini Tarpestry”

Why Choose Rugged Tarpestry?

April 1, 2016/in Blog /by admin

The Rugged is our toughest Tarpestry Style and has been known to withstand some pretty intense adventures! If you are tough on your stuff then this might be the Tarpestry for you. The Rugged has a urethane-coated polyester top AND base so it is durable, water-repellent and UV resistant on both sides. Team Tarpestry’s favorite uses for the Rugged include water adventures (beach, river, lake), yard work, in the car and on the ski slopes.

While hiking and camping there are a lot of amazing places to rest that might seem too damp, rocky or full of sticks or pine needles. The Rugged gives an extra barrier between these pokey elements so your break will be nice and comfortable. When you’re done resting, pack it up and rope it up at camp over your hammock or lay it down in front of your tent!

The beach is a relaxing place, but the sand can become a major bummer. If you’re using a beach towel or blanket the sand can get really stuck in there! And then they can get wet and take forever to dry. Use a Rugged Tarpestry as your beach mat instead! The sand brushes right off and it’s also quick to dry! Keep your towel dry and sand-free for when you need to use it. The UV resistant fabric provides protection from fading which allows it to hold color when using for long days of full sunshine. When you pack up to leave, roll up your wet items into the Tarpestry to separate them from your dry goods. The Rugged simply can’t be beat for summer beach trips.

If you’re ready to tough it out, check out our Rugged designs here.

Happy Adventuring!

March Mini Madness Sale

March 4, 2016/in Blog /by admin

March Madness is upon us and we want to be a part of it this year! We’ve had a lot of requests for a Mini Tarpestry sale so may we present to you…the March Mini Madness Sale! All Mini Tarpestrys are only $60 during the whole March Madness tournament! That’s $15 off each Mini!

PASS this news along to your friends so they can get in on the awesome savings as well.

TRAVELING isn’t allowed in the tournament but we highly recommend it for summer. Better make sure you have a Tarpestry while you are on the road!

TOSS your Tarpestry down on the ground for a picnic or outdoor concert.

LAY UP your tarpestry for shade when camping or on the beach.

SHOOT on over to our site to check out these killer deals on the Mini Tarpestry.

Sale is live March 25 through April 4.

Spring Cleaning Sale

March 4, 2016/in Blog /by admin

It’s time to gear up for Summer! Waaaahoooooo! It’s about time! We’re clearing out shelf space to make room for summer inventory with our annual Spring Cleaning Sale! From March 18-22, everything on our site will be 15% off.

Spring is the time to hike, bike, camp, rock climb, kayak, raft, picnic. go to music festivals, outdoor concerts and so much more! You can enhance all of these outdoor excursions by bringing along your new Tarpestry. If you don’t have a Tarpestry, take advantage of our Spring Cleaning Sale. The best part is that if you get your Tarpestry now you can share it with all of your friends and family all year long. Some of the designs that are on our site now won’t be available again…so take advantage of our 15% off Spring Cleaning Sale while designs are still available.
Sale is only available March 18-22

101 Ways To Tarpestry: Ski & Snowboard

February 29, 2016/in 101 Ways To Tarpestry, Blog /by carrie swartzbaugh

When you’re packing for your next ski or snowboarding trip don’t forget your Mini Tarpestry! The Mini is the perfect companion for all things wet, snowy, and gnarly. When you get to the parking lot, it’s time to brave the cold and get those snow pants and ski boots on. Here’s where the Mini comes in clutch. Lay it down on the ground for boot change and gearing up. No more hopping on one foot with the risk of the dreaded wet-sock! Now you can keep your balance with both feet on the ground, completely dry.

After you’re geared up and ready to hit the ski lift, pack the Mini in your backpack. This little guy packs small and light – only one pound! Shred the gnar and then pull the Mini out for your backwoods break time in the warming hut. Keep your ski bum dry anytime you need a break. When your epic day on the mountain is complete, pull out the Mini Tarpestry once again for ski boot change. Afterwards, lay the Mini down (water-repellent side up!) in the back of the car. This will help protect your car from wet snow drips.

If you’re ready for make your powder days on the mountain even more epic, shop the Mini here!

Why Choose Mini Tarpestry

February 26, 2016/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

At Tarpestry Headquarters we call it the hiker, the one-pounder, or the two seater. But don’t let the “Mini” name fool you, this Tarpestry packs possibility! The Mini Style is around half the size of the full-size Tarpestry and weighs in at just one pound! Whether you are on a solo adventure or with a friend, the Mini can be the Tarpestry for you.

The Mini Tarpestry is 4.5’ x3’ and comes with all the standard features of a Tarpestry, including grommet rings and a pocket. We make the Mini in the Rugged style (water-repellent and UV treated on both sides). This durable fabric is fit for any adventure.

Pack the Mini on your next day hike or backpacking trip! When you reach the mountain peak or the halfway point on the trail and need to take a break, just pull out the Tarpestry for a comfortable seat. If you’re hiking with a friend there’s enough room for two sets of buns. If you’re on a solo trip, the Mini provides a space to take a quick nap. Before getting back on the trail, the Mini is easy to fold or roll and packs small and light in your backpack.

At home the Mini can be your new best tool. We have laid the Mini over our windshield to protect from hail and frost, hung it over windows to block light or a cold draft, laid it under the car for a quick oil change, put it on the car seats to protect from wet clothes and animals, use it for hauling firewood, we’ve even used the Mini as a baby changing blanket! Whew, and that’s just the start!

If you’re ready to take the Tarpestry Life to the next level, shop the Mini here!

Valentine’s Day Red Sale

February 6, 2016/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

What color does everyone think of during Valentine’s day? RED. And for good reason as the crimson color symbolizes passion and love. It’s for this reason that we will discount all red Tarpestrys for our Valentine’s day sale this year. ANY Tarpestry that has red in the design will be 20% off!

We will have Classic, Rugged, Mini and Dog Duvet Cover Tarpestrys included in the sale. Some popular designs that will be featured in the Valentine’s Day Red Sale include: Scarlet>Fire , Paisley, Tree of Life Bright, Spiral Bear, Confetti and Sangria Dog Duvet Covers. Check out all of the others that are on sale by browsing our site.

So if you want to really impress your love this year on Valentine’s day check out our “Red Sale”. Don’t procrastinate because Valentine’s day is coming up soon! Sale ends after Valentine’s day.

Why Choose Fleece Tarpestry

February 1, 2016/in Blog /by carrie swartzbaugh

The less known style in the Tarpestry family (and the Team Tarpestry favorite) is the warm and cozy Fleece. The Fleece Style is made of a solid color velour plush fleece and come with all the standard Tarpestry features including the pocket, grommet rings, and water-repellent backing. But don’t let the solid color fool you, this Tarpestry packs a punch!

Praised for its warmth and comfort, the Fleece is the perfect companion for any chilly weather activity. Leave a Fleece Tarpestry in the car for impromptu pit stops and for a warm poncho in a cold rainy predicament. Kids love the softness of the Fleece, which provides a bit more of a “cushion” than the other styles. The Fleece Style is also perfect for outdoor sporting events – protect your tush from cold bleachers and wrap yourself in warmth!

But, the most magical use for the Fleece is outdoor camping, whether it be tent, car, yurt or teepee.

Team Tarpestry does a lot of camping and this Tarpestry makes sleeping outside a true luxury. Have you ever wondered why you get so cold when sleeping on an air mattress? The cold air creeps right up through the air mattress – straight through your sheets and into your warm zone. Well the Fleece Tarpestry is your new best friend! Here’s the method: Put one Fleece Tapestry on top of your air mat or sleeping pad, fleece side up. Then make your bed per usual but top it off with another Fleece Tarpestry, fleece side down. The Tarpestry on the bottom keeps cold air from creeping up into your warm zone. The Tarpestry on the top seals in the warmth while the tarp side keeps you dry from tent drips. Voila!

If you’re ready to take the Tarpestry Life to the next level, shop the Fleece here!

Photo of the Month Club: Fleece Edition

February 1, 2016/in Blog /by Ted Swartzbaugh

Every now and then we run a Photo of the Month Club contest on Facebook to create a relationship with you, our Tarpestry family. We get to see your Tarpestry moments and you get the chance to win a new Tarpestry. Usually the winner takes home a Mini Tarpestry – but occasionally we up the ante with a full size Tarpestry. This month, the winner will get to take home a full size Fleece Tarpestry!

Here’s the gist…usually you post a picture with your Tarpestry on Facebook during the month. Three finalists are chosen to be voted on at the end of the month and a final winner is chosen. This month is different, not only because the winner gets a fleece, but also because you don’t have to actually own a Tarpestry to enter! Anyone can submit a photo! All you have to do is post a picture of where or how you WOULD use your fleece Tarpestry. It can be as simple as posting your favorite break spot on a hike. We love creativity here at Tarpestry Headquarters and suggest tapping into your artistic side!

So it’s simple:

Take a picture of where/how you would use a fleece Tarpestry.
Post your photo to YOUR Facebook page explaining where or how you would be using your Tarpestry, and TAG us in the photo.
SHARE it to our Tarpestry Facebook Page.

At the end of the month Team Tarpestry will pick our top 3 photos to be voted on by you, your friends, and the public at large.

If you are one of the chosen top 3 contestants you will want to generate as many likes on our official Facebook post announcing the three nominees. Rally the troops! Sound the bullhorn! Shout it from the mountaintops! But seriously, tell your friends to vote for your photo…that’s how you win.

The photo with the most likes (on our post) by the end of the contest will win a fleece Tarpestry blanket!

We hope this is as fun for all of you as it is for us! Thank you all so much for sharing your awesome pictures and may your photo lead you to your brand new Fleece Tarpestry!