Fun With Tote Bags

We all have things, lots of things.

Things we need and must carry with us.

I carry a small purse, so I usually take a tote bag along with me in the car.

My tote is filled with extra glasses, pens, notebooks, pills, and now hand sanitizer and face masks.

Just things I may need when I am out and about.

I bought some canvas bags at Michaels with a 50% off coupon, and started thinking of ways to decorate.

I love Rae Dunn products, she is an American artist using a simple farmhouse lettering.

I have always loved her products, although they can be a bit pricey, so when I saw Rae Dunn look alike stencils on Amazon, of course, I had to have them.

So very happy with the outcome of these bags I completed using my new stencils.

A simple saying, so cute!

Again I used my Rae Dunn stencils on this black and white canvas bag.

Couldn’t resist this little pouch too!

So cute and whimsy!

I love them.

On this next one, I tried for a little Bo Ho style using a tricolor pack of pom pom balls, again from Michaels for $1.99.

Using my glue gun, I glued the balls in a row on both sides of the bag.

What a cute stocking stuffer idea, totes for many folks on your Christmas list.

Roll the bags up and tie a red ribbon around them, don’t forget to add a cute tag, homemade of course!

Yes, Christmas is only 5 months away.

Time to get started.

This last bag is the one I am currently using.

Stenciled with lemons! I love all things lemon.

It just says “summer”.

Totes are great to take along to a farmer’s market or craft event to carry all the goodies you buy.

Before I end this post I want to say something about stenciling.

The most important thing is to use an almost dry brush, you can always repeat if needed.

Too much paint will cause bleeding outside the stencil.

If you want to shade an area on your stencil, go back, after the first coat has dried, with a darker shade.

Just use your craft paints, they work fine.

I have a dear friend, Denise, who is a wonderful sewer.

If I could sew like Denise, I would make tote bags, in beautiful, colorful fabrics, using the simple pattern on the video below.

Get busy Denise, I expect one in my stocking.

Since my sewing machine hates me, I will have to settle for stenciled bags to fill the stockings of all my loved ones.

Hope you all are being creative, staying busy and staying safe.

Hugs.