Decorated reusable shopping bags
25Feb2009
My apologies to those of you who had difficulty with my site this week. I tried something that didn’t work. It’s back to the old design until I work out the kinks. While I do that, I thought I’d post a project from two years ago. I bought a bunch of canvas tote bags, fabric markers, and stencils and went wild. While I admit I overdid the “It’s easy being green” theme, I had a lot of fun—and they made great gifts.
Reusable shopping bags
Supplies and tools
- canvas tote bags (I found the best deal at Dharma Trading Co.)
- fabric markers ( I used FabricMate permanent chisel-tip fabric pens, also found at Dharma Trading Co.)
- water-soluble fabric marker
- stencils
- images from the Internet
1. Choose your stencils and plan your design. Alternatively, find pictures you like on the internet, and draw them freehand with a water-soluble marker. (That’s how I drew the tree illustrations.) Fill in the stencils (or outlines) with permanent fabric markers. The colors mix together just like dyes, so try blending shades. The dyes are permanent without heat setting, but let them dry for a couple days before spraying or dabbing with water to remove any visible erasable-pen marks.
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words to decorate by
“Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful.” -William Morris (1834-1896)
flickr photostream
February 25, 2009 at 1:58 am
Hmmm, I just might have to make me some of those! Thanks for the idea!
February 25, 2009 at 5:10 am
I don’t know why You get so little comments. Your work is incredible. I love your blog and everything You create! Thank You for sharing it with us!
February 25, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Love the bags and the lampshade! I think it’s great that your projects span across all kinds of genres. Some are practical and some are frivolous – or just down right fun. : ) Thanks for using your imagination to inspire others.
February 25, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Your work is amazing! I am gobsmacked at the fact that only three people have commented on this. Please keep making things – they’re all so great!
February 26, 2009 at 2:05 pm
what a neat idea!!!
February 27, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Very cool idea.. very cool.. and so mch sturdier than the ones you purchase at the grocery stores!
March 4, 2009 at 10:41 pm
absolutely cool… should make one for me and one for my daughter, or rather she would love to make one for herself too! :)
March 10, 2009 at 7:03 am
they turned out great! and i do like the it’s easy being green theme. parading it all around might make people start behaving better.
Decora y reutiliza los bolsos olvidados | Mundochica | Moda, decoracion y sexo said,
May 21, 2009 at 3:14 am
[...] visto en [...]
Make Easy Designer Eco Bags : Blisstree - Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles said,
October 7, 2009 at 5:00 am
[...] a simple tutorial over at Crafty Nest that can easily turn your blah fabric bags into a gorgeous eco statement! You can even get your [...]
January 11, 2010 at 12:20 pm
I’m thinking making these with a group of friends would be a great winter time activity… thanks for the great idea, and beautifully inspiring images to get the creative juices flowing.