DIY: Refurbished Tote Bag

I keep on blaming the Holidays for having a slump in the DIY idea/inspiration department.  I mean there are so many things you could technically DIY, but I haven't found a project that excited me, until this baby was brought home to me:

Someone in my family asked me if I wanted this and the answer was no. I know, I know...I can use it for so many things... groceries, library books, a lunch bag...etc. but lets be honest, it is plain ugly. I started thinking how it would either end up in a dumpster or be kept away in some part of the apartment (pretending that it will eventually be whipped out for something but truthfully, it will never see the light of day like so many of the free advertised tote bags I have).  So instead of dumping it/never fufilling its life purpose... I decided to fix it so it can live up to its potential. Lucky you, ugly tote bag!

Inspirations for the design came from research for my Distracted... post; specifically, from the following:

Gucci Spring 2012

I was inspired by the design from the middle look of Gucci and by seafoam green and a tangerine pastel-like color we have seen around:

Aquilano Rimondi spring '12. Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV; Diane Von Furstenberg spring '12. Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV; Marc Jacobs spring '12. Photo: Courtesy of Marc Jacobs. I got this picture from Refinery29.

Chloe spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Jason Wu pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Jason Wu; Cacharel spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Thakoon Addition pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Thakoon Addition. I got this picture from Refinery29.

CLICK ON THE LINK TO THE BOTTOM LEFT TO SEE TUTORIAL!

 

Things you will need: canvas tote bag, acrylic paint, paint brushes, painter's tape

STEP 1: Sketch a design that you like. Here are a couple of mine:

STEP 2: Find a canvas tote bag. You can buy or make a new one. If you have an old one that you would like to use, flip it inside out. Mine had finished edges on the insides so it doesn't look obvious that my tote bag was flipped.

STEP 3: Once you settle on a design, take your tote bag and use your painter's tape to re-create the design. The painter's tape is used to prevent paint from getting into areas they aren't meant to. 

STEP 4: As a precautionary measure, place some old newspapers inside just in case it soaks through...mine didn't, but it depends on what material you are painting on. Mix your colors and paint away! It took a couple coats for me, but it turned out pretty good!

STEP 5: Tadaaaaaaaaa! You have a new and improved tote bag.

I love this project because you can cater it to your favorite trends of the season without having to spend a fortune. Cost of this project for me was zero dollars. I am trying to practice not wasting but at the same time not hoarding. Everything I keep must have a function in my life...hopefully this works out for me.

P.S. If you ever follow any of my DIY projects and would like to share pictures of them or any DIY projects you've done... please send me an email at: absurdlypeculiar@gmail.com! I would love to see them!!