Spontaneous Moment #49: Bag It Up

If you can't tell from my recent posts, I'M GETTING MARRIED. Instead of spending a fortune on gifts for 8 bridesmaids, 8 groomsmen, and family members, it's easier to do it all for less.

I'm giving my bridesmaid a little something to wear on the wedding day while we get ready and a thank you gift for being a part of my wedding. I figured instead of wrapping it, a cute way to give them the gift would be in a personalized tote.

HOW TO MAKE A MONOGRAMMED TOTE BAG:

Materials:

•  Tote Bag
• Sponge brush
• Fabric paint
• Doilies
• Contact Paper
• Scissors
• Protractor Compass or a plate
• Something to put in between the bag when painting

All the materials you'll need

Instructions:

First I found something to protect my floor. I used my large painting cover for the floor. Flatten your tote bag on the floor and measure out how much contact paper you'll need to cover the tote. Cut it out and place it on top of the tote, but do NOT peal it yet.

Measure and cut your contact paper

Now it's time to create the circle in the middle of your contact paper. You can use a protractor compass to create the circle, but I couldn't find mine. I took the next best option and traced a salad plate. I made sure to put the plate over the tote handles and then slowly move it down so that I made sure it was centered.

Cut out the middle circle. I usually fold it in half, cut in the center and then slowly cut around the edges of the circle.

Cut out the circle of the contact paper

Slowly pull off the back of the contact paper starting from the top. This way you can keep everything centered and slowly press down on the contact paper as you go.

Pull off the contact paper starting from the top

Grab your scissors and doily. Fold the doily in half and cut around the circle.

Cut out the center of the doily

It should look like this once you're done. 

The doily once you've cut out the center

 Grab your cut out monogram and your doily. Carefully center and position them in the middle of the tote bag.

Place everything how you want it to look

I traced my monogram on contact paper and then cut it out so that I could peal off the back and press it onto the tote.

Peal and press the monogram onto the tote

 Put a piece of paper or something in between the tote bag so that if the fabric paint goes through, it doesn't get to the other side of the tote. I use magazines or shipping envelopes. Put your paint in a small bowl and start slowly pressing down with the sponge brush onto the bag.

Start painting your tote bag

Add a second layer of paint onto your totes so that it gives it a rich color. 

 Let it dry for an hour and then slowly peal off your contact paper and doily. Then you have a great gift to give to your friends and family! Easy peasy!

My first attempt

The final product