The 99 Cent Upscaled Tote Bag
Did you ever have an idea that just kept evolving? I bought several tote bags at a local craft store {Pat Catan's} last year for only 99 cents each. I like to use them for yard-sale and flea market shopping but they were just so plain I wanted to perk at least one of them up a bit and I like how it turned out so much that I've been using it as my spring purse. The natural color was a plain beige-ish tone but I wanted something pinkish. I dyed the bag, some lace and other fabric in a bath of avocado {natural dye}. This was so easy to do and the pink is a nice dusky tone.
First, I cleaned out the avocado and used the flesh to make some avocado cupcakes with avocado buttercream frosting. I made sure the skins were free of flesh and then chopped them up and placed them in a large pot of cold water bringing it to a boil. Once the water started to boil I turned it down to a simmer and let the skins steep in the water for 3 hours.
Next, I turned the heat off, strained out the skins and added the materials I wanted to dye {I threw in some wooden clothespins for good measure}.
I left the fabrics in the water for 3 days.
I removed the fabrics, wrung them out and then threw them in my washing machine using warm water and the gentle cycle. I then dried everything on the low heat cycle.
Next, I ironed the tote bag so that I had a nice smooth canvas to work with.
I made fabric flowers out of the dyed muslin {I only used one flower for this bag but have the other on hand for some future projects}. I added two layers of ruffles on one side of the bag.
And added some stripes to the other side ~ I used some painting duck tape to mark off areas to paint stripes and used some craft paint to add the lines. Once all of the paint was dry I removed the tape {be sure to put cardboard or something inside the bag so that the stripes don't go through to the other side}.
I also used a bird stencil {saved from a Cricut project}.
I also added my monogram {just because} and the number 5 with craft paint as well.
I used an old crib sheet for the lining making use of the finished edges to place at the top of the bag. I measured the bag and cut the lining ¼ smaller. Once I had the lining fabric cut out I stamped some cupcakes onto the fabric in a random pattern {I used fabric ink for this}.
I added my lining to the bag and tucked in about 1 inch on each side to give the tote a little more shape.
Lastly, I added some lace and a fabric flower.
And there you have it ~ The 99 cent Upscaled Tote Bag.
Linking to: Pretty Thinks by Keren Dukes, Yesterday on Tuesday, Live Laugh Rowe, Craft and Repeat, Home Stories A to Z, The Inspiration Board
Mary Beth...this is fabulous! This is what I call a major elevation - love it! Of course, am pinning and thank you for sharing! Have a wonderful Wednesday evening. Hugs!!
Thanks so much, Cindy ~ you are such a sweetie! big hugs!!!
So, so, so cute!!!
xo, Tanya
Thank you, Tanya!
Your upscaled bag is so cute...I love it! Hugs, Penny
Thanks so much, Penny! 🙂
This bag is so cute, Mary Beth. Thanks for the tutorial. Call me dumb, but avocados make pink dye. I don't think I have ever heard that before. I am going to try it!
Thank you, Lynn, and you aren't dumb at all ~ I assumed the dye would be green until I read up on the process and when I found out it was pink I was all for it!
Gorgeous!! I had no idea you could make a dye with avocado skins - and what a pretty color it gives!! (Luv your monogram too!!) 😀
Love it Mary Beth! So cute... might have to put it on our summer project list. 🙂
Thanks so much, Maryann! 🙂
Cute project! I think my girls and I would enjoy making something like this. 🙂
This is so adorable!! I'm making one 🙂
XO
Kristin
That is really adorable! Amazing what a little creativity can get ya!
Hi Dear Friend! I am in love with this and want to feature it but I can't grab the image. Can you send me a jpeg? xoxo
You are so sweet, Malia! I will email the image to you ~ I have no idea why images can't be grabbed anymore ~ I need to figure this out. 🙂
OMG, love this mary beth! sharing on G+ now!
Thank you, Jocie!
VERY CUTE ! Got 2 G-babies that will love this!