Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

French Themed No Sew Tote Bag

Bonjour Mes Amis!
Today I thought I'd take a bit of a break from sharing Christmas decor, and instead show you a tote bag that I've created.  I made several of these as Christmas gifts.  I love giving presents that I've made, and try and come up with ideas of things that people could actually use!
The inspiration came from the oh so talented Carol over at the Polka Dot Closet.
If you've never visited, you are in for a real treat!
When I first saw her pretty tote bags, I just knew that I wanted to create some as well!
Click here to see Carol's lovely bags.
So here is my Frenchy version, below!
 What was especially appealing was this was a no sew project!  (I am not much of a seamstress!)
I found the canvas tote bags at Hobby Lobby. They came three to a pack.
I just love this French bird graphic, it is one of my all time favorites at The Graphics Fairy.
So I knew it would be perfect for the look I was going for!
Believe it or not, I've never used my printer to transfer images to fabric, so I was a bit nervous about doing so.
Carol recommended "Quick Fuse" iron on fabric sheets, by June Taylor.  When I couldn't find them at Hobby Lobby or Michael's, I searched on line and was surprised to find the best price directly from June Taylor!
I followed the directions on the package, and was surprised at how easy it was!
Ok, now comes the fun part, the embellishments!  I was in love with the gorgeous fabric flowers that Carol creates.  She gave a wonderful tutorial how to make them here.  
I was more than a little unnerved at first creating the flowers, as you hold the fabric over the flame of a candle, which creates the curled petals.  Well, I got the hang of it, and had alot of fun in the process!
The flowers were the only thing that I actually had to sew (just attaching all of the layers of petals together).
The rest was accomplished with fabric glue, also Carol's suggestion.
I really love how my flowers turned out!  For their centers, I added pretty pink flowers that I picked up in the scrapbooking section at Hobby Lobby. They have a touch of glitter, 'cause you know how much I love my glitter!  I had wanted to add some vintage Austrian crystal earrings (Carol used gorgeous vintage jewels for her centers)  that I had on hand for their centers, but the color just didn't go with my project, so I'll save those for another time.

I also embellished the totes with pretty creamy cotton lace with a vintage feel, also found at Hobby Lobby.  I happened to have this adorable petite aqua pom pom trim in my stash,  which I thought that was the perfect addition!


I had so much fun making these totes, I guess now I need to make one for myself!
Here is a close up of the flower.
And one last look at my Frenchy tote.
Thank you Carol for the wonderful inspiration!
Next week I'll share with you a few more shots of Christmas around our house.
Have a great day!

17 comments:

Blondie's Journal said...

This is darling...you did a wonderful job! These will make great year round gifts!

I have to go back and have a look at some of your Christmas decorations I've misses!

XO,
Jane

Junkchiccottage said...

Donna,
This is so pretty and I love a no sew project. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Kris

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Nice job, Donna. I LUV no sew projects. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

Japolina said...

IT's so pretty..

Be sure to stop my blog this week. I'm giving away a gorgeous scarf courtesy of FRESH PRODUCE

www.japolina.blogspot.com

Susie said...

That is a beautiful gift...who wouldn't want one of those. Love it. xoxo,Susie

Grammy Goodwill said...

I love how your tote bag turned out. It looks so sweet with the added trim.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

These are very pretty Donna and make wonderful Christmas gifts.

hugs
Sissie

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh Donna, what a beautiful tote bag! they are really beautiful and you did such a wonderful job on them.
Mary

NanaDiana said...

Well, I am not sure but I think that might be the most beautiful Christmas tote I have ever seen! Seriously!!!! You are so talented, Donna...and so sweet! Merry Christmas, my friend- xo Diana

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh you are so sweet to give me credit!! Your flower looks great! That turned out perfect. I have given tons of them for gifts too!!

You and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

Carol

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Precioso!!!! besos

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Donna, your tote is gorgeous and I know first hand!!! Love it!!
You do such wonderful work and this is fabulous. So glad you tried the fabric transfers and enjoyed the process. I love it too especially working with canvas pieces.
Your flowers inspired by Carol are gorgeous. The graphic is such a pretty one and I love the pop of aqua. It is the perfect gift.
Thank you for sharing this project. I see many more in your future.
Hugs! Celestina Marie

Linda @ A La Carte said...

This is so sweet and of course I love any thing with a Parisian flair!

Musings from Kim K. said...

You'd never know it was a no sew project. I love it! Absolutely gorgeous, Donna!

Okio B Designs said...

Very pretty! Such a nice gift!

Jeanine

Little Miss Maggie said...

Donna, your tote is beautiful. I tried making those flowers and I had a little trouble. I am going to try them again. I love Carol's blog too. She is so creative.

Bente said...

Hi Donna. This bag is beautiful. Love it.

Hugs from here