A tote bag is a very important accessory to me, since I am often transporting various papers, notepads and magazines back and forth to the office. Yesterday, I made a new one by transferring images of some vintage tea-themed graphics onto the three pockets of a simple canvas tote from Hobby Lobby. (And I apologize for the crummy photo quality! It was nighttime when I finished up, so the lighting was not what I would normally hope for!)
This idea came to me after a recent antiquing excursion with my mom where I came across "A Source Book of Antiques and Jewelry Designs" by Clarence P. Hornung (1989). It is simply packed with vintage graphics, including quite a few old tea sets, teapots, tea strainers, tea balls and more, all, according to the blurb on the jacket, "carefully arranged for easy reference and use." I had to experiment with the sizes a bit after scanning the images I selected into the computer, but eventually I got them the size I wanted.
After selecting images of sugar tongs, a teapot and a tea strainer, I printed the three on a sheet of transfer paper. I was just about to put the paper in the printer when I realized I'd forgotten to reverse the images! Yikes!
Here you can see the sugar tongs image as I'm about to iron it on the fabric.
I knew the images on thick cotton canvas wouldn't be as crisp as on a thinner fabric, but I was going for "effect" with this tote bag, and I think it came out pretty well. Here's a close-up of the ironed-on teapot transfer.
And the fun thing is, I now have lots of "experimental" paper printouts I can use for other crafts, such as cardmaking or decoupage.
Very neat!!! Great idea.
ReplyDeleteYour tea tote looks great! I'd like to have that book - all those tea images would be fun to play with.
ReplyDeleteLove the tote and the book!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Donna
What a fun idea! I have run fabric through my printer, but the size of the fabric has to be 8 1/2" X 11". Those are great graphics. Love the bag too.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I always keep a couple of tote bags under the car seat, for when I forget to bring them to the grocery store. Tho this one is too pretty to hide!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute!! I loves it!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! You are so creative.
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea..that is a great looking tote!This would make a great project for me and my granddaughter to do together, and give her a place to store her "linens"...she likes to pick through my fabrics to make blankets and pillow cases for her Webkinz (stuffed animals). Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat is fun. These days there's often the option of uploading images to a website that'll print those for you but I also like knowing how to do it yourself. --Spirituality of Tea
ReplyDeleteGood for you, that is one cool tote!
ReplyDeletevery creative.....my photo on canvas business may benefit from this blog.
ReplyDeleteLove the bag! You did a fabulous job!
ReplyDeleteI love the tea strainers with prongs - we sell one like that! A man told meonce he had his grandmother's but never knew what it was until he saw one in my store in a teapot!
ReplyDelete