Tag Archives: style

How to Decorate A Tote Bag

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A tote bag is a bag with two handles. Decorating one makes a great project for both creative types and kids. You can make a tote bag that has a message on it, or one that reflects your own style and tastes.

A hand crafted tote also makes a nice gift for a friend. You can get blank tote bags at craft stores. Or you can get a used one and recycle it. The idea is to make it your own.

This is a very easy project!

You will need —
• A fabric or leather tote bag
• A square of cardboard
• Waxed paper
• Fabric paints
• Craft paint brushes
• Chalk
• Transfer paper
• Sewing needle
• Thread

Decorationss, such as silk leaves, appliqués and buttons (depending on what you want to make. Use your imagination while you are in the craft store. Old broaches, broken chains and jewelry can also be used to decorate the tote bag.

Select a tote bag in an appropriate color. Keep in mind that fabric paints don’t show up as well on dark colors. Make sure your colors aren’t so wild that the bag will not go with anything!

Pre-wash the bag before you paint it. Do not use fabric softener and allow it to hang dry completely. Make sure it is completely dry before you start painting or you will not be pleased with the results.

Cover a piece of cardboard with waxed paper and place it inside of the bag. This will prevent the paint from bleeding through and sticking on the inside of the bag.

Trace a freehand design in chalk. Chalk can be wiped away if you don’t like it and want to start over. Visible chalk lines can be wiped or wash off after the tote bag is done. Draw whatever kind of design you like!

If you are not great at freehand drawing use transfer paper.

Transfer paper is found in craft stores and used like carbon paper. You place it over your tote bag, then place the paper with the design you like on top of it. Trace over your design with the back of a paint brush or a chop stick. Be careful not to let the papers or the tote bag move as you are doing this. When you remove the papers, you will have an outline of your design. This is a good option if you’re not confident of your freehand drawing skills.

You can paint a design on the bag with fabric paint as well. Just use a paint bursh as you would regularly. Another option is to select fine tipped paint tubes to squeeze paint directly onto the fabric. To prevent smearing allow the paint to dry before painting on or next to it with another color.

Before you sew buttons or any other type of bling on it all the newly painted tote about 24-48 hours to dry. Keep in mind that the squeezed o paint will take a lot longer to dry.

Be sure ew on silk flowers and leaves, appliqués, patches or buttons to further decorate your bag. The goal is to completely customize it and make it yours!

How to Decorate With Mirrors

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One of the easiest ways to fill a room with light and make sure a space is larger with mirrors. Reflective surfaces will help bounce light around a room, so they’re great for making spaces seem brighter and more full of light. Because they reflect light and color, mirrors are also a great way to make smaller rooms seem larger. So make your home brilliant and bright by adding some reflective surfaces.

You can think of mirrors as art. Try to hang them like you would paintings. For large walls, hang several matching mirrors side by side. Or opt for several different sizes and shapes-a collection of different vintage mirrors hung from ribbons can look quite nifty clustered together on a wall.

If you can’t find mirrors in the shape or size that you want, you can also make your own by framing pieces of mirrored glass. Most framing stores can make these for you quite easily.

Don’t forget that mirrors aren’t just for walls; mirrored furniture can be very chic, and very practical, because it works with so many different decorating styles. Try a mirrored bedside table, chest of drawers or coffee table. You can also apply a mirror to the top of a coffee table using mirrored tiles.

To pick up on the reflective look of your mirrored furniture , add shine with other reflective accessories, like mirrored trays and candlestick holders. If you do use tiled mirrors make sure that they are glued securely to the surface, especially in humid rooms like steamy bathrooms.

Remember, mirrors double the effect of whatever they are opposite-hang them opposite a window to double the view and the light in the room. If you have a colorful accent wall, you can hang a mirror on the opposite wall and the accent will be complimentary and reflect the color combination in a decorative way again.

Remember too that mirrors come in different tints and colors. Rows of pink mirrors give a rich yet girly look to a room. Rows of green mirrors have a post-modern or forties retro feel to them. Rows of gold tinted mirrors make you look wealthy. Perhaps the most flattering color of mirror is pink as it makes the skin look younger! Photography experts say reflected light from a pink mirror can help you look rosy and erase wrinkles. Perhaps that is why pink mirrors are perfect for the bedroom.