totes and more...

One of my projects this week was to make this tote bag for my grand baby who's daddy will be going to Iraq very soon. This was the first time I've tried doing photo transfers on to fabric and as you will see, I REALLY got into it! If you're interested in instructions for transferring photos, I've listed them below. If not, just scroll down past them to see what else I made.

I started with this photo above and used Photoshop Elements (PE) to change the photo to look like...

... this. After loading into the editing mode of PE, I selected Filter - Sketch - Chalk and Charcoal to get this effect.

Next, I added the desired background and wording to my photo in PE. I won't go into those instructions in this post since I'm attempting to demonstrate photo transfers on to fabric. It would be just as cool to transfer a favorite photo without any embellishments.

Okay, so now we are ready to print our photo. I used Avery Light Fabric Transfers and was very pleased with the results. Load your printer with the transfer paper, face up or down depending on your printer's instructions. When you are preparing your software to print, be sure you reverse your photo. In PE, I chose, Mirror Image "ON" in the Advance Printing options.

After printing, your photo will be backwards like this.

Don't worry, that's a good thing. :=)

Next step, lay an old pillowcase on your ironing surface. (no, we're not taking a nap.)

Set your iron on Cotton setting (HOT).

Press smooth with an iron.

Lay your fabric that you're applying your transfer to on the pillow case face up. Press it smooth.

Lay your transfer face down on your fabric in the place you want it to appear.

Press your transfer on your fabric, starting at the left side and going to the right slowly and pressing down very firmly with both hands. Do the same from top to bottom. Be sure your corners are pressed securely. You should press each area about 20 seconds.

Now, remove your fabric from the ironing surface and let cool for a couple of minutes.

Peel the backing off slowly and VOILA. There you have it! It's just like MAGIC! It's been a while since I 've made something I enjoyed so much with such little effort. REALLY!

Your fabric transfer packet has very good directions also.

If you haven't tried this before, I know you can do it and you'll love it!

In fact, I liked it so much, I decided to make myself a tote. I didn't won't to go to the time and trouble to make a tote so I pulled this tote out of my stash.

Sorry Concentra!

I chose a fabric that I wanted to frame my photo. I backed my fabric with Pellon fusible interfacing following package instructions. Then I cut my fabric in a rectangle large enough to cover my existing tote logo.

As it turns out, I cut my fabric rectangle bout 1/2 inch larger than my photo on all sides and it worked perfectly to cover my logo. I appliqued my "covering logo fabric" to my bag, using a very close zig zag stitch. Then followed same instructions above to finish my project.

And here's my finished project all filled and ready to tote! How easy can it be?!

I told you I was digging it! Yea, I didn't stop there.

I made this little onesie for my grand baby...

And a tee shirt for hubby.
And THIS was my reward!

Take a look at other DIYs at Met Monday !