Looking Sharp-ie

Do you get ideas stuck in your head that you just can't shake?
Ideas that make perfect sense....in theory?

Well, I had purchased some iron-on transfer paper a while ago thinking that I would make tote bags with transfers of my art on them....

Turns out the ironing process, the thickness of the canvas and my patience level weren't a good combination for this project.
So, I thought I'd paint the bags instead.....
sort of like this.....

 

Sorry for all the random pen marks on this sketch. 

The concept was to paint different Dia de los Muertos inspired girls and attach a jersey flower pin to the side of her hair that could be removed to wear on other items. 

 

Like this....

 

 

 The other side would have a pocket sewn on in a matching jersey fabric.

 

 

There were several complications to this idea.  First, she took forever to paint!  Acrylic needs to be watered down quite a bit to flow over the toothy canvas, which meant lots and lots of layers to get brighter colors and full coverage.  I didn't want to ask a lot for these bags....and at this rate, they wouldn't be worth the time I was putting in :(

 

 

The second complication occurred after I gently washed the bag to test for durability and shrinkage.  I expected some....but not only did it shrink, it wrinkled very badly!  I have attempted to iron it 3 different times with underwhelming results.  The painting held up well, though....haha!

 

Here's the size difference after washing.

 

 

So I switched gears and decided to use permanent ink instead....it was definitely faster.

Sharpies are very durable and come in all kinds of great colors.

 

 

I would simply recommend spot cleaning these totes, no biggie...

 

 

Unfortunately, I should've tested the "permanent metallic ink" (not Sharpie brand) pens I've been using on my rocks on this fabric.  It seems they bleed when wet...sheesh!

So, no spot cleaning either....haha!

 

Clever fox Loves the Earth :)

 

 

So, I've got some cute totes available in the shop right now....

 

 

They will happily serve you as long as you follow an important rule (remember that 80's movie "Gremlins"?)

Don't get them wet!

.....but feeding after midnight is perfectly acceptable ;P

 

I also did a few more rocks over the weekend.

 

 

It might be time to switch over to familiar territory again...some safe hair clips or zombie plushies or something....haha!

 

What projects have you tried that didn't quite turn out as expected?

 

All my best,

Cam