Smile Carry Tote

Hi every one, I am getting ready for a trip to Charleston, SC with a group of my friends next month. One of my good sketching buddies is going with me and we plan to take advantage of the scenery down there and do some plein air water coloring. Knowing I will be lugging my camera, purse and art supplies around with me ( and the odd thing I might buy ) I knew I would need to bring my big canvas bag...but it's ugly! So what's a girl to do?

Re-vamp it of course!!

Seriously, doesn't this Smile Carry Tote just look fun and happy now?

Here it is with it's not so interesting advertising on the front which I covered up with gesso. After the gesso dried I covered it with layers of DecoArts Multi-Surface Acrylic paints until I got the background that I wanted using an old hotel key card to scrape the paint on with.

Next, I sketched out my design on a piece of paper and then painted the design on with gesso. I originally intended the bird to be standing on his head, but I guess he got tired and decided to sit on the cow's head instead!

Then the fun stuff, like painting in the image and using tons of stencils to create the doodled borders of the tote. I also added some fun felt and buttons to the eyes of both the cow and the bird. The stamped sentiment is just the perfect touch and it just makes me...well...smile!

I think one of my favorite parts is the whimsical bird with his stenciled feathers.

But my most favorite part of this project is that I up-cycled an old canvas bag and used my art to create a big smile!

What can you create that makes you smile?

Sandee

waving hi from the hills of North Carolina

stencils used:

TCW474 Hand Drawn Frames

TCW 2044 Pods Fragments

TCW389 Fancy Feathers

TCW202 Harlequin

Susan's Live in Color stencil

stamps:

Insta-Cute stamp set - ( smile )

paint:

Deco Arts Multi Surface acrylics and gesso

Deco Art Glass Paint pen

other:

Ranger Liquid Pearls