24 June 2011

Book Tote

I won't tell you how long this has been no the couch with only one strap. I started to wonder if it could work with only one strap, but I suppose a tote for large books with only one strap is a bit impractical. So I sewed on...eventually.
I saw this idea somewhere on Pinterest, but neglected to pin it so I don't know who thought of this. Props to you, whoever you are, because even Hubs jumped on this idea. I picked up some sale canvas-y thick fabric (I really have no idea what it is since it wasn't on a bolt, but I do know it does not iron well, which helps explain the wrinkles). This was pretty simple to put together.
The tricky part was the words. I probably could've finished in no time with a Silhouette, but alas I don't have one. I printed the words out on cardstock then cut them out with an exacto knife. It seemed like that part took forever, but I finished eventually. Next I painted in the stencil with puff paint, but I kind of spread the paint out so it wasn't really puffy when it dried. I didn't use a brush, just the paint bottle so it isn't completely uniform.

I let that dry for...mmm....not sure, but possibly overnight? I spent too long cutting out letters and painting in stencils to risk any smears. Then I sewed all the pieces together, except for the last remaining strap. That can remain unsewn for many days. : ) You can see I wanted to make the straps extra sturdy so I sewed them on in pretty much every direction.
I'll leave you with some pictures and inevitably a song stuck in your head...You're welcome for that. : )
And the big book tote hanging on big books:
This is my "wow this book is getting heavy, I wish I could just take a good picture already" face (the bag was full of books too by the way).
In case you're wondering, although I'm pretty sure you weren't, that Animal book I'm holding was my sole source of entertainment when we first moved here. I had no internet, no tv, no furniture (and Hubs wasn't even living at home). Just a borrowed air mattress, a fleece blanket and the animal book that we bought when we got here. Pretty sure I flipped through the whole thing! Haha. Note to self - pack dvds in the car next time we move!

I hope you like the bag, I couldn't resist making it once I saw the idea! And I guess I should point out that we do go to the library on a semi-regular basis and come home with a big stack of books so this will come in handy for us. Thanks for reading!
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53 comments:

  1. Best book bag ever! That's hilarious.

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  2. Such a cute bag!! Nice work!!

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  3. That makes me giggle. Love it!

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  4. That's awesome! I feel like we'd be friends if we knew each other. :)

    Stopping by from Tatertots and Jello.

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  5. Haha! This definitely made me smile :)

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  6. That is SO FUN! I want one.

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  7. LOVE this! :) Fabulous bag and hilarious saying!! LOL

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  8. Just found you through Tatertots and Jello. I love this bag and it'll be perfect for my library books!

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  9. I have this pinned on Pinterest too! I was going to make a sign for my bookshelf! I love your tote bag! Great job!

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  10. I love that. You know, Sir-Mix-A-Lot used to live in my neighborhood. This is very clever:)

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  11. This is the coolest bag I have ever seen! I love it!! Great job :)

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  12. This has to be the best library bag ever!! I totally want to make one now. We too go to the library often and have to take two bags now to fit the huge stack of books we come home with. I am pinning you so I can remember where I saw this fantastic idea!

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  13. I seriously love this and I'm totally going to make my own! Linking up to you at createatoriumcrafts.blogspot.com.

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  14. Love, Love, Love this! I think I may freezer paper stencil this on our current library bag

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  15. I love it!! That made me smile and it's going straight to pinterest :)

    Thanks!
    Maria @ Love & Sugar Kisses

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  16. Totally love it. And I pinned it.

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  17. What a cute bag! I need to make myself one because I do indeed love big books.

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  18. L-O-V-E this!! I am visiting from Tatertots and Jello and I would love if you would link this up this weekend to my Delicately Constructed Fridays linky party!!
    Have a great weekend!
    Michelle
    www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com

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  19. Oh my gosh! This just made me laugh out loud! What a fabulous idea :) Love it!

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  20. Ummmm, this is pretty much THE BEST book bag I've ever seen. In my life. I really, really, really want one. Now. But my straps would probably sit unsewn on my couch for even longer. Sigh. Just wanted to let you know how much I love it.

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  21. Hysterical! I bet your library loves you!

    Would love for you to share at Calling All Crafters!
    http://allthingsfee.blogspot.com/2011/06/calling-all-crafters-13th-edition.html

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  22. Bravo (visualize standing ovation) - Love, Stacy

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  23. Ha! The saying just had me rolling. We used to sing that song in college (not the books version....) Anyway, this is super cute. I love it!

    I'd love for you to join my giveaway for 2 canvas pillow forms going on now! www.alittleknickknack.com Happy 4th!

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  24. Teeheeheehee! I love this! I would love it if you would link up to my Tuesday Confessional link party going on now: http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/06/tuesday-confessional-link-party.html
    ~Macy from Confessions of a SAHM

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  25. I've seen this on pinterest too and have been dying to make one to help me hold all the books I check out from the library!

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  26. That is hilarious! Everytime someone says "Oh my gosh" I mentally finish the sentence with that song! Super cute :) Thanks for linking it up!

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  27. Hi from your newest google friend follower, please pop by Karima x
    www.karimascrafts.com

    Great tote - well done!

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  28. So cute! Love it!
    Andee
    P.S. Visiting from it's sew for you

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  29. Love this!!! I'm a craft voyeur I love seeing what people manage to do but can't manage to be crafty myself. You should sell these on etsy or something, they would sooo sell to the less crafty among us, I know I would buy one!

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  30. blahaha this is AWESOME!!!! fully love it
    http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com

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  31. So cute! :) Following from Not Just a Housewife. Would love to have you link this up to my {wow me} wednesday link party going on right now over on my blog. The most viewed link will receive a set of fancy rectangle chalkboard labels from my etsy shop. Hope to see you there.

    Ginger
    gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com

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  32. You made me laugh!!!! So Cute.

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  33. Thanks so much for linking this-it's totally fantastic! I'm featuring it tomorrow at Craft Goodies. Thanks again-
    Wendy

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  34. This is perfect for a book bag! Going to have to make one! And yes, that song is now in my head, but that's ok! It's all good fun!

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  35. I love your bag! So cute! And it makes me laugh because when my oldest niece was like 3 she used to know all the words to that song and would sing it all the time! My family still considers it her song.

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  36. omg - this was a total 80's flashback for me! I had to lol, it's too funny! btw, I like big books too!!

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  37. Please, please, PLEASE open an Etsy shop and sell these! I'd be your first customer!!!

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  38. I blogged this and yes, the song is stuck in my head, I cannot lie.

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  39. I am not a very good sewer so I was wondering what kind of measurements you used?

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  40. I love your clever book bag idea! Here is what I whipped up.
    http://krmccord.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-like-big-books-and-i-cannot-lie.html
    Thanks for a great idea!

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  41. Just stumbled upon this, and I LOVE IT! Totally making one for two of my librarian friends... :)

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  49. The two straps look good on it and can handle more weight

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