Totes Adorbs: Simple Doodle Tote Bag

I have a craft blogger problem.  Because I am always focused on creating projects for my home and for the blog that are beautiful and on-trend and aesthetically pleasing, I don’t often let my creativity just go.  I plan out projects that are somewhat safe because I want them to turn out well, both for my sake and for the sake of any reader who might try the project at home.  Also, I am cheap and hate the idea of wasting crafting materials for something that might end up being hideous.

But that’s not a great long-term strategy for a creative type.  Those kinds of boundaries can prevent me from trying new techniques, from expanding my skill set, and from just having fun!  I decided that for this second tote bag tutorial, I was going to remove my usual restrictions and let the creativity flow.  It might turn out great; it might be silly.  After stripping away my usual rules,  I ended up taking myself down to the most basic artistic level: the doodle!

If you have never used fabric markers before, they are such a fun way to decorate anything made of fabric from shirts to shoes, pillows to pocketbooks.  I used my fabric markers to create a fun, funky doodle tote bag, and I had so much fun!

To make a Simple Doodle Tote, you will need:

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canvas tote bag

fabric markers

The only design plan I had when starting off the tote bag was that I wanted to create a sort of Aztec-like stripe pattern down the front of the tote bag.  With that idea in mind, I got to doodling.

The fabric markers draw on the canvas like a dream, and once they have dried the tote is completely washable.  I won’t lie, I was a little nervous about not really having any idea how the bag would turn out, but after a few lines of doodles I was really enjoying just making things up as I went along!

I will probably use this tote to transport craft materials or projects since it has such an artistic vibe.  When you are working with your fabric markers, you could make your doodles graffiti-like or maybe a little hippy mod.  It’s completely up to you!

So, are you like me?  Do you have trouble really letting go with your creative projects or are you a free spirit who creates as inspiration moves you?

Be sure to check out yesterday’s Block Printed Tote tutorial, and stay tuned the rest of the week for more tote tutes!