We always try to bring reusable totes to the grocery store or market, but we just aren’t big fans of the ones you get at the checkout counter. So instead of being resolved to carrying any old market tote, we decided to make our own using only four supplies!
Materials:
– Canvas tote
– Spray dye
– Painter’s tape
– Stencil
Instructions:
1. Sketch a few designs, then decide on your favorite and start taping.
2. Cover up the areas you don’t want dyed with scrap paper.
3. Time to start spraying! For a more speckled look, hold the spray further from the bag. For a more solid look, hold it up close.
4. Once you’ve sprayed all areas, gently remove tape. Let dry overnight before using!
Now let’s dive in!
Start by gathering your materials. Sketch a few designs and then decide on your favorite.
We’re going to only use tape for our first two totes.
SOLID DYED GEOMETRIC TOTE
We’ll be using the solid dye technique for this tote.
Start by taping off your pattern. Beginning with the purple section, cover up the other parts of the tote you don’t want dyed, then spray away. Repeat with remaining two sections. Gently dab the excess dye puddles on the painter’s tape with a paper towel, then gently remove tape. Let dry and you’re done!
OMBRE DYED GEOMETRIC TOTE
This tote uses the combo techniques of solid and speckled dying.
Tape your pattern onto the tote and cover up all but one section with scrap paper. Solid dye the section, then remove the scrap paper and gently spray lighter mists on the exposed sections. Repeat with other sections, gently remove tape, and let dry.
TWEED PATTERNED OMBRE TOTE
This tote is probably the simplest of the bunch!
Lay tweed stencil at the top of the tote centered with the handle. Gently spray dye over stencil and the upper half of the tote. Rinse stencil and repeat with the bottom half of the tote.
DIAGONAL TWEED TOTE
Probably the most unique of the bunch, we love using our tweed stencil to create diagonal stripes.
Start by taping the stencil into place and covering up the exposed areas with scrap paper. We went for an ombre look so gently spray the dye over this section. Move onto the next section by matching up the tweed pattern, taping, covering, and spraying again. Repeat until the diagonal is completed and then repeat again with another color. Let dry completely before using!
We love these totes so much we’ll definitely be using them for more than market and grocery trips!
What are your favorite easy DIY projects? Let us know in the comments section below!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.