A girl can never have too many bags, right? I’m always dashing out the door in a hurry juggling way too many little items and wishing I had a cute tote to grab on my way out. These DIY Painted Totes can go with you to the grocery store or beach, and are still stylish enough to carry around town while running errands. Get out the paint and some tape and you will have custom totes in no time!
To make these totes, you will need:
Painter’s Tape
Washi Tape
Chipboard / thick paper
Metallic Gold Spray paint
Craft paint
Paint brush
Martha Stewart foam pouncers
Let's Get Started:
1. Iron tote bags before starting to even out any creases.
2. For a gold bottomed bag, carefully tape off the bottom third. Shield the remaining top two thirds of your bag with thick paper or chipboard to protect it and tape that down as well. Spray paint the exposed bottom gold. Don’t forget to get the base of the bag!
3. To create a striped bag, use washi tape and evenly spaced out a striped template. Using a small paint brush, paint thin lines in between the tape guides. For larger stripes paint right over the tape.
4. To create a polka-dotted bag, use a foam pouncer from Martha Stewart Crafts. You can eyeball the dots or evenly mark them out first with pencil before stamping.
5. Let dry, peel your tape off, and voila! Personalized painted totes.
photos by Marisa Mangum
Jacquelyn | lark & linen says
So freaking cute!!!
Audrey says
These look super cute! I'll need to find a tote strong enough to carry all my text books...
Gaby says
Super super cute!
Ashley says
Just lovely! I love reusable shopping bags but hate how unattractive the plastic supermarket variety can be. Thanks for solving that problem for me!
Leah Bergman says
I agree! Those reusable bags can be rather hideous. 😉
Miss Sophisticate says
So cute! Love this!
Leah Bergman says
I couldn't agree more! Marisa did just a cute job.
Adeniz Villar says
So so cute! Love these!
Leah Bergman says
Thanks Adeniz! Marisa is a diy maven.
Erin | Holtwood Hipster says
These are fabulous!
Leah Bergman says
Thanks Erin! We hope you will make one. 🙂
Joelle says
These are so freaking adorable. I'm obsessed with gold and polka dots and stripes these days, so obviously I love your design! And as terrible as I am at DIY, I might just be able to pull these off...
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Joelle! This DIY is definitely easy enough for all levels of crafters. Hope you give it a try. 🙂
Tammy says
This is so cute! We always tease my boss and call her "bag lady" since she seems to carry so many…maybe I'll make her a cute one, or better yet, we can make these at our next craft night! Marisa knocked it out!
Leah Bergman says
Ha! How funny is that. This would be the perfect gift for your boss.
Amanda Story says
I love love love these!! Thinking they would be great to turn into a wino workshop with my friends looking ahead to Spring. Will make sure we take some great pictures and link back to you!
Leah Bergman says
What a cute idea! Can't wait to see the pictures.
Elyssa M says
What are the dimensions of these bags? Thanks! Too cute!
Lauren says
I am making these right now, they are so cute! Just wondering if you still remember if yours would rub off a little...my gold kind of rubs onto my hand. Did you seal yours at all?
Leah Bergman says
The gold shouldn't be rubbing off, at least it didn't on our totes! Are you using a fabric paint?
Vicki Koerbler says
Love the dotted tote bag! Where did you find those white tote bags, they seem quite sturdy!
Xo Vicki
Valerie says
Where did you get the blank tote bags?
Leah Bergman says
You can usually find them at craft stores, fabric stores or Amazon!