Fun Arts and Crafts Project - Create a Vacation Memories Souvenir Tote Bag

Keep vacation memories alive long after vacation is over with this kid friendly craft. Creating a decorative tote bag is an arts and crafts project that can easily be completed in just a few hours. Since tote bags can be purchased for less than five dollars at most craft stores, this arts and crafts project makes a wonderful cheap souvenir.

Arts and Crafts Materials for Creating a Cheap Souvenir Tote Bag

For this arts and crafts vacation memories project, you will need a tote bag, iron-on transfer paper suitable for use in your printer, computer and printer. To add embellishments , you may also want to have some fabric paint on hand.

Software for Creating a Vacation Memories Souvenir

Most packages of iron-on transfers recommend software for creating iron-on designs. However, it is not necessary to have expensive software on hand to create original designs that capture your vacation memories. General photograph software or programs such as Microsoft Word can be used to create great looking, original designs.

To use Microsoft Word to create your designs, simply insert the digital images you intend to use into a standard document. Click on the image to adjust the image color, contrast, brightness and other elements. If desired, change the image color to black and white for added interest. To add text to this arts and crafts project, simply add a text box and input the desired text to be featured on this vacation memories kid-friendly craft.

Printing Iron-on Transfers to Make Vacation Memories Tote Bag

Once you have finalized your design, print a sample of the design on regular paper. Use this as a template to determine if the design is appropriately sized to fit the tote bag. Once you are satisfied with the design look and size, you are ready to print the design on the iron-on transfer paper.

Carefully follow the directions included with your iron-on transfer sheets. If you are including text with your image, be sure to print the iron on transfer by utilizing the mirror setting on your printer. This will reverse the text so it will read correctly once transferred to the bag.

After printing your vacation memories design onto the iron-on transfer, cut out the transfer designs carefully trimming around the edges. When using multiple images, trim individually and iron onto various locations of the tote bag. Carefully follow the instructions included with the iron-on transfer sheets. Time required for ironing on the transfer varies by manufacturer.

After ironing on the image, let cool as instructions state and gently remove the transfer backing. Repeat as necessary until all the images have been transferred to the tote bag. Once complete, your vacation memories tote bag is ready to use.

Enjoy your favorite vacation memories all year long with this easy arts and crafts project. It's a great kid-friendly craft that you can do together while creating a cheap souvenir to keep your vacation memories alive.