Just Embellish

In crafting, sometimes mistakes happen. Some are small and others our big--almost tantrum inducing because of the cost of the ruined project. And I admit I almost had quite a toddler meltdown over this tote bag. I've added HTV (heat vinyl transfer) to totes numerous times before but for some reason...either the vinyl was defective or the tote...it just wouldn't stick.I tried for thirty minutes, and as it was time to start dinner, I had to admit defeat.

My plan was to try again the next day. Wouldn't you know it but the moment I started removing the vinyl (still attached to the carrier sheet) the "end" of the saying stuck. Now, I had lifted up all four corners and the design hadn't stuck which was why I was going to try later. I easily removed half the vinyl sheet, but the other part of the saying was finally stuck to the tote. I was not a happy crafter. I hated the fact that I had just ruined the bag as I don't have that many (and totes can be a little pricey).

What was I going to do? If it had been a scrapbook page, I'd just add an embellishment and be on my way. You know, add a sticker, a ribbon, a flower...something. Then I thought why not embellish the bag? I had a ton of fabric. If it didn't work out right, it didn't matter because the bag was already ruined.

I sewed a piece of fabric onto the back side of the bag and then added another piece of material (using no sew fabric tape) to make a pocket. I might try adding some vinyl to the pocket, which I'll try first by applying some to a piece of scrap material I have left over.

I chose a fabric that colors went well with the cover of  my new book because I was going to make a fabric transfer to place on the other side. I hadn't used a fabric transfer on canvas material before and figured might as well try it now. If it doesn't work, I won't be messing up another tote.  I did iron on the transfer before adding the pocket so the added bulk didn't interfere with the transfer sticking.

And it worked! It's not the tote I had planned to make, but I have to say that I really do like it. It turned out nice. Most of the time in crafting, all it takes is some well-placed embellishments to turn what you believe is a ruined project into a wonderful creation.

Layering HTV- The Experiment

My husband and I joined a bowling league and part of the deal was if I started bowling, he'd wear a matching team t-shirt. I'm not sports-inclined but as it's a way for us to spend time with my daughter and her significant other, I conceded. I've been wanting to add layering HTV to my crafting repertoire, and found many reasons why the time wasn't right. I didn't have enough HTV colors. Didn't have the right project. I was in the middle of writing a book (which is pretty much always). I didn't want to waste the vinyl (once I bought it). Yep, one excuse after another. I even had a friend offer to come over and help me but I've been deep in the deadline cave and didn't have long to step out of it.

With the third week of bowling coming up, I knew I had to get our shirts done. It was the reason I agreed to join. So, I decided to give it a try because as my husband pointed out it was no more "wasteful" (my biggest fear--wasting supplies) to hold and not use the vinyl than it was to use it and mess it up. And at least by using it, I was giving myself the opportunity to get the hang of it. I'd never learn if I didn't try.

I went for it. I had a few missteps...mainly with the glitter vinyl...but was able to learn from it and the second try and the shirty came out much better. The big issue was with the glitter vinyl. Pieces of the glitter will stay on the transfer sheet, you just can't get it all off.

I found the easiest way to make sure random glitter doesn't get on your image is to trim down the transfer sheet, even if it leaves you with two small pieces to work with rather than one large image. The red was my glitter vinyl.

The other issue I had was in layering the main pieces. I didn't want to over press the main image, so I decided to add all the main back colors (orange, black, and yellow) at the same time. Well, that doesn't work so well when a piece of the transfer sheet ends up under the vinyl. The black semi-circles were attached to the transfer sheet of the yellow circle rather than the t-shirt. I had to peel off the black vinyl and start over, doing one color at a time. I was sure there was an easier and quicker way but decided to go with the longer method. I'm planning on making back-up t-shirts and giving it another try because as with most things practice makes perfect.