Upcycling a Thrifted Canvas Bag
Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend 🙂 If you’re on my email list, then you received my newsletter on Saturday/Sunday about some special vintage “gifts” I received from a sweet reader in Claverack (NY). I have such a good time talking with my readers, live and in person, and Debbie was no exception–such a doll. I haven’t even had time yet to sort through all the treasures she passed on to me, but I am certainly looking forward to it, and of course, I’ll give you all a peek as well.
Today I have a super simple, thrifted craft for you: a stenciled canvas bag. You’ve probably noticed from reading my blog that in addition to salable merchandise, I buy a lot of “stuff,” not to sell or keep as is, but to improve upon with a bit of paint, sometimes a stencil, other times by adding something to it, like a set of hooks, or maybe a knob or two. For me, that’s a hugely fulfilling part of my business: upcycling “one man’s junk into another man’s treasure.”
I’ve wanted to stencil a canvas bag for quite some time, but it wasn’t until I found this one, for about a dollar, that I knew the right specimen had finally crossed my path.
I think it’s meant to be a carpenter’s tool bag, or perhaps a gardener’s tool bag? In any event, it’s a bit more interesting than the typical craft store canvas bag, and while it had clearly been used, it cleaned up nicely with a light sponge bath.
I used one of my favorite stencils–“Farmers Market” by FolkArt–along with some DecoArt “Carbon” chalky paint for application to the canvas.
With some faux pink geraniums tucked inside, it would make a charming front door wreath-alternative, right?
Or just throw it over your shoulder for your next visit to the local farmers market or Country Living Fair.
Either way, I’m encouraged by the result and will be keeping my eye out at thrift stores and garage sales for other likely stenciling candidates.
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Too cute! I’m going to use this idea for sure.
Adorable!!
Thank you for sharing at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party!
Great project, Diana! It would be a perfect front door decoration! I have the stencil…and now I’m indpired!
I love this! What a great canvas bag and it is perfect to stencil. The flowers inside finish it off perfectly.
Great upcycle, Diana!
Great little project, Diana! That bag looks really sturdy and well-made, too.
You mentioned the Country Living Fair. Have you ever been? I’ve been dying to go for years. It is happening fairly close to me this year so I could feasibly go. We’ll see.
Can’t wait to see some of those items you were gifted. What a windfall, huh?
I agree that this particular canvas bag was special enough for a stenciling. I would like to see it hanging on MY door! My eye is twitching a little, though. I want to put an apostrophe on one side or the other of the “s”, like “Farmer’s” for singular or “Farmers'” for plural. Any thoughts?
I bet the backs of your children are stenciled—Farm Fresh…lol. Very cute idea and certainly a great idea to have such a nice big bag at the market. Grins, thanks for the ideas, Sandi
Cute bag! Useful as either fun decor or to actually tote around with. Love working with canvas bags – so many creative ideas. Visiting from Vintage Charm.
Super cute, Diana! I just love it and it’s a great idea for the front door, too.