I don’t know about you but I love the beach! If our house were a dictatorship, with me as queen, every family vacation would be to the Gulf Coast. Unfortunately, we take turns deciding destinations. This means more often than not our trips consist of hiking and camping. If your family vacation finds you -anywhere off of the trails, this is the perfect do-it-yourself project for you. This monogrammed tote bag can be customized to your style and holds everything you’ll need for a day out! (Or you can do what I did and give it as a wonderful gift.)

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

 

 

[bctt tweet=”Get yourself vacation ready with this DIY monogrammed tote bag! #diy #totebag” username=”diyadulation”]

 

Materials

• Tote Bag
• Fabric Markers
• Heat Gun
• Flowers
• Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

 

 

Step 1

Using your fabric marker, draw the initial you want in the middle of your tote bag.

Tips:

• You will need to go over the initial multiple times to darken it. Think of it as multiple coats of paint.
• If you would like, you can add decorative swashes to it (as I did).
• If you don’t trust (or like) your handwriting, you can use a stencil for your monogram.

 

Step 2

Once the paint has dried, go over the design with a heat tool.

Tip:

• Hold the tool at least 12 inches from your design if you are using the same bag in the photos. The material it is made of will melt if exposed to the extreme heat that a heat gun can put out.

 

Step 3

Next, remove the metal clips from your flowers as well as any packaging.

Tip:

• The flower clips pictured were easy to disassemble. Gently pulling on the clip made it come right off.

 

Step 4

Cut the remaining stems off of your flowers.

 

Step 5

Add a generous amount of hot glue to the back of one of your flowers and adhere it to your tote.

Tip:

• Let the glue cool slightly before pressing the flower to your tote. A few seconds should be enough. You simply don’t want the glue to melt through the bag.
• Slide your hand inside the tote and press firmly from behind to better secure the flower.

 

Step 6

Repeat step 5 with each remaining flower you would like on your tote bag.

 

Step 7

Allow everything to cool and then use as wanted.

 

This monogrammed tote makes a perfect beach bag because of the size and material of it. Of course, you will love it so much that you’ll be happy to sling it on your shoulder even if your family adventures don’t take you to the sand. To wash, simply wipe your tote down with a damp cloth. Mild soap is okay if needed but no bleach or heavy duty cleaners. Also, be sure to wipe it down by hand. The washer will make the flowers come off. Lastly, if your little girl will be traveling with you, make her this adorable little purse to show off on your trip!

See where I’m linking up!

You always want to make mom feel special no matter what day of the year it is. Mother’s Day is an excellent time (and reminder) to make her a special DIY gift to say “You are awesome and I love you”. If you saw the recent fun blog hop you already got 4 amazing budget crafts to surprise her with this year. Of course, true to form, while shopping for that craft I found more awesome materials for budget crafts. In keeping with the Mother’s Day fashion trend, here is an amazing DIY floral hat to make her day.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

 

 

[bctt tweet=”A DIY floral hat is the perfect gift for the gardening mom or fashionista mom. #DIY #mothersday” username=”diyadulation”]

 

Materials

• Straw Hat
• Ribbon
• Burlap Flowers
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Scissors

 

Step 1

Remove all tags from your hat.

 

Step 2

Remove current ribbon from hat.

Tip:

• Don’t just yank the ribbon off. Find where (or if) it is attached to the hat and pull it off starting there.

Step 3

Wrap your new ribbon around your hat to measure length being sure that there is ½” overlap. Cut the ribbon.

 

Step 4

Add a dab of hot glue to the front side of one end of your ribbon. Next, place the back side of the second end on top of the glue. (This should be as it was wrapped around the hat when you were measuring.)

 

Step 5

Cut a small piece of ribbon that is as long as double the ribbon’s width. Wrap it around your glued seam as pictured. Secure in place with hot glue.

 

Step 6

Slide the ribbon back over the hat, aligning the seam on one side. Secure ribbon to hat by placing hot glue on the seam and pressing firmly to a hat.

Tip:

• Be careful when attaching to your hat. The glue may seep through the straw and it is very hot.

 

Step 7

Remove 2 flowers from the stems.

 

Step 8

Cut the remaining stem off of the back of the flowers and apply hot glue to one. Firmly press flower to the side of the hat opposite the ribbon seam.

 

Step 9

Attach your second flower with hot glue next to the first.

Tips:

• Place the flowers close together for a fuller effect. You don’t want any of the hat to show between them. See the picture for reference.
• It also helps to attach flowers with what would be the stem end of the flowers facing toward each other.

 

This is such an easy and beautiful DIY! It can be personalized to specific styles and tastes, too. This can be the perfect gift for the gardening mom or the fashionista mom. Whichever style your mom rocks, she will love getting this gift for Mother’s Day. Sweeten the holiday and make it spectacular for her with one of these awesome and totally free activities. Enjoy making beautiful memories with mom this year and have a very happy Mother’s Day.

 

See where I’m linking up!