{DIY} Monogrammed Bag & Link Party!

Hi friends and happy almost-Friday!! I’m so excited about our party today, and can’t wait to check out all the projects you guys tackled ‘In About an Hour’! Quick and easy are my middle names, so I had no trouble cranking out a simple afternoon project. We’re headed to the beach soon, so I thought I’d add a little zhush to a straw bag.

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I couldn’t resist this cute little number from Target’s Dollar Spot earlier this Summer, but it just screamed for a makeover. I rounded up two widths of painters tape and some spraypaint. The straw has a slick finish, so I hope the paint intended for plastic has more staying power and pliability.

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Just tape off the areas you don’t want painted, making sure the edges are pressed down smoothly so there’s no seepage. Okay, that word sounds gross.

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After a few light coats, I promptly peeled off the paint and styled my new bag for her photoshoot. And then realized that even though it’s cute, the white stripes aren’t quite me. I mean, the yellow striped pots, blue stitched fedora, and lagoon sisal trivets are me.

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So I went back and added a bit more zhush, by free-handing a blue stripe and green monogram, using acrylic craft paint.

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Now she looks like me!

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Monograms just make everything look cuter, don’t they? I went with my last initial because I have horrible penmanship, and didn’t trust myself to paint a non-wonky C. I figured it was near impossible to screw up the straight lines of an F. (You can read how we added texture to that builder-basic back door here.)

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Now it’s your turn! We all love big room makeovers, and huge Before & Afters, but most of us are lucky to squeeze an hour of free time out of the weekend. So this party is all about projects we can tackle ‘In About an Hour’…crafts, organizing, recipes….you name it! Link up below, and feel free to grab my little button for your post.

about an hour link button

Leave a Comment

26 Comments

  1. Oh my gosh Cassie, your bag is so cute! I love how you painted it and added the monogram!!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  2. Good grief Cassie, you don't have even one project I'm not completely in love with. This bag is so sticking cool! And yes, monograms make everything better šŸ™‚

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  3. Wait a sec, you're "quick & easy" too?!! I KNEW we'd get along. I love, LOVE, L.O.V.E this project!! I might do this to one of those straw baskets!!

    Is there any project of yours that doesn't require me excessively using my CAPS LOCK & exclamation keys?

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  4. Cute bag! You just gave me a great end of year Teacher gift idea! Pinning this – yes, I realize it's long way to the end of the year – school just started yesterday – but I already miss SUMMER!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  5. I love your bag, and I love monograms too! šŸ™‚ Thanks for hosting, Cassie! I hope it's okay that I shared two posts. šŸ™‚

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  6. Erin wrote:

    Love the bag! And this might be my favorite link party ever. SUCH a great idea! Thanks so much for hosting. I'm going to keep checking back for inspiration.

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  7. Oh, that is so cute, girl. Thanks for the par-tay!! Can't wait to browse all of the ideas!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  8. Girl, I give you many props. I am quite sure had I attempted a straw bag project it would not come out like that. Quite sure. Yours looks great and I love your type of link party. Thanks for letting me share my link!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  9. Leanne wrote:

    Blue and Green are my favorite colors together. I love the bag especially the monogram!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  10. Very cute!! You sure are nifty with a can of spray paint ; ) Thanks for hosting! xo

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  11. Love the tote! Thanks for hosting.

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  12. Looks so much better than just the white! And totally you. Because being a blog reader, I know you šŸ˜‰

    You know what word I hate during football season? PENETRATION!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  13. Cute bag! And great party! Thanks for hosting!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  14. That is so cute!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  15. So cute! Now I want a straw bag…

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  16. Such a cute tote! I love the monogram. I need to check out the Target dollar section more often!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  17. Great, easy idea! This is such a great link party. Can't wait to look through all the projects!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  18. Okay — ADORABLE! I love the way that turned out. It definitely looks much more 'you' than just the white stripes (which was also cute, but you know what I mean). Thanks for hosting this party!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  19. designchic wrote:

    So cute…great to make something ordinary, extraordinary!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  20. I just linked up! Such a fun little party!

    Posted 8.17.12 Reply
  21. Kriss wrote:

    Great Idea Cassie!!!!! -Kriss (www.ourjourneytohappy.com)

    Posted 8.18.12 Reply
  22. Morgan S. wrote:

    Hi! Just nominated your blog for the One Lovely Blog award. Love your blog! http://styleoyster.blogspot.com/2012/08/one-lovely-blog-award-aw-shucks-thank.html

    Posted 8.19.12 Reply
  23. emily wrote:

    That bag is super cute. Are you taking requests for customized bags? šŸ™‚

    Posted 8.20.12 Reply
  24. Clever! I never would have thought of painting a straw bag. Love the color combo and monogram.

    Posted 8.20.12 Reply
  25. RenƩ wrote:

    Oh my goodness, how cute is that bag!? I'm not together enough to participate in the party, but will definitely explore the links.

    Posted 8.21.12 Reply
  26. What a fun link party! And your monogram looks cutie! I bet you will be painting lots more initials now šŸ™‚

    Posted 8.23.12 Reply