Craft or Die Tote Bag

[oohmybees]

The Crafty Chica and Craft Magazine are having a contest for the best beach bag (there is still time to enter, read about it here), the winner get a crafty party for six and other cool stuff.  I was soooooo excited when I found out about it and I knew just what I was going to do!
I used acrylic paint mixed with textile medium to paint a sugar skull with crafty tools around it.  I added dimensional paint, glitter paint, rhinestones, and a red glitter vinyl applique.

On the back I made a large reverse applique with the glitter vinyl and more painting and rhinestones.

I just couldn't stop, on the inside I stenciled nautical stars, when they were dry I accented them with glitter paint.

The inspiration for the shape of the bag came from simplicity 2658, my version is larger, the handle hole is larger, there is one large zippered pocket, three open pocket, and a key keeper on the inside.

I had a great time working on this project, I have been a bit obsessed  , and I am so happy it turned out exactly like I planned!  (There are sketches on my blog and progress shots on flickr if you would like to see more).
Comment and Critiques always appreciated

[Digitalis88]

Amazing job. You are very talented.

[QuiltersBlock]

*Love* it!! Great bag, terrific contest entry!

QB (aka refibered)

[little me]

Very nice. I hope you win.

[frogangel]

I love it! Great job. I really hope you win! 

[Im Sew Silly]

oh my word that is one awesome bag! I am not even into sugar skulls and i want one!
excellent work!

[oohmybees]

Thanks everyone 

*Love* it!! Great bag, terrific contest entry!

QB (aka refibered)

Hi Kelly (waves) thanks for the mini lesson on reverse applique, I couldn't have done it without you  !

[Avabrowneyes]

Wow. You'd definitely be a winner in my book--not just for the kick butt idea and execution, but the fact that you used images that remind me of tattoos! My sister has a heavy interest in tattoos (she wanted to be an artist), and she turned me on to the tattoo fabric you can sometimes find if you look hard enough. I think it's brilliant that you created this by painting it. I am in awe! Great job!

[Glamis]

You should win. It is awesome and I love all the details.

[oohmybees]

Wow. You'd definitely be a winner in my book--not just for the kick butt idea and execution, but the fact that you used images that remind me of tattoos! My sister has a heavy interest in tattoos (she wanted to be an artist), and she turned me on to the tattoo fabric you can sometimes find if you look hard enough. I think it's brilliant that you created this by painting it. I am in awe! Great job!

Thanks Avabrowneyes, I really like that fabric too, but it is hard to find and so I just decided to make my own.  It really wasn't that hard, I drew my basic design and traced it onto the fabric and filled it in like a coloring book.

You should win. It is awesome and I love all the details.

Thank Glamis, I would love to win, but no matter what I had a great time making this and I have another idea for a painted handbag that I want to try!