Ivonne's Art Tote and Sale

My friend, Ivonne, from Cuban in the Midwest blog happens to be a great cook and accomplished artist. On the subject of food, check out her Chicken Pot Pie with a Cuban twist. Delisioso! On the subject of art, check out her blog at IvonneBessArt. She does amazing portraits in colored pencils. Ahhh, the patience needed to do that. She has my admiration!

She recently bought one of my handmade totes to decorate. See what she bought below or click here. This week she sent me a photo of her lovely creation. She wrote:

Maria, I have to say, I was at a loss as to what to paint on my bag. Your flowers look so good on there, so I followed your example and painted...some poppies. I'm pretty rusty with the acrylics, but all in all, I think it worked out well. I'm going to start using it this weekend.

Well done, Ivonne...I love it!

I'm having a Sale of Totes & Aprons in my Etsy shop. Get 25% OFF and FREE SHIPPING, of course.
Use coupon code 25PERCENTOFFSALE. Hurry, this will last through December 15th!

Have a great week-end and thanks for stopping by today!


Cariños,
Maria Soto Robbins

http://www.artbymsr.etsy.com
http://www.art-by-msr.com
http://twitter.com/msotorobbins
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Soto-Robbins-Artist/152244918166135

Etsy on Sale! 50% Off

It's been fun to create these totes.  Taking out the sewing machines that I hadn't used for several years and buying new gadgets like this Olfa Rotary cutter, (which is a must-have if you sew) and a neat cutting mat to go with it.  I learned how to punch holes in leather with a cool gadget that I didn't know existed.  And sew these on with suede cord. Yes, I've learned a few things but at a cost. Mostly in time, which I don't have that much, to begin with, with my "other" job. So, as much as I've enjoyed it, for now, I'm clearing out my shop of these items. The totes in my Etsy shop must go and I'm offering them at 50% off. Actually, the aprons and Art totes, too.  See below for more on this.

Click here to see these in my Etsy shop!

Etsy On Sale would not let me put more than one Category on Sale. It's either the whole store or only one grouping. So, if there is anything else like Aprons, or do-it-yourself Art Totes that you'd like, they're at 50% off as well.  I will only be able to credit you via PayPal, after check out. OK?  But hurry, this offer will expire soon and Christmas is around the corner!

Now, back to painting!
Thanks for stopping by~
Cariños,

Maria Soto Robbins

http://www.artbymsr.etsy.com
http://www.art-by-msr.com
http://www.artbymsr.blogspot.com
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How to paint a tote

The title of this post might not be correct.  We're not painting just any tote but one that I sewed myself and you can see here in my Etsy shop.  The instructions below cover only the painting portion of this project. I'll leave the How to Sew an Art Tote for another time.

I used acrylics as my painting medium but you can certainly use conventional oils and add Liquin medium if you want to have it dry faster.  I've also done this with the Artisan water mixable oils and love it.  But I prefer the drying time of the acrylics and that is why I've used them on this project. You decide!

You can find this tote and other colors here.

Take one of my totes (like the one shown above) and slip a piece of cardboard under the painting area.  And to ensure that you don't get paint in the wrong areas, cover with plastic:

Make sure you use blue painters tape or Frog tape to keep the cloth underneath clean.

I love sunflowers and don't get tired of painting them! So I apply at least one coat of white or buff titanium acrylic to prepare the  8x10 "canvas".  After it dries, I'll apply my imprimatura. In this case, I used a mix of cad yellow and white. Again, wait till it dries and sketch your image. It's lightly drawn.

You might see the drawing a bit better here:

I've outlined the sunflower and started with the darker center first.

As usual, I got so carried away with the painting that I forgot to take more pictures! You get the idea. This sunflower is basically done. I will spray varnish it but wanted to  photograph it  first so I  wouldn't get the glare.

 And finally.  This is what my completed tote looks like.  I would love to see what you come up with!

You can find this one here or one like it .

Please feel free to contact me here if you have any questions about any of these steps.


Cariños,
Maria Soto Robbins

http://www.artbymsr.etsy.com
http://www.art-by-msr.com
http://www.artbymsr.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/msotorobbins
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Soto-Robbins-Artist/152244918166135

© 2012 Original design by Maria Soto Robbins which is exclusive to Artbymsr. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproductions prohibited.

Totes to Decorate or Paint

Black cotton canvas totes with leather straps

These stylish cotton totes are ready for you to decorate or paint with your own design! If you're a fine art painter or visual artist, what a great way to paint your own unique image and carry around your work of art every time you run out the door with your tote! Share your work with the world!  A pretty and useful conversation piece!

Choose from denim, black or brown canvas with soft leather straps

These are totally hand sewn by me and made individually. When I was looking to paint my own totes I found only cheap quality, foreign made totes. So I made my own. You can see my art totes here and dream up your own art!

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/90888642

Decorate them with acrylics or oil paints. You can do your own screen printing or sew or embroider anything you like. Let your creativity be your guide and have a very personal and practical work of art to keep or give! 

My canvas cotton tote bags with leather handles have plenty of room to carry everything you need when you are on the go (they're lined and include a bottom pleated gusset with grommets reinforcing the handles). Perfect for the beach, gym, work, school, to carry your laptop, or on quick trips to the grocery store!

Cariños,


Maria Soto Robbins

http://www.artbymsr.etsy.com
http://www.art-by-msr.com
http://www.artbymsr.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/msotorobbins
http://www.facebook.com/mariasotorobbins
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Soto-Robbins-Artist/152244918166135


♥ Handmade with love in Miami, Fl

© 2012 Original design by Maria Soto Robbins which is exclusive to Artbymsr. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproductions prohibited.

Giveaway Winner!

As you know, I was giving away one of my beach/anywhere totes that didn't make it to my design finals.  You can read about it here. And I'm so happy to let you know that Random.org picked a winner and it is #8:

And the winner is....drum roll, please~~

Congratulations, Audrey! If you will write to me at msr107@gmail.com, and put in the subject line,
"Maria, I won the tote"!, and include your mailing address, I can get that out to you as soon as possible!

Thanks to all who left comments and subscribed to my newsletter. I appreciate it!

Cariños,

Maria Soto Robbins

http://www.artbymsr.etsy.com
http://www.art-by-msr.com
http://www.artbymsr.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/msotorobbins
http://www.facebook.com/mariasotorobbins
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Soto-Robbins-Artist/152244918166135

Sunny Sunflower Art Totes

Recently, I told you about these new art totes I've been sewing and painting individually.  I've sold several and have had very good feedback on them.  One of my favorite collectors (you know who You are) told me this:

Art Tote

"Oh Maria!  It's absolutely gorgeous...and very under priced.  I would suggest a price of $40 as in introductory price.  I don't know how much time you spend painting the bag and I realize that art cannot be measured by man hours but $25 with free shipping is too low....way too low. 

The size of the painting is perfect.  I wouldn't change a thing except the price.

Again, thank you for sharing your talent with the rest of us mere mortals.  I'll wear my new tote with pride."

Wasn't that sweet? Of course, she's one of my favorite Collectors!

Well, I do agree .  It was an introductory price, they do take a lot of time and effort and prices do need to go up September 1st. So, if you've been eyeing one of these as a beach tote, farmer's market bag, gym bag, Christmas present, etc., please go to my Etsy shop now for more information.

If you'd like to try and win one, please go to my giveaway and leave a comment on my blog! Random.org will pick a winner on September 9th. Enter as many times as you like...Good luck!

Cariños,

Maria Soto Robbins

http://www.artbymsr.etsy.com

http://www.art-by-msr.com

http://www.artbymsr.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/msotorobbins

http://www.facebook.com/mariasotorobbins

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Soto-Robbins-Artist/152244918166135