Since there probably won’t be many in-person Valentine’s Day parties this year, it doesn’t mean the holiday has to be canceled all together. Just because your kiddos won’t be making (or buying) a catch-all for all of their Valentine’s Day goodies doesn't mean you still can’t have a little fun crafting for the holiday.  Just make this Easy DIY mini heart tote bag instead! You can consider this bag as a gift on Valentine's Day.

This tote bag it the perfect size to carry thoughtful cards, boxes of chocolates, and/or trinkets for Valentine’s day.  Since the bag is nice and roomie, you’ll be able to tote it along to leave little surprises for porch drop-offs to friends, family, and classmates.  You may as well dress the part and look festive while playing cupid from a distance!

To add some glam (along with shimmer and shine) I used holographic heat transfer vinyl.  This vinyl changes color depending on how the light hits it.  It looks like tiny little mirrors when the light reflects off of it! For my bag, I went with smaller hearts, but you can completely customize yours with any color bag you would like–there are so many festive options to choose from!

Take a look below to see how easy this DIY mini heart tote bag comes together.  What are you waiting for?  Grab your supplies and get making!

Supplies:

• Light Pink Canvas Tote Bag
• Heart Template
• Holographic Iron-on Vinyl
• Teflon Sheet
• Heart Template
• Scissors
• Cricut EasyPress and Mat (or and Iron and ironing board)

Step 1: To prepare your bag for the heat transfer vinyl, place it in a washing machine (without fabric softener).  Then, flatten it out and let it air dry.  If it becomes wrinkled, press it with and iron.

 

Step 2: Print of the heart template and cut it out.

Step 3:  Grab your heat transfer vinyl and flip it over so the liner side is facing down.  Then, place the heart template on the vinyl and trace it with a pen or marker.  Continue tracing the heart until you have 15.

Step 4: Use your scissors to cut out each heart.  When you’re cutting out the hearts, be sure to cut just inside of the line you drew. 

Step 5: Place the bag on the Cricut Mat (or ironing board).  Set your EasyPress (or iron) to XXXXX.   Heat the bag for 5 seconds.  Then, add some hearts on the upper left-hand side of the bag.  Be sure the liner side is facing up.  Lay the Teflon sheet on top and heat for 30 seconds.  Continue adding hearts to the top right, bottom left, and bottom right of the bag.  Repeat the same process until the bag is covered in hearts. 

Step 6:  Flip the bag over so the designs are facing down.  Heat the back of the bag for another 15 seconds. 

Step 7:  Turn the bag back over so the design is facing up and let it cool.  It should be cool to the touch (about 5 minutes).  Then, slowly peel off the liner.  Continue peeling off the liners until they’ve all been removed.  If the vinyl cones off while you remove the liner, just place the liner back over the design and go over it with heat for an additional 10 minutes.  Try to remove the liner again. Repeat this process if you continue to have issues with the vinyl coming up with the liner.

 

This DIY mini heart tote bag is so versatile!  You could add larger hearts to the bag.  Or, you could go the classic route and add red and pink hearts instead.  This project would also be fun to create treat bags using mini canvas tote bag or burlap bags to house treats for your family friends.  You could also take it one step further and add a name for more personalization.  This could be done with an electronic cutting machine and heat transfer vinyl.  You could also use letter stencil and fabric paint for your name.  Another fun way to add customization is iron-on letter patches!  This is a great craft that’s perfect for a girl's night out or a kid's valentine’s craft done around the kitchen table.  No matter what you do, have fun with it since the possibilities are endless!