Earth Day Crafts (Part 1): Canvas Bags

In honor of Earth Day, which is fast approaching, I’m sharing pictures of some of the planet-friendly projects our children have worked on. Many were adapted from activities described in Family Fun Magazine or on FamilyFun.com, but this one is more original.

This installment features canvas bags decorated earlier this year. In addition to opting for canvas instead of plastic or paper for groceries, we use these bags for library books and trips to the farmers’ market. Blank cotton canvas totes can be purchased in a variety of shapes and sizes at many stores, including amazon.com, Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores and Michaels.

To create a smooth surface and prevent ink transfers to the other side, a large book covered by a thick layer of newspaper was placed in each bag. Kelly and Timmy used #2 pencils to sketch their pictures on the canvas, and then they colored them in with a combination of Crayola Fabric Markers and Sharpie Fine-Tip Permanent Markers.