LL Bean Monogrammed Canvas Bags (A Little "Faked")

I love those pretty canvas bags from LL Bean.  They're so classic.  Instantly recognizable.  They're personalized with your monogram.  They're so darn expensive! 

Bringing your own grocery bags to the store is all the rage today.  If you're and Aldi shopper like me, it's not just fashionable, it's necessary.  Well, just because you're a bargain shopper doesn't mean you have to look like one and these bags will keep them guessing why you're in Aldi and not at Fresh Market!

I nearly fell to my knees when I saw these bags at the Dollar Tree:

They only had 4 left in the store so I ran home to http://www.dollartree.com/ to order a case of 36. 

So, this craft is pretty straightforward. We're going to paint a monogram on the front pocket of the bags to look like LL Bean's classic tote bag. 

Trace a stencil, or freehand your monogram using a fine tip marker.  Usually, a monogram has the initial of the person's last name in the middle, with the initial of ther first name to the left and the initial of their middle name to the right.  The middle letter is larger than the side letters.

With some craft/fabric paint in the color of your choice, trace the sketched letters.

Can you tell the difference?  Now I just have 35 more to go!  These will make terrific Christmas (already??)  gifts for my friends and family if I bundle 4 together for each of them to take on their shopping runs! 

*Update* If you're interested in another way to make these monograms, check out my Follow-Up Post!

The Fake-It Yourself Breakdown:

36 Personally Monogrammed Canvas Bags

Total Fake-It Cost $36.00

36 Personally Monogrammed Canvas Bags from LLBean - Plain Bag, Similar Size $20.00, with monogram $6 per bag, $936.00 for 36 Bags (Holy Crap!)

Total Fake-It Yourself Savings $900.00