Spread Kindness Tote Bag + Expressions Vinyl Mystery Box

Clearly, I am a sucker for tote bags (I use them here on the blog a lot) and I knew I needed a tote bag when I saw the spread kindness cut file that came with this month’s Expressions Vinyl Mystery Box. Not sure what a Mystery Box is? Have no fear, I am going to show you all about it, use one of the free cut files that comes with your purchase, and chat about my favorite ways to spend kindness every day!

The Expressions Vinyl Mystery Box is a great way to try new types of vinyl and I am a huge fan of this month’s box including flat sheets! I usually opt to buy sheets over rolls and I ALWAYS get my vinyl from Expressions Vinyl. I learned the hard way that they are my go-to for my vinyl supplies.

Estimated Time: 15 Minutes

Skill Level:  Intermediate (some very small weeding)

Supplies Needed:

• Silhouette CAMEO®
• Silhouette Cutting Mat
• Weeding Hook
• Silhouette Studio – use the Business Edition to make importing SVGs easy
• Heat Transfer Vinyl – I used the Dusty Floral from my February 2022 Mystery Box
• Plain Tote Bag
• Iron or heat press
• Spread Kindness cut file from Arilee Creative Co – Included with the purchase of a Mystery Box

Step One: Creating Your Spread Kindness Design:

Open Silhouette Studio®.

Select the Page Setup Window and adjust your cutting mat size to 12×12 (or the sized mat you are using).

First, you need to download your design from the email you will receive from Expressions Vinyl when you purchase your Mystery Box.

Next, open your design in Silhouette Studio. Click File>Open>Select your downloaded file.

Using the Business Edition of Silhouette Studio makes using SVGs easy. In other words, no tracing is required.

Measure your tote and re-size your design to the correct space on your 12×12 template – be sure to click and drag to select the whole design to keep everything lined up.

You will need to flip your design, so it appears backward for Heat Transfer Vinyl – this is called “mirroring” your design. Highlight your design, right-click, and select “flip horizontally” to mirror it.

Step Two:  Cutting Out Your Design:

Open your Expressions Vinyl Mystery Box and pick out your vinyl.

Select “Send” in the software (top right corner) to prepare to cut.

Follow the prompts in the Design Studio for the type of vinyl you are using for your project and double-check to make sure your design has been selected to cut.

Load your heat transfer vinyl into your Cameo 4 with the color/pattern side face down on the mat. Tip: Use some painter’s tape to hold down the edges of your vinyl if it curls up from being on a roll – this usually happens to me when I use glitter HTV. *My photo below shows the vinyl with the pattern face up – I realized my mistake but forgot to take another photo.

Click “Send”

Press the down-arrow when your machine has finished cutting your design to remove the cutting mat from the machine.

Step Three:  Preparing Your Spread Kindness Design:

Remove your sheet of Heat Transfer Vinyl from the cutting mat – go slow so it doesn’t curl up or tear.

Use your fingers or a weeding tool to remove the excess vinyl from each color. Be sure to leave your design on the clear carrier sheet.

Step Four:  Creating Your Tote Bag:

Pre-heat your tote bag – use your iron or heat press to warm up the fabric for a better transfer.

Place your design on your tote bag right side up (this is the reason you mirror your design for cutting).

Heat the design for the recommended time for the HTV you’re using. Use steady pressure.

Peel back the clear carrier sheet. Some Heat Transfer Vinyl requires a hot or cold peel – always follow the recommended peel for your heat transfer vinyl. Tip: pull from a corner with one hand and hold the tote down with your other. Make sure each part of the design transfers completely to your tote bag.

Easy Ways to Spread Kindness:

Once you have allowed your design and tote bag to cool, you’re ready to go spread kindness. Here are some suggestions:

1. Ask the cashier at the grocery store what their favorite candy bar is and buy it for them.
2. Send a friend a gift card for their favorite fast food restaurant or coffee place.
3. Thank a veteran for their service.
4. Leave five-star reviews for items you buy (and love) on Etsy, Amazon, Target, etc.
5. Tip 100% at a restaurant (if your dinner is $40, leave $40 for your server too)