Easy Belt Transormation

Last week I started looking at clothes to wear at the SNAP conference.  I found a few things I liked but was having difficulty finding a belt for a pretty spring dress.  I had a vision in mind but couldn't find anything while sticking to my budget.  I was so excited when I went to Ross and found a perfect belt for $3.99.  Unfortunately it was the wrong color.  Completely!  It was cheetah print.  I was looking for something bright and springy.  I picked it up and decided I would try and paint over the cheetah.  Best decision ever!

The dress I wanted to wear with the belt had so many pretty colors - turquoise, pink, yellow, blue, and coral.  I had a tough time deciding on a paint color!

I mixed red and yellow fabric paint to make a bright shade of coral.

I used painters tape to mask off the areas I didn't want the coral paint to touch.

I was careful to apply thin coats of the paint because I didn't want to see brush marks on the belt.

Two coats of paint later and I had a new belt!

The paint dried for a couple of hours and then I slowly peeled off the painters tape.

I used a small brush to touch up the edges and then tried out the new belt on my dress.  Perfect for SNAP next week!

I'm linking this post here.

Swim Shorts Makeover

I rarely get the opportunity to makeover a clothing item for my husband.  I was really excited when I showed him a new pair of swim shorts I "fixed" for him today.

I had picked up a pair of red swim shorts from Old Navy a couple of months ago.

I normally wouldn't just buy random shorts but they were on clearance and the store had an additional 50% off sale.  I bought these shorts for only $1.24! 

I showed my husband his new shorts and he said, "those look like lifeguard shorts!"  I knew he would wear them to preserve my bargain shopping enthusiasm but I also knew he would be looking over his shoulder wondering who thought he was a lifeguard. 

The shorts were sitting in a basket by our garage door for months.  I fully intended on returning them but never actually got around to going back to Old Navy for an exchange worth less than $2.  Yesterday as I walked by the "return basket," I had an idea: shorts makeover!  I searched online for some inspiration and found something with a splattered paint look.

I decided to try to recreate the splattered paint effect.  I used purple to neutralize the red.  Tulip's soft paint in a spray bottle was perfect and didn't make too much of a mess.

I let the paint dry overnight and then this morning I used freezer paper to stencil a design on one side of the shorts.

Purple and black fabric paint swirled together resulted in some purple, black, and marble grey stripes. 

The paint set for a couple of hours and then I carefully removed the freezer paper.

I'm happy with the outcome!

I'm linking this post here.

 

BLOOPERS

Not every craft project we set out to make turns out the way we want. Over the past two weeks we have been crafting and sewing for ourselves. During this process I attempted a few crafts that didn't work out.

Spray Fabric Paint Chevron Shirt

When I was in high school I was really interested in Vis Com (Visual Communications). I loved it because it was a great class to apply my creative interests. One of the components I learned about was screen printing. I loved it! However now I do not have the supplies or the equipment. So I have been experimenting with alternatives. I came across this spray fabric paint in the craft store that I thought might facilitate the screen printing process. Paint from a spray can goes on cleaner and smoother. I wanted to use freezer paper but for some reason the grocery stores in New Mexico seem to have a shortage. I did find freezer tape so I thought I would give that a go.

I tried the spray on a scrap of white just to see how well it worked. The color wasn't great (a little too bright) but I figured I would try it.

Start by placing cardboard under the shirt to prevent the paint from going through the shirt. Cut your tape all the same length to create a zig zag.
Overlap the tape creating the zig zag stripes, just make sure to space them accordingly.
Then I sprayed.
Let it dry and this is how it turned out.

Ugly...in my head it looked a lot better. Looking back, here is what I would change.
1. Paint on a white shirt
2. More zig zags...and spaced closer
3. Use freezer paper

I think the spray paint is a good option for fabric painting, my application needs some work.

Spray Paint Shoes:

I have seen a few people spray paint their shoes. What a great idea right? I can never find a good pair of red flats so I decided to take some initiative and make them myself.

Begin with some old shoes that you have cleaned well and spray paint.

Make sure to cover any surface you don't want painted. I covered the buckles, posts, and inside.
Spray an even coat over the shoes, let it dry and spray again.
Turned out FANTASTIC...until I wore them. After just one day the paint cracked and flaked off.

Maybe I will try to spray them again and try a sealant to keep the paint on the shoes.

So here is the bottom line, not every craft is a great idea. Sometimes you may fail. Sometimes there might be a hiccup. The point is to try new things. Experiment, take a risk, you might come up with something spectacular.

"When Pigs Fly..." party shirt

I was really excited when Jessica asked me to make Elizabeth's pig party shirt last week.  The pig theme sounded like so much fun and I couldn't wait to paint a flying pig on the shirt!  I'm really happy with how it turned out and from Jessica's post yesterday, it looks like Elizabeth loved it too.

I started with foam stamps, fabric paint, and white cotton fabric to create the wording.

I carefully stamped the letters onto the fabric.

While the letters were drying I started working on my flying pig.  I had a hard time creating an image myself.  I borrowed something from an Etsy page that I can't find again.  I made the shirt really late and I thought I had saved the link.  I feel horrible for not linking back to the artist.  If you know the source to this cute piggie, please email me! 

I printed the image and then used a black marker to trace the lines.

I put the paper directly under the fabric and traced the pig with a fabric marker.

I used fabric markers to make the lines darker and then added some rosy cheeks.  Then I ironed both fabric pieces onto fusible backing and attached them to the shirt.

I stitched around the patches, added some rhinestones, and went to the post office with Elizabeth's birthday package the next day.  Such a cute little party girl in her new shirt!

 

4th of July Necklace Shirt

Painting a necklace on a shirt is certainly not a new idea.  I've seen these cute shirts everywhere.  I remembered that I made this type of tank for my daughter to wear on 4th of July last year.  The red and blue painted necklaces were perfect for the holiday.  I used red fabric paint to outline a felt star with dots and then hand stitched it to the shirt. 

We were in San Diego last year on the 4th.  Unfortunately the only picture I have of my daughter wearing the shirt is of her using the handrail at the zoo to swing like a monkey. 

I'm sure the top still fits her but it probably could use a little length.  I plan on adding a few ruffles to the bottom for a festive tunic she can wear this year with leggings.

A couple of years ago I started making my daughter shirts and tanks with painted necklaces.  I found an easy tutorial online somewhere but can't remember the source.  I apologize if it was from you!  You can use a variety of fabric paints to create the necklaces.  Initially I was using Tulip's dimensional fabric paint but later started using Tulip's soft fabric paint.  I started by ironing a crease down the middle of my shirt as a guide.  I slid a piece of cardboard inside the shirt to make sure the paint did not bleed to the back.  I used the back of a pen to create the beads on the smaller necklace by simply dipping the pen in the paint and gently stamping it on the shirt.  I started in the middle and worked my way to the neckline for half of the necklace strand. I repeated on the other side to complete the first strand.  I used the back of a large marker to paint the larger beads.  The necklace can be left plain or embellished. 

I pulled out some old pictures of necklace onesies I've made in the past. 

Last year Jessica planned to dye a onesie from white to black.  She ended up with a steel grey instead of black.  You can read about her experience with fabric dye in her Wednesday Wowzer post here.  She asked if I could turn her onesie into something cute so I added a white necklace and pretty flower embellishment.  I love the white beads on the darker fabric! 

Remember that these can be done on long sleeve shirts too.  Last year my daughter wore her pink necklace shirt a lot.  I hand stitched a red and pink striped bow to the corner.  It was incredibly easy and dressed up an otherwise plain pink shirt!

I'm sure older girls would have a blast making these at a birthday party!