Dot Silhouette Shirt Tutorial

Tags

art, children, craft, embellished shirt, kid craft, Refashion, shirt

On Day 3 of Nephew Camp, we did a shirt craft. My nephew decided that he was going to make these shirts for a living, and he promised to give me 50¢ for every $10 he makes. I can’t wait until he makes $10 million! But we’ll share our little secret anyway…

Three Rockin’ Shirts

We used three colors of the fabric paint; a darker base color, a shimmery accent color, and a “pop” color.

Materials:  
fabric paint, computer, printer, paper, cardboard, shirt, new pencil, double-sided tape (optional), magazine

Directions:
Step 1: Prewash and dry your shirt (or bag or bandana or…).

Step 2: Google search a silhouette image you like and print it.

Step 3: Place your paper over top a piece of cardboard (I used an empty cardboard food package). Then, use a pen and press down hard as you trace the outline.

Trace Silhouette

Step 4: Carefully cut out your template.

Cut Along Impression

Step 5: (optional) If this project is for little fingers, use double-sided tape to anchor the template onto shirt.

Adhere Cardboard Template

Step 6: Place magazine or cardboard (newspaper is too messy) inside shirt and straighten out any wrinkles.

Step 7: Using eraser of pencil, start doting paint around the edges of the silhouette to create a few radial arms. We dip the eraser in the paint and put the thickest dot of paint closest to the silhouette and make 3 more dots, allowing the paint to fade as we move the eraser further out. Allow first layer to dry.

Apply First Layer

Step 8: Use the shimmery accent to create more radial arms, filling in most of the area around the silhouette. Allow second layer to dry.

Add Second Layer

Step 9: Using the pop color, fill in some of the remaining spaces around the silhouette. Allow final layer to dry.

Final Layer of Paint

Step 10: Carefully peel off template.

Remove Template

Step 11: Carefully read instructions and follow directions for your specific type of fabric paint. Some fabric paints need to be set with a press cloth and hot iron. Some need to set 72 hours before getting fabric wet.

*To help preserve your new creation, turn inside out before washing and hang to dry.

XOXO,
Young Wifey

French Chic Wall Art for Ensuite Bathroom

Tags

art, bathroom, crafting, crafts, decor, DIY, en suite, ensuite, french chic, home decor, master suite, triptych, wall art, wall prints

Perhaps you remember the French Chic (Monogram) Wall Art I made for our family room. When I created it, I immediately planned to create more pieces in the same style (Mom, I know I still owe you and Dad a monogram one…). I’ve had my plan and materials ready, but kept them pushed aside until now.

Young Wifey’s French Chic Wall Art for Ensuite Bathroom

The Prints:
Of course keeping both poems in their native French, I chose one poem by Baudelaire and another by Apollinaire. The Apollinaire poem was a bit longer, so I split it in half to create two pieces. The text (using a script-like font in grey) created the background image on off-white paper. On each print, I layered Victorian clip art of three perfumes bottles with atomizers from The Graphics Fairy (Thanks Karen!). These images were printed in black ink. Once dry, I sprayed my prints with a layer of clear acrylic sealer.

Framing:
I had thee 8″x10″ bronze frames for my triptych of prints. I layered each print with a white mat that provided a 5″x7″ window for my prints. Once assembled they were ready to hang.

How do you like my wall art project?
What home decor projects do you have in progress?

XOXO,
Young Wifey

Bilateral Nephrectomy & Definition Wall Art

Tags

art, craft, crafting, mother, pkd, wall art

Some of you may remember that my mother has been struggling with PKD. Today was her bilateral nephrectomy, a very serious procedure. Luckily the surgeon WAS able to do the procedure laparoscopically with 5 small incisions and only one 5″ cut. She was in a lot of pain tonight and still recovering.

In lieu of flowers, balloons, or teddy bear, I made her some more special. Definition art has been a trend for a few years. After contemplating how to show my mother how very cherished and important she is, I was able to finally put it into words…

Definition Art: Mother

Thanks for all the positive energy, thoughts, and prayers!

Decoupaged Family Monogram

Tags

art, crafting, definition, family, home decor, monogram, wall art, wooden letter

I love including our the first letter of our surname, “D”, throughout our home. Remember this one?

I purchased this wooden letter from the craft store and painted the edges “raw umber”. Then I decoupaged the top with definitions (similar to this decoupaged apple), words and names that are meaningful to our family. A quick coat of clear acrylic sealer and it was ready for the wall. I’m not sure where exactly in our entryway I want to mount it, but the walls will be painted tan before then, so it’ll pop more.

Decoupaged Family Letter

Decoupaged “D”

What have you created for your home recently?

Wall Art for Master Bedroom

Tags

art, home decor, lyric wall art, painting, wall art

Our master bedroom is filled with hues of blues and browns, and it has a touch of white to keep everything light. This combination in extremely relaxing,  but it is in need of a little color splash. I choose a hint of purple because it would give a romantic touch to the bedroom. Hubster wouldn’t approve of a girlie room (except for the guest room…) so I decided to sneak in the purple with little splashes here and there.

Our room is in need of some decorating and I knew I wanted my painting to bring the blues to the wall and add a small hint of purple (it’s more inconspicuous if I ease it in…).  There are two types of wall art all over the crafting world that I was considering; paintings of two birds on a branch/line and song lyric wall art. I decided to mesh the idea and sweeten the pop of purple with a compromise. Hubster likes country music, and I actually detest most of it. I choose the lyrics from one of his favorite songs (No, not “Red Solo Cup”).

I prepped the canvas with a texture medium before painting. When I showed Hubster the painting he asked, “So, I’m the bird on the right?” I love how he knows me so much that he even gets my artistic choices…

God Gave Me You

What projects did you do this weekend? 

French Chic Wall Art

Tags

art, bathroom, crafting, crafts, gift, gift giving, gift idea, home decor, monogram, postaday2011, powder room, wall art

Two summers ago I met a woman selling her work at a local craft/art fair. She had some cute framed pieces where she had layered a bold silhouette image over a page from an antique book. None of her pieces appeased me, but I did appreciate the artistic concept.

I’m working on a French Chic powder room makeover and I wanted to create some wall art that would give it a personal touch. I had planned for this piece to be in that powder room. However, since I used a monogram, it looks really good in many different rooms of our home… Decisions, decisions.

Step 1
Type a personal message and translate (optional). Print in a lighter color on aged paper. Or tear a carefully selected page from your favorite novel, script or sheet of music.

Step 2
Choose a silhouette in a bold or dark color and print centered on top of script page. Try using The Graphics Fairy for great ideas.

Step 3
Add matting and frame.

Voilà! Ready to hang and enjoy!

I translated a poem about marriage into French and choose a curly font in a light color. I printed this in a light color on a natural colored piece of paper. I printed darker color D and used a black thin-tip marker to track over a few piece, I wanted to make the monogram dual-tone. Then I add the white matting and bronze frame! So easy to make, that the decisions are the most difficult part of the process.

These would make great Christmas gifts or wedding gifts for a newly wed couple!

If you could choose a page from any novel or script, what would you choose?

Allium Painting for Dining Room

Tags

allium, art, canvas, dining room, home decor, painting, triptych, wall art, wall decor

It’s time for me to try to get back on track with my blog. This November… My grandmother spent the month in the NSICU and is now finally in a rehab center. I had a plethora of doctor appointments. Grades were due for the first marking period, followed by 26 parent teacher conferences. Another stress factor? We were hoping on decorating and finishing our dining room before our Thanksgiving feast, but we’re running a little late. Maybe before New Year’s Eve. Due to my high stress levels, Thanksgiving break was needed now more than ever.

Five things reduce stress for me: 1) baking, 2) painting, 3) friends, 4) bubble baths and 5) well, nevermind… Even though my break wasn’t stress free, it was filled with stress reducers. The best way to end my break? In an empty house, pulling out a fresh blank canvas… or three. I quickly painted this triptych of alliums (my favorite bulb flower) for our dining room. My mind and soul relaxing with each stroke, back to a place where I feel more balanced.

Allium Triptych

The photo was taken with bad lighting at a bad angle. Once Hubster hangs the paintings on the wall I will update the post with a better picture.

Now it is time for a bubble bath and an early night to bed.

How was your Thanksgiving?