Friday, June 08, 2007

Freezer Paper Stencils

Why is NOTHING I try easy??????

I got it in my mind that Joe and I needed matchy t-shirts to wear to the Great Canadian Outdoor Expo tomorrow. We are 2 of 10 volunteers demonstrating geocaching to 80 teenagers. Our geocaching team name is Logger & Trail, so that's what's on the t-shirts. FYI...that's where the name Trail Mix Designs comes from.

Anyways, 2 $2.99 t-shirts from Michael's and about $7.00 worth of fabric paint and about $100.00 worth of aggravation later, here are our t-shirts.





That was the first of THREE projects I wanted to attempt tonight. Needless to say it's the only one that's going to be completed.

Issue #1: Cutting the stencils.
I had NO idea how tricky it would be to cut out the stencils. I intentionally printed out a simple font and chose very simple images, just in case, but it was harder than I expected it to be.

Issue #2: What is that on Trail's t-shirt????
Ya, it's supposed to be a cute mushroom. It reminds me of a bowling ball. Not good.

Issue #3: Can we even wear these t-shirts tomorrow????
The instructions say to let the paint dry for 24 hours and wash after 72. I used my heat gun (why do I have a heat gun?? I have NO idea) to speed up the process, but I still don't know if we will even be able to wear the shirts tomorrow.

So there you have it. That is what I've been doing for the past three hours.

On a happier note, a couple clarifications regarding the Use What You Have, Stash Buster, I Will Not Buy Anymore Fabric No Matter How Dirt Cheap It Is challenge. International participants are welcome and if you do not sew but are obsessed with some other craft, scrapbooking, beading, whatever. Just pledge not to buy any new supplies (except the necessities) and show us how you are using up your stash!

11 comments:

Mary and Bob said...

Awesome job on the shirts!
Sorry this message is so short, I`m typing it on our WII. :o)

Anonymous said...

LOL Girl, you never cease to crack me up. First of all, I did recognize it as a mushroom and not a bowling ball right off the bat so you're safe there. Second of all, even if they're not ready to wear tomorrow you can wear them again so for another event. Third of all, they're freakin' awesome shirts! Remind me sometime to tell you about the time I tried to make map shirts for my other half. Best of luck tomorrow and ya'll have fun :)

lera said...

I love the shirts. And I totally knew it was a mushroom. (Never once did a bowling ball enter my mind.)

Anonymous said...

I saw mushroom right away, but maybe because I just came from Beki's blog. :o) I'm the only one in blogland who hasn't done freezer paper stencilling so I'm no help on whether or not you can wear them.

I think they are cute and it's a great idea for your event. $100 of aggravation? That's a pricey emotion you have there! Hee hee.

Lisa Clarke said...

I didn't see a mushroom, but I didn't see a bowling ball either - I saw a cutesy skull. A mushroom makes *much* more sense, though :-) I sympathize with 11th hour crafting that doesn't go as planned. It's a regular event for me. I'd wear the shirts anyway, even if you're not "supposed" to. ;-) --Lisa

Anonymous said...

mushroom - saw that right away.now, if you were trying to create a bowling ball - its a little flat on one side. it doesn't look like a bowling ball at all. stick with the mushroom story. :)

test it out tomorrow am. i bet you could wear them why start following instructions now?

rohanknitter said...

Well, the shirts are adorable. (I knew it was a mushroom!)
I know how you feel though, it sometimes seems like every easy project turns into a nightmare for me!
So cool that you are demonstrating geocaching!

Anonymous said...

hey it looks good!! Dont worry. Things dont come easy to me too. Minimum 5 times of error. :*)

Katie Jean said...

I like the shirts! I thought it was a mushroom right away. Now those teenagers might think you're into something funky if you know what I mean ;). Just kidding.

I never even thought it was a bowling ball at all!

Jess said...

Another vote for mushroom - I think you're just thinking bowling ball because you've been staring at it for WAY too long.
I think the shirts are adorable, I've been wanting to try freezer paper stencils, but doing the cutting-out seems intimidating.

Chara Michele said...

I could tell it was a mushroom! :) And I think the shirts looks great.

Did you end up wearing the shirts?