Apr 17, 2010

4th of July Shirt...in April

The craft show is in just TWO WEEKS!!! YIKES! Since the show is May 1st (come out to Keller, TX if you are in the DFW area!), I wanted to make 4th of July shirts to sell since that will be the next holiday. I was trying to come up with at least one style that didn't scream '4th of July' so hopefully a little kiddo could wear it for more than just one day out of the year. This is what I came up with...



...and here is how to make it!

1. I used a Cricut to cut out freezer paper stencils to make the diamonds. For this shirt I cut 2.5" squares. They ended up being a little big, so next time I would probably make 2" squares. (This step actually took FOREVER because the dang Cricut is all out of whack. So, if anyone knows how to fix a Cricut that doesn't want to cut all the way through paper without tearing as it goes, please fill me in! And yes, I replaced the blade, changed the pressure setting, changed the blade length, and the speed. I tried it all over the past couple nights and I am about to scream!)

2. Iron on the stencils. I did the center stencil first all by itself and painted the white diamond. (sorry...no pic of that!)Don't forget to put something in the shirt so the paint doesn't bleed through to the back of the shirt! Then after it was completely dried, I removed the center stencil and then I ironed on the two side stencils, making sure not to iron over the paint. I was pretty sure it would smear if I touched it with the iron!

To get more instructions on how to cut and use feezer paper, check out a previous post HERE.






3. Paint the blue and red diamonds and let dry completely. I used two coats of paint for all diamonds.



4. After removing the freezer paper, it looks like this...kind of blah.



5. Add a little detail with embroidery floss and you have a cute argyle 4th of July shirt! This was my first try at embroidery floss so it isn't perfect.




These shirts were SO easy to make, which is good since I am running out of time to get all my stuff done for the show. I am secretly hoping one of these shirts doesn't sell so John can wear it this summer in July! :)

26 comments:

  1. Love it! Super cute and the floss looks great!

    Ginger
    SSB

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  2. LOVE your blog! I just came across it while blog hopping. I can't believe I haven't run into this cute crafty blog before!
    Now you have a nice little spot on my "favorite crafters" blog roll! I'll be checking back often.
    Thanks.
    Erika
    {www.misscraftypants.com}

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  3. Lov'n it! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday! Link up as much as you want (I know you have tons a great projects to share) and see you next week!

    Blessings,
    Ginger
    SSB

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  4. so awesome! I'm hopping over from mad skills Monday and i love this!

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  5. Great idea of a theme that isn't a too specific theme, so it's good for more than just one occasion. Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday:)

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  6. I've been having so much fun making freezer paper stencil shirts for my little boy lately. I will definitely have to try this!

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  7. I Love this! Super cute! I would love it if you linked up to my Talk About it Tuesday party because you have such cute ideas!

    http://bloggerchixdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/04/im-currently-reading-marketing-book.html

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  8. Very cute! I love little boy ideas, but I'm afraid I always do the easy girl things (having three boys and one girl). Love this idea!

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  9. Cute idea! I just started experimenting with freezer paper this week and I just may have to bring out the paints again to make this for my son.

    Saw your link on Trendy Treehouse

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  10. Super cute! I want to try it on a polo shirt! Check out my rockstar shirt and grab the template! If your interested :) http://alyashcreations.blogspot.com/2010/04/tutorial-tuesday-rockstar-tee-template.html

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  11. I love freezer paper stencils. Your shirt looks great. I love the way you used the floss to add the argyle look!

    Thanks for linking with What are little boys made of?

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  12. I'm a new Follower from Snails, Tails and Puppy dog tails! Visit me at http://www.rockindeals4you.com/?p=2339 and sign up for my newest giveaway!

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  13. Following you from Trendy Treehouse's Friday Follow! Great Blog. Absolutely love your background and you have great variety. I will enjoy checking in to see what you have done next! Love this shirt. I will be attempting this for my Grandson.

    Come by and enter my CSN/Rachael Ray Giveaway:
    http://extremepersonalmeasures.blogspot.com

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  14. super cute shirt idea... you make it look so easy (-:
    Happy New Friend Fri!

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  15. That's great! I love freezer paper stencils!Found you on New Friend Friday! I'm a new follower.

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  16. LOVE this!!!

    I'm going to have to try that!!

    New follower from NFF!!

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  17. Oh Wow, i would never guess how you did it! Very good. You are so creative.
    Happy new friend Friday. I am your newest follower and would love if you follow me back and see my blog :)
    Gros bisous
    Frenchy

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  18. Love it! But I don't have a Cricut (yet) :( Any ideas on how to make this without one?

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  19. Nikki- I am now without a Cricut too! :( I haven't done anything with freezer paper since this shirt, but I am pretty sure you can use an Xacto knife and cut out the design you want. I would probably draw the square on the paper and then use the knife to cut it out. That is what I am going to do from now on, which I think will be even better than using the cricut b/c it will give me so much more freedom to make any shape or design I want! :)

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  20. So cute! Thanks for sharing this tutorial.

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  21. Found you via oneprettything.

    I might have to make one of these for everyone in the whole family!

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  22. This will be wonderful for the 4th of July.

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  23. I know that this is an old post- BUT that shirt is so adorable. I want to make one (or five) right now for my kids!

    Thanks for visiting my blog- I'd love to see your shamrock men if you end up making them!

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  24. So cute! I only have a daughter but I know it's hard to find/make boy shirts. And sometimes 4th of July things can be a bit over the top and/or you're not going to wear them more than once. This is perfect!
    (found you via OnePrettyThing)

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