freezer paper stencil tshirt project

//A few months ago, a friend came over for a craft night, and we made freezer paper stencil shirts for our little ones birthdays {they are only a day apart!}. A week later, I cut out some stencils, and let my niece and my son paint their own freezer paper stencil shirts. All of the shirt came out amazing! I am so impressed with this technique. It's so easy, and so fun.

//Flash forward to last week. I knew I wanted to do a tutorial for my blog. I spent a few hours surfing Pinterest for the perfect tutorial project to make. I was a bit frustrated when I couldn't find the right one. A little later I was doing laundry, and I pulled out two tank tops I had found in the basement when we were sorting through things the other day. I thought to myself "these look like they need something. Maybe I could freezer paper stencil something on them". DING! I knew what I was doing for my tutorial!

So here it is- DIY Freezer Paper Stencils

Announcement! This right here, is my very first tutorial :)

Here is what you will need:

-A tshirt, tank top, or any other fabric

-A silhouette of the image you want to stencil 

-X-acto knife and cutting mat

-Iron

-Fabric paint

-Sponges/paintbrushes

-Freezer paper

-Cardboard or cookie sheet

-A Sharpie 

First, wash and dry your fabric without fabric softeners. This will pre-shrink your fabric.

Next, print your image onto regular printer paper. I use my friend, Google, to search for silhouettes or images with a simple bold outline of the design I want to use. Then I save the image to my computer and insert it into a word document and design it that way. I'm sure you could use Photoshop, or other photo editing software, but word is easiest for me.

For the next step, I use a Sharpie to trace the outline of the image onto the freezer paper. Rip off a piece large enough for your image and a few inches all around it. Then put the printed image on your work space, and lay the freezer paper on top of that with the shiny side down.

 Lay the printed image aside, and get out your X-acto knife, and cutting mat. Carefully cut out the freezer paper stencil with the X-acto knife.

 Be sure to save any little pieces (like the negative space) of the stencil so you can use them later. 

Then lay your cardboard or cookie sheet in between the layers of the shirt. I usually use the back of my cookie sheets for this part, because I never have much cardboard laying around, and because I've found that I can get a smoother, harder surface with my cookie sheet. It will get paint on it, but it washes off pretty easily.

Be sure to pull the fabric taut, but not too tight to where it's stretching the fabric. I tuck the extra fabric under the cookie sheet, and it stays in place if I don't move it around.

Then center the stencil where you want it to go, and iron it in place, using medium or even high heat paying careful attention to the edges. I check it with my finger nails when I think it's on there good enough. This part is very important so you have nice clean edges. Don't forget to place any of those little pieces you saved on!

  

Now you can start painting. Use your paintbrush or sponge to apply the paint. I like to use the sponges so I don't get brush marks, and because I like how the sponge applies the paint. Don't be afraid to use a lot of paint, but make sure it's evenly applied. Sometimes it take a couple coats to get complete coverage.

After you finish painting, you can slowly peel off the stencil {this is the fun part!} I use my X-acto knife to carefully pull off any of those small pieces. 

I outlined my image in a silver metallic paint because I thought it needed something else. 

Let dry, add any other details or more paint layering, and you are done! 

You're done! Wear your shirt proudly! I paired my shirt with my favorite plaid shorts, some cute dangly earrings, and my new Hoot & Bumble wristlet for some Sunday morning errand running!

This is such a fun project to do. You can even let the kids paint the shirt after you get the stencils ironed on!

I'd love to see your freezer paper stencil creations. Post them to the Hoot & Bumble facebook wall, or tweet them to @hootandbumble.

a little reminiscing + reader poll

//Let me get this out. I love summer. I love the sunshine, the warm summer nights, and sitting by the pool watching the kids play. I love the cool drinks, and wearing less bulky clothes. I love the colors, and the thunderstorms. Oh, how I especially love the thunderstorms.

//I was and still am lucky enough to have the childhood and lifetime friend everyone dreams about. {More about that for another post}. My best friend,. Katherine {who lived across the street from me almost my entire life} had a porch on the front of her house. Over the last 20 years we have spent countless hours sitting, playing, talking, and dreaming together on that front porch. But we especially loved the essence of The Porch during summer thunderstorms. I can still feel the misty breeze coming to kiss my skin as we sat on that old front porch and told stories, while eating saltine crackers, and watching the storms pass. Sometimes her mom would sit with us, and tell us stories of her past, and her family in Greece.

//These times on The Porch are some of my favorite childhood memories. These memories that I hold close to my heart are like scenes from books I have read, except they are real, and house deep feelings that are mine to hold onto forever. They are what has shaped me into the woman I am today.

//Now that Katherine and I are "grown-ups", we still flock to The Porch whenever we have the chance. Katherine is temporarily living a few hundred miles away from {me}, but when she comes Home, we love to reminisce on that porch. If we are lucky, a storm will pass through to make our time together even more special. One day I hope our children will love and appreciate all that porch holds in its old wooden supports, and maybe they will even have a porch of their own to cherish as we will always cherish our porch that has given us so much.

*This is an actual picture of Our Porch*

//As I work on getting my online shop organized and stocked, I want to ask my readers for some input. In the comment section below, please let me know what your favorite summer color combo is. What colors would you love to see in a zip bag, wristlet, or other Hoot & Bumble product? I want to know what you like!

xxxx
Elizabeth  

little miss entrepreneur

*After I posted the original picture of Ava, I gave it some more thought and decided to cover her face to protect her privacy*

//This is Ava. She is 10 years old. About a year ago she started a business selling her duct tape creations. She sells her bracelets, wallets, hair bows, purses, book covers, and more at school and to friends and family members. 

//Ava is one of the three children I nanny for. I have been with her amazing family for 5 years now. When I met this sweet girl, she was 5 years old, and in preschool. Now she's going into 5th grade! It's crazy how time flies! 

//Ava is a bright, kindhearted soul. She's spunky, sassy, and fun. Not to mention such a huge help with the younger children. She likes dancing, singing, and playing school. 

//Ava had been wanting to get her duct tape creations out into a shop for a long time. So when I told her about my new business, Hoot & Bumble, she was super excited when I asked if she was interested in setting up a display at The Shop. 

//She set right to work making a huge variety of goodies to sell. She made a display for her bracelets with a paper towel roll, a toilet paper roll, and some cardboard. She printed up a little sign, and framed it, and  she even has a stack of professional business cards!

//She's amazing isn't she?

//I am beyond excited for her, and I love how encouraging this all is for her. She's learning all sorts of things, too. She knows all about commission, and profit margins, and overhead, and all that good stuff.

//So, if your kids are into the duct tape craze, stop by The Shop to check out Ava's line of duct tape creations. And don't forget to check out a Hoot & Bumble zip bag or wristlet for yourself while you're there too! 

my sewing journey + more shop updates!

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” 

― Scott Adams

//Growing up we had a vintage sewing machine in our front closet. You see, my mom doesn't know how to sew. But my dad does. I was always very curious about the sewing machine in the closet that was rarely used.

//When I became an adult, I decided I wanted to learn how to sew. My dad let me borrow that vintage sewing machine from the closet, and he taught me how to thread it, and run something through it {This is one of my favorite memories of my dad.} I love being able to say my dad taught me how to sew. I also love that it was him that taught me this life skill that is my favorite hobby. I don't think he knows how special that is to me. This was the beginning of something huge for me.

//A short while later, I asked for a sewing machine, and got one from my parents for Christmas. That was two and a half years ago. Other than my dad teaching me the basics, the rest of my sewing skills are self taught, with help from YouTube, and crafting blogs I have found on Pinterest.

//I've always been creative. That doesn't mean I've always been good at what I set out to do. That took patience, determination, and perseverance. I once made a hand sewn pillow out of some old denim jeans. It looked awful but {I'm pretty sure my mom still has it}. Like the above quote says, "Art is knowing which mistakes to keep". Part of the fun for me when making my most recent creations has been the trial and error. I have a few mess up zipper bags, that are not usable sitting around here. I would finish a project, and then tweak it when I moved on to the next one. I kept doing that until I got it just how I wanted it. I allowed myself to make mistakes. When you think about it, isn't that what life is all about anyway? Being allowed to make mistakes, and then deciding where to go from there?

{Don't be afraid to make mistakes people. That is how art is made.}

//In other news, as a result of me working on new pieces all of my free time, plus some this weekend, I was able to drop off a large number of pieces at The Shop & Studio tonight! Yeah baby! My display is so fun!

//I am working on stocking my online shop in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for that. I'm also thinking that a giveaway is going to happen at that time! Sew fun! ;)

don't wait + a little update

{Don’t wait. The time will never be just right. –Napoleon Hill}

//I could have made up 1000 reasons why now is not the time to launch my business. I'm in school working on my bachelors degree. I have a very demanding toddler. I work. My life is very busy.

//But there will always be reasons. Life will always be busy. Even when I'm done with school, and our kids are moved out of the house. The time will never be just right. If I kept making excuses, it would never happen. I would never have the chance to make my dreams come true. What have you always wanted to do, but the timing just never felt right? {I'd love for you to comment in the comment box below}.

//I am having so much fun choosing fabrics to work with, and looking for the best deals on products I'm using to create my own special products. I love the feeling I get when I see all the fabrics lined up on their bolts, just waiting to be made into something fun.

//I am spending most of this weekend creating new pieces to add to The Shop. {We are also spending most of tomorrow cleaning out the aftermath of the flood in our basement}. I have some amazing little treasures to add to The Shop so far, and would like to get a few more done before the week starts on Tuesday. Lincy {The Shop owner} said I sold an item today! Yeah!

Here's a little look at some of my creations since last night==

Get out there and do something you've always wanted to do! 

new beginnings

Lately, inspiration and motivation  has been all around me. From watching my favorite handmade business blogger, brand her business, to my friend, Lincy following her dreams and opening up a shop and studio {Grand Opening Weekend starts tonight!}. Inspiration is everywhere, if you open your eyes and looks for it. I guess, I've been looking.

Ever since I was a child I've had dreams of opening up a handmade business. Over the years I've tried my hand at many different crafts, and attempting small businesses. Some I've loved and have been good at, others- not so much {like crocheting & button accessories}. These things didn't work out because my heart wasn't in it. I was trying to sell stuff I didn't care for myself. That just doesn't work.

Hoot & Bumble has been recently created as a name for my brand. I am beyond excited to announce that my handmade items will have a space in The Shop & Studio! I am so thrilled to be a part of The Shop, and the vision Lincy has for it. It's truly going to be amazing. && I'm{finally} going to have my handmade products out there! 

Not only will my items be in The Shop, I have other plans in the works for my new brand. Stay tuned for the online shop that should be opening up in the next few weeks! In the meantime, check out the grand GRAND Opening Weekend at The Shop. Click here for details.

I am at a crossroads in my job right now, and I'm not sure what lays ahead. I am a nanny and my youngest charge is starting kindergarten in the fall. As sad as I am about this, I am excited for new beginnings. I am determined to make Hoot & Bumble a success and part of my family's new beginning.

A recent theme I've noticed in my life has been about following dreams. I notice it everywhere in my day to day life and it has been so encouraging. This is why I have decided that now is the time to launch Hoot & Bumble full swing. I'm using the summer to get the ball rolling. I have big visions for this brand, and I'm going places.

I could not do any of this without the support from my soul mate and husband. I am so very grateful to have him by my side, encouraging me to reach for the stars. 

So with great anticipation, and pride, I introduce to you, Hoot & Bumble- my handmade business brand.

For some sneak peeks at what I'm working on, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. You can also check out The Shop & Studio in Delaware City to find my items and much more!

You can also reach me at HootandBumble@gmail.com. 

I'm following my dreams. Are you?