DIY Mod Podge arrow glitter tee stencil tutorial

12.02.2013

DIY Mod Podge arrow glitter tee stencil tutorial

This one came out of nowhere. Over the long and glorious weekend, I had a crafty and cooking day with Leah of The Content Owl (we hashtagged #craftingncooking! I highly recommend it!). One project we did was this glitter tee stenciling project! I did a search for glitter tee tutorials and found a bunch involving paint, glue, silk screening, and lettering (including my lettered canvas!), but no Mod Podge like I was hoping for. (My Mod Podge glitter heels popped up as well, though!) So I took things into my own hands and tried this method myself.

You don't have to buy glitter paint or anything fancy for this tutorial; you can use a combination of the Mod Podge and glitter you've had since 2009 when you started blogging (or is that just me?). Point being, you may already have Mod Podge (I don't recommend making your own with Elmer's glue and water because it won't be water-resistant like Mod Podge, and ideally you'd use Fabric Mod Podge for this project), and any ol' glitter will work for this, like from kids' art supplies or scrapbooking. (Sometimes when a project involves something special like glitter paint I add it to my to-do list but may not get to it too soon. No so with this one!) Freezer paper is also like... $2? $3? for a roll that will last you many many years of occasional crafting.

Glitter Tee Tutorial - with Mod Podge!

You will need:

• Tee, sweatshirt, sweater, or other garment
• Freezer paper
• Glitter
• Sponge (the smaller the better; the blue one above was too big)
• ModPodge (highly recommended but not shown--use Fabric Mod Podge for a more durable tee!)
• Clear sealer (not pictured)

My arrow design was I guess loosely inspired by this Old Navy tee, and the crossed arrows motif, although you can do this with any design you can draw and cut out of the freezer paper! You get to make your own custom (one-time use) stencil.

Instructions:

1. Using a paper printed pattern or drawn guidelines on the freezer paper, cut out the design you want to use, remembering that the negative space is what you need and you're really creating a frame for the openings where you'll put the color.

For arrows, use a ruler to draw two criscrossing lines of the same length, and add points and tails/fletchings  (*OMG I just now realized, while writing this, that my tails are upside down. OOPS. Yikes!!*) You could use a template or printable art like from these to trace if you like.

Cut out the drawing, preserving the outline more than the inside part.

(OMG, that's really bugging me now--they look like paddles with arrow points on one side rather than arrows. Well, that's what I get for deciding to do a project and tutorial at the last minute!! Learn from my mistakes!)

2. Iron the freezer paper (shiny side down!) to the shirt in the position you want. Put an old grocery bag and/or catalog or thick paper under the design in between the layers of the tee so the ModPodge doesn't soak through.

3. Mix the ModPodge (again, ideally Fabric Mod Podge, not what I used) and glitter. Wish I had an exact ratio for this but I don't! Sorry!

4. Using the foam dauber (ideally about the size of the openings in your shirt, or smaller, so you don't waste glitter and 'Podge on the paper rather than the tee), apply the mixture through the stencil.

5. Let dry. It dries pretty fast, moveable in less than an hour, but it's not fully dry for about 24 hours.

After an hour you can peel the freezer paper off and admire!

Leah and I made these, my arrows (negative space) and her snowflake which she gave a border to with glitter around the edges--rather than cut out the frame of freezer paper, place the inside diamonds and triangles perfectly, and apply glitter in the shape of the snowflake itself.

6. Now, the next step if you used standard Mod Podge like I did is to waterproof the design with a clear acrylic sealer. Great tips from Amy at Mod Podge Rocks about the washablility of the stuff. Fabric Mod Podge is washable, so when you do this at home, please use it. As for me, I'll let you know how it goes once I wash this tee; I may lose some of my design even with a sealer!

Pretty cool, right? And so easy!

Crafting with friends is always more fun! Although, I did end up with a couple mistakes on this tee! I'll let you know how well it survives, and I may get another chance to put accurate arrow fletchings on!

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Multi-surface pretty paints, blogger-made stencils, and a crafty giveaway!

9.18.2013

Multi-surface pretty paints, blogger-made stencils, and a crafty giveaway!

So, stenciling is awesome. (My recent stencil project include faux wallpaper in our half bathroom and allover freezer paper stenciling on jeans. So many options with stenciling!)

I just had a chance to review FolkArt's new multi-surface craft paint line, plus these super cute stencils designed by Charlotte from Handmade Charlotte. I got to try the paint out as part of the new product launch of the FolkArt Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint, a new line they just came out with that works on many surfaces. It's dishwasher safe and machine washable, too. Also launching are the new Handmade Charlotte stencils! Both the paint and stencils are available now at Michael's.

So, here goes--my use of the new FolkArt Multi-Surface Paint and stencils!

Here they are, along with the Chalk Anything paint by FolkArt, and the sponge tools they sent me. And, the Ikea cork trivets and vintage white linens I stenciled on! 

Here's how to use it on cork and fabric!

1. Tape stencil in place on two or more sides.
2. Put paint in dish and put a little paint on foam stippler brush. Stipple on paper towel or scratch paper to get excess paint off.
3. Straight from above, stipple paint on and around stencil opening.
4. Carefully remove stencil and admire.

It dries fast, too! The tools and paint worked equally well on the cork and fabric, but as you'll see, I did have some issue on the cork... here's how they worked on both!

Cork Trivets

First I stenciled the trivets. I used the basic letters in the stencil kit, and two different paint colors. "Eat real food" is a little motto I like to stick to, so perfect for these kitchen/dining room accessories! They certainly would work well on their own - "eat" is a great thing to say in dining room art! - but I can also see using all three.

The paint worked great, and the stencil and sponge, too. I didn't need any spray adhesive to keep the stencil in place--just taped it on--and the paint didn't get under the stencil! With careful sponge tool stippling to apply.

Although, there were some places where the dips and valleys in the cork caught some extra paint. Oops! Not the stencil's fault, but maybe cork would be better suited to spray painting or stamping! (??) So don't look too close! ;)

Fabric Napkins

Next I stenciled these pretty vintage napkins. I know, it's a little sad to alter antiques, but they had a few spots on them anyway and it's not like I have a whole set. Just these two. I like the look of stenciling or a print over a woven-in pattern, so I thought it would be fun to do something funky and modern on top of the woven damask-ey floral.

The napkins are pretty bouncy but again, I just taped the stencil down and it stayed in place nicely. It was nice not to have to worry about adding fabric medium to the paint; it was the right consistency already, and even now that it's dry it has a good feel. Not too stiff.

Fresh blue and white!

Super fun, right?! These come in great colors, and I love the versatility!

Follow along with FolkArt, owned by Plaid Crafts, here:

• Facebook 
• Twitter 
• Pinterest 
• Blog

And, FolkArt is doing a giveaway--a FolkArt Multisurface prize pack and $100 Michael's gift card! Wow, I can't even imagine how much fun a $100 Michael's gift card would be... ;) Good luck!

;
There's also a contest on Handmade Charlotte for people who use the stencils! Amaaaaazing prizes including a Cricut machine and oodles of other crafty goodies!

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I finally stenciled a wall! With this gorgeous pattern in our half bathroom...

8.12.2013

I finally stenciled a wall! With this gorgeous pattern in our half bathroom...

I've always wanted to stencil a wall!!!

I painted the big stripes in our upstairs guest bathroom, and that was super cool, but I've always admired big geometric or graphic patterns on walls, particularly allover patterns that mimic wallpaper. What a fantastic DIY to do, right?!

So I got a chance to review a stencil from Royal Design Studio, and it took me literally several weeks to pick one out because there are so many cool ones (I was looking mostly at the Allover Damask Stencils,
Allover Moroccan Stencils, and Allover Modern Stencils). I finally picked the Fabric Damask Stencil, and they also sent me some of their really nice thick stencil creme paint in Pearl Oyster and a stippling brush.

I'd been wanting to stencil the upper walls in our half bath since painting them a super dark color last fall. Kinda inspired by the dramatic wallpaper in this pin. Our walls are textured with an orange peel finish, and I had tried to stencil them a couple times with absolutely no success. I used some medium-sized leaf-ey stencils from the Martha brand from Michael's. They did NOT work. The paint got all under the edges and when I peeled it away, looked awful. I was also using craft paint and a foam sponge thing, clearly not right for the walls. So it was great that Royal Design Studio sent me a stencil, creme paint, and a brush so I could really do it right!!

So here it is in use, on the last pattern I stenciled... taped up with some painter's tape for extra security but also stuck on with spray adhesive.

The "stippling" method with the brush worked great. Almost no paint got under the stencil edges. Seriously fab.

The spray adhesive was another nightmare--I got this at JoAnn a while back and after the first usage it was pretty gunky. Tip: never buy the value size. You can't guarantee it'll work the second time you use it!!! Yuck!!!

Never again. Buy the smaller ones.

I obviously had some issues on the corners. Next time I do this, I will do some MATH and space out the stencil patterns evenly so I don't have awkward space at the bottom and top where I didn't want to bend the stencil and add a third pattern repeat in each row. And I'll space it so I don't have to curve the stencil on the corners like I did below--on the left there it worked okay because I used some heavy masking tape aligned vertically to tape off the wall and keep the paint off the white wall, but on the other corner (right) it was chaos, trying to keep the stencil folded 90 degrees and stuck to both walls. It's a heavy latex stencil so it bends but it doesn't want to stay bent!

But all in all, I think the whole effect is pretty great and I'm really happy with it!

I know, I still could go back and add another (partial) pattern repeat on each row to fill in the blank space above the faux chair railing... siiiiigh. I'm tired of stenciling, and the partial ones where I have to bend the stencil are hard to do. Maybe I will sometime. I'm calling it good for now, ok?!

One problem I am having is photographing this tricky little room! It doesn't get any natural light, and the mounted light above the sink is soooo bright. Any photographers have tips for this??

Update: Photo by Nakalan!

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DIY Heart print jeans! A tutorial

1.14.2013

DIY Heart print jeans! A tutorial

Remember the print jeans trend?!?

This tutorial's a long time in the making, unfortunately for me... I decided to make these in September or October!! Finally finished them and am ready to share with you.

So I decided I liked the print jeans trend (I haven't worn basic skinny blue jeans in ages, favoring colored or black or grey ones!), but even with cheap print jeans being pretty easy to find, I wanted to make my own. As is my way. ;) I remembered the wonders of freezer paper for making your own fusible stencils, and I still had a big roll from my last crafty DIY stencil project yeeeeears ago. So I just needed a pattern!

I found this cute Martha Stewart bow punch at Michael's on clearance for less than $5. I've never bought cute papercrafting stuff like the fun punches before, so this is all new to me... but I figured it would work! I went with shimmery white/silver paint and regular blue jeggings, inspired after some pretty Anthro print jeans, and I guess Gap has some? These cute heart print jeans are very similar, actually, and these polka dot jeans from Gap. Aren't convinced yet? Look...

Source: Anthropologie.com via Suzannah on Pinterest

Source: kendieveryday.com via Suzannah on Pinterest

Anyway. Ready for the tutorial?

DIY Print Jeans Tutorial

So I used a bow punch for mine, but you can use any hole punch, obvs. You'll need...

• Jeans or whatever you want stenciled!
• Pattern punch
• Freezer paper
• Iron
• Craft paint and fabric medium if you like
• Sponge-ey stencil tool, recommended
• Plastic or heavy paper to go in between the front and back of the jeans. I used huge paint swatch cards!

1. Cut your freezer paper into squares or rectangles that are larger than your hole punch shape. I cut long strips, then cut them into square-ish shapes.

2. Put a couple of your squares into the punch, do your best to center them and keep them parallel to the punch "grain," and punch. Make millions of these! Not really, just, um, lots. (I saved the bow cutouts in case I ever do something with negative space. Slash I hate throwing things away.)

3. Iron your freezer paper rectangles, shiny side down, onto one side and leg of your jeans (i.e., back of left leg). I chose to put mine in a regular pattern, like a diamond/X shape. You could go random if you wanted, I bet! Or keep it regular. I followed the grain of my jeans to keep them all straight up and down.

4. Without bending the jeans around too much, you'll use your craft paint (mix it with fabric medium to make it bendier when dry) and sponge brush to pat the paint onto the exposed areas of each paper rectangle. !!Be sure to insert your heavy paper, cardboard, or plastic into the leg before you do this--it will bleed through!!!

5. Wait to dry... that craft paint is FAST, though. I did two coats on all my bows, but it dries in only 5 or 10 minutes, I think.

6. Once dry with all your coats, do the other side or other leg.

That's why these took me so long... I did the first 3/4 of them in early December but hadn't had time to do the whole ironing board/stamping on the floor business since then. Then, finally, I decided it was time. Got these babies off my ironing board pile and finished the back right side or whatever.

But, now they're done! Ta-da!!

My husband thinks they're super cool. Thanks, babe.

Note after wearing--the paint looks a little crack-ey on some bows; not like it's going to come off, but just a little stretched. These are not-super-stretchy-but-still-stretchy jeggings, so on super stretchy pants I can see that being more of an issue. Hence needing the fabric medium to mix with your paint. Or, do it on heavier, non-stretchy jeans and you'll be fine!

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Stenciled pillowcases

11.18.2010

Stenciled pillowcases

I could have sworn I did a post on these, but... apparently not!

A while ago I saw some fun stenciled pillowcases somewhere and decided to replicate them myself!  I used a chandelier stencil from my awesome stencil book, Stencil Me In.

There are all kinds of great stencils in there, but I chose the chandeliers and stenciled these white IKEA pillowcases.  It was super easy and fast!

I used cheap acrylic paint mixed with fabric medium.

Fast and easy!  I might do some more with a different pattern next time I have plain white pillowcases...

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Fun and functional bulletin board, stencil tutorial

3.02.2010

Fun and functional bulletin board, stencil tutorial

Recently I've noticed quite a few super cute and very functional bulletin boards around the blogosphere.  I thought, I could use a cute bulletin board... I have a plain corkboard one, so I set out to transform it from these inspirations:

From MadeByGirl:

From Claremont Road:

From Shelter Interior Design:

From Sanctuary:

I started with my old bulletin board, which since I last moved has been totally neglected.  In high school and college, this thing was COVERED with random pics of friends, concert tickets, postcards, etc. and when I moved this time, I decided it was time for a new layout since my life has changed so much since then.  I took everything off and put it in a scrapbook (well, didn't glue it yet but made a pile and stuck it with the scrapbook... that's another project).  I have sort of collected other things but actually the stuff that was on here was old, too... a pretty pathetic spread of bulletin and inspiration collections.

Here's the before:

I loved the cute background fabric on Jennifer Ramos's bulletin board, and I had seen fun tape patterns you can stencil on walls, etc.--so I tried it on a very small scale!

Here's how I did it!

• I took a very small piece (left over from another project) of white duck cloth.  This is the same stuff I used on my zig zag rug.  Sturdy, true white, $7.99 a yard at JoAnn and then I use a coupon!  I pressed it as best I could, but it's tough to do.  I cut it 1/2" bigger all around than the cork board surface.

• I started by measuring a pattern on the fabric.  If you look up close, you can see pencil marks every two inches (use a fabric pen if you have one).

• I used masking tape to make a square-on-square pattern on the fabric.  I thought about doing freezer paper like I did on my rug, but thought it would be too much work for strips that would be the width of tape, anyway.  The pattern you use is up to you, but for this part I used straight acrylic paint (I didn't feel the need to mix it with fabric medium since this will never be washed or wrinkled or manipulated like fabric, it's more like a painting canvas).  I used my stencil dauber thing and patted the paint down.

• I let it dry and peeled the tape off.  Here's where I realized that freezer paper works better on this kind of fabric!  The tape let some of the paint in.  Don't look up close too thoroughly! ;)

• Simulaneously, I spray-painted the frame of my cork board.  I had quite a few ideas about what color to do it but settled on pink.  Not actually my first choice, but it works.

• I used spray adhesive to affix the fabric to the cork board, centered.  It was 1/2" bigger than the cork board surface all around, and my plan was to trim it and poke it under the frame all the way around.  This did not work as planned.  The fabric was so stiff!  I think if you did this with quilter's cotton or something, it might work, but I ended up cutting along the edge (after pressing it down into the edge to get a straight line guide) and doing a little tucking with a flathead screwdriver.

• Then I hung it!

• And put stuff back on it.  I'm still working on filling it with cute things.

Definately a trial-and-error project, but it worked out in the end!

If I did it again I would probably use a lighter-weight fabric, and maybe use freezer paper depending on the design and texture of the fabric.

I put all my fashion and home dec ideas from magazines in a binder, so none of them are on here... this is more of a personal bulletin board than an idea board, but I did put some fabric swatches up there...
Do any of you have super cute bulletin boards at home?

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I am SO proud of my DIY zig zag rug--Tutorial!

1.23.2010

I am SO proud of my DIY zig zag rug--Tutorial!

You've all seen those zig zag rugs around on design and home dec catalogs, websites, magazines... The zig zag/chevron pattern is everywhere this season and I have been craving it as I redecorate our bedroom with something more contemporary!
I was so excited to copy these gorgeous zig zag rugs:

(West Elm)

(Madeline Weinrib Atelier)

 

(West Elm Rug, Rachel of Kenzipoo's house)

(West Elm rug, from Four Walls and a Roof)

(Madeline Weinrib rug in Nicole Balch's home, from Making it Lovely)

(Domino)

Anyway, LOVING these zig zag patterns, and the West Elm one really isn't that overpriced, but I didn't want to spend $100-600 or whatever, depending on the size.  But I really thought my bedroom needed some zig zag in it!  And I have enough to put on the walls, so I wanted to make a zig zag rug.  I thought about taking a plain white cotton rug and freezer paper stenciling the zig zags, then painting black on it, but I couldn't find any plain, cheap white rugs and they all had to much texture anyway.  So I went old-school.  Remember floor cloths?

To DIM (do it myself), I bought a yard of white "duck cloth," which actually comes in a lot of lovely colors at JoAnn for $7.99/yard.  It's really sturdy and has a clear weave to it, not like twill, just straight-grain.  Anyway I had a coupon, but because of some sale and the piece I got had some dust on it so she counted it as a remnant... it ended up being $2.73 for the yard-sized piece.  It's about 60" wide, too, so it was about the size of a 3'x5' rug.  See, here is it is folded in half.

So here's my tutorial.

• Fold a 1-2" hem around all the edges .  I wanted mine to be sturdy and have a lot of weight on the edges, so it won't roll or fold up a lot.
• I tested the freezer paper with my craft paint (black acrylic paint mixed 2:1 with fabric medium).  You can sort of see the freezer paper scrap on the underside of the hemmed rug, with a smudge of black paint on it.

Then I peeled it off.

• Cut your freezer paper strips into 2" long pieces.  Cut those into pieces 3 3/4", 5 5/8", and a few pieces just under 2" squares.  I didn't count how many I needed, but... a lot.  Most of the ones I needed were the 3 3/4" size.

• Lay the strips out on the rug at one corner.  I used a 45 degree angle.  Iron it down in rows.
  
• In order to space the next row, use the spare strips or a ruler to measure 2" from the top row.

• Repeat this all the way down!  I stopped halfway through to paint the first side, because I was so excited to see the end result and because I was sort of afraid of the corners coming up as I kept moving the rug and bending it a little to get the next row down.  Sorry, no pics of this part...
  
• Peel the freezer paper off!  It's not perfect, but it gets the look!

• Last step: I realized I needed to protect the unpainted parts from dirt, so I added a coat of polyurethane.  Stinky!  Hopefully when it dries it will be evenly plastic-ey.

Yay!  I'm so excited about this!  I put a rug pad under it even though it's on carpet, just to make it even stickier.

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