Ok so the title is a bit of a lie. Really, we're going to see the musical 'how to succeed in business without really trying' tonight and it's on my mind. So you're gonna have to try! But it's not very hard.
I have a SUPER EXCITING announcement! Well, not really. I mean, sort of? I'm currently, as the Victorian's would say, increasing. Which is also, as the blunt Americans would say, pregnant. Which MEANS probably a LOT more weird ass baby DIY crafts coming at you in the new year! DOES my baby need a dinosaur hat? Yes. What about a totoro onesie? Yes again. OOHHHH CTHULHU BIB!!! So yeah.
This also explains why I've had zero goddamn energy to do anything! Although I have been busy, just not like.. fun things to take photos of???
Anywho. One of my MARVELOUS gf's sent me a card to congratulate us on our upcoming nightmarish transition to parenthood, featuring an ADORABLE dumpling. I was so taken with said dumpling that I decided I wanted it on a tshirt.
I have a SUPER EXCITING announcement! Well, not really. I mean, sort of? I'm currently, as the Victorian's would say, increasing. Which is also, as the blunt Americans would say, pregnant. Which MEANS probably a LOT more weird ass baby DIY crafts coming at you in the new year! DOES my baby need a dinosaur hat? Yes. What about a totoro onesie? Yes again. OOHHHH CTHULHU BIB!!! So yeah.
This also explains why I've had zero goddamn energy to do anything! Although I have been busy, just not like.. fun things to take photos of???
Anywho. One of my MARVELOUS gf's sent me a card to congratulate us on our upcoming nightmarish transition to parenthood, featuring an ADORABLE dumpling. I was so taken with said dumpling that I decided I wanted it on a tshirt.
So usually I'd make a shirt, but Ardene's was having a crazy sale and I ended up finding a tunicy tshirt for $5. BOOM.
To make your stencil, just draw it on a piece of cardstock. OR, if you have no ability to draw, take a photo of what you're trying to copy and email it to yourself. Bring that up on your computer, set your brightness to high, and then put a piece of cardstock OVER the screen. The shape will shine through the paper and you can just trace it. OH TECHNOLOGY.
Obviously your stencil needs to be stencil shaped. Thick black lines.
Also keep in mind that you are cutting out the lines. SO if you have a shape like this dumpling, you're going to want 'breaks' in the black line so that the middle part of your stencil doesn't fall out. Kinda like carving a pumpkin. You can always fill the breaks in carefully with a paintbrush later.
To make your stencil, just draw it on a piece of cardstock. OR, if you have no ability to draw, take a photo of what you're trying to copy and email it to yourself. Bring that up on your computer, set your brightness to high, and then put a piece of cardstock OVER the screen. The shape will shine through the paper and you can just trace it. OH TECHNOLOGY.
Obviously your stencil needs to be stencil shaped. Thick black lines.
Also keep in mind that you are cutting out the lines. SO if you have a shape like this dumpling, you're going to want 'breaks' in the black line so that the middle part of your stencil doesn't fall out. Kinda like carving a pumpkin. You can always fill the breaks in carefully with a paintbrush later.
OK so this stencil is TECHNICALLY upsidedown POSSIBLY because I forgot to take a photo before it got covered in paint. ALAS.
Anyway. Once you have your stencil on paper, cut it out with an exacto pen. Is that what those are called? Like a pen with a blade on the end. That thing. Put cardboard underneath OR invest in a small rotary cutting board. Honestly, if you're crafty you'll use it.
Do a practice run on some paper. You can use a spray adhesive (bought at a craft store or, oddly, at hardware stores. Like hairspray for paper!) or just hold the stencil down with the fingers of your other hand. Dab STRAIGHT down with a brush. Also, make sure you don't have huge gobs of paint on your brush.
Anyway. Once you have your stencil on paper, cut it out with an exacto pen. Is that what those are called? Like a pen with a blade on the end. That thing. Put cardboard underneath OR invest in a small rotary cutting board. Honestly, if you're crafty you'll use it.
Do a practice run on some paper. You can use a spray adhesive (bought at a craft store or, oddly, at hardware stores. Like hairspray for paper!) or just hold the stencil down with the fingers of your other hand. Dab STRAIGHT down with a brush. Also, make sure you don't have huge gobs of paint on your brush.
OH MY GOD IT'S ADORABLE.
Ok. So what I did was I stenciled in the BLACK and just freehanded the gold. You could ALSO make a second stencil to layer on the first in order to get this effect if you don't trust your paint skills.
Now for the real thing! Figure out your placement and let's get stenciling!
Ok. So what I did was I stenciled in the BLACK and just freehanded the gold. You could ALSO make a second stencil to layer on the first in order to get this effect if you don't trust your paint skills.
Now for the real thing! Figure out your placement and let's get stenciling!
BOOM.
Cute right? I really liked my practice on white so I'm gonna probably make another for a white tshirt.
The stencil is probably good for like.. 10 uses? Maybe more? But if you wanted to make a BUNCH or know you'll use it a lot, you can get stencil pages which are like thin sheets of plastic. Way more sturdy than cardstock. But, if you're like me, you'll just want one or two of these and then move on to other things.
Happy crafting!
Cute right? I really liked my practice on white so I'm gonna probably make another for a white tshirt.
The stencil is probably good for like.. 10 uses? Maybe more? But if you wanted to make a BUNCH or know you'll use it a lot, you can get stencil pages which are like thin sheets of plastic. Way more sturdy than cardstock. But, if you're like me, you'll just want one or two of these and then move on to other things.
Happy crafting!