Most Awesome Stencil Ever

 This has to be one of my favorite stencils so far.  It took me several nights to complete all the cuts.  But the end result was worth it.

I found this awesome art on pinterest (the better image on right).  Now the artist, Stephanie d'Entremont, has several incredible Star Wars pieces, but the R2-D2 one really intrigued me.

I could wax on and on about all the things that I love about this piece of art, or I can get to the good stuff - pictures.

Freezer Paper Stencil Tutorial

I have written about using freezer paper stencils before when I posted about my Star Wars Birthday T-shirts or any of my fabric paint projects so far, but now I am back with a written and picture filled tutorial.

First, you need to find an image or create your own image that you want to turn into a stencil.  My youngest son just loves trains - Thomas the Train, diesel trains, electric trains, steam trains, any type of train, really, so I tried my hand at drawing a train.

Easy Fabric Paint T-shirt

Have you ever wanted to use fabric paint?

But you are intimidated by having to use an exacto knife and don't trust yourself to be able to use it to make a satisfactory freezer paper template.

All is not lost!

You don't need mad exacto knife skills to make way cool freezer paper stencils.  All you need is a cool paper punch.  Fiskars and Martha Stewart sell loads of different lever and press punches of all different shapes and sizes.  I grabbed a few coupons for Joann's and picked out 2 press punches, a large star and a small star.

Borussia Dortmund T-shirts a la Tanta Kelley

It is that time of year again!  Every spring/summer we make a pilgrimage to Germany to visit my husband’s family, and because I am so craftacular, I often make gifts (Not always, mind you) for my niece (9) and nephew (11). 

The past few years my nephew has been hard to shop or make things for.  He is not too excited about much, Kelley special or not.  Well, my Borussia Dortmund or BVB 09 (my nephew’s SOCCER team) scarf that I made him for Christmas was such a hit (incredible, right?), that I thought maybe a can’t-buy-this-anywhere-else BVB 09 t-shirt would be just the ticket.

I have been scavenging Old Navy to get the cheapest T’s when there are sales, and I just so happened to have a large and extra-large black boy’s t-shirt.  Remember, his team’s colors are black and yellow. 

What else did I need?

• yellow fabric paint.   check
• freezer paper stencil.  check

Borusia Dortmund Scarf

Are you a soccer fan?  I couldn't care less, but my husband (and probably my sons) and my nephew are soccer or fussball fans of the highest caliber although they don't like the same team.

My husband is a Borussia Mönchengladbach fan, while my nephew is a Borussia Dortmond fan.  Apparently these things are very different.  Something I don't quite understand.

Star Wars Birthday T-shirts

This summer my oldest son, my first baby, had his 6th birthday.  This was going to be our first kid party that didn't just involve friends' and family's kids.  I wanted it to be a birthday to remember, and because he likes Star Wars, I thought I would do a Star Wars party.

I had a ton of great ideas to make this the most fantastical Star Wars B-day Party EVER!

Now I suspect that I am not the only Mama who wants to make their first child's first birthday party perfect.  But most of my ideas were just not feasible as a working mother.  They probably aren't even feasible for a stay at home mother (I am not stupid.  I know you don't sit at home eating chocolate and watching Jerry Springer.  You work hard too.), but it didn't stop me from trying.  Ha, ha!  One of these great ideas was to provide non-candy related, hand-made party favors.

At first I wanted to make all the kids Jedi robes based on this tutorial, but after the prototype took an entire weekend, I decided that just was not gonna happen.