I'm a patriotic kinda girls, but because we live over seas, I tend to be over cautious about wearing clothing that screams out where we come from. So when getting us ready for our big move and fabulously long vacation in the States, I thought it would be fun for the boys to have America t-shirts.
For each shirt I created a freezer paper stencil from an outline map of America. I shrunk the original image into three different age appropriate sizes.
I ironed the stencil onto a white t-shirt, making sure the stencil was secure. I made sure to leave enough freezer paper to cover the entire T-shirt, thus ensuring that the paint would go only where I wanted it to.
Two important things to remember:
1. Either completely cover the surface you are working on or take this craft OUTSIDE. This painting technique is not called splatter paint for nothing.
2. You will want to place a piece of parchment paper, newspaper, or cardboard between your shirt layers. Otherwise you WILL end up with paint splotches on the back of your shirt. I speak from experience here.
I will be adding a patriotic phrase to the back of our shirts to cover up my mistake.
Once you've taken care of those things, you are free to begin splattering paint. I used red and blue fabric paint (one color at a time) and a paint brush to splatter the paint over the stencil cut out.
You can splatter as little or as much paint as you like. Use a sideways, back and forth swinging motion or use your finger to fan your brush. When you let go of the bristles, the paint will splatter.
I wanted to make sure the shape outline was clear so we went with thicker paint coverage. Another option would be to trace the shape first with a black fabric marker.
Now if only I could get them all to sit still for a group picture. Preferably one that didn't include stains.
A mother can dream, can't she?
