T-Shirt Headbands

Just a quick post to let everyone know that I haven't forgotten about blogging! Things are just super crazy right now with hubby trying to graduate and find a CFY in voice, and packing and trying to find a new apartment and all of that good stuff!

Here's a little goody I found online a while back. It's a great tutorial for making your own t-shirt headbands! Little to no sewing required! Thank you Craft Snob and Kitty!

You can also make braided version here.

So easy and so cute! Enjoy!

FOTW

Today's FOTW a.k.a. Find of the Week you may already know about, but just in case you missed it here it is. A blog that I ADORE! www.prudentbaby.com Their projects reach a high mark of craftsmanship and design. Check out their sweet St. Paddy's day free printable tutorial for Jelly Bean Pods. So simple and yet perfect in every way. Make a few of these for your kids as a little reminder that you are thinking of them. Don't sew? Try stapling the ends instead!

A Touch of Whimsy

Ah, I think I've finally found a happy marriage of creativity whims. I've been trying to find a medium of painting/drawing that isn't too stinky, messy, and is bright. Funny, I spent most of my time in college in watercolor classes, and yet I rebelled against watercolor as soon as I graduated. :S. It can be tricky to work with as your paintings need to be planned out to every last detail before you even get your brush wet. I also fear the dreaded "grandma style watercolor painting." Alas, I started having visions of new H20 color paintings, and once I opened up my paints I couldn't stop painting! I've got so many ideas. My inspiration right now is all things whimsical and happy (kind of a turn from this time last year when I couldn't get enough grey and realism). I've got a few things up my sleeve that I'm excited to get started on.

All images are © Corinne Frank and may not be reproduced for any purpose without written consent from the artist, before or after purchase. Thank you! Copyright and full reproduction rights of these images remain the property of the artist Corinne Frank ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT © Corinne Frank ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

St. Paddy's Day T-Shirts

Last year I found out that I am super Irish, like almost 1/2 Irish, and with learning that information I have also discovered a new love for Saint Patrick's Day. To start off this years festivities I thought it would be fun to make "lucky shirts" to wear on the big day. : ) The tute is below.

This activity is meant to be done with your kids and could be adapted to a variety of holidays and occasions.

Firstly, you'll need the following:

*several potatoes

*any other fruits/vegetables that would make cool stamps like apples, lemons, etc.

*a sharp pencil

*an exacto knife

*a kitchen knife

*fabric paints (Joanne's is having a super coupon sale right now)

*paint brushes or paint sponges

*paper plates or tupperware lids

*cup of water for rinsing brushes and paper towels

*Plain t-shirts

Adult preparation: to begin, slice your potatoes into two fat halves using your kitchen knife.

Use your pencil to draw a simple shape on the cut side of the potato. Next take your Exacto or craft knife to trace your design. You'll need to cut into the potato about 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch. then turn the potato on its side and again with your exacto knife cut a ring around the edge of the potato about 1/4 to 1/3 of inch thick...cut toward your design. What you are trying to do is lift off the excess potato from around the edge of your design. See finished photo. Repeat for each design that you choose to make.

Other cool designs are possible with sliced citrus fruit, apples cut in half different ways, whatever your heart desires.

Next onto the fun part!

Make sure your kids are wearing play clothes that you don't mind if they get ruined! Lay the shirt out flat on your work surface, if you choose, you may cut a rectangle of cardboard to slide inside the shirt for stability while painting and to prevent paint from seeping onto the back of the shirt.

Pour a small amount of paint (each color) on a separate paper plate or tupperware lid. Mixing colors is easy. Use the chart below to help you remember what colors mix to make other colors.

Purple: red & blue.

Orange: red & yellow.

Pink: red & white.

Green: blue & yellow

"light" colors are made by adding white, and "darks" by adding a teeny tiny bit of black. BTW, it seems kids always need to mix brown for whatever reason, and its a tricky one. Try orange and purple...you might need a tich of yellow too.

K, phew! Shirts, check! Paint, check! Potato stamps, check!

Let the kids use the paint brushes to apply paint to the potato stamps and VOILA! Let them use their imaginations. My kids have 3 years between them in age and their shirts were completely different from each other. They were each SO proud of their creations.

Cleanup is easy with soap and water. Let dry according to paint manufacturer's directions.

Next week I've got more big plans for the green holiday, and I will be sharing them with you. : ) Look for posts on making a shamrock garland, new St. Paddy's traditions, and a traditional or not so traditional dinner menu that would make any leprechaun proud. In the mean time make sure to rent Darby O'gill and the Little People or Brigadoon, or both, and feel good about the awesome t-shirts your kids made today! : )

Wilkomen!

Welcome to the *NEW* Corinne {E} Pants Designs blog!

I plan to blog twice a week so check back often. At least one post a week will be a "Find of the Week" which will feature the coolest thing or things that I have found that week that relates to vintage goodies, epic deals, new creative products, blogs, businesses, etc. At least once a month I will do a "Kids Craftivity," and a "Tutorial for you." The rest of the posts will be blatherings about current projects and paintings.

As a side note, if you have found something that is worthy of being shared in the "Find of the Week" post, please contact me or leave a comment so that I can check it out. Thanks!

Corinne.