freezer paper bug car

I've been starting to get bored out of my gourd while I am recovering from surgery. I am finally off the strong medication but still need to be sitting around a lot. So, I thought I would whip up a freezer paper shirt for my youngest.
I found this car picture as a free download on etsy, but as much as I have tried today to re-find it, I can't. Don't you hate that? I've googled everything...so it's out there...just can't remember where.
I printed it off at about 150%, then did the old elementary school art trick and taped it my window.
I taped the freezer paper right over it. The lines are bold enough that I can still see them through both sheets of paper. If they weren't, you could sharpie the picture first.
I used a sharpie to trace my picture and left out the smaller details that I didn't want.
Then I selectively choose the details I wanted in the picture and cut them out with an exacto knife. This is what I came up with to use. I ironed it directly on to my shirt. You can find out more about freezer paper stenciling here and here
Then I painted in the whole picture. I used about 3 or 4 coats.
Once it was dry, I peeled off the smaller pieces with my tweezers and the larger piece very carefully with my hands.
And this is what I was left with.
Pretty cool, huh?!
Oh, and can I brag a bit about how cheap this shirt was to make. I bought a HUGE bag of fabric paints (some mostly empty, some full) for 50 cents, the shirt was 50 cents, the freezer paper came from a garage sale (probably for 50 cents), and I had the paintbrush and exacto knife. Crafts are NOT cheap...and when you add it all up, sometimes it doesn't make sense to make anything...garage sales are a lifesaver for me!

I am linking up to some of these parties.

14 comments

Andrea said...

Love it. It is so true about sewing and crafting not being cheap. It's a hobby to be sure, not a money saver. Unless you get all your materials and yard sales or for free!

Jenny Hall / Seamingly Smitten said...

What an awesome boy project! It's hard finding interesting things to make for boys. My little guy will love this! Please add this to my linky party! It's really great!
http://www.seaminglysmitten.blogspot.com/
Jenny

Coupons Equal Cash said...

Very cool idea! I am visiting from Follow Me Friday. I love your felt watches.
Lesa

stash mama said...

deff cool I have to do it!

I am your newest follower!!! Please follow me back! http://stashmama.blogspot.com/ Thanks :) Happy Friday!!

Anonymous said...

You've introduced me to a whole new world! I must read more about this freezer paper.
This sounds like such a neat project and so easy. Thanks for posting this tutorial!!
And I hope that your recovery time isn't much longer!

pia

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

I bought some freezer paper months ago and have yet to try it. You reminded me that I really need to.

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Love this! I really need to make some freezer paper stencils! Thanks so much for the inspiration - great tutorial. I'll be featuring this today Rachel! Stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase Party! I greatly appreciate it! Hope you are enjoying your weekend! ~ Stephanie Lynn

Erin @ Crafts and Sutch said...

This is so cute! I haven't tried the freezer paper stencil yet, but after seeing this, I'm going to give it a whirl. :)

Have a super week, and stop by craftsandsutch.blogspot.com when you get a chance to take a peek at what I've been up to.

Erin :)

Kaysi said...

Awesome!!! I need to try this!

Unknown said...

CUTE! come link up to M.M.M.

Emily Thompson said...

really great! I have yet to try the freezer paper stencil thing and this looks like an advanced project, way to go.

Jill said...

Great t-shirt and lovely clear instructions on how-to!! Love that it was all so cheap too!

Ela@NewFamilyOnTheBlock.com said...

HI! I would like to invite you to join my new Pajama Party which starts Wednesday! (The link goes up tonight)

http://lifeinmypjs.blogspot.com/p/pajama-party.html

Thanks!

~Ela

Lady Muck said...

Love this tutorial... what a fantastic idea, I am definitely going to try it out - maybe make some cushions or something for my kid's rooms... thanks! x

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