(fabric paint + bathroom sink + not enough scrubbing + bathroom towels) x 3 kids = huge mess for Mom
so I modified the idea a bit. I decided to trace each child's hand and use fabric paint to outline the handprints on the t-shirt.
On Saturday, we celebrated Dad's 70th birthday (as well as some of the other May birthdays in the family, like my son Robert, who will be 13 in just a few more days). I decided to make this t-shirt for his birthday again.
Step 1: Trace each child's hand. I traced the patterns onto cardstock to make them sturdier. (Plus, I can write the date on these and keep them in case I ever want to know exactly when Robert's hands grew larger than my own...April 2010.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGv7Sst9syJSYj-cQj-ESj4JHl1qShQ6BaXJlyfptWD9z5eSEZEVcAjxx-cPVj_KriI8ay2NJuW7BEt92gU5YUy1lx_C8BXpF6hXCpNo2tcnj200nUGLac6hp2Lg6cmtiqN73L88DqBw/s400/bDCP_2209.jpg)
Step 2: Wash and dry the t-shirt before beginning your work. This might be a good time to make enough "handprints" of the appropriate sizes so you can lay them all out on the shirt to know the exact placement.
Step 3: Let each child choose the color of paint for his or her handprints.
Step 4: Convince your daughter that purple would be a lovely color for her handprints. We had 14 handprints that needed to go on a medium t-shirt, so I knew I would use a lot of Grace's handprints; I figured my dad wouldn't really want that much pink on his t-shirt. ;)
Step 5: Place a large piece of cardboard, layers of newspaper, or anything else that works inside the t-shirt, just to make sure nothing bleeds through. (I also place the whole t-shirt on top of a large piece of cardboard just in case it needs to be moved before the paint is dry.)
Step 6: Write "Gran'dad is this many..." across the top of the t-shirt with a Sharpie. I knew I needed the space above the words for handprints, so I already had those placed before writing the words. Use a piece of paper, ruler, etc., to be a guide as you write.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7iG8dKBoLB8H6uP7c-E-JNoV4Qyyv5UvsUDnZiC5eh5ZPcmr6y9PvICIFcEPFKXKzhYKSE9uQum710V624yNWG4MGXrZ2vGjO5LJpbPtuONPy9OOdo0JxaMkXdHlHZ_X3iBTxRZAR34/s400/bDCP_2211.jpg)
Step 7: Figure out the placement of the handprints
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqOnwakbow51Q2giyJ_kPNX0fjtA412TDWOmltBZpmu2Q6aPRIie-b8Y0aFE1o0blBa00Ucp6LvXdQuRt64NqdLUTsOUI_CyGax9Nev_JRAPTdt8VnVVyDyuMH80CrdRwWeu5a5fFZKI/s400/bDCP_2214.jpg)
Step 8: Trace the handprints with the fabric paint. I am right handed, so I started at the top left corner and worked left to right and then down from there, kinda like a haphazard typewriter. Be careful to avoid where you have already painted.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAhF_ZyimGeAvWiiWfDZv8Q1xXp_lQNK3ns8ThucmmI-17ah-fR9th1tBlnBFAHBg1V3fbBH4HfiBItbqP_TM9nXQQNSohKTPGW_Ngv-G4L-8z2acF3x8Bd8SFAlHiu1HAUPcvtMokUY/s400/bDCP_2215.jpg)
These are the fabric paint pens I found at Michaels. They have lasted through both t-shirt projects, and were just as fresh this time as they were three years ago.
Step 9: Admire the finished product while the paint dries for 4+ hours:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-3FZJXpep3AdinCPnzhAZRoeCZDmwf5mh38FbqnfNcbXYYl5DMKkRVH0Uz5Ty4houkSIxN0BYPtC4t59YwpEsY6b4MlVb3P4R10sEib_gmtEr2UhcspqDTZutkjSwYoz9oSPp_ANhbo/s400/bDCP_2217.jpg)
Happy birthday, Dad/Gran'dad!
~~~~~
What are the grandparents known as in your family, either yours or your children's?
1 comment:
Love it!
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