FashBlog.com

by Christina VanGinkel

Long before I was a grandmother, I would see someone wearing a t-shirt with small handprints all over it, with writing proclaiming 'World's Best Grandma' or some other similar saying. I always wanted one, with my own grandkids prints. Now that I have one very sweet little grandson, I have decided that we will spend some time this weekend making matching shirts for him, his mother, and myself.

To keep the work to a minimum and to keep it simple, I purchased three plain matched t-shirts in our corresponding sizes. I bought my daughter's in a size larger than she wears so she can use it for a night shirt, as though I know she will like making the shirt, and think it is cute, especially her son's, I can not picture her wearing hers out and about, as I will wear mine! I went with the Hanes brand as they were available in the cotton that I wanted, and they were tag less. After pre-washing them, I also went ahead and pre-painted each of our names, Mom, Nana, and DJ across the front of each. I cheated by using my Tracer brand stencils that I have for scrap booking. I used a kid style font, along with a stencil paintbrush, and acrylic paint. By placing a piece of scrap cardboard between the layers of the shirt and pinning the shirts in place, stretched lightly but no too tight, they will be easier to work with and keep the paint from flowing to the back also.

With the same acrylic paint, I plan to have each of us stamp our handprints on each shirt. For mine, besides letting my grandson go wild all over the shirt, I am going to create a two-layered handprint. For this, I went ahead and already placed my handprint in a dark color beneath my name so that it will be thoroughly dry. I am going to have him place his handprint in a lighter color directly over mine. Once dry, I am going to go back and write his name inside his print. When the shirts are completely painted and dried, I will wash them in a cold water cycle, and then dry on medium heat to set the paint.

Besides having fun wearing this shirt, and I will, as I am a shameless brag when it comes to this small bundle of energy I call my grandson, I can hardly wait to make the shirt. Time spent doing crafts with kids reminds me why I have enjoyed crafts so much through the years. Creating clothing with kids is easier than many people realize, and the joy they get out of wearing something they helped create is priceless. Simple pre-made visors that kids can decorate with foam shapes are always fun, as are plain tennis shoes that they decorate with beads and paint. Make some time this summer and create something with your kids that both you and they can enjoy. When my children were little, we would often paint, draw, bead, and glue. Sometimes what we created was useful, as these shirts will be, and other times we gained nothing more than time spent together.