Bea doesn't care for the cartoon characters plastered on kid's stuff, clothing included. No arguments from me. She wonders why they can't have cool things on them, like bats or whales. So finally last week the stars aligned and we collaborated on a couple of fun new shirts for her.
The whale was first. I almost had to call the whole thing off when I couldn't get the idea of a freezer paper STENCIL across to her. She wanted elaborate scenes, crazy poses, all kinds of colors. I needed a simple project -- quick and successful. We found this image in one of her books and agreed on it. It looks good on the shirt but when she wears it the whale hits around her waist and it just kinda looks like a black belt karate shirt or something. Oh well, she's happy with it.
We really hit our groove when we decided on a bat shirt. I went looking for bat books to find a good image of a bat's silhouette. Bea said, "THE BAT SCULPTURE! That's a silhouette of a bat, mommy!" Sure enough, smart girl. So we did that and it turned out good if I do say so myself.
We actually made this one last summer (at the same time as the penguin and jellyfish) but I somehow never showed it. It has been a favorite nightshirt this summer.
A craft! Hooray for freezer paper stencils.
That bat shirt is perfect! Would she like a whale that is appliqued to a t-shirt? I have the cutest whale fabric!! Of course, then there would be a whale shirt and whale tote to match...gotta have the whole outfit!
What size does she wear? Seriously. I gotta practice the skirt thing! OR, a jumper/dress thing...Oh how cute! And with the tote...does she have red shoes???
*Should have been a wardrobe designer!*
Posted by: Lauri Smith | August 28, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Horray, indeed! Those are perfect, Amy!
Posted by: laeroport | August 28, 2007 at 12:33 PM
I'm still afraid of the freezer paper stencil. Yours look great.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | August 28, 2007 at 01:18 PM
Hooray! These are all great. I'm with you: the less I have to see of the cartoony clothes, the happier I am. Ooh, I need some plain shirts now!
Posted by: meg | August 28, 2007 at 01:53 PM
Saw these on Flickr - she's one cool (bat)girl.
Posted by: Megan | August 28, 2007 at 03:25 PM
I took a little break from the computer to work in my garden and I come back to view a couple of days of your blog and there's your garden! Beautiful pics! Fun stuff with your girl, too. Ah, summer... it's coming to a close isn't it? I don't feel like I ever really relaxed into it... maybe fall will be my season of deep breaths and letting go. But then, with a 4 yr. old and a 1 yr. old... maybe quick breaths and plenty of smiles.
Posted by: Heather | August 28, 2007 at 06:15 PM
Bea is a lucky girl! Those shirt are a hit with me. Sound like you both deserve congratulations for your collaboration. Good crafting!
Posted by: Mom | August 28, 2007 at 06:51 PM
Those shirts are awesome. I really like the bat. You just gave me a great idea for my son who is really into dinosaurs. Thank you!
Posted by: Lisa R-P | August 28, 2007 at 07:06 PM
So does this mean you are going to make her a bat costume for Halloween??? Or a whale??
Posted by: Jenny | August 29, 2007 at 09:36 AM
Those shirts are wonderful! I love the whale especially. I have to jump on that freezer paper bandwagon one of these days.
Posted by: Sonya | August 29, 2007 at 09:47 AM
What a smart girl - that bat shirt is lovely! I hope my children don't want cartoons on their clothes either, my father always said he wasn't paying to advertise for other people and the message really sunk in with me. :)
Posted by: melanie | August 29, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Okay, now I REALLY want to make some stenciled shirts for my kids! Yours are so wonderful!
Posted by: Amber | August 29, 2007 at 11:06 AM
these stencils are great. i still have not tried this... nervous for some reason! but there are always so many things that need embellishing... hmmm.
Posted by: amisha | August 29, 2007 at 08:11 PM
The shirts are lovely:)
Posted by: Zelia | August 30, 2007 at 03:25 AM
The white whale tee is adorable! I have yet to try freezer paper stencils, I should get to it.
Posted by: Toni | August 30, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Do you sell on etsy? Cause honestly - your quilts were awesome enough -but add in these shirts... You would be great there!
Posted by: blest | August 30, 2007 at 01:36 PM
Those shirts are adorable!
Posted by: Chara Michele | August 30, 2007 at 10:42 PM
Bea sounds like one cool girl. And her cool momma made some cool shirts!
Posted by: sulu-design | August 31, 2007 at 07:57 PM
I really like those! The whale is my fave.
Posted by: bernie | September 03, 2007 at 09:05 PM
Thanks for this post. When I was a kid my mother used to silkscreen, and I've been wanting to do that now that I'm the grownup, but I don't have a suitable space in our tiny condo. No sink large enough for washing screens, for example. No room well-ventilated enough for the emulsions. So I considered trying other print methods and came up short. I'm short on time so things like carving lino blocks or other media just don't work for me. But this! This!!! I can do this! Thanks.
Posted by: Julie | September 04, 2007 at 12:23 PM