Birthday Blessings

On Saturday I turned 27. I don't really like the number 27, it's an odd looking number to me and I don't think I will be remembering my age very often, but regardless my Birthday was a success. I measure success on a Birthday as 1) I did not break into tears. 2) I was not unwilling to spend the day with people 3) I spent the day with people I really enjoy, and did not have the misery of "gatecrashers" who really steal the spotlight and turn my birthday into an ordeal. This year I spent my day with my two eldest cousins on my mother's side, as well as my parents, siblings and future sister in law (of course Nick was there as well, but he is kind of always there which I really like). I also spent part of my day at the neighbors, because I am lucky enough to share my birthday with Killian, who was born last year on my Golden birthday (turned 26 on the 26th, apparently when you turn your birthday date's age it is Golden) he is one lucky kid, and one adorable kid to boot! So I did have a very good day, despite having a summer cold, or allergy attack in the morning, and the weather being a threatening gloomy sort.

I didn't get a lot of gifts this year, but there are a few highlights to the gifts that I did get that made me realize that people in my family REALLY know me. Among them were a panini press, a new cook book, cook book stand, cookie jar, coach purse, and red vases. The first gift I opened all weekend was from my brother and his fiance, they gave me a bottle of wine (SCORE!) and a Vera Bradley Apron. Mind you, I will be scared shitless to use that apron, but it is an apron none-the-less that I will be proud to wear. I think because of them I can finally throw out my old work kitchen apron that I made. Although, that does bring my to today's DIY... yes I do have time for one after the whirlwind weekend. How about an apron? or a t-shirt? Waht about a tote? Thankfully you are in luck to be reading my blog! Cloth decorating is easy and quick, and all of your supplies can be found at Michael's or JoAnns.

Supplies:
-1 basic Apron, tote, t-shirt hat or other cloth item plain colored or multi-colored from Craft store (look in t-shirt department this may run you a little less that $5)
-Tulip all purpose glitter or matte fabric paint as many bottles as you desire
-Wax paper (4-5 sheets may be needed)
-Sheet of plain paper
-Printed shapes of your choosing
-Xacto knife (cutting mat for underneath)
-Paint brush
-Marker
-Optional- stamp and stamp pad

Instructions

1- Clean apron. Run it through the wash and hang it out to dry before starting. This way any dyes that are in it can run clean and won't run your paints out later.

2- Decide on your design. If you want just one color, or you want a lot of color. Depending on the items you choose will determine how many steps you have to take.

3- Print your designs, or draw them on a sheet of paper. Then take waxed paper and trace the outline of a single colored object and all other objects of the same color onto paper with marker. Do this for every different color with different pieces of waxed paper and label each piece of waxed paper with the color name. Once you have done this for All of the colors, you may move to the next step.

4- Cut out the colored portion of each piece of waxed paper to make a stencil. It's tedious, but it makes for a really great transfer of the original image. Take the darkest color and apply first with a paint brush and allow to dry before going through your list of colors dark to light. Once you have applied all of the colors, go through and touch up any sections with a small paint brush.

5- After applying the pain, most people would be done, however I like to take a decorative stamp, and stamp plain black ink onto the apron, and then trace the lines with the tip that comes on the fabric paint bottle. This way you have a neat raised design in addition to the design you created with the fabric paint.

Have fun with it, and enjoy the meals you will cook with it on in the future!