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Jan 6, 2013

DIY Art from a Favourite T-shirt

How many of your gifts to other people were handmade? I'm guessing crafters/DIYers give more handmade gifts than other people. For me, it was probably about a 50/50 split.

One of my favourites this year was the framed t-shirt I made for Tom.

Framed T-shirt - Turtles and Tails blog

Some of his favourite shirts are from the Life is Good line. I don't know if you're familiar with it, but they make really fun, activity-oriented clothing and accessories. I have a few shirts myself, and Sasha has a "Life is Good" collar. 'Cause you know, for her, it really is.

Framed T-shirt - Turtles and Tails blog

About a year ago Tom temporarily switched deodorant brands and it made the armpits of his shirts hard and crunchy (how's that for TMI?) They didn't smell bad, it was just weird and uncomfortable to wear. Nothing would wash it out so the t-shirt had to be retired. But it was in good shape otherwise. And it was his favourite of the favourites - the first one he bought I think.

I decided to turn it into framed art so he could have it forever. I already had a frame but it didn't have a mat, so I made one from the solid mat in another frame that wasn't being used. The first thing I did was measure the width and height of the graphic so I knew how big to make the opening.

Framed T-shirt - Turtles and Tails blog

 I then added about an inch on each side and marked that on the mat. I also put it into the frame to make sure it would look balanced once it was all together. I don't know if you can see the tiny marks but they're there, one on each side.

Framed T-shirt - Turtles and Tails blog

Sasha chose that moment to walk into the room and put her face in a plate of glitter. Life is good. And sparkly. She distracted me so much that I forgot to take any more pictures until I was finished. But hopefully I can explain it well enough.

Dog with glitter

I used an X-acto knife and a ruler to join the marks and cut the matting to size. The frame is 8 x 10 so I cut the graphic out of the t-shirt in a rectangle measuring 9 x 11 - to give me extra material to wrap around behind. I took the filler board from the frame (the one between your picture and the backing board) and stretched the t-shirt tightly around it, making sure the graphic was centered, and secured each edge with packing tape.

I put the frame back together and it was finished. Oh yes, don't forget to give the glass a good cleaning on both sides if it's been handled a lot!

Framed T-shirt - Turtles and Tails blog

Cute, isn't it? Tom was so happy. And I marked on the tag that it was from the dogs so they got lots of hugs for being so clever.

Framed T-shirt - Turtles and Tails blog


Now he's not so worried that his favourite t-shirts will wear out because he knows they can live on forever on the walls.

Framed T-shirt - Turtles and Tails blog


~~~~~

I'm linking up to these parties this week!






23 comments:

Kathe said...

Mr. B's birthday is in 10 days. He has an old favorite t-shirt that has some paint on it so he doesn't wear it anymore. I think I may take your idea and frame it and say it's from Max! Thanks for the inspiration :-)

Patrice said...

What a fabulous project...I'd love for you to link up at Project Pinterest this week!

http://www.oldbackporch.com/2013/01/project-pinterest-week-1.html?m=1

amy moore said...

Found you via the Pinterest Link, love this idea. I am totally going to try it :)

Liz @ Infuse With Liz said...

That's really a cute idea! I wish I had thought of something like this. Everytime we went on trips we bought a t-shirt and some became my husband's favorites. After a while they didn't look too good but a few of them could have been spared this way!

Rea T said...

now this is a really cool idea :) i might be doing this, thanks to you!

stopping by through motivated monday!

huggies***
rea
http://homefor4sweethome.blogspot.com/

Tracey@We-Made-That said...

That a clever idea! This would be great for race shirts you don't really wear but want to display too. Thanks so much for sharing on We Made That

Cyndee@Restyled Junk said...

I'm definitely doing this for my boys!

The Quiet Mom said...

I love it. Great job!

Hopping by and following your lovely blog's FB and Pinterest. I blog @ Getting Healthy with Essential Oils

I am also inviting you to join Tiddle Diddle Handmade Shoppe's first giveaway event.

Lauren said...

Great idea! I wish I would have done this with a few of my favorite shirts when I was younger. I am hosting my very first link party and would love it if you would link up.


http://ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-first-ever-link-party.html

Christina at I Gotta Create! said...

Love this idea! My hubby ruined his favorite tshirt but the logo is still good. I can do this for him. Thank you for the inspiration.

Thank you for partying with the Wildly Original Crowd.
<3 Christina at I Gotta Create!

Shiloh Barkley said...

Fun idea. I like homemade art. Found you at maiden dshade link party.

Carrie @ My Favorite Finds said...

Clever! Thanks for sharing at Pinworthy Projects!

Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes said...

What a great project! Thank you for sharing at All My Bloggy Friends last week. I look forward to seeing what you share this week :)

Hilary Smith said...

This is such a great idea. I might have to try this soon.

Emily @Sweet Bella Roos said...

Such a cool idea! My hubby had that same problem!!! Also love the glitter in Sasha's "beard" haha. Thanks for sharing at Pin It Thursday

LENETTA CARNES said...

Hi, great post. I found you through the blog hop. Please stop by and say hi when you get a chance. .Be sure and check out my new Blog Hop that started. It's Weekly Goals Link Up. It's a great way to stay on track. Have a great day. :) Now following you. Here's the link for it if you would like to check it out.

http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup.html

Lenetta

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

BarbSteadman said...

Thanks!

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

BarbSteadman said...

I wish I'd thought of it sooner too!

BarbSteadman said...

Can't wait to see how it turns out!

BarbSteadman said...

Thank you!

BarbSteadman said...

Thanks!

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