Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Ready for a CONTEST??

{EDIT...just as an FYI. Did you notice that I forgot to add the bodies to my butterflies? Were you just going to politely overlook this or was someone going to actually tell me that I had mutant mariposa on my hands?? I stared at that picture for a good 10 minutes trying to figure out WHY that shirt looked funny...problem solved now though :) A week of single parenting has robbed me of important brain cells apparantly!}

I don't know if any of you have school aged girls. But I am really struggling to find cute, age appropriate (and cheap!) clothing for my kindergartner. She has a definite opinion these days about what she wants to wear and it usually revolves around jeans and some type of hoodie (don't forget the gym shoes!) I've started thinking about spring clothes as the temperature here is just starting to warm up. I'd love to order her one of these or these. But I can't bring myself to drop that kind of cash on a t-shirt that is likely to come home smeared in peanut butter. So I opted to make a few simple tees myself that can be paired with fun plaid capris or denim cut-offs for a similar look.


WHAT ABOUT THE CONTEST YOU ARE ASKING??

This is where I need your help! I purchased 5 tees in a rainbow of colors. (I must mention here that I got these at Walmart for $3.50 each. I really like their Faded Glory brand because they are 100% pre-shrunk cotton that retains its shape nicely...and they have no spandex so she won't look like a sausage stuffed into a too small casing!) Anywhoo. After 2 tees I ran out of ideas for a simple applique. Help a girl out already!

Post a comment with some fun ideas/themes (keep it simple here folks...time is limited and I'm pretty lazy these days). If I use your idea I'll make you a FREE TEE!! "But I have boys!" you say....no problemo! I'm thinking of making my little man a few roughly appliqued duds as well....so let the ideas flow forth! Just remember the style of the tee may vary according to the size and gender. But no sizes are off limits...I even have a great stash of onsies!

I'll make my decisions by Friday and post the winner(s) here! Sound like fun....leave me a comment! feel free to share it on your own blog...the more the merrier!

48 comments:

Anna Lea said...

lady bugs, cat silouetes, elefunts, stars, hearts. I would look at coloring books for good easy inspiration. (i have no little ones so dont worry about me being in the contest, just thought id help )

TaDa! Creations said...

How about a bird or a cute rainbow out of ric rac? Or a silhouette of a piece of bread so when she comes home with PB smeared on it, it's not out of place. hehe

Bethany said...

I too was thinking a rainbow. Maybe some fun, cheery flowers. Or a sun! I can totally see a sun with polka dotted yellow ribbon for the rays!! A sweet little deer?

Can't wait to see what else you whip up!!

Meli (Jam Clothing) said...

Rainbows are a huge hit here, huge flowers, owl, pig, a teapot...
Or something reflective of school. A ruler and an apple, a pencil and a book....

for boys how about an alligator or shark W/O the huge scary teeth like on some tees i have seen. LOL
I always love fish or crabs!!
Hmm, what about a rocket!! :)

Sheyb said...

Guitar! Unicorn... ice cream, initial, rocket ship, dog, ....

Bethany said...

I got distracted with my kids but thought of a couple more!!

A sweet bird...maybe on a branch or something? Bright and cheery for sure!! Owls are all the rage {as we all know!!}, so maybe a fun owl as well?

Or a LOLLIPOP!! You could make it all fun and bright and then even tie a bow and stick it towards the top of the stick for some added flare!!

Sorry...I am not good at the boy stuff! I have one, but girly ideas come much easier!!

Bethany said...

A big tree? All fluffy and full at the top?

Okay, okay...I'll leave you alone! I am far better at coming up with ideas than actually doing them!!

Michelle said...

I have a boy who is in Kindergarten, and I know he would love anything with a dinosaur or robot theme!

Unknown said...

OH a bright yellow chick on a teal tee would be adorable... A rainbow of fabric or ric rac would be darling....a colorful umbrella.... a "garden" of flowers....an ice cream cone (or a cupcake with sprinkles)... OHH I think I could sit here forever thinking of ideas! I love your strawberry shirt!

I can't wait to see what you decide!!!

TaDa! Creations said...

Oh and cookie cutters are another great resource for inspiration.

The Bean said...

Well...these are ideas I did for Anna when she was that age Jenn...
catepillars - made from circles are really easy. Dragonflys are super easy too.

Another really easy one to cut/applique is fish...jelly fish are easy to do too, and you can get funky w/ loose fabric or ribbon.

Eric Carle books are a good inspiration source. Another is paper piecing!

grandmarockton said...

house, Red Riding Hood, clouds, birds, nest, lighthouse, ladybugs, cupcakes, hats, wind , kits, junglejim with kids (stick) playing on it! Zoo animals

Jessica said...

I love the strawberry one you made - I've been loving all kinds of strawberry-themed things here lately, maybe b/c I want to match the extra pair of stby sandals I bought at Target last year for Grace to wear this summer!

Okay, my fave would be a cupcake with a little button for a cherry. I also think cherries, apples, a bunny or birdies would be fun!

Sorry if some of these are repeats, in a hurry and didn't have a chance to read all the other comments.
~Jessica

Cara said...

I too have drooled over those adorable Boden shirts, but can never bring myself to drop $28 (or whatever they are now!) on one. How about an ice cream cone, chocolate chip cookie, teapot or cup, skateboard, handbag, high heeled shoe, shamrock (for St. Patrick's day coming up), watermelon or orange slice, or popsicle?

Looking forward to seeing what you create and being inspired to whip one up myself!

Melissa Lincavage said...

Good Morning!
I was thinking maybe a cowgirl boot would be cute. How about just some scraps of random ribbon, ric - rac and buttons. Inspirational words like- dream, believe, happy smile, and even blah...
just some thoughts. I look forward to see what you create!!

Andi said...

How about letters or numbers? They seem easy enough!

Lala said...

Hi Jenn!!!

CHERRIES... *wink*

I love the tees you did... and the FG brand is THE BEST to applique on!!! :o)

Love, Lala :o)

Sarah said...

have no idea what girls are into b/c i have 5 boys... but what my boys would love would be-

lego blocks
balls of any kind
anything with a number that looks like a jersey (perhaps the number 9 if he likes tony romo, etc)

Jen said...

How about a cupcake, balloons, a whale, a squirrel, mermaids, fairies, princess crowns, or horses.

This is a great resource for free clipart patterns:

http://karenswhimsy.com/free-silhouettes.shtm

Erika said...

how about some musical symbols or a violin for your girls? You can't go wrong with a princess crown or wand - maybe with some sparkly buttons sewn on.

puppy paw prints or sail boats would be cute for the little man.

Erika said...

for the girls - a violin or musical symbols, a princess crown or wand?
For the little man - puppy paw prints or a sailboat?

Tammy @ Type A said...

super heroes and action figures are big at my house.

boys: superman, spiderman, batman, ben 10, transformers, power rangers.

girls: super girl, wonder woman, pucca, dora, blues clues, my little pony, and strawberry shortcake.

{Erlinda} said...

Sweet shirts!! I'd love to see a round little girl face with rosy cheeks and a bob...so cute!

~Erlinda

{Erlinda} said...

Cotton Candy...my fave yummy...yummmy!

mom2four said...

Ok, I'm sure some of these will be repeats...
Ladybugs, smiley faces, sunshine, candy, cassette tape, record, crown, a bowl of icecream, kitty face, popsicle, three little birds, punch bug car, pizza

Maybe it's because of the 80s party but I really like the cassette tape, record idea!

Michelle said...

No good ideas just ready to copy yours!! :) Would you be willing to share your patterns? To cute!!

Jennifer Ferguson Hofeld said...

Makeup--lipstick twisted up, open compact with silver mirror, powder puff. Silhouette of a dancer. Fluffy poodle.

Jennifer Storey said...

A wiener dog that starts on the front of the tee and wraps around to the back!! I can send you an image for inspiration if you need it - oh, so cute!!!

Just the Sous Chef said...

Icecream on an icecream cone, love bugs (lady bug/hearts), sunshine.
I love the ones you did! cute!

Kay said...

Such cute t's! hearts, stars, balloons, numbers (her age), party hat, cat, dog, turtle, snail, rough cut circles layered and with button in middle for flower, lion, sun.

Rebekah said...

a puppy silhouette and a bone further down with a dotted line showing the path the puppy has to follow to get it - this could work for a boy OR a girl (if you put a little pink polka dot bow on the puppy's neck) ;)

Jaya P said...

1. something like this http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19011715 with any good design motif?

2. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19901882

3. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20606290

4.http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13047722

5.http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=5885336

what do you think?

Anonymous said...

Most of the ideas I had running through my brain appear to be posted here already.
But I think some nice big bright flowers would be cute. For boys I think box trucks or frogs!

Anonymous said...

I think an owl would be so cute, or a horse of course!!

Also, I've seen a huge nod to mod lately, what about huge retro flowers?

Brooke said...

I am not the most creative person without have a visual. . . so here are my "inspirations"

Love this green flower:

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/cs100/index.cfm?pkey=cbedding-sale|b

This pink one is adorable too!

I am not the most creative person without have a visual. . . so here are my "inspirations"

Love this green flower:

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/cs100/index.cfm?pkey=cbedding-sale|b

I know you already did a butterfly BUT HOW CUTE IS THIS ONE?!

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/da160/index.cfm?pkey=cart-gallery|b

A cupcake would be very cute!

http://www.everafterstore.com/media/belt_buckle_cupcake.jpg

We love owls in our family right now!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1322/1443903492_f966742e8d.jpg


OKAY MY LAST ONE (I could go on forever!) Our valentine dishes we got from target this year. So adorable!

http://www.target.com/Love-Birds-12-pc-Melamine-Dinnerware-Set/dp/B001G9DKJW/sr=1-3/qid=1235057333/ref=sr_1_3/189-6790347-2649340?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Avalentine%20day%20plates&page=1


Have fun! I am excited to see what you do next!

Bethany said...

Hey Jenn...I'm back!! I don't have time to read through all the comments you have gotten but I am going to add a couple more ideas! My mind is in overdrive on this for some reason!

And I'll tell you right off...I am sure some of them are complicated but they sound cute in my mind!!

A bike/trike. That one could be boy or girl. A jar of fireflies. Not sure how in world you do that, but it would be darling! Another crazy one is a little girl holding a little suitcase!! A high heel. A bottle of nail polish.

I am going crazy with this post!!

Mandy said...

Little Smokey agrees that weiner dogs are fab for boys OR girls! ;)

I'm partial to cupcakes, lollipops, & rabbits myself!

I had to LOL @ your "mutant mariposa", being left home alone with three kids will leave it's mark on you (I know this from experience!!)...;)

Mandy said...

Excuse me while I add two more...
GNOMES & sock monkeys...LOL!

said...

Hi Jenn,
Adorable tees, so cute!

How about a big flower with polka dot petals? A cute little round-faced, piggy-tailed little girl with a lollipop. An airplane for the boys.

So many possibilities...can't wait to see what you come up with!
Noelle

The Bean said...

Jennifer wrote "A wiener dog that starts on the front of the tee and wraps around to the back!! I can send you an image for inspiration if you need it - oh, so cute!!!"

Anna has a shirt like this - I can snap a shot if you like!

Eileen

Leah Beth said...

Of course...my girl would shout out HORSE!!!, not sure that is easy though....I would love for my boy to have a SALAMANDER (green on a black shirt), only because that is what I call him. I also think a chicken or chick would be super cute and great for spring. Or maybe in celebration for you your recent success with photography...a CAMERA...would be cute!..."SAY CHEESE"!

David & Erica said...

Love the ice cream cone and cupcake ideas for girlies! Or flowers with big polka dot petals and button centers. Lands End has some cute appliques on skirts too. FYI.
What about a necktie for a boy. . .like a "dressed up" tshirt or onesie.

Erica

Anonymous said...

How about little Tshirts on a clothes line with some little butterflies about????
Just a thought!

How are you girlie!!!??

Laurie

Susan said...

Colorful flowers, Rainbows with clouds, Hedgehog, Ladybug, Cherries, Cupcakes with button sprinkle, Bird on a branch... ohhh.. I love little applique tees on girls!
For the Boys:
Robots, monkeys, guitar, skateboard
Can't wait to see what you come up with... man I'm missing seeing your designs on a weekly basis.
HUGS to you & the family!

Once Upon a Twig said...

I love your blog... I've been following for awhile and just got around to getting my own!
A shamrock would be cute. Easter eggs, bunny, or basket would be nice for this spring. baby animals are always so cute, especially bunnies and birdies. Looking forward to seeing your creations, and getting inspired!

Kacey said...

Great ideas already!

How about an umbrella or ballet slippers for a girl.

A Peace sign for boys or girls depending on what color fabric and shirt you use.

Kacey

Melisse said...

My 3 year old is into anything to do with pirates... swords, hook, patch, skull and crossbones, treasure chest with treasure coming out, parrot...a pirate face with patch with a red poke-a-dot bandanna on a green T-shirt would be cute.

Michelle said...

K so I'm wanting to make some of those cute shirts you did and I was wondering if you put any type of interfacing under the fabric to stop it from fraying. Please help. way cute shirts. thank you