I love figuring out new gifts to make for friends and family. Ones that are really awesome, somewhat different than the norm, and so fun to do that I know they will be a go-to gift for quite a while, or until I run out of people to give them to.
My friend Julie had a baby girl on July 21. I wanted to present her with a gift that was unique and would set little Olivia apart from her seven older siblings. You know sometimes those younger ones can get lost in the shuffle. When Julie kept a blog she mentioned she loved this idea posted over at ohdeedoh of taking a monthly photo of baby’s first year with the baby on a Stendig calendar page. I thought about that a while and then I saw this idea on culpeppergeneral’s etsy store. I got all excited because this is something I can do!
I ordered RabbitSkin onesies from Dharma Trading Company and when they arrived I set right to work. To create freezer paper stencils I printed off large numbers in a font I liked along with the words month and months. I laid these over freezer paper and cut them out using a craft knife. Make sure your freezer paper is laying on the shiny side as that’s the side that will iron to your fabric. I created three different designs to use on the onesies for a little variety, used six different colors because babies deserve bright colors, but kept the font exactly the same for continuity. Freezer paper can be ironed over and over again so I only needed to cut out the word months three times. I stuck a sheet of wax paper into each onesie to keep the paint from seeping through to the back. The paint I used are Jacquard Textile Paints. They dry to a soft touch, not scratchy and rough like the regular Tulip fabric paint from Voldemort Walmart.
When the paint dried I peeled off the freezer paper. On this onesie the “months” didn’t want to iron anymore so I used stickers instead. I love peeling off the freezer paper to reveal what the design looks like.
And here you can see the three different designs I used for the 1 month, 5 months, and 9 months.
I need to order more onesies now and keep several sets of these stockpiled for future gifts.
What a cute idea! Thanks for the tutorial. I love unique gift ideas.
I love onsies, they’re so tiny and sweet. I like the bright colors you’ve used. That’s a lot of work! You are one industrious lady!
AAAAAAH!!! That is just AWESOME!! What a great idea! Thank you so much! How wonderful of you to remember that I liked that idea. I am SO EXCITED!! I can’t wait to get them.
That really was a lot of work. Thank you!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
So cute!
Now that is some creative talent. Awesome gift! I am not sure how I stumbled on your blog, but I do enjoy it. It has been fun to read your blog.
Now those are cool…I’ll have to keep that idea in my back pocket for future use 🙂
Absolutely LOVE them! Wow, what a great idea–thanks for sharing. I’ll have to give it a try. BTW: when do you have time for ALL that you do? You are amazing!!! : )
Wow…I just love these! I’ve been wanting to try freezer paper stencils for quite some time…maybe this will get me moving! Thanks for sharing!
Those are so cute!!
Those are adorable! I have to try that stenciling project- so versatile and easy!
Those are so radically cute. The Voldemort/Walmart thing totally cracked me up.
I left a great comment, but it didn’t post. Short story – I did this for my youngest two by just using printed age signs propped up next to them. With the youngest, I thought ahead for aesthetics and always dressed her in white, on a white background. Those pictures looked awesome when put next to one another.
I love those onesies. So cute and colorful. Now if I could just go back in time and make some for when Princess was an infant.
What a great gift idea! I am sure Julie and Olivia will love these!
Wow, those are so cute! I never would have thought of something so cute.
Happy POW!
What a great idea.
People are gonna just love those.
Totally cute!
Very cute idea. I bet your friend will love it.
I wish I had your talent! Or better yet, a gift giving friend with your talent, lol. LOVE your Voldemort/Walmart comment.
Wow! You are a super friend… that gift took a great deal of thought and time and is one of those gifts that will truly mean a lot to the mommy. You rock!!
Oh, those are so adorable! What a great gift. Prepare for email orders to roll in 🙂
Those are so stinkin’ cute. I might just have to do that! I love a craft project and this one seems easy enough for me. Thanks!
You are SO clever!!!!! Love them!! I should make some of these to give to my friends. 6 of them are pregnant right now and 2 of them just gave birth!!