Dreams do come true
September 30, 2007
Do you remember Jane's shirt designs? I shared this version awhile back. After reading all those encouraging comments, Jane was determined to see one of her designs become reality. Many more drawings later, she settled on this for herself:
For this artist it is all in the details. For this mom it is all about practical. So we compromised and started production. I channeled my inner Hannah and printed the words straight from my computer on to freezer paper. I cut out the stencil, leaving the "o" intact. I found a long-sleeved striped t-shirt from Target in an acceptable color combination and then paired it with a short-sleeved shirt (also from Target) we already had. Jane did the painting.
Jane chose the fabric for the star and I did the applique on my sewing machine. I cut the sleeves off of the striped shirt at the shoulder seams and then grappled with how I was going to attach them without some weird visible stitching. I decided to sew them into the short-sleeved t-shirt at the shoulder seam allowance and it worked perfectly. The key part: I don't think that this would have worked if the shirts were different brands. Both sleeves had the exact same profile.
See that smile? Jane is one happy girl. She designed it and we made it. She wants to wear it. All the time. I couldn't be happier, either. The experience was a good reminder for me that dreams can come true. You just need to chase them a bit.
Jane also designed a shirt for Kate. You can see it here.
Jane rocks! Erin rocks! You are one seriously cool mum.
Posted by: Jude | September 30, 2007 at 08:50 AM
i love the whole process of this!
great job girls!!
Posted by: leslie | September 30, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Wow! I am sooooo looking forward to do cool projects like that with my kids... Bravo les filles!
Posted by: Noa | September 30, 2007 at 09:19 AM
What a brilliant thing to do! Happy times :)
Posted by: sarah | September 30, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Very cool! I love her new t-shirt & Kate's!
Posted by: Chara Michele | September 30, 2007 at 09:28 AM
oh this really rocks! way to go!
Posted by: carol | September 30, 2007 at 09:49 AM
That is so cool. I want to make one NOW! anychance of a tutorial?
Posted by: claire | September 30, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Wow, those are great! I'm sure they'll remember those cool shirts forever.
Posted by: Amanda | September 30, 2007 at 10:14 AM
That is so amazing! Great job by both Jane and you.
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | September 30, 2007 at 10:39 AM
This is so awesome! Go Jane!
Posted by: Carrie S. | September 30, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Way cool.
Posted by: Sarah | September 30, 2007 at 10:45 AM
So cute! And so great that she is proud of making something for herself.
Posted by: Beth | September 30, 2007 at 10:47 AM
Jane, You rock! Way to go. Love it. Love sister's shirt as well, different enough to be unique but similar enough so we can tell it was made by the same designer. Keep up the wonderful work.
Posted by: Cory | September 30, 2007 at 10:49 AM
So fun...nice work. Great way to foster creativity with intent. I am sure that it made a huge impact for her to see her design "come alive". Bet she is a proud girl when she rocks that shirt!
Posted by: Libby | September 30, 2007 at 10:50 AM
So impressive! I think it the shirt should say, "jane rocks"
I think you have a fashion designer on your hands!
Posted by: kat | September 30, 2007 at 11:02 AM
This looks absolutely brillant! Crafting with kids is the best!
Posted by: celine | September 30, 2007 at 11:26 AM
those shirts are fab!!! i am going to do that with by kiddos!!!
Posted by: diana | September 30, 2007 at 11:48 AM
How cool! I'm sure Jane is just over the moon that she got to do this!
Posted by: Margot | September 30, 2007 at 11:51 AM
I love both versions of the shirt! So cool that you are "that" mom who actually helps an idea come to fruition.
Posted by: Amy | September 30, 2007 at 11:52 AM
You guys make a great team. Those shirts look absolutely fabulous!
Posted by: sara | September 30, 2007 at 11:52 AM
What a rockin household to live in...great shirts and kudos to you for actually fostering her creativity instead of stifling it and showing her that dreams can and do come true with some work.
Posted by: southerngirlmusings | September 30, 2007 at 11:59 AM
That is just fabulous--both your willingness to make the shirt, and how it turned out. My designs for my children rarely include their input--maybe it's time to see if they have any ideas of their own.
Posted by: Donna | September 30, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Love it! I'm glad that she pursued this and that her momma encouraged her! :0)
Posted by: Robyn | September 30, 2007 at 12:29 PM
so when is jane going to open an etsy shop so i can buy one of those tees for my daughter? :)
Posted by: jen b | September 30, 2007 at 12:35 PM
That is so cute! What lucky little girls you have.
Posted by: Shelley | September 30, 2007 at 01:16 PM
I love it! and yes...GIRLS DO ROCK!!
Posted by: Beth H | September 30, 2007 at 01:17 PM
fabulous! You may have a talented designer on your hands.
Posted by: Andrea | September 30, 2007 at 01:28 PM
Jane: What a cool shirt! Great job!
Erin: You are a cool mom! =) What a fun project!!!
Posted by: sally | September 30, 2007 at 01:55 PM
These are fantastic. Brilliant design, impeccable execution. I'm sure my two would love these also, athough I'd also be hesitant to let them loose with fabric paint(they're 3 & 4) on brand new t shirts! Well done to you for seeing it through!
Posted by: Lina | September 30, 2007 at 02:12 PM
Jane rocks! I love the shirt!
Posted by: Mary-Heather | September 30, 2007 at 02:25 PM
Oh my gosh, that is the cutest thing I have seen in a long time!
She's so clever :) and well done you!
Posted by: Nikki | September 30, 2007 at 03:23 PM
LOVE:)
Posted by: Courtney | September 30, 2007 at 04:12 PM
That is just too cool.
Posted by: lera | September 30, 2007 at 05:30 PM
That is just too cool.
Posted by: lera | September 30, 2007 at 05:31 PM
Those are fabulous shirts! Oh my! They are have such a pro look to them. And what great satisfaction Jane must be feeling! Bravo!
Posted by: h. | September 30, 2007 at 07:19 PM
oh, my goodness! Erin, you deserve the mom of the year award. those shirts are awesome. I love how you followed this dream to completion. and I love Jane wants to wear it all the time. I am sure that they will remember this forever. :)
Posted by: amandajean | September 30, 2007 at 07:25 PM
how wonderful! She has a bright future! I can tell
Posted by: katie | September 30, 2007 at 07:49 PM
Girls do rock - what an amazing team!
Posted by: Sonya | September 30, 2007 at 08:03 PM
You are such a great mom! The encouragement you've given her is not only awesome for her self-esteem, but I'm sure it will also encourage her to pursue more ideas she has in life. Thanks for setting such a great example!
Posted by: Angela (Robinson County) | September 30, 2007 at 08:19 PM
That ROCKS!!! So cute. I am toying with freezer paper ideas for Craft Swap...not sure yet, but this is inspiring!
Had fun with Fatty this AM. He is quite the power rider.
Posted by: miastella | September 30, 2007 at 08:30 PM
So great. I bet she'll be wanting to make more of these soon.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | September 30, 2007 at 09:45 PM
That's great but what is freezer paper & where do you get it?
Tell your girl she was an inspiration to a 10 year old in Pennsylvania!
Posted by: KeanaLee | September 30, 2007 at 10:10 PM
erin, you and jane completely rock!
Posted by: cloth.paper.string | September 30, 2007 at 11:56 PM
Who knew you could send freezer paper through your printer. I'm a chicken, but I think I'll try it! Very cool.
Posted by: Marisa | September 30, 2007 at 11:58 PM
you rock. helping your children make such cool things. and helping them explore their creativity. and helping them gain more self-confidence. you rock.
Posted by: leslie | October 01, 2007 at 01:19 AM
it is so exciting just reading and seeing how everything came into being! you girls are fantastic!!!
Posted by: clara | October 01, 2007 at 02:08 AM
how very inspiring!
Posted by: Veda | October 01, 2007 at 03:29 AM
What a fabulous idea - and what a clever girl to have come up with the design in the first place!
Posted by: dottycookie | October 01, 2007 at 07:53 AM
Fantastic, she's lucky to have you, but it works both ways- how lucky are you to have such an interested daughter?!
Posted by: sarah | October 01, 2007 at 07:56 AM
How cool is that? I really need to try the freezer paper.
Posted by: Jen | October 01, 2007 at 08:43 AM