stencils for tv

It's been a while since I've done any freezer paper stenciling. There was a little stretch there - way back in the day - when I could hardly stop. Originally led to it by the ever-inspiring Chicken, and then all the gobs of photos in the Flickr pool Hannah started. Was that really all two years ago? Oh my.

I included instructions for freezer paper stenciling in The Creative Family, with a couple of stencils by Betsy Thompson. (It's fun to see some of that already popping up in The Creative Family Flickr group!)

A few weeks ago, as part of a local TV spot for the book, I needed some samples to do a quick tutorial with. Searching through our drawers and closets, I found LOTS of freezer paper stenciled things, and am happy to say that after two years of wearing and washing, the paint had held up pretty well (I use the Jacquard Textile Color, found here). But the rest of the shirts/skirts/totes? Uh, yeah...I guess we're pretty hard on our clothing around here. So these new things were worked up. I had almost forgotten how easy it really is. And fun. And yes, quite addictive.

(an aside: Bandage on elbow and mud on shirt - a direct result of yesterday's top photo. "Ah, it's part of the job, Mom" he said as I bandaged it up.)

So yeah, there was that little TV thing. I'm not really sure exactly why I'm admitting to this link, except that it's already out there (it aired last week), and it's over (thank goodness) and why not extend the humiliation a little bit longer?  It was a piece for our local WCSH 6 207 show, and I'm pretty sure I don't actually talk like that (confirmed by my friends, thank goodness, who all answer correctly when I've asked in the past week, "do I really sound like that?"). I do know one thing for certain now, though I do think I could have told you this before as well: In front of the camera? Sooo not for me. Behind the camera and crafting? Yes. In fact, I think there's some freezer paper calling my name right now...

Comments

[anilia]

I just got the book yesterday- Thank you SO MUCH Amanda- the perfect gift to myself and to my brothers family! I can't wait to freezer stencil!

[QALBALLAH]

I so don't envy you with the publicity thing, but you're doing great. Stenciling - mmm addictive....

[Carrie]

What a spoiled cat-a handmade stencilled placemat? ;)
I think you did fine on your local TV channel!

[jennie]

awww, you looked and sounded so sweet in the tv spot. hee. i detected a bit of nervousness in your voice here and there, but oh, goodness...that just added to your CHARM.

p.s. I LOVE YOUR BOOK and have already tried out many things.

[Teresa]

I just watched the video and it's very sweet. We're so glad we found the book...

[Trilby]

Amanda, you looked and sounded great. I know how stressful publicity shananigans can be, but you managed to come across as professional and warm at the same time - no mean feat!

[amanda]

i love the stenciling; such a great way to hide stains!

[bigbucketgirl]

just watched the video..couldn't hear it too well above the screams of ALL my 3, ALL pointing at the monitor yelling "that's calvinsezrasadelaides mama" "She's moving!" "book mama on there" "There's a voice..is it hers?" "Where are the KIDs?" "She's really real" etc!
now i've packed them off outside with ice pops to get 5 mins peace to watch it again!

[bigbucketgirl]

Oh and the HI CAT message just melts my heart!

[julie]

Oh, thanks for sharing the TV link... it's so fun to be able to see you and hear your voice!

[Megan]

You were fantastic on the show!! Really.

I love your ideas and can't wait to use the stencil!! Great fun.

[julia]

excellent! i've been wanting to try this project forever and, well, haven't. you look great on tv too!

[Heather, whatchabuildin]

Amanda,
What a great video clip! Thanks for the freezer paper idea again. Just the thing I need for a project Colin adn I are workin on!

Have a good day!

[blanche]

you did excellent soule rebel! :) can't wait to check out your book. congrats!

[junkdrawer]

As a tv producer and casting director with a ton of home improvement/craft experience (trading spaces, diy, etc...) I must say I just watched the clip and you did FABULOUSLY! Live television is HARD and explaining process can be extremely difficult (believe me, I know!) Amanda, you did a GREAT job. Sincerely. I think I need to go buy some freezer paper. I hate to break it to you, but I think that in front of the camera is for you. Watching yourself is the hardest part of the job. no joke.

[Berlinswhimsy]

Oh, you did such a wonderful job!! It is so sweet.

And you taped that around the time of your publishing date? Wow, no wonder you were tired... Holy cow!

[MatchMomma]

Awesome Job!!! really you did great! Finished your book yesterday... loved it! I'm going to use much of it during our "screen free" week next week. Should be TONS of fun!
Thanks Amanda!
:0)

[Sonya]

Ok, probably you don´t sound like that but you were just wonderful Amanda, no matter how stressful it may have been for you!
Congratulations, my family is with you!

[J]

Aw, I loved seeing you "in real life" and hearing your voice. You did a great job! I'd have been sooo nervous. I expect we'll be seeing you on Martha Stewart next.
Loving the book so much. I have an embroidery project in the works. Thank you for everything you do. Take care.

[elliebelle]

Wow! Congratulations on the TV show! I can't even imagine how nervewracking that would be. (I'm sure you don't sound bad! I'll have to watch it at home tonight, my computer at work doesn't have sound.) I love the freezer paper projects. I did something similar to that in a surface design class in college - hmm...maybe I'll have to try it again! Thanks for the fun inspiration!

[tara pollard pakosta]

i can't wait to get your booK!
where did you get the elephant stenciL?! SO CUTE of a shirt!
tara

[Ali]

You sounded great to me! Waiting for my copy to hurry up and get here.

[liz elayne]

you were fantastic. seriously. i do think it is always so weird to see ourselves and hear ourselves and all that stuff. but it was a great little tv spot.

even though we don't have kids yet, this seems like the perfect thing for my husband and i to do on a warm afternoon this summer. :) (and your book is the perfect gift for our friends with kids!)

[aujah]

The freezer paper stencil idea looks like so much fun!! My Mother is coming over tonight... going to try it with her. that should be fun!

By the way... I just loved watching your crafty TV moment!

I know I have said this before but again thank you for all the gifts you have given me. you will never really know what a difference you have made for my everyday. : )

[Ula]

I love the TV spot! Fun project, and nice to hear your voice, too. :)
Ula

[Mrs. Happy Housewife]

I'm so glad you linked to the video. It was wonderful to get a chance to see and hear you in action. I'm looking forward to reading your book soon.

[kat]

no vomiting or fainting? that's a successful tv appearance if you ask me.

my 10yo just watched the video with me, & wants to go buy freezer paper. now. this very minute!

~peace.

[Anne]

I thought the video was sweet and you did a great job. You are probably noticing things that none of us would, so no need to be embarassed.

[Julie]

Oh, thank you for putting that little clip out there for us to see. I loved it! I am such a fan of yours, and it was fun to see you with a voice and moving in a 3D kind-of way.

[Crystal]

I think you sounded wonderful! Great job.

Do my dogs need a placemat.... Yep. I think they do now. You are an inspiration. :)

[alice]

I thought that was cute! Good tv skills :D (And your yellow top was lovely too!)

[Heather L.]

I just got your book from the library last night! I'm so excited as it looks wonderful! Can't wait to read every page!

I so enjoy your blog and read it everyday.

Thanks for all the inspiration!

[Paper Dolls for Boys]

Freezer paper stenciling is addictive. And I'd vote you over Martha any day! Cheers, Tracey

[kim]

I know what you mean about hearing your own voice, there is something a little unnerving about it, but don't worry - you sounded great!

[MamaShift]

You did great!

I was 11 years old, on Checkers & Pogo, in my girl scout uniform, and I had to read the magic numbers.

It took me years to get over the trauma of how deep my voice sounded to me.

[Alison]

You seemed totally poised to me! Must have been nervewracking but you did a stellar job. I hope this inspired lots of viewers to go be more creative with their little ones. (I know the book has inspired me.)

[Ram in the Thicket]

You did a really great job! That's a hard thing to do ;o)

[jonipossin]

I love the clean lines and simplicity of the stencils. I need to order your book and find out how to do it. I envision holly leaves on the corner of Christmas napkins, etc. Thanks for the inspiration!
Joni

[kate]

Girl, you did WAY better on TV than I ever could. I thought the spot was lovely. Great job, and I can't wait to check out your book!

[Julie Roth]

Wheeeeeeee Amanda. How fun is this !
I adore your book. My daughter (18) loves to look at your
blog, too, so we had fun sitting in the sun (!) looking it over on the front stoop just after it arrived ... a truly perfect springtime gift for our bookshelf. Congrats my dear - so heartwarming to hear you, ... see you. So, so happy all is going well.

[shannon]

You did a great job! You must be so proud to have done that, it would take everything in me to get up on TV and try to talk in a coherent manner. Kudos!

[Alyson]

You did GREAT on the show! Thanks for sharing. We might have to break out the wax paper this weekend, my kids would love this.

[Ericka B Traven]

It is nice to put some video with the personality we have come to know through written word and images. Good job on the show. And this post makes me want to pull out the freezer paper.

[Becca Orsi]

You are beautiful, inside and out! And you are adorable in front of the camera! Your shyness just adds to your charm and makes us love you even more. I hope you know that.

[jessie earth momma]

For what its worth, your voice is precisely as I had imagined.
Congrats!

I've already read your book 4 times and passed it on to my best friend.

[Jen]

I think there will soon be a national shortage of freezer paper. I'm already planning to do some with my boys next week during school vacation:) thank you for sharing!

[heather]

humiliation? you totally rocked! seriously, such a great job.

i know i said i was waiting until the 19th to get my book - but then i was at our local "borders express" and they had it! right there in front of me and i couldn't believe it because this store never has anything. the most commonly heard words around the place are "no sorry, we don't - but we'd be happy to order it for you." so, of course it came home with me. and it's over the top good as i expected... but i just sent it down to tennessee to my cousin. she's home with three little ones ages four and under (can you imagine) while her husband is stationed in iraq. i know it'll offer her some calm, much needed inspiration right now. thank you.

happily, i'm still in need of my own copy. i think your book paired with dr sears - the baby book would make a great baby shower gift...

[Amanda]

You were charming. :)

[Krista]

I thought you sounded very professional and calm. Wow. I don't think I could have done that. Anyway, you have totally taken the mystery out of freezer paper stenciling for me and now I have no aprehension about trying it. How easy is that? Thanks!

[~liz]

amanda - thanks so much for including that tv link. for those of us who have never met you, it's great to put a sound to the words we read on an almost daily basis!
i was having trouble figuring out the specifics for the freezer paper stenciling, so it was great to have the visual tutorial. thank you!!!