Fourth of July T-Shirts
Today's
Snack: What's a more American snack than a hot dog? The red hot dog and white
bun are two-thirds of the colors of the American flag. For the blue, why not
put blue food coloring in a glass of 7-Up or apple juice?
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Supplies:
T-shirt
Cardboard
Tape
Newspaper
Acrylic
paint
Sponges
Scissors
Fabric
paint
Fabric
glue
Sequins
Buttons
Here's a fun activity for the whole family, or your whole
group of friends. You can make T-shirts to wear to Fourth of July festivities!
You'll sparkle and you'll match each other . . . just like the stars on the
flag.
First, purchase inexpensive,
preshrunk plain, white T-shirts in the appropriate sizes. Don't forget one for
the family dog or cat!
Put a double or triple layer of
cardboard inside each shirt; tape taut (tight) if you wish. This is to keep the
paint from seeping through to the other side. The paint might stick to the
cardboard, so be careful when you eventually take the cardboard out. When the
first side is dry, turn it over and paint the other side.
Lay down newspaper in the garage or
another smooth surface. Set out red, white, blue, black and silver acrylic
paint, sponges in shapes such as stars and 1776, fabric paints, fabric glue
with sequins and buttons, and any other decorating items you wish.
Family members might want to do at
least one thing that's uniform on all shirts, such as "USA" in black lettering,
vertically or horizontally. Everyone might want their name on there, too, and
perhaps the year.
But otherwise, be creative! Paint
fireworks! Paint George Washington! Write the first few words of the
Declaration of Independence! Paint a flag!
You could make it a family tradition
and make a new T-shirt every year. Bring out the old ones every year, too, and
enjoy your endless creativity.
Like the fireworks show at dusk on our country's big
birthday celebration . . . the sky's the limit.
By Susan Darst Williams
