Freezer Paper + Bleach = Awesome!

While scrolling around a favorite craft blog of mine, I am Momma Hear Me Roar, I found an old post about using freezer paper as a stencil.  I loved the idea of making a shirt for Owen, plus I could use my Silhouette to cut out the stencil.  So, I checked out her tutorial and gathered my supplies.  It didn't take long because I just needed a shirt and freezer paper. I already had an iron and bleach. The project is so cute and simple, but it involves bleach--- so I also needed my "play clothes" --- Bleach and I don't have a very good relationship. 

I cut out a chocolate bunny to make a masculine Easter shirt for Owen.  Plus, I found a cute little bike to put on a blue shirt.  The bunny was first, since it was a much easier and larger stencil to work with.  I ironed it on the shirt, lined the shirt with a piece of freezer paper to keep the front and back of the shirt from touching, and ventured outside to begin the bleaching. 

Her tutorial said that she applied the bleach generously and let it sit for 20 minutes. So, that's what I did too! 

But, after 20 minutes, I realized our definitions of generous are very different! 

My chocolate bunny shirt was a failure.  I mean, I can see the bunny, but this is not what it should look like! 

But, hers looked so cute.  I wanted one for Owen! And, I now have 150 square feet of plastic coated freezer paper that shouldn't be wasted.  I repeated the procedures, but this time I lightly misted the shirt with bleach. I only let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing it off.  And, I ironed the freezer paper lining to the inside of the shirt. 

The blue bike shirt was a huge success! 

Owen looks so cute wearing it.

And, he laughed and laughed the entire time he was modeling.  

 I'll definitely be making more bleach stencil shirts in the future.