Upcycled Denim Shorts Interactive Chore Chart

Denim Jean Shorts Upcycled into Chore Chart for Tweens

Remember back when I told you about the recent CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) conference I attended?

Well, I also attended a special Blogger Networking Event, and came home with so much crafty swag. FaveCrafts is running a contest with all of the bloggers who entered and attended showcasing the variety of projects they made from some of their swag.

Here are the products I used, including a pair of denim jean shorts that my tween had recently grown out of:

CHA 2014 FaveCrafts supplies

  • Lion Brand Yarn Sparkly variety pack
  • Aleene’s Fabric Fusion
  • Sparkle Tape
  • Tulip Fashion Glitter Bond and Glitter
  • Folk Art Chalkboard Paint
  • Martha Stewart Self-Adhesive Stencils
  • Martha Stewart Multi-Surface Paint – metallic silver
  • Martha Stewart pouncers
  • Tulip Slick neon blue fabric paint
  • David Tutera self-adhesive jewels
  • Fiskars scissors
  • Denim shorts
  • Colored craft sticks
  • Glue gun
  • Painter’s tape
  • Sponge brush

 

Here is how I transformed her outgrown shorts into a cool interactive chore chart:

First I made the chalkboard craft sticks that the “chores” could be written on.
Jean short chore chart step 1

I masked off the top 1/3 portion of colored large craft sticks with painters tape. Using a sponge brush, I applied chalkboard paint on the rest of the stick and let dry.

Jean short chore chart step 2A

Then I made a decorative hanging yarn braid with approx. 18″ of multicolored cut strands of the glittery yarn. Then I glued the front and back of the shorts together with a glue gun inside the waist line. I attached decorative glitter sparkle tape along the top replicating a belt.
Jean short chore chart step 2B
Then using Fabric Fusion glue, I attached my braided yarn along the side seams starting from the bottom of one end to the other and let it dry completely.
Jean short chore chart step 3
Using self-adhesive letter stencils, I applied the words “DO” and “DONE” just below the left and right front pockets and used contrasting metallic paint and a paint pouncer to stencil the words on the pockets. Remove the stencils and let dry.
Jean short chore chart step 4
Using a book for stability and as a flat surface, I used the decorative chevron self-adhesive stencil to create a fun design on the hem. I first applied the Fashion glitter bond glue and while it was still wet, I sprinkled on colored glitter. I then carefully pulled off the stencil to reveal glittery design and let it dry. I also added polka dot details along the seams of the pockets and loops with Slick dimensional fabric paint.
Jean short chore chart step 5
When the craft sticks were dry, I removed the painters tape and applied small single strands of the self-adhesive decorative jewels. Perfect!
To use the chore chart, simply use chalk to write a to do list or chore item on each craft stick and put in the “DO” pocket. When the task is done, move the stick to the “DONE” pocket, and so on. Use the yarn to hang on a wall with a removable hook.

And I upcycled it into this interactive chore chart idea hanging in my daughter’s room now.

Upcycled Denim Shorts Tween Interactive Chore Chart Craft Idea

Now that the chore chart is done, next task – making sure the chores get done. = )

Happy Crafting!

 

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Pauline Molinari

I'm the crafty maven, and I'm on a mission to spread craftiness. With a fine arts degree, over 15 years experience in children's publishing, and a savvy, stylish, sassy tween daughter, I come armed with perspective and passion to inspire tween girls and their mothers to be crafty together. 

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  9 comments for “Upcycled Denim Shorts Interactive Chore Chart

  1. Jessica
    March 4, 2014 at 10:10 pm

    You’re so freaking talented! This is awesome!!

  2. Suzanne
    March 5, 2014 at 10:34 am

    Finally, a chore chart we will use!! My 11-year-old daughter and I will be making this TODAY. I wish I could vote more than once, they would all be for this project. Truly genius! 🙂

    • March 5, 2014 at 10:45 am

      Love it! Send pictures! oh and you can vote again on a different device if you so choose. I shamelessly voted for myself from my phone and my computer. = )

  3. March 5, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    Oh! This is the cutest thing ever! Way to make chores stylish! I voted, and I’m sharing now! Good luck!

  4. March 6, 2014 at 6:29 am

    Hi Pauline,

    This is Julia from FaveCrafts. Thanks so much for participating in our blogger contest – we love your project and are so happy to share it with readers. Good luck!

  5. March 10, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    Voted! Good luck – so hoping you win with this awesome project! I feel like there’s a working your pants off joke in there somewhere, but probably not one that I should make 🙂

Comments are closed.