I think your hand print idea for the kids is a lot of fun, and good thinking on your part. I've never painted on vinyl like that, but why not contact Plaid Paints (sold at Michaels) and ask them?

Here is a link that might be useful: Contact Plaid

oceanna - I have sent them an e-mail - but was wondering if anyone here had done anything like this themselves.

I'm thinking it can be done... but was hoping for some positive feedback before we get our hopes up.

Thanks!

Either Target or Walmart had some bright and lovely shower curtains- colors like turquoise, lime, fushia, etc. May want to take a look.

We customized my sons' bathroom a couple of years ago w/ some tile 'wallies' from Pottery Barn. We ended up not using tile but I loved the cute whales on the tile stickers so I kept them and used them in various places, including the outside of the shower curtain, cup dispenser which get alot of water. I have also washed the shower curtain several times in our washing machine. The stickers are still there good and tight. So if the paint does not work, then maybe tile stickers?

Good luck!
Stacey =)

Stacey - thanks for the sticker idea and I'll keep that in mind. What is so frustrating is that I have been to both Walmart and Target (and more!) and (in our area) the selection is pretty slim for vibrant vinyl! Lots of great fabric ones - but they are out of our budget. There are more selections online - but again - w/ shipping, we are out of our budget.

Did I say that we are on a budget?! We have so little money that it is almost a fun challenge to come up w/ quality solutions for all our various needs.

Have you thought about looking on CL? Ya never know.

As far as the paint, I'll bet it can be done... but you'd have to use just the right thing and I don't know what that is, is why I suggested Plaid. But hey, maybe it's the made-for-plastic paint you want. Couldn't hurt to call your hardware store, paint store, and Michaels. If all else fails, maybe you need to ask for donations for a bigger budget.

Hope someone who has tried this will know for you.

Plaid does have a paint made for plastic, but you have to use a plastic conditioner on flexible plastics, like the shower curtain, otherwise the paint will crack. You might check with Sharpie to find a marking pen that will write permanently on vinyl. I know that years ago I used markers to write on film stock that I had removed the color from. We used it in a 5th grade class to make animations by drawing directly on film.

The dollar stores in my area sell colorful solid or print shower curtains for $1.

I'm not sure *hand prints* on a shower curtain would look good in a shower area.

How about geting a roll of Contac and cutting out some geometric designs. That would be cheaper that pre-made stickers.

Our dollar store also has bright colored curtains for $1- they come and go though not always a permanent item at the store.
What about vinyl tablecloths? The ones without the fuzzy backing...I wonder if the dimensions would work? Those are always plentiful after the holiday seasons for a couple of dollars at most large retail stores.

What a great idea to check out the dollar stores! There are several in my area that won't be out of the way to check. Thanks for that idea! Were trying to use up paints that the volunteers already had and not buy any new materials, which is why I was curious about the indoor/outdoor gloss. IÂll let you know what plaid says if I get an answer in the next few days. But I suspect that what Suero says is true about the need for special paints for the flexible vinyl.

Dilly - actually the handprint idea fits in perfectly with other art we have at the pool complex. The members wanted a colorful garden in one area, but no one was willing to tend it on a regular basis. Our solution was a colorful mural on the side of the pool house where all the little kids placed their handprints and we went along and added green stems and leaves to make them all into flowers. A few clouds and birds added in made the blank wall a beautiful piece of folk art that everyone loves.

Thanks for the additional ideas! :)