How to Make a Frat Cooler
Thank God when I was in college, we didn’t have to make frat coolers for my dates. My creativity gene hadn’t bloomed yet so I would have been in big trouble. Thankfully, both my daughters came out of the womb artistic, so these types of projects do not present a problem for either of them.
So my daughter Emory is a freshman at UGA and she calls to tell me that she has been invited to a frat formal in Savannah and she needs to make a “frat cooler” for her date. Apparently this is a common occurrence, but I had never heard of such a thing. Watching her tackle this project was fascinating.
First, she hit Wal-Mart for the cooler and paints. (The cooler had to have a perfectly flat top for painting – not available at our Target. Apparently Wal-Mart also won the award for best price on the paints). Don’t forget the Mod Podge – it all needs to be sealed and shiny!
She then sanded the cooler with an electric sander so that the paints would adhere to the plastic.
Then applied a spray primer.
Next came meticulously pencilling in the design – (inspired by Pinterest, Southern Tide, Southern Proper and Sweetwater Ale).
I’m so impressed with this cooler I can’t stand it. Her date is going to freak out! Here’s the top (inspired by Southern Proper):
Here’s the front (inspired by Pinterest):
Here’s the other side (inspired by Sweetwater Ale):
The side (inspired by Southern Tide):
The last side:
Now I’m thinking she needs to make one for our UGA tailgates!
GO DAWGS!
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10 comments
Now THAT is adorable! Lucky guy!! I wonder if she’d make me a Lilly inspired cooler !?!
She loves Lilly so yes she probably would:)
Emory, I think we need a “Quogue” cooler — you could sell them at the Lily Pad for a bundle! Fabulous.
xxxooo Foxy
A Quogue cooler would be a big seller!! Love it!
I have been working on my boyfriend’s cooler for his formal and I wanted to do a Southern Proper logo but with his name, just like this one! I have been looking everywhere for a tutorial but can’t find anything. DO you by any chance know how it was done or would be able to give any tips? It looks wonderful!
Mariana, my daughter printed the logo large on a piece of paper and then hand drew it with a pencil before filling in all of her lines with paint. If you don’t have that kind of artistic skill, you could print the logo large, cut it out and decoupage it straight on to the cooler. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much! That helps!
Where did your daughter get the font for the sweet water ale side?
Hi! love the cooler! i’m making my first one this week and was wondering what size/quart cooler this is? also, approx. how much paint did it take to paint one full side? thanks!!!
I was just wondering what font your daughter did for the sweet water brewery side for the banner!
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