Botched Bag Rescued

Back when the screen printing factory was open (it will reopen soon), I made all those anatomical heart tote bags. But since I'm such a novice, each one turned out a little differently. I made one of them far too light, but I didn't have the heart (pun totally intended) to toss it - and I'm too much a perfectionist to give it away.

And so ... I've embellished it a bit and turned it into something I might actually carry around (or give as a gift).

I was going to make a "pink" and a "blue" side, like a real heart, but I messed up and appliqued the pink fabric on the blue side of the heart. And so both sides just ended up with the same fabric. It's more art than anatomy anyhow.

I love it, I love it, I love it!

Artichoke Tote

There was a LOT of screen printing happening in San Luis this holiday. I made a special run of artichokes for gifts. They turned out awesome (awesomely?)! (this is the last of the holiday screen printing, I promise)


I mean, who wouldn't want an artichoke tea towel or tote bag? Come on!

Of course, the test run would be the best image...Maybe I'll frame it anyhow. :)

*high kick*
That's a good one....

Microscope Tie

Dad loved the octopus tie so much, he wanted in on the action. Since he's a microbiologist, he got a microscope tie & hankies (he's a hankie man).


This is such a great way to spruce up an old tie!


My brother got a couple hankies out of the deal too. What a couple of trendy scientists, no?

Octopus Tie

This was probably my favorite gift to GIVE this year. This one got 5 (out of 5) high-kicks.

D and I went to the Bazaar Bizarre this year, and apparently octopi are "in" (squid too). D revealed his secret love of octopi and squid, and so there was no question about it, he was getting a tie. So, I took one of his "blemished" ties and gave it new life by screen printing this little critter on it. And I literally did high-kicks, because I was so excited about it.

D is not the high-kicking type, but I know he was high-kicking all over this apartment on the inside. I think the children at the hospital will like it too.

photo credits: DMF

Doctor Baskets

Every year, I organize holiday baskets for our doctors and social support staff at the hospital. This year my contribution was screen printed tote bags.

This was the state of our kitchen the other day (D, please look away) - bags everywhere!


The doctors got anatomical heart totes. Non-medical staff got bicycles.

Here they are bundled, and ready to go. I hope they liked them!

Water Go, Spaghetti Stay

When my parents were first married, my dad was still learning English. He loved to cook even back then, but when making spaghetti, he needed a colander but didn't know the word.

"Do you have a, you know, water-go-spaghetti-stay?"

To this day, we still call it that. I commemorated with these tea towels:

They were a hit! ...I shouldda made one for myself!

Tea Towels

I made these little tea towels for the Loosies gift exchange last night.

Una bicicleta...


And who wouldn't want an anatomical heart tea towel?


Oh, my screen printer is going to get some mileage this year!

Team Skywalker

I'm still totally having fun with my screen printing.


For Halloween, the nurses on my shift decided to dress in a Star Wars theme. But I was a little lazy (and not much of a Star Wars fan), so I screen printed a baseball raglan shirt with Team Skywalker instead. A copout, I know, but I stuck with the theme! But I found a Star Wars-esque font and everything!

My friend at work loved the print so much, that she had me print one of her own shirts. She actually MADE this t-shirt! So crafty & courageous! Even I don't attempt to tackle knits! And good thing I didn't mess it up, phew!

I will be so proud when she wears it!

Beyond Excited!

I have been wanting to learn how to screenprint for years now. I finally took the class last weekend, gathered all my supplies, and went for it!

Let me point out that immediately upon my first step, I messed up (added too much water). I forged ahead anyhow with fingers crossed.

So, what started as a little doodle:


...was turned into an transparency:


...was developed into a screen:


...and became these!!:


Here's a closeup of my first one on paper:



And by the last one, I must have been pressing too hard or made too many passes with ink:


And it even looked great on fabric (my eventual goal):

(woops, accidentally enhanced this photo)

I am squealing and high-kicking with excitement! YAY!!! Ok, what's next?

Screen Printing Class

My family bought me a screen printing class for my birthday. I was SO looking forward to taking this class! It was this past weekend and it was pretty much rad. I can't wait to get my hands dirty making stuff... By the way, I highly recommend this class (and this instructor) to anyone interested.

The process is a bit more involved than this, but here's the general idea.

First you make the screen (once you make it, you have it for a while):


Then you burn your image onto the screen:



After rinsing and scrubbing a little, you have your screen ready to go:


Then you ink your screen and squeegee it (make it snappy!):


And voila! Here are the finished products. Mine is the one on the far right. It turned out a little light. I gotta use more muscle next time!


The instructor saw my tears of disappointment (kidding) and offered to trade his for mine. I've already been proudly toting my bag all over the neighborhood. I love it! *high kick*

Oh, the possibilities!!