Oh my, oh my!

I have a new favorite. I was printing a sweet little onesie, much like one in my shop, but with a name on it for our friends' new niece. I decided to make a little set. I've dyed socks to match before, and I think it gives it a nice finishing touch. However, this time I tried something new.

I added in a burp cloth {cloth diaper} when I dyed, then printed the same image on it. {I though about flopping the colors on it, but didn't have time to dye 2 loads. Plus Beatrix will have other clothing to break up the outfit.} I am in love!

I love every detail about this little thing. The detail in the fabric is so sweet and dainty...and yet so handy. And washable. And positively showing up in my shop sometime soon.

And now I am off to put my sweet little man back in bed. He woke up crying as I began this post. I ran in {yep, seriously ran} and scooped him up. Then I laid him back in his bed and he said with in a very stern voice, "Lay down, Momma!" So I did and he gave me a huge goofy cheesy grin. Then followed me out here a few minutes later. So off to bed we go.

{Steph, I'll iron these before work and drop them by on my way. ;) }

Tackle it Tuesday

I must really love you, cuz you get to see pictures of my nastiness. The pink stuff is emulsion. I had to use emulsion remover to get it off, but the rest is done with CLR.

*If you're brave, you can click to enlarge photos.

There was a pale orangey color in the bottom part of my sink. Like if it were filled up with a bit of water...orange. CLR zapped it away! Around the rim and faucet are a bit better, not perfect. The grout just needs to go!

I know. It's a pit. I spose that's what happens when you work full time, screen print on the side, and have a hubby & 2-yr-old. Don't judge, k? Ok.

The result of this is my resolution to do all the dishes and shine the sink before I go to bed each night. Isn't it gorgeous!? CLR totally rocked the house on this.


I didn't really love CLR in the bathroom. It was ok, but my Lysol wipes probably worked just as well. {Maybe if I had spent a long time I'd have had better results...but I just don't have that time.} I absolutely loved it in the kitchen though! It took stuff off the counters with one easy swipe. No scrubbing. And my sink? Umm, look up a bit. If I weren't already married, I may well have married that there sink {aside from the broken garbage disposal part, but that's another story}.
Also, the CLR smelled funky. Like abnormal for a cleaner. I don't think I would go out an buy it {it was free from 5 Minutes for Mom!}. The best part was the sink and I think I could get about the same with elbow grease and baking soda. It will come in handy while it lasts though! {But next time? I think I'll read the label first and wear gloves. It really dries out and stinks up!}

tag

Lori, my favorite little jewelry maker tagged me on this survey. Here goes!

The rules of the game are:

1) Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog
2) Share 7 facts about yourself, some random, some weird
3) Tag 7 more people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs
4) Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs

FACT NUMBER 1
I cannot stomach using the end of tp in public restrooms. I have to tear it off and toss it so I'm not using tp someone may have touched. {I know, weird, huh?}

FACT NUMBER 2
I like mystery/sleuth shows and movies, as well as chick flicks. Odd combo. Oh, and I hate stupid humor {i.e. dumb & dumber}.

FACT NUMBER 3
I'm a major night owl and pretty much force myself to go to bed each night {tired or not} and then have trouble getting up every morning. Ugh.

FACT NUMBER 4
Mike's the only dude I ever dated. {I'm like you, Lori!}

FACT NUMBER 5
I dislike talking on the phone, yet worked as a switchboard operator for a year and now am a receptionist.

FACT NUMBER 6
I love love love coffee. I'm a coffee snob. I like the expensive mochas. I do drink regular coffee {with some creamer} if it's all I've got.

FACT NUMBER 7
I enjoy baking, but don't really like cooking. Unfortunately, my husband's tastes are about the opposite.

Totally tagging:
Gina
Sandy
Shantel {cuz then she'll have to post}
JP
Heather
Stephanie
Christy

PS I have the hiccups {again} and they hurt.

confession

I'm 24. I work in a hospital radiology department. I am paranoid I have or will get breast cancer. Ok, I'm not a nutso! It's just that we've had so many ladies in lately younger than the "40, better start your mammos" age. Today, a cute 35-year-old who is going to surgery next week. Last week, a 23-year-old with bilat breast cancer who just had a baby. Plus, we have so many biopsies and magnification views to call back lately. It freaks me out. {My mom's mom died from BC in her early 40's.} Makes me want to go get a mammo.

It's October. It's breast cancer awareness month. Go get your mammo. Serious. It takes like 10 minutes. It's not even that bad {or so I've heard}. No one's ever come out of the room crying from pain. They're usually happy. {Except for people who are just grouchy in general. Don't be one of those.} Even if your year isn't up until April, you can call and schedule it now so you don't forget. We schedule a year in advance for people all the time. Ok? Take care of yourself. And tell your friends and buddies.

-Caitlin

absence makes the heart grow fonder?

I have not been keeping up with this blog. My heart has not been in it. I have been blogging over at our family blog, just not here. I suppose crafts and pretty things just don't seem very important or worthy of my time lately. I haven't spent hours trolling etsy as I have in the past.

I need to stop neglecting the lovely Carmel Turtle. So here I am. Back at your service. Staying more up to date, eh? Feel free to remind me of my screen printing love, as well as my love for everything handmade if ever I forget again, mm-k?

Now I'm off to dye some shirts and get orders going. Also finishing up my long awaited and asked for wholesale price list. {Sorry friends!}

bathroom duty

Mike and Ki are off at Nana and Grandpa's. I'm stuck in the bathroom all evening. Well, hopefully not too long. And not the way you think! I have to burn and wash out a screen. Here's hoping it's perfect like my last one. That would be swell. {This is my absolute least favorite part of screen printing. The screen's kind of important, though.}

P.S. This is post #100 over here! Wahoo!

Sweet!

A long long time ago (almost a year, maybe?) I sold a shirt. And I've been reading the buyer's blog ever since. She's pretty awesome. Which shirt did I sell? Oh, let me show you!

Becka is marvelous. I've followed her bout with breast cancer since then and am super happy she's doing well! So I clicked over to her blog this morning and was pleasantly surprised to see her Husboy wearing my shirt (at a baseball game no less)! Totally made my day. So thank you Becka! You rock.

On a different not, I've been a craptastic blogger of late. Well, here at least! My family blog has stayed more up to date. My wondrous hubby was in the hospital most of the week before last. We're just getting back to normal around home and caught up on orders and all that jazz. So thanks for the patience! Hopefully I'll get around to listing new stuff soon... Next up is burning a screen with an April bomb on it. (Tonight's project.) My Maker Shirt has been selling like gangbusters. Oh, and I was happy I sold another Filled with Love tee. Seriously, people! I LOVE that one!

Our family blog became more official this past week. We bought a domain (finally forked out the $14) and Mike is now designing the new look. I am SO excited for it! You can see a sneek peek over at his blog (which is a subdomain...need I say genius?). If you are looking for some new digs, he'll be selling his services soon. And he has a sweet new idea that allows you to host your web site incredibly cheap. I can't remember if he's posted about it yet, but it not he will. I'll make a blog addict out of him yet!

because I can...

10% off all orders over in the Shop through Sunday @ midnight central time. Simply mention this blog in the notes to seller. Happy shopping!
Please let me know if you have any questions or would like an item that's not listed. This does include discounted items and custom orders!

tonight...

is a work my butt of night. My maternity shirt supplier will be gone for 3 weeks. I need maternity shirts before they get back. Lots. So I need to sell sell sell! This means I most definitely need more designs, right? So I have to spend all night in the bathroom. And while my screen is drying all 3 -4 times it needs to be dry in the process I can hug my baby, eat, hang with the hubby and design my next line (which I'm WAY excited about!). Also, I have 2 shirts to print. Maybe a 3rd if the person gets it purchased by tonight.

So. I told Mike he has to make me work tonight. His response? "Ok. I'll just stand behind you and give you wet willies until you do." Oh so loving.

word on the street

I'm coming back! But you'll have to wait until July 12th. Think you can make it? It's my 1 year Etsy anniversary, so it seemed fitting. Plus having a date will help me stay on track. I'm pumped! Lots of work ahead of me, but I can do this. I still need to enlist a few people to be my models (including knocking my friend up with a blanket and having her play preggo...she looks good in "the motherly way"). So, keep popping back for updates and stop by my shop on the 12th!

Plus, once my pictures are done it'll be SUPER exciting because my Mike (who desperately needs to update *hint hint*) is making me a web site! Flash. It will be amazing because he makes splendid sites!

Final Product!

Check my flickr for step by step on how I got here. :)

Screen Shots

My screen's all done! Before I make my next screen I'll be buying smaller staples. These ones were mondo and I ended up hammering them in the more so they weren't sticking up. (Not that it's hurt anything, I'm just anal about certain things. And it really bugs me that the staples aren't in a nice straight line!)

Check out my flickr to see the final product & compare my screens. You can also see a couple with images on them. Off to add emulsion so I can burn this new screen! I'll try to keep taking pictures along the way. I know I love seeing how people make things and screen printing is a very (long) interesting process. I don't think many people get that. :)

Check ya later!

Little Man & Prints

My munchkin is supposed to be going to sleep. Key word there is supposed. Instead I hear "ahhhhhh" and "K.I." along with occasional fussing. Thank goodness he hasn't figured out how to get out of that crib! A few nights ago he was saying good night to Mike. We have been teaching him ASL since about 6 months, so the little routine is a hug, kiss, sometimes a high 5, or they pound fists. Then he says "love you Daddy" and signs "love". On this particular evening he did all the above, then said "love you fish" as he signed love. Mike and I were cracking up! He's such a goof. He's my favorite little boy. Until I have another, then they'll both be my favorites. :)

Here are a couple custom maternity shirts I've done in the past couple weeks. I have more to show off, but I really need to get to work! So these 2 will have to suffice. I'll show you my end product with the screen in a bit, hopefully!!

A funny little maternity t I made. It was a neat idea (not mine) that I had a blast making! And love how it turned out. Thanks Maureen!


Custom colors for this preggo chika! (I'm glad...I'm getting tired of the tan and think I will be making it in a different color when I open shop again.) Thanks Becky!!

Screen Fashioning

Pictures of my first attempt at screen making! It's unfinished, as I ran out of staples. I'm pumped though. Looks like it will work well.

I'm set! I've got my frame (made yesterday - I'll show that process when I make my next one), mesh, and a staple gun. Here goes my first screen making attempt.



Cut the mesh down.



Got the mesh wet, as I've read to do in many places. It's a smaller, tighter mesh than I've had before. This means I'll get finer lines, but the ink will dry in my screen faster.



Starting in the middle, I stapled one side, then the opposite. I worked my way out on both sides (re-wetting when needed). Then I went to the long sides and began the same deal. Middle to outside. And ran out of staples.



I made my frame the day before. I'll show that when I make my next one, but I was in a hurry this time! It was super fast and easy.

Sweet Success

Yesterday the little man and I finally ventured out to buy new wood glue (which means the original will soon turn up). We got home, dried off from the storms & I put a screen together. It was SO quick and easy! Just the frame part thus far, but it rocks. A little wood glue and staple gun totally did the trick. I'll have to take a picture of it later. Tonight I am going to add the mesh. Then it will really be a screen!

Belly Shots!

No, I'm not preggo! I've been trying to get a good belly to re-take my product photos. Here's some behind the scenes scoop for you! I've tried a deflated ball, a deflated beach ball, pillows, blankets, batting, the list goes on. Well, Becky over @ DiscoBelly gave me a tip a while back that I decided to try. A leotard. I know, I know. SO not cool. Anyhoo, I ordered one with my last shirt order and it arrived on Saturday. So of course I had to test it out this weekend. I put it on and filled it with one of Ki's blankets and there it was! That perfect little baby belly! I even had a lot of friends fooled into thinking I was genuinely pregnant, so it must not look too bad. I think I'll go a bit bigger next time.

Here is a pic of the Lola Maternity tee that you can enter to win below. I normally wear a size medium, but tried the small because that's what I'd printed. It fit ok, but notice the belly isn't full term! So I'd still go with your normal shirt size. (Notice how long it is? I love it!)

Ok, the little man is finally quieting down in bed, so I'm gonna get crackin' and print some shirts! Hope you all had a good weekend and the mommas out there had a super Mothers' Day! (I got spoiled. ;)