Adventures in Screen Printing

I have been wanting to try screen printing for a while now and finally did it! I ordered my screen printing kit from Dharma and Trading Company last week and it arrived on my doorstep Monday. I was itching to print something and while the photo emulsion method takes a few hours and the right time of day (noonish) to expose the screen I needed a method a little less involved. So, I used the contact paper method using this great tutorial. It was an easy to follow tutorial and an easy way to screen print simple designs. I screen printed bats and alligators. I took me a few tries to get the feel for it. There are a few alligators that are not "whole." But I kinda like their distressed look. I guess it's personal preference.

Here are the little gators in action! I used this twirl skirt pattern. I mentioned it in my previous post. I love everything about it...quick, easy, comfortable and cute!

I highly recommend trying both the pattern and screen printing. Now that I have my feet wet...on to photo emulsion! Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by!

WOW...

I have been in a blog fog:) I haven't posted in over a week! You know what they say..."Time flies when you are having fun!" I have been enjoying the summer with my kids. We have been busy taking field trips, going to swimming lessons, gymnastics, dance, coloring, reading books, watching movies and playing with dolls! What have you been up to?

In the midst of my fog I did have time to make some twirl skirts...

Have you seen Ashley's new twirl skirt pattern? I have to say I love all of her patterns, but this is my favorite! The sizes range from 12 months to XL in women's. I enjoy making them so much I bought a license from LBB to sell them. Each skirt will be one of a kind. Some skirts will be made using brand new knits, upcycled knits or a little of both. They will soon be appearing in my Etsy shop! The first batch of skirts is to gear up for the upcoming football season! It's right around the corner. Look for your favorite team!

The sizes shown here range from 18-24 months up to 5/6.

UF

USF

FSU

The girls had fun modeling them. They posed, twirled and ran around acting silly...

If you don't see your team/size email me at sarahmlboyd (at) yahoo (dot) com. I will collaborate with you to make something that suits you or your child!

Water Colored Placemats: Tutorial

I like to decorate with useful things...things you can make, eat or will be of use at a later date. I made this little placemat for Carson's birthday party last year. The theme was "Under the Sea/Mermaid"

And I made them again this year...sticking to the Princess/Dress up theme.

I got the idea when a friend of mine made me water colored gift tags. I knew I wanted to make placemats for her party, but wasn't sure how I wanted to decorate them. I married the two ideas and got water colored placemats!

It is a fairly quick and cost effective party decoration and favor. I had all of the scrapbook paper on hand as well most of the other materials. The only thing I had to buy were the letter stickers and pay to have them laminated. If you are interested in making them for your child's next party...here is how you do it!

Materials: Water color paints, scrapbook paper, letter stickers, glue stick, coloring pages from the Internet, scissors, computer, printer and a place where you can laminate. I laminated them at our local teacher store (Lakesore Learning Center). It cost me $6 to laminate 28 placemats.

1) Google a coloring sheet of your choice. I googled "Prince Coloring Sheet" and ended up using a frog prince and I also googled "Princess Coloring Sheet."

2) Print out your coloring sheet. I just printed them out on regular paper, but water color paper would look even better. My printer is super sensitive to printing paper with different textures and weights.

3) Water colors your pictures and let them dry.

4) Cut them out and set aside.

5) Use 1 piece of scrapbook paper for the placemat itself and a half of a piece of coordinating scrapbook paper for the matting in the middle. Glue the two together.

6) Glue the watercolor picture to the placemat.

7) Add the child's name with your letter stickers.

Lastly, laminate them for durability...

And Enjoy...

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