Challenge: Textbook: Prime Numbers
Team: S & M
Project Geekdom (if any): The M of S & M (Math, of course )
Bonus Points: 15 points for my declared geekdom
Project Name: The Perfect T-shirt
Project Page Link (if available): N/A
Brief Description: When focusing on prime numbers, one must of course choose the perfect prime number which, as Dr. Sheldon Cooper declares, is 73. Mathematically, the number 73 is pretty cool, so I'd have to agree that it is a pretty fantastic number (it ranks right up there with the number 42)! This shirt was made using pale yellow fabric paint (it is much paler in person) and a freezer paper stencil (Note: Cutting the stencil with the blade set to a depth of 3, a prime number, of course, results in the destruction of the cutting mat. A bit of research beforehand may have helped to avoid that. In the future, use the non-prime number of 1.). The font used was Nasalization, a free (and science geeky) font found at dafont.com.
Project Picture:

I've had a Yudu for a few years now, and while I love how it made me less afraid of screen printing, I hate working with the emulsion sheets. I know there are other emulsion options, but the drying time between each step was my least favorite part (confession: because I usually wait until right before the deadline before I do things).

But then, I came across a blog post somewhere that said you could use vinyl on a screen. I knew I could use cut black vinyl as a mask to burn the image in the emulsion, but that's all. The post wasn't 100% clear on where the vinyl went on the screen, but after I let my brain chew on it for a bit, it spit out the answer: on the underside.

I was just in the Sea Creature Swap, and my partner loves sharks, and listed the hammerhead as a possible theme in her questionnaire. I found an image of a tattoo design, but when I imported it into my vinyl cutting software, it needed a lot of cleaning up, so I spent a couple of hours working on that. Because of how I did the settings on the vinyl cutter (a Silhouette), it came out a little bit differently than the original tattoo design.

I used Contact Paper as the vinyl and cut it out. I then transferred the cut design (after weeding out all of the non-essential bits) to the back of the screen. Then, on both sides I went over it with the edge of a credit card to make sure it was stuck on there as well as it could be.

Back/Underside of the screen:



Front/Top of the screen:



I covered up any exposed areas around the edges with clear packing tape.

Then, I did a test print on a piece of muslin (shown here stitched up as a drawstring bag for the swap):



It came out pretty well, so I did another test print on a t-shirt (for me to keep), and it also came out well. There are a couple of spots where it bled a smidgen under the edges, but because of the design, it's not that noticeable:



Finally, I printed on 2 microfiber pillowcases. Right after I printed the second one, I turned to look at the first one and noticed that the ink had bled around the image, giving it a grey outline. Since it didn't happen at all on the muslin or t-shirt, I'm attributing it to the fabric. But, it ended up looking kind of cool, so I sent them along as an "extra" in the swap (and came up with a replacement item for the "official" item ).



When I was done, I peeled off the vinyl (and packing tape), washed off the screen with tap water, and I was done. No emulsion to fuss with, no expensive emulsion remover to buy!

I'm definitely going to use this method again! I did have a bit of trouble transferring the vinyl onto the screen because I didn't have enough transfer tape, so I had to peel of the backing of the vinyl and press it onto the screen as I went. I had a little stretching of the vinyl (it didn't help that I didn't have a lot of time to fuss with it), but it wasn't a problem in the end. But, if I do a more detailed design in the future, I need to use a different method to transfer it. I read somewhere that I might be able to use clear Contact Paper as the transfer tape (less expensive than buying transfer tape at the craft store), so I'll have to try that for the next time.

I love that seahorse, and that narwhal necklace is fantastic!

Note... I am currently geeking out and listening/watching a live feed of the annular eclipse in Australia, so if I make typos, it's because I'm multi-tasking

I finally allowed myself to open my package from downtownmonsters (I had to get my package to her in the mail, first), and I was thrilled with what I received!

Here's the group shot:


There's a sea otter stuffie (holding a starfish snack), a TENTACLE PILLOW!!, a puffer fish (such a cute face... it's aqua, too ), a clutch with some beads/buttons stitched on, a gorgeous hand-painted pendant necklace, and an amazing hoopla!

Here's a close-up of the pendant so you can see the detail of the painting (I'm impressed!):


And, a closer shot of the hoopla (my favorite item!):


It says, "It is often ourselves we find in the sea."


I love it all! Thanks so much downtownmonsters!

I am in need of opinions. I have this stack of 12" squares that have been languishing in a project bag for a couple of years. I made them to assemble into an afghan for a particular friend, who I will be visiting on Wednesday.

I have 2 possible layouts, and I can't decide between them, so I'd love a little bit of feedback. I don't want to switch around any of the blocks (that would only add to my confusion), I just need input on which layout looks the best.

Just imagine them all neatly laid out (I'll be joining them with black). And, thanks for your help!

Layout #1:






Layout #2:

The sun never came out yesterday while I was home, but today, it's a glorious day! Made even more so by the happiness that my totally fantastic and perfect for me hoopla brings me!



The perfection of the stitching is awe inspiring. I can't believe how neatly and clearly the numbers and letters are stitched, especially when you consider that it's in a 4" hoop. This is probably one of the best swap items I have ever received! Thank you so much, The Cat Whisperer!

She's here! And, she's adorable! I love her wee little bonnet!

But, I have to dash out to the post office before I can take a photo. When I get back, I will do it first thing!

Here she is! I've always loved stories of the Loch Ness Monster (must be that 1/4 of me that is Scottish) and pjr107 sent me a mini Nessie, complete with a custom plaid tam!



She has a sparkly silver spine, and the cutest flippers/feet!



Thanks, Pauline, I love her! She will get pride of place on my desk at school

Here's my finished hat! It's Mio's Hat, by fantasticmio (http://fantasticmio.com/hat/), and it uses crochet-on-the-double. It is a good man-sized hat, and the CotD makes it reversible, too. It also seems like it would be pretty warm, too!

I finished a little baby beanie! But, it's too late tonight to take a photo. I'll make sure I'll do it tomorrow when I'm procrastinating on grading papers

I love making baby size hats, they are sooo quick to make and you can practice new stitches and such on them since their so small:)

It definitely took me less time than an adult hat, but probably longer than it should have

I used the Single Crochet Baby Beanie Cap pattern. It looked a little tiny (I'm not really sure how big a baby head is), so I added an extra increase, and a couple of extra rows to make a fold up brim. It coordinates with a little blanket I made as a gift for a friend.

Here's my Perfect Crocheted Beanie. I made it with Red Heart Super Saver and some fun fur (which I've decided I don't like to crochet with very much!). I left off 2 rounds of dc, since it seemed like it was getting rather large...



I have a baby blanket to finish, so I think I'll make a matching hat. Maybe even a frog hat...

Since nothing has gotten posted from craftADDchick I may just get the pics I took off of my camera and post them.  At least I know she received.

How annoying of me! I hate when that happens! I am so sorry! Just today, when posting pics for another swap and clearing the SD card, I realized that I had never posted the picture I took (my new camera organizes things into little folders so all of the pictures are compartmentalized and don't show up when I access the SD card). I took another one today because the light was better (the old one was under the OTT-Lite).

So, here is what dukemanistan sent! Two fantastic dino planters (and they're made with 2 of my favorite dinos... I think I need to get a stegosaurus to complete the set of dinosaur delightfulness!). There's also a set of inchies made with Candadian postage stamps and a galaxy t-shirt, which will be worn once we start learning about the solar system and universe in school (not for a couple of months, yet).



Again, I apologize for not posting a picture in a timely manner. I sincerely thought I had done it! Thanks again for choosing me in the swap, and for making me such great items!