Back and Ready for Action

It's true, I've been traveling. Spring Break 2010, woo hoo! Maybe you conjure up images of sandy beaches and dainty umbrellas in icy drinks (for dainty folks, of course). Well that is what I had in mind too, but there were a few changes in the plan and we ended up in Cleveland, Ohio and Grand Rivers, KY. Both were fantastic in their quirky ways and inspiring too.

When I was visiting my family in Ohio, I found some old photos and had to post this one of my dad selling his screen printed shirts at a Bluegrass Festival. Awesome. Inspiring. I think we need to take Craftastica on the road. Rent an RV, shoooot, screen print it too, and sell our wares at festivals. Who's with me?

I actually have one of the shirts from this photo. It's one of my favorite sleep shirts, soooo soft, because it's from 1978. The print is as good as new!

So maybe we can't plan on hitting the road in an RV this month, but we will be traveling to the Bloomington Handmade Market. It's a start and with the Craftastic Crew, will no doubt be an adventure worth witnessing.

Busy, busy!

We've been super busy here in Craftasticland as we are preparing for the upcoming Bloomington Handmade Market...and when I say "we" I mean Beth, Biz and I.  Megan, on the other hand, has been off galavanting with her family these past two weeks.  The nerve.  The girl is racking up the demerits (we run a tight ship here at Craftastica) and will likely be on clean up duty for, oh, I don't know...a month, at least.  

But then, we tend to be all talk when it comes to seeing these kinds of things through.  It's because, deep down, we're all saps for each other...lots of love here at Craftastica!

Demerits aside, we'd love to see your beautiful, shiney faces in Bloomington on April 3rd for the Handmade Market...oh, the goodness you will find there!  Including us, of course!  We have lots of new, groovy apparel plus other beautifulness for you and yours.  Come check us out...we'd love to give you a squeeze!

Bloomington Handmade Market - We're featured on Day 12 Interviews...and be sure to check out the other lovely artists/crafters...we're excited to share this day with all of them!  

Love Each Other

I took advantage of the incredible weather this weekend and spent the majority of it outside working on some art projects I've had filed away. This is hanging in the upstairs hallway and is the first thing we'll see as we head down the stairs each morning...a little reminder, in case we need it, to be gentle, kind and, well...love each other. 

Creativity to the max...

Prepare yourself for some visual stunningness...

It's the Kitsch

We have all expressed our challenges with screen printing so I'm taking a diversion. Last summer I started a recycled aluminum can project, I made it through one can with 3 cuts. Saturday, I showed a friend of mine my template and she was a source of inspiration for ways to use my cut outs-provided I make more cut outs. On Monday, craftzine posted this photo. Another upcycler that loves the kitsch, only she finishes her projects, I give her a gigantic hats off AND a thank you for the inspiration. Now, what did I do with those aluminum cans?


P.S. The craftzine Facebook challenge this month is upcycling, right up our alley! There is a request for images to be sent of projects made from upcycled treasures. Have a good idea? Send them a photo!

Screen printing-not for the weak and weary

My shoulder has been bugging me. Right now it's just a twinge that's come back to bother me, but in the height of the problem, I didn't have full range of motion. The common denominator in these "episodes"? Screen printing. That's right, it's a dangerous sport. Make sure to do your warm up stretches and calisthenics before trying this at home, folks.

And poor Beth. That girl has washed out so many screens that her hands are chapped and cut. The cuts are filled with screen printing ink! That's what I call commitment.

Biz seems to be hopping around healthy, but she missed this conversation so I'll let her chime in. It wouldn't surprise me if she strained a toe muscle or something, this screen printing endeavor works muscles you never knew you had. Actually no, that would be Beth, for her acrobatic screen printing method could pull a lower muscle. Must capture that on film...

Jamie is also suffering from the same type of shoulder injury! Now, for the record, she did call me and Beth a name, gasp!, and said that she *slept* wrong! What was the insult again? I believe it was "weenie." Oh sticks and stones, JP, sticks and stones. And I have certainly proven my ballet teacher wrong about "Grace", I am certain I can show her that a 'weenie' I am not.

So my idea for Friday's gathering? Craftastica Healing Spa. Moisture infusions, massage therapy, and shoot while we're at it, facials and loofa scrubbing. We still need a babysitter to watch the children in a secure, sound proof area in the "east wing" of my house. Ok ok, we still need an "east wing." If you are looking for something to do on Friday, be sure to come and hang out with us, we'll put you to work, er...uhm... I mean have a great time!

Awakening

Awakening from winter's sleep,

Creativity and desire, stirring...quaking.

And so it begins again...a spark of light divine.

Steppin' up

For all the time I put in today I only have one test print tee shirt done. However, I have washed about 8 screens and put emulsion on 5. Screen printing is HARD. I am full of Vim and Vigor and eventually I will get it right!!!! Look people! I have posted so Phhhhhllbbbtttt!!! (me raspberrying at you, Jamie)

Printing Fun

Winter is usually the time I do lots of drawings. I have been so preoccupied with screen printing on fabric that I haven't done any drawings in a while.

I'm happy to say that I'm back on the drawing train. Here's my latest, it is a combination of a couple of prints, spray, stencils, oil paint and drawing. I could get addicted.

My fingers will be covered in spray paint from now until May.

My fingernails look like they have been airbrushed with spray paint. It could be the new look.

Try it! I hope you have a creative Monday!!
-MM