MAUK RULZ!

I was trying to think of something fun for a goodie bag stuffer for the annual Summer Craftacular in Madison, WI tomorrow and then it came to me - decals - hmm... and how would my decals look?
Answer: self indulging of course ;)

I would like to thank my former employer for letting me use their "laser" to cut them out. How is it after 7 years of using a "laser" that  saying "laser" like Dr. Evil never gets old? (Thus the quotation marks)

The photos below are of a custom wristlet that I made for a friend as a wedding shower gift. She had a bunch of photos of her and her fiance posted on face book that were soooo cute that I was inspired to pick one and make her a wristlet.

Let's Here it for the Boys er.. or Guys!

As I had mentioned in an earlier post I bought a Yudu screenprinter and a large assortment of shirts and was working on a few shirt designs. I was happy to finally get my "Old Fashioned Guy" shirt printed. So far I have three designs and many more ideas "rolling around upstairs" (aka in my head).

In addition to getting the remainder of my shirts printed, I finally finished the batch of clothespin bags I started back in March (there are actually twice as many, but some are on consignment). My favorite part is turning them right-side-out and seeing how there faces and ears turned out - it's like they all have there own personality - and if you don't think I'm dorky enough for saying that, I also give each one a name on their price tags.

It was actually the Summer Craftacular that motivated me to get my stuff done. When I signed up it was months away and now it's only two weeks. It's a great show with a lot of talented people and if you happen to be in Madison, WI of 7/29, you really should stop in!

Everybody I know will be getting t-shirts...

because I bought a bunch of t-shirts so I could play with my Yudu screenprinter.

Here are a couple of my new designs:

A homage to Wisconsin's (or at least my) beverage of choice - I am going to make a few adjustments to the artwork then make the "guy" version

This is my "affirma-tee". The idea has been rolling around my head for some time and I was happy to finally do it. If you are wondering whey the message is backwards it's because I want the wearer to be reminded that they deserve more every time they look in the mirror (okay, I'm easily amused)

A fan of Mauk asked me to make her a new purse. Her parameters were owls, pockets and purple. It was a good excuse to come up with a new design - this one's called the Tracie POP! (POP is for plenty of pockets as there are 2 pockets on each side of the outside, 2 more divided pockets on the inside, plus there is a divider in the purse that is actually a zippered pocket).

Yudu not know how excited I am...

It has been more than a year since I laid my eyes on a Yudu screenprinting machine and trying to be practical, I have held off, knowing that I did not have the time for it. I told myself after New Year's, I would look into it and with great luck, I found one on Craigslist - yeah!

I have a couple of sewing projects to get done before I get too carried away, but not being able to leave my new toy alone, I had to at least play with it a little bit...

It's not bragging if it's true right ?

2.4.12 and 213

In only 2.5 weeks I will be vending at the Fifth Annual Valentine Craftacular in Madison, WI. I have done the summer one a couple of times and had a great time, so I am looking forward to this mid-winter treat.

The fun starts at 10am at on Feb 4 at the East Side Club in Madison and goes until 4pm. Stop by if you are in the area!

Speaking of vending, I have decided to rent my own little spot at Studio 213 on College Ave in Appleton. I set up shop this past weekend (once again, no camera). In terms of displaying my wares at shows, it is the smallest spot I have had to work with (no 10 x 10 booth there) and I had to get creative. I like the results and will hopefully have a few pictures in the next couple of weeks.

I've Decided to Share

Click here for a link to my dragonfly magnet pattern - enjoy!

It's Not Easy to Say Goodbye...

Okay, so maybe my title was a little dramatic. I was only referring to getting rid of stuff as one of my New Year's resolutions. I was able to finally throw away the gloves with holes in them (having one cold finger on a winter day is very annoying, but I suppose an optimist would say at least you have nine warm ones). I was able to put the gloves we don't use in the give away pile, but for some reason I am stumped on what to do with the pair-less gloves in the photo above. Maybe it's because I still can't believe the ending of Castaway (you know - with Tom Hanks and the Volleyball).

Another resolution I made is to turn my original designs into patterns. I started with something simpler - my dragonfly magnet that can also be turned into a broach.

I plan on moving onto my wallet, then a few purses and hopefully have time for a few more original designs.

Someone I am definitely keeping is my husband (of 9 years this spring). We rang in the New Year with a couple of friends while watching some live music. We made it all the way to 12:30 - boy how things have changed...

Here's to 2012!