Just Listed-Mario Brothers Toiletry Bags

Happy Monday!

I’m so happy to introduce a new set of Toiletry and Make Up Bags to the Pink Toe Press Etsy Shop!

These bags are a  fun bunch! They feature everyone’s favorite Italian Plumber: Mario …and all his friends!  A great gift for boys and girls, these bags are durable, attractive, and spacious. There are TWO sizes available: One Boxy Bag ( think DOP Kit) and a smaller pouch (for pencils or makeup).

The bags are of durable construction and fully lined. You can see the bright, colorful lining in the photos above. The bags are sturdy and quilted with an interfacing to maintain their shape. The boxy bags will hold up in your carry-on or your suit case  on travel trips. Tuck one in your book-bag to keep your computer chargers, stylus, and mouse all in one place! I keep one in my purse with my phone charger, a spare pen, and lipstick!

 

Two awesome Mario   fabrics make these a great gift for girls, boys, or adults!  One features all your favorite characters from the games. The other design (in blue) shows a few of your favorite characters running along blocks with Piranha Plants and Goombas. Also shown are the matching hair bows/ bow ties. Get a complete set for a Christmas or Birthday gift! Available online  and at my upcoming craft fairs this summer!

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The Process of Screen Printing

I’ve been printing a lot of new tote bags lately! They are currently available for purchase in my Etsy Shop! I thought it would be interesting to share some of my process photographs with you. It is important to show the polished final product. But with something as hands-on as screen printing, I think it is important to show the process as well!

Carefully pulling the ink through the screen to make the print on canvas. 

It’s important to have your inks mixed before you start printing. You can either buy ready-made ink colors or mix your own! This red-orange ink was made from a pre-mixed orange and process red. I’m using my smallest squeegee to make sure I get the right coverage and pressure with each print.

All that careful work paid off! Look at that beautiful print! Since I am only printing with one screen today, the printed bags can be hung up to dry right away. On to the next bag!

The finished print: Looking GOOD!

When it’s time to change a color you need to wash the screen out COMPLETELY and let it dry. There is a chance that some of the ink from the first color would pass through with the new ink color if you are not careful, and that will muddle your colors or, even worse: dry in your screen.  Between colors (multitasking while waiting for the screen to finish drying) I heat-pressed the first set of bags so that the colors be permanently on the bag and will not run if the bag gets wet!

Back in black! The black ink is a little thicker than the orange ink, so it takes a little more ink to print the same design in black.

 

Some of my new tote bags are made from brilliant colors of cotton canvas. Black looks best on them, so I changed ink colors to black.

Carefully lifting the screen away from the bag. This is one reason why it is called “pulling” a print!

Go Green! This bright green canvas is one of my new favorites!

More colors of tote bags coming soon. I am in the process of MAKING MY OWN TOTE BAGS out of 100% cotton canvas made in the USA to ensure the quality and colors are up to my high standards! New colors include yellow, natural canvas, and avocado.

I am even offering small purse-size (or kid-size) tote bags! They are 9 x 12 inches and are a really great size!

All of these amazing tote bags are available in my Etsy Shop!

For the Love of Buttons

You all know by now that I love pin-back buttons, right? I’ve been designing a zillion more 1-inch pin-back buttons for sale online in my Etsy Shop and for retailers that carry my Pink Toe Press items. I’ve been making most designs available as individual buttons and in fun designer packs. The packs are the best way to go because they group like buttons together. There are a bunch of new button packs available in my Etsy Shop! Check them out!

Assorted 1-inch pin-back buttons. Great new designs!!!

A close-up of the buttons. Ain’t nothin’ better than new buttons!

Stay tuned for more info on button packs and some NEW TOTE BAGS that I now have available!!! I can’t wait to start putting buttons on jackets, tote bags, etc. Now available in my Etsy Shop!