Author: tbutler

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime chance to “Like Us” on Facebook!  Hahaha… but actually I did get a facebook account set up for Four to Go Design, so please do visit it and like it if you don’t mind!  I’ve also started my Esty site for the retail end of things.  The information is listed under the Purchase tab on this site.  Now, I’m off to populate all the different media outlets with all of my one-of-a-kind cards and clever quips so that I can begin global domination of the camper card market…

The second time around was better with the whole emulsion/exposure thing.  I exposed the screen for 2 minutes longer that the first attempt and it seemed to do the trick.  I pulled my first set of cards the other night and for the “maiden voyage” with the screen printing press, the end result was pretty good.  There’s definitely some room for improvement, but my success rate was alright.  I plan to burn my second set of images tomorrow, as I prepped the screen today.  I was actually able to get the screen set up while the kids played.  Score one point for Mamacita!

Although I haven’t been blogging, I have been making some progress…really!  I tried burning my first screen with marginal success.  The images definitely showed up, but the emulsion started to wash away when I sprayed the screen and the water took the images with it.  Note to self, expose the screen longer next time. 

Lesson learned.  I reclaimed the screen and tried burning the image again and, yahoo!, this time it worked.  I have everything registered on the press and now all I have to do is find the time to print the cards.  If I manage that next step successfully, I will be a happy woman.  In the meantime, I’ll be posting some of the computer generated cards on eBay.  They are really cute, but not my intended finished product, so everyone will get the “good guy” discount for that production run.

I’ve finally started “production”– Yay! It has been time consuming getting the artwork prepped and getting the screen press set up.  With any luck I will have my first screen burned this week so that I can start screen printing my cards.  I’ve liked the inital pieces that I’ve created using the high quality printer, so I am optimistic that the end result with the silk screen process will be close to the what I have been envisioning.  More to come as the steps are completed…

And Four to Go!  

Wow! So, this is my first post to the world on what I hope will become my creative outlet for the many things I’ve come across that have inspired me, instilled happiness or gratefulness, that I admired and adored. Welcome to Four to Go Design.  It all started with a very small 1968 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper and the fun we had this summer (and last) as a family, towing it around the state of Maine and  enjoying the company of friends.  The more time I had away from the daily grind, the more my mind opened up to the endless possibilities of what could be, if I just put some quality time into creating, instead of just talking about ideas and writing them in a notebook (which would inevitably be “filed” somewhere in the house).

With a background in Interior Design, I love the bold use of color and pattern in almost any setting or medium.  I’m also enamored with Vintage and the history that comes with it, some known, some only suspected.  When I have come upon creative use of materials and re-purposing of items, more often than not, I have said to myself, “I could make that”, only to be reminded by my close friend, that really, “No, you won’t.  You don’t have the time…”.

Hence, here I am.  I have finally to decided to embrace my creativity and see what path it takes me down.  I am looking forward to the journey and experiences this path will bring to me.  And so, as we use to say as kids, “one for money, two for the show, three to get ready and four to go!!!”  Wish me luck!  -Tracy Jo