Project Update...

I delivered the completed project to my client and he was delighted with it. He liked it so much he ordered another one on the spot. This project is a monitoring vest to be used for an Alzheimer's research project. Because of the proprietary nature of research projects, I prefer not to show pictures of the vest so as not to incur any chance of infringing on the researcher's rights.

I had cleared off my work table in anticipation of working on other things but it looks like I'll have to bring out my sewing machine again. Busy, busy, busy. I like busy.

Ballo ergo sum
- Gitana, the Creative Diva

The work continues...

I have been in a whirlwind of activity lately, so much so that I haven't had a minute to craft a card in well over a month. I'm beginning to go into withdrawal but I think there may be a lull soon that will allow me a moment to unwind and craft. My latest project was to recreate a monitoring testing vest for use in an ongoing research project at the local senior college. I'm happy to say that I completed the vest and will be delivering it to the client tomorrow. The vest, which is covered in panels of Velcro-like hook and loop fabric, proved to be quite a bit more challenging than I anticipated because it kept sticking to itself. Also the panels created extra bulk in the seams, preventing them from lying flat. There was a bit of a learning curve involved here but I managed to come out at the other end alright. Now I'm hoping the client doesn't mind some of the imperfections this learning curve caused. We shall see. In the meantime I have to catch up on some of the other work that fell to the wayside while I was working on the vest like mending, ironing, cleaning, and best of all, CRAFTING! I can't wait to reclaim my crafts table so I can mess it up again.

Ballo ergo sum- Gitana, the Creative Diva

Update on the Passport Invitations...and a New Printer!!

The custom order I was working for 100 passport-styled invitations has been completed and delivered to the client today, five days ahead of schedule. I am relieved and very, very satisfied that the way this project turned out. (To read the background story, click here.)

I ran into several minor problems with this order, most of which were printer-related issues. First I ran out of ink. Then the replacement ink I ordered (remanufactured to cut costs) did a miserable job of printing. The print and the graphics were fuzzy and not at all sharp. (Never again!!) Had to return the ink and re-order manufacturers' original ink at double the price. Printing was better but still not great, not because of the ink but because the printer itself is not well suited to graphics printing. I had been see-sawing for years about buying a new printer, feeling guilty about buying a new printer when I had one that worked well but just didn't give crisp graphic images. This time I bit the bullet and ordered a new HP Photosmart Printer. With the exception of my current printer, I have always used HP printers both at home and at work. The print quality is excellent and the machines are workhorses. My current Dell (boo...hiss...) printer was given to me and a free printer trumped one I had to pay for (or so I thought). My experience has me running back to the hardware I have come to trust for crisp, sharp printing. It should arrive sometime next week and I can't wait to put it through its paces. Future client orders will look awesome. So bring 'em on. I'm ready!

Ballo ergo sum
- Gitana, the Creative Diva