Give it some Personality!

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I have kitchen help…sous chefs…cuisine connoisseurs. I know, I’m one spoiled girl. Two extra sets of hands…they are amazing! So, as a token of my appreciation I want to give them something personal…something practical they can have all to themselves!

There’s nothing better than having something that’s all YOURS! You know…like when you were a kid and you would lick a cookie or two while your siblings were watching to ensure that they wouldn’t dare eat them!

When I saw this screen kit I knew it would be perfect for the project I had in mind! All you do is create your own black and white artwork on your computer (or you could even draw it by hand if you are that awesome), transfer it to a silk screen, pick your paint color, apply it to your fabric and VOILA!…your one of a kind project is done!

Here are the step by step instructions:

First…buy your kit. You can find it at Hobby Lobby.

You can also buy refill screens…which means you only have to buy the kit once. So nice!

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The kit comes with:

1 Light Box, it’s the box that all the components come in…so in other words, keep the packaging!

1 Light bulb socket with cord…100 watt bulb included

1 Black-out envelope that contains 4 light sensitive screens (1 large screen, 1 medium screen, 1 small screen, 1 test screen)

3 Paint colors (acrylic & non toxic)

1 Squeegee applicator

1 Paint brush

1 Sponge

1 Rinsing tub

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For best results work in a low light room with no direct sunlight.  This process is pretty easy if you follow the directions step by step…it is a process though so it takes some time. Print your artwork on 10lb paper or you can draw your artwork with a black permanent style marker (make sure your artwork is the size of one of the screens, you can also trim your screens to fit your artwork). You don’t need to reverse your image when you are printing it either. It transfers onto the screen just the way you need it! Pretty cool. Remove the selected screen size from the black-out envelope, peel the white backer off.

Place your artwork face down on the tacky side of the screen (note: the screen is not super tacky, it’s just not slick like the other side). Make sure you have at least 1/2″ clearance space between the edge of your image and the edge of the screen.

Use your squeegee to press your artwork sheet firmly to the blue screen. Your artwork MUST HAVE DIRECT CONTACT with the screen throughout the entire exposure period. I squeegeed mine right in the base of the light box so I wouldn’t have to move it.

I placed a piece of glass (from a frame) over the paper…it’s transparent for the light to expose the image onto the screen and it’s heavy enough to help maintain contact so you end up with a crisp clear image.

Put the top of the box over the base and turn on the light (which you screw into the lid beforehand). Expose for 25 minutes.

After the exposure is complete you can take your screen out. You wont see the image right away. It almost looks like a discolored slight image.  Immediately soak  your screen in the rinsing tub (with tepid water) for 30 seconds. You will see your image begin to look more defined.

Begin gently rubbing the emulsion off of the image. Rub both sides of the screen until you can see no more light blue emulsion. Be careful no to rub too hard. I found that it took more time to rub the emulsion off of the areas where the lines were more fine.

Lay your screen on a paper towel to dry.

After your screen is dry, tape it to your fabric. On all sides.

Lay a bead of paint along the top of your screen and then pull it down with your squeegee. You can use multiple colors too!

It should look like this:

Peel it away and look at your screen printed piece of art!! Also, you can rinse the paint off of your screen and use it again and again.

After the paint has cured for 24 hours heat set it with a household iron…no steam…on the cotton setting. Use a pressing cloth or parchment paper and apply heat for 30 seconds!

I am so excited to give this to my little sous chef! It was made just for him…and with his name on it, he will be sure to love it!

Visit  for some great ideas on how to use your screen kit!

And there you have it.  From apparel to home decor, the possibilities are endless. Happy Screening!!

(We’re linking up to these parties!)