Have you always wanted to have a t-shirt that you’ve designed? Maybe you have a specific design in mind that you have never been able to find in stores, or maybe you want to be creative and be able to wear your creation to show it off. Regardless of the reason, designing your own t-shirt can be a fun way to express your artistic abilities. 

There are a few different methods of getting a design onto a t-shirt that require different skills, so depending on how much effort you want to put into your t-shirt, you can choose the method that’s right for you. 

Of course, you can always go to a t-shirt printing shop, like the Manchester based t-shirt printing shop Garment Printing, and have all the hard work done for you. If you prefer to roll up your sleeves and do it yourself over a weekend, then read on. 

1. Screen printing

Screen printing t-shirts can seem complex and intimidating, but once you’ve got all the materials and have everything set up, it’s actually easier than it looks, and it’s quite cost-effective. The supplies you need are a screen and frame, which you can find at any craft store, photo emulsion and sensitizer, a 250-watt bulb, silkscreen fabric ink, a squeegee, latex gloves, your t-shirt, and a pitch-black room to do it in – your closet or windowless bathroom will work perfectly.

Create your design (if this is your first time, you may want to try something simple with blocky lines) using a solid black image since you need to block out light. Print the image onto transparency paper, which you can do at any print shop if you don’t have it yourself. 

Next, you’ll want to coat your screen in emulsion, so follow the directions on the bottle on how to mix it before laying the screen down over a garbage bag and coating it with the emulsion with the squeegee. Leave it in your pitch-black room until it’s completely dry. After it’s dry, lay down a black cloth or board and put the screen and frame with the screen side down over the black surface. Tape your transparent image on top of the screen where the emulsion is, and then turn on your 250-watt bulb (which should be about one or two feet above it). Wait for 10 to 15 minutes before pulling the transparency off and check if the image is burned into the screen. If it is, clean the screen with cold water until your image is clearly seen. Let the screen dry before moving onto the next step. 

Lay your t-shirt out onto a flat surface, then lay the screen over the shirt, placing the design where you want it to be printed. Pour a small amount of ink on the top of the screen and then in one strong, smooth movement, move your squeegee down the screen. You may want to run the squeegee over the shirt a few times to make sure the ink gets pushed into the fabric. When you’re satisfied, lift the screen up, toss the t-shirt in the oven for 30 seconds at 400-degree heat so the ink sticks, and you’re done. 

2. Transfer sheets

A much easier way to print an image onto a t-shirt – but sometimes with poorer quality results – is to simply print out your design onto transfer paper. You can buy transfer sheets from any craft or fabric store, which can be fed right into your printer at home. 

All you have to do is decide what design you want, print it out, then iron it on to your t-shirt. Make sure to firmly and evenly iron on the design, otherwise, it can start to flake and peel off in certain places, but be careful not to burn your t-shirt in the process. You can put down a piece of cotton fabric in between your iron and the transfer sheets to help prevent burning.

3. Fabric paint

If you’re a bit more artistically inclined and want to free-hand it or use cut-out stencils, you can buy fabric paint and paint your design directly onto your t-shirt. Put a piece of cardboard under the shirt so the fabric paint doesn’t seep through onto the other side of the shirt and so you have a more stable surface to paint on. Don’t forget to let it dry for at least 24 hours before wearing it. 

For hundreds of years, the art of the opera has existed to delight, captivate, and enthrall audiences in many languages, all over the world. Cultures throughout time have heralded the opera as one of the finest examples of art in all the world. 

The first known exhibition of the opera as we know it today was of Jacopo Peri’s Dafne, which was written in the late 1590s. While this opera has not survived the passage of time, the first recorded history we do have is of Monteverdi’s Orfeo in 1607. This was of the Baroque form of opera often shown only to wealthy courts throughout Europe. From then, it soon became wildly popular with the masses. 

There are also the classical, romantic, and 20th century periods of opera which influenced the composers of those times. But, don’t take our word for it – have a look for yourself at Opera Philadelphia. This could be the treat of a lifetime, as you take a trip throughout the annals of opera. 

Opera is Good for you – Make it a Date 

During the 2019–2020 season, you can see Verdi’s Requiem throughout January and February 2020. There’s an acclaimed production of Handel’s Semele set to take place in September 2019. Don’t forget Let Me Die by Keckler, showing in September 2019, as well. Opera Philadelphia makes it so easy to buy tickets and stay apprised of all shows right from their website. 

Going to the opera is soothing for the soul. According to a Pavia University study, operatic music can help with stroke rehabilitation, lower blood pressure, and slow the heart. In fact, Diana Greenman, the CEO of Music in Hospitals, has discussed the massive benefits of listening to music after a stroke or a heart attack. 

Where to Stay

If you’re coming from out of town, you’ll want to make a whole weekend out of a trip to the Opera Philadelphia. There are many luxury hotels in Philadelphia to accommodate your every wish. The Bellevue Hotel is one of the most popular. A living landmark that brings you back to Philadelphia’s gilded age opulence, this hotel could just be the centerpiece to an edifying cultural excursion. The on-site XIX Restaurant is one of the best in the city. Across town, the Philadelphia 201 Hotel is another solid option. Part of Logan Square, this hotel is just a short distance to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Love Park, so it makes a good home base for more cultural exploration.

Experience Universal Art in its Fullest Form 

Let’s face it, there isn’t any other art form that can compare to the unique experience of going to the opera. It is both music and theater, brought to you by the world’s best composers. You hear singing, but you also get to witness the architecture, sculptures, poetry, dance, paintings, and history unwrapping itself for your enjoyment. 

Some of the oldest operas are some of the best to watch because you not only get to see the art forms of the past, but you can take a bit of history with you in the memory of the beautiful stories and scenery. 

In previous centuries, opera was once reserved only for the privileged classes but today – it can be enjoyed and savored by anyone who is motivated to be passionately moved by the scores and librettos. 

The experience is personal, yet intense. At Opera Philadelphia, you can relish all that and more. If you haven’t seen it, the one opera we’d recommend you must see is Madame Butterfly, which will be showing in April through May of 2020. And, there are also lectures, seminars, and a festival to attend. As you savor the operatic scenes, you can also increase your knowledge and your empathy for others. 

So, what are you waiting for? Plan your opera viewings today.

We all admired Kirsten Dunst’s luscious locks during a special screening + press appearances of her new show On Becoming a God in Central Florida. 

Kirsten’s hairstylist, Owen Gould, prepped her hair using Refuge Hair’s REJUV system ($35; www.refugehair.com). “I love that is sulfate free as lot of my clients prefer that,” said Gould. “The hair was so smooth and shiny after too which is always an added bonus!”

Kirsten stepped out the next morning after the screening to promote her Showtime series on The Today Show with her hair still looking flawless and shiny!

Give the young student in your family every opportunity to succeed in their studies with the best equipment possible for the job. When it comes to furniture designed to help a student succeed, there’s no better item than a fine, solid wood desk. In today’s competitive academic environment, a student needs every advantage that they can get to stay ahead of the curve.

Poor Quality Furniture Can Result in Poor Quality Work

A cheaply made desk, like those assembled at home and made of pressboard, will quickly wear down. These items might seem like a good idea initially, but when you consider how long that quality handcrafted wood furniture can last when cared for properly, it shows how poorly an investment a cheaply-made desk will quickly become. 

This kind of furniture isn’t built to last through all of high school, let alone a college or university career. When your son or daughter has earned a place at a great school, they deserve a desk that is of far better quality than what they used in grade school. 

An Excellent Lifelong Investment 

When you’re investing a lot in a great education, you need to follow through with great materials as well. No one can afford to jeopardize a student’s success by holding back on expenses after the initial cost of tuition is paid. 

The best part about buying quality-made solid wood furniture is that it will provide more in return than any other expense involved in post-secondary education, outside of the learning itself. Not only will a solid wood desk last through the entire span of a university career, but it will also continue to supply an excellent work space for the home or office for years to come. A fine heirloom item can even be passed down to future generations. 

Quality Furniture Can Instill Confidence

Much like the desk bought to furnish a great business career, a student’s workplace can mean the difference between a confident student and one that constantly feels like an imposter. Moving away to go to college or university is one of the biggest changes that a young adult will face up to that point in their life. Faced with the difficulties of being away from home, fitting in among a new peer group, and the constant pressure of difficult course work, students can easily get discouraged – and when they do it can affect their work. 

Give a Reminder of Family

Many new students find the transition to studying away from home difficult for the simple reason that they become homesick. Given this common dilemma, everything you can do to make their new residence a little more cozy and familiar will help to ensure success. When you give a heartwarming gift of a finely handcrafted solid wood desk to a new student, they’ll be able to feel at home every time they sit down to get to work. 

As a parent or close family member, there’s no better present that you can provide to a new student that a well-made and stylish solid wood desk. Cherish those last moments of your child being at home by picking out the perfect desk together. 

Interior design trends are constantly evolving and developing. But your home should be an oasis of tranquility and a space you should be proud of – and as such it is important not to just follow the fashions of interior design but use them as a source of inspiration. Before you decide to redecorate your home, it is important to create a mood board of your favorite styles and then decide on what to purchase over a period of time. There are many contemporary themes that you can incorporate into existing styles and spaces; here are some of the best interior design trends this year.

Natural Influences

This year house plants have continued to grow as a trend and it looks as if they are here to stay. The reason why natural influences are so popular is that people are increasingly living in apartments in urban areas without gardens, and so houseplants and natural flora help to give a burst of the outdoors to any interior. There are dozens of health benefits to be gained from being amongst plants, and there is an increasing amount of scientific research that explores the positive outcomes of being surrounded by plants. If you want to boost your physical and mental health, this is a brilliant trend to embrace this year.  

Sustainability

This trend is part of a big shift in an environmental focus within the home. Sustainability is now central to many people’s lives and it is more impressive to transform old furniture into stunning pieces than it is to buy a brand-new piece of furniture. This trend requires you to think creatively, but it also can be a lot of fun. Instead of shopping online or heading to a department store, you can re-invent objects around your home and transform them into unique decorations or pieces of furniture. 

There are so many ways to update your home in a sustainable manner. Whether you sculpt your own plant pots or design a mural, there are dozens of ways to create original and inexpensive pieces to show off within your home. Sustainable design is more than just a ‘fad’ or a trend, it is a way of life and it is a very accessible approach to interior design. You can also make your home more environmentally friendly by updating some of the more practical elements of your home, such as researching “window companies near me” on Porch.com and replacing your windows with upgraded modern windows designed to keep your home more energy efficient. 

Constellations

An interest in star signs, magic and the metaphysical world is something that has existed within humanity for centuries, and it has now become a popular interior design trend. Bring the wonders of outer space into your home and embrace mysterious magic with printed velvets, deep hues and metallic symbols. Adorn bedrooms and living rooms with this stylish choice and create an out-of-this-world ambiance with eclectic nebular prints. 

Warm Nude Hues

Cold and hard shades of gray have been abandoned for warm and cozy nudes when decorating upholstery and furniture. Shapes inspired by the natural world in soft shades are central to this interior design trend, and you can add a touch of luxe throughout any home by mixing a selection of neutral hues for a show-stopping atmosphere. Make sure you include soft and supple fabrics to mirror your color choices, thus softening the rooms you spend most of your time in.

Nomadic Inspiration

If you are an avid traveler, then you may be inspired by the nomadic interior design trend that has been exceptionally popular this year. Fill your home with artwork and furniture that you have collected while traveling the world or you can research and purchase interesting pieces online. This is your opportunity to ignite a global spark in your home with unique décor that has been inspired by all four corners of the globe – making your home a worldly treat to welcome guests into. 

Maximalism

This interior design trend draws inspiration from the ideology that more is more. This trend involves mixing bold patterns and colors across your home to create a unique and characterful effect. This is a trend to consider with caution and it is not an excuse to fill your home with clutter. It is best to pick three principle colors and then mix patterns and hues within this color choice. Alternatively, you can pick favorite patterns and use colors accordingly. This is a fun and unusual trend that allows you to express the vibrant side of your personality.

There are dozens of trends to choose from when decorating your home in 2019; hopefully some of these top picks will inspire you to get the most out of your home interior design.