Monday, September 17, 2012

The Pros and Cons of Subtle Geekery

Chucks, Cons, trainers, sneakers... call them what you will, but Converse shoes have been a popular fashion statement for a very long time.  And if the movie I, Robot has anything to say about it, they will still be considered a thing of beauty twenty-three years from now.  Why?  Well, why not! They've got a simple, classic design. They're lightweight and comfy.  They come in a plethora of colors, and since they're canvas, those who wish to go beyond simply choosing their favorite color can paint on them. Plus they're just... fun.

I had a purple pair many years ago.  I think I got them from my niece, who got them from her brother when he outgrew them... or something. (This particular nephew is older than me, so it makes sense.) I'm not sure what happened to them, most likely they fell apart, but over the last couple years I've thought I'd like to get a new pair. 

Now, without something to nudge me into action, I probably would have done nothing more than think about it.  However, a few weeks ago I got a nudge.  I finally watched Doctor Who, and the 10th Doctor wears Cons.  With a pinstriped suit.  I found this to be awesome, and while I probably won't be getting a suit, it was a darn good excuse to finally buy some Cons. Burgundy ones.

I wanted to to do a little something to make it more of a Doctor Who thing though...

 

I bought some printable transfer paper (for dark fabrics) from Walmart, made my alternate logo in Photoshop, printed it out, ironed it on, and voila! Initially I thought I'd just replace the blue star with the Tardis, but then it occurred to me that the word "universe" was only three letters off, so why not play around with the text too?  The scripty bit says "Space Time" which really isn't close to "Chuck Taylor" at all, but oh well.
TIP: If anyone decides to try this, be careful when ironing it on.  The original logo is rather thick rubbery stuff and it can ooze and burn if you get too much heat and pressure going on it.

Chances are nobody will even notice, but that's okay.  When someone does notice, it will be extra fun.  I like a lot of the t-shirts out there, and I have a few with designs that are from various shows and movies, but I'm trying to steer my wardrobe away from regular t-shirts these days because they make me look like I'm still in high school. It would be nice if they printed more fitted shirts with a scoop or v-neck...  I'll still keep a few around for lazy days, but if I'm going to step my wardrobe up a notch it means working my fandoms in more quiet-like. 

In a way I like the subtle approach better.  The reactions are more interesting for one thing.  Instead of just "I like your shirt" which could also mean that the person you're talking to is trying to quash a sudden urge to strangle you, people ask questions and start actual conversations.  "Hey, is that...?" is a lot easier to respond to than a simple statement. Plus it's a chance to be all creative and sneaky.

135 comments:

  1. Timey wimey would go good where you have space time.

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    1. That's what I was thinking

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    2. With wibbly wobbly on the other foot.

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    3. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why below. :)

      Ah, clever idea!

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  2. Any chance of getting a copy of your logo? :D

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  3. if by any chance you would either be willing to sell a set of iron ons for my chucks, or post a link to your artwork? either way, this is BRILLIANT! You can get a hold of me at Steel Valkyrie on Facebook, or Steelvalk1@aol dotcom.

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  4. Oh please can I have a copy? I just got my 8 year old little whovian his first chucks yesterday and this would make his YEAR!!!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  5. You are one awesome crafter! The 10th Doctor is my favorite and I have never wanted Chucks, until now. Now I am going to have to save up to get Photoshop and figure out how to work it, then buy some Chucks, all so I can make these. These are just that cool! Well done! If you have a few tips or instructions you could throw my way, I would greatly appreciate it. thelocket9501@yahoo and I would be forever grateful.

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    1. Gimp is a free, powerful, albeit less user friendly alternative to photoshop

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    2. Check out my shop!
      https://www.etsy.com/listing/151498530/doctor-who-timey-wimey-converse-label

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    3. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  6. Ditto (copy) or if you plan on selling them (Etsy?) just let me know (meprevost at yahoo dotcom)

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    1. Check out my shop!
      https://www.etsy.com/listing/151498530/doctor-who-timey-wimey-converse-label

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    2. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  7. This is plain AWESOME...you really need to share the logo, please! or sell them! I WOULD BUY FOR TWO PAIRS!! :-)

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    1. Check out my shop!
      https://www.etsy.com/listing/151498530/doctor-who-timey-wimey-converse-label

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    2. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  8. Seriously, I would love to surprise my 14 yr old who loves his Chucks with a Dr. Who pair.... I'll send you $ by paypal....

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    1. Check out my shop!
      https://www.etsy.com/listing/151498530/doctor-who-timey-wimey-converse-label

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    2. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  9. I bet they are roomier on the inside!! Awesome job, I like the subtle.

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  10. I'll give you money if you will link me the logo so I can use it. =D

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  11. Will you share or etsy your artwork?

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    1. Check out my shop!
      https://www.etsy.com/listing/151498530/doctor-who-timey-wimey-converse-label

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    2. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  12. A printable would be awesome! Great job!

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  13. I'd love to get a copy of this label! !

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  14. i would *love* to be able to buy the iron on somehow, too! i second the suggestion of selling it on etsy. or even just a digital copy that we could print ourselves. I have a brand new pair of all-star hi-tops that are screaming to go all timey-wimey :D

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    1. Check out my shop!
      https://www.etsy.com/listing/151498530/doctor-who-timey-wimey-converse-label

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    2. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  15. Any chance of selling these, or a link to printables?

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    1. Check out my shop!
      https://www.etsy.com/listing/151498530/doctor-who-timey-wimey-converse-label

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    2. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  16. There is a group of us who are chomping at the bit for this artwork, with the hopes that we might also alter our Chucks. Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease?

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  17. I would love the logo as well. Please update us all!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  18. Dido to the above several statements. I would love to get my hands on the soft copy of that logo. Heck I'd buy the pre-printed transfers just to do this to a pair of chucks. It is fantastic.
    Just a fore-warning, if you don't plan on sharing the file I will probably create a very similar image for myself anyways. Cheers.

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    1. Check out my shop!
      https://www.etsy.com/listing/151498530/doctor-who-timey-wimey-converse-label

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    2. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  19. I'm going to try my hand at this, although I am still learning how to use Photoshop! Converse was out of Burgandy, but they did have a color that I have named Tardis Blue :)

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why below. :)

      Ooh, Tardis Blue ones would be awesome! I found my burgundy ones on eBay, but there were only a couple of listings available. That color is harder to find than I expected!

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  20. Really nice other than it being spelt Traveller in Britain and it being a British show so needing the change to be correct and truly geeky.

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why below. :)

      I had no idea it was different in Britain, thanks for letting me know! It might have been a bit tricky to make the British spelling fit though, it was already a bit crowded with the American version of the word.

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  21. I would also love the opportunity to purchase the iron on patches. Please let us know if you will sell them or provide a link to the artwork. Thank you!!!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  22. Please sell to us!!! =)

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  23. That is fricken awesome! You will have to put the instructions on instructables or something :) That is so cool!

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  24. Do you have a http://www.etsy.com/ shop?!!! Please get one and make these, so many of us Whovians want!!! Very well done!! Perfect for running from monsters. Or you know, co-workers!

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    1. Check out my shop!
      https://www.etsy.com/listing/151498530/doctor-who-timey-wimey-converse-label

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    2. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  25. Ditto on what everyone else said about buying the logo or shoes!!!!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  27. I also reallyreallyreallyreally would love a copy of that to do to my Chucks. That I will buy just to do this.

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  28. I 23rd the sentiment of wanting a copy!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  29. Pleeeeeeeeasee make an Etsy store and sell these!! Maybe with an option for the British spelling as well? And Timey Wimey instead of Space Time?
    Pretty, pretty please!!!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  30. These are fantastic! I agree with the etsy requests.

    (And I applaud the fun color shoes too.)

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  31. I will quintuple ditto the pleas for a copy we could purchase!!! I am DYING to do this but have no idea how to make it myself or the software etc. You could make a pretty penny with these, please oh PLEASE consider selling on Etsy.com or setting up a paypal account here for them???

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  32. I agree with many of those above. I too would be interested in purchasing a copy of your artwork to print for my own iron transfer for my son's shoes. I just bought him a red bow tie to wear to my cousin's wedding but he wants to wear red converse shoes to match. Please let me know. I can be emailed at kali.hoshi@gmail.com

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  33. Please make these transfers a thing to buy, then shut up and take my money!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  34. Please can you produce the iron ons and sell on etsy, I'd love to have these on my converse. THEY ARE AWESOME!!!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  35. SELL THEM!!!!! My groom is wearing Tardis cufflinks and Chucks at our wedding - these would be PERFECT.

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  36. You could do a awesome matching t-shirt!

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  37. These are so totally awesome!!! I don't have photo shop and would love it if you sold these. I'm telling you, you could retire on what you'd make selling this! My kids want them too, we're a family of Whovians.

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  38. Are these for sale? My 14 year old would love them!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  39. These are most amazing. I must have some!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  40. Agree...make and sell logo... you can make a business of it at cons alone! I'd buy several sets of the Loge :)

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  41. Everyone is right. Please sell them.

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  43. Pretty sure if you put those on Etsy you could make a fortune!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  44. I would so love to get my hands on this for my daughter. She has Asperger's and has always been a little "off". But Doctor Who is a passion of hers and apparently her Doctor Who hair accessories and bottlecap jewelry I've made her have been the envy of her classmates. This would be the icing on the cake. I would even buy the iron on transfers, just to make these for her!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  45. Please let us copy your design! I'd love to make these!

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  46. Hey would you be willing to email me the picture you made? I'd so *love* to put these on my converse! :D

    please shoot me an email! sarahgennaro@hotmail.com

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  47. Please email me the image, I love these and know my 5yo would also (the next generation of whovians). Laceylady123@hotmail.com

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  48. I would love to have this image. anyway you are emailing them or selling it? smileyjg@gmail.com

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  49. I simply loved these so I just had to make some myself :). I made them slightly different though. You can see mine here: http://tmblr.co/ZaUFmugxaIYO

    Thanks for the great idea!

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    1. Yours came out great too :) How did you iron them?

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    2. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why below. :)

      Those look awesome! Thanks for sharing them, and for your kind comment!

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  50. wallmart usually has generic version of converse so you wouldnt have to worry about the prior logo because there isnt one on the wallmart ones.

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  51. I just saw this on facebook.. I think this is an awesome idea.. Now I must find me a new pair and mod them. :)

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  52. I would love a copy of the design as well! I'll PayPal you. Mhb.howard@gmail.com

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  53. How exactly did you iron the logo?

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why below. :)

      I stuck the shoe over the pointed end of the ironing board. It just barely fit on far enough for me to iron the logo on. If you don't have a pointy enough ironing board, a chunk of wood (or some other small solid object) with a small towel or something wrapped around it might work.

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  54. Yep, if you end up selling them, let me know! :) whiteroseofapril@yahoo.com

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  55. Which brand of printable transfer paper did you use?

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why below. :)

      The brand I used was Avery, but I haven't done much with printable transfers, so I can't really say if they're better than other brands or not.

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  56. This is possible to buy it or this your personnaly custom ?

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why, and answering questions, below. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  57. Out of curiosity, how have they held up long-term? I've made my own, but at this point I'm trying to decide if I should dig out some clear-coat or something similar to weatherproof them more. In past experience I've had trouble with the light fabric transfers cracking and peeling, but I've never used the dark kind until now so I don't really know what I've gotten myself into… I guess in that same vein, did you do anything to wash/dry them before wearing them?

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    1. This is the original blogger with a new name. There's a comment explaining why below. :)

      The logo has held up well for me, though my shoes haven't seen a lot of heavy traffic. I tend to baby my favorite shoes for a while before I finally give up on trying to keep them perfect and let them face normal wear and tear. I kept a pair of Fullmetal Alchemist sneakers looking really nice for a couple of years, but now they're a mess.

      I figured if the transfer did crack or fade I could just stick a new one on there. The stiff backing of the original logo seems like it should help a lot with keeping it looking good though, since it won't bend and stretch like a t-shirt or something would.

      I didn't wash the shoes or anything before ironing the transfer on, just took them out of the box and slapped the transfer on them.

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  58. Hi everyone! This is the original blog poster. I'm posting with a different name because this blog got locked up due to forgetfulness on my part (password) and the email associated with it being deleted due to inactivity and possibly a spammer hacking (unable to retrieve password). I guess that's what I get for abandoning it over the holidays. So I had to start a new one.

    Thank you everyone for your kind comments! I had no idea so many people had found my blog, and I was surprised to see so many comments when I revisited it today.

    Most of the questions were about whether I was planning to sell or share my altered logo. I was not planning to sell this when I made it, I did it just for fun. I do have an Etsy shop, but at the time I altered my Cons, it was temporarily closed because my life had gotten too hectic for me to keep up with it. I have reopened my shop recently, but I'm still unsure about selling my logo there. I will give it some thought.
    Anyway, it looks like someone else beat me to the punch as far as listing labels goes. And used my photo, it seems, even though their label is clearly different. I will have to ask them to take my photo down and use their own.

    There were only a couple other questions, so I'll respond to those individually. If anyone was wondering about anything I didn't address here, feel free to contact me through my new blog, or reply to this comment.

    Thanks again!

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    1. Oops, didn't realize that my name doesn't actually link back to my blog. Here we go:
      http://scatterdemillion.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-hutch-reborn.html

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  59. There are actually no guidelines when creating beaded handmade jewelry. You do not have to opt to adhere with just a guaranteed color, style or bead good bracelets for girls shape. You'll be able to create what ever you'd exactly like by mixing different colour, types and measurements of beads.

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  60. Did you remove the old logo, or put it on top of the old one?

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  62. How do you know the measurements for printing and sizing of the lettering?

    I want someone to print me the logo 8 times. I will pay you! :D

    please email me on perfectionrequired@gmail.com

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  63. I have the exact pattern for this if you want it email me at annie1auburn@gmail.com

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    1. Hey! Is there anyway that you can email it to me??? Thag would be awesome! My email is emmabuffone@yahoo.com and when you read this will you call me at 2487054197 thank you

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