PLEASE FORWARD & CROSS POST to interested
people.
Hello, I have a fairly new project that is
having quite a bit of success, and I know that some other folks are 'arts
and crafty' like me, so they might like to join in!
I have recently been making T-shirts, using the
computer forms for printing iron ons (economical at Sam's Club), and inexpensive
t-shirts you can get at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc. I've been giving them
away to folks who promise to wear them, as I travel with the Liberty Van.
They are EXCELLENT for wearing to government smoking ban meetings, as usually
the rooms will be packed with those wearing 'SMOKE FREE whatever' shirts, paid
for with ACS/RWJF money and/or OUR cigarette tax dollars. I've started
wearing mine almost every time I'm out in public. Although I've been
giving these away, some folks ask if I want something for them. I tell
them any money anyone contributes will be used for more t-shirts, computer ink,
and iron on forms, so my t-shirt project is nearly self financing already, as
people LOVE them, and some do contribute, and a few have been quite
generous. Probably could sell them (you could if you want to), but my goal
is to get AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OUT in public view, so generally I am GIVING them
in exchange for a PROMISE to WEAR them in public. I AM using ALL $
contributions for them to buy stuff to MAKE MORE SHIRTS. : ) I distributed
about 15 more of them in Nashville TN last night, where I went to cruise a bit
with the van to celebrate George Washington's birthday.
I have created a MS Publisher file with many
graphics to be used for these shirts. In order to make most efficient coverage
of the iron on forms, also to minimize blank areas on the forms, the elements
are cut out, so can be used in any arrangement you like. In other words,
you don't have to make your shirts with all the things I'm using, you can pick
and choose and set up your own designs. I would be happy to share that
file, plus information about how to make these shirts for anyone else who would
like to make and distribute these t-shirts. If MS Publisher doesn't work
for you, I can probably put them in a Word document (or something else) for you,
or send you the picture files so you can use whatever printing program you
like.
Here is a pic of some of the finished
shirts:
(great for fighting a proposed ban)
(for ban areas - this is THE GOAL, folks - REPEAL)
(more generic - the basic 'NO TO BANS YES TO FREEDOM could be used with different accessories to oppose ANY sort of ban, from food to dog breeds!)
In addition, this file also has many of my very
popular stickers, which are a good size to iron on pockets, etc.
We are in a PROPAGANDA war, and they think they can
'create their own reality' just by dumping enough disinformation out there to
influence people's beliefs. One HUGE area is all the lying about health,
using junk science statistics. Another BIG LIE is that 'there is
no opposition to smoking bans'. It would be FABULOUS if folks
started wearing t-shirts - these or something similar, to let people know
there IS opposition to the bans, even if the news media carefully AVOIDS
publicizing most of it. We need MANY more folks to TAKE A
PUBLIC STAND against this. Here is a way for those who (like me)
enjoy the 'crafty' thing to help.
Basically, have been buying the shirts at hobby
lobby or Michaels for 3.99-4.99 - get them on SALE if possible. I bought
lots when they were 1/2 price <G>. Also, thinking of doing a net
search, maybe can buy them in bulk somewhere for even cheaper?
Walmart has the transfer forms, but they are much
more economical at Sam's Club - 24 for 14.99. Get the ones for LIGHT
clothing, and use light colored shirts - white, grey, or pastels. I
experimented with the ones for dark shirts too, but did not like how they
looked. Follow the directions for the transfer forms - you print
them, then cut them out, and iron them on the shirts. (have gotten the
kids to help with cutting them out sometimes) Careful cutting them out, as
fingernails, or the scissors can scratch the ink. It's now my favorite
'watching TV' project <G>. People LOVE them! and they WILL
WEAR t-shirts : )
I've been wearing one, and sitting right in the
front row of the smoke ban council meetings I've been going to. At Bowling
Green I got my daughter and her new husband to come and wear them too, BG voted
down the ban 3-2. I was the only one with one at the Clarksville, IN
meeting, but they voted ban down 7-2.
Note - always use a web address, so people can go
get more info. You don't have to use the ones I'm using, if you have a
good website for your local folks? I can fix you up a graphic for it if
you want, just email me jlfarley@scrtc.com . For the iron on,
you want to minimize white space, that's one reason I've used the blocky type
fonts I have, also used the shadowing. Then you can just cut close around
without having to do a lot of tedious close cutting between letters, and it
looks good.
PS - I NEVER buy ANYTHING in a smoking ban area if I can avoid
it. Check www.aalf.ws/SMOKERS-BOYCOTT/ for
list of ban states and cities. However, I don't have all the ban cities
listed, and they keep changing. If you live in a ban state, try to order
from the internet from a NONban area, or if possible go shopping in another
area.
I now have ALL the MS Publisher files on CD with all these graphics, PLUS MORE, and
the instructions to MAKE YOUR OWN smoker's t-shirts! I also put them into
MS Word files, for those who don't have Publisher.
If you would like to send postage, or a contribution toward this effort, www.paypal.com jlfarley@scrtc.com, and note it's for
t-shirt CDs.
Lynda Farley - AKA 'Smokin' Kentucky Granny'
Smoker's Rights Van: www.aalf.ws/Liberty-Van/
AALF - An American who
Loves Freedom www.aalf.ws/.