Not Sure on This One

I created this image when messing around with Photoshop, and had originally intended it to be part of the redesign of the webstore in some manner. It appears that the inclusion in the redesign didn't work out, so I'm not sure entirely what to do with this piece. Guess I'll just post it here.

Actually, there will be another redesign at some point in the future, I'm sure, and I'm certain this design might very well see the light of day again at that point. Especially since I'm in charge of such things. :p

...And the Beat Goes On.

So far, we've had some promising results in our experiments with creating unique looks to some test shirts, but there have also been some unexpected setbacks that have caused delays in bringing any of those items to market. Such is life though. Anyway, the work does continue despite the trials and tribulations, and hopefully there will be some tangible results at some point. At least we can hope.

In other news, we hope to be expanding this blog to encompass some of our other interests as well in the not too distant future. Again, more announcements on this should be forthcoming shortly. Always something going on.

The Experiment Continues...

Ah, and what would that be, you may ask? Truth is, we aren't telling just yet. Yes, I know. I hate it when folks do that to me as well, so I'll give you a little bit of a hint. We are working on a proprietary dye/staining process for a new line of t-shirts. Right now, we have an idea of where we would like to end up, and how to get there, but whether it will work out or not is anyone's guess. Half of the fun in anything is trying new things, and we are certainly not afraid to do that.

So far, we have been working on the new process for a few days, but we won't really know if it's promising or not until the very end, which will be either today or tomorrow, depending on how long we can hold our curiosity at bay. I'm pushing for today.

And the Designs keep Coming.

For those that haven't checked the webstore recently, there have been a large amount of new designs that have found their way out of the art department and onto t-shirts. Or at least eight or so. Yes, many a new design for your viewing pleasure, or wearing pleasure as the case may be. It's all very exciting, especially since there are more on the way, just over the horizon, trying to claw their way onto a tee for the website. I'm looking forward to seeing how some of the yet to be seen designs end up looking.

Texas Flood

First off, Happy Belated Fourth of July to everyone. It's been a very wet fourth in these parts. Nothing but rain all week, well rain and flash flood warnings. Not what one would hope for on a holiday known for fireworks and barbecues. Work has been kinda slow around the shop, hampered by the extreme humidity which has made work not only hot and sticky, but also a bit off. Humidity just makes everything harder and take longer than it should. Guess that's just its way, but it's enough to drive a hard working screen printer crazy some days.

This is the Recipe I was Talking About

So I couldn't help myself. I went ahead and searched Susan's blog for the recipe. I didn't use the yellow split-peas, and added a bit more spice than called for (I like it hot) but it came out great. Very enjoyable. This is one that I will make again come fall, which is my main soup season. See the link for the recipe.

Yellow Split-Pea Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Kale | Fatfree Vegan Kitchen

Mini Doughnut Muffins | Fatfree Vegan Kitchen

I know this has absolutely nothing to do with t-shirts, except of course possibly the size shirt you may end up wearing, but I just wanted to mention this recipe I saw on one of my favorite vegan food blogs, Fatfree Vegan Kitchen. I haven't tried it, but I do so love doughnuts that it won't be long before I give it a go. I've tried other recipes from Susan's blog before and they have always turned out spectacularly. Good stuff. I would recommend combing through her blog, for it is jam packed with interesting recipe ideas, including the last one I tried, her split pea and sweet potato soup. That came out really well. I love food as much as I love t-shirts, and Susan's recipes are great for vegans and non-vegans, alike.

Mini Doughnut Muffins | Fatfree Vegan Kitchen

Working, Working, Working

Well, it has been a day or two since I last posted, but things have been busy. Mainly working with the new designs. Out of the five or so that are really on the edge of being ready to go, I think we should see two finalized by the end of the weekend: One with robots and one with Jesus. Go figure. Should be followed shortly with the other three, and maybe a couple more dark horse designs that just sort of materialized out of nowhere but have captured our imaginations to an extent. Really looking forward to working on some of those.

Anyway, thought I would leave you today with one of our better selling t-shirts, perfect for men or women. Our "Arg, I Be Here For Ye Booty" tee is a black t-shirt with a screened red front print. I really like the way this one came out. Pictures don't really do it justice, but I'm posting one anyway. We were experimenting with some printing techniques and really got a nice, aged look/texture on the lettering. One of my personal favorites. If you find yourself interested in grabbing one of these beauties for yourself, you can get one from our webstore, torchedthreads.com, or from our ebay store, Torched Threads T-Shirts, whichever you prefer.

A Good Night

Last night was a good night for us. A design idea that we had been concentrating on and spending alot of time with since Friday finally came to fruition, along with an unforeseen happening that added to the look of the final design as well. It's funny how something that looks like a complete disaster on a Saturday can turn around and end up being the best thing in the world on a Monday night. Guess that's just how things go sometimes. We were really excited to finish up the final printing on the prototype shirt and get the design into production because we thing you guys and gals will really like it. Especially if you are fans of all the great mob/gangster/mafia movies and shows like we are. You know, the greats like Goodfellas, Untouchables, The Sopranos, Casino, etc. The list goes on and on, and we are big fans of the genre.

Anyway, we don't have any pictures of the new design yet, so I'm not going to give any more information away on it until we do, but stick around because that should happen sometime later today. We are really happy with the way this one came out, and we hope you will like it as well.

Brainstorming for Fun and Profit.

Well, I'm not sure how much profit there is in it, but when the Torched Threads crew gets together for a brainstorming session, there is always fun. Did I mention there is always beer as well? Probably explains the high level of fun that is had, as well as the surprisingly high level of productivity that results. Literally hundreds of ideas have sprung from these sessions, sitting around in the warm, humid South Texas evening, enjoying a few beers and everyone spitting out whatever comes to mind. Good times to be sure, now that summer is here. Although, to be truthful these things are going to have to go inside once July hits, I would guess. Just gets too damn hot and humid down here. Unless we can get a breeze. Guess we will find out about the profit thing down the road.

Kicking it Off

So what happens when two friends finally come in from the beach and decide it's time to drink a little less and do something interesting and creative? Well, in our case it is Torched Threads, and the torchedthreads.com website, not to mention this blog. So having said that, what can you expect? Well, from the shop and website, you can expect to have on offer the best quality original designs to be custom printed on T-Shirts, babydoll tees, and other apparel. Pretty much anything we can find that will stand still long enough to be printed on. :p

Out of the blog, you can expect to get an inside view of what goes on in our lives, our business, and the creative process that ends up in what you will be seeing on the website. As a matter of fact, it is even possible that you, the reader will have an opportunity to influence product design as we move forward and comments come in to the blog. Ah, the fun that will be had. Be sure to stick around.