Way back in the early days of The Mustard Room’s textile screen printing department, we were given a sizable donation by my generous Dad-in-Law; a donation which included many used screen frames, squeegees, and glow-in-the-dark ink. These screens were used to print, among other things, apparel supporting the cause of La Leche League. Workable negatives of clever captions such as “I Eat at Mom’s” were still visible when the screens were entrusted to our care. Mama Jane discouraged me from printing my own LLL apparel using said images. Since that day, we have more or less squeezed the ever-lovin’ life out of these donations, particularly the screen frames. The weathered wood has been re-stretched and washed to the point that the frame no longer lies flat and the metal brackets at each corner are wiggling their way to freedom.
Following our eleventh collaboration with Westwood United Methodist’s student ministry dude, Dr. Lemons, we decided it fitting to retire the old lady pictured at the top of this post. This frame which was handed over to us so many years ago will now be forever stretched with the screen bearing the word ‘Inked’ as she has been so many times.
I only just now realized how ridiculous this post has been.
Nevertheless, sail on, silver bird! Your memory shall live on in the apparel which you gave your life to help ink…
