My daughter chose to start a screen printing biz last June when she graduated high school. It was her choice between that and a new car. It took off like wildfire and seemed to turn into a family-run success.
This past June 26, 2009, Paige was on one of our Harley's and hit a deer about dusk. She has been in a coma (which is not like on tv) for the last 62 days.
The upkeep of this business has fallen heavily on my husband and I. We had never used the cutter software (bec she did it), nor had we used the CorelDraw or AI (bec she did it) and we have never done color separations.
It was not until this trauma affected our family did we realize how much responsibility we had placed upon one person.
I've struggled with how to use the cutter to reverse the image for heat applied, I spent 2 1/2 hrs yesterday trying to make text in a circle where the text was readable for a stinkin' can coozie, and overall, this has been an overwhelming ordeal from every aspect.
I post this not looking for sympathy, but more as a plea that when I do post something that seems trivial or stupid to others, it is simply bec I am trying to keep my head upright and keep the bills paid and a biz going for a kid that would be devastated if the work she'd put forth were to crumble. Please be patient with me and know that I am not trying to be a nuisance to anyone, just looking for answers anywhere I can find them.
Paige is on a feeding tube, but not on a vent. She can mumble and walk, but cannot communicate. Comas come in 8 stages and we are in stage 4. It is sort of like being in a dream with your eyes open.
I am trying to stimulate her with CorelDraw and I am green as a gourd. Please be patient with me. Thanks. Amy
Hi Amy,
Just don,t be afraid to ask,there,s a lot of good guys around that will be more than willing to help. As someone said there are no dumb questions.
Wishing you all the best.
I have a daughter myself. My sincerest condolences to you and your family, and best wishes to her. You've brought a tear to my eye reading this post. I've helped take one of your threads off track (the customer service over/under one) and hopefully helped you at least once (dehumidifier) previously.
If you want a quick answer to something, feel free to call me at the shop anytime or just shoot me a direct email, anytime. My email is and the landline at the shop is 510.535.2222.
Unfortunately I can't help you with any cutter questions, but I would be more than happy to help with screen printing questions anytime.
AI tutorial for beginners...Corel draw tutorials for beginners... hope that helps a bit. i have always found it easier to follow tutorials until you get comfortable with the application.
I wish the best in a terrible situation. I use a cutter but it is an Ioline, mainly for appliqué I use for embroidery but also would be more then willing to assist in anyways I can (I do a little vinyl here and there). I find at first I thought my questions would be stupid and no one would take the time to respond but to my surprise it was nothing like that. We were all "beginners" at one time and all had questions that may seem trivial to some but people on this forum are more then willing to help and even go above and beyond just answering the question. I hope you will never feel that you cannot ask something, people here are great and have years upon years of experience to draw from and they share that information. If there is anything I can do please feel free to contact me as well or if I see one of your posts I can help with I will be more the willing to give you a hand as far as I can, not quite an expert yet! Best wishes to you, your family, and a speedy recovery to Paige.
__________________
Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life.
-Confucius
Amy I am so sorry you are having to deal with this, I can only imagine how hard it is. I myself went through some rough stuff this past January and it was amazing how many people on this forum were there for me If you ever need anything that I can help with, I will be there for you.
Its amazing how this forum is so unlike others I have belonged to, where the members truly are like one big family. I will definitely keep your daughter in my thoughts and hope for positive results for her recovery.
I am pretty good with corel draw, and will watch for questions you might have with that. Keep positive, I know its hard, I myself have those days where it is very difficult to do exactly as I am asking you, but I also know from the last nine months that they do get better If you ever need anyone to just talk to as well, feel free to contact me.
Good luck with your continued success, and really feel free to ask us anything.
Dont forget to take care of yourself as well.
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
Wow I'm so sorry to hear that, my prayers are with you and your daughter. We had exchanged emails a few months ago, if you ever need anything please don't hesitate to ask - my direct email is .
Amy If you need any help with corel or the cutting just let me know. I am sorry for your ordeal. I wish you the best and am here if you need any help. I can remote into to your computer to help with graphics if it will help keep you going. Call me direct at 800-314-6390 ext 139. I will be happy to help no charge.
This just goes to show what a great forum this is!! People willing to reach out and help another person in a difficult situation!!
Kudos to ya'll......
__________________ Big Daddy Screenprinting -Affordable contract Heat Press Services & Low Volume Screen Printing up to 4 spot colors with no setup or screen fees
Amy,
You are a wonderful Mom, and I am so proud of you for even trying to tackle this T-shirt stuff.
If i can help with anything please ask, I will help you however i can, I run corel, xara, photoshop, inkscape, for software
I cut vinyl,
I screenprint with waterbased ink
I am a graphic designer
I work with Rhinestones
Do you know where to get your garments ect?
We Are here to share with each other on this forum, learn listen and then teach those that are just starting out.
Please let me know if i can help with anything, and if you have any type of benefit for your Daughter let me know i will gladly put some thing together for you.
Anything you need please ask.
Sandy jo
MMM
I guess I should have added that I will help any way that I can.
I started out knowing nothing and learned most of what I know now from this forum....no lie!
I have a cutter so I cut & weed vinyl, screenprint and have done heat transfers and dye sublimation. I don't claim to be an expert but will be happy to share what I know or point you in what I think might be the right direction.
Good luck...God Bless...and I pray for a speedy recovery for your daughter.
John
__________________ Big Daddy Screenprinting -Affordable contract Heat Press Services & Low Volume Screen Printing up to 4 spot colors with no setup or screen fees
Amy I am so sorry for you and your friends and family. If there's anything I can help you with, business wise please ask. Our prayers are with your daughter and her family. Mike
My heartfelt blessings to you and your family. It's wonderful that you are keeping the business going until your daughter finally returns home. Miracles happen every day and I will pray for one for you and Paige.
My 22 year old daughter was killed in a riding accident this past January and I actually started my rhinestone T-shirt business in honor of her. She loved all things sparkly. I haven't actually launched yet but have booked my first home t-shirt party in October.
This is a great forum with so many friendly, talented and helpful people. With the help you find here, I'm sure that you will have your business running smoothly in no time.
I like how you are using Corel Draw to stimulate Paige. It was something that she was probably used to doing everyday so, I think that is a great idea to help bring her back.
I wish you only the best and will keep you and Paige in my prayers. Hugs!
I'll be praying for you guys. I have a lot of experience with the "designing" aspects of CorelDraw, so if you need help in that area, feel free to PM or email me and I'll try to help.
Girls In The Garage 
