Another Real Bishop - and a lot of fabric ones!

My first order of merchandise from the original embroidered Bishop’s bag was intended as a trial run . It enabled me to reject the calico bags as a way forward, and to adjust (or try to adjust!) the position of a couple of images that had been cut off in the printing process on the purple tote bag and the cushion.

What I hadn’t foreseen was the appointment of a new bishop. Tiffany Sparks was appointed Assistant Bishop in Grafton on 5 December! The bag said Bishops 2025 AU so I really did need to add her name - on the original and the spin-offs.

The original was now lined, but I managed to find a space at the top, near the handle and embroider Tiffany Grafton 2025 without going into the lining. 

I also eventually managed to source a purple archival pen with a tip that allowed me to add Tiffany's name to the existing printed bags so it is both visible and waterproof. The much greater challenge was to re-photograph and amend the templates on the VistaPrint and Snapfish websites to reorder.

It took me around 20 hours to manage it. Combining up to 15 photos into a single jpeg (the format the template requires) is a challenge. In the end I imported photos into a Word file and saved it as a pdf. There is no provision on a MacAir to convert a pdf into a jpeg.  A screenshot of a pdf will produce a jpeg, but too small for the printing process. So I sent the pdf to OfficeWorks to print a colour photograph, then placed the photo on a piece of purple card, scanned it with a purple border and saved it as a jpeg. Whew!

I now understand from a friend that a PC will convert a pdf to a jpeg. She has offered to do it for me if there is a next time!

Eventually I had a cushion ready to order for printing in Australia, and a revised two-sided tote bag ready to order from an Australian company that will print it in China. With some trepidation I ordered 3 cushions and 6 tote bags. It's a risk, but ordering one of each to check the print ends up prolonging the process, expense and inconvenience. I took the risk. I think I might need more than I've ordered. Hopefully if so  this might be a straight repeat without messing around manipulating images. 

Both orders arrived by courier - presenting me with challenges. I managed to divert the cushions to my local Pack and Send. I wasn’t expecting each one in a large box taped up into one metre-high parcel! Fortunately they were light, as I had to park a block away.

The print is clear and the names can be read. The copyright message is missing, replaced by a repeat of the title in small print - but I’m not redoing because of that.

The bag courier sent me a message at 8.00am to say they would deliver that day between 9.50am and 1.50pm. I cancelled Pilates. At 4pm they sent a message to say they'd tried to deliver but I wasn't home! Lie! At 6pm they informed me they had taken it to Pack and Send.

I picked it up this morning.  This is one side. When I ordered, I had ticked a box saying "remove background". While I like the purple , the letters do not come out clearly on it. 

This called for more archival pens than I had, so I took myself off to Art to Art, discussed the problem, and bought a range of permanent, archival and water-resistant pens.

I have now repaired three of the six bags (example below). The other three will be done tomorrow. I think they pass muster - just. I do hope a few bishops agree with me.

While I am satisfied with the four cushions and 9 bags I now have, if I need to order more I will:

• not choose the 'remove background' option
• have them delivered somewhere that a courier can leave them.

It's been a really interesting, mad project. I've learned quite a lot and I very much hope they bring a smile and sense of pride to a few people.