Hello U-Create readers! I am so excited to be guest posting here today. It just so happens to be my first guest post and I'm still a little shocked that it's here at Ucreate, one of my favorite blogs!
A little bit about me..
I'm from a little town called Keller, Texas.
I'm a junior at Texas A&M University (whoop!).
I'm working on my education degree and expect to be an elementary school teacher in just two short years.
When I'm not busy studying for classes, I love to sew. In fact, I'm all about DIY fashion.
I just started blogging in May and have already met all kinds of wonderful women, I hope you'll stop by and say hi too!
Watermark Tee Tutorial
What I love about this project is that it's completely customizable. I used favorite quotes to decorate my shirt but you could also use song lyrics, bible verses, favorite book excerpts, etc. You can also choose whatever color you like. I think it would be a very kid-friendly project as well. There are so many possibilities!
Materials:
Elmer's Blue Gel Glue (it must be the blue gel, white won't work)
Fabric Dye (RIT is my tried and true brand)
A white cotton Tee, Tank, Dress etc.
Tutorial:
If you're unfamiliar with Batiking, it's a method of dyeing fabric in which you create a design with a dye- resist. When you dye your garment in cold water, all will be colored except where you've placed your dye resist. In traditional batiking, you would use wax as a resist. I tried this out and found it to be messy and difficult to control. Using store bought glue is much more convenient and very easy to control.
Step 1: Prepare
Wet your tee with cool water and place a water resistant board between the layers of fabric. I used the lid of a bin.
Step 2: Design
I'm not much of an artist, so what worked best for me was writing favorite quotes right across the front of the shirt.
This quote was found via Pinterest
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| Source |
You could also try drawing a simple design like my very amateur sailboat:
Let dry completely. This will take several hours.
Step 3: Dye
Your dye bath should be prepared using cool water. Experiment with different amounts of dye until you find the right concentration. Keep in mind that the color that comes out of the dye bath will be a couple of shades darker than the dry, finished garment.
When you get the color you want, lay your tee flat to dry.
Step 4: Wash
When your tee is dry (to let the dye set) soak it in cool, soapy water for about 15 minutes. This soak washes the extra glue out. Throw it in the washer and dry as you would normally.
Step 5: Wear and Enjoy!
Thank you so much for having me Kari!









Wow. I am continually amazed at what people come up with. I love it.
ReplyDeleteYeah those are really pretty!
DeleteI was looking for a method for dying the white pillow cases that were given to me to sew pillowcase dresses and I think this is it. Thank you for sharing - when I get them done I'll post some pictures. Regards Thea
DeleteSo cool! Love this for a little girls top! I have so many songs that I sing to her, it would be great to see it on a shirt :)
ReplyDeleteI love her! She is sooo great!
ReplyDeleterachelsayumi.blogspot.com
Popped in to say hi! That's seriously cool!
ReplyDeleteThis is so amazing! love it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute idea!!! I have to try it!
ReplyDeleteXoxo, Ashley
justmeandtex.blogspot.com
WHOOP! So fun to see an Aggie featured on here. And what a cool project! You have some seriously great creativity going on.
ReplyDeletesuper cute and fun. You are a gorgeous model!
ReplyDeleteLove this. How creative!
ReplyDeleteI...Love...This. I would love to make these with my kids too. Excellent tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI will admit to some skepticism when I saw the title of the post as well as the materials, but once I cycled through the entry I had to eat my words -- this was super cool, super easy, and came out super chic! :D
ReplyDeletesuper cute, love the writing. :)
ReplyDeleteadorable! I love Katy's blog :)
ReplyDeleteUmm this is amazing and I'm making one this weekend!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Can't wait to do my own!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute project! I'm going to try this for some cute shirts for my 2-year old!
ReplyDeleteWhat a Great idea!
ReplyDeletefreshlycompleted.blogspot.com
This girl is amazing! I just recently jumped on the Sweet Verbana train. She is just a doll too. Love this idea and I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat an AWESOME diy. Gotta try it!
ReplyDeleteWHOOP! We are the Aggies, the Aggies are we! :) Love love love this- definitely going to try it for my random boutique collection! Thank you so much for the creative inspiration and instructions.
ReplyDeleteAlicia, Class of '05
www.Etsy.com/shop/SweetishBaby
www.sweetishbabyboutique.blogspot.com
Very nice! I thought it would be a bleach pen craft! haha.
ReplyDeleteLOVE! So cute. Just started following your blog, very impressed by what you have up so far!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I am elementary art teacher and I can see doing this in an after-school club. I'm also expecting and I do believe this method would be so cool on a cute little baby onesie or two!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Jen N.
This is SO cool!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adore this! Thank you so much for sharing! I can't wait to make some cute tees!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial, I'll try it!
ReplyDeleteGreat project! I may be trying this on some onesies :) Enjoy A&M all you can! Abby (Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '02 - Whoop!)
ReplyDeleteWhoop! Love seeing Aggies around the internet! I'm a junior Viz major at A&M.
ReplyDeleteThis is so clever! I've got to try this.
I love this! I am going to try it out today with my daughter for an upcoming baseball game we are going too.
ReplyDeleteLOVE. Such a great idea! Everything Katy does is great. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! What a great and easy way! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love this tutorial!! I'm going to do this in every color Rit I can find this weekend.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I can't wait to do this with my girls!
ReplyDeleteWoww! Such a great idea! I love your blog, and recently I had found Katy's blog. Thnaks for this tutorial!
ReplyDeleteLudmi
You're so lovely and this is an awesome tutorial and so very trendy right now! Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteI am just sad that my Target didn't have the blue gel glue.:( I was buying school supplies today and thought I would pick some up but no luck. I will keep searching because I adore this!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!!! And it can be done with kids too! I am excited to find a fellow Texas blogger, I live in Lewisville, just down the road from you. I just love this idea!
ReplyDeleteThat is seriously sooooo cool!! I can't wait to try it!!
ReplyDeleteHow neat is this? Ist wonderful. I think I might try this out with my granddaughter. Thanks so much
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea...it's lovely.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately there is no Elmer's Blue Gel Glue in Germany, but I'm going to with other washable glue.
Thanks for the inspiration :)
SO doing this... and pinning it! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE it...tfs. Great tut!
ReplyDelete:)
I love it! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI am having trouble finding the blue school glue at target or walmart, they said they don't sell it anymore.... do you know if the clear school glue will work? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI would try a craft store like Joann's, Hobby Lobby or Micheal's...I got mine at Micheal's because I had the same problem with places like Walmart and Target.
DeleteThanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI have a character t-shirt in white that I want to dye or tie-dye, but I didn't want the character's colors to change. I couldn't figure out how to do it. Now I know! ^_^
Very cool idea. So much better than the mess of wax. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh wow--I'm already dreaming up very cool ideas. I can't wait to give this a try... on my old white tshirts that could easily be revamped and on baby onesies as bay gifts... :)
ReplyDeleteHow FANTASTIC!!! AWESOME idea!! You did such a great job and even if you cant draw a sailboat....THAT is awesome too!! LOL...going to go check out your blog!! Bye!!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I also tried batiking in high school and also found it too messy - so - I love this idea and can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it would be possible to take an old colored t-shirt and make up a mild bleach solution and do this in reverse??? Any thoughts on that idea???
Lisa
We did this in Girl Scouts decades ago....use a dark colored shirt and use liquid dishwasher soap (the kind that contains bleach). It will not bleach the shirt white (if you have a navy shirt, where you use the soap, it will turn it several shades lighter but not white). Still it is very unique looking. For intricate patterns, use a small artist paint brush dipped in the soap.
DeleteKay
I bought my glue at Michaels today for about 2 bucks. I have 4 shirts now waiting to dry overnight and I will begin to dye them in the morning. I have 2 with inspirational quotes from Maya Angelou and 1 that has hearts all over ( I may try to ombre dye that one ). Thank your for the idea and options for taking a boring tee and turning it into a masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
L.O.V.E. this! It is definitely on my Crafts To-Do list.
ReplyDeleteLove this!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a member of PRSSA and this will be a great way to make shirts for our national conference this year!!
This is awesome I can't wait to try it. I'm going to re blog this its so cool!!
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering... Will this work if you don't wet the shirt first??
ReplyDeleteI completely forgot, until I re-checked the tutorial :/
Wow! I could make this for my sister - she loves to draw :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to wet the shirt before, but it still worked beautifully!
ReplyDeleteLove this and have to try. I'm from Keller, great place. lived there. 12 years and now retired in Ma. Good luck at A&M
ReplyDeleteI turned two responsible teen-aged artist girls loose on this project. Came home both days in a row and found the house intact. Yesterday they did the art work, today they did the dying. Now the shirts are drying waiting to be washed. Cool and easy. I am only sad that I didn't get to do one for my toddler and myself. Hopefully I will find the time and space for that.
ReplyDeleteI tried this with a bunch of teenage girls, they were all so excited but the glue washed off and the whole shirt was dyed. How long do you leave it in the dye? Maybe we left them in too long. :(
ReplyDeleteI just did this with my daughter. We used the white washable RoseArt glue and it worked fine. We noticed the glue was starting to get soft, so we took it out of the dye sooner than we would have liked. But still, amazing results!
ReplyDeleteI found this post on pintrest!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea!
Ps. way to be a loud proud fightin Texas Aggie! A! A! A! A! A!
I made this today/yesterday, and it looks pretty cool! I had some problems in the beginning, so here are my notes: leave the shirt dry. It spread all over the place and was illegible when I did it wet. Also, be sure to use Elmer's brand glue. I used the clear gel kind, and it turned out fine. Before that, I tried a blue version that was a store brand. It wasn't as thick so it was also illegible.
ReplyDeleteThat is genius!
ReplyDeletei love this shirt!! would it work with a ribbed top?
ReplyDeleteum, cutest thing ever. can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeletesad face...when I tried it while my shirt was damp, like Kristen said, it spread all over the place so I just threw that one in the wash. My 2nd attempt, well...I'm not convinced yet. Still having some running issues. I'm using the clear Elmer's glue. Might try the white next time as I couldn't find the blue. I'll be dyeing it in the morning. keep your fingers crossed for me!
ReplyDeleteokay. happy face instead now! used white elmer's glue. didn't wet shirt. perfection. just dyed it & now it's drying. Will wash glue off & wash/dry in the AM. CAN'T wait to wear it! I was able to write part of the Holstee Manifesto on it. :D
ReplyDeleteLove, Love, LOVE! This is positively genius! Will definitely be doing this from now on and creating my own t-shirts.
ReplyDeletethat is the cutest t-shirt design ever!!
ReplyDeleteoh.my.goodness!! would make like a hundred of these!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is so so so so so so awesome! I am a total quote freak, and this would just be the coolest thing ever. I think I'll have to go find some glue!:D
ReplyDeleteHow cute and simple! My daugther is going to try this with my granddaughter... great idea...
ReplyDeleteLOVE THIS!
ReplyDeleteVery nice, thank you!
ReplyDelete"Amaturish" or not, the sailboat one is my favorite! Too cute!
ReplyDeleteabsolutly adorable! i have so many of my new designs i can make this with!!!
ReplyDelete... i gotta try this! this is awesome! :D
ReplyDeleteNice one
ReplyDeletejust tried it! I don't think I used enough glue on my first one but the second looks great!!!! thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteStumbled upon this and thought i would say its cool and Whoop! Great to see an aggie on here. Thanks and Gig'em
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome craft! I can't wait to share it with my Granddaughter who is 15. Thx for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Softa123
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing! The sailboat turned out great!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! I wish I had done the same with my shirt that got a bleach stain on it.
ReplyDeleteso creative!!!
ReplyDeleteReally great. I need to buy some blue glue and get on it with some of my t-shirts
ReplyDeleteIt's VERRRYY COOlllll....
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Parfum
Has anyone tried this with yellow dye??
ReplyDeleteI love the pink tee. In my mind's eye, I can imagine how wonderful a peony would look with this technique.
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS tutorial. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea!! Very simple and cute. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteWow I must be the only guy on here. lol A bit awkward for me to comment, but I came across this on stumble upon. I just recently started making my own shirts to save some cash and for me to come across this is really awesome! Great job on the tutorial, and much thanks from one college student to another!
ReplyDeleteTried this technique with onesies, problem is the blue gel glue spread out and didn't stay as defined as your example. would a dry shirt work better?
ReplyDeleteAdorable! In LOVE with this idea!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this so much and am thinking about throwing a batiking party as a Christmas gift to my friends. However, we will be having said party during exams and won't have a whole lot of time. So, is there a safe way to get the glue to dry faster?
ReplyDeleteI love this idea and was thinking of having a batiking party for my friends as a Christmas gift. However, we won't have a whole lot of time to craft, so is there a safe way to get the glue to dry faster?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your awesomeness!
Fantastic! We're doing homemade for the Holiday this year and this will make great gifts! Thanks so much for sharing this great idea!!
ReplyDeletethat's amazing! so easy... totally gonna do it!
ReplyDeletesuch a great idea! Thanks for sharing this one!
ReplyDeleteI'm making these as Christmas gifts for my college roommates--using lyrics from their favorite songs and then using a dye in their favorite color. So genius--thanks!
ReplyDeleteHow fun is that? Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! It seems so simple to do...I will be trying this out very soon.
ReplyDeleteSuper cool! Who would have thought that elmers glue could do so much. Going to do this for sure!
ReplyDeleteAmaze! So glad Stumble Upon sent me your way!!!
ReplyDelete@breaellis
http://whatiworetiptotoe.blogspot.com
Great idea. My kids at school would love this project. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love that you used gel glue, that really makes it a lot easier and controllable (I think). Thanks for sharing the tutorial, I'll have to try this with my kids and maybe...even as gifts!
ReplyDeleteLove love love this. I'm always creating art that I feel is "useless" in a sense. But with this... I can wear it! Amaze!
ReplyDeleteVery Very cool!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, i could use it in my cotton bags.
ReplyDeletewow! you did it well! will surely try it when Christmas vacation starts...
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and tutorial. What a fun project! Thanks for taking the time to post!
ReplyDeleteNice idea.. really inovative.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering, do you think this would work with white converse? please help!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome tutorial, and who would have thought simple glue would work so well? Thank you, Kari, for allowing Sweet Verbana to share on your blog!
ReplyDeletewow, what a great idea! i havent seen,oar heard of any uses for fabric dye since tye-dye! not only that ,but what a cute way to personalize homemade gifts!with the econamy the way it is a couple white t shirts and some dye , could potentionally b gifts for the family this christmas !
ReplyDeletegreat idea , what a wonderfull homade gift for the hollidays!cant wait to try it!
ReplyDeletei stumbled upon this and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I recently did some batiking at a girl scout event with wax. it was awful! the wax was practically impossible to control and the fabric turned out really stiff and uncomfortable. this is a MUCH better idea!
ReplyDeletelove love love this! i stumbled upon this and it's a great idea! i recently did some batiking at a girl scout event with wax. it was awful! the wax was practically impossible to control and the fabric turned out stiff and uncomfortable. this is such a better idea!
ReplyDeleteI do not know how I missed this tutorial! Thanks for the tutorial. I will have to find myself a white maternity top and make it super cute with this technique! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome project!
ReplyDeleteGood work. thank you for sharing such a beautiful snaps
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea! I love it!
ReplyDeleteNow that is a super cute idea! I may have to try this sometime! :)
ReplyDelete-Mandee from http://raisingmy5sons.com
Great job m gonna try it soonn !! 8)
ReplyDeleteFantastic! I am completely craft-imp[aired, but I love this so much I will definitely give it a try!
ReplyDeleteDo you think this would work if i put the glue on jeans and bleached the jeans? Because I want to make cool vintage star shorts :)
ReplyDeleteWOW super smart and creative :D
ReplyDeleteSuch a CREAT idea! And so easy! I can try that with 4 year old niece and nephew and four grandsons. They would love the idea. Thanks. So clever!
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing! So simple and so cool! I must try this. Such creative people out there. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWow, amazing tutorial! Thank you for sharing such a creative and fun idea. I will definitely have to try this soon. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute idea- I used to dye my white pants all sorts of colors when I was younger I never thought to do the same with a shirt, simple yet cute!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love creativity and you certainly have a gift and are using it to your full potential. Good Luck with all this - you are a very talented young lady. B.T.W...my son is a junior (4th year) at Rochester Institute of Technology in NY (they go 5 years with 1 full year as a paid co-op) so I know all to well that juggling school with what you love to do can be hard but it's oh so worth it. My son has helped me with my business so many t
ReplyDeleteI love the way you put it here online to demonstrate things Well done
ReplyDeleteThis is actually SO AMAZING. First DIY in a while I am dying to try ASAP. Love the pink, love the sailboat.. I want to try an anchor tee! Thanks for sharing + inspiring. xo
ReplyDeleteAmanda
somethingtrendy.blogspot.com
This DIY is sooooo awesome!!!! I love it so much!. I made mine with Elmer's washable white glue and it worked out great! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! You could also use this as a gift to your bridal party and make write a favorite memory you shared with that person on it! They will have it as a keepsake forever!
ReplyDeleteI really want to try this out, its so nice, I do tie and dye but I have never done it this way, I am so going to try this out this summer.
ReplyDeletethis is such amazing idea!
ReplyDeletei definitely have to try it soon :)
xxx
LOVE this idea. I cannot wait to try!
ReplyDeleteI'm not an Ag but reside in CS.
Looking forward to seeing more of you ideas!
Lovely, it more practical then with wax like batik dye. Thanks
ReplyDeletethis is ingenious!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! I realized when I was writing with the glue you have to make sure there is good space in the curves of the letter because it bleeds pretty good.Part of my shirt is just a blob lol
ReplyDeleteLoved this! I just made a shirt for my daughter for Valentine's Day. Will def. make a great summer project for the neighborhood kids.
ReplyDeleteSo nice idea and it is useful for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet!! I cant wait to try it!!
ReplyDeletehey its awesome idea coollll... will try this
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun! What a great idea. Can't wait to try it:)
ReplyDeleteawesome idea...
ReplyDeleteWhat a FABULOUS idea! Gotta do this!!! Oh, and by the way, I'm from Keller TX too--small world!
ReplyDeleteThat is really creative!
ReplyDeleteI want to do the same, but I'm from the Netherlands and I'm afraid we don't have that glue you use. Do you have any idea what I can use instead? Does it have to be blue glue?
Keep up the good work!
it can be plain glue! that is what i used and it worked!!
DeleteMy girl scouts tried this with boy boxer shorts to make pajamas. They wrote the lyrics to their favorite songs on them and they came out precious!
ReplyDeletewow.............
ReplyDeleteits realy good...........
Love this. Now I have to figure out what I want to put on my Tees. Great post.
ReplyDeleteGreat!!! Wish you all the best on this Valentine's Day. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteVery nice!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an awesome idea to do with my teenage daughter. She lost two classmates this year in a car accident & making a tee with a quote, saying or just their names would be a very healing project for her...THANKS!!
ReplyDeleteGetting to know how to create new designs, and clothes,.,Is a real blessing, I love to see what others are up to,.its fun to share ideas.
ReplyDeleteGetting to know how to create new designs, and clothes,.,Is a real blessing, I love to see what others are up to,.its fun to share ideas.
ReplyDeletegreat creation. so nice of you to share. thank you.
ReplyDeleteWHere do you get your white t-shirts from? Target has them in the mens section, but there 2 big on me and don't have that cute pocket! Places like goodwill dont have just plain ones. Target? Walmart? Forever 21? Urban Outfitters? Pac Sun? American Apparel? Where did you get them at.....
ReplyDeletetarget carries boyfriend tees for women with the pocket... i have tons... they r around 8 dollars
DeleteI bought mine at Walmart for @ $4.00-$5.00. No pocket, though.
DeleteCute this is a awesome thing to do.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone willing to attempt this... DO NOT, i repeat, DO NOT forget to wash your garment before throwing into the dryer... YOU WILL SEE DISASTER!!!!!
ReplyDeletevery good!
ReplyDeleteThe simplest ideas just work the best! Love that girls hair!
ReplyDeleteVery fine your T-Shirt.I like your T-Shirt.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Love this thank u.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for share, great idea
ReplyDeleteHoly crap that is brilliant. i am so going to try this!
ReplyDeleteWow that's awesome! Great tutorial. I'll be doing this my girls very soon!
ReplyDeleteAwesome..very nice..Super like..
ReplyDeletewow.... its so simple yet amazing.. will definetly try it out!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWOW! love it <3 im defiantly going to try this. THANKS!! :D
ReplyDeleteWoW Very Cut
ReplyDeleteVery cool!!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking all over for the Elmer's blue gel glue (Walmart, Office Depot, CVS, Walgreens, HEB, Kroger, and Texas Art Supply). Anyone know where I can buy it, not online? Or know of anything you can use instead? Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find it anywhere either, I had to order from Amazon...
DeleteOthers have said the white washable glue worked just fine. I'm going to try it as I cannot find the blue glue either.
DeleteI was able to easily find it at JoAnn Fabrics.
DeleteWe got the Gel Glue in South Texas at Office Depot 1.99 per bottle?
ReplyDeleteHOLY COW!! This idea is awesome!! I will be doing this !! THanks a bunch !!!!
ReplyDeletewow lovely its a fantastic Idea , Thanks for Sharing
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! Going to make one for my Adventure Girls!
ReplyDeleteI tried this once, but I used yellow and didn''t let it dry after the dye bath. It didn't work that time, but I decided to try again. I used one of the yellow shirts, but I did it in pink dye. It ended up coming out as a really cool shade of coral.
ReplyDeleteThis turned out really well for me! Thank you so much for sharing your idea! I even did tried it with my little brother, and he loved it.
ReplyDeleteI used white elmers glue and it worked!! i just had to wait until it was completely dry, but it turned out the exact same :)
ReplyDeletewill be doing this with the kids during summer vacation! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWho would have thought!! Great idea I will do with mys tudents and my own kids soon! Im a teacher in Tx too!! ♥
ReplyDeleteThis is great!! Do you know if this will work on canvas (like a canvas tote bag or apron)?
ReplyDeleteOh I just love this, what a nice way to upcycle something old.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I just made these tees! Great idea, thanks!!
ReplyDeleteGreat! this is very interesting and m gonna try this on the weekend, thank u so much!
ReplyDeleteThis is genius! Testing it out ASAP!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute idea! I'll have to pin it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration.
Genny