FAQ: ACROSS THE PRIVET

I CAN WASH THIS ART--SERIOUSLY? YEP.

It all goes in your home washer & dryer without fear--it has to.
When I had kids I was mystified & mortified, shocked & chagrinned by the laundry involved.
Never wear art that's bigger than you are...

HOW?

Laundry Instructions: Oxi-Clean (spray or powder) is magic, especially on the collar, cuffs & for all other minor travesties.
Sometimes a soak in plain water is all you need. Turn it inside out (your little Houdini's probably done that for you) and wash it. Hurl it in the dryer. Your piece will come out looking pristine, fresh & ready for the next meleé. Even the whites.

To bleach or not to bleach, that is the question: People have really strong feelings about bleach these days. My father bleaches all of his Happy Tomato pieces, and it does not affect the ink (of course, he’s doing grown-up, not infant laundry).
Only you can decide your comfort-level with chemicals, but I find very, very judicious use of bleach…reassuring. The guest bathroom and dish-towels demand it on occasion.

CAN I HAVE A DIFFERENT COLOR?

The Happy Tomato mantra is: Of course you can.
You can always specify the color INK you want, and the FABRIC color--no matter what 's offered here. Just tack a note on with Paypal, or e-mail directly.
ONE CAVEAT: Because the ink is baby-skin/enviro-friendly and non-plasticky, light ink on a dark fabric is just not worth it. We want you to be happy, and will help you get what you want in your design.

NEW BLOCK DESIGNS?

New blocks arise organically: they're inspired or flat-out requested. Every block has a back-story. Old VWs are an obsession. My daughter's playmate loves fire engines. My mother is Nonnie (Italian for grandmother), and loves fish and waterfowl. My friend Susannah (Wolf) got breast cancer last year. Wilco put a macramé owl onstage for awhile for fun, etc, etc. Of course, there's been a Spanish Galleon sitting uncarved for months because I love it, but was resisting the Pirate craze, and there's an old Triumph Bonneville I started because I know Hugh Laurie has a fondness for them, and I have a fondness for him.

Want something you don't see?-- you can't complain about its absence if you don't ask. Foolish never applies to questions; only to pants, micro-miniature dogs & poor Scrabble moves.

LOOKS PRETTY COMFY...CAN WE SNOOZE IN IT?*

It is (and much more comfortable than wearing a stretched canvas), but don't sleep in it; it's not designed for that. *This is your basic disclaimer.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

No one's ever said this to you?: "You're a happy tomato." My two year-old came up with this sing-songy name for something I kept doodling in red Sharpie, which became the logo.
It's sort of equal parts 70's Happy Face, Spaghettio's guy, and Maternal Folklore/Wisdom icon ("Never marry a man who doesn't like tomatoes."). In a nutshell: it's the naturally playful, red-red You-Must-Grin-Back-At-Me confidence of childhood.

CAN I JUST TELL YOU WHAT I WANT?

Of course. Just call or send an e-mail with what you're looking for, and I will walk you through ordering.

WHEN WILL I GET MY STUFF?

Because every order is completely custom, it does take a wee bit longer than the Gap. Most orders are received within 2 weeks of being placed. We think you’ll find it’s worth the wait to have something truly exceptional. To help ease those pins and needles, we ship using Priority Mail service, and we only charge you what it truly costs us to ship it out.

CURRENT SHIPPING COSTS:

Merchandise Amount	Shipping Rate
$ 0-50	$ 5
$ 50-100	$ 6
$ 100-150	$ 7
Over $ 150	Free

All orders shipped via Priority Mail for a Snappy Tomato!

CAN YOU, DO YOU, WOULD YOU…GIFT-WRAP?

Sure. All orders come tissue-wrapped and sealed with an HT logo-sticker. We can gussy it up for you further, or add a card if you like. Give us a call, or note in the comments section of your order.

GOT SOMETHING TO ASK US?

Please send us questions and comments via e-mail or telephone.