Crazy About Dance

We have MOVED :)

2009-02-07T13:47:00.002-06:00

Check out our new site and blog at www.SpiritMarkUSA.com

A Great Resource

2008-09-03T17:23:00.002-05:00

I literally stumbled on this site, www.dancemedia.com, and had a great time looking through all of the videos. It appears to have some great resources for dancers and instructors. Have fun!

2008-08-30T08:10:00.003-05:00

So the business (Spirit Mark) is in a huge transition. It is so exciting watching it grow! We have just hired a new sales rep Staci. She is awesome and will do such a good job of communicating with all of our customers and keeping everything in order. We are so glad to have her!

Good Luck Staci and may this never happen to you!

One week and counting...

2008-08-17T18:44:00.007-05:00

So in Texas, we are about to start school. Which means, after school practices, pep rallies and football games. It has been a few years since I directed a team, and even more since I was on the field dancing. But I always get the nervous excitement that comes along with this season. New teams on the field for the first time....seniors preforming their last game....homecoming and more. So when Molly the rookie forgets her poms, take a deep breath, remember why you love it, and smile.

Enjoy, enjoy, ENJOY!

Into the WILD!

2008-08-08T14:20:00.004-05:00

We applied zebra striped applique letters to this tank top along with adding the team's name below. It turned out great and is the perfect tank for practice days or pep rallies. As pictured, the tank is $20.00.

So You Think You Can Dance! Who will it be?

2008-08-07T09:51:00.002-05:00

I just had to post today because I am so excited about the results show tonight. I feel so attached to all of them and can't believe that there has to be one winner. Right now, I have to choose Joshua (props to Texas!) but really I am happy however it turns out. What I love so much about this show being popular is that it brings dance back on the scene. It reminds me of the 80's....Flashdance, Fame or Girls Just Want to Have Fun!

Warm Up tops with Pizzazz!

2008-08-04T13:31:00.006-05:00

We used a gold metallic applique material for this warm up top. The metallic fabric is available in gold, silver and several other colors.

Warmup as shown (with coordinating pants) is $66.00. Price also includes front embroidery. Add $4.00 to embroider member names on pants.

Awesome Video! Treadmill dancing....

2008-08-02T19:03:00.003-05:00

You are never going to believe this but it's true...these guys have created the art of treadmill dancing. The band is OK GO and they rock in this video!

Featured Rhinestone Tee!

2008-07-25T09:52:00.005-05:00

Have a look at this rhinestone shirt! Choose your color of tee (listed below) and we will add your team or school name across the front in rhinestones. They are only $18.00 each, with a minimum of 12 ordered. Choose from 4 fonts Block, Script, Funky or Athletic. Please allow two weeks for delivery after payment is received.

What is Applique Anyway?

2008-07-18T15:24:00.007-05:00

One of the questions that we hear the most is "What is applique?" There are several forms of applique, but in the spirit wear industry, it usually involves layers of fabric and an embroidery machine. If you have ordered applique before, and it came without stitching, then it was not done correctly. Watch this short video to see how the process works on some of our warm up tops.

Dots, Dots and more Dots

2008-06-24T13:47:00.004-05:00

We have some great new fabric options for our applique process. One is a series with dots. We have red/white, lime/white, black/white, pink/white, fuchsia/white and navy/white. Check out these hoodies that use the black and white dots on a Columbia Blue Twill.

These hoodies are $30.00 and you can update with your team colors and name.

From Solo to Ensemble...Dance and Be Merry!

2008-06-23T19:31:00.004-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

This video made reminded me of the happiness that dance can bring. It is so infectious. Take a few minutes to enjoy.

Rhinstone, or as we call it, Bling Bling

2008-06-09T10:53:00.005-05:00

Even though the kids are out for the summer, we are working like crazy to get orders ready for when school starts again. We have several drill teams, elementary schools and other orders that we need to get out. One thing stands out about this years orders though.....and that is RHINESTONES! Everyone wants them and they are my favorite orders to do. Here is an example of one we did last week for the Gold Dusters.

So You Think You Can Dance!

2008-05-22T07:17:00.002-05:00

Well tonight is the big night. Not only have my husband and I been married for 9 years today, but So You Think You Can Dance premieres! Yippee!

Zebra Stripes

2008-05-21T14:08:00.003-05:00

Zebra prints are soooo in right now. We can add them to school letters and create a cool effect. Check out this cheer design we did recently.

Too Funny!

2008-05-07T11:43:00.003-05:00

I found this video blog and wanted to share it. This guy just picks a pop song and then freestyle dances in crazy places. http://www.vimeo.com/daveydanceblog
I think it might be a fun bonding project for new squads. Have them dance as a group in a cool spot, upload and share with the team. If anyone tries it, let me know and we can post the videos here....

Stock Designs

2008-05-06T07:09:00.006-05:00

One of the questions that we are asked frequently is "how do the stock designs work?" I wanted to post an example of an updated stock screenprint that we did this week.. The first is our basic stock. The next is updated with school and team name, the year, school colors and clip art. There is no set up for this kind of design and it looks like a custom team logo!

Family Pride

2008-05-05T13:06:00.002-05:00

As I strolled through Six Flags over Texas this weekend, I was bombarded with hot pink spiritwear. Little did I know, that Six Flags was hosting a cheer competition on Saturday and that there would be junior squads running around everywhere. Of course my two sons were totally into it! One of things that i noticed was the amount of pride and spirit that these families have for their athlete. There were "Cheer Dad," "Cheer Mom," and believe it not, "Cheer Brother" shirts walking around. They ranged in decoration from basic screenprint and embroidery, to rhinestone and self created masterpieces. I just loved it and it reminded me of why I do what I do. One of the greatest things in life is to feel part of a group where you are loved and respected. Sometimes it is hard say out loud....but a "Cheer Dad" tee says it all :)

Gift Certificates from DTDA

2008-05-01T20:50:00.002-05:00

Spirit Mark gave away three $175.00 gift certificates at the DTDA convention this year. So far, Venus ISD and Hardin Jefferson ISD have called to cash in. I am just wondering where lucky ticket #3 is.... :) I had a great time at convention this year. It was fun to see some old familiar faces and meet lots of new ones.

Courtney Morawski Profile.

2008-05-01T08:58:00.003-05:00

I am the owner of Spirit Mark/Make Your Mark, Inc. We are a full-service dance/drill and spirit wear company.

My husband got me into blogging and I love it. I also participate in a social network called Drill Team USA. It's kind of like Facebook or MySpace, but is a closed group just for current, past and future Dance/Drill Directors.Please let me know of any great dance/drill sites you find. Thanks for stopping by!

My Favorite Summer Show

2008-04-30T15:44:00.002-05:00

Okay, so those of you who do not know, I LOVE "So You Think You Can Dance." So much so that I dragged my husband to the live show last fall. He just loved hanging out with all those teenage girls ;)

The show begins again on Thursday, May 22. I am so excited!
http://www.fox.com/dance/

Spring Show Design

2008-04-29T14:34:00.004-05:00

It is always so much fun to create a new design for a special event. This design was created for a drill team's spring show. We took the concept from a current team members shirt. Then we added stars and decided to use black and white ink. This design will be added to our "Two Color" stock screen prints for you to add your team name and update with any colors you would like for future orders. The design name is dance025.

Judging

2008-04-28T19:35:00.004-05:00

In the spring, my Friday evenings quickly fill up with judging local high school drill team tryouts. This past Friday was no exception. I judged at Mansfield High School, my alma mater, and had the privilege of sitting next to my high school drill team director Mrs. Stephanie Burgoon. We exchanged memories of my drill team days and discussed gathering for a reunion at our next homecoming game. It is funny how the bonds of drill team can make 16 years seem like only a few moments ago. I took a moment to appreciate the journey that these new 14 year old girls were about to embark on. It is only the beginning for them...

Book Cart Drill Team

2008-04-25T11:38:00.003-05:00

Okay ladies, if you have not seen a "book cart" drill team, then you are truly missing out! Last weekend I went to a scrapbook crop with a bunch of librarians (my mother and her friends). Someone asked what my company did and I replied as usual, "we outfit dance and drill teams." Well, everyone started laughing. Come to find out, these libraries were part of a "book cart" drill team. They are even going to a "book cart" drill team competition! too funny....

So, I want to share one of my favorite ones. They are really pretty good :)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pqU6D50QVtM&feature=related

Powder Puff Days

2008-04-24T21:31:00.004-05:00

I had a great time working with the Junior and Senior class ladies from Summit High School on their Powder Puff shirts. It brought back great memories of my powder puff days and watching my boyfriend dressed as a cheerleader!

They chose to add nicknames and class years to the backs of their shirts to show their spirit! I thought that was a great way to add a little personal pizazz to their jerseys.

Go TEAM!