Mini Me Clone

If you don't remember my original clone, it was a lot simpler then this one. The idea is sort of like a Flat Stanley, there are a lot of people I'd like to see and a lot of places I'd like to go, but living in Alaska means that I won't get to do nearly everything I'd like to. So that's where paper clone comes in. If you are going someplace exciting, or even out to coffee with friends and you'd like me to come along, you can print out my paper mini me and take pictures of me with you and email them to me at shalasbeads at gmail you know the rest .. I'd appreciate it so much. So if you're interested, print me out at 100 dpi and put me together. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures!

Snails!

A friend of mine has an obsession with snails lately so I drew one for her then I had to color it in and put it on a box for everyone else. I hope you like it.
As usual, click on the image for the full sized version.
I finished my updates at my main printables page. You can see that here

Cooking Death embroidery pattern

Click on the image to see it full sized, and print on landscape settings. Appropriate for embroidery, wood burning or coloring.

Working on my printables page

I'm working on my printables page right now, and part of what I'm doing is making thumbnails to replace the text link page of the designs I have. Some of the designs are being re-done in the process.
One of them I found that just baffled me was this panda box. I have no idea what I was thinking when I made it, and it was labeled tulip box, and I'm not sure what I meant by tulip box either. So I remade the template a little bigger, renamed it petal box since the flaps look like petals,then test printed it and assembled it to see if it would hold together without tape. It did, the sides a little loose, and you could glue them or tape them shut, but it does close up just fine without tape.
It will be probably a week before I pull down my page and replace it with the new one, but here's a preview of the new box. As usual, click on the image to get the full sized version.

Time and Relative Dimensions in Space

My husband wants to replace our perfectly serviceable shed with a TARDIS. He's a big Dr. Who fan and that was so not helped by the new show which just firmly cemented. I'm not really sure who's the biggest fan, our daughter who has taken to wearing scarves like Tom Baker even when it's really warm, or Mike and his desire to build a TARDIS.
Sometimes though, I can't resist a little joke on Mike, and today, I made up a police call box notice and hung it on our front door.If you click on the image, it's 300 ppi.
For personal use only. Like to bug husbands with by hanging on your front door. After he comes home and sees it, E is planning to put it on her own door. I used repositionable glue on the back to hang it with, and sealed the front with a clear sealing spray. As usual, click on the small image for the full sized version.

Paracord Bracelet

If you're interested in purchasing a finished bracelet, my son has agreed to make them for 12.50 each using handmade clasps, or 14.00 dollars using a plastic clasp. Clasp options are brass, copper or aluminum, color options we can get easily are black, gray or olive. Email me at shalasbeads at (nospam) gmail dot com to order one.
It's always hard to make things for young men isn't it? I made my son a paracord bracelet because I wanted to see if I still remembered how to make them. I bought the paracord, but completely forgot the clasp. Whoops. So after I got home with my paracord, I had to figure out the clasp, I did have some 16 gauge copper wire. So I made a clasp with that. William liked his bracelet enough he asked me to show him how, and has since made them for other male family members.
If you don't know, paracord is also known as 550 cord and sometimes parachute cord. It's a very strong synthetic cord that is used by the military. Paracord bracelets are also known as.. well, a lot of things. If you can't understand my instructions, check out this instructable
You'll need:
Paracord- about 8-10 feet worth. I stretched it out between my arms as far apart as they would go twice, and for me, that's a little under 8 feet, for William, it's a little under 10, William's arms work better for bigger bracelets then mine.
Thread or dental floss- this is a temporary part of the bracelet that will be cut off and discarded, so anything thin and strong will do, if you have pink crochet thread handy, that works.
4.5 inches of 16 gauge wire
scissors
lighter
pliers- I used chain nose and round nose, but next time I'm using my husband's pliers for the extra strength and size.
To start with, the clasp since that's really the only thing new in this version.
Cut a piece of 16 gauge wire about 4.5 inches long. I used copper because I had it on hand. You can buy 16 gauge copper wire at most hardware stores by the foot.
Bend the wire in half, then coil each side up to form loops as evenly as possible. Bend the top part of the clasp over the bottom part to form a hook. See illustration.

Set the clasp aside for a minute, and seal cord ends by holding the end of the cord with the pliers with just a little bit of cord sticking out of the top, and singing it with the pliers until it melts and seals. Be careful with the ends right after you seal them. Molten plastic can leave nasty burns.
Fold the cord in half, and wrap it around your wrist starting at the folded end, add a half inch for the room the knots take, and tie your thread around the 2 strands at that point. Thread each loose end through the loops on the clasp, and start tying square knots. The center folded strands are the filler cord, and you tie your knots with the two loose ends. Left side goes over the filler cord, then under the opposite cord, then take the right hand side, and go under the filler cord, and over the left hand cord.Pull tight, that's half the knot. Then take the left hand side and pass it under the filler cord, and over the right hand cord, and the right hand cord goes over the filler cord, and under the left hand cord. Pull tight, one square knot completed. (see illustration) Tie a few more knots that way,pull tight, push up as needed, and then snip the thread holding the cords together and pull it out.
Continue that way down the cord, pushing up knots as needed to make it tighter. When you've got about an inch left of the filler cord, tie the ends together in a square knot (left over then under right, right over then under left, pull tight) and trim and seal the ends (less secure) or (more secure) tuck the ends of the cord under the last knot on the side that will be facing out, and pull tight, hold both ends with the pliers, and trim, then burn the ends to seal them together.
The sealed ends can be cut off and the bracelet can be unknotted if you ever need 10 feet of really strong cord, which is nifty, but for most of us, unlikely.
Paracord comes in a lot of great colors now, but black or olive are most common. Check your local Army surplus type store or an outdoor sporting goods type store for paracord.
Click for a friendship bracelet project I posted up on Beadwork at Bellaonline

Chocolate Banana Bread

Sugar Free Chocolate Banana Bread
4 large ripe bananas, a little overripe is fine for this. Mine were just edging into "banana bread" only stage.
1 egg
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup Splenda
2 Tbsp vanilla extract (your mileage may vary, but I like a lot of vanilla)
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp. baking soda

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 cup flour -I used Bob's Red Mill whole wheat pastry flour

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mash up bananas well with a wooden spoon. You don't have to be too picky, you can see banana chunks in mine. Mix in butter, Splenda, egg, vanilla and mix it to a really disgusting gloppy looking mess.Stir in baking soda and salt, then mix in the dry ingredients. Cocoa first to get it well mixed in, then the flour.
Pour into greased loaf pan.It will just fill a greased loaf pan to 2/3rd full or thereabouts.
Bake for 1 hour. Let rest for about 10 minutes, and turn out.

With Sugar Chocolate Banana Bread-
4 large ripe bananas (same, overripe is fine)
1 egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil (I used canola, you could use melted butter. It might make it too rich though)
3/4 cup sugar- any kind, I used white because it was convenient. I think if I were using maple or brown I'd use 3/4 plus 1 Tbsp.
2 Tbsp vanilla extract (your mileage may vary, but I like a lot of vanilla)
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp. baking soda

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 cup flour I used my old standby organic white unbleached (also Bob's Red Mill)


Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mash up bananas well with a wooden spoon. You don't have to be too picky, you can see banana chunks in mine. Mix in oil, sugar, egg, vanilla and mix it to a really disgusting gloppy looking mess. Stir in baking soda and salt, then mix in the dry ingredients. Cocoa first to get it well mixed in, then the flour.
Pour into greased loaf pan. It will just fill a greased loaf pan to 2/3rd full or thereabouts.
Bake for 1 hour.
Let set for 10 minutes or until the teenager in the house figures out something just came out of the oven and comes into the kitchen sniffing and looking like you've starved her for weeks. Or maybe that just happens here?

Your cake may turn out lighter in color if you use white flour. I think since the leavening is baking soda no gluten flours will be fine.

The differences- I used more sweetener for the sugar-free version because coming up with sugar free icings is difficult. I love that you can bake with Splenda, but there just aren't good replacements for powdered sugar, and a lot of icing recipes depend on the crystalline structure of sugar, so instead of making an icing for it, I just gave it to my Uncle with a tub of whipped cream cheese. I also used a bit more chocolate, because Splenda dissolves a lot more throughly than sugar does in this recipe, and the liquid could handle more chocolate. I used butter instead of oil for the extra richness and to help mask the slightly off taste of the Splenda.
The sugar version was a HUGE hit in our house, and the sugar free version was a hit with my Uncle, who didn't look like he felt bad at all while we ate cake. After all, we had to share the cake, and he had a loaf of banana chocolate-y goodness all to himself.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

I made pancakes for breakfast using a slight modification of the classic cottage cheese pancake recipe and.. YUM. If you've not had cottage cheese pancakes, they are rich and moist and amazing with fruit. Or if you're lazy like me, still pretty good with maple syrup!

Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Serves 4
These are super rich and creamy tasting but can be a little sticky to flip. Be patient!

4 eggs or 1 cup egg substitute
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbls vanilla (I use homemade double strength vanilla because I really love vanilla, your mileage may vary, adjust to taste)
2 Tbls canola oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup sugar or sugar substitute
1 tsp. cinnamon (again, adjust for taste, and I'm guesstimating. I let Emily sprinkle in the cinnamon and she likes a lot)

1 cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour (my preference, I'm sure white would work, or buckwheat would probably be amazing)

Mix everything except the flour, whisk it together with fork, then mix in the flour until it's incorporated.
Oil a non-stick skillet and heat at a high medium setting, when the skillet is hot, pour the batter in by the quarter cup full, and let it cook for a few minutes, check edge with a spatula, and turn when browned on one side, brown on the other side. These are SOO good, and the only pancake I've *ever* had I didn't think needed butter. They are really rich without it. It's a natural for a fruit topping. If you can't have sugar, I recommend a no-sugar jam. Yum yum!
I actually didn't measure my batter because I use a 3.5 quart melamine batter bowl from Lehman's to mix my batter in, and then I just pour it into my pan. This made 12 4 inch pancakes for me. Like I said, they are really rich. Only E could eat more then 4. I ate 3, and when I asked if anyone wanted my last one, she said yes. Since they are pretty low fat/carb, I didn't mind letting her have extras. Also, lots of calcium! And for the record? E HATES cottage cheese, she thinks it's just gross. And she loved these pancakes.

I also made up some chocolate banana bread for my uncle using Splenda, so I'll let you know what he thinks of it and post the recipe modifications I made to it when I get home tonight. I also asked if he'd be willing to try vanilla infused Splenda in his coffee. Since he uses it regularly, he's a better judge then I am about how it turns out. I mixed 1 vanilla bean, with about half the caviar in it with about a half cup of Splenda. I'll let you know next week what he thinks of it.

Crocheted Bun Cover

This is a crocheted bun cover I made for myself, so size wise, it's reasonably large. I have waist length, straight medium thickness hair, so if you have very curly or very full hair, it will probably be too small for you, and if you have shoulder length medium thickness hair,it may be too big, but bun covers are easy to resize, more or less rounds will make them larger or smaller as you need to. What I like doing is using the center of a doily I really like, or just designing as I go to make the top part of the bun cover something pretty and more involved then just a round mesh to cover my bun, then I work mesh as needed to increase the size to what I need, and decrease the mesh for the back of the bun cover.
For this one, you will need size 10 cotton
Steel size 8 or 1.5 mm hook
A medium sized covered elastic hair band. I use the ones that are about 2.5 inches and come carded at my local supermarket.
Needle to weave in ends
scissors
Chain (ch) 8, slip stitch (sl st) to join
Round 1: Chain 3- counts as first double crochet (dc), 23 dc in ring sl st to join (24 stitches (sts) made)
Inverted V shaped cluster stitch: first dc, yarn over(yo), insert hook in st, yo, draw through first two loops, yo, draw through one loop leaving 2 loops on hook, skip 1 st, yo, insert hook in st, yo, draw through first 2 loops, yo, draw through one loop, yo, draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Round 2: Ch 6- counts as first dc and ch 3, *starting in the same st, work a v shaped cluster (one loop, 1 v formed), chain 3* repeat ** around, dc in same stitch as last stitch on v cluster, sl st to join to 3rd ch of starting ch 6. (12 loops/Vs made) (edit- sounds lot more complicated then it is. Try it)
Round 3- Sl st to middle of first ch 3 loop, sc in ch 3 loop, *dc in next loop, ch 2, dc in same loop, ch 2, dc in same loop, ch 2, dc in same loop, sc in next loop* repeat ** around, on last loop, dc in loop, ch 2, dc in loop, ch 2, dc in loop, ch 2, dc in loop, sl st to join with first sc (6 petal made)
Round 4- Ch 1 (doesn't count as first sc), sc in same st, *sc in first ch 2 sp, 2 dc in same space, 5 dc in next sp, 2 dc in next sp, 1 sc in same space, sc in sc* repeat ** around, on last petal, continue in pattern and sl st to join to first sc.
Round 5: Ch 1 (doesn't count as first sc), sc in same st, *sc in next 5 sts, ch 3, sk st, sc in next 6 sts* repeat ** around until the last petal, sc in next 5 sts, ch 3, sk st, sc in next 5 sts, sl st to join to first sc (6 petals with ch 3 loops)
Round 6:Ch 8, counts as first treble crochet (tr cr) and ch 4, tr in same st, ch 4, *sc in ch 3 loop, ch 4, skip 5 st, tr cr in next st, ch 4, tr cr in same st, ch 4,* repeat ** around,ch 2, dc in 4th ch of starting ch 8. The dc puts you right on top of loop for starting the next round.
Round 7: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 5, sc in next loop all the way around until the last loop, ch 2, dc in first sc. (18 loops)
Round 8: Repeat round 7.
Round 9: Ch 1 (doesn't count as first st), 2 sc in same loop,sc in sc, * 2 sc in next loop, ch 3, 2 sc in same loop, sc in sc* repeat around, on last loop, 2 sc in loop, ch 3, sl st to join to first sc.
Round 10: Sl st to 3rd sc, ch 6 (counts as first dc and ch 3), sc in ch 3 loop, ch 3, skip 2 sts, dc in next st, ch 3, *sc in next ch 3 loop, ch 3, skip 2 sts, dc in next st, ch 3* repeat ** around, on last ch 3, instead of ch 3, ch 1, dc to 3rd stitch of starting ch 6 loop. (36 spaces)
Round 11: ch 1 (doesn't count as first st), sc in space, ch 5, *sc in next sp, chain 5,* repeat ** around until last ch 5, ch 2, dc in first sc.
Round 12: Repeat Round 11
Round 13: ch 1 (doesn't count as first st), sc in same place, ch 3, *sc in next loop, ch 3, * repeat ** around, when you reach last ch 3, ch 1, dc in first sc.
Rounds 14-16: Repeat round 13
Round 17: ch 1, sc over elastic band, in same loop, sc around elastic band, repeat all the way around, 2 sc in each loop over the elastic band. (72 sts), sl st to join. Break off, weave in ends. Push down stitches as you need to, then when it's all done, redistribute the stitches evenly around the elastic band.
To wear it, I don't like putting my hair in a pony tail if I can avoid it, so I just hold it in place and twist it gently and form a cinnamon roll bun, then I hold the bun with one hand, and pull the cover over it with the other and slide a stick through weaving it in my bun and through the cover to hold it all securely in place.

Compass Rose Boxes

Compass rose boxes. I hope you like them. This is a new template, and it makes a box 3x3x1 inches printed at 100 dpi. As usual, click on the images for the full sized versions.

Compass Rose coloring page

You can use this for coloring or for embroidery or other craft purposes. If you post any colored or crafted versions to the net, I'd really appreciate a link back this page. http://skerri13.blogspot.com/2009/05/compass-rose-coloring-page.html. Something like <a href="http://skerri13.blogspot.com/2009/05/compass-rose-coloring-page.html">Compass Rose design from Shala</a> would work. If you cut and paste that into your html it will look like this.. Compass Rose design from Shala
Click on the image for the full sized version.

The Lacy Box in grey

By request. Click on it to download the full sized version.
I also got asked how I put these together. Usually, when I'm testing a template, I just use clear tape because it's quick and there is no drying time involved. For constructing decorated boxes I spray them with a sealer of some sort in a semi-matte finish. Cut them out, and use a ruler and something to score all the folds with. Since I keep misplacing my bone folders, I usually wind up using either a yarn needle or a gift card to score the folds. Fold it, then I glue the edges that need gluing with a permanent glue stick, applying glue to both surfaces that are going to be glued, letting it set for a couple seconds, then pressing them together. I've also used double stick tape before because it's so very instant, but I like the coverage glue gives me over the area to be glued and glue sticks don't cause bubbling like liquid glue do.

Chocolate and Pink Box

I reposted my box templates set to Etsy here.

Standard 2x2 box. Hope you like it! Click to get the full image.

Crocheted Pineapple Nano Pouch

I use pouches for my nano at the gym because they are easy to wash, and they don't get in my way like an armband does when I'm working with resistance machines or free weights.

Size 10 crochet cotton
I used a size 8 hook, but worked a bit loose, a size 7 may be better. Check gauge after first 5 rounds. It should be 1 7/8 inches across the bottom and 3/4 inch long. I used a chain then slipstitched that for the foundation chain because I like the way it looks and holds up better that way. I turn the chain on it's side and work the front and back through two loops like you do with just flat crochet. The reinforcement seems to help all my bags not stretch and get that lacy look at the bottom.
5/8 inch button- I actually stacked one button on top of another button because I liked the way it looked.
Tapestry needle that the cotton will fit through.

Chain (ch) 16, slip stitch (sl st) into second chain from hook and sl st down length. Foundation chain made.
Round 1: Ch 1, does not count as first single crochet (sc). Sc in same stitch, sc on one side of the chain in each stitch (15 sts) then sc down the other side of the foundation ch. Sl st to join (30 sts)
Round 2-4: Repeat round 1
Round 5: Ch 3, double crochet (dc) in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, skip 3 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, dc in next 4 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, skip 3 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, dc in next 2 sts, sl st to join.
Round 6: Ch 3, dc in next st, ch 2, sc in ch 2 space, 5 dc in ch 3 space, sc in ch 2 space, ch 2, dc in next 4 sts, ch 2, sc in ch 2 space, 5 dc in ch 3 space, sc in ch 2 space, ch 2, dc in next 2 sts, sl st to join.
Round 7: Ch 3, dc in next st, ch 2, *dc in next dc, ch 1,* repeat ** 3 times, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 4 dc,st, ch 2, *dc in next dc, ch 1,* repeat ** 3 times, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 2 dc, sl st to join.
Round 8: Ch 3, dc in next st, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in ch 1 space, ch 3, sc in ch 1 space, ch 3, sc in ch 1 space,ch 3, sc in ch 1 space, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 4 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in ch 1 space, ch 3, sc in ch 1 space, ch 3, sc in ch 1 space,ch 3, sc in ch 1 space, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 2 dc, sl st to join.
Round 9: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in first loop, ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 6 sts, dc in next 2 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in first loop, ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 3 sts, sl st to join.
Round 10: Ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in first loop, ch 3, sc in second loop, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 8 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in first loop, ch 3, sc in second loop, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 4 dc, sl st to join
Round 11: ch 3, dc in next 4 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 1, sc in loop, ch 1, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 10 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 1, sc in loop, ch 1, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 5 dc, sl st to join.
Round 12: ch 3, dc in each st around. (30 sts)
Round 13: Ch 3, dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, skip 3 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, dc in next 4 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch 3, skip 3 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, dc in next 2 sts, sl st to join.
Round 14:Ch 3, dc in next st, ch 2, sc in ch 2 space, 5 dc in ch 3 space, sc in ch 2 space, ch 2, dc in next 4 sts, ch 2, sc in ch 2 space, 5 dc in ch 3 space, sc in ch 2 space, ch 2, dc in next 2 sts, sl st to join.
Round 15:Ch 3, dc in next st, ch 2, *dc in next dc, ch 1,* repeat ** 3 times, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 4 dc,st, ch 2, *dc in next dc, ch 1,* repeat ** 3 times, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next 2 dc, sl st to join.
Round 16:Ch 3, dc in next st, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in ch 1 space, ch 3, sc in ch 1 space, ch 3, sc in ch 1 space,ch 3, sc in ch 1 space, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 4 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in ch 1 space, ch 3, sc in ch 1 space, ch 3, sc in ch 1 space,ch 3, sc in ch 1 space, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 2 dc, sl st to join.
Round 17: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in first loop, ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 6 sts, dc in next 2 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in first loop, ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 3 sts, sl st to join.
Round 18: Ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in first loop, ch 3, sc in second loop, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 8 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, sc in first loop, ch 3, sc in second loop, ch 2, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 4 dc, sl st to join
Round 19:ch 3, dc in next 4 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 1, sc in loop, ch 1, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 10 dc, dc in ch 2 space, ch 1, sc in loop, ch 1, dc in ch 2 space, dc in next 5 dc, sl st to join.
Round 20: ch 1 (does not count as first sc), sc in first 7 sts, chain 10, skip next st, sc the rest of the way around. Sl st to join. Ch 10 works as button loop.

Strap: Chain 180, count 7 sts from opposite side of button loop, sl st in that st, sl st back up ch and sl st to join at the start point. Break off thread.

Sew on button on the top of the other side opposite button loop.

I hope you enjoy this pattern!