Stars and Stripes Mandala Coloring Page

Usually I posted my coloring pages at 100 dpi even though I create them at 300 dpi. Here's one for you at 300 dpi in PNG format so you can use it for digital scrapbooking.  Click on the image for the full sized version. 

If you click the coloring page tag, you'll get the pages I've posted here. There are a few more at old home page here including a cute Statue of Liberty I drew for my daughter when she was about 7 and crazy about the statue.

Flower photos

Just a quick post to share some flower photos I took in June. All of these are size at 5x5 inches, 300 dpi, and you have my permission to use the photos in non-commercial projects. Click on the images to see them full sized. I'm really wild about how well the spiral in the button center of the daisy shows!

Snail mandala coloring page

If you like playing games, and have an appreciation for old school 8 bit games, I'd like to recommend Snailiad. Snailiad is just adorable. You're a little snail trying to save the snails that are disappearing for mysterious reasons. It's addictive and absolutely adorable. Cute pixel graphics. I think that I need to cross stitch some of them.
Anyway.. Snailiad inspired this mandala. Hope you like it! Print at 100 dpi. Feel free to use it for any crafty purposes, not just coloring!

Turnip's hair feathers

Remember when I posted the how to color feathers using food dyes recently? Well, Turnip Girl thought rainbow feathers sounded good. So she used those instructions and cheap food coloring to do these.

This photo was taken after she shampooed with the feathers in her hair once, the color held. 

These were done using the food coloring that comes in little bottles that you can buy very inexpensively at the grocery store. 

The extensions themselves are held in with micro links. I got them on Ebay. It was the first time I bought from a seller in China, and it went very smoothly. I got 1000 micro links which is probably more than I'll ever need, and the confirmation email had a tracking number that I could track using the USPS site. 

Micro links are crimp beads for hair. These are aluminum lined with silicone. I combed the parting line she wanted the extensions in, then put the beads on a small steel crochet hook and picked up small sections of hair and pulled them through a link. I kept the links about a pinky nail width from her scalp, and put the tops of the feathers into the link, then used pliers to flatten the link to grip her hair and the feather.

According to a lot of websites, you should be able to remove these with pliers. I tried but couldn't get a good grip on the link to remove them. Most of my pliers are for jewelry making and have smooth jaws. So instead, I use my wire snips carefully on one side of the bead to open it up and remove the links. She can wear these for a couple weeks at a time. She just shampoos normally and uses a wide tooth comb when she's combing her hair. 

She loves having this as an option for temporary color, and gets compliments on her hair feathers. I'm loving the price of being able to do it ourselves. At the salon locally that does micro link feather extensions, the feathers are 7 dollars each, and each "placement" (micro link put in) is 5 dollars. The above style has 2 feathers each in 6 placements which would be 114 dollars! 

The seller I got the micro links from on Ebay is human-hair, and the links were 15 dollars for 1000, free shipping. So one and half cents each. I keep thinking of all the things that could go in these. Pretty yarns, different kinds of feathers, strands of beads etc. 

This picture with the way her hair is blowing shows the dark brown micro link beads. They are 5mm outside diameter, and 3mm inside diameter. When I snip them out, I cut carefully on the edge of the bead with wire snips, and so far they haven't damaged her hair at all. Click the image to see full size for a better look at the links in her hair.

Butterfly coloring pages

Next month, one of the contests at Spoonflower is a palette restricted butterfly theme. This is my entry.
I hope you like the butterfly as well as I do!
EDIT: 7-7-11 Spoonflower's limited palette butterfly contest is voting now. Please vote!
These coloring pages are 100 dpi.

You can see the fabric designs I have for sale on Spoonflower currently here. 

Crochet Moo Card Case Pattern

I love Moo Cards. Really truly. The technology they use allows you to print different photos on each of your cards, so if you are like me and have a lot of interests, you can give out cards that reflect each of those interests. They have standard sized cards, these adorable little cards.

Full color with contact text on the back.

Mini Moo Card Case Pattern

Worsted weight cotton- I used a kitchen cotton from my stash- only a small amount is needed

Size F or 3.75 mm hook

Scissors

Needle for weaving in ends

button and thread/needle to sew button on- mine is a 7/8 inch button from my stash.

I don't count the first chain as a stitch because it doesn't look neat to me, the pattern is written that way. If you prefer to count the first chain as a stitch, do so!  What I do is make the first chain small, then do the single crochet. American terminology through out.

Ch= chain

sc= single crochet

dc= double crochet

tr= treble crochet

sl st= slip stitch

sts= stitches

Ch 13

Rnd 1: sc in second chain from hook, sc in each stitch (12 sc) ch 1, sc in each stitch down other side of starting ch, ch 1, sl st to first sc to join.

Rnd 2: ch 1 tightly (doesn't count as first stitch) sc in first stitch, sc in next 11 sts, ch 1, skip ch 1 space, sc in next 12 sts, ch 1, sl st to first sc to join.

Rnd 3-6: Repeat Rnd 2.

Flap:

Row 1: ch 1 tightly (doesn't count as first stitch) sc in first stitch, sc in next 11 sts

Row 2-3: Repeat Row 1

Row 4: Ch 1 tightly, sc in first stitch, sc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts

Row 5: ch 1 tightly (doesn't count as first stitch) sc in first stitch, sc in next 11 sts

Break off and weave in ends.

Center button on front of the case under the open edge so it will close properly and stitch in place. The space between the center 2 trebles is the button hole.

The reason I did the ch 1 on the edges instead of a sc is that the ch 1 is less bulky, so it's flatter that way.

This case will hold 10 mini Moo cards easily.

If you're interested in getting your own mini Moo cards, please consider using my link. Mini Moo Card Referral Link - Using the referral link will help pay for my next order on Moo cards. The ones pictured above need replacing, they have outdated information on them. Moo also prints full sized cards, stickers and postcards using the same technology so you can have different photos on your whole order. 

Elven Star

A friend of mine inspired this design. She recently got a heptagram pendant, and we were talking of elvish things. So I combined the "fairy star" with the silvery bark and green leaves and golden flowers of the Mallorn tree.
You have my permission to use this design for craft purposes such as embroidery or pyrography or just to color if you like it! Mallorn leaves are silver on the undersides, but it's the top of the leaves that show here!  100 dpi, click on the image for the full sized version.

Rhubarb labels and coloring sheet

After posting the strawberry labels, a friend said " Now if only you had an adorable rhubarb printable for my rhubarb compotes ;D" - long, skinny things are harder to make cute than strawberries. Strawberries have a natural amount of cute going for them! But I told her I would try.

Same thing as the strawberry labels. These are 300 dpi, the circles will fit a 2 inch punch. I like using Avery Sticker Project Paper (Amazon.com affiliate link) for labels because I can do custom layouts. For people who prefer other methods, you can download the labels individually and use them in your word processing or graphics software to make your own label sets. Each label is 300 dpi, the rectangles should work in 3.33 inch tall x 4 inch wide 6 labels per sheet templates. They are 3 inches tall by 3.66 inches wide at 300 dpi. Click on the images for the full sized versions.

Here's my layout. Also 300 dpi, click on the image for the full sized version.

And a coloring page/embroidery pattern for people who really like rhubarb. My daughter loves the stuff, and recommends using it in lemonade.  100 dpi, click on the image for the full sized version.

Check out #canvolution on Twitter.

Strawberry-Rhubarb coloring page

I'm working on a set of rhubarb labels for a friend, and put this together while I was working on it. Hope you like it! The idea of rhubarb "crossbones" with the cute strawberry to make a strawberry-rhubarb pie design just seems so cute. The coloring page can be used for coloring, embroidery, etc. It's 100 dpi PNG format- non-transparent. Click on the image for the full sized version.

Strawberry Printables

I'm planning to make strawberry jam soon, so I made up some labels. I like using Avery Sticker Project Paper (Amazon.com affiliate link) for labels because I can do custom layouts. For people who prefer other methods, you can download the labels individually and use them in your word processing or graphics software to make your own label sets. Each label is 300 dpi, the rectangles should work in 3.33 inch tall x 4 inch wide 6 labels per sheet templates. They are 3 inches tall by 3.66 inches wide at 300 dpi. Click on the images for the full sized versions.

Here's the layout I'm using with the sticker paper.

Quick note about the Avery project sticker paper, back in January, I posted this template and Pokemon themed printable Nintendo DS Lite "skin", it's been on my son's DS lite since then. Yes, it is repositionable and easy to remove, but if you don't pick at the label, it lasts where you apply it. With his DS lite, I spray coated the paper with clear acrylic spray and let dry before peeling and applying. It's still in fairly good shape. However, if you don't want to buy the paper, you could also use a spray adhesive on the back of plain paper then apply labels that way. I've had better luck with repositionable spray adhesives than any other kind of glue on slick surfaces.

While I was drawing the strawberry, I decided it needed a peanut for the start of one of the world's great love affairs.

Coloring page 100 dpi

Western style Red, White and Blue Printable Gift Box

I hope you enjoy this gift box!

Click on the image for the full sized version, 300 dpi, jpg.

Also posted recently at Beadwork at BellaOnline, click the links under the images.

Printable graph paper booklets for beaders

Peacock Herl Earring Tutorial

Flaky Layers and lots of fun

They taste as good as they look. Really. See the gorgeous layers? One of them flaked apart while my daughter was coating them in a mix of powdered sugar and cinnamon. She took that as a great reason to eat it.

And they are really easy to make. It's just biscuit donuts. You know, you get a package of refrigerated biscuits, poke a hole in each one, then fry them up. Put something sweet on them and you have donuts. We don't make them often because they are too easy to make and taste too good.

We picked up a roll of Pillsbury Biscuit Grands- Buttermilk Flaky Layers. I had my daughter cut them into quarters while I heated up an inch of canola oil in my wok. While I fried and set them out to drain, I told her to mix up something to sprinkle on them or roll them in. She opted for rolling and I set those two aside to sprinkle for the photo so the layers would show.

Since frying biscuit dough doesn't count as a recipe, I'm blogging it to mention how much fun it is to do with friends or children. Offer a variety of coatings. I suggested to her which seasonings and flavorings would work well with the powdered sugar, then let her get to mixing. She opted for simple this time. Powdered sugar and a decent ground cinnamon. A lot of cinnamon. I've mentioned her love for cinnamon before right? You take what most people consider and adequate amount, say a loaf of bread calls for a teaspoon, she will reach for the tablespoon every time. So her cinnamon sugar is very cinnamon.

Other suggestions-

Cocoa powder

Vanilla powder 

ground cloves

Orange zest

TrueLemon powder

coconut!

pumpkin pie seasoning

Instant coffee ground fine

a touch of sea salt to bring out the sweetness

Since a package of the big buttermilk biscuits has 8 biscuits, cutting them into quarters means you get 32 fluffy, flaky pillows to sprinkle, decorate, roll or even chocolate coat. You don't have to use the Grands brand. We've used the same technique using drop biscuit dough. But the drop biscuits don't wind up separating into those lovely layers.

More photos. I promise tomorrow I'll post more printables! 

Fried dandelions. Since I didn't get a picture the first time, I'll also post this to the recipe post. 

A photo of my daughter at the 3 Barons Faire this year. Notice the sign! Who's Who indeed!

Okay, that's the end of this high caloric break!

Japan Training Squadron 2011

There is a Japan Training Squadron currently making a tour and giving tours. The first port was Anchorage so we took a bus out today to see the ships.
It was really nifty. There are 3 ships. Because of the security for the docks, we got bussed out on a tour bus. Seeing the ships as we got closer, my oh so cool 15 year old looked at me and grinned. We got off the bus, and we were greeted getting on board. Everyone was so nice. They handed us some literature about the ships, and then we got to take the tour. Or rather, my young adults got to take the tour. I took one look at the ladder and decided they could do that part without me. After they saw the "really big guns!" and came back to an area I didn't have to climb a ladder to get to, we rejoined. There was a helicopter on the landing area of one of the ships that everybody could climb in and look around. All photos except the one below are at 50% and you can click the images to see the full sized versions. The one below is 25%.

William and the Turnip Girl looking at the helicopter

Everyone was so friendly and willing to answer questions. Some of the sailors were just as eager to take photos of us as the visitors. 

I couldn't resist taking this photo of two sailors against the backdrop of Mt. Susitna.

The flags of the 3 ships in port.

The shot below is because I told my musician friend, Auriplane, that I'd "get a photo of anything I thought would be interesting, but it might be something random."  She has lots of free, original compositions on her website. I like her music quite a bit, my daughter LOVES her music. Instrumental melodies and some video game covers. 

The names of the three ships are the Kashima, the Asagiri, and the Miniyuki. If you have the chance to tour the ships while they are on tour, and have kids or a partner who would enjoy it, do. I wish my dad and husband didn't have to work, they would have loved it so much. My son and daughter both thought it was fantastic.

Scheduled stops:

Anchorage! That's us, and they will be leaving tomorrow. They only gave tours yesterday and today though. 

Seattle (USA)/Vancouver (Canada)- June 15-18 

San Fransisco (USA)  June 21-24

San Diego (USA) June 23-26

Panama City (Panama) 8-12 July

Veracruz (Mexico) July 18-21

Tampa (USA) July 25-28

Norfolk (USA) August 2-7

Halifax (Canada) August 11-14

Panama City (Panama) August 23-25

Valparaiso (Chile) September 6-9

Callao (Peru) September 14-17

Manzanillo (Mexico) September 26-28

Pearl Harbor (USA) October 10-13

Then they arrive back at home in Japan on October 27 as long as everything goes according to plan. 

Wolf and Dragon Boxes

For the most part, since I started making printable boxes in the late 90s, I've used my own art. One of the exceptions was using the art of Dee Dreslough, her terms of use are very open.She does fantasy art, including a lot of black and white designs that she gives permission to color in. You can find her art at Dreslough.com. For the most part, her work is optimized for browsers in the late 90s, early 00s so it's very quick to load 2 color gifs. I used her drawings for the boxes below.

I couldn't print an example of this box because I can't find my extra printer cartridge (please tell me I'm not the only person who puts things away someplace safe until I need them then forgets where I put them?) but it's the same style box as this one. Ink heavy, but a more masculine style. My son likes this one. Both boxes use the same bottom, and print them at exactly 300 dpi. Some people have had problems with this template because they print the lid too large. I hope that resizing the canvas to 8x8 inches helps that. Click on the images for the full sized versions.

Donut Day!

Happy National Donut Day!!! Here are 4 boxes, I hope you enjoy them. 300 dpi, click on the images for the full sized version. Plain bakery boxes as well as polka dots because not everyone likes polka dots! Pink glaze or chocolate glaze. But no maple. Because maple donuts made with maple flavoring instead of real maple rank right up there with black jelly beans for things I'll never ever eat.