Sunday, July 13, 2014

Tutorial Part II: Editing Your Crochet Graph Pattern

Hello again, I hope you enjoyed part I of my Free Pattern Wizard Tutorial.  Sometimes your pattern will turn out perfect right when it comes out of the program, but most of the time you will have to clean up a few lines here and there. My preferred program for editing my graphs is MS Paint because of how simple it is to use.

1. Open the file of your new graph. The Free Pattern Wizard outputs the graphs in .gif form so right click on the file and choose "open with" then choose MS Paint.  Once in paint, zoom out and in a few times to assess where any corrections need to be made to your graph.  On the example below, there are spaces with yellow that break up the smooth lines of the pattern (indicated with red arrow). These need to match the white background so the star looks smooth and uniform. There were also a few extra white spaces going into the body of the star and I already corrected those.

2. To correct these errors (and any similar you may find on your own patterns), simply use the "dropper" tool to match your colors and then choose the "paint bucket" tool to fill in the space with the appropriate color.  This is a very simple process, but it can be time consuming if you have a large graph. Also, be careful not to accidentally click on the grid lines while you are filling in squares. Doing so will change the color of the lines and you will need to hit the undo button if this happens.  After you make all desired corrections, you should end up with a complete finished graph that is ready to use.  

3. If everything has been corrected, go ahead and save your pattern. If you would like it in another format or to have another file name, go to "File", then "Save As".  I like my graphs to be in .jpg format so I choose the JPEG option and rename my file before clicking the "Save" button.  And with that, you have a unique crochet graph pattern that you can use to create many awesome, personal gifts.  

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Saturday, July 12, 2014

Tutorial: Using the Free Pattern Wizard to Create a Crochet Graph


Hello everyone! If you've been following my blog, you know that my latest addiction is making graphghan patterns using the Free Pattern Wizard on www.stitchboard.com.  So far, this is the best, most user-friendly tool I have found to make crochet graphs.  It is really simple to use, and pretty intuitive to figure out, but here is a tutorial for those of you who are interested.  This tool is much easier and quicker than using a spreadsheet to transfer your design to a graph format. 

1.  First of all, choose your image. I recommend using a simple image such as a logo or silhouette to start with, but the Free Pattern Wizard can be used for almost any image you can think of. For this tutorial, I chose to use a simple star shape that I made in MS Paint.  

2. Open the Free Pattern Wizard on stitchboard.com. Anyone can use this online tool, even if you don't have a registered account on stitchboard.  I highly suggest creating an account, though, because you have access to a lot more options if you are a registered member. Plus, they NEVER send you junk email, ever.  As a member of the site you also have access to many crafting forums and the admins are really helpful.  The pattern wizard should look like this: 

3. In the first box, where it says "Image to Convert into a Pattern", click the "choose your file" button and upload whatever picture you want to turn into a graph.  Choose your crafting category in box 2. I mainly crochet, so that's the option I picked.  Next you choose your stitch type in box 3. I usually just choose standard, but if you like to work in filet or tunisian, choose one of those.  In box 4 you pick your stitch shape. Since I chose "Standard" in the previous box, standard shape is the only option available to me here.  

4. Now it's time to choose your color palette. I make patterns without thinking of a specific brand of yarn, so I stay with the standard. stitchboard palette.  Sections B and C here will depend on your specific image.  I chose a very simple image to convert so I went with the simplest options here.  The automatic color match is good for images that don't have many colors or shading, but choosing your own colors can be good if your image is slightly pixelated or has a lot of shading.  I chose to limit the number of colors to 2; white and yellow, just to ensure that it transferred without getting messed up.  If you have an image with 3 or more colors, I would recommend choosing to limit your colors and then choosing your desired colors to match the number of colors you want.  
5. Box 6 asks you to choose the size of your graph.  Non-registered users can have a maximum of 100 stitches across, which would make a very small size throw. This is another reason I recommend registering because stitchboard members can request up to 300 stitches across as a default, and the admins may also give you additional stitches if you request it for a specific project. I think 200-300 stitches make a good size blanket, and 30-60 stitches across can be used to make pillows or smaller blocks that can be joined together to make a larger project.  I chose 100 stitches for my tutorial image just because it seemed like a good even number to use.  

6. Next you will choose your output format in box 7.  I always choose to display on screen because I like to download and clean up my patterns. Box 8 allows you to adjust your image before it is converted into a graph.  There is a bit of a learning curve to using this part and I admit I don't know exactly how to use all of the options here. I like to adjust to smoothness to a 5 or higher to smooth out the lines of my graph so I have less to clean up on the finished product.  I also like to check the Stray Pixel Cleanup box with the "light" option just in case my original image isn't as neat as I thought.  For a more detailed explanation of all these options, check out the Stitchboard help page here
7. Finally, in box 9, click the "Let's See My Pattern" button to get your graph on a new page.  It will look something like this:
8. You will have several options on this page. I always choose "Download Pattern" so I can save and edit out any kinks or weird spots in my graphs.  If you aren't satisfied with your graph, don't worry, you can always trying changing the settings or simply erasing and starting over. You may have a lot of trial and error until you figure out how you like your graphs to look and what settings you prefer, but experimenting is part of the fun! 


That concludes this tutorial on how to make a crochet graph pattern using the Free Pattern Wizard on Stitchboard.com.  Check Part II for tips on cleaning up and editing your graph using MS Paint. 



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Friday, July 11, 2014

Blogger Opp: Caribbean Cookbook and $250 giveaway

Blogger Opportunity – Cookbook and Cash Giveaway with Dinner

Simply Caribbean is celebrating and  launching a Lighter Caribbean Cookbook and I will love my blogging friends to CELEBRATE with me

BLOGGERS:

This is a free/paid blogger opps  hosted by SimplyCaribbean and Sodality Underground
PARTICIPATION DETAILS
This event is FREE to join with an announcement post!  HTML ANNOUNCEMENT

Choose ONE free link if you sign up to participate in this blogger opp!
You can choose Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram as your free link with the announcement post .
If you do not wish to post the announcement, you can submit the $4 Non Post fee via PayPal.
The first 25 paid bloggers to sign up will get two additional free links.
  • Event Dates: Aug 5 – Aug 18, 2014
  • Eligibility: Open Worldwide
  • Sign Up ends July 17th 2014
REFERRAL PRIZE:
  • Two bloggers who bring in the most sign-ups/referrals will both receive a FREE Co-Host spot. If the winner has already paid for a spot, their co-host fee will be refunded!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
5 Lucky Winners will receive one prize each
Date is tentatively set for 8/5 to 8/18.
Signups for this event will close on 7/17/2014.
  • $250 Cash PAID through Paypal
  • $100 Cash PAID through Paypal
  • $50   Cash PAID through Paypal
  • Simply Caribbean Lighter Fusion CookBook
  • In Home Dinner Party for 8 people (Will work on menu together after you win)
.
Co-Host: $18 (includes 6 links, on top of Rafflecopter + Blog link mention in html + a Host page , picture) Must post Giveaway on your blog and social media at least 2 -3 times a week

Benefits of becoming a Co-Host include, increasing your followers, increase your traffic, increase number of backlinks/links in, and help better stats, ranks, and ratings, plus you will receive other blogger opportinites as it become available.

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Extra links after 5 can be purchased for $1.00 each, up to 3 additional links.
Please remember the more you promote the giveaway, the more views your blog will receive and the more fans you may get.

Click Here to Fill Out the Sign Up Form


 

Free Pattern Friday: Floral Designs!

Happy Friday everyone! For today's free patterns I'm showcasing my own floral design afghans that I made over on stitchboard.com! All three of these are perfect for summertime with their cool floral inspired motifs.  While each of these would be a good size blanket to take on picnics or to wrap up in on chilly nights, you could also customize each one with a nearly endless variety of borders if you so feel inclined. As usual, these three patterns are hosted at www.stitchboard.com, which does require a completely free registration. I promise, registering at stitchboard really is completely free and easy, and they definitely will not spam your email at all.  I've been registered over there for several months and haven't received a single email from them :)


Kaleidoscope Flower
1. Feel free to change up the colors on this bright floral kaleidoscope piece.  Any 5 or 6 bright, solid colors would look great. Add a few rows of complementary border and this throw blanket would be great for a teenagers room or as a stunning picnic blanket.









Lotus Afghan
 2. This next afghan pattern is ultra chic and elegant and would be perfect for the more sophisticated and zen people in  your life.  I love the calming feel of blues and purples, but this could be made in any color to match your decor. Add a wide matching border all the way around and this blanket is sure to add a spa-like atmosphere to any space.








Harvest Wheat

3. Lastly, this golden wheat afghan is perfect for the lazy dog-days of late summer and into the Indian summers of early fall.  I can imagine curling up with this blanket on an evening hay ride or taking it to the county fair. It would also make a gorgeous housewarming gift.  I would recommend using a deep golden yellow yarn to make this, and maybe adding just a few rows of solid border, or some type of decorative geometric border.






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Thursday, July 10, 2014

Book Review: Georgia On Her Mind by Rachel Hauck

Rating: 2.8/5 I finished this book yesterday after having it on my Kindle for a few weeks after I downloaded it when it was free (it now costs $0.99) I honestly wasn't all that interested in it from the description, but hey, a free book is a free book. Once I got around to eventually reading it, I was pleasantly surprised yet unimpressed at the same time. Rachel Hauck has a good writing style and there are a lot of funny moments in this book. Macy Moore, the main character, is rather witty and almost a bit naive, which is fun to read. However, I just could not get past all of the old, recycled Christian romance plot cliches. Seriously, woman has awesome career but neglects her spirituality, woman's career tanks, annoyingly perfect friends gently remind woman about how much Jesus loves her, woman finally meets good man, various hijincks and "big decisions" ensue, woman ultimately makes the "right" decision and they all live happily ever after. I would have loved more drama in the story and was incredibly disappointed by the last several chapters. I was confused by the authors mix of the literal and metaphorical, especially in reference to the bible verse Isaiah 61:3, "...to give them beauty for ashes...", which prompts Macy to leave behind the metaphorical ashes of her corporate life and literally return to Beauty, her hometown in Georgia. If the author was going for subtlety, she failed and may have just gone all in and had Macy's house burn down with all her possessions, but I guess that would be too literal. Also, just once I would like to see a Christian romance where the protagonist's dream goal/profession is actually the "right" thing and they are moved to pursue that goal instead of settling for something else.
I can't highly recommend this book, but if you have a spare 99 cents and want to get a few laughs from an otherwise tired story line, go ahead and purchase this book.

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Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Book Review: Dragon's Curse by HL Burke

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own and I never commit to a positive review prior to reading.
Dragon's Curse on Amazon.com

I thoroughly enjoyed Dragon's Curse (The Dragon and the Scholar vol. I)  by H.L. Burke. I kind of accidentally stumbled upon this book when I was searching for other bloggers with similar interests. As I've said before, finding a good, talented, upcoming author is a bit like mining. You get a lot of dirt and junk, but occasionally you find a real gem. H.L. Burke is one of these rare gems, and I would give Dragon's Curse a solid 3.5/5 rating. (Not that this book is bad, I just have extremely high standards to give a 4 or 5).

If you enjoy fantasy novels and tales about magic, dragons, and a bit of romance, this is a good book for you.  The main protagonist, Shannon, is an adorable and stubborn scholar whose first assignment out of the academy (which is basically college) is to treat a neighboring king's poisoned dragon wounds. Although slightly nervous, Shannon is confident in her ability as a healer and is determined to prove her worth to her mentor at the Academy, a man named Martin. Shannon quickly discovers that all is not well in the kingdom of Regone and finds herself allied with a dragon to overcome some unexpected challenges, including an over-zealous would be suitor and an evil witch.

I personally enjoyed the strong fantasy plot of this novel.  While not exactly a brand new story, Dragon's Curse is told in a fun and inventive way.  I liked that Shannon is strong willed and mostly unafraid from the very beginning. Her intelligence and natural curiosity are her main strengths and not merely personality quirks.  I found the dialogue to be overall fairly good, although some of the conversations between characters felt almost too tongue-in-cheek or trite at times and I was unsure if what I was reading was supposed to be serious or not.

I definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes epic fantasy and dragons.  It is also a good book for fans of romance novels, although romance is not the main theme of the book.  I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Dragon's Debt, and the third book, which is set for release later this year.

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Friday, July 4, 2014

Happy July 4th!

Happy Independence Day to my American readers! It's a busy day for my family, so here is a quick post with some links to FREE 4th of July and Patriotic themed crochet projects! Enjoy.

1. This patriotic bunting would be adorable draping the side of a little red wagon as you pull your little ones in a 4th of July parade or take them to a festival. It could also probably be made in a larger size and used as porch or patio decoration for a barbecue or party.
Patriotic Bunting

2. If the beach is more your style for the holiday, check out this cool 4th of July Beach Bag by Lily Sugar N' Cream. It would be just perfect to carry some sunscreen, towels, and maybe a cover-up for evening while you watch fireworks over the ocean or lake.
Beach Bag
3. These Stars and Stripes Cushions are just the right size to take along to a summer get-together. Add a little cushion to your lawn chairs or benches while showing off your patriotic spirit.  
Stars and Stripes Cushions
4. Use this patriotic granny square by April Moreland to create any number of 4th of July themed household decorations. Make a lot of them and join together to make a throw or blanket, or make them individually as trivets or dishclothes.
Patriot's Pride
5. Even though July is usually too hot for blankets, this Colors of America Throw by Redheart would be nice to keep the chill off while watching fireworks or sitting out on your patio late into the evening.  Make it during those long winter days so you don't overheat working on it during the summer.
Colors of America Throw
6. Last but not least, showcase Old Glory with this American Flag Afghan. Just big enough to cover your lap, this throw would be a beautiful decoration for your home.
American Flag Afghan






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