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Break the Rules with Coloring

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This past spring, I published a coloring book of floral mandalas called Flowers All Around. (It’s available NOW on Amazon!) I had so much fun drawing these designs. I can honestly say it was one of my favorite personal projects I’ve ever done.




Mandala designs are popular in adult coloring for their repetitive and intricate nature. I like to draw them using floral elements because I’m obsessed with drawing flowers and patterns. I’ve created floral mandalas with a variety of media—paint, pencil, ink, digital, etc. I often draw them when I don’t know what to draw. So I had a lot of practice before I got the idea to even make this book.

Adult coloring books are a great way to relieve stress and create works of art in the process. These aren’t the brand of coloring books you used as a kid. These designs are often very detailed and can be beautiful and sophisticated—though there are some fun quirky ones as well. There are adult coloring books for just about any subject matter you can think…
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My Holiday 2015

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It's been a few weeks… I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. My holiday was pretty good. Spent some time with the family, exchanged gifts, ate lots of yummy food…

...Oh yeah... AND I had a BABY!

Adelaide


My daughter, Adelaide, was born on December 30th. So I didn't get a Christmas baby like I thought I would, but she's here now, and my family and I are so thrilled. It has been a crazy couple of weeks recovering from the delivery and adjusting to my new life as a mother. There have been some challenges, and I'm sure there are many up ahead. All of it is worth it, though, to have this little angel in my life.

Anyway, I thought I would share some of the crafty gifts I made this year for the holidays. For many of my family and friends, I put together these treat boxes, which I filled with candy, cookies, homemade Christmas ornaments, and pet treats and toys. I recycled various cereal and cracker boxes to make the packages, and tied them up with some pretty baker's twine.

Christmas treat boxes that I made for various family and friends

For my mother and sisters, I made baking kits with some personal touches. I sewed up some potholders using fabric swatches of my own designs printed from Spoonflower. I also bought some wooden utensils, which I decorated with doodles using a wood stain marker. Lastly, I crocheted pie-shaped hot pads and a pie carrier.

Baking sets for my mother and sisters

Every year, it seems, I stress myself out trying to figure out what to make for Christmas gifts and making sure I have the time to get them done. It is so worth it, though, to be able to give something that's unique and personal and handmade. Gift-giving is one of the most rewarding ways a crafter like myself can share what they love to do with others.

Happy New Year!
Niki



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**UPDATE - 2015** The miniature sweater knitting pattern has been revised.  View/Download the new pattern here:
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