GIMP Tutorial Lesson 3: Patterns

HOW TO MAKE SEAMLESS PATTERNS IN 9 STEPS

      Seamless patterns are patterns that repeat indefinitely when they're tiled side by side. So, if you have a square pattern and you surround it in copies of itself, the elements will match up. Since January, I've been experimenting with GIMP to learn how to make these patterns, so I thought I'd add a tutorial to the blog. If you want more help, you can visit here, here, here and here for more information.

     I'm going to demonstrate with a very simple polka dot pattern:

Irish Pub Customizable Home Bar Products on Zazzle

NEW IRISH PUB DESIGN WITH YOUR NAME ON IT

Last fall, I made a line of saloon-themed products on Zazzle, and they've proven popular - especially the cork coasters. So, I decided to make a whole series. That way, you can outfit your home bar with whatever theme you'd like. I'll probably be adding new themes here and there throughout the rest of the year. In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, I just finished this Irish Pub theme:

Personalized Irish Pub Home Bar Products on Zazzle

I started with the coaster (the image in the lower left) and then created matching items. Going clockwise from the coaster, this image shows a stein / mug, a clock, a hat, a wall poster, playing cards, a pillow and a t-shirt. There are plenty more matching items available in the FancyCelebration store here.

If you want to add a personal touch with an Irish theme, or if you know someone with a home bar or man cave, this design is very easy to personalize - just fill in the fields provided on each product page. And, as usual, don't forget to check Zazzle's coupon promo page to get a better discount.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

PS: If you're looking for funny Saint Patrick's Day items, check out the HaHaHolidays store here.

-MK

All images copyright MK Hess

MAKE BELIEVE MONDAY: Write a Story Set on the Island of Mustique

 WRITING PROMPT #3: Mustique Island

     Inspired by chronic snowfall, negative temperatures and cabin fever that's turning me into Jack Torrance, I've been randomly viewing sunny tropical photographs online in order to keep myself slightly sane. Then, a couple days ago, while browsing news articles, I came across a story about Kate Middleton / Duchess Katherine taking a family vacation to the Caribbean island of Mustique.
     Out of curiosity - and a thirst for more sunny pictures - I read about this privately-owned island and decided it would be a great place to set a story. So, for today's writing prompt, write a story set on Mustique or another Caribbean island frequented by the wealthy. Here are a few angles to get you started:

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas on Zazzle

CUTE AND PRETTY VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT IDEAS

With Valentine's Day swiftly approaching, I thought I'd show some sweetheart themed gift items from Zazzle today. Please note: since Zazzle is a print-on-demand company, you need to order in time for the item to be made as well as delivered.

1. A CUSTOM T-SHIRT. Here's one from my shop: I've Got a Crust on You! I love bread puns, and I made this slice of bread so it kind of has a Kewpie doll face. It's available on other items - including a greeting card - in my shop here.

Cute Crust on You Valentine's Day Pun Tshirt by HaHaHolidays

Here's the link to all the t-shirts on Zazzle - or make your own here.

New, Bright, Trendy Pattern Phone Cases on Zazzle

NEW BRIGHT PATTERNS, PHONE CASES ON ZAZZLE

Happy New Year, everyone! For the past couple weeks, I've been making some bright patterns and adding to one of my stores, FancyCelebration. Here's a glimpse of the new patterns on phone cases, although they're available on many, many products. They range from trendy to unique to vintage. This is a collage I put together on Polyvore here:

Unique Phone Cases, FancyCelebration store on Zazzle by mkhess

Click on the picture to see all the electronics cases in my store. Here's a link to the FancyCelebration store main page, too.

My overall favorites are the octopus, the seashells and the camouflage sheriff badge. The gear octopus was the hardest to make, but it looks cool on dark blue. The seashells remind me of a sunny beach, and I wish I was there right now. And the sheriff badge I made because it vaguely reminds me of "The Walking Dead." Some designs really stand out nicely - I just made the pink lip pattern, and it looks great on black. I also like the tiger pattern and the orchid purple chevron monogram one.

I hope everyone who's affected by the bad winter weather is staying warm and finding good use for the days when you're trapped inside. We're experiencing negative temperatures and constant snowfall here. Our chickens are locked up in the barn with extra bedding. 

I haven't updated this blog for a while, because I needed a break after the holidays and because my internet is so unreliable. But I hope to add more GIMP how-to instructions and writer inspiration soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

-MK

All images copyright MK Hess, except the wood wallpaper background (see it here).

FUNNY T-SHIRT FRIDAY: Random Weird T-Shirts

     Sometimes, I'm good at making t-shirts with a particular audience or occasion in mind. But other times, I get a weird phrase or image in my head and it seems funny to me, so I jot it down and make it. Over the years, I've discovered that I have an odd sense of humor, though. I'm never quite sure if anyone else will laugh at - or even understand - my strange designs. Here are a few that fall into that category.

No Posts for a Few Days

My internet connection is going to be bad for the next several days, so I won't be on here again until the 20th. That's what I get for living in the country and having a very limited service. Make-Believe Monday and How-To Tuesday are delayed - probably until Friday. I'll have to do one giant post: Make-Believe How-To Funny T-Shirt Friday!

-MK

SUNDAY PUN DAY: Funny Bigfoot Yeti T-Shirt

     Bigfoot rarely makes an appearance, so it's kind of embarrassing when you tell him not to come to your party, yeti shows up anyway. And in this case, he arrived with a big grin on his face, bearing gifts of wine, flowers and a heart. Poor guy! I doubt he'll make an appearance again. His confidence has been 'squatched.

Funny Bigfoot Yeti Pun T Shirt by HaHaHolidays

The one time he shows up, and he's not wanted.

-MK
On Zazzle
On Kindle

All images copyright MK Hess

SAVINGS SATURDAY: Amazon Promo Code: Facebook $5 Off $35 Order

I stumbled across this Amazon promo coupon the other day, when placing an order on Amazon. It was a nice little promo that essentially helped me get one book for free. I'm not a big fan of Facebook and I don't make too many Amazon wishlists, either, but I managed to do this in a couple minutes and will walk you through the steps here:

1. First, your order has to total $35 or more & you need a Facebook account. After you've decided what to order, make a new public wishlist and put a few items in it.

2. Next, go here.* Select your new wishlist, answer the question, uncheck the email offer and click "Share and Claim." You'll be told you need to connect Amazon with your Facebook account to get the offer. If you're like me, you'll hesitate to do that. I don't really want Facebook connected to Amazon - but you can disconnect after redeeming the promo.

3. After you've shared your wishlist on Facebook, go back to Amazon and place your order. The $5 will be deducted if your order qualifies.Check for other promo codes, too, on product pages and promo code sharing websites.

4. Now that you're done, if you'd like to disconnect Facebook from Amazon, go here.

That's it. $5 off a $35 order!

*This is a 2013 promo. It looks like it's been available in other years, though, so if this link no longer works, search around with terms like, "Amazon Facebook $5 promo [your year]."

-MK 
On Zazzle
On Kindle

FUNNY T-SHIRT FRIDAY: Zombie Humor Gift Ideas

It's Funny T-Shirt Friday! Here is some zombie humor from my HaHaHolidays store.

This is for the real zombie buff... who also likes zombies who are buff, because the zombie on this shirt is lifting weights made of brains:

Funny Zombie Buff Weightlifter Sleeveless Shirt
by HaHaHolidays

Zombie College: A Mind is a Terrific Thing to Taste:

Funny Zombie College Logo T-Shirt
by HaHaHolidays

Here's a zombie professor version with the same phrase. He's holding up a brain and giving the thumbs up:

Funny Zombie Professor Proverb T-Shirt
by HaHaHolidays

Some might kill zombies with fancy high-tech weapons, but it's more fun to kill them with axes and bats... old-school:

Funny Retro Old School Zombie Killer Hunter T-Shirt
by HaHaHolidays

Sometimes, you've had too little sleep or too much to drink or you're not feeling well - and you need to make sure everyone around you knows you're not a zombie:

Funny Don't Shoot, Just Look Like Zombie T-Shirt
by HaHaHolidays

Zazzle is still having plenty of sales leading up to Christmas. Check for Zazzle promo codes here.  Also, I just placed an order and used this promo coupon, so I know it works right now: FREESHIPFORU . It gives you free shipping if your order is over $50!

-MK
on Zazzle
on Kindle