Use Kindle Unlimited to Learn Creative Arts

Back in December I shared 5 embroidery books that would make great gifts or to get for yourself. Of course, getting a physical copy of one of these books would be great but what if you just wanted to take a look before you buy, or, maybe you don't have room for books so you use a Kindle. 

There is a program with Amazon called Kindle Unlimited that lets you view and read as many books and some magazines as long as they have been marked for the program. Not every book is in Unlimited but there are enough to keep you busy and there are several crafting books. There is also a limit on how many you can borrow at once but it's a good many and you can always return one to  make room for another. 

Two of the books I mentioned in December are available on Kindle Unlimited: 

• Pet Portrait Embroidery - $20.03 paperback or $12.99 Kindle
• Doodle Stitching - $15.64 paperback or $11.99 Kindle
  

Cost

If you get Kindle Unlimited both are included for no extra cost. Of course
Unlimited has a monthly subscription fee (currently $11.99) similar to a fee for streaming video. I like to think of it as paid library access because I almost always incur fines from the library because I either forget to renew or I just want to keep a book a little bit longer. And, I can cancel at anytime so if I find myself not accessing it as much, I can always take a break and go back a few months later and sign up again. 

Savings

So, at the $11.99 monthly fee, I can put both of these books in my Kindle library compared to buying both of them for my Kindle at a total of $24.98, a savings of $12.99 or a savings of $24.68 over getting the physical copies. But what if you really like to have the physical copy? If you have it in Unlimited you can take if for a spin on the Kindle and make the decision on whether you think you would get your money's worth before paying more for it. Then you can go check out other available books without spending more money...yet. I mean I have bookshelves filled with books, so....I might have a problem.

Using a Tablet

Plus, you can put more than just those two books in your library. I mentioned magazines above. I currently have Stitch magazine in my library. The only con with the magazines is that you cannot view them on your computer. You will need a tablet or other mobile device. I actually view most of my books on my tablet and I would suggest a decent size tablet to make reading easier. I have a Fire HD 10 tablet which is great for reading and perusing magazines with beautiful images. I also do some art work on it, listen to audio books, and watch my streaming shows. Tablets are very versatile and travel easily. 

How to Create Color Options in Spoonflower

When I started out with Spoonflower I would just make and upload one simple design. Eventually, I would make different color options and upload each one individually and they would be independent of the other colors. Then, one day, Spoonflower introduced fabric design colorways. 

So, how do you get these to show up when you have more than one color option of the same print?

1. Make sure all the titles start the same and then add a (space) dash (space) and the color. Above you see that the name is Heart to Heart - Yellow. So then the remaining designs end in a dash (-) and the individual color name ( - blue, - purple, and - red). Note: "Fabric" is provided by Spoonflower and is not part of the title you provide. 
2. Upload the files to Spoonflower. 
3. Edit each design description to match. For this design each color is described as: Hearts and diamonds in monochromatic pattern. Great for Valentine's Day, making spring clothing, or fun holiday decor. 
4. Add tags so that most are the same. Note: I did add a different tag for each color. 

That's it. It does take awhile for them to show up and you will probably get concerned that it didn't work. I would wait 2-3 days and then if it does not show, go back through the steps above and check to see if the name, description, and tags are appropriate. 

If you would like to watch how to do this watch my video below. To skip to just uploading the designs and making the colors click here to skip over designing with Repper. To learn how to easily make different colors with one design watch from the beginning. 

New Pattern Coloring Book for Valentine's Day

It's official. I have three coloring books completed and they are all part of a series, Patterns to Relax to. The latest one is just in time for Valentine's Day! Color Me Easy Valentine's Coloring Book: Patterns to Relax to Book Three is full of 50 patterns to color all with hearts. 

This book took a little longer to create because I was much more selective on creating the hearts just right in the repetitive designs. I created each one using Repper using images with bold shapes and lines that would, with the correct manipulation, form the hearts. None of the images I used had hearts. I will save that for my next book but that will be for next year. 

Kids and adults alike will enjoy coloring these for Valentine's Day and even using the finished coloring to create:

• decorations

• sweet Valentine's cards

• wrapping small gifts

The first two non-holiday pattern books in the series are: 

• Color Me Easy Coloring Book: Patterns to Relax To Book 1 includes 50 designs

• Color Me Easy Coloring Book: Patterns to Relax To Book 2 includes 74 designs

Are you interested in making patterns of your own? Or do you get enjoyment from coloring designs already made? 

Please note that links in this post may result in a commission paid to me that helps support me to create this blog and my design projects. There is no additional cost added on to you when you make purchases.