New Free Pandemic 2020 Coloring Page for all ages!

Print, Color, Share

Day 35 of quarantine for my family. During this time, my husband has been to the grocery store twice, that's it. I hope you and your family are staying put and helping to flatten the curve. While at home, we are working on school work, drawing, baking, gardening. I'm crocheting hat for Cancer patients (which I will submit when it is safe to do so). I have also been teaching my kids to skateboard, unicycle and hacky sack (that is what it was called when I was a teen, currently this sport is called footbag). I hope you are finding fun things to do or do together with those you are quarantined with. 

If you are enjoying my coloring pages and would like to check out more of my art. My Etsy shop is called Doodling Rocks and has my hand lettered designs on shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, bags, and more. 

New Free Pandemic 2020 Coloring Page!

Print, Color, Share

I'm seeing pictures of snow on posts from people in Maine and Colorado, but down here in Georgia, it is about 70 degrees and the flowers in my garden are popping up. I realize that while you are staying in, you may not be able to actually stop and smell the flowers, but my point is that we could all take a moment to stop stressing and appreciate what we have. Maybe you have your spouse or your children or your pet with you. Hopefully you have shelter and food (even if you are trying to create meals with 1 left over hot dog bun, instant oatmeal, and a slice of bacon from the back of the freezer). If you are feeling anxious about the pandemic or the news of the pandemic, take a moment to close your eyes, breathe, enjoy a warm mug of hot cocoa or tea and think of things that calm you. We are all in this together. 

If you are enjoying my coloring pages and would like to check out more of my art. My Etsy shop is called Doodling Rocks and has my hand lettered designs on shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, bags, and more. 

New Coloring Page!

Free - so save, print, share, color, enjoy.

Day 30 for us here in Georgia. Spring break is over and digital school started back up today. I hope all of you are handling the multiple websites, log ons, printing, zoom calls, Schoology, Edmodo, Office 365 and other apps necessary for school for your children. Hang in there. We are all in this together.

If you are enjoying my pages and my art, check out my Etsy shop, Doodling Rocks for hand lettered designs on shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, bags, and more. 

New Coloring Page!

The World Health Organization says we should, "Be informed, Be prepared, Be smart, and Be safe," so I put that into my Pandemic Art Journal and have a page to share with you. I'll digitally color this one and add that to my journal, too. It is day 4 of Passover and tomorrow is Easter so hang in there. We are all muddling through this together. Copy, paste, print, share. 

If you like my pages, check back for more in the upcoming days, and if you just like my art, check out my Etsy shop, Doodling Rocks!

New Coloring Page!

Quarantine Day 27 and I'm craving french fries. In any case, a friend posted this quote yesterday and it made me feel a little bit better. No matter how stressful this is, no matter how scary this is, the sun will continue to rise. This page is free to download, copy, paste, color, and share. 

If you like my art, check out my Etsy shop: Doodling Rocks for my art on shirts and hoodies and mugs and hats and bags and more. (Sorry, the Etsy products aren't free, they help me pay for art supplies so I can continue to create.)

Pandemic Art Journaling...

It is day 26 of quarantine for me and my family. One of my favorite ways to relieve stress is to draw. Last week, I started a new Pandemic 2020 art journal and after drawing the first page, I decided to share my pages as coloring sheets for both adults and children before actually coloring or painting them in myself. 

I've now created 6 pages that I've shared on Facebook in various groups as well as on my own personal and professional page (Alison K Hertz - Author/Illustrator). Since coloring is a proven way to relieve stress and anxiety, I've made these pages free for download so you can color them or share them with a friend or family member who might need them. 

We are all in this together (hmm, that might be my next page) so print, share, color. I'd love it if you would mention that I created the page if and when you post your colored masterpiece on social media. You can just include the link to this blog so your friends and family can find other pages to color.

Here are the pages (in chronological order) ... may them bring a bit of peace to you and your family.

Check back for more coloring pages coming soon!

 

If you color in the Thank You page, 

please share it with helpers in your life.

Waffle Berry Hat Crochet Pattern

Waffle Berry Hat

Intermediate level - but once you see how easy these stitches are, you will be surprised.

By Alison Hertz

For this hat, you will need 1 or 2 yarn colors. 

I used a J Hook (5.75) 

This hat is approximately 22 inches around and 8 to 9 inches long.

Stitch abbreviation's

ch chain stitch

ss slip stitch

hdc half double crochet

dc double crochet

fpdc front post double crochet

For the waffle stitch and the raspberry stitch, you can look up a tutorial on YouTube if my directions confuse you. I hope they don't. 

Color A

Row 1) 15 DC into a magic circle, ss to close (15)
Row 2) ch2, 2 dc into each stitch all the way around, ss to close (30)

Row 3) ch2, *2dc into first stitch, then 1dc into next*, repeat all the way around, ss to close (45)

Row 4) ch2, *2dc into first stitch, then 1dc into next 2 stitches*, repeat all the way around, ss to close (60)

Row 5) ch2, *2dc into first stitch, then 1dc into next 6 stitches,* repeat all the way around, ss to close (70) If using 2 colors, change to color B

Color B

Row 6) ch2 and turn your work so you are now working on the inside of the hat for the Raspberry Stitch, *sc dc sc in first stitch, then skip 2 stitches,* repeat all the way around and ss to close. (70)

Row 7) ch2 and continue working on the inside for another row of Raspberry Stitch. In the first space after the 1st raspberry from the previous row, *sc dc sc, then skip 2, so that you put the next berry in between 2 from the previous row. This offsets the berries.* repeat all the way around and ss to close. (70)

Row 8) repeat row 7

Row 9) repeat row 7

Row 10) ch2, and turn work so you are back to working on the outside of the hat, 1hdc in each stitch, ss to close (70)

Row 11) ch2, 1 third loop hdc in each stitch. This flips the stitch forward to look like a stripe. as to close (70)

Row 12) repeat row 11 (70) If using 2 colors, change back to color A.

Color A

Row 13) Waffle Stitch - ch2, *fpdc around first stitch, dc into next 2,* repeat all the way around and ss to close. (70)

Row 14) ch2 and turn work, *dc, fpdc into next 2 (these were the stitches you did a regular dc into in the previous row),* repeat all the way around and ss to close. (70)

You may need to keep checking to make sure your stitches are lining up. Stitches that were dc in the previous row are now fpdc in this row and stitches that were fpdc in the previous row are now dc in this row.

Row 15) ch2 and turn your work, *fpdc around first stitch, dc into next 2,* repeat all the way around and ss to close. (70)

Row 16) ch2 and turn work, *dc, fpdc into next 2 (these were the stitches you did a regular dc into in the previous row),* repeat all the way around and ss to close. (70)

You should now have 2 rows of finished waffles (created by 4 rows of stitches) If using 2 colors, change to color B.

Color B

Row 17) ch2, 1hdc in each stitch, ss to close (70)

Row 18) ch2, 1 third loop hdc in each stitch. ss to close (70)

Row 20) ch2, 1dc into the third loop of each stitch (70) If using 2 colors, change back to Color A.

Color A

Row 21) ch2, *1fpdc, 1dc,* repeat all the way around and as to close (70)

Row 22) repeat row 21

Row 23) repeat row 21

Finish off and sew in ends.

Post a pic if you try out the pattern. 

Stitches Close Up...

V Stitch Beanie

This pattern is for an approximately 22 inch Medium hat that is 8 inches long.

Vocabulary

hdc - half double crochet

dc - double crochet

ch - chain

ss - slip stitch

fpdc - front double crochet

To create a V stitch. You crochet 2dc into the same spot in between the two dc from the previous row.

In my example, Color A is Berry, Color B is pink, Color C is white.

You need 2 or 3 colors. This pattern shows using 3 colors.

This hat is worked from the top down to the trim.

TOP-

Row 1 - Color A Make a magic circle, then 2 ch, then crochet 14 dc into the circle, change to color B before you Ss through the top of the 2 ch to close your row. (14)

Row 2 - ch 2 in Color B, then 2 dc in between each dc of row 1. Change to Color C and finish your row with a SS into the top of the ch from beginning this row. (28 stitches, 14Vs)

Row 3 - ch 2 in Color A, *2 dc in between your dh and the first V from the previous row, then 2 dc into the next 2 Vs*, repeat all the way around. Change to Color A and ss into top of ch from beginning this row. (42 stitches, 21Vs)

Row 4 - ch 2 in Color C, *2dc in between your ch and the first V from the previous row, then 2 dc into the next 3 Vs*, repeat all the way around. Change to Color B and ss into top of ch from beginning of this row. (56 stitches, 28Vs)

Row 5 - Note: You are only adding 4 Vs to this row so you have a total of 64 stitches. Ch 2 in color A, *2dc in between your ch and the first V from the previous row, then 2 dc into the next 7 Vs*, repeat all the way around. Change to Color C and ss into top of ch from beginning of this row. (64 stitches, 32Vs) - NOTE: If you want your had wider, add in increments of 2 dc (1 V stitch is 2 dc).

SIDES -

Row 6 - Ch 2 in Color B, 2dc into each V all the way around. Change to Color A and ss into top of Ch. (64 stitches, 32Vs)

Row 7 - Ch 2 in Color A, 2dc into each V all the way around. Change to Color B and Ss into top of Ch. (64 stitches, 32Vs)

Row 8 - ch 2 in Color C , 2dc into each V all the way around. Change to Color C and Ss into top of ch. (64 stitches, 32Vs)

Row 9 - ch 2 in Color A, 2dc into each V all the way around. Change to Color A and Ss into top of ch. (64 stitches, 32Vs)

Row 10 - ch 2 in Color B, 2dc into each V all the way around. Change to Color B and Ss into top of ch. (64 stitches, 32Vs)

Row 11 - ch 2 in Color A, 2dc into each V all the way around. Change to Color C and Ss into top of ch. (64 stitches, 32Vs)

Row 12 - ch 2 in Color C , 2dc into each V all the way around. Change to Color A and Ss into top of ch. (64 stitches, 32Vs)

Row 13 - ch 2 in Color A, 2 dc into each V all the way around. Change to Color B and ss into top of ch. (64 stitches, 32Vs)

Row 14 - ch 2 in Color B , 2dc into each V all the way around. Change to Color C and Ss into top of ch. (64 stitches, 32Vs)

Row 15 -  ch 2 in Color A, 2dc into each V all the way around. Change to Color A and Ss into top of ch. (64 stitches, 32Vs)

STITCH CHANGE

Row 16 - ch 1 in Color C (white), hdc into top of each stitch (not in between as you did for the Vs - just stitch these normally), then Change to Color A and ss into top of ch.

STITCH CHANGE

Row 17 - ch 2 in Color A, then 1 dc in each stitch. ss in top of ch.

STITCH CHANGE

ROW 18, 19, & 20 (you can always do more of this row) - In Color A, ch 2, *fpdc into first hdc from previous row, then dc into top of next stitch, repeat all the way around.

Finish off and tuck in your ends using a yarn needle.

Have fun!

-Alison Hertz

DOODLE DAY!

The History of Doodle Day

Doodle Day began as a one month challenge back in May of 2013 (you can see the original post announcing the challenge HERE). I was creating a daily doodle and my then 4 year old was carrying her little pink sketchbook to pre-k each day so she could sketch during nap time. On April 29th, 2013, Erin told me, on the way to school, that she wanted to start doodling the same thing I was doodling each day and we should call it Doodle Day May. As I she got out of the car, she said, "and you should blog about it and invite our friends."

Well, I loved the idea so I did go home and blog about it and I did invite our friends. The next morning, there were about 60 people who had commented on the blog or expressed interest that they wanted to doodle with Erin and I and now 34 months later, Doodle Day never stopped. Erin and I still doodle every day and the group has grown to more than 600 people! We have a new theme each month and all doodlers are welcome (well, as long as you keep the doodles family friendly and rated G since we have some pretty young artists in this group).

If you'd like to join Doodle Day, the Facebook group can be found HERE. 

Today, we are on day 4 of our February 2016 theme UNLIKELY FRIENDS. The prompts are about creating a quick doodle of pairs of animals that you wouldn't typically see together enjoying each other's company.

Here's a sample of a couple of my doodles this month:

Doodling every day for years has helped me developed my style, play with different media, create characters, and it's just fun. 

If you are a grown up or a child, a parent or single, an artist, teacher, media center specialist, or anybody else who enjoys doodling - consider joining the very supportive online community of Doodle Day. 

-Alison

Doodle Day SPARKS

Can you believe Doodle Day has 594 members?? WOW! I love knowing that there are soo many people doodling out there. We started as a 1 month doodle challenge in May 2013 and just kept on doodling. November 2015 marks our 31st consecutive month of doodling every day. If you don't know the way it works, join the Doodle Day group on Facebook, then you click on the file for the month and the list of doodle prompts are listed there. If there are blank spaces after any of the days, doodle members are welcome to add something appropriate to the theme. We have to keep in mind that we have doodlers as young as 4 years old in there so all doodle prompts and doodles are G rated. The prompts are there to inspire and challenge. We all know that it can be stressful to stare at a blank page and not know what to draw so the prompt lists take that stress away. Doodle Day can be used as a daily creative exercise, a warm up for a more difficult art piece you are working on, a relaxation technique, an activity to get the creativity flowing before writing a story or a business proposal or working on homework. Doodling should not take a lot of thought. Put your pencil to the page and see what happens. Try new mediums and drawing techniques. I started playing with a brush pen Doodle Day in 2013 and now that's all I use. I learned how to paint with watercolors in there. I started working with acrylics and canvas there. Doodle Day is an opportunity to create without judgement, without grades, and without the stress of it being a perfect piece for a portfolio or art exhibit. Just create. It is the most supportive creative environment that I know of and I am soo happy that soo many doodlers are there to support my love of being creative every day. 

If you'd like to join Doodle Day - click on this link and join our doodle community. DOODLE DAY

A Month of HAND LETTERING in Doodle Day

Sorry about the blog hiatus but I've been very busy doodling. : ) Doodle Day is still going strong and we are up to 511 members of the online community. Our theme this month was HAND LETTERING. Personally, I had never sat down and really thought about how to approach hand lettering. Sure, I doodled and played with names and words here and loved doing the Notan designs for Doodle Day last year but I really hadn't worked on composition and how the viewers eye will move around the piece (specifically referring to a lettering piece) until this month. I started a new sketchbook just for Hand Lettering and I'm keeping it positive, motivational, and inspiring. I didn't fill the sketchbook this month but I did average more than one doodle per day and I intend to continue to fill this sketchbook with just hand lettering. Here are my doodles from this month...

If you'd like to join Doodle Day - an online community of doodlers. We have monthly themes and daily doodle prompts. You can post your doodles, get feedback, share your ideas, ask questions, and join a very supportive group. Click on this link to join: DOODLE DAY