Forget-Me-Not Valentine's Elephant Free Pattern

Download the free applique pattern here (300 d.p.i. images ready-to-print, packed in a .zip).

When I originally created this, it was with the express idea of using it as Duck Tape Applique in mind. Some of my crafty friends took it out of my hands and turned it into everything applique you can imagine from felt applique to a really stunning quilted postcard for Valentines.

With my original intent in mind ... grab some rolls of your fave patterns of Duck Tape and whip up an awesome looking project that you can add the Forget-Me-Not Valentine's Elephant Applique to for a whimsical and charming present. (I'll have a bunch of personal pictures pretty soon - I don't want to spoil the surprise for family and friends yet!)

Some recommended free Duck Tape patterns:

• Duck Tape iPad Cover
• Wild Clip Board 
• Duck Tape Notebooks with Pencil Holder 

Before you start any project, following a pattern or not, consider whether rolls or sheets of Duck Tape will make your project have the cleanest lines and most seamless patterns.

Duck Fabric® Owl Pouch

Duck Fabric® Owl Pouch

Ducktivity provided by Duck® Brand
Give a hoot what you put your belongings in this year with this playful owl pouch made with Duck Fabric® crafting tapes.

Skill Level: 

Intermediate

Approximate Crafting Time: 

0:45

Supplies and Tools:

• Duck Tape®
• Duck Fabric® Sheets
• Duck Tape® Sheets
• Duck Fabric® Rolls
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Ruler
• Pen
• Crafting board
• Quart sized zipper sandwich bag
• Paper

 

Directions

 

Step 1

To make a stencil for your owl, draw and cut out an owl. Your owl needs to measure about 4 in. tall to fit on your pouch.
 

Step 2

Trace your owl stencil onto the back of a Duck Tape® Sheet.
 

Step 3

Cut out your owl.


Step 4

For the eyes, cut out 2 circles from Duck Fabric® Sheets.






Step 5

For the beak, cut out a tear drop shape from a strip of Duck Tape®.

 

Step 6

For the belly, cut out an oval from a strip of Duck Fabric®.



Step 7

Put your owl together.



Step 8

For the pouch, cut off the top part of a quart sized zipper bag.



Step 9

Make the body of your pouch by sticking a Duck Fabric® Sheet to a Duck Tape® Sheet.





Step 10

Fold your double sided sheet in half, creating your pouch. Using Duck Fabric® rolls, adhere your zipper to your pouch and seal up the side edges. Trim any excess tape.
Step 11

Place your owl sticker on the pouch.

Recommended: DIY Duck Tape Glasses and Art Cases

DIY Duck Tape Upcycle Art Case and Glasses

There may be nothing more fun to just plain play around with, creatively speaking, than duck tape. Of course, the growing number of duck tape patterns aren't helping with the growing hobby obsession, either!

From cute to elegant, there is so much you can do with the sticky stuff. I love how this project, DIY Duck Tape Upcycle Art Case and Glasses, also embodies the idea of cute to elegant. Depending on the colors and patterns you choose, you can really take this from cute (thinking black with a pink polka dot contrast) to elegant (totally thinking of the different damask patterns I've seen) just based on what tape you choose for your project.

Definitely going to be updating this post later on when I've finished the set of cases I'm working on. Trust me - this is cool and way too easy!

images by and copyright to HeatherHardyArt.com

used here for original linked-to article reference 

Mochi Random Facts

HEALTH BENEFITS OF MOCHI 

Japanese folklore and traditional medicine attest to mochi's ability to warm the body and increase energy. Mochi's sweet taste nourishes the pancreas, spleen, and stomach.

Physically strengthening and easy to digest, mochi is an excellent food for people who are in a weakened condition. Japanese farmers and laborers favor mochi during colder months because of its reputation for increasing one's stamina.

Mochi is recommended for such health problems as anemia, blood-sugar imbalances, and weak intestines. Pregnant and lactating women benefit, because it strengthens both mother and child and encourages a plentiful supply of milk. Mochi made with the herb mugwort, which grows wild throughout Japan, is particularly high in calcium and iron and is traditionally given to women after childbirth. Mugwort mochi is also good for people who are anemic and those who want to gain weight.

左から“みそあん” “こしあん” “つぶあん”

The particular mochi above, "Kashiwa-mochi", is a Japanese sweet delicacy eaten on May 5.

Each color of mochi has its own name and unique flavor: pink = Miso-an. white = Koshi-an. green = Tsubu-an　

Microwave Mochi Recipe

The first time I tasted Mochi, I thought my taste buds were going to spasm in little bits of confusion. Flavor that was both subtle an sweet filled my senses and the dry but moist texture of the mochi balls my daughter had created was amazing.

The most simple, undecorated mochi still come off beautiful and sophisticated.

I've since learned that the variety of Mochi is immense. And with the variety, its end use is also immense. The recipe shared here creates a dessert style mochi that is intended to be cut into square shapes. Using the microwave makes the cooking painless and practically failproof. If my DIY self could get any happier, it would be flexibility - and this recipe has it! You can easily improvise an substitute ingredients.

How to Make Microwave Mochi

Tumblr Crossover: Kawaii Mochi

Sometimes, I share a little something from my personal Tumblr blog. Enjoy!

Click for full-size view

Two words for the day to learn (just click, it won't hurt):

Kawaii

Mochi