Free images to use in your crafts, blog, etc.

Bike with a side car (Between 1940 and 1945)

Sure you can search Google images and come up with great results. But check to see the copyright status, it is unlawful to use copyrighted images even in collages.

OR

Go directly to a site full of copyright free or public domain images. One of the best places to look is Flickr. Museums and archives are putting up historical images and photographs that you can use, and copyright status is easy to check. The most recent addition to “the commons” is the National Museum of Denmark, the source of the image above.

Mexican inaugural party musicians, 1921.

The mariachi photo above is also from Flickr’s commons. It is one of New York Public Library’s photos.

But you can find much more than photos.

Jolly Hallowe'en.

I saved the best for last – there are a ton of vintage images ripe for plucking. The vintage Halloween card above was also made available from the New York Public Library. Go take a look.

Link Love: 5 Favorite Topics

kneadkneadknead Pavel kitty on his fav fleecy pillow. #caturday #catsofinstagram #tw
Be a good human and fetch me my tea, would you?

Well this was supposed to go up on Friday, and I was thinking about not putting it up at all because it was late. But I decided to forgive myself the lateness and just do it.

This one is about five subjects I like, crafty or not.

Topic #1: Knitting (Ya Think?!)
More and more I like quirky, fun knitted and crocheted items.
Like monsters, and toys, and yarn bombs.

I really love reading about massive yarn bombs.

Topic #2: Scrapbooking, rubber stamping, and all things paper.

I’m not a “scrapbooker” but I can’t resist looking at all the lovely layout designs the scrapbookers come up with. I’d like to think my “style,” if I had one would be like Ali Edwards, so clean, and fun, yet managing to still have her wonderful photos shine. Her blog is great to get lost in and whenever she does a tutorial, you can bet you’ll learn something very useful.

Topic #3: Books

Not a big surprise, I love to read books and about books. Lately, I’m loving the people behind Forever Young Adult. They have a book club with local chapters that meet up. If I ever find myself with more hours in the day, I’ll join the local group that meets at one of my favorite local cafés. In August they’re reading Eleanor & Park: a book that’s been getting great buzz.

Topic #4: Art Journaling

Even though I love the elegant and clean lines of Ali Edward’s style, I find myself drawn to the chaotic art journals of Teesha More and Juli Fei-Fan Balzer. I just devour their images, looking at every corner and thinking about how they made so many shapes and colors merge in harmony.

Walking the Brookyln Bridge
Topic #5: Travel
I love to get out and wander, discover, and explore. And reading other people’s adventures can be satisfying when I can’t get out there myself. Kristin Luna over at Camels and Chocolate is a self proclaimed “travel addict” I’d follow anywhere.

Realizing I could go on with other topics, I’m glad it was limited to five. You can play along too, just head over to Crafty Pod. She’s got the goods.

Finished easy knit project: color block honeycomb stitch infinity cowl

Two Tone Honeycomb Cowl

Knit night was last night and I had to dig out an older unfinished sock project because the knit-a-long cowl is finally done!

I’m so happy with the way it turned out in with just two hanks of Malabrigo worsted. The wide section of blue was a risk for me, and I’m hoping the color-block style stays on trend.

Two tone honeycomb stitch cowl

It will be so cozy once the weather turns…. in 3 months or so. The pattern is Honey Cowl by MadelineTosh and available as a free download.

I think Pavel approves.

Pavel helping to style the cowl