Tutorial: Easy way to turn your photos into coloring pages

For my daughter's Fresh Beat Band birthday, I used images I found on the web to make coloring pages as part of the kids' goody bags. It's such an easy process, and I want to show you how to do it too! That way, you can make your own personalized coloring pages for your kids, or maybe to give as gifts.

Step 1: select an image. You want to choose a picture that isn't very detailed or busy so it's easier to color. You also want to make sure the picture is a good-quality one. If you choose an image from the internet for example, it may be too small so when you try to enlarge it the picture will be grainy. I chose a picture of my daughter when she was younger.

Step 2: create a free account on Picnik.com. Picnik is a free photo editing site that allows members to upload and edit their pictures with options like adding stickers and text, to using different effects on a photo, like we're going to be doing with your picture. Best of all, Picnik is great for beginners, advanced photo editors or anyone who doesn't understand all of the complexities of Photoshop (me!).

Step 3: upload your photo, and begin to edit. On the Home page, you'll see the option to upload your photo. Once you upload, click on the tab at the top of the screen marked "Create". From there, you'll see more options on the subtabs below that one. You want to click on "Effects". Scroll down the list of effects until you find "Pencil Sketch". When you click on Pencil Sketch, your image should look something like this.

Step 4: adjust your levels. You'll notice options for radius, strength, and fade within the Pencil Sketch effect. Play around with them until you're satisfied with the look of your image. To make your image look as close to a coloring page as you can, you want to make strong, crisp lines and enough white space to color in.

Step 5: Adjust your sharpness. Click on the tab marked "Edit" and then go to "Sharpen" on the subtabs. From here, you can increase the sharpness which will help reduce any fuzziness in your photo and give the details in the image more definition.

Step 6: save and print! You can save your image by going to the "Save and Share" tab. Now, you have your very own personalized coloring pages!