"Just for Fun" Braille Designs

I am a braille transcriber and I have been creating and sharing braille designs for many years. I design the patterns just for fun and share them freely here.

People sometimes ask about the size of the braille paper that is required to make these braille drawings. I have created this chart to guide people who wish to try making these braille designs.

For reference, 29 braille cells are accommodated on an 8 ½ X 11 braille paper, while 40 cells are accommodated on an 11 X 11 braille paper. Colored large paper can be purchased where scrapbooking supplies are sold.

All patterns were developed on a 40 cell width paper. The used cells may be reduced by subtracting the number of unused cells at the beginning of each row. I have noted the amount to be subtracted on the designs which can accommodate 29 cells on the instructions.

Note: Some shorter designs may be accommodated on 8 ½ X 11 if the paper can be turned landscape (sideways) in the brailler. The 8 ½” paper accommodates 17 rows. An example of this accommodation is the bat.

Just for Fun Design	Used Cells	29 Cell Adjustment: Small Paper
Angel	29	29 cell adjustment: Subtract 3 spaces at the beginning of each row
Apple	24	None needed
Bat	37	29 cell adjustment: Landscape on short paper
Bird	18	None needed
Birthday Cake	30	29 cell adjustment: Subtract 2 spaces at the beginning of each row Eliminate last cell on row 15 (Alternant method- Landscape paper)
Birthday Cake Slice	12	None needed
Boat	40	29 cell adjustment: Landscape on short paper - Tight fit
Candy Cane Candy Cane striped	12	None needed
Candy Canes (Double)	22	None needed
Christmas Tree	28	None needed
Computer	39	Cannot be accommodated
Darth Vader	40	Cannot be accommodated
Dinosaur (T-Rex)	26	None needed
Dragon	38	Cannot be accommodated
Dreidel Dreidel with markings	32	Cannot be accommodated
Duck on Pond	40	29 cell adjustment: Eliminate last cells on last row
Easter Basket with eggs	30	29 cell adjustment: Subtract 3 of beginning spaces on each row; Row 3: eliminate 1 of the first “g”s; Rows 4-15: eliminate one space in middle of each row; Rows16-23 subtract one full cell from each row
Easter Eggs	12	None needed
Elf	31	29 cell adjustment: Subtract 4 spaces at the beginning of each row; Eliminate last cell on row 7; Eliminate last 2 cells on rows 8 & 9 (removes ball on hat)
Flower in a pot	18	None needed
Heart - Single with or without message	24	None needed
Heart - Double with or without message	31	29 cell adjustment: Landscape on short paper - Tight fit
Menorah	40	Cannot be accommodated
Pie (This is done sideways and then turned.)	13	None needed
Pirate Ship	39	29 cell adjustment: Landscape on short paper - Tight fit if you eliminate the first 4 rows
Pot of Gold	37	29 cell adjustment: Subtract 3 spaces at the beginning of each row; Eliminate end of row 16: make “with”, make 2 full cells, make “of”; Eliminate end of row 17: , make “er”, make 2 full cells, make “q”, Space 1 time, make “with”, make 2 full cells, make “of”; Eliminate end of row 18: make “er”, make 2 full cells, make “q”, Eliminate end of row 19: make “with”, make 2 full cells, make “of”; Eliminate rows 20 & 21 (removes all but one fallen coin)
Pumpkin Jack-o-lanterns	34	29 cell adjustment: Landscape on short paper - Tight fit
Pumpkin - Small	29	None needed
Santa	35	Cannot be accommodated
Scarecrow	34	29 cell adjustment: Subtract 4 spaces at the beginning of each row; Eliminate row 13; Eliminate any extra ending cells that do not fit (Not as nice looking, but good enough)
Shamrock	24	None needed
Smilie Face	17	None needed
Snowman	40	Cannot be accommodated
Spider	40	29 cell adjustment: Landscape on short paper
Star of David	34	Cannot be accommodated
Tow Truck	24	None needed
Treasure Chest	38	29 cell adjustment: Landscape on short paper
Tulips	40	29 cell adjustment: Landscape on short paper
Turkey for Dinner	36	Cannot be accommodated
Turkey	37	Cannot be accommodated
Two Doves	22	None needed
Witch	37	Cannot be accommodated
Yoda	39	29 cell adjustment: Landscape on short paper