Arts & Crafts: Page 36

Cosplay is a fine art these days, and if you want to get into it, deciding which of the thousands of characters you have to choose from to cosplay as can be tough. Making a good costume is hard work, so you want to make sure you choose the right character for you before you invest your time and money. This video features several regular cosplayers giving you all sorts of tips and advice for picking your character based on body type, personality, and other factors.

You probably haven't played with marbles since you were a kid (anyone remember Chinese checkers?), but more likely than not you still have some marbles lying around your house, especially if you have a kid.

Sewing with a serger sewing machine can be quite difficult, if you're lucky enough to own one. Even threading the beastly sewing machine can be pretty tricky. But this two-part video tutorial should help you to properly thread one. This covers the threading of a Singer Differential-Feed Finishing Touch serger sewing machine (14SH654), which has 4/3 thread capability. Singer also has a PDF available with detailed threading instructions.

If you want to go furry, don't want to spend the money on a professionally-made fursuit, and have some sewing skills, you've come to the right place. This video will help you get your costume started by showing you how to make a pair of fursuit gloves yourself. They are durable, easy to move around in, and super cute.

Despite what you may believe, making a crochet cap doesn't end at the last knitting row. In fact, crochet caps can be embellished in a number of different ways, including this Pomp-A-Doodle trim.

If you're into fursuits, check this video out. It will show you how to make cheap, durable footpaws for a koala, lemur, or other primate costume out of slippers and other cheap materials. Now get out there and fur it up!

What's the most efficient way to become a fashion designer? By challenging yourself to creating your own clothes from the ground up. And while you probably already know this means cuting, sewing, and embroidering your fabrics, it also means making your own patterns.

Are you ready for the spookiest time of year yet? Get yourself in the mood for macabre (Halloween is in only two months!) by checking out this crafting tutorial for making a cute spider stamp-embellished Halloween box equipped with a ribbon holder.

In this video, we learn how to do a single crochet going through back loops only. First, do your foundation crochet, then start doing single crochets. With the chain, there is two loops, the back and front. To the back loop, you would go through these with your crochet hook, then pull on the yarn to continue to crochet. Make sure you find the difference between these so you know which loop to go through. Start to do back loop crochets and continue until you reach the end of the line. Make sure...

In this video, we learn how to use French wire when jewelry making. First, you want to take your wire and cut it to the length you need, using wire cutters. After this, you will place a stopper next to the pendant or bead that you are applying inside the necklace. Next, string on the clasp to the wire and then bend the end of the wire to the inside of the stopper, then cut the end of that with wire cutters. When finished, your clasp should be secure at the end of the wire and ready to hook onto...

In this video, we learn how to make a double flap card with Stampin' Up!. First, cut out the card in green, then add a creamy caramel color to the top of a white piece of paper. Now, add a green piece of paper that is slightly smaller to the top of the caramel color paper. Add another piece of white on top of the green, then layer then together on the card. Add in a walrus and a little kid stamp to the cards and place them onto scalloped punches. On the bottom, apply striped paper, then apply a...

In order to make a Tri-Shutter Halloween Card, you will need the following: card stock, fishing line, ribbon, paper trimmer, printed/decorated paper, and adhesive. Cut a 4 by 5 piece of card stock. Score the card at 2 inches, 4 inches, 8 inches, and at 10 inches. Cut a slit from 2 inches down to 10 inches on both sides of the paper, setting it in about 1.5 inches from each side. Now, fold the card where it was scored. Cut your decorated paper to fit in the panels. Attach ribbon. Cut out...

In this video, we learn how to make a snowflake card using Cricut Winter Woodland. You can find the snowflake on page 35 of the manual, then cut it at 3.5", cutting it four times to make it thick and chunky. The top of the card can be run through the Cuttlebug with a snowflake design, and the bottom can have a holiday snowflake print. The sentiment should say "let it snow" and you can place a green bow in the center next to the thick snowflake you make. You can write what you wish on the inside...

In order to make a photo album with a paper bag, you will need the following: a bone folder, paper bags, decorative paper, hole punch, matte board, adhesive, and paper fasteners. Scallop the top of the bags. Attach the matte board to printed paper with adhesive. Miter the corners of the matte board. Fold over the ends and use adhesive to fold down the sides. You can use a bone folder to assist you. Next, use a piece of coordinating paper to cover up the matte board. Seal it with...

In this video, we learn how to make a jingle bell card using Cricut Storybook. you will need the Cricut Storybook cartridge and Cuttlebug Music Notes folder to do this card. First, you will take a cut out of the word "jingle" that has a bell attached to the bottom of it. You can find this in your Cricut crafting books. Next, apply a checkered green paper over a forest green card stock. Next, grab a holiday embossed white paper and apply a ribbon to it, then glue this onto the checkered paper....

In this tutorial, we learn how to use a yarn bowl when knitting. The side of the bowl will have a slit in it where you can place your yarn while you are working on a project. Use hand wound balls or any other type. First place the yarn in the bowl and then string it through the slit, feeding it through as you do your project. If you have a larger ball, set it on the side and use it the same way. The bowl is glossy and smooth so the ball will roll around and won't get stuck inside. There's also...

In order to make an adjustable cable necklace, you will need the following: 20 inch adjustable cable chain, a slide bead frame, 2 head pins, 8 mm bi-cone, 8 mm crystal, 2 6-mm round rondells, 2 7-mm jump rings, a pair of nipper tools, a pair of round nose pliers, and a pair of chain nose pliers. Clip the flexible cable wire to the desired length. Remove the crimp from the clasp. Unscrew it. Attach the clasps to either end of the cable. Bead the head pin. Slip it into the notches of the...

In this video, we learn how to do a stockinette stitch. This is where you knit one row and stitch the row after that. This will curl up if you don't stitch on the side of it as well. When you're on the right side, you will do a knit row making it as large or as small as you want it to be. After this, turn your work around and you will see the wrong side of the work. Now your next row will be purl stitches. Continue to do these until you finish, this is a simple and easy way to learn stitching!

In making jewelry, the head pin loop is used many times. Let's learn to make a head pin loop so jewelry making will be that much easier. To make a head pin loop you will need: Beads Head pins Wire cutters Round nose pliers To start you are going to slide the bead or beads onto the head pin. As with other techniques we have learned you are going to bend the head pin at a 90-degree angle. It is important to have the bend of the head pin flush and without any play between the bend and...

In this video, we learn how to knit double motifs. First, make a grid so that you have an even number of stitches all the way around your motif. After this, cast two colors onto the needle, making sure they stay in order. Cast on a total of twenty stitches, which will be just one side of the square for your motif. After this, start to stitch the rows until you reach the middle where your shape will be. Exchange the colors so the pattern in the middle looks how you want it to. After this, bind...

In this video, we learn how to start a beanie. During this, you will increase the number of single crochet stitches in a chain. Start off with a chain three, then join them by crocheting a single stitch in the first stitch you made. Do this by pushing the hook through and pulling the yard over, then pulling through. After this, you will have a circle. Start to crochet inside of this by using your circle and inserting the hook into the circle. Crochet around the tail of the circle, then yarn...

In this video, we learn how to crochet a triangle-shaped bikini beanie hat. First, crochet nine single crochets through a simple loop. After this, join with the beginning single crochet and work a single crochet three times. next, work one single crochets in each of the next two, then three single crochets in the next stitch. Now, go join with the first single crochet. Continue to go around until you have a large circle shape, going down on the sides to make the entire beanie shape. After this,...

In this video, we learn how to cut acrylic on the Cricut Expression. First, you will need to have an acrylic cutter installed on your Cricut Expression. Now, place the acrylic on the mat and insert the mat into your machine. After this, choose the type of cut you want, then make sure the blade depth is at six and the pressure is at maximum. Now you can start to cut the acrylic, and when it's finished, it will pop back out of the machine and be finished! You can then use the acrylic for what...

What's better than one origami boomerang that comes back to you all cool-like? Two origami boomerangs taped together, of course! Now of course you're thinking, "but that's not a boomerang at all and it won't come back to you!," but check out this video and you'll see there's a way to put together two boomerangs so that they'll create a super large and sexy boomerang.

In order to make your own designer brads, you will need the following: clear or colored ultra thick embossing enamel, brads, glitter, ink, acrylic paint, a heat gun, and tweezers. Brads are brass paper fasteners. Dip the brads in glitter paint and enamel. Allow them to dry. Another method is to dip them in embossing ink and clear UT. Heat it. When it melts, repeat. Dip in ink and UT and heat. Repeat this at least 3 times and set aside to dry and cool. Dip it in glitter if you...

It's never too early to begin crafting for one of the funnest and spookiest holidays of the year: Halloween! No doubt you're going to be attending at least one Halloween party or get together this year, so why not show the hostess with the mostest some love for putting together an awesome party?

In this tutorial, we learn how to glue straight and curved latex seams. First, press each piece of latex down so it's just touching in the middle. After this, use your finger to press down on the middle, then take a roller and roll over the middle until it's perfectly straight. Now, stretch out the latex to make sure that both sides are stuck together. To glue curved latex seams, place the pieces together slowly, pushing your finger down in the center as you go to make a curved effect. Once you...

In order to make the Spinner Pinwheel Card with your Cricut, you will need the follow: the Cricut Wild Card cartridge, card stock, ribbon, brads, printed/patterned paper, adhesive, and an ink pad. Go to page 51 on your manual. Place your cartridge in your Cricut. Load the paper. Then, set it on 5.5. If you do not want to have the dots on it, then you'll need to cut it with the blackout setting. Next, you will need to cut the face of the card again with printed paper. Use adhesive...

In this video, we learn how to make a beaded 7 petal faerie flower pendant. First, string 14 beads on an 18 inch piece of string. Next, create a circle in the beads, then tie it off. After this, add three blue beads to your first pico stitch, then go through two more beads after this. Continue to do this all the way around the bracelet until you reach the other side. After this, go through the first pico stitch and add one red bead, followed by blue and red beads to make petals. Continue this...

In this video, we learn how to dye yarn with Kool-Aid. First, take two chairs and wrap yarn around them as tight as possible to keep them from getting tangled up. Then, place in a bath of lukewarm water for ten minutes. After this, grab packets of Kool Aid the color you want your yarn to be. Now, take the yarn out of the water and squeeze out any excess water. After this, mix up the Kool Aid and place it into individual jars for each color. Next, place the jars in a large pot of water and then...

In this video, we learn how to make a shadowbox. First, you will need to have a frame that is thick and pops out from the wall. After this, layer hot glue down on the inside of the frame where you are going to put what goes on the inside. Decorate it how you like, a good idea is to use fake moss, wood chips, and stones on the inside. Decorate this as unique as you would like to, let your imagination go wild! After you have decorated the frame as you would like it, grab a piece of paper that you...

In this video, we learn how to make a Joy S-fold Christmas card using Cricut George. First, fold the card and mark it so it's in the S shape, then stamp the background of the card with colored snowflakes in different sizes and shapes. After this, use a black outline along the sides of the papers, then add in a black piece of paper to the middle of the top fold. Apply a monkey with a Santa hat to the front and wrap him around a J shaped candy cane. Add in the letters "o" and "y", then add in a...

In this video, we learn how to hide a crimp bead with a crimp bead cover. First, string your spacer followed by a crimp bead and another spacer. At the end, you will have the end piece with the wire protector next to it. Then, bring the piece of jewelry through the crimp bead twice, then through the spacer once more. Now the spacers and crimp beads will be pressed with the crimping tool tightly. Pull on the string to test it out, then slip in your crimp bead cover so it looks like another bead...

In this video, we learn how to make a thank you card using Cricut Doodle Charms and SYI. The card can be the size you choose. Layer orange, green, and brown mats, running the green and orange through the Cuttlebug using blue dots to give it texture. After this, ink around the edges with brown so the embossing shows up. Use the Cricut to cut the leaves and an acorn, using the Doodle Charms cartridge for one of the leaves cut at 2 1/4". You can also use the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge for...

When you get you're "My Kitchen" cartridge from Cricut, you will need to test the cartridge, in order to make sure it works. Then, you should look at the manual. Remove the pages that you don't need: those in foreign languages. This cartridge is useful, if you want to make your own recipe cards, send invitations, or for your scrapbooking. In order to make the pie, select your paper colors and run it through. You should cut it at 2 inches. After it is cut, then you just have to...

In order to make paper cutting art for your home, you will need: paper, pencils, X-acto knife, card stock, scissors, self-healing cutting mat, poster board, adhesive, and a scanner. Sketch 2 designs of a city skyline on drawing paper. This should be a two-layer design. Scan it into your computer. Print it on card stock, after you scan it. Print it out. Cut it out with an X-acto knife. Cut out contrasting poster board to place behind it. Assemble it with spray adhesive. Frame...

This video shows how to knit a stitch through the back loop. It's the way you can twist your knit and tight the fabric by stitching through the back loop. People usually do it through front but it does not twist your stitch as much as through back loop and regular stitch does not tight the fabric as much as through the back loop. When you knit a stitch through the back loop, it sits differently from the regular stitching. So first you need to stitch through the back loop and do your next...

Cricut can be used to cut fabric. In order to cut fabric with your Cricut, you will need the following: Steam A Seam 2 (a double stick fusible web), blue painters tape, iron, and the Cricut with cartridge. Choose fabric. You can use Cricut fabric swatches or your own. Cut the fabric to the size you need: approximately 4 inches. Cut the Steam A Seam and attach it to your fabric, using an iron to make it adhere. Feed the fabric in your Cricut fabric side down. You may need to adjust the...

This is actually quite amazing. If you own an HTC DROID ERIS cell phone, then that cardboard container it came in can be turned into that tiny, but terrific Google Android Bot. The Android Bot logo is known across the world now, and it's odd that their box can be broken down perfectly to recreate it. Was this on purpose, or accident? Anyway, Nextraker found the secret, and he's going to show you how it's down. With just a few basic cuts, you too can have your own little green Bot.

Homemade booklets are the way to go for back-to-school. Forget about pricy spiral-bound notebooks, make your own paper booklets, and make them without any tape, glue or staples! This is all paper and folding techniques. If you're an origami god, this will be so simple for you to make. Plus, you'll learn how to make two different version of this paper booklet: one big and one small. These are great for notes, to-do lists and school projects.