Active Arts & Crafts Posts
How To: Make Zutter binding for book making
Watch this instructional book making video to make a Zutter binding for your hand made book. A Zutter is a tool for punching in coil binding. Choose the paper and binding material that your would like to use for your book. This is an easy way to make spiral notebooks and bound books for gifts, school projects and manuscripts.
How To: Print and bind your own paperback book
Here's how to print, bind and publish your own paperback book. You need a color or B&W printer, a hot-melt glue gun, a clamp, and a thermal binding device. This instructional video will allow you to organize all of your downloaded files into neatly constructed books for an enjoyable reading experience.
How To: Make a Halloween mummy card
Watch this instructional scrapbooking video to make a Halloween card with a scary mummy design. This is a spooky Halloween card for anyone who won't be going trick-or-treating. You can use store bought cut outs or use recycled scraps of paper and ribbon. This unique card is also good for Halloween invitations!
How To: Make a Halloween card that says, Boo!
Watch this instructional scrapbooking video to make a spooky Halloween card that says, "Boo!". This charming Halloween card will cheer up anyone who won't be going trick-or-treating. You can use store bought cut outs or use recycled scraps of paper and ribbon. This unique card is also good for Halloween party invitations!
How To: Make a heart shaped card that fold into an envelope
Watch this two part instructional scrapbooking video to make a heart shaped card that folds into an envelope. This is an affectionate love letter can be personalized to really charm your special someone. You can use store bought cut outs or use recycled scraps of paper and ribbon. This unique card is also good for Vanetine's Day, teen birthdays and get well soon cards.
How To: Make greeting card with a clay tag
Watch this instructional scrapbooking video to make a greeting card with a nifty clay tag. Use a stamp and a piece of air dry clay to make a personalized hanging tag for your card. You can use store bought cut outs or use recycled scraps of paper and ribbon. This unique card is good for invitations, graduations, holidays, bar mitzvahs, and birthdays.
How To: Make sparkly window picture frame card
Watch this instructional scrapbooking video to make a greeting card with a sparkly window frame. You can use this technique to make a small paper window in your card or make a picture frame. You can use store bought cut outs or use recycled pieces of scraps and ribbon. This unique card is good for thank you cards, holidays, bat mitzvahs and birthdays.
How To: Origami a four cornered diamond box
Watch this instructional origami video to fold a four cornered diamond box. There are several variations of the traditional Japanese origami diamond box, but this one has a slightly more complex structure. You will need four pieces of origami project to complete this origami project.
How To: Make a long pyramid gift box
Watch this instructional arts and crafts video to make a charming pyramid shaped gift box. Fill this gift box with candies or other small surprises to give a personalized, yet affordable gift to a friend, teacher or boss. You can use store bought wrapping paper or use recycled pieces of scraps and ribbon. This unique gift is also good for holiday parties, grab bags, valentines, party favors and birthdays.
How To: Make a leaf shaped card
Watch this instructional scrapbooking video to make a leaf shaped card. This is a sophisticated card to give an old friend. You can use store bought cut outs or use recycled pieces of scraps and ribbon. This unique card is also good for Easter, birthdays, and graduations.
How To: Origami a three cornered diamond box
This instructional origami video demonstrates how to fold and origami diamond box. You will need three pieces of origami paper to complete this origami project. This origami diamond box can hold small candies, toys or paperclips. Serve an elegant lunch by arranging snacks in little origami diamond boxes.
How To: Make a baby bib card
This instructional scrapbooking video will teach you how to make a congratulatory card for a baby. This adorable card serves as the perfect first birthday card. Or, simply celebrate the occasion of eating solid foods with this cute baby bib card. Add texture to your birthday card with embossing tools. You can use store bought cutouts and decorations, or make your own out of recycled scraps of paper and ribbon.
How To: Make a hardcover miniature art journal
Watch this bookmaking tutorial to make a fun tiny sized art journal. You will need five sheets of paper, one sheet of card stock, two pieces illustration board of equal size, and a smaller piece for the binding. You will also need some decorative paper, glue, a needle and thread. These miniature journals are small but can hold a lot of information, depending on how you fill their pages.
How To: Make a book
Make a book using the five-hole pamphlet stitch. You will need paper, a bone folder, an awl and a needle and thread. Watch this instructional video to make a quick paper book for sketches, notes, illustrated stories, and picture albums.
How To: Origami a CD case
Watch this instructional origami video to fold an origami CD case. You can use a regular piece of printer paper to complete this origami project. These CD cases are not only useful,but you can also decorate them to accompany specific albums and mix CDs.
How To: Create a paper circle frame using a corner punch
This scrapbooking video demonstrates how to decorate a paper circle frame using EK Success Corner Punches. You will need x-acto knives to make specific cuts. You can use store bought paper cutouts or make your own using scraps of recycled paper. Use embossing ink, embossing powder and a heat gun to add extra texture to you paper picture frame.
How To: Cast on using the loop method for knitting
This instructional video will show you how to cast on stitches for knitting using the "backwards loop" method. This is the easiest cast on to learn and master. Once you cast on, you can begin your knitting projects. This is also known as the "E wrap cast on" and "single cast on".
How To: Knit a hat
This instructional knitting video will show you how to knit a hat using a fixed circular needle and bulky weight yarn. These step by step knitting guidelines cover casting on, knitting in the round, decreasing, and weaving in the ends. If you are a beginner, you may want to avoid thin yarns to save time and knit a warmer hat.
How To: Knit a garter stitch scarf
This instructional knitting video will show you how to knit a garter stitch scarf using bulky weight yarn. If you are a beginner, you may want to avoid knitting your scarf with thin, skinny yarns. These step by step instructions cover casting on, knitting, adding new yarn, and binding off.
How To: Speed knit with the world's fastest knitter
Learn how to increase your knitting speed with Miriam Tegels, the World's Fastest Knitter. She can stitch 118 stitches in one minute; a record that appears in the Guinness Book of World Records. Miriam Tegel's knitting secret is keeping all movements to a minimum. Use size 8 knitting needles and DK weight yarn for optimal performance. After casting on sixty stitches, see how many stitches you can knit in three minutes. Good luck!
How To: Knit stranded color work
Learn how to add stranded color work to your knitting with this knitting tutorial. Use traditional Shetland island motifs to create delicate, shimmering patterns. Knitters usually hold the background color with the right hand and the additional color with the left hand. Use thinner yarns for these projects to compensate for the thickness of the "floating" yarn.
How To: Dye knitting yarn with a sock blank dyeing kit
Learn how to dye your own striped sock yarn with this dyeing tutorial. You can dye the yarn so that the dye pattern will be the same for both socks. These knitting dyes are potent and toxic so be careful with your dyeing kit and sock yarns. Make sure to wear gloves and a dust mask and protect your work surface with newspaper plastic wrap.
How To: Knit in a new ball of yarn
This video will teach you how to join a new ball of yarn to your knitting using the "knitting in" method. With sly handiwork you can begin to weave in a new ball of yarn without dropping the old strand of yarn. It helps to knit in the new yarn in a less visible area.
How To: Knit a Continental style knit stitch
This video will show you how to make a knit stitch using the Continental method.This video will show you how to make a knit stitch using the Continental method. In basic knitting, the knit stitch is always coupled with the purl stitch. So, once you can knit stitch, you are well on your way to mastering the craft. The Continental style just means that you hold your working yarn in your left hand. Knitters who use this style are often called, "pickers".
How To: Knit a Continental style purl stitch
This video will show you how to make a purl stitch using the Continental method. If you've mastered the knit stitch, you are ready to move on to the purl stitch. The purl stitch is essentially the back side of the knit stitch. The Continental style just means that you hold your working yarn in your left hand. Knitters who use this style are often called, "pickers".
How To: Knit a basic bind-off
This video will teach you how to bind off your knitted stitches. The basic bind off is the most commonly used method of finishing knitting projects, especially for beginners. Follow these step by step instructions to knit a neat and straight finishing row.
How To: Use a cable key for knitting
Learn how to use the cable key to tighten your Knit Picks Options Interchangeable Knitting Needles. Each needle tip has a hollow base that is grooved to accept the threaded stem of the cable. To insure a secure fit, use a cable key to tighten the knitting needle tip. You can also use the cable key to unscrew your knitting needle when you are ready to start a new knitting project.
How To: Knit an English knit stitch
This video will show you how to make a knit stitch using the English method. Anything you knit is made up of knit stitches and purl stitches. So, you once to learn this stitch you are on your way to mastering the craft. The English method means that you will be holding the working yarn with your right hand. Knitter who use this style of knitting are often called, "throwers".
How To: Origami a wizard's hat
This instructional origami video demonstrates how to fold an origami wizard's hat. An origami wizard's hat serves as a great Halloween decoration. Kids will have fun folding the paper hat and wearing it as part of their Halloween costumes.
How To: Origami a goblin's hat
This origami video demonstrates how to fold an origami goblin's hat. A goblin's hat is a great Halloween decoration. Kids love to make them and wear them at Halloween parties or use in Halloween plays. You can add creative embellishments to make it more spooky.
How To: Origami some scary claws
This origami video demonstrates how to make origami claws that are great for Halloween props. It is very simple process that allows room for creativity. Children love to make these origami werewolf claws. Happy haunting.
How To: Machine knit a vinyl hem bond
Watch this instructional knitting video to bond a vinyl hem with a knitting machine. Hang an elastic or ravel cord and push it against the bed. Fold the hem over the ravel cord. If you knit with a knitting machine, this is an essential trick for getting started with larger projects.
How To: Machine knit an open cast on
Watch this instructional knitting video to complete and open cast on with a knitting machine. Push your needles back into forward position and knit across one row. You will want to use clips and claw weights to keep your knit work straight. If you knit with a knitting machine, this is an essential trick for getting started with larger projects.
How To: Hang a rag hem on knitting machine
Watch this instructional knitting video to hang a rag hem on your knitting machine. Add weights to the inside of the knitted hem to keep your knit work straight. You will need a single pronged tool or a three pronged tool. If you knit with a knitting machine, this is an essential trick for getting started with larger projects.
How To: Handle jams on a knitting machine
Watch this instructional knitting video to work jams out of your knitting machine. In the event of a jam, you can pull down on your work or jiggle the carriage. Try tapping as well. If you knit with a knitting machine, this is an essential trick for getting started with larger projects.
How To: Hang a knitted hem on a knitting machine
Watch this instructional knitting video to hang a knitted hem. Add weights the inside of a hem to keep your knitted piece straight. If you knit with a knitting machine, this is an essential trick for getting started with larger projects.
How To: Hang a cast on comb for knitting machines
Watch this instructional knitting video to hang a cast on comb on a knitting machine. Watch this video a few times to master this little trick. You may want to reference some written knitting instructions in addition to following these visual guidelines.
How To: Knit eyelets with a knitting machine
Watch this instructional knitting video to knit eyelets on a knitting machine. You will need a three prong tool as well as a single prong tool. By making a few twists with the pronged tools, you can knit a neat eyelet pattern in a matter of seconds.
How To: Hand spin wool using the woolen long draw
Long ago, wool yarns were described as "worsted", or "woolen", or something in-between. A true "worsted" yarn is spun from combed fiber, which is dense and fairly smooth. A true "woolen" yarn, on the other hand, is open, airy, fuzzy, and warm. Its fibers comfortably tangle and spiral down the length of the yarn. The descriptive words not only apply to the yarns, but also to the techniques used to spin them. Worsted spinning is done with a short draw -- a short drafting movement. Woolen spinni...
How To: Spin wool using the worsted-style short draw
This drafting technique has many names: worsted drafting, short-draw, and inchworm. It's simple and straightforward, as this video demonstrates. With high-quality combed wool, spinning wool this way makes a smooth, dense yarn.