Active Arts & Crafts Posts
How To: Crochet a cross stitch
Cross Stitching isn't for impatient people. Watch this instructional crochet video to master the cross stitch. The cross stitch creates a satisfying three dimensional look and a warmer sweater or blanket. This crochet process also takes much longer than standard crocheting, so give yourself some time to finish this project.
How To: Start your first line in beginning crochet
This is how you "chain" your first line. Watch this instructional crochet video to begin the first row in your scarf, blanket, sweater, etc. This example provides a ten loop start to your first crochet project.
How To: Origami a leaf and and flower stem
Follow these instructions to fold an origami leaf and stem. This model can be used as an addition to several origami flowers, such as the origami iris or lily. The stem as leaf usually decorate slightly more complex origami projects, but these visual guidelines will help you on some of the more difficult folds. When completed the paper flower stem should stand on it's own. Stay tuned for videos 2 and 3.
How To: Hem your own pants
Here's how to hem up a pair of pants so they keep the original look but are the right length. By cutting the pant leg above the original hem line, you can keep the original hem of the jeans you bought. Measure carefullly to remove the excess length of pant that you will not need. This process will only work if you need to shorten your pants by at least one inch. You need one half inch seam allowance to re-attach the original hem onto your newly shortened pair of pants.
How To: Use a zip bind tool
Watch this instructional sewing video to learn about the zip bind tool and how to adjust it for your quilting projects. This video provides a helpful introduction to this quilting tool. The zip bind tool is a sewing tool that makes quilt bindings perfect from end to end. There's no need for straight pinning and there's no measuring involved.
How To: Crochet a baby ripple afghan
Watch this video demonstration on crocheting one row of a baby ripple afghan. With these visual guidelines, you can quickly accomplish the most difficult step in crocheting an afghan; the beginning.
How To: Dress a floor loom
This is video footage of one step in the process of dressing a loom. This includes threading heddles and sleying reed. For a first-time weaver, setting up the loom can be 80% of the job. Many beginners actually enjoy dressing the loom more than weaving off the web. This comes about by careful work, techniques that have built-in double-checks, and efficient methodology.
How To: Problem solve with begining MIG welding
Watch this instructional welding video to solve some basic problems you may run into with beginning MIG welding. This video provides tips and solutions to initial clogging issues. Set your voltage and wire feed speed correctly to avoid problems when beginning metal inert gas welding.
How To: Run a bead in beginning MIG welding
Curious about the basics of metal inert gas welding? Watch this instructional welding video for some vital safety tips. A shielding gas tank contains 3,000 psi of pressure, so keep your welding equipment safe distance from your high pressure tanks. To run a bead, you need to set your wire feed speed and your voltage in order to begin welding with an average angle iron. This video provides all of the preliminary steps to running a short bead.
How To: Origami a sailboat
Watch this instructional origami video to fold an origami sailboat. This origami boat is folded and designed by Joost Langeveld. This instructor paints the origami paper to enhance the visual illusion. He holds the origami paper in front of several completed examples of the origami sailboat, creating a quaint ocean scene.
How To: Origami an intricate flower
This origami flower is not very difficult to fold. Watch this instructional origami video to fold an intricate flower from one small piece of origami paper. The instructor holds the origami paper in front of a bouquet of pink flowers for inspiration.
How To: Origami a monkey
After a brief introduction, learn how to fold an origami monkey. You will need one large piece of origami paper. These simple visual guidelines function as a helpful addition to any instruction booklet. When completed, this very cute traditional Japanese origami monkey should stand on it's own.
How To: Origami a seal
Watch this instructional origami video to fold an origami seal. First, you need to fold a fish base. These visual guidelines will help you on some of the more difficult folds. When complete, this origami seal should be able to stand on it's own.
How To: Origami a cat
Watch this instructional origami video to fold an origami cat. You need one piece of origami paper to complete this project. Use these visual guidelines on some of the more difficult folds. If you fold your origami cat correctly, your cat should be able to stand on its own.
How To: Origami a paper cup
Watch this instructional origami video to fold an origami paper cup. These visual guidelines will help you with some of the more difficult folds. The cup should be able to hold liquid. These origami paper cups can also serve as a very small size movie popcorn bucket.
How To: Origami a star of the valley flower
Watch this instructional origami video to fold a star of the valley flower. These visual guidelines will help you through the more difficult folds. This is a lovely four petaled flower, which can be completed in a few minutes. You can sculpt your origami flower petals to maintain the desired grace and form when you have completed the folding process.
How To: Origami a lantern or Japanese cup
Watch this instructional origami video to fold an origami lantern or Japanese cup. These visual guidelines will help you through some of the more difficult folds. This origami project is a more abstract traditional Japanese design. It makes a lovely ornament or necklace pendant.
How To: Origami a standing fox
Watch this instructional origami video to fold an origami fox. These visual guidelines will help you through some of the more difficult folds. This origami fox involves a lot of triangular folds. If you fold correctly, the paper fox should be able to stand on it's own. Or, bend one ear down to give your origami fox some character.
How To: Origami a tree
Watch this instructional origami video to fold your own origami tree. These visual guidelines will help you through some of the more difficult folds. This origami tree is an evergreen. As suggested in the video, it is possible to fold many of these paper trees to grow a slightly ironic paper forest.
How To: Origami a motor boat
To fold an origami boat, you need only one piece of origami paper. Watch this instructional video to complete the task within minutes. While this paper boat may not be very seaworthy, it's a simple and fun project with satisfying results.
How To: Origami a cicada easily
Watch this instructional origami video to fold an origami Cicada. This friendly origami bug is a fairly easy origami project and only takes a few minutes to fold. While there are many versions of the traditional origami cicada, this model only misses it's signature buzzing noise to come to life.
How To: Origami a morning glory
Watch this instructional video to fold a traditional Japanese origami morning glory. You will need a colored piece of origami paper for the flower blossom and a green piece of origami paper for the folded leaf. You will also need a pair of scissors and a small amount of glue. The video includes verbal instructions in Japanese, although the visual guide is quite clear.
How To: Assemble a kiss loom
Pay attention to this instructional video when assembling your kiss loom. A kiss loom is one of the only looms with an adjustable gauge. The gauge is set by changing how much yarn is used for each stitch. The kiss loom comes with a set number of plastic bolts, which are used to adjust the rake.
How To: Make your own recycled paper
Want to learn how to make your own paper? Teach your kids about the importance of trees and recycling paper with this cool, hands-on craft. All you will need is scrap paper, a deckle (or strainer), a tub, and a blender. You can also make a deckle out of an aluminum pan. Recycling paper by hand is a simple process that both children and adults can enjoy.
How To: Origami a paper kettle
Review these guidelines to fold a traditional origami kettle. This little origami kettle can't hold water, but it is a very cute construction. When finished folding, you need to blow up the paper kettle and it will stand on it's own as a pretty decoration for any kitchen.
How To: Origami a paper napkin ring
Watch this instructional origami video to fold a traditional Japanese origami napkin ring. You won't need an instruction book to complete this project. These origami napkin rings are functional objects and can be used at dinner parties and other occasions.
How To: Origami a giraffe
Watch this instructional origami video to fold an origami giraffe. After a spoken introduction, the visual guidelines show you how to fold an origami giraffe without written instructions.
How To: Origami a paper church
Follow these guidelines to fold an origami church. This video provides clear guidelines on some of the more difficult folds. You only need a single piece of origami paper to complete this tutorial of an origami church.
How To: Origami a traditional fancy box
Review these simple steps to fold your own origami fancy box. These visual guidelines will help you through some of the more difficult folds, but you may want to look at an instruction booklet as well. There are many versions of the traditional Japanese origami fancy box.
How To: Origami a fancy box
Follow the instructions in this video to fold your own traditional origami box. These visual guidelines will help you through some of the more difficult folds. When you finished folding, you can keep paper clips in this traditional Japanese origami box.
How To: Origami a frog with a tricky fold
Watch this instructional origami video to fold an origami frog. The visual guidelines allow you to easily complete some of the more difficult folds. When you have finished folding this origami frog, watch out because it actually jumps.
How To: Six pointed star of papercraft
Follow this example to fold an origami six pointed star. This video provides clear visual examples so that you will not need an instruction booklet. This six pointed star can be folded from a single piece of silver origami paper. The six pointed star is sometimes used as an ornament at Tanabata, the Japanese festival of stars.
How To: Origami a lantern of papercraft
Review these simple steps to fold an simple and charming origami lantern. You only need a small piece of origami paper and a pair of scissors. This paper ornament and others can be used as decorations for Tanabata, the Japanese festival of stars. It is possible to attach several of these paper lanterns to a string of lights and illuminate your work.
How To: Heat emboss on polymer clay
Here are some instructions on heat embossing on polymer clay. This video includes tips for embossing both baked and unbaked clay. You will need polymer clay, a rubber stamp, pigment ink, embossing powder and a heat gun. Roll out the clay onto a nice thin sheet of clay and bake the selected piece. Then stamp the baked clay with ink as desired. Sprinkle the embossment powder onto the stamped area, and tap off the excess powder. Next, heat the embossed area with the embossment gun and watch the ...
How To: Origami lighted party cubes
Follow a few simple steps to make a set of vellum origami cubes. Then enhance the cubes with decorative paper, sequins, and sticky Zots. With a string of small white or colored lights, the origami cubes serve as perfect homemade party lanterns. More than an origami lesson, vellum lantern cubes can provide mood lighting for any room.
How To: Origami a snowdrop
Watch this instructional origami video on how to make an origami snowdrop, folded and designed by Joost Langeveld. The flower of this snowdrop plant should be folded from a triangular piece of paper. The snowdrop flowers in the background serve as ready inspiration for this tiny origami project. A final twist of paper brings the origami flower to life. Additions of green paint and a green paper stem perfect the illusion.
How To: Origami a paper dragon
Watch this instructional origami video to learn how to fold an origami paper dragon. This is a fairly difficult origami dragon to fold, and it deviates a bit from the more traditional Japanese origami dragon. You may want to use a pen to further sculpt the dragon wings.
How To: Origami a stiletto
View this instructional origami video to fold a single paper stiletto shoe. With these instructions, the art of paper folding becomes fairly simple. One can repeat these instructions to complete the pair of origami paper stilettos.
How To: Origami a horse
Watch this origami tutorial video to learn how to fold an origami horse. This video begins with a display of a completed paper horse, to assist with easier execution. The visual guide is helpful on more difficult steps in folding the origami horse.
How To: Origami a turtle big or small
Once all cats are out of the shot, this video will show you how to fold an origami turtle. The simple visual instructions allow for easy origami paper folding. The last portion of these instructions include how to make smaller versions of most origami projects.