Active Arts & Crafts Posts
How To: Fold a Textured Origami Ball
One of the most popular and basic origami geometric shapes is the "water bomb," which is a simple inflated cube. With a few extra folds and only a minor shift in approach, a more complex geometric shape can be achieved.
How To: Make a Crazy Shapeshifter Toy Out of a Sheet of Paper
Follow the steps in the instructional video to make a crazy paper toy. This project involves the use of delicate hand maneuvers but it looks fun! All you'll need for this project is a piece of paper, some scissors, and tape. Check out this video tutorial and learn how to make a cheap and mind-boggling paper toy.
How To: Make a simple braided cloth friendship bracelet
Having a good friend in your life is like having a steady rock that you can always lean on when times get tough. A good friend who loves you through thick and thin is hard to find, so honor your friendship by crafting this simple braided cloth friendship bracelet.
How To: Make a Jewelry Box Out of an Empty Jar and a Glue Gun
Make a vintage jewelry box with a body butter jar and a glue gun with some additional craft supplies like paints. This projects costs almost nothing.
How To: Draft a Pattern for Baby Shoes
Here is a simple way of how to draft and create your own pattern for mary jane baby shoes. It is simple and can be done in under 30 minutes. The Stitching Scientist: How to create your own pattern for baby shoes
How To: Make a card with pop-up gifts
These cards have cute little gifts that pop up when you open them. It seems hard to do because you will have to measure, but once you start, you will see how easy it is!
How To: Make a trigger-operated paper gun
This is an instructive guide to making a trigger operated paper gun. You will need an A4 sheet of paper. Start by rolling the sheet of paper horizontally (breadthways) and as tightly as possible, . Once the roll is completed, attach 3 lengths of sticky tape at each end and the middle, so it doesn't unravel. Then proceed to wrap another sheet of A4 paper around your existing roll, making sure that is as tight as can be so it is strong and sturdy. Again, attach sticky tape at each end and the m...
How To: Make a paper gun that shoots sniper
This video teaches you how to make a paper gun sniper rifle. You'll be amazed how quick and easy it is to make a proper paper gun that shoots just like a sniper rifle. This video is perfect for anyone looking to have fun with some paper guns. Make sure you reuse, reduce, and recycle. You'll learn how to make the actual gun as well as your bullets. Also, be safe and have good clean fun with your home made paper gun.
How To: Crochet a brim on a beanie cap
Improve you crocheting skills by learning different edging techniques. This how to video is a tutorial that will show you how to crochet a brim on a beanie. You can alternate between one and two single crochets for a beautiful brim.
How To: Sew a crazy quilt Christmas stocking
This is a great project if you want to make something one-of-a-kind! It's a great gift idea as well. The principles behind assembling the "crazy quilt" fabric is that it can be used to make anything. This how to video tutorial demonstrates how to make a Christmas stocking, but you can easily continue adding onto the quilted fabric to make something larger like a bed quilt, tote, pillows, clothing, almost anything. Watch and start sewing.
How To: Make an AK-47 paper gun
Don't play with guns, kids... unless their homemade paper guns! Check out this three-part video tutorial to learn how to make an AK-47 paper gun. This somewhat realistic replica gun is the perfect hobby for a young gun enthusiast. What better a gun than the AK to start out with?
How To: Tie basic macrame knots to make a key chain or bracelet
This tutorial shows you how to do two basic macrame ties, which you can use to make keychains, bracelets, chokers and other types of jewelry. Add beads, charms and other decorations to your projects - macrame is cheap, easy and fun!
How To: Sew a professional quality flat felled seam without frustration
The flat felled seam is a versatile seam, especially good for making a reversible shirt. This tutorial shows you two separate techniques - the first is one commonly used by home sewers, and the second is the one used by professional tailors.
How To: Make a trendy embroidered t-shirt with Whitney Sews
Back in the olden days, whenever we desired a nicely embroidered hankerchief or gown we'd sit by the fire with a flickering oil lamp, whittling our fingers away until the breaking hours of dawn. But nowadays, thanks to the genius of sewing machines, embroidery, even the most intricate kinds, takes far less time and midnight oil.
How To: Make a paper flower pop-up card
Watch this video to see how to make a paper flower pop-up card. To make things even better, you only need one piece of paper to accomplish this pop up paper card flower. Just grab your one piece of paper, some scissors and some glue and you're ready to make awesome flower cards.
How To: Make Your Own Truong Sa Sovereign Marker from Vietnam
Create your own Truong Sa Sovereign Marker (Vietnam) without spending large amounts of time and money. The approximate time to make this is 15 to 30 minutes. It contains 10 big parts. Once you've completed it, you can use it for photography or just as an ornament.
How To: Hem a pair of suit pants
Hemming a pair of dress pants is no longer a mystery. Karen Schmidt demonstrates step-by-step what is needed to get professional looking results. Measure the length that you would like to trim and pin the new hemline in place. Use an iron to mark the new pant length with a crease. Then unfold and rip the seam out of the original hemline. Cut away excess fabric sew a protective zigzag seam along the trimmed fabric. Refold the new creased hemline. With a matching thread, sew a single line to ho...
How To: Make a newspaper tree
The Professor of Silliness returns with some paper. Watch this instructional video to make a tall tree out of newspaper. You need an old newspaper, masking tape, and scissors. Simply lay out the newspaper pages from end to end and tape them together. Then roll it up at a diagonal, starting from one corner, and pack i it into a compact tube. Use tape to keep the tub intact Use the scissors to cut vertical lines half way down the newspaper tube. Pull out the inner most layer and turn your recyc...
How To: Make a handmade snowflake wreath ornament
In order to make a snowflake wreath ornament, you will need the following: a snowflake punch, adhesive, foam, rhinestones, card stock, a hole punch, a circle cutter, scraps of paper, and ribbon.
How To: Tie a paracord river bar bracelet
Learn how to make a River Bar bracelet, which is also known as a Paracord bracelet, by following the steps outlined in this video tutorial. To start your bracelet, you will need to tie a reef knot. This is done by taking two loops (in two different color strings) and then placing one loop within the other, pulling this through the first loop to secure the two loops together. This knot creates the end of your bracelet. To actually make the River Bar design, bend the two colors of string so tha...
How To: Crochet vertical color stripes horizontally
This crochet how-to video demonstrates how to use two separate strings to create patterns and instant color changes without knots. The crochet technique used in this video is particularly challenging because you crochet vertical color stripes horizontally. The trick to having a successful pattern is crocheting with two different colored yarns.
How To: Origami cute kids' toys
Origami a chicken, stars, an owl, and other easy to make gifts and toys for children.
How To: Knit a sock heel
If you're having trouble knitting socks, this tutorial will focus on one major point of interest: the heel of a sock. The body or cuff of a sock can be an easy part to knit, but when it comes to the heel, it can be confusing. This tutorial will help those out with any problems they have in knitting a sock heel. Enjoy!
How To: Fold Origami Fireworks from Dollar Bills
For all your origami enthusiasts, take your art of origami to greater heights by using a dollar bill to create the impossible—fireworks! In this two-part video tutorial, learn how to fold origami fireworks from a single dollar bill. It's a great origami project for the 4th of July or New Year's Eve.
How To: Make the Origami Kusudama Chrysanthemum Flower
I thought I'd make another Origami Tutorial.
How To: Make paper darts
Equal parts fun and what-are-you-an-idiot dangerous, paper darts are a perfect way to pass ten or so minutes on a slow, rainy day. Just make sure you have protective eyewear. This video guide will walk you through the entire assembly process.
How To: Origami a flapping bird out of a dollar
This origami tutorial video will show you how to fold a dollar bill to form a flapping bird. Origami takes practice. All you need is patience, a dollar bill and this video demonstration.
How To: Create Steampunk rings with Gilder's Paste and Adirondack paint
If you haven't heard of Steampunk, then you've obviously been living under a rock for the past couple of years. Steampunk style, which is an ironic style composed of designs that fuse anachronistic technology (proppellers, watch parts, etc.) with Victorian style.
How To: Craft brass stampings and select plating finishes
Interested in getting in on the vintage jewelry trend? Then consider this video the introduction to the rest of your jewelry-crafting career. This jewelry tutorial focuses on brass stampings, which are intricate, almost filigree-like floral patterned rounds that you can string onto necklaces or pin onto earrings.
How To: Make a 3-D origami dragon
Interested in adding a fantastical specimen to your paper menagerie? You're in luck. This free video tutorial presents a thorough, step-by-step guide on how to make a 3D dragon from folded paper using origami, the traditional Japanese folk art of paper folding. For more information, and to get started making your own three-dimensional paper dragons, watch this helpful tutorial.
How To: Make 3D Glasses
An easy way to make your own 3D glasses using a printed template, two plastic transparent sheets, and paper glue. You can download the template here.
How To: Make your own fabric appliques or patches
Applique is fabric cut in a fun shape that is applied like a patch, directly onto the fabric. This tutorial shows you how you can use fun woven print fabrics and fusible interfacing to create your own appliques and patches for your projects.
How To: Crochet the slanted shell stitch
The slanted stitch is just a variation of the traditional shell stitch. Learn how to crochet the slanted shell stitch by watching and following the step by step instructions in this video tutorial.
How To: Create a paper airplane using scissors
In order to make a paper airplane, you will need the following: 8 x 11 sheet of paper and a scissors. Lay the paper out on a flat surface. Pick up the right side bottom corner. Bring it over to meet the left edge of the paper, at the point at which the left hand corner is perfectly bisected. Crease it. Open it. Repeat the fold on the other side. Open it. Now, make an accordion fold. Fold the 2 small corners down. Then fold the 2 diamond shapes upward. Next, fold both sides in. Tuck the points...
How To: Make a Paper Blowgun with Darts(Easy)
Blowguns can be really fun and accurate if they're made well. The darts hurt even without 'upgrades' so I really don't recommend adding needles to the points.
How To: Make an origami ninja star (shuriken) out of paper
Shuriken are the ancient Japanese weapons you've seen ninja warriors use in the movies. Their name literally translates as "sword hidden in the hand". In this tutorial you'll learn how to make a shuriken out of paper in a few fairly simple steps. But while this throwing star isn't as deadly as a metal version, it has sharp edges and it is potentially dangerous. Be very careful about where you throw it, and never throw it at people or animals!
How To: Make a stuffed horse toy with fake fur
This tutorial shows you how to sew together a plushie toy horse, complete with mane and tail. You'll need to use some fake fur and fleece to create this, and this tutorial shows you precisely how you can work with fake fur to get the effect you want.
How To: Fold and fly the Boomerang paper airplane
Learn to fly... paper airplanes. In this video tutorial, John Collins, The Paper Airplane Guy, shows you how to fold and fly the Boomerang paper airplane.
How To: Make chain mail
This how-to video shows the steps for making chain mail, just like the authentic armor of the Medieval period. Making chain mail is fairly simple, requiring only a couple supplies. You will need a rod, wire cutters, two pairs of pliers, a variable speed drill, and a spool of un-galvanized fencing wire. Watch this video metalwork tutorial series and learn how to make chain mail.
How To: Make a simple paper kite
Can any activity be more charming and whimsical than flying a kite? Ever since we saw the kite flying scene in "Mary Poppins," we've always had a distinctive, old timey attraction to the park hobby. And thankfully, you don't actually need to purchase a kite to fly a kite. All you need is some paper and string.