Active Arts & Crafts Posts
How To: Make an origami lotus flower
Looking to add specimens to your paper garden? Make a simple 3D paper lotus flower with origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. This free origami video lesson presents complete instructions for making your own paper flowers from a sheet of folded paper. For more information, and to get started making colorful paper lotus flowers yourself, take a look!
How To: Make a paper slinky
Watch to learn how to make a paper slinky by folding paper into certain components.
How To: Pick Up Stitches on an Edge
There will be times when you will want to knit an edging onto your work. Here's how to do it. It's best to use a smaller needle for edging than the one you used for the project. Go into every stitch on the edge with your needle.
How To: Sew a neckline binding for knits
The amount of stretch varies from knit to knit so it's important to learn how the different fabrics behave and then experiment with the various types of neckline finishes you'll be creating. This video takes you through the process of sewing neckline bindings for knits. Click the RealPlayer or Quicktime link to start the actual video.
How To: Origami a colorful paper firework
Here are some step by step instructions for how to fold and assemble Yami Yamauchi's origami fireworks. This modular unit uses 12 sheets of paper. A bone folder can be helpful for making creases. After it's completed, this sturdy origami firework can be rotated to reveal a kaleidoscope of colors!
How To: Make a Beretta paper gun
Get out that junk paper and scrounge up some tape and a pair of scissors, because it's paper gun time. Watch this three-part video to learn how to make a Beretta paper gun. It's not a completely realistic Beretta, but come on... it's a paper gun. You can shoot paper bullets out of it too if you feel the need to.
How To: Origami a flower with five petals
Fold an origami flower with 5 petals. They're pretty cool looking.
How To: Make a flat circle using double crochet
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a flat circle using double crochet. To start, you will begin with twelve double crochets in a ring shape. For the second round, you will increase in every double crochet until you have twenty-four. Next, you will increase every other double crochet until you have thirty-six double crochets. For round four, you will make two double crochets between increases until you have fourty-eight double crochets. For the last round, you will make three double croche...
How To: Make your own Lady Gaga diamonds from the Poker Face video
Lady Gaga wears some pretty fantastic bulky diamonds in her Poker Face music video. Want to wear the same kind of diamonds on your shoulders and hips? This tutorial shows you how make the same kind of diamonds out of simple cardstock. You can download the diamond template here. For more information on the steps, visit Tasita.
How To: Make a flower paper ball
Make this nice & easy cut paper flower design.
How To: Sew an easy centered zipper onto clothing with a sewing machine
If you already know how to sew a lapped zipper, than it's time to move onto the centered zipper, and that's exactly what you'll learn in this sewing tutorial. There's easy-to-follow directions for sewing lapped zippers using a basic sewing machine. If you don't have a sewing machine, check out all of the other zipper sewing tutorials. A center zipper is easy on any type of clothing fabric!
How To: Stencil a t-shirt with inks
This video shows you how to stencil a t-shirt with inks. Tape the t-shirt onto a piece of cardboard with masking tape. Lay the stencil on the t-shirt and tape some blank paper at the edges to ensure that there is no splashing on the sides. Some mist paint in blue Hawaiian is used. You do not need to apply a lot of it. Add some orange paint too. To make the print permanent, you must take out the cardboard put the t-shirt on the ironing board with the design uppermost. Cover the design with a c...
How To: Turn Wooden Ear Plugs on a Lathe
I turned my first ear plug purely as a challenge when the question was asked on a turning forum and nobody could provide an answer. I didn't know much about them, only a general concept of the shape I was going after.
How To: Knit a Snowflake
For the holiday season, a great knitting project is a snowflake design. It's perfect for handmade Christmas gifts. You can knit just one, or a row of them, or use them as full pattern on a sweater or blanket—or whatever project you choose.
How To: Make an Eye-Catching Beaded Candle Holder
Why buy a beaded candle holder at the store when you can make one at home? Use this crafty idea to turn your favorite votive candle holder (or shot glass!) into a beautiful, eye-catching, colorful display!
How To: Pick up the gusset of a knitted sock
This how to video will show how to pick up the gusset of a knitted sock. Our host will teach you how to do so with either a crochet hook or a knitting needles.
How To: Crochet a baby beanie cap with half double crochet
Crochet personal homemade gifts for everyone. This how to video shows you how to crochet a baby beanie cap with the half double crochet stitch. This crocheted baby beanie is sure to be the hit of the baby shower.
How To: Knit a baby hammock or sling
Want to make that special little person in your life something stylish to sleep in? In this knitting tutorial, learn how to knit a baby hammock, sometimes called a sling or (incorrectly called) a baby cocoon. You can hang this in their crib, or set it up next to you on the floor... while your baby sleeps and you get some time to yourself!
How To: Crochet a Cord for a Drawstring
For the knitted purses pictured above, as well as other knitted items requiring a drawstring, like a cinch sack, you will need to know how to crochet the drawstring cord. Watch the video for instructions, and check out the brief steps below.
How To: Make a crocheted edge fleece blanket
Crocheting is a hobby that has been around for years and years. It's a very useful practice that can be used to make material that is necessary like blankets or shirts. In this video tutorial, you'll find out howt o make a crocheted edge fleece blanket using this easy to follow instructional video. So check it out and good luck!
How To: Create a wire wrapped jewelry pendant
Learning to make jewelry is not complete until you know how to create wire wrapped jewelry. This jewelry how-to video demonstrates how to make a wire wrapped pendant. Watch and gather all the jewelry making tools to create beautiful wire wrapped pieces of jewelry.
How To: Crochet the center round of a granny square
Granny squares are fun and easy to do. Crochet a whole bunch and put them together to create a quilt out of granny squares. This how to video tutorial shows you how to make the center round of a granny square.
How To: Knit a Color Graded Hat
This is a fun project and a good way to use up small amounts of yarn. Just follow the easy steps below for knitting a color-graded hat.
How To: Crochet flower edging on a hat
This how-to crochet video offers a simple pattern and instruction for stitching your own cute and easy crocheted hat. Knitted hats don't have to be for winter. While a cozy hat will protect you from the cold, a lighter yarn can add some style in warmer months as well. Check out this video d.i.y. arts and crafts lesson and learn how to crochet your own flower edging for hats.
How To: Make a Painted Wooden Bead Necklace
This is a super-fun and easy homemade gift idea, or you can use it to expand your own accessories collection!
How To: Turn a preppy shirt into a casual button-up princess top with Gianny L
Get rid of all your preppy shirts by morphing them into something spectacular. This is chic simplicity. A smart and casual princess cut button-up shirt that will never go out of style. See how to turn a preppy shirt into a cute princess top in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Knit a simple baby hat
Purchasing expensive and oh-so-cute babies clothes poses a conundrum: Yes, your little pea in a pod will look like as cute as a jelly bean, but he or she will soon outgrow the sailor outfit in less than a few months, letting all cuteness go to waste.
How To: Make Fringe for a Scarf
Sometimes you will want to add fringe to your knitted scarves. Follow the steps below for an easy way to make fringe.
How To: Make a Support Halter Top
To make a support halter top shirt, you will need: Pattern for a basic bodice
How To: Eliminate Ladders When Knitting on Double-Pointed Needles
Many knitters have trouble when knitting on double-pointed needles. They get ladders (or holes) when they switch needles. There's an easy way to eliminate those ladders. Follow the steps below and your troubles will be gone.
How To: Make a wire wrapped bead ring
Watch this video to learn how to a make wire wrapped ring.
How To: Crochet a scarf for winter
Crochet a scarf for winter! Learn how to crochet a scarf in this free crocheting lesson from an experienced crochet artist.
How To: Make a faux quilt top note mini bag
Get started crafting and explore the world of mini bags! In this video, learn from Angie Kennedy of My Chic n Scratch (and who is also a certified Stampin' Up! demonstrator] how to make this cute faux quilt top note mini bag, perfect to carry your decorative note cards in. Give this mini bag as a gift or as a gift topper!
How To: Crochet a corded ridge hexagon blanket
This corded ridge hexagon pattern can be repeated may times to create a large scale blanket. Follow along with the step by step guide in this video to get the pattern. Watch this video crocheting tutorial and learn how to make a corded ridge hexagon blanket.
How To: Use jump rings and split rings when making jewelry
Watch this video to learn how to use different tools, split rings and jump rings for making jewelry.
How To: Make a Dos-à-Dos Book from a Cardboard Box
This is a tutorial on making a dos-à-dos book by recycling a thin junk cardboard box (dos-à-dos means back-to-back). In the video, you'll see how a cardboard box that has four sides the same size will make a triple-book in one. To make a double-book, just take away one side. To make more than a triple-book, add more boxes to the mix. They're great, fun homemade journals!
How To: Knit Ribbing on Double Pointed Needles
Ribbing on double pointed needles is quite simple. Here's what to do:
How To: Bind Off Ribbing on Double-Pointed Needles
Once you have learned how to do ribbing on double-pointed needles, you will have to learn how to bind off on double-pointed needles. It's really quite easy. Just follow the steps below.
How To: Crochet the popcorn stitch
Improve you crocheting skills by learning decorative stitches. This how to video is a crocheting tutorial that will show you how to do the popcorn stitch. Crochet several rows of the popcorn stitch to create larger yarn projects.