Active Arts & Crafts Posts
How To: Create a simple paper football
In this video we learn how to create a simple paper football. First, fold off a strip of a piece of paper and then cut it or rip it off the page. After this, grab the bottom of the paper and fold it into a triangle. From here, fold the triangle up and then continue to fold it making the same triangle shape. Do this until you reach the top of the strip of paper. You will have a small piece of paper left over at the top of the strip. With this, you will take it and tuck it into the small pocket...
How To: Make a friendship bracelet with vertical hearts
In this video we learn how to make a friendship bracelet with vertical hearts. First, tape your strings to a wall, they should be two colors with four of each. Arrange them so they are alternating colors until you reach the other side. After this, grab the first string and set it aside. Then, take the next two and tie them in a knot at the top. Tie the third string with the fourth at the top as well. Continue to do this until you reach the seventh string. Continue to tie the strings until you...
How To: Make a simple origami paper football
In this tutorial we learn how to make a simple origami paper football. First, grab a strip of paper of your choice of size. Then, fold the bottom over into a triangle shape. Then, fold this up where the last fold ended. Continue to fold up until you reach the top of the strip of paper. When you reach the top, you will have extra paper at the very top. Fold this into the pocket that you created when you folded the triangle shapes up. Now you can hold this with one finger on a hand while you fl...
How To: Make a Domo plushie
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a Domo plushie. First, cut out the shape of Domo on a piece of brown fabric. Cut this out twice to make the front and the back. After this, sew both of the sides together with a sewing machine. Make sure to place pins in it to keep the fabric in while you are sewing. When finished, turn the plushie over and stick some stuffing inside of it. Now, sew the section where you placed the stuffing in. Then, you can sew on the face of the character and you will ...
How To: Fold a paper rose
In this tutorial, we learn how to fold a paper rose. First, you will grab a napkin and unfold it. From here, roll the napkin around two fingers. Then, take it off and go two inches down from the top. Roll around this quickly, stopping half way. Grab the corner of the napkin and bring it up. Then, pull the rest down and continue to twist. Take your flower and make a leaf, then twist around the stem tightly. Put your fingers in the middle of the rose and use your finger to swirl it around. This...
How To: Create a paper football
In this video we learn how to create a paper football. First, take a piece of paper and fold it in half vertically. After this, create a crease and cut this in half with scissors. From here, fold the bottom of the paper into a triangle after folding the paper in half once more. Continue to fold the triangle until you reach the end of the strip of paper. Take the end tab of the piece of paper and tuck it into the pocket that you created when you folded up the paper. Then hold this with one fin...
How To: Make an elegant paper hat
In this video we learn how to make an elegant paper hat. First, place the paper over the head and lay it down. Then, have the person hold the hat while you find their nose and attach tape from this and around the entire head. Once you are finished going around twice, then you can wrap up the excess parts of the paper towards the top. Use a stapler to staple down the sections of paper that you have rolled up. Do this all the way around the hat and then add on different items and accessories to...
How To: Make a decorative paper rose
In this video we learn how to make a decorative paper rose. First, take a piece of paper and cut several heart shapes out of it, making them different sizes. Once these are cut out, curl the edge over with a toothpick, pencil, or by hand. Set these aside, then use a grab a green sheet of paper. Roll the edge of the paper up and then cut the rest of the paper from it. Create a leaf in this and then tape it all around. Now, twist this tightly and place the curled ends of the heart shapes away f...
How To: Make a paper football with different papers
In this video we learn how to make a paper football with different papers. First, grab the papers that you want to use and then cut a strip off of them. Once you do this, you will fold the told of the paper down in a triangle. After this, fold down the triangle many times down until you reach the end of the strip. You will be left over with one small piece of the paper that you will tuck into the small pocket that you made when you folded all of the triangles in the strip of paper. Once you d...
How To: Create your own solar system diorama in the shape for a telescope
If you've got a school science project coming up, or are looking for something fun to do with the kids, you can make this awesome solar system diorama that's shaped like a telescope so you can view the planets by looking into the telescope! In this video you will learn how to create this diorama that will impress even the most stern teacher!
How To: Use a hardy tool and how to curve and form metal on an anvil
If you're looking to create curves and various shapes with metal, one way of doing it is using a hardy tool with your anvil. In this video you will learn what exactly a hardy tool is and also how to create your own curved S shapes out of metal.
How To: Use an anvil in blacksmithing
When getting started with metal work and blacksmithing, you may be confused as to what you can do with an anvil. In this video you will learn every aspect about the anvil and how to actually use each section of the anvil for cutting, shaping and more!
How To: Use basic hammer strikes in blacksmithing
Blacksmithing is an ancient art of metalsmithing that has never gone away and is still done today! Knowing about heat and what sort of metals to use is good, but if you are just whacking at the metal wildly without any sort of form, you're doing it wrong. In this video you will learn the eight basic hammer strikes in blacksmithing that you will need to know to do any sort of blacksmithing.
How To: Create a blacksmith forge in your backyard easily
Have a passion for metal working and metalsmithing? Want to get into the art without having to go to an expensive shop to set up a forge? Well this video has all the tips and tricks you will need! In it, you will learn what parts you will need and what steps you will need to take to create your own backyard forge easily!
How To: Craft a simple decorative frame with Mod Podge
Mod Podge is well known in the world of crafts, and if you haven't used it yet for your découpage needs, then you have to check out this video tutorial from Mod Podge Rocks. You'll learn a simple frame project, in which you'll make a beautiful DIY handmade frame with Mod Podge in a matter of minutes.
How To: Fold a flapping crane with origami paper
Watch this video to learn how to fold a origami crane, but not just any ol' crane, this is a flapping crane. If folded right, when you pull the tail of this origami flapping crane, its wings should flutter like a bird. Now, if only this thing could fly!
How To: Make a spooky Halloween themed greeting card
Send your best Halloween wishes to friends, family and zombies! This tutorial shows you how to start with some card stock and spiderwebs stamps, and end up with a crafty and creative Halloween greeting card, complete with bats flying around!
How To: Join two crocheted granny squares together using the whip stich
So you have made two granny squares out of crochet yarn, and now you want to join them together to make a blanket, coverlet or other project. There are several methods to connect them, and this video shows you how to use the whipstitch technique.
How To: Join two granny squares together using a single crochet stitch
The single stitch is a very simple stitch, easy for beginners to master, which can be used to join two granny squares together. This is a useful technique for joining any two crochet pieces together of any size or shape, not just granny squares!
How To: Create Mortal Kombat's Sub Zero costume for Halloween
Remember Mortal Kombat? If you're in your early twenties then you grew up on the stuff in the early and mid nineties, and the franchise was seriously as big as "Twilight" is now.
How To: Make your own autumn-themed thank you note cards
Make your own thank you note cards to send to friends, family, gift givers or hosts. This tutorial shows you how to create cards using cardstock and designer paper along with a few stamps to create your own lovely fall themed stationery.
How To: Alter long straight sleeves to become gathered sleeves when drafting patterns
Gathered sleeves can add a bit of interest to a blouse or shirt which incorporates them. This tutorial shows you how to start with a basic straight sleeve and use pattern drafting software to adjust so you can end with a gathered sleeve.
How To: Fix a broken skirt or trouser zipper
Are you in a hurry and just found out that your zipper is broker? This how to video offers a quick fix to almost any broken zipper that will save you lots of money. All you need to fix a zipper is a screwdriver, pliers, and candle wax.
How To: Make a pendant with the Firefox logo
Print out a black and white image of the Firefox logo, then paste it to some solid sheet metal or thin wood. Then cut out your Firefox shape. Make sure not to cut yourself! Then sand the edges, drill a small hole and run your chain through!
How To: Fold an origami Star of David or six pointed star
This tutorial is aimed at someone who is already moderately familiar and experienced with origami. You can start with any size square of colorful paper. Then follow along with the folding instructions in this tutorial, and end with your own Star of David. Just in time for Hanukkah!
How To: Crochet a small ladybug out of red and black yarn
A perfect gift for any ladybug lover on your gift list this holiday season! Make an easy and simple ladybug - all you need is four-ply yarn in two different colors (nominally red and black, but you can use any color you want) and a size eight crochet needle. Then follow along to get your own ladybug!
How To: Turn an old knitted sweater into a rad case for your laptop
Make a cozy and protective sweater for your laptop. Start with a large sweater you don't want anymore, and assemble a yarn darner, all purpose thread, tailor's marking chalk and scissors. Then follow along and turn an old grandpa sweater into a cute laptop case!
How To: Make a goldfish out of origami
Here's a cute little origami tutorial! Start with a piece of orange or goldenrod origami paper, and then follow along with the folding instructions in this video to make your own little origami fish. Perfect for an origami aquarium project!
How To: Make an easy and adorable five petaled flower out of designer paper
These cute little flowers can make the perfect addition or accessory to a gift, scrapbook or other similar project. Start with a few pieces of designer paper and then follow these instructions to end up with a lovely five petaled paper flower.
How To: Make a clever paper insert for a clear glass locket
Start with a clear glass locket, and then follow these instructions to make a few cute paper inserts to put inside your locket. Add a few personal touches, and you have a versatile and creativity-inspiring accessory that lets you dress up your wardrobe in a unique and clever way.
How To: Make a stretchy rose ring out of elastic and beads
Start with a polymer clay rose, some beads and elastic thread. Thread a big-eye needle, and then string the beads along your elastic thread. Once you have enough beads, string on your clay rose. Then tie off, and you have a fun piece of rosy jewelry!
How To: Make a tiger tail floating bead double strand necklace
Create a necklace with the 'floating' style look using the nearly invisible tiger tail jewelry wire. Follow this tutorial and thread the beads, then use the flat crimp technique to keep the beads in place. Attach a clasp, and your new necklace is ready to wear!
How To: Create your own pirate style earrings with beads and skull charms
Perfect for the pirate, punk, goth or anyone on your list who might appreciate a pair of skull and crossbones earrings. This tutorial shows you how to make a simple pair of dangling piratey earrings using the charms, a few beads and some earring posts.
How To: Make your own summery wine glass charms
Wine glass charms go around the stems of wineglasses to help guests at your BBQ, dinner or other party identify their glass of wine. You can use any sort of bead or charm to make these, but this tutorial shows you how to make a set of summery charms using beads and memory wire.
How To: Make your own beaded silver charm bracelet
You may be able to find a blank silver chain for making a charm bracelet in stores, but if not, you can easily make your own with a length of jewelry chain, a toggle clasp and some jewelry pliers. Once you have the base chain, just string your beads using jump rings for a lovely beaded charm bracelet!
How To: Crochet a puff stitch decrease to make yarn puffs
Puff stitches are soft and pretty crochet puffs of yarn, which you can add as an embellishment to scarves, mittens, hats or anything else you want to add a bit of puff to. This tutorial shows you how to do the decrease, or finish off your puff stitch.
How To: Turn a ball point pen into a styler pen for your Knifty Knitter
A styler pen lets you thread yarn through your Knifty Knitter tool much looser than if you had done it by hand. They're not sold in stores, but you can make your own by taking apart a properly sized ball point pen!
How To: Fold a wave out of orgimai and create an icosahedron
Start with ten squares of paper in as many different colors as you would like, and then cut them into three equal rectangles. Then fold thirty small waves, and assemble into a twenty-sided polygon (icosahedron). Perfect for a geometric Christmas tree ornament.
How To: Fold a simple origami star from a water bomb base
Here's a good tutorial for those who are looking for some easy origami projects. Starting with a water bomb base, this tutorial shows you how to make a four pointed star you can use to decorate binders, scrapbooks or even Christmas trees.
How To: Create a filigree wirework ring out of silver wire
Make a lovely and elegant silver ring out of jewelry wire. By using a small crochet hook and carefully crocheting your wire, you can create a beautiful ring which looks like it has been made with silver filigree. You don't need anything more!