Hot Arts & Crafts How-Tos

How To: Use French wire when jewelry making

In this video, we learn how to use French wire when jewelry making. First, you want to take your wire and cut it to the length you need, using wire cutters. After this, you will place a stopper next to the pendant or bead that you are applying inside the necklace. Next, string on the clasp to the wire and then bend the end of the wire to the inside of the stopper, then cut the end of that with wire cutters. When finished, your clasp should be secure at the end of the wire and ready to hook on...

How To: Crochet a headband for winter

In this video, we learn how to crochet a headband for winter. You will need yarn and a size 10 crochet hook to do this. To start, make a slipknot, then hook your needle into it. Start making a simple chain stitch, after you finish this row, stick your needle into the first stitch and make a single crochet all the way down. Continue to do this for several rows, until the headband is thick enough to go around your head the way you want it to fit. When finished, tie it off with a knot at the end...

How To: Make a double flap card with Stampin' Up!

In this video, we learn how to make a double flap card with Stampin' Up!. First, cut out the card in green, then add a creamy caramel color to the top of a white piece of paper. Now, add a green piece of paper that is slightly smaller to the top of the caramel color paper. Add another piece of white on top of the green, then layer then together on the card. Add in a walrus and a little kid stamp to the cards and place them onto scalloped punches. On the bottom, apply striped paper, then apply...

How To: Make a snowflake card using Cricut Winter Woodland

In this video, we learn how to make a snowflake card using Cricut Winter Woodland. You can find the snowflake on page 35 of the manual, then cut it at 3.5", cutting it four times to make it thick and chunky. The top of the card can be run through the Cuttlebug with a snowflake design, and the bottom can have a holiday snowflake print. The sentiment should say "let it snow" and you can place a green bow in the center next to the thick snowflake you make. You can write what you wish on the insi...

How To: Make a pop-up box card

Connie Brad teaches us how to make a pop-up box card in this tutorial. First, you need to take a scoring board and draw 1 cm increments down the center of it. Now, take a sheet of card stock and score the sheet 2 cm from one end, then continue down until you reach the bottom 3/4's of the paper. Now, fold your card along all of the score lines up until the last line. Next, line this up on a cutting mat and cut 3 cm on each side until the end of each score line. Now when you set this up, it wil...

How To: Make a jingle bell card using Cricut Storybook

In this video, we learn how to make a jingle bell card using Cricut Storybook. you will need the Cricut Storybook cartridge and Cuttlebug Music Notes folder to do this card. First, you will take a cut out of the word "jingle" that has a bell attached to the bottom of it. You can find this in your Cricut crafting books. Next, apply a checkered green paper over a forest green card stock. Next, grab a holiday embossed white paper and apply a ribbon to it, then glue this onto the checkered paper....

How To: Use a yarn bowl when knitting

In this tutorial, we learn how to use a yarn bowl when knitting. The side of the bowl will have a slit in it where you can place your yarn while you are working on a project. Use hand wound balls or any other type. First place the yarn in the bowl and then string it through the slit, feeding it through as you do your project. If you have a larger ball, set it on the side and use it the same way. The bowl is glossy and smooth so the ball will roll around and won't get stuck inside. There's als...

How To: Make an adjustable cable necklace

In order to make an adjustable cable necklace, you will need the following: 20 inch adjustable cable chain, a slide bead frame, 2 head pins, 8 mm bi-cone, 8 mm crystal, 2 6-mm round rondells, 2 7-mm jump rings, a pair of nipper tools, a pair of round nose pliers, and a pair of chain nose pliers.

How To: Do stockinette stitch

In this video, we learn how to do a stockinette stitch. This is where you knit one row and stitch the row after that. This will curl up if you don't stitch on the side of it as well. When you're on the right side, you will do a knit row making it as large or as small as you want it to be. After this, turn your work around and you will see the wrong side of the work. Now your next row will be purl stitches. Continue to do these until you finish, this is a simple and easy way to learn stitching!

How To: Make a Cricut "you rock" birthday card

Mary shows us how to make a Cricut "you rock" birthday card in this video. Use the Cricut paper dolls cartridge to find a little boy and the clothes that go on him. Cut all the pieces at four inches, then use the joy cartridge to cut out a star that will go behind the paper boy. Next, place a sentiment that says "you rock!" on it, then use a gel pen to make tufts in the hair. Use chalk and ink to go around the clothes and cheeks to make a hairy look. This makes a great unique birthday card fo...

How To: Knit double motifs

In this video, we learn how to knit double motifs. First, make a grid so that you have an even number of stitches all the way around your motif. After this, cast two colors onto the needle, making sure they stay in order. Cast on a total of twenty stitches, which will be just one side of the square for your motif. After this, start to stitch the rows until you reach the middle where your shape will be. Exchange the colors so the pattern in the middle looks how you want it to. After this, bind...

How To: Start crocheting a beanie

In this video, we learn how to start a beanie. During this, you will increase the number of single crochet stitches in a chain. Start off with a chain three, then join them by crocheting a single stitch in the first stitch you made. Do this by pushing the hook through and pulling the yard over, then pulling through. After this, you will have a circle. Start to crochet inside of this by using your circle and inserting the hook into the circle. Crochet around the tail of the circle, then yarn o...

How To: Crochet a triangle-shaped bikini beanie hat

In this video, we learn how to crochet a triangle-shaped bikini beanie hat. First, crochet nine single crochets through a simple loop. After this, join with the beginning single crochet and work a single crochet three times. next, work one single crochets in each of the next two, then three single crochets in the next stitch. Now, go join with the first single crochet. Continue to go around until you have a large circle shape, going down on the sides to make the entire beanie shape. After thi...

How To: Cut acrylic on the Cricut Expression

In this video, we learn how to cut acrylic on the Cricut Expression. First, you will need to have an acrylic cutter installed on your Cricut Expression. Now, place the acrylic on the mat and insert the mat into your machine. After this, choose the type of cut you want, then make sure the blade depth is at six and the pressure is at maximum. Now you can start to cut the acrylic, and when it's finished, it will pop back out of the machine and be finished! You can then use the acrylic for what p...

How To: Make a cool four-sided boomerang that works

What's better than one origami boomerang that comes back to you all cool-like? Two origami boomerangs taped together, of course! Now of course you're thinking, "but that's not a boomerang at all and it won't come back to you!," but check out this video and you'll see there's a way to put together two boomerangs so that they'll create a super large and sexy boomerang.

How To: Make a hedgehog plushie

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a hedgehog plushy. First, choose a fabric to use, then cut out the shape of it. Once you have done this, cut it out again and pin the two pieces of fabric together. After this, use a sewing machine to sew all of the sides together, leaving a hole in the bottom. Now, turn the hedgehog inside out and then iron him flat. Place some stuffy cotton into the plushy until it is as full as you would like it. Then, sew the hole together so none of the stuffing can...

How To: Glue straight and curved latex seams

In this tutorial, we learn how to glue straight and curved latex seams. First, press each piece of latex down so it's just touching in the middle. After this, use your finger to press down on the middle, then take a roller and roll over the middle until it's perfectly straight. Now, stretch out the latex to make sure that both sides are stuck together. To glue curved latex seams, place the pieces together slowly, pushing your finger down in the center as you go to make a curved effect. Once y...

How To: Make a beaded 7 petal faerie flower pendany

In this video, we learn how to make a beaded 7 petal faerie flower pendant. First, string 14 beads on an 18 inch piece of string. Next, create a circle in the beads, then tie it off. After this, add three blue beads to your first pico stitch, then go through two more beads after this. Continue to do this all the way around the bracelet until you reach the other side. After this, go through the first pico stitch and add one red bead, followed by blue and red beads to make petals. Continue this...

How To: Dye yarn with Kool-Aid

In this video, we learn how to dye yarn with Kool-Aid. First, take two chairs and wrap yarn around them as tight as possible to keep them from getting tangled up. Then, place in a bath of lukewarm water for ten minutes. After this, grab packets of Kool Aid the color you want your yarn to be. Now, take the yarn out of the water and squeeze out any excess water. After this, mix up the Kool Aid and place it into individual jars for each color. Next, place the jars in a large pot of water and the...

How To: Use a rotary cutter

In this video, we learn how to use a rotary cutter with Kenneth D King. Before you begin, make sure to use a cutting mat so you don't damage the top of your surface. To cut your item, you simply place the rotary cutter on the bottom of the item, then run it through until you have reached the top, or the desired area you want to cut. If you want to cute with a different shape, then you can purchase different cutters that will create shaped edges on what you are cutting. After this, place your ...

How To: Make a shadowbox

In this video, we learn how to make a shadowbox. First, you will need to have a frame that is thick and pops out from the wall. After this, layer hot glue down on the inside of the frame where you are going to put what goes on the inside. Decorate it how you like, a good idea is to use fake moss, wood chips, and stones on the inside. Decorate this as unique as you would like to, let your imagination go wild! After you have decorated the frame as you would like it, grab a piece of paper that y...

How To: Make a Joy S-fold Christmas card using Cricut George

In this video, we learn how to make a Joy S-fold Christmas card using Cricut George. First, fold the card and mark it so it's in the S shape, then stamp the background of the card with colored snowflakes in different sizes and shapes. After this, use a black outline along the sides of the papers, then add in a black piece of paper to the middle of the top fold. Apply a monkey with a Santa hat to the front and wrap him around a J shaped candy cane. Add in the letters "o" and "y", then add in a...

How To: Hide a crimp bead with a crimp bead cover

In this video, we learn how to hide a crimp bead with a crimp bead cover. First, string your spacer followed by a crimp bead and another spacer. At the end, you will have the end piece with the wire protector next to it. Then, bring the piece of jewelry through the crimp bead twice, then through the spacer once more. Now the spacers and crimp beads will be pressed with the crimping tool tightly. Pull on the string to test it out, then slip in your crimp bead cover so it looks like another bea...

How To: Make a thank you card using Cricut DoodleCharms & SYI

In this video, we learn how to make a thank you card using Cricut Doodle Charms and SYI. The card can be the size you choose. Layer orange, green, and brown mats, running the green and orange through the Cuttlebug using blue dots to give it texture. After this, ink around the edges with brown so the embossing shows up. Use the Cricut to cut the leaves and an acorn, using the Doodle Charms cartridge for one of the leaves cut at 2 1/4". You can also use the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge fo...

How To: Make a teapot card using Cricut Everyday Paper Dolls

In this video, Mary shows us how to make a teapot card using Cricut everyday paper dolls. First, print out a sentiment that has to do with teapots and fade the edges of the paper. After this, cut out a teapot and cup from the everyday paper dolls on page 43. Cut the teapot and cut twice, then chop them so you can see the details of them. Place this on a paisley or flower background for the card, along with old buttons on the bottom of the paper. Make the card the size you would like, using yo...