Tutorial: How to Crochet a Chain

by Stacey Trock

Hi there! Today, we’re going to crochet! Never crocheted before? Don’t worry! This tutorial is written for total crochet-newbies, and by the end of this post, you’ll be crocheting chains that you can use as necklaces, headbands… or whatever else you imagination comes up with!

Getting Started

To get started crocheting, grab some yarn and a crochet hook.  It’s easiest to use the size hook that’s recommended on the yarn label.

To begin, make a slip knot (check out my video if you don’t know how!).  All crocheting begins with a slip knot.

Now, we’re going to start crocheting! Insert your hook into the loop created by your slip knot, and tug on the tail (the short little piece of yarn that’s not connected to the ball) until the loop fits snugly around your hook, as pictured.

Now it’s time to chain! Hold the working end of the yarn (the really long end that’s attached to the ball of yarn) and wrap it around the back of the hook to the front, so that it wraps around the top of the hook, as pictured. Read more

Tutorial: Lace Lampshade

by: inkodye

This project is shockingly simple, yet produces really beautiful and unique results. We were able to transfer the pattern of lace onto our lampshade by using the photographic property of Inkodye. It’s like magic! The lamp we used was found at Ikea for $15, but any cotton or linen lampshade will work perfectly.

 

Total tutorial time: 20 minutes

Used in this project: Inkodye Red Orange

 

Materials. All we used for this project was a cheap lampshade, some lace, a sponge brush, a few push pins, and of course Inkodye!

 

Prep. To extend and lighten the dye add water. This step is optional, but it allows your bottle of Inkodye to last even longer!

 

Mix. Stir the dye and water mixture to ensure even coloring.

 

Paint. Coat the lampshade with the Inkodye mixture, making sure to cover the canvas completely.

 

Pin. Next, use simple push pins to secure the lace. We pinned along the seem of the lampshade in order to keep the front flawless.

 

Snip. Cut off the extra fabric so that the print is undisturbed. Then, align and pin the bottom.

 

Develop. Watch the colors deepen and develop in the sun! We left the lamp out for about 5 minutes, rotated it, and left it out for 5 more.

 

Unravel. Remove the lace from the lampshade to expose the beautiful printed pattern. This is our favorite part!

 

Scrub. Wash with laundry detergent and water to remove excess Inkodye. Don’t be afraid to scrub hard; Inkodye is very permanent! Let dry.

 

Illuminate. Now you can display your newest piece of art anywhere around the house. Voilà!

 

Tutorial: Sun-Printed Batik Fabric Painting and Dyeing

by: inkodye

Batik is a traditional technique that uses Resist to prevent dye from reaching the fabric. You can use this method to create detailed patterns on textiles, wood and unglazed ceramics. With specially formulated Inkodye you get to use the power of the sun to develop the full vibrance of your colors and make them permanent, no other steaming or fixing is required!

Decide how to apply the resist. We used fine line applicators, also try brushes, stencils and sponges.

 

Choose your design. We printed out an illustration to use as an underlay, if you’re brave try freehand!

Flatten your work surface. We used a mild spray adhesive, you can also use stretcher frames.

 

Apply Resist. Try not to smudge your work as you go! Fine lines dry to the touch in minutes.

Finishing touches. Check your work for gaps, dye will bleed through gaps in lines. Sign your work!

Read more

Tutorial: Upcycled T-shirt Rug

If you have a mountain of t-shirt scraps like me, and you hate throwing said scraps away (also me), then you’re probably always on the look-out for projects that use those scraps. This rug tutorial from Family Fun is just that.

I’ve seen other t-shirt rugs and t-shirt rug tutorials (most of which involved crocheting, which I don’t really know how to do), but this is definitely the coolest one I’ve seen. Using a hula hoop as a frame, the t-shirts are woven together. No sewing, knitting, or crocheting. Anyone with a hula hoop and some t-shirt scraps can do it!

I’ve stopped buying textile rugs because my cat has some sort of Rug Radar when he pukes. Plus, they’re a pain to keep clean. But I think one of these t-shirt rugs would make a perfect bath mat. Plus, once the rug gets funky, you can toss it out and make a new one!

Click here for the full tutorial.

Tutorial: Moss Graffiti

This tutorial from Popular Mechanics (which is actually an excerpt from More Show Me How) is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. PAINT WITH MOSS!

The possibilities are endless. I like the idea of writing some sort of message in moss for the neighbors or passers-by to see.

See the full tutorial here.

Tutorial – Relief Printing with Solar Plates

Fun in the Sun: Greeting Cards with Solar Plates
by:  Curtis Taylor

This article will explain how to make fine art relief print cards using only the power of the sun. Unlike traditional printmaking methods that require dangerous chemicals or sharp tools and years of technical practice a solar plate uses the sun, some water, and a tooth brush to develop. This project will walk you through your first fine art creation with a solar plate avoiding years of art school not to mention the expense.

Solar plates are made with a special photopolymer that hardens when exposed to a UV light source. UV light sources can be purchased or made but I prefer to use a free source of UV light we call the sun. For our purposes solar plates are quite forgiving. You can work in normal indoor lighting conditions with incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs. There is no need for a darkroom. You just need to be careful to avoid direct sunlight until you are ready to expose your plate. Solar plates should be stored in a cool, dark and dry place until exposure. Solar plates are quite durable and will probably last a lifetime under normal hand burnishing.

Read more

Make a pop-up book!

Fun fact: I graduated from the same high school as pop-up book king, Robert Sabuda! You may have seen some of his books before- he’s done tons of pop-up versions of famous fairytales and other children’s books like The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book, etc.

His website, robertsabuda.com, also has a whole bunch of awesome tutorials for making your own pop-ups, including a STAR WARS POP-UP BOOK!!!

The pop-ups make awesome cards for pretty much any occasion. I was in need of a Get Well card, so instead of buying a cheesy Hallmark card, I decided to make a pop-up card using the Bat tutorial here: http://www.robertsabuda.com/popmake/animals/bat/popmake_bat-step1.asp

Not only is it handmade (10 times cooler), but it’s THREE DEE (cool to the third power). So thats like Cool x 1000.

I’d suggest reading through the instructions before starting, and gathering all of the tools you’ll need!

Tools you’ll need:

paper – something heavy like cardstock works well for the base of the card. I used scrapbooking paper to “line” the base, though this step is totally optional. I used black construction paper for the bat.

sharp scissors

scoring/folding tool – I used a knitting needle. You could also use a chopstick, bamboo skewer, and old pen, etc.

glue – I used a quick dry craft glue that’s similar to rubber cement. Glue sticks or double sided tape will also work well. White glue will work if you have the time and patience to let it dry.

printer or markers

extra decorating doo-dads – like googly eyes!

Here’s my finished card!

Read more