tutorial – Page 6 – WhatTheCraft

February 13, 2013October 18, 2018Blog

Floral Arrangement with Sequin Details

This post brought to you by iBulb. All opinions are 100% mine.

Tulips are one of my all-time favorite flowers. I’ve never been a rose girl myself, I’ll take a bouquet of spring tulips and daffodils anyday!

Tulips just scream Spring, which is why I always make sure to buy some cut tulips when it’s still snowy and dreary out. A little reminder of what’s coming in a month or two! You can find them almost anywhere this time of year- the grocery store, flower shop, or garden center.

Here’s a cute little way to show off your tulips with a wee centerpiece. They’re small, easy to DIY, and you can adapt them to fit anything color/theme.

I think these would make really cute wedding centerpieces- think white tulips with silver sequins!Read more…

March 20, 2012October 18, 2018Tutorials

How to frost a window with contact paper

If you’ve read my recent posts you know two things.

1. I love Contact paper.

2. I moved into a new house a few months ago.

The new house has a problem. That problem is that there’s a window IN the shower. This window is a problem because it looks directly onto the street.

Oh, hello mailbox and neighbors and passersby. Don't mind me, I'm just getting Zestfully clean!

No, sir. I don’t like it.

Put a curtain over it, you say! But what about all that nice natural light?!

No, no. A curtain won’t do.

When we lived in an apartment a few years ago, there was a living room window I wanted to cover without blocking the light, so I cut out a bunch of squares of clear Contact paper and stuck them on the window. It looked like a cool mosaic frosted window. The Contact paper is cool because when you want a change, or you’re a renter moving out, you just peel it off.

I did something similar in our basement here, since we have big egress windows that look directly at the neighbors (more on that in a minute). Even though we’re not renting, and I could have actually etched the glass or painted it with frosted glass spray, I just didn’t want anything permanent.

I knew I wanted to use the Contact paper in the bathroom, but I wanted to do something a little different. I wanted to use one continuous piece of Contact paper, so there wouldn’t be any gaps you could see through. Someone would have to stick their face right up to the glass to see through the gaps, but I still didn’t like the idea.

I could have just put the plain sheet over the window and left it at that, but that would have been easy, and easy is boring.

So the OCTOPY ATTACK! window was born…

This is what it looks like if you open it. No! He's getting closer! AHHHH!

All you need is some Clear Contact Paper, some scissors, Sharpies, and some time.Read more…

February 25, 2012October 18, 2018Tutorials, Video Tutorials

How to Sew Fabric Appliques

Here’s my video tutorial for fabric appliques / patches. Appliques are a great way to embellish or customize a project. You can add them to bags, clothes, Xmas stockings, and more. Appliqued handmade goods make great gifts because you can tailor each one for the recipient!

If you scroll down, there’s also a photo tutorial version so you can go at your own pace, or go to a specific step.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! There are lots more tutorials on the way!

And if you have any tutorial requests, leave me a comment!

This tutorial was filmed using a Creative Labs Vado HD Digital Video Camera, a Canon Rebel (for still shots), and edited in Sony Vegas Movie Studio.

Here’s the photo + text version of the tutorial:

How To Photograph Your Product For Dummies, by A Dummy

I will preface this post with the admission that I really am a dummy when it comes to photography. I don’t know many technical terms, I’ve never taken a class… I’ve learned it all through trial and error.

There are a few key components that you’ll need, but aside from the camera, they’re not too expensive (and in some cases, free), so don’t fret, my pet.

What you need:

a camera – Your phone doesn’t count.

light – Natural daylight is the best!

a tripod – I guess if your phone can go on a tripod and takes decent pictures, I’ll let you slide…

Optional items:

a backdrop – I use a cheapo bed sheet. It’s not the prettiest or most professional, but it works.

a remote for your camera – If you’re the model and photographer, this will make your life a million times easier. I got mine from Amazon.

additional lighting – The more “daylight-like”, the better. See the bottom of this post for a link to a great tutorial for lighting on the cheap.

How to Make a Steampunk Victorian Jabot or Neckerchief

by Zeloco

I’ve always been a fan of the Victorian fashions and, surprisingly, not only the feminine part if it (of course I love the feminine dresses and corsets (who doesn’t?!), but I’ve always dressed in an androgynous way). So, naturally, I NEEDED a jabot.

I can’t say I’m a pro in crafts or sewing,. I usually work in a trial-and-error way and I have no official training in this, so don’t be scared of reading professional terminology – there’s none. I find this particular method working best for me, feel free to alter it in any way to suit your needs/style/etc.