Arts & Crafts (15)
Plush Toys
Written by Strathy
Children love plush toys, but did you know that they have an adult following as well? Adults love to collect them and make them too! Some of the more popular plush toys are monster dolls. They are really so easy to make. Here are some ideas and instructions for making plush toy monster dolls yourself.
Plush Toys Pattern
One option is to go the traditional route and find a pattern for making plush toys in a sewing or craft store or online. This will give you the templates and all directions required to make plush toys. All the guess work is already done.
Another option, which is more appealing in a variety of ways, is to make your own pattern. Draw up a design yourself or, if you have a child in the house, have he or she draw a monster person for you. Take that drawing and enlarge it using a photocopier.
Cut out the design, making one piece for the body and head and a separate piece for an arm and a separate piece for a leg. You should have 3 pieces of your pattern. Tip: You will probably want to make any arms or legs a lot thicker than you may think so it is easier to construct.
Fabric or Felt
If you are new to sewing, making plush toys is much easier to do if making them in felt. You will not need to worry about turning the wrong sides together, sewing and then flipping it right side out. Making plush toys from felt allows you to sew on the outside, with a seam allowance, and not worry about fraying like you would using fabric. There are many color options available in felt and you can get good texture from this material. You may even be able to find limited patterned felt available as well.
Using fabric for plush toys is more professional looking in the quality. You will also find that there is much more selection available in the way of colors, patterns and texture.
Another option is to use a combination of felt and fabric. You may find that using felt for hair is a quick and easy way to do it on plush toy.
Construction
Putting your plush toys together can be a little tricky. First take your fabric and fold it in two. Lay the body/head pattern piece down on the fabric in a place that will not cause too much fabric waste. i.e. an edge. Pin the pattern down to the fabric and cut it out.
Then take the arm pattern piece and cut out 4 of these pieces. You will need to cut out 2 first and then move the arm piece over and cut out 2 more. Do the same for the leg pattern piece. You will end up with 2 pieces of fabric for the body, 4 arms and 4 legs.
Take off the paper pattern pieces and pin the 2 fabric pieces together, making sure the right sides face together. You will see the right side once it is sewn and turned out.
Make the legs and arms first. Sew all around the edges of the legs and arms, but leave about 1/2" seam allowance all along the edges. Also, make sure you leave a space big enough to turn it right side out.
Turn the fabric arms and legs right side out. You may need to use a knitting needle to help poke out any arms and legs that are too skinny. Using fibre fill, stuff the arms and legs.
Take the body piece and carefully place the arms and legs in position, but have the actual arms and legs inserted in between the two body pieces. Pin all along the edges.
At a sewing machine, sew around the edges of your body/head piece (with the legs and arms inside). Be sure and leave about 1/2" all the way around the edges. Also, make sure you leave an opening so that you can turn it right side out when you are finished.
Turn the plush toys right side out and now you are ready to stuff! Fill the monster doll with fibre fill and using a needle and thread, close the opening by sewing it by hand.
Embellishing Plush Toys
There are so many things you can do to decorate or embellish your plush toys.
Face - Make a face for your plush toys using embroidery thread and a needle. You can also simply sew buttons on or paint a face if you prefer.
Hair - Using pieces of yarn, sew some hair onto your plush toy. Alternatively, you could cut out strips of felt and glue or sew it into place as hair.
Clothing - You can make clothing for your plush toys or maybe even find some around in your children's stash.
Accessories - It is fun when plush toys come with accessories. Make eyeglasses by twisting wire into the appropriate shape, make a handbag out of a fabric pouch and ribbon, tie ribbon in the hair, add beads for earrings, make a hat, make felt shoes, knit or crochet a scarf, etc.
When making your own plush toys, you will come to realize that this is an addictive hobby. Even if your first one is not perfect, with practice your handmade plush toys will be wonderful and such fun! Think of all the gifts you could make for friends or loved ones! It would be such a great gag gift to make them in the likeness of the person who is receiving it! Make a little tag with a story about your monster doll to go along with the gift. And don't forget to name them!
The Nikon D5000 digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) is a great choice for persons looking at the variety of digital cameras available on the market. While the existing information can seem overwhelming, this one camera features ease of use making it a great choice for beginners and a professional quality that makes it remarkable for advanced photographers or long-term Nikon camera owners. The technology that comes with this camera is featured on its higher end counterparts, but the price point will not break budget with the camera coming in at under $650 in most markets.
It features an in-camera retouch system, built-in automatic flash, seven levels of brightness for adjustment on its full color LCD monitor, rechargeable li-ion EN-EL9a batteries, and allows the consumers to shoot movie clips. The 12.3 mega pixel quality of this camera guarantees crystal clear photos. So, whether the photo is wallet size or poster size it will not lack clarity and depth. The LCD screen is adjustable and can be flipped and angled. This will allow its user to reduce annoying glares or produce a quality self-portrait. The Nikon D5000 also has a 170-degree wide-viewing angle. This assures you will fit more into your picture. This is especially essential for are taking landscape photos or wide shots, especially group photos or those you’re more apt to take on vacation.
Its built-in image sensor cleaning means you have more time to take your photos and spend less time cleaning the lens. It will observe the dust particles your eyes may miss and keep your photos particle free. No lag time between continuous shots (up to four frames per second). Though this may not be an issue if you are shooting a non-moving subject, for persons that cannot or will not sit for portraits or just capturing a moving subject this means your camera will not pause like many digital cameras and you'll be less apt to miss a shot.
The nineteen scene modes seem endless and are quite handy. With the regulars such as portrait, you'll be able to get a clear picture of the nearby subject or with landscape a sharper picture at a wider view. This camera also features scene settings such as food, night landscape, and sports. So whatever your mode or mood, it has you covered.
The Nikon D5000 makes the job of taking pictures no hassle. The automatic features will minimize mistakes. With the numerous capabilities, you won't miss the moments that matter.
The Nikon D3000
Written by Douglas BernardThe Nikon D3000 is an entry-level SLR, especially suited ofr beginner photo enthusiasts, however, it has all the bells and whistles that many of the more higher-priced SLRs would have. Another great aspect of this camera as well as other SLRs is the price, over the last couple of years the prices of these cameras has fallen quite substantially then in years' past when they were all well over a $1000 and more.
One of the greater aspects of this particular kind of camera is that you are not only buing one camera but a whole slew of lenses as well, cause these such cameras allow you to change out lenses on the cameras' body at will, so you are not stuck with just one particular kind of lens but have many to choose from.
The Nikon D3000 comes with a 10.2 megapixel DX-format CCD APS-C image sensor, Active D-Lighting and an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens for $599 you may be able to find a better deal if you keep shopping around.
Even though this camera is a DSLR, it still comes with many automatic features as well as the famous NIKON Guide which will walk you through setting up the camera all the way to helping you take your very first shot.
Some of the cooler features of the NIKON D3000 are:
The Guide Mode being the most distinctive, it walks any photographer, beginner or advanced, on how to help setup the camerea for any shot that is to be taken, step-by-step.
Some of the other nicer features, 230,000 dot 3in LCD screen, 3 frames per second shooting to catch all those moving shots. D-Lighting to help with shots for shots in both shadows and highlights. ISO from 100-1600 with a HI1 setting that expands the setting to 3200.
The D3000 is made of hard plastic and has the classic NIKON look throughout the body of the camera.
As for the Menus and Modes on the camera:
Playback, Shooting, Setup, Retouch and Recent Settings menus.
If you want to get into the shooting settings quickly simply press the Information Display button which looks like a magnifying glass with a plus sign in the middle of it and by pressing the Info Display button you can change the white balance, metering, AF Mode, flash mode and exposure compensation along with other camera settings.
Here are the shooting modes that the DSLR 3000 offers:
Programmed Auto, Shutter-Priority Auto, Aperture-Priority Auto, Manual, Portrait, Landscape, Child, Close Up, Sports and Night Portrait, these will allow you to get all the shots you could ever possible want or need with this camera.
The Nikon D90
Written by Douglas BernardOf all the cameras that Nikon has made and distributed, the Nikon D90 is one of the best cameras released. The D90 is an inexpensive option for people who are seeking a professional grade camera at a reasonable price. With all of the features of the D90 this camera is a choice selection for those who are looking at starting out in a photography career or even a professional who is already well recognized.
The Nikon D90 shots at 12.3 megapixels utilizing it's CMOS imaging sensor, NIKKOR optics, and Nikon's EXPEED processing to produce high fidelity and beautiful images. Specifications such as this are the quality and performance that are expected from Nikon cameras. The D90 features ISO speeds from 200 to 3200 with low noise, to help with shooting in virtually any setting or lighting. The D90 features a built in flash as well as a port for an external flash. The D90 takes most of Nikon's F mount lens.
The D90's shooting quality is not the only advantage of this camera. It's durable exterior protects the cameras delicate lenses, sensors, other internal components from every day wear and tear, as well as high degrees of stress and damage. Featuring four different manual modes, five scene modes, and two auto modes, shooting an amazing image on the D90 is possible even from the most inexperienced photographer, but allows customization for more control. The D90's 3 inch LCD screens high resolution and brilliance displays saved images in an accurate playback. One of the D90's greatest assets is it's ability to shoot in HD (High Definition) as well as the on camera editing features.
Most DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras range in the upper hundreds to the thousands, usually for the body alone. The D90 runs for around $899.95 for the body, which is relatively cheap for a professional grade camera of this caliber. The F mount Nikon lenses running to an average of $100 makes the D90 a good starting camera, that is dependable, durable, and easy to maintain.
Professional, durable, and inexpensive are traits that make the D90 a great camera for both professional and amateur photographic interest. With the D90 sitting on the Nikon lineup between the D60 and the D3000 this camera is one of the best camera for it's price. The Nikon D90 is one of the best DSLRs that have been released from Nikon.
Die Cutting Cuttlebug Machine
Written by StephenThe CuttleBug machine is a specially created die cutting system that enables you to create attractive designs, forms and letters even without any artistic aptitude. If you were considering doing scrap booking but the costs of all the shapes and embossed paper were too much for you, the good news are the CuttleBug machine can do all that for you.
Some scrapbooking fans went all the way and got a cricut machine with several templates, but they still can’t do any embossing with it. Of course, you have the option to buy a template driven cutting system that allows you to cut out the needed shapes and letters, without the extra expenses of buying precut pieces or using a cricut machine. There are also other cutting die machines specially designed for those who are passionate about scrap booking. Nevertheless, none of these allows the type of embossing like the CuttleBug machine does.
When you opt for the CuttleBug machine you are not just opting for a specially created die based cutting system that enables you to quickly cut virtually any shape or letter that you need, but the machine also has the optional embossing dies that let’s you emboss paper without having to cut through it. This is a feature that is lacking on many of the more high tech scrapbooking and die cutting gadgets like the Cricut Create and Cricut Expression machine.
Purchasing the CuttleBug machine will make available for you numerous other possibilities. You can select from a wide range of die types, including special embossing dies, shaped dies for cutting animals or various objects or lettering dies that will enable you to cut out different letters in various fonts.
However, you will not be able to do all these things just by purchasing the CuttleBug machine. The machine does have an excellent starter pack, and upon your needs you can buy various dies for your CuttleBug machine. You have numerous dies to choose from, making the CuttlBug machine one of the best options for your arts and crafts activities.
Ideas for Scrapbooking Rooms
Written by Strathy Your scrapbooking supplies are getting out of control! Where should you put all that stuff? Your spouse is getting on your case about all the scrapbooking materials that have been laying around. It is time to organize. Time to get control over your scrapbooking supplies before they overtake the house! It is time for a scrapbooking room!
Most people decide to make dedicated scrapbooking rooms because they are dealing with the issues described above. They are also looking to get a functional space where they can work on a project and leave it out for continuation at a later date. There is nothing so frustrating as having to pack all your supplies up before you are finished with a project. Having scrapbooking rooms enables you to leave everything out if you have to make a quick dash out to pick up the kids from school. There is no need to clear off the dining room table to set it for supper. You don't need to leave your scrapbooking supplies spread all over the place.
Another benefit of having a scrapbooking room is that there is often space to invite over friends for a crop. Having a large dedicated work space will allow you to include a large table with chairs so that everyone can sit around and work together. Make it a regular meeting with your friends. They can bring over the projects they are working on, a few of their supplies and spread out on the table right along with you.
Having scrapbooking rooms will also enable you to show off your work. There is wall space to display your completed projects. Storage is also readily available. You can add cupboards, shelves, baskets and anything else you can think of to better help you organize and store your scrapbooking supplies.
Having a scrapbooking room will make you the envy of your friends and fellow-scrapbookers. Every crafter desires to have a dedicated space all to themselves. A place to spread out and organize their supplies in such a way to make them readily available for use. If they are packed away somewhere, you won't be inspired to create!
Ideas for scrapbooking rooms can be found all over the internet. Also, don't forget to look up studios and craft rooms for ideas as well. You will find many solutions which can easily translate into your type of creative space even if it isn't originating from scrapbooking rooms.
Before you get started on designing your scrapbooking room, be sure and take before photos. You will be glad to have a record of what the room looked like before the transformation. It will also be beneficial for showing people the work you put into it. Not only that, you can use the before and after photos to make a scrapbook page all about your very own scrapbooking room!
Digital Scrapbooking Embellishments
Written by StrathyWhen looking for scrapbooking embellishments, one of the quickest and easiest places to find them is to search online. Digital ephemera is readily available and often free! Think of the theme you are looking for and then do a search based on that theme.
Digital scrapbooking embellishments when printed and used on a scrapbook page suddenly transform what you've done and make it "hybrid scrapbooking." The melding of the two mediums is very popular today. There are so many more possibilities available to scrapbookers who make use of the digital medium.
How to Use Digital Scrapbooking Embellishments
If you are a traditional scrapbooker, using paper to create your pages, then you can still make good use of digital scrapbooking embellishments. All you need is access to a computer and a color printer. Get out some good quality card stock for printing and you are all set. Print out what you've found, cut it out and using adhesive, attach it to your scrapbook page. Voila, a hybrid scrapbook page has been created!
Ideas for Digital Scrapbooking Embellishments
Tags - You can find various blank tags online which are suitable for printing. Old time looking labels have been scanned in and made available by various individuals. When printed, they retain their aged appearance. You can even 'rough' them up further by crinkling the paper a bit in your hands and even inking the edges.
Postcards - Old postcards with a variety of themes and images can be found online. At Christmas time, Christmas-themed postcards are invaluable for creating greeting cards. There are even Valentine-themed postcards available for printing and private use.
Paper Dolls - Many sites offer free paper dolls for printing and using. These are not only a great idea for a children's play thing, but also for scrapbookers. You can create a whole family of paper dolls to replicate your family.
Fonts - Fonts are available online. There are so many styles out there. Try looking for the one that replicates the look of the Dymo machine. Type out your desired wording and print it out. Better yet, place it on top of a tag as mentioned above, before you print.
Flowers - Scanned in images of flowers can be reused as embellishments on hybrid scrapbooking pages as well. They don't have to be real flowers. They can even be handmade ones such as crocheted flowers, or fabric flowers.
The world of digital scrapbooking embellishments is always evolving. Quality improves, it seems, with each search you do. Keep an eye on this medium as you will no doubt come across some great finds!
Make Your Own Scrapbooking Embellishments
Written by Strathy
Why spend your hard earned money on scrapbooking embellishments to dress up a layout? Sure, there are lots of beautiful and enticing supplies out there that would make it really easy to embellish a page. But, why not spend a little time and make them yourself?
You will be surprised at how easy it is to make your own scrapbooking embelishments. Plus, think of the satisfaction you will get out of making it yourself from scratch. You won't end up with a 'run of the mill' scrapbook layout. Instead, you will end up with a truly unique and one-of-a-kind scrapbook page that will speak volumes. Handmade scrapbook embellishments, as a handmade album, will mean so much more to your family and generations to come.
Another benefit of making your own handmade scrapbooking embellishments is that once your friends start seeing what you are doing, they may commission you to create some for them too. Before you know it, you could end up with a little cottage industry. Perhaps a little online shop which will help you to earn a little extra money with which to add some new scrapbooking tools to your scrapbook studio!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Use a Die Cutting Machine
If you don't already own a personal die cutting machine, then you may consider investing in one. Whether you buy a fully functioning electronic die cutting machine or a hand operated one, you will be glad to have something to help you out with cutting shapes. Especially if you end up mass producing some on a larger scale for resale.
Die cutting machines are invaluable for making your own scrapbooking embellishments. Once you have a shape cut out, you can begin to add to it to customize it. Try layering other colors of paper and smaller sizes of the same shape. Sew on a button to the center of the shape or perhaps glue a bead to the center.
Old Jewelry
Take apart the beads from old costume jewelry and reuse the pieces. You may need a small pair of pliers to help pry the wires open and closed. You may also like to attach a small ring so that you can use the jewelry like a charm. Beads and charms from old jewelry can be used as scrapbooking embellishments on cards or scrapbooking layouts.
Used Books
Take pages from an old book and use it as patterned paper to create vintage flowers. Cut out a flower shape and layer on varying sizes of the same shape on top. Crinkle the paper in your hand and distress it with ink before attaching together. Attach with an eyelet and you have a flower.
Crochet
Crocheted flowers are really popular as scrapbooking embellishments. If you don't know how to crochet yourself, then your mother or grandmother may be able to help you out. There are also various places on the web which will give clear instruction on how to do this. Once you get started, you'll find out how addictive it is!
When making your own scrapbooking embellishments, it is a good idea to make a lot in advance. Then you will have some in your stash and ready to use when your next inspired idea for a scrapbook page comes along!
Scrapbooking Embellishments can be just about anything. If you are concerned with acid free and lignin free, be sure to check the packaging to see if they contain markings about this. If you are not worried about this sort of thing then you can look around your home for various things that you can use to make your own scrapbooking embellishments.
Many people think that they must purchase scrapbooking embellishments from a scrapbooking store. In fact, this is not the case. Scrapbooking embellishments can be found from a wide variety of sources. Dollar stores are a great place to begin your search.
A growing popular and inexpensive place to search for scrapbooking embellishments is your local dollar store. Dollar stores often import in cheaply made and mass-produced items. Many of them are geared especially for scrapbooking and paper crafting. Scrapbooking embellishments can be found in the craft aisle. Oftentimes the scrapbooking section takes up a whole wall.
There is a lot to choose from when it comes to scrapbooking embellishments. Anything from stickers, to die cuts, to letters, and more. Dollar stores sell their merchandise for one dollar or slightly more, per package. Since the products for sale in these stores are often ends of lines, it is a good idea to stock up. You may not come across these goods again.
Felt shapes are great to keep on hand. You can dress them up and embellish them as well. Try adding beads or glitter or embroidery stitches to simple felt shapes. You will end up with a whole new scrapbooking embellishment!
Letter stickers are invaluable to have in your scrapbooking embellishment stash. Be sure and pick up several packs of the same style. You will be happy you did this if you later discover you are needing another 'T' while making a project. Another option is to mix and match your letter stickers. Intentionally pick out letter stickers that are not the same color or font. This makes for added interest to a scrapbooking layout.
Metal charms can be used as scrapbooking embellishments as well as for jewelry making. Many scrapbookers are general crafters as well. As such, many of the materials and supplies can be cross-used into other crafts. Jewelry is a good example.
Die cuts are not only good for scrapbooking embellishments, but also for making greeting cards. They make a good focal point with which to begin creating a card. In fact much of the scrapbooking embellishments that are found at a dollar store are great for card making as well.
Underwater Digital Photography
Written by janet
We've all seen stunning images taken underwater and perhaps you've wondered if you could take such beautiful pictures yourself. Underwater digital photography is not as hard as you may have imagined with the wide range of waterproof cameras and camera casings available today. There are cheap, disposable waterproof cameras available and a range of specially made underwater cameras, but take care that you do not exceed the maximum depth. Many are only guaranteed for around 10 metres. A number will also take video underwater! Of course, you're not going to take wonderful pictures with a $30 disposable camera but for fun on holiday for the kids they could be a good idea. If you really want to take fantastic pictures underwater you really need to buy a specially made underwater camera or fit your regular digital camera witha waterproof housing.
Image by Hamed Saber
Tips on Taking the Perfect Underwater Picture
Beneath the water light diffuses and the red part of the spectrum is absorbed when you are below three metres. Red will then appear brown in your pictures. Images will turn out darker than they would on land so you need to use the white balance to compensate for this. White balance can be set underwater by using a white tile. Some cameras also have a preset for underwater scenes that adds red to the image to comensate for the blue and green hues. Another option is to take the images and adjust them later using software on your computer.
Pictures taken underwater will also appear bigger with the same zoom effect that you would use on land. Make sure you check in the viewfinder carefully and compensate for this. A built in flash can also be aproblem underwater as the pictures can be blurry with white spots. An external flash does not cause this problem and is preferable for digital underwater photography.
Optional lenses are great for underwater photography. Macro lenses will allow you take images of the sea life from a distance so you don't disturb any of the creatures.
It is a good idea to test out the waterproofing of any casing at home before going to the water even if you've used it before. Submerge it for a few seconds and make sure there are no leaks. Also check that you didn't get any grains of sand stuck in the seals. You could also put some silica gel into the case to prevent any moisture forming and fogging up the viewfinder. After use wash off carefully to remove any salt. If the salt is left to crystallise it can cause leaks.
Underwater digital photgraphy is great fun and not as hard as you might have thought. With some practice you'll soon be taking fantastic underwater pictures!
Image by iMollo
For more information on white balance see Understanding Digital White Balance
