Create A Shadow Puppet Theater

Its fun to put on a shadow puppet theater show for your friends and it's equally as fun to make the stage, props and puppets. This is a family project that you can do with your kids. The following will show you make everything you need to put on a shadow puppet theater production.

Instructions

Build the Stage

1. Obtain a piece of cardboard approximately 34 inches by 18 inches in size. Make 9-inch folds on the 34-inch side at each end. Fold these at a 45 degree angle. You can also use a cardboard box, take it apart at the seam and fold it for your puppet stage.

2. Cut out a large window in the center panel of your stage with an Exacto knife.

3. Measure out a regular, blank sheet of white paper that is big enough to cover the window you have made. Tape it up against the window from the back side of the stage. Make sure all the edges are fully covered before taping.

Make Your Puppets

4. Draw your own characters on a sheet of paper or print one out from the Internet to cut out. Make them on colored construction paper or color them in yourself. Don't forget to make props such as trees, houses and other things.

5. Cut out your pictures.

6. Make your puppets with movable arms and legs by cutting out arms and legs. Use a paper fastener to join the pieces together.

7. Tape a straw on the back of each puppet to hold it upright. If your character has movable legs and arms, you can tape a straw handle to the back of an arm as well to move it.

Put on Your Show

8. Cover a table with a tablecloth long enough to touch the floor in the front. You can also use a sheet.

9. Place the stage at the back of the table against the edge.

10. Put a lamp behind the stage so the puppets can make shadows.

11. Have the kids go behind the sheet or tablecloth and hold up their puppets using the straws as handles.

12. Wait for curtain time and then enjoy the show.

Give An Intro To Have An Audition

There are many audition situations where an intro might be needed; movies, acting schools, musical performances or school auditions will all require you to introduce yourself and the piece you plan to do. Sometimes they will also want to know why you choose the piece or why you are auditioning. While the actual auditioning process will vary depending on what you are auditioning for, there is a simple way to give a good intro on your big day.

Instructions

1. Know what you are auditioning for. This may seem basic but it isn't always obvious. Study the music of the band or watch the director's previous movies. Understand the "tone" or mood they are working toward. This will help you feel confidant when standing in front of the judges or interviewers.

2. Write what you plan to say and keep it simple and easy to memorize. Your performance will be what knocks them out, but the intro tells them who you are. State your name, age if relevant or the age range that you can play, the part you are trying out for, the monologue or piece you will be playing and in case they ask, a quirky, interesting anecdote about why you choose that piece. The anecdote should only be a sentence or two, not a life story.

3. Memorize the intro and practice it in front of peers or a person in a similar position to those who will be judging the audition, like an acting coach or musical director. Ask them for advice and incorporate it into your intro. Your goal is to know exactly what you want to say but be comfortable enough to seem natural and be able to flow with the conversation if the judges say something unexpected.

4. Dress for success. While it may be common knowledge that how you dress reflects others opinion of you, you may not realize that it also has an effect on how you perceive yourself. Wear something that makes you look good and feel confident but that also puts you into the role you want to play or makes you imagine yourself brilliantly playing on stage.

5. Relax. Auditions may seem like life or death, but chances are you will be going to many of them and there are only two possible outcomes: getting paid or trying again.

6. Observe the audition room. If possible check it out beforehand so you know where obstacles are and won't trip.

7. Enter the room expressing confidence. Smile at the interviewers; shake hands calmly. Be yourself; be natural.

8. Speak your prepared intro, enunciating clearly. Don't rush or get flustered. Respond appropriately to questions instead of interrupting everyone in a rush to finish.

9. Thank the interviewers for their time when you have finished auditioning.

Draw Seafood Pictures

Fish have very basic, easy-to-reproduce shapes.

Unless drawing comes naturally to you -- and for many people it does not -- making the simplest sketch can be intimidating. Luckily, fish have very basic, easy-to-reproduce shapes. And, like many subjects, if you break down fish into their most basic parts and handle each shape one step at a time, drawing fish becomes a relatively easy task.

Instructions

1. Draw the outline of a football. This shape will be an oval with a point at either end. This is the body of the fish. Although you are not drawing one specific type of fish in this exercise, this rendering will be resemble a bluegill or a salmon in shape.

2. Pick one side of the body to be the face. Draw a circle inside the fish's face, then draw a second circle inside the first circle, and fill it in. This is the eye of the fish. The face of a fish is not really distinguished from the rest of the fish's body, but keep the eye inside the first one-quarter of the fish's body. If you need to, draw a light line separating the front quarter of the fish's body from the rest of the body, then erase it later.

3. Draw a triangle, with two equal sides longer than the base, with the point opposite the base connecting to the other end of the fish. This is the tail fin of the fish.

4. Draw a teardrop on its side in the center of the body of the fish to represent the fish's fin. The pointed end of the teardrop should be closest to the face of the fish.

5. Draw vertically oriented arcs, from the top of the fish to the bottom, with their open ends facing the rear of the fish, to represent scales.

Dinner Shows In Pigeon Forge

Dining and entertainment are often available at the same venue in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Pigeon Forge is a small tourist town in Tennessee that is full of entertainment options that line the parkway from its northern border with Sevierville to the edge of Gatlinburg on its southern border. This city just outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a variety of dinner shows available for visitors who come here from all over the country.

Black Bear Jamboree

The Black Bear Jamboree is a musical show that features a cast of live singers and musicians performing songs from the fifties, sixties and seventies and an array of traditional gospel and patriotic tunes. The premise of the show is for the cast to entertain the black bears (an animal native to these parts) on stage, which appear to enjoy the show.

The dinner itself is a feast of chicken and ribs with corn, garden fresh veggies, bread, soup as well as dessert and drinks. The Black Bear Jamboree also offers a children's meal as well as a vegetarian-friendly country menu.

The Black Bear Dinner and Show Theater


119 Music Road


Pigeon Forge, TN 37863


(800) 985-5494

blackbearjamboree.com

Dixie Stampede

Inside a 35,000 square foot arena, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede is one of the biggest dinner show productions anywhere. Complete with a cast of dozens of stunt riders, magicians and more, the show also includes 32 horses, live buffalo, Texas longhorns, ostriches and other creatures.

The show seats 1,000 guests who are treated to popcorn and peanuts before the show begins during an opening act. Once the show starts, dinner is served. The meal is a four-course country feast consisting of rotisserie chicken, barbecued pork, vegetable soup, biscuits, corn on the cob, potatoes, dessert and drinks. Vegetarians can enjoy their own version of the feast that includes vegetable pasta and all of the non-meat sides as the original feast. Children ages three and under get in and eat for free as long as they share a seat and plate.

Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede

3849 Pkwy.

Pigeon Forge, TN 37868

(800) 356-1676

dixiestampede.com

T.G. Sheppard Variety Show

Within the confines of the Smith Family Theater in Pigeon Forge, country singer T.G. Sheppard puts on a dinner concert every weekend. His popular show features the performance of many of his 20 number one hits throughout his career as well as Big Band standards and songs from the fifties, sixties and seventies.

All performances at the Smith Family Theater include a Southern-style buffet dinner during the show that includes fried chicken, meatloaf, pot roast and more. The theater began adding dinner to it performances in 2009.

Smith Family Theater

2330 Pkwy.

Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

(865) 429-8100

smithfamilytheater.com

Create A Seahorse Tessellation Template

A tessellation is a form of modern art created by M.C. Escher. Tessellations use a symmetrical shape laid over itself to form a pattern that fills the canvas. You can create your own shapes for tessellations and make one using any form you want, including a seahorse. In order to make a seahorse tessellation template, you must first draw the outline of the shape. You then cut it out and use it to create your art.

Instructions

1. Cut out a square or rectangular piece of paper with scissors. Use a ruler if you need to ensure that the sides and the top and bottom are equal lengths or the tessellation will not work properly. Draw a shape from one corner of the bottom to the opposite corner that you want to use for the head.

2. Cut out this shape using the scissors. At the bottom of what you cut out will be a flat side. Move this shape to the top of the rectangle and tape the bottom edge to the top edge of the rectangle. You will now see the head of the seahorse.

3. Draw the shape of the body of the seahorse and the tail starting with the upper right corner of the rectangle and ending in the bottom right corner. Try to draw the shape so that when you move it to the opposite side, it forms the body and the tail of the seahorse.

4. Cut out the shape you just drew. Move it to the left side of the rectangle and tape the long flat side to the left edge, just as you did in Step 2 for the top and bottom. You will now see the finished shape of the seahorse. If it does not look right, you can draw a new rectangle and start over until you get the shape you are looking for.

5. Place the template on another sheet of paper and trace it with the pencil. If you performed the steps correctly, you should be able to slide the shape to the right and the left side will fit perfectly against the right side of what you just drew.

Create A Scrapbook Clock

A simple clock can be transformed into a beautiful scrapbooked item.

Many people have brought the art of scrapbooking into other areas of their lives and decorating schemes. One of these decorative ideas is to cover a clock in scrapbook paper, photos and embellishments. These scrapbook clocks add a new decorating style to any room. Scrapbooking clocks also make good gifts.

Instructions

1. Decide what paper and color scheme you intend to use for the clock. This is an example of your creative powers, so be as simple or detailed as you want. If you want to make the clock coordinate with a room's decorative theme, then choose colors and patterns that complement that room.

2. Check to see if you can remove the clock mechanism from the clock face using a screwdriver. If you can't, that will also work, but it will be a little harder to apply the paper. Lay the paper over the clock to determine where you want to place each color and pattern of paper. Spray the clock face with adhesive (avoiding the clock mechanism if it is still present). Stick the pieces of paper onto the clock face. If you need to layer the paper, then just spray that section again with the spray adhesive.

3. Bend the paper down around the edges of the clock. Take the emery board and rub the paper over where it hangs off the side of the clock. The sanding motion of the emery board will cause the loose paper end to come right off without damaging the paper or leaving an unsightly paper edge.

4. Add any embellishments that you want to the clock. Glue the embellishments to the clock using tacky glue. Just make sure that none of the embellishments stick up from the clock. If the embellishments are too high, they will prevent the clock from working because the hands will get trapped on the embellishments.

5. Place the number stickers in the appropriate places over the face of the clock. Place the 12 at the top of the clock, 6 at the bottom and so on. Spray the entire surface of the clock with a spray sealer. This protects the paper and embellishments from the elements and sun damage. Allow the clock to dry before using. When the clock is dry, replace the clock mechanism.

Create A Scavenger Search For Children

Scavenger hunt winner prizes could be in the form of money, candy or just a sense of satisfaction.

Scavenger hunts can entertain your children and teach them about the world they live in at the same time. These games usually require the players to compete in finding a greater number of objects than their competitors, producing a winner at the end when the items have all been found and marked off their list. Prepare a hunt that will keep your children and their friends occupied as they search for and collect items from their surroundings.

Provide Safety

Assign a responsible adult to each set of individual children or to each team before the hunt begins. The adults will not only protect the children as they conduct their hunt, but will also provide guidance about if they are going in the right direction. Direct the adults to follow the children, providing them with hints and information about the items they are collecting from their hunting grounds, for educational purposes.

Create a List

Survey the area in which the children will be searching and list the items you deem worthy in alphabetical order. This is an effective way to teach younger children the alphabet. Keep age-appropriateness in mind when formulating your list of items, for some may be more difficult for younger children to find and older children could lose interest if the items are too accessible.

Use the Senses

Section off various items from the list based on how they look, smell, feel, and taste or on the sound they make. Appealing to the five senses will teach children to use more than their eyes while conducting the search, fostering more mental activity. For example, the smell of a particular tree or the taste of a hidden treat can trigger mental connections that are associated with learning. The textures of items such as rocks, tree bark, or prickly leaves could fall under the "Feel" category.

Employ Artistry

Have the children (or adults) use a disposable camera to take pictures of the items they are to spot along their search, creating a photo journal. Ask the children to also draw a picture of each listed item when found, or have them write a brief story about each item discovered.

Encourage Competitiveness

Scavenger hunt winner prizes could be in the form of money, candy or just a sense of satisfaction.

Award the winner of the scavenger hunt a prize, to promote competitiveness. This prize should take the age range of those conducting the search into account, and a small cash prize may be more of an incentive than candy for older children. This is also an excellent way to keep the attention span of older children focused as younger ones explore a world that is new to them.

Create A Rifle Stock

Collection of rifles

A rifle is a popular firearm used for hunting and designed to be fired from the shoulder. The part that comes in contact with the shoulder is called a stock, but is also sometimes referred to as buttstock or shoulder stock. Rifle is a specific type of a weapon precisely because of the stock. Basically, the rifle stock provides a firm support for the firearm and therefore enhances its aim and overall performance. If you are an owner or collector of rifles, you may want to learn make custom stocks.

Instructions

1. Identify your rifle and its specific style. If you are looking to replace an old and worn-out rifle stock, you may simply copy the design. But if you want to improve the look of your rifle, you need to look up various websites that deal with stock design so you can choose an appropriate shape and size.

2. Design and plan your rifle stock to the smallest detail. Draw the design to see how it will eventually look like when finished and choose the type of the wood as well. Note that the wood you choose for the stock needs to be of highest quality, aside from being hard, resilient and strong. One of the most common types of wood used for stocks is walnut. When you have the plan and the dimensions, purchase the needed materials and gather all the tools necessary. Remember that the most important dimensions are: length of pull, drop at comb and drop at heel, cast on and cast off and pitch.

3. Choose a particular wood board such as walnut or any other type you want for your rifle stock. Check the wood on all sides to see whether there is any discoloration, knots or other damage. Also check the pattern of the wood grain, since it needs to be healthy looking and, most importantly, spread in the direction of the longer dimension. If you can't see the wood grain clearly, pour some water on the board to see it. Then quickly wipe the excess liquid with a dry clean cloth, since the wood need to be absolutely dry.

4. Make a Plexiglas template of your design and cut it with a saw. Then hold the Plexiglas against the wood board and look through it to see how the grain is directed and positioned. Since the template is transparent, you will be able to see what the best position for the stock is. Use a marker to draw around the template and mark the place for cutting the stock.

5. Cut the wood to the required length, following the edges of the marked template. Make sure to add an extra inch or two for styling and shaping. Use a power saw for this task and make sure to protect yourself and others while using it.

6. Cut the exact shape of the template by using a bandsaw. A bandsaw is a power tool that can accomplish finer and more detailed cutting, ut make sure not to cut inside the lines: that kind of extra fine work is best left for hand-held carpentry tools.

7. Shape the stock into its final form by using a chisel and sandpaper. Treat the edges and the sides with sandpaper and use a chisel to add shadow lines or whatever other elements you wish. Make sure to achieve a comfortable and ergonomic shape of the stock, which provides a secure and firm fit and a stable grip as well. Check the shape from time to time during this part of the process so you can feel it in your hands and, more importantly, on your shoulder. Check the stock against the rifle as well. Now is the time to make the final adjustments if needed. Remember, the stock needs to be firmly and seamlessly attached to the rifle when it's finished.

8. Attach the metal part/hardware that will eventually be mounted to the rifle. Use a chisel to carve the place for the metal part and then attach it with strong wood glue and leave it in a vise for a few hours to dry and harden.

9. Apply a layer of wood primer and then let it dry completely. At this point, you will be able to see the beauty of the wood grain and pattern more clearly.

10. Finish your rifle stock by applying a coat of wood gloss or wood lacquer to its surface. Use a fine, soft brush with natural fibers to apply the gloss and make sure to allow one layer to dry and harden before adding another one.

Produce A Flyer In Microsoft Writer

Flyers are an effective means to advertise special events, business promotions, goods for sale and rental properties. If you are accustomed to creating flyers in Microsoft Word and feel limited by the layout capabilities, give Publisher a try. Publisher contains a variety of pre-made designs and also allows you to develop custom layouts. Read on to learn create a flyer in Microsoft Publisher.

Instructions

1. Select one of the design templates. Click "File" and then "New" to open the Catalog Window. Click the "Flyers" option on the Wizards menu. Select the desired flyer style from the options and then click "Start Wizard." Click "Finish" at the bottom of the Wizards menu. Click "Color Scheme" on the Flyer Wizard menu to change the color scheme.

2. Create your own flyer design. On the main menu, click "File" and then "New." Select the "Blank Publications" tab from the Design Catalog Window. Enter text and insert images using the instructions in the steps below.

3. Enter and edit text. Place the mouse inside the desired text box and click once. Type the text or cut and paste from a Word document. Format the font style, size and appearance by using the main menu at the top of the screen. Place the mouse over the border until the word "Resize" appears to change the size of a text box. Click and drag the border to the desired size. Create an additional text box by clicking the text frame tool (capitalized "A") on the menu on the left side of the screen. Place the mouse in the desired location, then click and drag to create the desired box size.

4. Insert images. Go to the main menu. Click "Insert" and then "Picture." Select your choice of clip art or a photo stored on your computer. Resize the image by placing the mouse on one of the corner boxes until the mouse says "Resize." Click and drag the mouse diagonally towards the center of the photo until the photo reaches the desired size.

5. Edit the flyer layout as needed. Move a text box or image by placing the mouse over the item until the word "Move" appears. Click and hold down the mouse and drag to the desired location. Delete a text box by placing the mouse inside the box and clicking once. On the main menu click "Edit" and then "Delete Object."

6. Finalize the flyer. Proofread and spell check. Print a test document on plain white paper and do a final proofread. Send the flyer by email or post on a website. Convert the document to PDF format using Adobe software to allow people who don't have Publisher to open the flyer.

Bachata Dance Steps

Bachata is a type of Latin dance created to accompany a style of music with the same name. It is a sensual dance in four beats, accompanied by romantic guitar music. By combining the basic step with pivots, turns and spins, dancers create a beautiful performance with this Latin dance.

Origin

Bachata music emerged in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s. It was considered romantic guitar music, separate from music intended for dancing. It came to be classified as dance music when musicians sped up the rhythm and dancers developed new steps.

Music

Instruments used include guitar, bass guitar, maracas and bongos. The music is in four beats, with a slight accent on the fourth beat.

Basic Step

The basic step was traditionally done as a front to back motion. In modern Bachata, it is more often done side to side. It consists of three steps and a pop or tap. The three steps generate a natural swaying motion of the hip, with the pop or tap being a deliberate hip movement.

Half Pivot

A half pivot is a three-step turn with a touch on the fourth count. As the dancers take the three steps, they will alternate position. If the woman was dancing on the left of her partner, she would be on the right after completion of the turn.

Turns and Spins

During the inside turn, the woman turns toward her partner under his arm, then comes back to the original position. In a free spin, the partners turn in the same direction and do not hold hands. Both turns are done using the three-step-and-touch basic movement.

Fun Fact

The original term for Bachata music was amargue, which meant bitter music. This was because Bachata songs frequently dealt with heartbreak and sadness.

Create A Professional Artist'S Sketchbook

A sketchbook should hold all of your best work.

A professional artist's sketchbook, or portfolio, is a book filled with the artist's best pieces. This book is used to showcase the artist's work for galleries, commission jobs and applications for a design position at a company. The best way to create a sketchbook or portfolio is to have a digital and hard copy version containing the same information to use in live interviews and as part of an online resume.

Instructions

1. Ask a friend or another artist choose your best pieces. Place these pieces in a room with good lighting and take a photo of each drawing or painting.

2. Develop the photos and mount on to black paper. Use acid-free glue to mount the photos. You can also make a photo book with black pages online where the company will scan the photos directly onto the base paper.

3. Create a digital version of the sketchbook as a PDF file.

4. Write your contact information inside the book along with any other relevant information. Allow potential employers to see the book to showcase your best work.

5. Update the information inside the book and add new pieces to the book as you improve your skills.

Copyright Your Book

Your words don't have to be typed or published to be protected by copyright law.

As soon as you put pen to paper or type your first words, your book is copyrighted. A copyright is protection for original works of authorship, according to the U.S. Copyright Office. Copyright protects literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, even those that are unpublished. If you wish to register your copyright, do so through the U.S. Copyright Office.

Instructions

1. You may use the copyright symbol, the letter "c" in a circle, or the word "copyright" to signify your work is original. Follow the copyright with the year in which it was written and your name. You do not need to have registered your copyright to use this identification.

2. Go to copyright.gov. Read the tutorials on registering a copyright.

3. Download application Form TX to apply for a registered copyright for your book. Form TX covers novels, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, textbooks, directories, reference books, catalogs, and advertising copy. If your book is a periodical or serial, then use Form SE.

4. Fill out the application electronically, and submit the application online with the required fee.

5. Upload an electronic copy of your work (see the copyright.gov site for acceptable file formats), or click the "Send by Mail" link to download the shipping form to send with a hard copy of your book.

Create A Poster Seem Like A Canvas Painting

You can use an acrylic gel medium to make a poster look like a painting.

Getting a picture printed on canvas can be expensive, and the results are not always what you might have hoped for. A less expensive option is to take a poster; either ready-made or one you've have printed, and coat it with an acrylic gel medium to give it texture. You will be painting the gel medium directly on the poster, so the texture of the brushstrokes will make the surface three-dimensional.

Instructions

1. Spray adhesive on particle board or other stiff backing on which you will mount your poster. Lay the poster, printed side up, on the board and smooth it down from the middle out toward the edges.

2. Cut around the edges of the poster to remove an excess border that you don't want to include in your finished work. Use a straight-edge to guide your cutting tool if necessary.

3. Add acrylic gel medium to the face of your poster. Use a paintbrush to create brush stokes. For a natural look, make the brush strokes correspond to the lines of the picture.

4. Let the poster dry. The gel will dry clear, so how much you use will depend on how thick you want the texture. You can always add more later.

Good Reputation For Creatures Within The Circus

Since ancient times, circus animals have entertained people. In ancient Rome, visitors enjoyed watching chariot races and were amused when captive lions and bears were allowed to devour outlaws and criminals. It wasn't until the mid-1800s when American traveling circuses began displaying wild animals performing all sorts of tricks and the public began to express concern for the animals' living conditions and training regimen. In recent years, modern bans on animal circus acts have become popular.

Circus Maximus

The Ancient Romans hosted a few circuses, where wild animals were used for entertainment purposes. Equestrian shows, staged battles and other displays and shows were popular, but the chariot races were the main attraction. Visitors found it entertaining to watch lions and tigers and bears gobble up prisoners for fun. In Ancient Rome, the circus was the only public spectacle that men and women could enjoy together. Other Roman circuses included the Circus of Maxentius, the Circus Flaminius and the Circus of Nero.

Philip Astley

Former Englishman and cavalry sergeant-major Philip Astley is generally attributed to being the father of the modern circus. After serving as a horse trainer during the Seven Years War, he tried his hand at imitating the Latin trick riders and trained other European men to do the same. Astley and some of his pupils, like Jacob Bates, traveled throughout Europe and performed in public places, to the delight of children young and old.

Charles Hughes

Astley launched his performing circus, complete with jugglers, acrobats and even clowns at the same time one of his pupils, Charles Hughes, began his own show. Hughes' show, however, featured tricks by costumed dogs and other domestic animals, something Astley's circus didn't offer.

American Traveling Circus

In the early 19th century, Joshuah Purdy Brown of Somers, New York, introduced the circus tent, a portable canvas structure to replace the wooden circus buildings that were being used at the time. Hachaliah Bailey, also of Somers, had been traveling with his young African elephant. The two decided to travel together and attracted a menagerie of exotic animals that drew a crowd. In fact, he and 135 other farmers formed the Zoological Institute, a trust that monopolized the traveling circus industry, controlling 13 menageries and three big-top circuses.

Circus Animal Acts Banned

In many areas, circuses with animal acts are not welcome to pitch their tent. Concern over cramped and possibly unhealthy living conditions, as well as violent animal training methods have many visitors concerned. PETA (People for Ethnic Treatment of Animals) states that animals aren't meant to ride bicycles and do tricks, and that it's better to be entertained by watching animals in a natural environment behaving in their natural manner rather than in unusual situations that may be detrimental to the health of the animal.

Start Abstract Painting

Untitled abstract by Henri Bauholz.

You may have seen some evocative abstract paintings at your local art museum or art gallery. Most likely, they were completed on a large canvas and had a nice frame that outlined the painting. However, the best way to begin learning about abstract painting is not with a large canvas and some oil paint, but rather with a pencil and a small drawing pad.

Instructions

1. Open your drawing tablet (6 by 8 inches or larger) and start drawing geometric shapes on the first page using a graphite pencil. Just draw the outline of the shape with your pencil. You can draw squares, circles, triangles, rectangles or irregular shapes. Feel free to erase any shape that you don't like.The idea here is to create many small shapes that fill the page.

2. Fill your drawing book with many drawings. The drawings should be done in a manner similar to that described in Step 1, yet each one will look different. Draw the different shapes close together, but study the spacial relationship of each shape with the next shape, as well as the rest of the blank page.

3. Choose a drawing that you like. You can fill the entire drawing pad with pencil drawings or you can just create a few. The point is to make more than one drawing before you begin painting.

4. Pick a color of acrylic paint (you can also use tempera, gouache or casein) and place a small amount on a clean palette. Then, add a dab of white right next to the paint. Blue is a good choice for your main color, so for this example, pick blue. Then add two dabs of complementary paint to the palette. For the color blue, purple and green are good choices for secondary colors.

5. Paint each shape a different tint of your main color. If you chose blue, paint each shape a different shade of blue. Different shades can be obtained by mixing the blue paint with the white, green or purple. Don't forget to add a little water to help mix the paint.

6. Fill in the spaces between each shape with a blue shade of white or any color that you desire. The white is just a suggestion, but blue shapes against a white background might be a nice combination to begin with.

7. Clean your paintbrushes with soap and water.

Reduce Jpeg Size

Reduce JPEG Size

Every now and then while attempting to utilize a JPEG image you will discover that the image needs to have its size reduced. This is a common occurrence when trying to send images in emails and also when posting images to websites and blogs. Some people decide to use an alternate image instead of altering the size of their original JPEG simply because they don't know reduce the size. You don't have to be one of those people.

Instructions

1. Power on your computer. Upload the image that you would like to resize to your computer. After uploading the image, save the image file with a .JPEG file extension.

2. Open your Photo editing software program. Three popular software programs are Windows Photo Gallery, Microsoft Paint and Adobe PhotoShop. Click on "File" and "Open" to locate the JPEG image you would like to resize.

3. Select the option to "Edit" your image. Choose the option to change the image size. Depending upon which image editing software program you are using, the wording will vary.

4. Reduce the size of your JPEG image to a size that is suitable for you. You can adjust the height and width of your image. You can also adjust the pixel size of the JPEG.

5. Save your JPEG image when you have finished resizing it. To avoid overwriting your original image, you should save your altered image under a different file name. By doing so, you can always go back to the original image, if the need arises.

Create A Plaster Of Paris Cast

Plaster of Paris is a form of gypsum. The first uses of plaster date back at least 9,000 years to Anatolia (present-day Turkey) and Syria. The Egyptians used it 5,000 years ago as a mortar for monuments such as Cheops pyramid. They also used it to make models taken directly from the human body. In the 1700s, the walls of the wooden houses of Paris were covered with plaster as a way to protect against fire; hence, the name plaster of Paris. Today plaster of Paris has many uses in industry and architecture. It is a versatile, inexpensive, easy-to-use craft material most often used for making casts from molds.

Instructions

1. Spray your mold with an appropriate release material so that you can get your cast out of the mold without breaking it. Molds for plaster of Paris can be made of latex rubber, alginate, plaster, moulage, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, plastic, waxed cardboard, or a wide range of other materials.

2. Measure then pour your water into a plastic container such as a mixing bowl or food storage container. The proportion of water to plaster of Paris is 1 to 2, or one part water to 2 parts plaster of Paris. To make a figurine about 5 inches high, you would need approximately 1/2 cup of water and 1 cup of plaster of Paris.

3. Measure the amount of plaster of Paris you need and use a spoon to scoop it up and sprinkle it on the water. Sprinkle slowly so the water has time to absorb the plaster of Paris as you go.

4. Let the mixture rest for 2 or 3 minutes, then mix it slowly and gently with the paddle or spoon. The reason for mixing it slowly is to get as few air bubbles as possible in the mixture. The mixture should end up being the consistency of cake batter. If it is not, add a little more plaster of Paris or a little more water.

5. Tap the container several times to get the air bubbles to rise to the surface.

6. Pour the plaster of Paris slowly into your mold. Fill the mold just a little over full.

7. Let the plaster of Paris set in the mold. First it will get very hot, then it will begin to cool off. When the cast is cool, remove it very carefully from the mold. The cast is still soft at this point, so you can easily repair any little blemishes that have resulted from the casting process.

8. Wait two or three days for the cast to cure before you paint it.

Create A Closeup Miracle Situation

Make a Close-Up Magic Case

A magic close-up case allows the magician to keep his cards, coins and other pocket-sized supplies organized and in performance condition. But a quality close-up case can cost between $100 and several hundred dollars. There is a better way. Customize your own close-up case from a container normally not associated with magic.

Instructions

Instructions

1. Visit your local Home Depot or other hardware store. You'll find a variety of plastic tool cases with prices as low as $10. Select a case that has built-in dividers. For example, the ZAG clear-lid case is 14 inches by 18 inches and is 4 to 5 inches deep.

2. Find the bag of slide-in dividers. The case is permanently divided into four rows; each row contains small channels every 2 inches. Decide how many compartments you want in your close-up case and make sure you have enough dividers to create them. The case comes with about 20.

3. Compartment sizes can range from 3 by 2 inches to 3 by 16 inches. Such compartments fit four decks of cards perfectly. Be sure to plan for larger items like the cups and balls and other magic props.

4. Line the inside of the clear lid using the glue and felt. You may also fold your close-up pad into the lid, if you own one.

5. Spray paint the outside of the clear lid of your new close-up case if desired.

Create A Photo Scrapbook Picture Frame

A photo scrapbook picture frame is a great project for preserving memories and putting them on display. My best friend made me a photo scrapbook picture frame as a birthday gift on year and it is so special to me. My friend who made it is not one to do crafts but she did a great job, anyone can do this!

Instructions

1. Head to your local craft supply store or other store that sells a variety of picture frames. You can buy unfinished wooden picture frames that have 2 inches or more of wood frame around the picture opening, giving you room to embellish with your photos.

2. Select the photos you want to use for your scrapbook picture frame. Trim them to fit onto your frame. You can also add other details that are meaningful to you or the person you are making this for, they could include concert tickets or other event tickets, Movie stubs, Printed quotes or words, etc.

3. Arrange all the photos and other items around your picture frame to plot out how you want it to look. If you don't have enough materials to cover the entire surface, consider painting a base color on the frame (if it is an unfinished wooden frame - use wood craft paint & let dry completely). Take the items off your frame and place them on the table in the order you want to use them.

4. Using a foam brush, paint a coat of modge podge or other decoupage medium onto the surface of your picture frame. Now place the photos and other items back on your frame. Press them on and smooth them out.

5. Once all the items are arranged and pressed onto the frame, use the foam brush again to apply another coat of decoupage medium over the top. Smooth out any bubbles and carefully dab away any excess with a paper towel or cloth. Just be very careful not to press on pictures or anything with the cloth or your fingers or you could make an un-fixable smudge.

6. Let the frame dry completely. If you would like to add dimension to your photo scrapbook picture frame, you could now add embellishments such as 3-D stickers you find at the craft store in the scrapbooking supplies area.

7. Insert a photo or poem into the frame opening and you are done!

Train Yourself The Riverdance

Riverdance is a version of Irish step dancing, complete with rigorous lower body stepping. If you've ever seen Riverdance, you know that high-energy Irish step dancing is much tougher than people who make fun of the dance would have you think. Believe it or not, it's actually not that difficult to get starting learning Riverdance. You might not ever dance an Irish jig as well as Riverdance expert Michael Flatley, but you can certainly manage a passable imitation.

Instructions

Learn by Watching

1. Watch Riverdance or another Irish step dance video. Note the way the dancers' legs move rapidly while the upper half of their bodies stay very still. Watch the video in slow motion. The dancers' feet are positioned so the toes of the left foot nearly touch the heel of the right foot, with the right foot turned 90 degrees to the side. Master this frequently used position.

2. Stand in front of a mirror while you practice. Make your body and leg motions match the leg motions of the dancers. Naturally, you won't get this perfect the first time you try, but if you practice, you will improve. Once you've tried some of the motions on your own, watch Riverdance again. You will notice details that you missed the first time.

3. Seek advice from the professionals. Learn to Dance offers a step-by-step written tutorial for Irish step dancing. Niall O'Leary's E-how video series on Irish step dance walks you through each part of an Irish step dance routine. Read the tutorial and watch the video, and then try out the moves yourself. This will reinforce your lessons and you'll be more likely to retain what you've learned.

4. Practice, practice, and practice. The famous dancers of Riverdance did not learn their skills overnight, and neither will you. Practice your Riverdance moves every day for at least 30 days. Keep trying the moves at home, and soon enough you will be ready to reveal your new skills to your friends.

Create A Photo Right Into A Cartoon

Easily turn this image into a cartoon.

Creating a cartoon based on a photo can allow you to create amusing gifts for a family member or friend, a keepsake for yourself, or something you might use for your webpage or your business. To do this, you will need a raster graphics program such as Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or the freeware program GIMP. This process works almost exactly the same in all three programs. Before you can use any of these programs, you will have to load the photo you want to use onto your computer, either by transferring a digital image or by scanning in a printed copy.

Instructions

1. Start Photoshop. Select "File" from the menu at the top of the interface and click "Open." In the dialog box that appears, locate the photo that you want to use this, select it and click "Open."

2. Go to the Layers panel on the right and right click on the background layer. Click "Duplicate Layer."

3. Click "Filter" from the menu at the top and click "Sketch" (in GIMP it is "Artistic"). From the options, click "Photocopy" and a dialog box will appear.

4. Adjust the sliders until you like the result. The goal is to get what looks like a drawing on a white background. Click "OK." If the results are not quite what you want, click "Undo" and try again with different settings.

5. Click "Layer" in the menu at the top and click "New Adjustment Layer." From the options, click "Levels." In the dialog box that appears, adjust the sliders until you like the result. In GIMP, the step is different. Select "Layer" from the menu and click "Transparency." Click "Add Alpha Channel."

6. Select the "Magic Wand" (in GIMP use the "Color Selection Tool") from the toolbar and click on the white part of the image. Click "Delete" on your keyboard.

7. Go to the Layers panel and click on the background layer. Click "Filter" in the menu and click "Blur." From the options, click "Gaussian Blur." In the dialog box, set the blur to 3.5 and click "OK." Save your work.

Create A Photo Have Motion Blur

Motion blur is a photo editing effect sometimes used to make a photo subject standout.

Motion blur is a streaking effect that sometimes occurs when a snapshot is taken of a rapidly moving object. This effect can be fabricated in a photo, for stylistic reasons, using photo editing software. There are several free photo editing applications on the market that can easily simulate the motion blur effect. Photoscape and Paint.NET, for example, are both free desktop applications that must be installed on your computer. Picnik, on the other hand, is a cloud-based photo editing program that can easily perform this task.

Instructions

Using Picnik

1. Go to the Picnik home page. Click "Get Started Now." Select "Upload a photo." Browse to the directory where the photo you want to edit is located. Click on the photo to select it. Click "Open" to upload it to the Picnik editor.

2. Click on the "Edit" tab. Select "Effects."

3. Scroll down to the "Area" section in the left-side menu. Select "Focal Soften."

4. Click on the region of the photo that you want to stay in focus. To expand or reduce this region, adjust the "Focal Size" slider.

5. Adjust the "Edge Hardness" and "Fade" parameters to suit your preference. Click "Apply."

Using Paint.NET

6. Launch Paint.NET. Select "Open" from the file menu. Browse to the directory where the photo you want to edit is located. Click on the photo to select it. Click "Open."

7. Click on the selector tool in the "Tools" box (looks like a square drawn with dashed lines).

8. Click and drag your mouse over the region you want to stay in focus. The select box will appear around that region. Type "Ctrl-I" to activate the "Invert Selection" option.

9. Go to the "Effects" menu. Point to "Blur." Select "Motion Blur." A setting options box will open.

10. Adjust the setting options to suit your preference. Click "OK."

Using Photoscape

11. Launch Photoscape. Select "Editor" in the menu. Use the console tree in the left-side panel to browse to the directory where the photo you want to edit is located. Click on the photo to select it. It will appear in the edit window.

12. Open the "Filter" drop-down menu located on the "Home" tab. Point to "Distorts." Select "Motion blur." A setting options box will open.

13. Check the box next to "Preview." Adjust the settings options to suit your preference. Click "OK."

Create A Paper Plate Pumpkin For Halloween

Make a Paper Plate Pumpkin for Halloween

Halloween is a fun time for kids to dress up, get candy, and run wild for an evening. Let your kids make a paper plate pumpkin to decorate the house for Halloween. These crafts make a great classroom activity, or can be done at home, too. With a few minutes and some basic materials your child can make a paper plate pumpkin of their own.

Instructions

1. Lay some old newspapers or plastic over a flat work surface to protect it from paint and glue.

2. Place a large paper plate on top of the work surface. You want your paper plate to be upside down on a flat surface.

3. Paint the back of the large paper plate with orange craft paint. You can sprinkle some orange glitter onto the wet paint to give your pumpkin a sparkly look. Allow the orange paint to dry before moving onto the next step.

4. Use black craft paint on the tip of a paintbrush to make a jack-o-lantern face on your pumpkin. Be creative with your pumpkin's face, you can make it as simple or complex as you like.

5. Trace a small pumpkin stem on a piece of brown construction paper.

6. Cut the pumpkin stem out of the paper with scissors. Glue it onto the top of your paper plate pumpkin.

7. Draw two leaf shapes onto a sheet of green construction paper and cut them out.

8. Glue the two leaf shapes onto your paper plate pumpkin near the stem that you just glued on. Allow all the glue to dry before moving onto the next step.

9. Punch a hole into the top of the pumpkin stem with a hole puncher or scissors.

10. Tie a piece of string or yarn to the hole in the stem of the pumpkin, and secure it with a knot. You can use this to hang your pumpkin up if you like. If you do not want to hang your paper plate pumpkin then you can skip over this step, and place your pumpkin wherever you like.

Create A Paper Plate Halloween Witch

Gather a few simple craft supplies and make a cute Halloween witch from a paper plate. Hang the witch from the ceiling and let her fly in the breeze or attach her to the front door to greet trick or treaters.

Instructions

1. Decorate one side of the paper plate any way you like with the crayons, colored pencils or markers. This will be the witch's skirt.

2. Fold the plate in half and then fold it in half again.

3. Put the twig inside the paper plate and let it extend a few inches from each side of the plate. This is the handle of the witch's broom.

4. Cut the brush for the broom out of yellow construction paper or cut it from white construction paper and color it gold. Glue the brush to the end of the twig.

5. Draw the witch's feet, hands and face on white or green construction paper and color them with the crayons, colored markers or pencils. Draw some hair on yellow or white paper, cut it out and glue it to the witch's head. Cut one hand from construction paper and glue it on the stick.

6. Cut the witch's hat and brim from black construction paper and glue it to the witch's hair. Attach the completed head to the top of the paper plate fold. Cut some witch feet and legs, decorate them and glue them so they extend from the bottom of the paper plate.

Make A Set Of Charlie Mccarthy Ventriloquist Footwear

Charlie McCarthy always wore black dress shoes

Charlie McCarthy is the "dummy" sidekick of famous ventriloquist Edgar Bergen. Together, their career spanned the vaudeville era and they had a popular radio show from 1937 until it went off the air in 1958. While Bergen wore a variety of outfits in publicity photos and live appearances, Charlie was always clad in formal white tie and tails, including black patent leather lace-up shoes (without spats). You can make your own pair of Charlie McCarthy shoes for the perfect ventriloquist sidekick look.

Instructions

1. Make a pattern. Measure how large the shoes need to be and draw an oval on an old piece of newspaper 1/2 inch larger all around than the foot the shoes need to cover. This is the pattern for the sole of the shoe. Draw a "U" shape 1 1/2 inch thick for doll or dummy feet and two to three inches thick for larger feet. The "U" should be an inch longer than the circumference of the sole oval.

2. Cut and stitch the shoes. Cut out two ovals and two "U"s, one for each shoe out of your shiny satin material. Sew the ends of the "U" piece halfway, and hem the other half by folding over 1/8 inch, folding again and hand sewing as close to the first fold as possible. Stitch the inner curve of the "U" to the outside of the oval, lining up the "U" seam with the center point of one end of the oval. Repeat for the other shoe.

3. Finish the shoes. Use buttonhole stitch to make small, evenly spaced circles for shoelace eyelets. Carefully snip out the center of the stitched circles. Lace the shoes with thin black cord, slip onto the foot and tie in place.

Create A Fresh paint Spray Booth

Make your own paint booth

Have you ever wanted to paint your own car at home, but the elements keep getting in the way. With a trip down to your local hardware store you could be getting perfesional results doing it yourself. The extra benfit if you need one, the whole thing is mobile. Painting your buddys car is a brease.

Instructions

1. So your ready to get that beast painted up?

The start of your paint booth project is to get all of your materials together. Make sure you get a canopy that is large enough to fit your car/truck in side and allows at least 2 feet of space on EACH side. If you don't know how much space that you will need a good point of reference is your owners manuals. If you don't have it check online information about your car is out there.

2. Find a good flat spot to set up your booth. The best place would be away from your house on some concrete. Sometimes this isn't possible so if your stuck with a dirt yard its ok we will take care of that problem.

3. Now if your like most of us out there, then your yard is that of dirt. Dirt can be a bad thing when you start painting. The best way to get around this problem is simply to spray down the area around your booth nice and good the night before you plan on painting. Make sure you let it soak in good, this will compact the ground and keep it from coming up while painting. Just to be on the safe side in the morning give it a LIGHT mist over the dirt, LIGHT MIST!!! You don't want to have a muddy area while painting.

4. Using the instructions that came with your canopy completely set it up and double check everything at least once. You don't want a tarp or pipe coming loose when you start painting.

5. If your canopy DOSE NOT have windows with mesh screens or some other way of allowing filtered air in then some artificial light is going to be made using one of your heat lamps. If it dose have windows then the next step is optional.

6. Now for the heat lamp for some extra light. Most heat lamps found around town will have handles that are used for moving and holding on to the lamp. These will do nice for tying up the lamps. Using the rope or straps take one lamp and find a point of the canopy that has a pipe exposed strap it down. Make sure its on good so it dosen't fall off. The best place is to have it facing the area with the least amount of flat paint able area.

The rest of the lamps will be brought in after you finish painting the car/truck. If you have more then five lamps you can hang another lamp in similar fashion on the opposite side of the lamp hanging.

7. This step is only for those of you that are running air lines from a compressor to a spray gun. If you are using a hand held electric sprayer then just be careful with the cord. Spray cans are fine too.

For your air line to get around the car without having to drag it around picking up dirt you need to suppened it. Using some rope or straps tie a knot around the spray line giving enough slack on the knot that the line will side through pulled. Now there is two ways you can do this you can tie the line to a any "U" shaped object or a clamp similar in shape to a key chain that you have laying around the house (i.e. exhaust hangers work it a charm). Double knot it to the object to insure it dosen't slip off after a couple of tugs. If you are using a exhaust hanger or similar with a threaded end putting a washer and nut on the end is even better! This "U" shape allows you to hand the slack of your line to hang from the pipes holding above and sides back and forth as you need it. When you need to switch sides simply remove and replace. The second way to do this should be done only as a last chance kind of thing. Simply tie the line with the slack as above, instead of using something to hook up and remove, simply tie the rope/strap to the with enough slack in the knot to allow it to be undone when switching sides.

8. After everything is checked again to make sure its good and done right, paint the car/truck using your methods.

9. Once the car/truck is done being painted let the paint fumes out, just to be safe. Bring in the remaining lamps that you have place one at each corner of the car(as far away as you can without touching the tarps) and connect the lines into the surge protector.

Allow the heat and light from the lamp to do there job for a LEAST 2 HOURS before you try to check anything. The heat from the lamps is going to help the curring of the paint(resulting in very hot metal DONT TOUCH THE CAR YET!!!). I recommend that you allow a few hours of heat (like 2.5 to 4 hours) and then the same amount to cool and set before you remove masking and try to drive.

10. There you have it a paint booth at home that you could leave up or store away as you need it for a fraction of the price.

Create A Fresh paint Brush

Making your own paint brushes is a satisfying pursuit that gives you more control and artistic freedom when painting. Experimenting with different materials will give a different look to your brush strokes. While traditional paint brushes were usually made of animal hair, you can make paint brushes from nearly any fiber.

Instructions

1. Choose the material for your paint brush handle. For the handle, any stick that is between 8 and 12 inches long with a 1/2- to 3/4-inch circumference works well. Dowels, twigs or pencils are a few options. If there are rough spots on your chosen handle, you may want to lightly sand them to prevent splinters.

2. Choose the material for your brush. Nearly any fibrous material will work. Horse hair, fibrous plant material, grass, shredded fabric or string are popular options. Your fiber needs to be 2 inches in length and at least 1 inch in width when it is gathered together. Smooth the fibers so they are laying evenly against each other.

3. Coat the bottom 1/2 inch of your handle in glue. Carefully attach the fiber to the glue, making sure to completely surround the stick. Allow the glue to dry. Then add another thin layer of glue on top of the fiber, being careful not to get glue on the loose ends that are not on the handle.

4. Tie the string around the fiber and handle before the second coat of glue dries. Tightly wrap it around three to five times. Tie it off and trim the loose ends of the string. Allow the glue to dry completely.

5. Trim the fibers if necessary to give your brush shape. Wet the brush and shape the tip with your fingers, then allow it to dry. Once dry, it is ready for use.

Create A Minimalist Poster

Minimalism is, in a sense, the artistic technique of saying a lot with a little. In minimalism, space and the "undrawn" or "unpainted" weighs heavily. The act of reducing a work of art, such as a poster, to its most essential features can be visually striking -- when done well. If you're designing a poster, you can incorporate minimalist techniques to create a work that is both streamlined and aesthetically pleasing.

Instructions

1. Extract one or two telling symbols, features or images from the overall content, and build the poster around that. In other words, if you're advertising a music festival, you don't have to crowd the poster with images of bands, the venue and instruments. A stripped-down symbol -- such as a lone guitar -- or even a solitary amp, can communicate the same message.

2. Use the technique of portmanteau, the contrast of two simple, stark, juxtaposed objects. Portmanteu is a common motif in minimalism.

3. Limit your use of colors. Choose only a few colors; or even reduce it to primary colors, like red, blue and yellow. The DeStijl minimalists of the early Twentieth Century were known for their reductive application of color.

4. Include text as needed, but don't crowd the poster with excessive text. Say only what needs to be said. You can communicate additional details by leaving a phone number or website -- depending on the nature of the poster.

5. Use close-up imagery. Zooming-in -- either photographically, painting or drawing -- on an object, or part of an object uses the component to say something about the broader whole, without having to explicitly state "the big picture" -- literally, in this case.

Determine The Market Price Of The Oil Portrait Colored Between 18601952

Determining the value of paintings can be a difficult and tricky process.

Determining the market value of paintings is always a tricky enterprise, given the volatility of the market and the trends of fashion. If you are interested in appraising the value of a portrait, especially one from the late 19th or early 20th century, the project is even more difficult due to the declining interest in portraiture in general. However, the good news is that portraiture in this time period produced some of the most valuable artworks in history, painted by artists like Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh.

Instructions

1. Check to see if the painting is signed on the front or back, whether it has a date, and whether it has a certificate of appraisal. If you do not have a least a name, it is very difficult to determine the value, so this is very important. You might need to carefully remove the painting from its frame to find the signature, which might be down in the front right or left corner.

2. Assess the condition of the painting. Is it in good shape, bad shape or moderate shape? Are there any holes? Is the paint flaking off the front? Are there any signs of water damage or unseemly wear and tear?

3. Search the Internet to see if the artist is a known or "listed" artist with any reputable organizations. This may take some searching, but frequently a simple browser search will produce immediate results, if the artist is known.

4. Search auction databases for recent sales of the artist's work. This may require paying a fee to the auction house for a recent list or for access to the auction house's online database.

5. Verify the authenticity of the painting. If the painting is signed by someone reputable, famous or of historic significance, determine whether it is a real signature or a real work by that person. To do this, find a painting by the artist, and compare the signatures. Also research the history of the painting you have, such as where has it been and who owned it last. If you trace ownership, this will frequently prove whether it is the real article or a fraud.

6. Compare the known factors of your painting---the size, condition, signature, year and quality of the work---with the qualities of the paintings which were recently sold in the same time period and by the same artist or associated artists. You can assume your painting will be worth equivalent value if the above factors are all similar.

Create A Pad When Framework An Oil Painting

Mats give framed paintings an extra professional look.

Adding a mat when you are framing oil paintings and other works of art helps improve the overall appearance of a piece by adding a neutral space between the frame and the art. Matting can often be expensive if it is done by a professional framing service. However, you can craft your own custom-fit mats at home using uncut mat board and a cutting blade. The resulting mats will add a special touch to your oil paintings at a fraction of the usual cost.

Instructions

1. Measure the picture frame's window with the ruler. Trim the mat board to size using the mat cutter so that it fits evenly into the picture frame.

2. Determine the desired width of the mat's sides. Mats typically feature at least a 2-inch width (See Reference 4), although smaller paintings can have a frame that is less than 2 inches.

3. Mark the dimensions of the mat on the back of the mat board. Use the ruler and pencil to draw each margin, leaving a box in the middle of the mat board. Make sure that the lines you draw intersect. This will help guide you as you make your cuts.

4. Lay the mat board onto the mat cutting board to create a safe work surface. Line up the ruler against the first line you wish to cut, with the ruler positioned outside of the box.

5. Insert the mat cutter's blade into the mat board, along the box's line. Hold the blade at a 45 degree angle if you want a beveled edge for your mat (See Reference 3). Pull the cutter towards you as you cut. Make sure you do not cut past the corner of the box.

6. Cut the remaining three lines and remove the box to complete the mat. Touch up the corners if necessary using the mat cutter's blade .

How Mix An Ivory Color With My Other Oil Offers

Learning mix oil paints takes practice.

Mixing oil paints to produce new colors that aren't "muddy" takes practice. Armed with a few tools and some basic knowledge about color theory, you can learn mix oils successfully. Once you have gotten the hang of it, you'll find it easy to make new colors. From ivory white to mars black, you can mix any hues to create vivid new colors that can help you express yourself fully in your artwork.

Instructions

1. Understand basic color theory. A color is also known as a hue. Adding white to a hue will create a tint (sometimes called a pastel) of that hue. Adding black will create a shade of that color, and adding both black and white (gray) will create a tone.

2. Squeeze a small amount of ivory paint and paint of another hue onto your palette. With a paint knife, pick up a small amount of each color of paint and mix them together thoroughly on a separate area on the palette.

3. Use a bright lamp or natural light to get the best view of your mixed paint. Add more ivory to lighten the hue or more of the colored paint to strengthen the hue's deepness. Mix the paint together thoroughly each time you add more color.

4. Paint your mixed hues in squares on a sheet of bristol board with a paintbrush. Allow them to dry to see the exact new colors you created; paint often is darker when it's dry.

5. Write down your "recipe" once you've gotten just the right color. Jot down how many parts of each color you used to make your new hue. Label each new color you create to help you easily recreate it in the future.

Earn A Living Severed Hands

Nothing is more frightening in horror movies than the sight of a severed hand coming to life, twitching and crawling. Many a Zombie movie has used this gory effect. Although you may not have the budget to have a hand crawling around on the floor like the one in "Evil Dead," you can certainly make a hand that twitches and pulsates as though the nerves were still firing properly. This article will show you make a fake severed hand appear to be living.

Instructions

1. Mix the gelatin and food coloring with the water in the stock pot. Stir very well with your wooden spoon. Place into the refrigerator for one hour. After an hour, remove the gel and break it up with the spoon. Place the pot on your stove over low heat. Insert the thermometer and constantly stir until the gel comes to 130 degrees F.

2. Mix your alginate as directed on the package (typically a 1:1 ratio) with warm water, using your drill affixed with a mixing beater.

3. Apply Vasoline to your hands, then begin applying the mixed alginate to the arm and hand of the person you're using as a "model" for the severed hand. Cover everything and make sure there are no open areas or air bubbles. Wait six minutes.

4. Cut the plaster gauze into strips that are six to eight inches long. Fill a bowl with warm water and dip in the gauze. Evenly apply the gauze over the nearly set alginate, pressing it in to make sure the plaster is adhering. Repeat until you have two layers of gauze.

5. Allow the person the cast is on to begin wiggling his fingers and flexing his arm. This will allow the mold to come free from the skin. Gently pull the mold off.

6. Set the fridge box upright in a sink. Lower the arm mold down into it with the open end facing up.

7. Set the pencil across the top of the fridge box and tape into place.

8. Tie the pantyhose to the pencil with the ends hanging inside the mold.

9. Tie string to the ends of the dowel rods. Tie the other end of the strings to the pencil. Allow the dowel rods, split ends down, to be inside the mold.

10. Insert the rubber tubing into the mold with the end hanging out.

11. Wrap your bullet massagers into individual baggies and seal shut with tape. Cut the wires and strip them, then tie the ends together. Using your one piece of wire, strip the ends and tie with the combined ends. Twist the other end to the battery pack. Glue the connections. When dry, wrap in electrical tape. Insert the bullets into the mold with the wires and battery back outside of the mold.

12. Fill the mold with the melted gelatin and wait 36 hours. Cut through the plaster gauze and remove it. Carefully begin peeling away the alginate. When it's free, wipe down the arm with a damp paper towel, then pat it dry.

13. Apply a thin layer of flesh-toned liquid latex to the hand and allow to dry. Continuing adding layers of latex until the coloring is to your liking, waiting for each layer to dry before applying another.

14. Turn on the battery pack and watch your arm come alive.

Create A Special Edition Print

Limited editions were originally a utilitarian idea. Before the digital age, repeated printing would wear out equipment; only the first print runs were of good quality, with subsequent ones blurry and of lower quality. Digital technology allows the artist to print as many images as desired, and limited edition prints are now more economical to produce. A signed, numbered print is more valuable to collectors, which in turn results in higher pay for the artist.

Instructions

1. Determine the number of prints needed for a series. The fewer limited edition prints there are, the more valuable they become. Most artists choose to print dozens or hundreds in a series rather than thousands.

2. Decide on the image size. Artists may choose to print all one size, while others prefer different sizes to accommodate specific collectors. Some artists allow collectors to order custom-sized prints.

3. Control the printing process. Run the printing equipment or verify that the quality meets your standards, rather than trusting another party to make the prints. Monitor the production process to insure good quality, as this affects the collectors' willingness to pay higher prices.

4. Sign each print by hand and record the number of the series in the lower right or left corner. For example, for the 235th print of a 500 print series, sign "Doc Incognito, 235 of 500" directly on the print. This increases the print's value.

5. Carefully mount the limited edition prints---collectors often require prints to be mounted and framed, to display and preserve.

6. There are caveats as to what can and cannot be printed after a limited edition is done. Standard prints for casual collectors might be allowed; however, no other signed or numbered prints should be produced once the limited edition run has been completed.

Create A King With Craft Stays

Kids love to do crafts, and craft sticks can create easy and unique people.

Kids love to make crafts, and craft sticks are a cheap item to have in your craft supplies. They can be used to make boxes and houses, bridges and people. People can be made and entire stories acted out. Kings and queens, moms and dads and children, or even animals can be created out of craft or Popsicle sticks. Clothes can be made of chenille or pipe cleaners. You can also use scraps of craft items to dress the people, so it is a good way to use up leftovers.

Instructions

1. Glue one end of a chenille to the end of a small craft stick.

2. Wrap it around the stick. Stop wrapping about 3/8 of an inch from the bottom. Cut the chenille and glue it to the stick. Do the same with a second stick. These are the arms of the king, so make sure you have used a chenille in a royal color for his shirt.

3. Cut part way up a jumbo craft stick to create two legs.

4. Glue the two arms to the back of the jumbo craft stick.

5. Glue a chenille to the back of a stick where the neck would start, leaving about 3/4 of an inch bare at the top. This will be the head.

6. Wrap the chenille down the body of the stick. This is the shirt, so stop when you reach what you feel is the waist of the king. Cut and glue the chenille when you reach the waist.

7. Wrap pants in the same way, starting at the waist. Be sure to wrap each leg separately.

8. Wrap shoes at the very bottom.

9. Wrap a gold crown at the top of the head. You could also cut out a small crown from yellow foam sheets and glue it to the front of the head.

10. Draw a face on the craft stick above the shirt.

Create A Karaoke Dvd From An Mp3 Compact disc

Hook up a microphone to a stereo to sing along with Karaoke DVDs.

Karaoke provides both the music and the lyrics to your favorite songs so you can sing along. Traditional home karaoke systems use karaoke music CDs that hold about a dozen songs with visual lyrics displayed on a screen. Karaoke DVDs are a better approach because you can use a standard DVD player and each disc can include hundreds of songs. With a karaoke DVD, you won't need to purchase the special equipment required with traditional home karaoke machines.

Instructions

1. Remove the MP3s from the CD and add them to your computer. If it is a data disc, select the files and drag them to a new folder on your computer. If it is a traditional music CD, start Windows Media Player on your computer, ensuring that you have the disc in your computer's disc drive. Click the Rip button. Click the arrow button underneath the Rip button, choose Format and click "MP3" from the list. Press start to transfer the songs to your computer.

2. Download, install and start up Karaoke CD+G Creator. Click the Create New Song Wizard button from the toolbar represented as a magic wand. Choose "Create a new karaoke song from soundtrack and lyrics using this PowerWizard" and click the Next button.

3. Load an MP3 file by clicking the Browse button and choosing the file name. If you want the original vocals removed from the song, click the button in the middle of the window. Click "Next." Add the lyrics to the song in the text box in the middle of the window. Look for lyrics in the booklet that came with the CD or on the artist's website online. Click "Next."

4. Synchronize the lyrics with the song by clicking each word as it's sung. Press the Enter key when finished and click "Next." Do this for each song from the original music CD.

5. Download, install and start the Karaoke DVD Burner software program. Click the Create Disc Wizard button in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Name your DVD in the text box provided. Click "Add Files" and choose all of the CD+G files you want to add to the karaoke DVD. Click "OK" and then click "Next."

6. Click "Next" to use the default DVD menu style. Choose your DVD burner from the "Current burner" drop-down menu, ensuring that you have a blank disc in the drive. If you want to save this compilation in order to burn more DVDs later, activate the check box toward the bottom of the screen. Click "Finish" and wait for your DVD to complete the burning process. You can now use the DVD in a standard DVD player.

Make Ancient Chinese Clay Art

Chinese tombs have been discovered containing life-size clay horses.

Chinese clay art goes back to the neolithic period beginning around 6000 B.C. If you are up for a challenge, you can try your hand at making a replica for one of these ancient clay treasures. You can start by using self-hardening clay which will eliminate the need for a kiln and all that's required to fire pottery. A tomb sculpture of a horse, for example, makes a beautiful replica and a fun conversation piece. Making it is also a great exercise in learning about the skills ancient ceramic masters must have had to make such a sculpture.

Instructions

1. Knead the clay like bread to give it an even consistency. Place the clay on a small board that you can turn, as you work all sides of the horse.

2. Form the basic shape of the horse using your hands. Form a protrusion coming from the top on one end for the head and neck. Keep refining the shape until you have the approximate outline of the entire horse. Form the curved lines of the musculature using the pottery knife on the hindquarter and chest. Look at it from the front to make sure you have the right width.

3. Detail the shape of the head and neck. Form the V-shaped space between the chest and the underside of the head. Note how the chest protrudes above the front legs. Form the desired tilt of the head at this point. Finish the head by forming the ears. Pinch the clay with your forefinger and thumb at the sides on top of the head to form the earlobes.

4. Detail the eyes, ears and muzzle using the knife and needle tool. Use the sponge to wipe away any tool marks and to blend these features into the sculpture. Make the ears stand up and keep the right proportions throughout by checking your reference image.

5. Form the curve on the upper neck and the back of the horse. Form the rump and short tail. Curve the legs in from the tail and then out at the knees. Form the straight line of the lower leg angled forward down to the hooves. Shape the base, about 1/2-inch thick around the outside of the legs to represent the ground that the horse is standing on. This will give the legs in place and add strength.

6. Cut out the middle section between the front and hind legs. Leave enough clay underneath on both sides (where the legs are) to support the horse. Wait until the clay has dried somewhat before you finish the legs. Detail the ears, the eyes and the face of the horse. Segment the straight-cut mane in an even line along the bottom of the neck. Form the curve of the clipped tail. Create the groove along the belly curving into the hindquarters and up behind the front leg.

7. Shape the strong shoulders and chest muscles in detail using smooth grooves and contours. Blend the surfaces to create realistic musculature by rubbing a damp sponge on the clay. Press in where there are grooves, and create a smooth surface overall. As the clay dries, remove more material between the legs and begin forming their muscle and bone structure. Work carefully as the legs must be somewhat dry to support the sculpture.

8. Use a small box to hold up the horse if necessary by placing it under the belly between the front and hind legs. Use soft foam on both top and bottom of the support so that the clay can contract without breaking as it dries. It should be thin enough to allow you to work on the inside portion of the legs.

9. Finish detailing the legs and hooves. Detail the hooves so that they look like they are on top of the base as if standing on rock. Detail the tendons and muscles running vertically along the horse's legs. Smooth with a damp brush and let dry. Remove the support once the clay has dried (24 hours or so). Smooth any remaining rough surfaces and remove any tool or finger marks with the damp sponge to finish the sculpture.

10. Use a combination of brown and red acrylic paint to decorate the horse once it has dried. Dilute small amounts with water to create a wash or stain. Distribute them randomly in soft tones. Use the brush to apply and to remove any drip lines. This will replicate the look of an authentic wood-fired Chinese clay horse.

Become Established Like A Subject Material Expert

Creating the legitimate reputation of being an expert in a specific area is difficult. This is because the amount of literature available in any area of expertise --- however obscure --- is massive, and that is just the material available in English. In addition, there are many people, perhaps too many, holding advanced degrees in nearly every important field in the English speaking world. As a result, competition is immense.

Instructions

1. Choose your area with care. It should be highly specific. It cannot be something like American history, as this is far too broad. It should be more along the lines of the political thought of the antebellum South, or the economic history of Midwestern agriculture in the 20th century. Only when the field is described like this can you reasonably have the chance to grasp the literature in the field. Even with these focused descriptions, the literature will take years to digest.

2. Set intellectual parameters. Lets say you choose the political thought of the antebellum South. This does require you to read the major fiction writers of the era, newspaper articles from the time and the clearly political writing of southern authors. You cannot avoid this; they must be read and understood. On the other hand, getting deep into the economic theory of plantation owners might be irrelevant. You are not required, in other words, to study an area like the antebellum South from every disciplinary point of view. You are, however, required to study every conceivable source of political ideas from a) that area, an b) that time period.

3. Read the main book titles in your area first. In every field, there are a list of big names that have made a large impact in the area. These must be read with care, and all major arguments teased out.

4. Read the more minor books. Often, these books are meant to take issue with the main works in the field, or to add more information to them. The minor works will always reference the major works constantly, and they often assume your knowledge of the major arguments, evidence and theses.

5. Read related articles. These should be peer-reviewed pieces in the major journals. It is always a good idea to keep a notebook where you record the author, title, date and main argument of everything you read. You can then refer back to this and see how the different sources relate to each other.

6. Keep track of updated information on the Web. Not everything worthwhile is peer-reviewed. Many websites in a specific academic field are run by real experts and treat their material in a highbrow manner. The Web is what people want to read. The truth is that academic sources are read only by other academics and --- with the occasional exception --- are unknown outside that narrow specialist community.

7. Go beyond the specialist community. Academia is a distorting environment. It encourages in-group thinking and intellectual conformity. Being sequestered in this tiny community can do as much harm as good. There are many in the broader community that are just as knowledgeable, but somehow live without tenure. There are many resources outside the academic field; these should be used as balance. In addition, this might also serve to differentiate you from the more strictly academic experts in the field.

Create A Hand crafted Photo Portfolio

You can personalize a photo portfolio with items from your home.

Photography is a hobby that many amateurs participate in on a daily basis, with images of vacations, family outings and anything else worthy of the camera's lens. To bring these images together, photographers create homemade portfolios for all their images, and albums personalized to each individual's liking. You can make a homemade photo portfolio from everyday items around the house or that you can purchase at a crafts store.

Instructions

1. Select the photos that you want to include inside the portfolio. These images will be the photos that appear on the inside pages of your homemade portfolio. Any additional images that you may have can be used to decorate the outside covers of your portfolio. You can also use duplicates of images for decorations if available. If you do not have any extra images and want to use them all, then you can decorate the covers in a different fashion.

2. Decorate the outside covers of your homemade portfolio. You can use extra images that may be at your disposal or pictures from your favorite magazines. Cut the pictures so you can display a variety of images on the covers of the album. If you do not want to cut your pictures, you can cut images out of magazines and use those instead. Use the glue to place the images on the covers of the album.

3. Use the markers to write on the inside and outside covers of the portfolio. You may want to write the names of people whose pictures will be featured in the album or phrases and memories that are relative to each image.

4. Cut the construction paper to use as background border for each image. Color code the images to represent specific trips or times in your life before placing them in the portfolio.

5. Review the portfolio by turning through the pages. Make any adjustments as needed to ensure that the images appear just as you would like them. Place the portfolio to the side to allow it to dry.

Do Splits & Side Straddles

Dancers and gymnasts make splits seem so easy. They glide delicately to the ground, their legs perfectly straight. Sadly, however, such incredible flexibility rarely comes easily. It must be achieved through diligent stretching and training, but such perfects splits are indeed possible with a little work.

Instructions

1. Learn the mantra: Not all splits are created equal. A regular right or left leg split exercises totally different muscles than a straddle split. Quite frequently one type of split comes more naturally to a person than the other. To make things even more complicated, each person also tends to have one leg that is more flexible than the other. You may plop easily into a right leg split, but a left leg split may feel painfully tight. Learning where your weaknesses lie will allow you to concentrate on the muscles and positions that give you the most difficulty.

2. Perfect form before function. Frequently, dropping into a split will seem easier if you pay no attention to the exact positioning of your body, but such carelessness can frequently lead to injury. Don't sacrifice your physical health just to make it easier for you to appear effortlessly flexible. In a regular forward split, your front knee should always point directly toward the ceiling, and your back knee toward the floor. You should be able to split on a straight line. In a straddle split or center split, both knees should face the ceiling. If your knees turn in, you are not only cheating yourself from a good stretch, but you might injure your knees.

3. Take baby steps. Do not force yourself into a split quickly and painfully. That is the best way to get a strained or pulled muscle. When first starting out, allow gravity to slowly sink your body further and further down as your muscles relax and slowly stretch. Each time you do this, your flexibility should increase a bit. Repeat this gradual process every day or your muscles will begin to tense back up. To give yourself some incentive, have a friend measure the distance from your groin to the ground. Record the measurements, so you can watch yourself getting closer and closer to the ground and that perfect split.

4. Include some helpful exercises. Aside from simply stretching your split every day, there are other ways to prepare and lengthen your muscles. For a front split: Lie on your back with your legs flat on the ground. Bend one knee to your chest. Grab your leg at the calf from this position and try to straighten you leg without changing the position of your thigh against your chest. Hold it for ten seconds. Bend your knee again and repeat. Complete the exercise on both legs. For a straddle split: Find an empty wall and place your rear end right against the wall so your legs are pointing straight up against the wall and your back is flat on the floor. Open your legs and relax your muscles so that each leg begins to slide down the wall to either side of you. Stay in this position for ten minutes. You should notice your legs getting lower and lower.

5. Never rush it! Building flexibility is a slow process. Not only should you expect to work for months before your split achieves perfection, but stretching should not be done briefly. Hold each split for several seconds, allowing gravity to fully take its toll and drop you down low into your ideal split.

Create A Glass Fire Bowl

Glass fire pits provide a stunning twist to the standard fire pit display. These use glass fire pit rock, available from any dealer of fireplace and fire pit supplies, to make a glistening fire of almost any color. Glass fire pits are especially interesting used in fire pits of modern design such as a long, narrow trough next to a swimming pool, or a vented indoor fire pit installed in a bedroom or in the middle of a living room. The effect is more refined and cleaner-looking than plain lava rock and is suitable for any fire pit container outfitted with either natural or propane gas.

Instructions

1. Empty out and clean the fire pit.

2. Fill the bottom of the fire pit with a 2- to 3-inch layer of builder's sand.

3. Add lava rock, either whole or crushed, to the interior of the fire pit, on top of the sand but under the gas burner, until the rock reaches 2 inches from the top of the pit. Reposition the burner on top of the lava rock.

4. Fill the last 2 inches of available space inside the fire pit with fire pit glass so that it covers the gas burner. Use the fire pit as normal.

Taxes & Self Employment

Self-employment taxes replace payroll taxes for independent workers.

If you've worked for another person or company your whole life, most, if not all, of your tax burden was withdrawn from your paycheck in the form of payroll taxes. Once you become self-employed, you no longer receive traditional paychecks, although you're still liable for any income you earn. Self-employment taxes serve as a substitute for payroll taxes for the self-employed, and are due throughout the year to avoid penalties.

Self-Employment Tax

Because the Internal Revenue Service usually assesses taxes used to support Social Security and Medicare through payroll taxes, it uses the self-employment tax to ensure that independent workers pay their share for the programs, and all workers with more than $400 must pay the tax on those earnings. The IRS assesses a combined 15.3 percent tax rate on all self-employed earnings of up to $106,800 as for the 2010 tax year. Amounts in excess of $106,800 are taxed at a 2.9 percent rate. In the 2011 tax year, the 2010 Tax Relief Act reduces the self-employment tax rate to 13.3 percent on all self-employment earnings made during the 2011 calendar year.

Basis And Figuring Self-Employment Tax

Before a taxpayer calculates his self-employment tax, the IRS allows him to reduce his gross earnings -- the basis of his income tax rate -- by 7.65 percent. For example, a self-employed worker who earns $140,000 over the course of the year owes income taxes on the full amount, but his self-employment tax basis is $129,290, 92.35 percent of his gross earnings. He owes 15.3 percent on the first $106,800, or $16,340, and $652, or 2.9 percent of $22,490, on the remaining amount. His total self-employment tax is $16,992.

Income Taxes

Self-employed individuals are also assessed normal income taxes on their earnings in addition to owing the self-employed tax. The rate at which these earnings are taxed varies by a taxpayer's earnings, with those in the highest tax brackets paying a 35 percent tax rate. Continuing the example above, the taxpayer's $140,000 in earnings place him in the 28 percent tax bracket for 2010, which means he's liable for $32,900 in income taxes. That brings his total tax on self-employment earnings to $56,192.

Estimated Payments

To avoid penalties for underpayment, self-employed taxpayers must make estimated payments on all income earned through the year. These quarterly payments are roughly equivalent to payroll tax withholdings, and should be paid on each quarter's earnings, using normal income tax rates a taxpayer expects to be assessed as the basis for the tax. If a taxpayer over-estimates his tax burden, the IRS returns the overpayment as a refund.

Create A Garden Pot Guy

Terra cotta pots may be used to make garden pot men.

Garden pot men are creative and artistic ways to liven up a garden and create unique little characteristics to make your garden stand out from the others in the neighborhood. In addition to adding a touching element of fantastic whimsy, garden pot men are cheaper to make than purchasing concrete lawn statues and are also a welcome change from the traditional gnome statues. Use different types of pots and heavy gauge wiring to pose your pot man and make him stand out from all the other garden statues.

Instructions

Making the Torso and Head

1. Measure the rope or wire for your pot man's arms and legs. You should have at least three times the length needed for his arms and legs. You will be knotting the rope and wire before and after each pot.

2. Cut the rope. You will need four long pieces for arms and legs and a short piece to connect the torso. You may also wish to use nuts and bolts to secure the torso pots and head pot.

3. Turn one large pot upside down. Thread the wire or rope through the brace plate or large washer and knot the wire or rope. Pull the wire through the drain hole in the bottom of the pot until the washer or plate is pressed firmly against the pot.

4. Feed the wire or rope through the bottom of the second large pot and brace plate. Pull on the wire to keep the two pots together while you twist the wire or knot the rope. If left upside down, this second large pot finishes the torso design. If you wish this to be the head for a child-like statue, use a smaller pot and turn it right side up.

Creating the Arms and Legs

5. Drill a hole into the top side of one of the large pots. This will be the location for your pot man's arms and can be as high or low as you like. Thread the rope through the hole and knot the rope inside the large pot.

6. Feed the wire or rope through the drain hole of one small pot. Keep the pot tight against the large pots or leave a small space to move and pose the pot man. Knot the wire or rope tightly against the inside of the small pot.

7. Thread another small pot until it is the desired distance away from the first pot. Mark the rope or wire with a permanent marker. Remove the pot and knot the rope. Replace the small pot and tie and knot inside the pot.

8. Continue threading small pots in this manner until you have strung up one arm. Repeat the process for the arm on the other side. You will use the same threading technique to create legs for your pot man.

9. Thread the top leg pot and either nail the knot directly to the pot man's seat to move his leg according to your design or drill a hole through the bottom side of the torso pot and attach the legs the same way you did the arms.