At what point does a passion project become an obsession? I may be getting close with the reverse applique techniques I learned on Creativebug.
The day I opened the box, I stayed up stitching until midnight. The next night it was 1:00 am before I could force myself to put down the needle. When the sun rose so did I, anxious to take a few stitches before work.
Saturday morning at the beach. Perfect time to get in a little stitching.
Saturday afternoon at the Fluff-N-Fold, washing a big cotton rug. Another perfect opportunity to stitch.
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Gorgeous images. Sumptuous fabrics. Southern charm. Natalie Chanin’s instructor profile on Creativebug had me at hello. Her Creativebug workshops, particularly The Physics of Sewing and the Reverse Applique Table Runner, make her incredible projects feel so possible, her techniques so accessible.
The tipping point came when Sewing Corner’s Facebook page featured Alabama Chanin’s DIY tunic with the Magdalena stencil. I ordered the kit and counted down the days until the USPS would deliver the magical goodness.
In the meantime, I watched Natalie’s Creativebug workshops again. And again. And then one more time for the sheer pleasure of seeing her projects … Read More
You probably don’t know Snuppy, but you have a vague idea of why this adorable Afghan hound is so special.
Remember the mid-‘90s when all scientists wanted to do was clone things? Dolly the sheep in 1996? Then cats, horses, mice, cows, pigs—even gaurs, whatever they are. But dogs… dogs were a problem. Scientists were unable to clone dogs due to maturing a canine ovum in a laboratory setting.
Then Woo-Suk Hwang (pictured here with Snuppy), a professor at Seoul National University figured it all out by using tissue from a 3-year-old Afghan and 1,095 implanted embryos put into 123 … Read More
Massive rocks that move on their own in the middle of Death Valley, California’s sandy terrain? Seems so, although the jury’s still out as how this weird geological phenomenon happens, but here’s what we know…
Facts
- Dense stones (some as massive as 29-inches long and 700 lbs.) have been mapped sliding across Death Valley’s Racetrack Playa, leaving gouged tracks of up to half a mile.
- These tracks are a bit less than one-inch deep, up to a foot wide, and are formed in straight paths, non-linear lines with sharp angles or curves and loops.
- Stones with rough texture move in … Read More
Drones. Crazy world, right? Back in the ‘60s, we dreamt of a society where robots did all of our heavy lifting while we enjoyed a life of leisure: zipping around in jet-packs, enjoying Tang and seven-course meals in pill form.
But has our love affair with robot technology become “complicated?” While robotics have propelled the medical field (artificial limbs powered by air muscles), space exploration (NASA’s Rovers) and countless other industries, the drawbacks of robotic progress might be surfacing.
While it’s not news that the US military has made great leaps in protecting its soldiers and homeland with sophisticated robotic … Read More
We recently welcomed Creativebug.com, a provider of online art and craft instruction, to the Demand Media family. As a crafts fanatic, I am thrilled to have a front row seat for the unfolding of Creativebug’s next chapter. As a subscriber, I am excited to continue learning from its growing library of workshops.
When Creativebug’s founders, Jeanne Lewis, Julie Roehm, and Kelly Wilkinson, visited our offices some weeks ago, their passion for their work virtually lit the room. Their connection to art and artists awed and inspired me. When they left, I was online watching their videos before the elevator … Read More
Last week, Demand Media hosted its first company-wide Hackathon. Employees put a hold on their day-to-day activities, instead collaborating to pitch innovative ideas and build working prototypes over the course of 48 hours. The only rule? There are no rules! One week later, we’re back to the daily grind, but the lessons I took from the Hackathon will certainly be useful next time around:
1. Pick a fun project
This is a Hackathon—now is definitely the time to be adventurous. So what if your idea doesn’t relate to your everyday job? If it sounds fun, do it. The more passionate … Read More
Here’s a handful of simple tips and nuggets of culinary knowledge. Try them. Learn them. They’ll help you cheat your way around the kitchen and make you a more interesting person.
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How do we know the world’s (probably) going to end this year? Well, we’re only seven weeks into 2013 and already there’s weird stuff going down that rivals the 10 Biblical Plagues. My advice? Dig your bunker, stockpile Cheetos and Mountain Dew, and remember when things go “Lord of the Flies,” you read it here first.
1. Meteor Crashes Into Russia
This is the most recent obvious sign, right? On February 16, a meteor entered the atmosphere over Siberia with a sonic boom big enough to injure 1,200 locals. Luckily, it disintegrated into debris about 20 miles above the Earth, … Read More
Resolutions. We’ve all made them. Every year we give ourselves a chance to start over and we make promises to improve our lives. From diet and exercise to financial responsibility, resolutions come in every size, shape and form.
At the end of 2011 I felt confident and inspired to make certain changes in my life. I was compelled to see what I could accomplish in just one year. I made resolutions for 2012 that I am proud to say I was able to keep. My biggest conquest was exercising at least once a week. It may seem like a small, … Read More
Recently, every parent’s worst nightmare happened: A gunman opened fire on an elementary school full of children in Connecticut, killing at least 20 children. No doubt, your children, even if not directly impacted by this tragedy, may hear about it and have questions and concerns.
Here are some actions you might want to take to help your children:
Talk to your children honestly about this tragedy and listen to their responses.
Young children react differently to tragedies than school-aged children, so Mental Health America recommends tailoring discussions with kids to their age group. For pre-school age children, look for nervous … Read More
We are pleased to announce the winners of eHow’s first Spooktacular Spark Contest!
1st Place: David Cortez – Ghost Pinata
2nd Place: Bryce Conklin – Alberto the Mustache
3rd Place: Peter Do – Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Congratulations to everyone who entered! For more project ideas, check out eHow Spark.… Read More
The eHow editors are getting in the Halloween spirit. You didn’t think we were just going to sit back and watch you have all the fun, did you?
Some of us have a sweet tooth and others have a knack for crafts. Take a peek at what we created.
Cupcakes: Creepy Crawlers and Cauldrons
eHow Editors, Rachel and Megan, made creepy cupcakes… then brought them into the office for a taste test. These self proclaimed amateur bakers went all out! Check out their festive - and delicious – cupcakes.
Costumes to Remember
What is your most memorable costume as … Read More
It’s hard to deny the magic of Halloween, when homes and people are transformed by spooky decorations, glowing pumpkins and creative costumes. If you’ve always wondered how to create your own magical décor, you’ve come to the right place. eHow has all the necessary tools to start your projects right.
This season, we’ve added new designs to our collection of Halloween templates, including a wildly fashionable mustache, a happy hoot owl, and an eerie haunted house. Whether you’re a beginner crafter or an old hand, you’re sure to find a template that sparks your imagination.
During Halloween season, the most … Read More
Fall officially arrived last Saturday. Here in Southern California, the season brings shorter days and slightly cooler temperatures but no dramatic change. To create the illusion of a Midwestern autumn, I exchanged the beach-themed covers on my sofa pillows for covers with Halloween themes, replaced the seashells in my “exhibit” lamp with pinecones, acorns and seed pods, and arranged gourds and squash on the mantle. I’m going back to my home in Missouri for my son’s wedding in a couple weeks. Like many of you, I’ll need to clean the gutters, winterize the outside faucets, check the weatherstripping on the … Read More
