This Is Indexed

'Indexed' is a super fun blog made up of hundreds of fun graphs and charts about real life - it's been so popular, that the author now has a book!

Microwaveable Gloves

Well, this Winter in the UK has been the coldest since 1995 - so you may find these gloves very handy (pun intended)!

Click here to find out how to make them.

Pumpkin Pin Cushion

Cute little pin cushion made from cotton, felt, polyfill and thread - find the how-to here.

Crochet a T-shirt Rug

Great way of recycling old t-shirts - by using them to crochet a rag rug!

And if you have a random assortment of t-shirts, you'll end up with a super original and quirky product . . go here for instructions.

Wire Ghost Sculpture

All you need is chicken mesh, protective gloves and wire cutters in order to make the above spooky ghost figure!

I personally think it would be cool if you put outdoor fairy lights around the sculpture for a funky garden decoration, or perhaps cover it in Scotch tape for a more solid project.

Or perhaps you could papier mache the sculpture, which you can then paint however you like!

Life Line Coat Rack

Such a clever and ultra simple idea - a coat rack that looks like a life line!

Find it here.

Embellishment Technique

Effective technique for embellishing plain fabric by uncovering a contrasting background colour...

...Go here for instructions.

Fluted Hem

This is a clever little trick for making a cute wavy hem (perfect for tutus), and the secret is fishing line!

Go here for details :-)

Make Your Own 3D Camera

This site shows you how you can create a brilliant 3D effect with any photo, using just 2 disposable cameras, duct tape and a photo editing programme like Photoshop - cool!

Cupcake Icing Kit

This must be the most delicious photo ever!

You can buy the cupcake icing kit (pictured above) here, complete with 4 fantastic icing nozzles, an icing bag, a couple of cupcake toppers and instructions - so cute, and perfect to get you started in cake decorating :-)

Twilight Movie Merchandise

If anyone is a fan of the new 'Twilight' movie, then I'd love you to have a look at a few designs I have created and showcased here in my shop.

There are also a few general vampire-related designs, so if you love vampire characters and stories you might be interested too . . 

. . . let me know what you think!

Painting With Light

This is my absolutely favourite photography effect, and all you need is:

- A camera with long exposure (shutter speed) capabilities (the longer the better)

- A source of light (flashlights work the best but if you have glowsticks instead, check out this instructable!)

- And a pitch black room (if you want a nice black background) - or you can do it outside if it is pitch black.

For the full instructions go here, or view my summary of the tutorial below:

Step 1

- Get your camera a nice place to sit and aim it at a spot about 10-15 ft away where you will easily be able to draw your picture.

- Take a regular shutter speed shot in the light to make sure that your spot is in focus (see picture)

- Set your camera's shutter speed (you'll have to set your camera for manual mode) - about 30 seconds.

- Either turn on a time delay or set the shutter speed to compensate for the time it takes to walk 10-15 feet away.

- Grab your flashlight and shut the lights out.

- Press the capture button, run to wherever your camera is focused on, and turn on your light source.

- Draw the picture you want, trying not to shine the light source directly at the camera. This will produce a "twinkle" where you shined it from.

- If you want to stop a line segment and start a new one, you can cover the light source with your hand and move it over to where the new line segment will start. If you have a flashlight, just turn it off, move it over, and turn it back on! <-- Much easier!

When you're done drawing:

If it's a simple picture (a square, circle etc) you can go over it again

If not, don't bother trying to go over it. It will probably get messed up.

DO NOT TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON UNTIL YOU ARE SURE THE CAMERA HAS FINISHED TAKING THE PICTURE!

Step 2

Admire your one of a kind picture!

Feel free to experiment with different techniques etc.

For some inspiration, have a look here, and at the following videos:

And if that's not enough, have a look here and here for some more help and inspiration.

I hope you enjoy it!

Photo Wall Calendar

This is such a great idea for a calendar because a) it lasts forever AND b) it looks so cool!

You can either search for number photos on Flickr and ask permision to use them, or you can take your own to make a completely original piece of art, created entirely by you!
All you need is these instructions, Fotoclips and photo prints.

PoppyTalk

One of my favourite websites is PoppyTalk, which lists the most gorgeous arty products that have been discovered in the ginormous world that is the internet!

And if you're wondering where the lovely valentine's day card (pictured above) is from....go to this website for a whole range of cute cards :-) 

Woodland Creations

Adorable little fabric toadstool, leaf and pinecone decorations - I love them!

Find the tutorials for all of the above, here.

Ice To See You, To See You Ice!

The first ice-themed make is the above pretty ice lantern - perfect for your porch or garden. Go here for details.

Next are these colourful ice baubles, which remind me of giant jelly sweets . . . yum! Great for decorating snowy gardens.

And lastly, these snowglobes would look adorable on any windowsill at Winter. Have fun :-)

Cityscape Votive

Pretty glowing cityscape made by cutting out city skylines and placing a tealight in between...

...click here for details.

How to: Paint a Wall with Octagons

If you are planning on painting a wall any time soon, I recommend using this technique to create a gorgeous octagonal tone-on-tone effect.

Painter's tape is used to create the stencil, and I think the end product looks quite regal and designer-esque!

The Art of Pen Spinning

This is the first of my 'Bored at Home?' posts, which are for when you have read all of my other posts and clicked on all of my links and you're still bored (shock), and you want to do something that doesn't involve the internet (horror) AND/OR you may have limited supplies around your house.

The first thing I would suggest is making slime by mixing water and cornflour together (like you do), and if that doesn't float your boat, maybe you could learn a new skill....

...like pen spinning! And all you need is patience and a pen/pencil :-)

For more instructions on tricks, go here and here.

This would be great for impressing your friends at school/college/uni or work!

Cute Flower Hairpins

Adorable little hairpins made from fabric circles.

These are great for using your fabric scraps into something useful and they're so pretty and feminine...I love 'em!

Modern Sparkle Light Display

Absolutely gorgeous sparkly starbursts created by poking fairy lights through holes in a stretched canvas - simple! Go here for details :-)

Attack of the Plastic Clones!

Click here to find out how to make a sculpture of yourself out of plastric wrap (clingfilm) and packing tape. Read the comments at the bottom too for ideas, and also for caution about covering yourself in plastic (best to do this outside when it's not warm, and not all at once).

You could use this technique to make a mannequin to make clothes on, or to make a scarecrow, sculpture, scary Halloween ghost, and loads of other things!

You could also make moulds of loads of different everyday items like trees, lamposts, candlesticks etc

For examples of this technique used in art, see here and here. Obviously, do not cover animals or babies/children in clingfilm (however much they annoy you!) - you'll have to sculpt these ones from scratch...

Have fun :-)

Gold Leaf Pebbles

These instructions allow you to turn pebbles (and other objects) into works of art like the gorgeous decorated pebbles above!

Inverted Bookshelf

Such a novel idea (ba-dum tish!) for making a bookshelf look like it's upside down by using a clever little trick. You could even add to the illusion with toys and other objects stuck onto the wood upside down too.

Go here for the tutorial.

TIP: It would probably be better with 3 brackets at the top, and maybe some behind the books, just to make sure it's strong enough :-)

50 Chocolicious Desserts

50 delicious-looking chocolate recipes, perfect for chocolate addicts like me! I especially like the look of the chocolate chip chesecake above...mmmm...

Painted Newspaper Roses

Funky newspaper roses, made by painting the roses with acrylic paint and taping them to floral wire (Instructions here) - Easy!

(Don't forget to look at the comments at the bottom of the page too for inspiring ideas :-))

I just love the fact that some of the newspaper is showing through - it just seems more arty don't you think?!

Good Night Light

I think this light would look fantastic in any house - and you can choose whatever message you want to display!

The majority of the project is made from a painted canvas on a wood frame.
Go here for the tutorial.

Make Your Own Cookie Cutter

Great idea for when you are baking a large batch of the same shape; make your own cookie cutter!

All you need is a printed-out shape (whatever you like, but the simpler the shape, the easier it is to make), pipe cleaners/string, a disposable foil tray, scissors, a stapler and a glue gun.
Go here for details.

Driftwood Coat Rack

Beautiful driftwood coat rack made from a piece of driftwood (obviously!), coat hooks, screws and a couple of tools. It reminds me of the seaside so much, especially with the straw hat!

Find the instructions here.

Grow Your Own Snowflakes

Cute little project for making your own crystal snowflakes!

It's a fun and sciencey experiment that would be great for kid's to do (but I'd have fun on my own lol) - and all you need is borax, pipe cleaners, string, a mug/bowl, a pencil and something to suspend the string from.
Go here for instructions.

Corking Good Fun!

It's a cork theme today so to start off we have this decorative cork bulletin board with a fancy fabric covering. Very simple and great for hanging anywhere - see the tutorial here.
Next, we have these wine cork placecard holders - perfect for including a bit of recycling at your dinner party!
And last but not least are these organic coasters and trivets made from slices of recycled wine corks stitched together! Go here for details.

Embroidered Buttons

Adorable embroidered buttons at Feeling Stitchy.

Perfect for brightening up all kinds of bags and clothes :-)

My First Treasury!

Oooo I just managed to get my first ever Treasury page on Etsy's front page. . . so exciting!

How to Paint Your Fridge

Everyone has a fridge, and most people have a plain white one - which is a bit boring don't you think?

The answer is simple: paint your fridge!

For painting your fridge with chalkboard paint, see the tutorials here and/or here.

OR for something a bit more arty, why not do what this guy has done, and make a truly original piece of art!

For tips on how to paint a fridge, try here, here and here.

Have fun!

How to Make Stone Trivets

Funky pebble trivets to rest your hot pots and pans on in the kitchen - and all you need are flat pebbles (of varying sizes and roughly the same height), super strength glue, wax paper and a cork trivet. 

Very cheap and easy to make...

so bring a bit of the outside, in!

Instructions here. 

Gap Year + Travel Links VII

Lonely Planet
Amazing list of things to do and places to stay in the country of your choice. Very inspiring, and includes tips and tricks from people who have done it all before.
Year Out Group
This is an amazing resource that provides a whole list of gap year companies plus stories from gappers and benefits of taking a year out to travel.
Yini
Highly recommended site for a year in industry.
Gap Year
Provides volunteering, conservation and many other types of work abroad, and also just travel. You can even find a travel mate!
Gap Org
People have had superb experiences with this company according to reviews. Large range of countries to travel to.
Sta Travel
Cheap student travel - specific gap year section on the website.
The Pod Site
They currently offer gap year, career break, working holiday and volunteer projects in Malawi, Nepal, Peru, Tanzania and Thailand.
Teaching Abroad
Offers a wide range of projects, including teaching, care, conservation, medical and journalism. You can choose when to go and how long to stay for too.
Pay Away
Online guide to working holidays, jobs abroad, and gap years.
Rail Europe
An individual's personal guide to ticket and route planning (interrailing)...
Rail Europe
...and on what to take on a gap year.
Madventurer
This one looks like alot of fun. They say "we offer inspiring range of volunteer placements, community projects and adventures that can be combined to give you an unforgettable trip of a lifetime. We have experts on hand to help you build an itinerary that takes you through some of the world's most exciting destinations from the idyllic beaches of Fiji, to the heights of the Andes and the jungles of West Africa."
Absolute Africa

Somebody I know said this was the highlight of their year. Provides safari's in Africa. Amazing photos.

Tree Branch Serving Tray

This is a such a fab little serving platter for passing around snacks at a party, and all you need are: old bowls/plates, epoxy, a tree branch, and a saw and mitre box.

I thought it would be funny to serve twiglets with this...or maybe that's just me...

Personal Bookmark Gift

Such a fun and personal gift idea for the bookworm in your life!

Go to the instructions here.

Bulletin Board With Shutters

Great idea for using shutters to cover a bulletin board.

The majority is made from homasote board, shutters, fabric and wooden strips - Click here for the instructions.

Tree Branch Chandelier

This reminds me of some designer lighting you might find in a ski lodge - when in fact you can (cheaply) make it yourself from branches, screws, lamp cord, small candelabra sockets, some 1/4 IP nipple, thin plastic-coated cable and a light canopy.

The person whose idea this was said it cost him $35 and took him 2 hours, which sounds alright to me!

Instructions here.

Super Sleeping Bag

These sleeping bags keep you snug as a bug, whilst allowing you to move freely (as opposed to the 'caterpillar move' you must perform in a normal one :-)) - AND you look like some kind of ultra cool yeti-man!

How to: Map Coasters

These funky map coasters are made simply by using glue to attach circular map sections to coasters - easy peasy!

A Serving Tray Fit For A King (or Queen)!

Beautiful serving tray with painted black swirls - made from an old cupboard door!

This would be a fab little DIY project at the weekend, and it would be an original and thoughtful gift too.

Find the tutorial here.

Funky Colander Lights

Super funky lights made from putting different coloured fairy lights in between two plastic colanders!

Instructions here.

How to Make a Pop-up Romantic Card

Cute idea for a card, which involves creating a pop-up of your own silhouette and then adding a little heart...aaaawww!

Find out how here.

P.S. Yup this is very early for Valentine's day, however, you could also use this card idea for any occasion for your loved one, yippee!

Grass Inspired Painting

Professional-looking painting, which is really simple to make!

All you need is these instructions, a stretched canvas, self-adhesive shelf liner to use as the stencil for the blades of grass, craft paint and other bits and bobs. You can experiment with different colours, textures and patterns whilst still using this stencilling technique - be inspired!