Needle case

Need a quick and easy sewing project. This one can be done in two hours or less. Go to: http://www.schlosserdesigns.com/2011/05/tutorial-tuesday-needle-notebook/ for all of the instructions. We made these at the Get it Done Clinic last year. They are super easy!

Simple wooden bench

Need a simple woodworking project? How about a bench? This one has a curved seat, but can be left straight. this site has photos and instructions: http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/main/pdf/bench30.pdf

Braided Bracelet

When we do camp, one of the favorite activities is braiding plastic cord.  Here is a simple bracelet set of instructions. http://www.needlepointers.com/displaypage.aspx?ArticleID=30888&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.scoubiguide.co.uk%2fbutterfly.html

Photography -- outdoor lighting tips

There are some great tips from professional photographers on the internet. Nigel Barker is known for his work on America's Top Model. In this video he talks about using outdoor lighting for shots and how to get it to work for you. video

Fondant

Fondant has become increasingly popular in cake decorating. However, it is a very different process covering a cake in fondant compared to buttercream icing.
This brief video starts with some basics of handling fondant: rolling fondant

Crocheted Dish Cloth

Learning to crochet is easy. If I can do it, anyone can. Dish cloth patterns are great beginner projects. They don't take a lot of yarn and they go together quickly.

Try this one. It is a simple Granny Square.
Materials:

• Yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream 4 Ply (Solids 2.5 oz / 70.9 g / Ombres 2 oz / 56.7 g)

Main Color (MC) 1 ball Solids or Ombres
Contrast A 1 ball Solids or Ombres

• Crochet Hook: 6.00 mm crochet hook (U.S. J or 10)

Instructions:

Note: Ch 5 at beg of each rnd counts as 1 dc and ch 2 sp throughout.
With MC, ch 4, join with ss.
Base rnd: Ch 5. (3 dc. Ch 2) 3 times in ring. 2 dc in ring. Ss in 3rd ch of beg ch 5. Break MC.
Rnd 1: With A, ss in next ch. Ch 5. 3 dc in same sp. *Ch 1. Miss next 3 dc. (3 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc) in next sp (corner made). Rep from * twice more. Ch 1. Miss next 3 dc. 2 dc in ch 2 sp from beg of rnd. Ss in 3rd ch of beg ch 5. Break A.
Rnd 2: With MC, ss in next ch. Ch 5. 3 dc in same sp. *Ch 1. Miss next 3 dc. 3 dc in next sp. Ch 1. Miss next 3 dc.** (3 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc) in next sp (corner made).* Rep from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once. 2 dc in ch 2 sp from beg of rnd. Ss in 3rd ch of beg ch 5. Break MC.
Rnd 3: With A, ss in next ch. Ch 5. (Ch 1. Miss next 3 dc. 3 dc in next sp) to corner. Ch 1. Miss next 3 dc.** (3 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc) in corner sp.* Rep from * to * twice more, then from * to ** once. 2 dc in ch 2 sp from beg of rnd. Ss in 3rd ch of beg ch 5. Break A.
Rnds 4 - 11: As 3rd rnd alt MC with A as illustrated.