Forward Thinking Initiatives Search Results

How To: Use the soft light layer mode in Photoshop

In this tutorial, we learn how to use the soft light layer mode in Photoshop with Yanik Chauvin. This will reduce gray in the picture. First, duplicate the layer and then click on the blending mode menu. Click on the soft light option, then your photo will adjust and have saturation in it. The flatness will be removed from the image and the gamma will be increased. If you find this too strong, you can go into the opacity slider and adjust this to what you think fits your picture. When finishe...

How To: Sew & measure elastic

In this tutorial, we learn how to sew and measure elastic. First, place the elastic over your waist and think about what you are making. Decide if you want it to be comfortable or if you want it to be tighter if you are wearing it out during the day. Also take into account what type of fabric you are going to be using so you know how much elastic is needed. Fold the elastic and mark the inside and outside of the fold, now do the same thing with your fabric. Now you will know if you need to ea...

How To: Craft a homemade jump rope with your kids

In this video, we learn how to craft a homemade jump rope with your kids. You will need: 2 think plastic containers, a heavy rope, and scissors. First, take your plastic containers and cut a hole in the bottom of each of them with the scissors. After this, place your rope through the inside of each one. Tie a knot at the end of each side of the rope so it's thick enough that it won't go through the hole you just made. After this pull the rope down and now you will be able to use it as a jump ...

How To: Make a Mediterranean chickpea quinoa salad

If your salad isn't making you full, then you're probably making it the wrong way. Most people think there's really nothing more to a salad than iceburg lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and some ranch dressing, but using only these ingredients won't give you enough protein or fiber to fill you up.

How To: Become a full time potter with Simon Leach

According to a recent survey, many of us work to live rather than live to work. That may explain the lack of satisfaction that most workers report at their jobs. While little job satisfaction can be attributed to a number of causes (horrible boss, bad pay, bad hours, etc.), there is first and foremost the prime mover. Many people are stuck at a job they don't want, sadly.

How To: Create a "True Blood" Bon Temps swamp makeup look

Out in Bon Temps, the town in which "True Blood" takes place, everything you thought couldn't exist comes alive. Vampires and werewolves roam the town, so is it any surprise that the Bon Temps swamp is a character all its own? While not a living and breathing character, the swamp provides a murky, dark backdrop for the show's most harrowing scenes. And in that sense, it tells you a lot more about the characters than you'd get just out of their performance.

How To: Take out knitted stitches

In this tutorial, we learn how to take out knitted stitches. First, pull your yarn tight and insert your two crochet needles. Take the left needle and go into the stitch, then pull it out with the right needle. Continue to do this for each stitch, until you have removed each one you don't want. Although you may think you won't need to do this, it's very important to learn just in case you make a mistake while creating something. make sure to work slowly, so you don't end up removing more stit...

How To: Center your spins in figure skating

In this tutorial, we learn how to center your spins in figure skating. When you're spinning, you will find yourself traveling when you spin. To avoid doing this, think about where on the blade you are spinning. If you are in the right spot on your blade, you will stay in one spot. Also make sure you rock up and down while you are moving, not applying too much pressure on the shoe so you fall off center. Spin on the ball of your foot and don't push your heel in too much. Using these tips can h...

How To: Make a sweet puffy glazed fig tree dessert

These Mediterranean fig tree desserts are what Fig Newtons wish they could be. Crafted out of puff pastries wrapped around figs and then stuffed with mascarpone cheese, these babies are a wonderfully delicious way to end your meal. Also, spices like nutmeg and cinnamon add a sweet flavor as well as antioxidants to the dessert dish.

How To: Create brown smokey eyes with a purple lash line

Smokey eyes are so boring, don't you think? Whether or not you vary the colors (blue smokey eye versus black and silver smokey eye) the same idea is there: layer it on, smoke it out, and presto! Smokey eyes. But with so many gals turning to smokey eyes to get their sexy makeup fill, don't you want to stand out just a little bit?

How To: Gain muscle mass by eating ten bulking foods

Though we're currently in the middle of summer and most of us are either relaxing poolside or beachside, for teenage boys looking to make it as a star player on their high school's football team, summer means major sweat and pain time. Football players do gain a certain advantage out on the field when they increase their muscle and bulk up their frame, so many guys will work out hardcore while eating thousands of calories a day (think Taylor Lautner).

How To: Let go of your coffee addiction

In this tutorial, we learn who to let go of your coffee addiction with Natasha. Coffee may make you feel really good and like you can't get through the day without it. There is hope to get off of coffee and let go of the addiction you have. Think about how you want good things running through your body and you want natural energy, not energy you get from artificial products. Caffeine isn't good for your body and can damage you internally. Within a week of quitting coffee, you will start to fe...

How To: Win playing slot machines

In order to win at playing slot machines, you need to keep a few things in mind. Slot machines are not random. They are programmed to pay out at certain times, in certain amounts, and at certain intervals.

How To: Build a perfect campfire

In this tutorial, we learn how to build the perfect campfire. It's important to consider the materials, it's impossible to take a lighter and light a large piece of wood. You want to start the fire small and build it large. Think about the wood you will be using, which will decide if you are going to cook on it or need it for warmth/light. Birch bark is great for a base layer. Cinder is perfect to place on top of the birch, then add in larger pieces of wood as you create a bigger fire. When y...

How To: Make homemade French vanilla ice cream from scratch

Who doesn't love French vanilla ice cream? Watch this video and learn the secrets to making an ice cream that would make Ben and Jerry melt. It's easier than you'd think. So easy, in fact, that this free video cooking lesson can present a complete overview of the process in about two minutes. For more information, including the full recipe, and to get started making your own French vanilla ice cream, watch this video guide.

How To: Read your friend's minds with the Book Test

In this tutorial, we learn how to read your friend's minds with the book test. First, sit by two friends and have three books with you. Have them pick a book, then write a 3 digit number on a card, then have the other person flip the numbers and subtract them. Now have the other person reverse the digits and add numbers again and add them all together. Now, have the other person circle the lat digit and open the page and word of the digit. Have the people think of the word they come up with a...

How To: Overcome anxiety while driving

In this tutorial, we learn how to overcome driving anxiety. Remember that you aren't alone, a lot of people have anxiety while they drive. First, take a step back and think about the root cause of your anxiety, whether it's from a car accident or someone else who has been in one that was close to you. Next, you will need to set a goal to get better and not run away from your fear. You will also need to develop tactics to overcome your panic and learn things that can help you, like breathing d...

How To: Make a jewelry hairpiece out of broken jewelry

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a jewelry hairpiece out of broken jewelry. You will need: hot glue gun, feathers, pieces from a necklace, a plain hair barrette, and anything else you can find. First, you will think about how you want to design your barrette and what you want it to look like. Next, take your hot glue gun and glue on each thing you want and where you want it. If something is too long, you can cut it short so it fits on perfectly. When finished, make sure the glue is drie...

How To: Find your way around the fingerboard on the bass

In this video, we learn how to find your way around the fingerboard on the bass. If you are a beginner, you probably know the strings from thickest to the thinnest. This doesn't give you a full range of where the notes are, so try this new exercise to find them easily. First, you will pick a note and go through all the notes on the fingerboard to find where your specific note is, and while trying to find it, think about that note in your head. Once you've done that note, do all the notes, it'...

How To: Create easy, natural openers when talking to women

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to create easy, natural openers when talking to women. Conversations can easily be started all the time based on simple observations. Usually guys make a mistake when they try to use a pickup line on a women. Pickup lines don't work because they're taking people out of a present moment. If you are walking around and observing something, chances are someone else is observing it as well. So if you and a woman are observing the same object, she will imme...

How To: make a friendship bracelet with vertical stripes

If you think about it, it's actually easy to make friends and acquaintences - you move to a new town or go to college and you're immediately immersed in the culture and the people around you. Those in close proximity you'll definitely talk to an a regular basis if not establish a friendship. But true friendships which lasts years, decades, and even lifetimes are extremely hard to come by.

How To: Thread a bobbin on the Brother LS 2125 sewing machine

Many habitual sewers like to sew by hand if possible for smaller projects, since all it requires is some finger dexterity, a needle, and some form of thread. Sewing machines can create stitches and embellishments of great beauty, but as with all electronic devices sometimes their constituent parts have complications. The bobbin, which holds the thread beneath the machine, is one of those pesky things sewers have to deal with.

How To: Let your fence set before sealing it

If you've recently installed your own fencing in your yard, some may think the next best thing to do is seal it. That may not be such a smart idea. Allowing a fence to be exposed to the air and environment can actually do wonders for a fence. As you'll learn in this tutorial, you'll find out more on why letting your fence set is such a good idea and what kind of sealants you can use on it. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Create dynamic, colorful background elements in AE

Discover how easy it is to harness After Effects to create compelling, deep motion graphics with very little thought. In this episode, Dennis of the Genesis Project walks through how a single element can be combined and reused to create a nice background element. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular motion graphics and compositing software or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well se...

How To: Control your computer from your iPad with LogMeIn

LogMeIn is an application that will let you control and view your computer from an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. Learn how to use it with this free Apple user's guide. It's easier than you might think! So easy, in fact, that this guide can present a complete walkthrough of the process in just over five minutes' time. For more information, and to get started using LogMeIn yourself, take a look.

How To: Properly seed your lawn

You may think that you only need to seed your lawn once, but you're mistaken. Even when your grass is lush and green, you can still apply seeds all over your yard to promote healthy growth and new grass to grow. It's a task that many people use on their yard and the results are always positive.

How To: Tell if your boyfriend still likes his ex-girlfriend

In this tutorial, Donna Barnes tells us how to know if your boyfriend still likes his ex. One big sign that your boyfriend is still interested in his ex-girlfriend is if he talks about her a lot. Also, if he isn't around a lot of the time and he's doing other things, he's probably not interested in you. If he compares you to his ex-girlfriend, let the relationship go, because he's probably just on the rebound and isn't looking for anything serious with you. Make sure to pay attention to how h...

How To: Prepare your body before singing

In this tutorial, Karina Hayes-Blakely tells us how to get your body ready for singing. It's important to be relaxed, since singing is something that allows sound to come out. First, drop your shoulders and elongate your neck. You will want it to feel like there is a cord on your head that is holding you up straight. Think about where you feel shy singing, and work with the part you are shy about. If it's your face, massage your jaw until you feel relaxed and comfortable. Also, deep breathe a...

How To: Handle a stray dog

In this tutorial, Zephyr Clarke-Dolberg tells us how to handle a stray dog that you find and want to help. Shelters are always a good option for dogs you find on the street, if you cannot keep it. If you decide you can keep your dog, you should make sure to sanitize yourself until you can take it into the vet to get checked out. The vet will also check to see if it has a microchip, so you know if it has an owner. If you can't keep the dog, you can foster it for a couple of weeks, then a human...

How To: Change the time on a 2010 Nissan Sentra Spec-V

In this next tutorial, its something that not many people would think is that important, until they're late. Yes, it's the time on a car. Each car has a cool way of showing the time and it can take a few buttons in order to get it to the right time. In this video, you'll be finding out how to change the time on a 2010 Nissan Sentra Spec-V. It's pretty easy to do and will just take a matter fo minutes. So good luck and enjoy!

How To: Create custom page templates for your WordPress blog

Want to create a custom WordPress page template to give your blog a more professional look? It's easier than you might think. And this free video tutorial presents an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide of the entire process. For detailed instructions, and to get started making and installing custom page templates on your own WordPress blog, take a look!

How To: Grow a moss garden

You may not think of it as a great addition to your garden, but moss can be something that can add quite a bit. There are many uses for having moss in your garden, and one of the benefits to having it can be a good substitute for other plants since it doesn't require too much sun and can be in the shade. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how to grow a moss garden outside your home today. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Cross-Train Young Athletes with Tae Kwon Do

Football, soccer and baseball players, along with almost every sport can benefit from a little martial arts. Wait, what does martial arts have to do with playing a sport? Performance training usually makes people think of high-intensity drills, but what about Tae Kwon Do? Cross-training is actually a great way to keep youth players in shape and keep any young athlete in good playing condition. Watch this video for some warmup drills for Tae Kwon Do and some exercise and moves to keep your chi...