Okay, This is Cool – App Appreciation: knotch

Okay, This is Cool – App Appreciation:

knotch (say it in color)

I recently stumbled upon this app (in the Apple App store) while searching for ways to discover current trends. And while the app didn't necessarily record current trends in the culture, I downloaded it anyway, figuring "Oh it's Free, why not?"

This app is AWESOME!



How many of you are (loud mouthed) opinionated social media posters?
Well, here is the app for you!

This app in a nutshell lets you give your opinions on topics as well as color-code them based on a Cold to Hot system (The bluer it is, the less people like it, while the redder it is, people like it more. White is neutral.)

It's that simple.

No thumbs up or retweeting required. You get to (essentially) vote on a topic and then, if you choose to, respond with why you voted the way you did.


Most topics are already created, however you are given the option to create a topic to get "Knotched".

The app requires you to login through your Facebook account, and while that isn't exactly something most people want to do, they do offer the option to not post your responses to Facebook. (However, you do have to do it for every Knotch you post…I've heard that feature will be updated though).

The simple and clean design makes this app easy to navigate through and is incredibly user friendly.

The developers will add you as the 1st four people to "follow" you and are quite active Knotchers themselves. They participate in most (if not all) Knotches and encourage constructive feedback about their app, trying to make sure they are producing a quality product.  




Now, I'm just a blogger of DIY/Crafting amazingness, and not that great with critiques (b/c I'm not a professional critic or writer, go figure) but I really think this app is something worth sharing. 

Currently this app is available only on the iPhone, but the developers have posted that an Android and iPad version will be available soon.

To find out more about Knotch, visit the Knotch website at:
http://knotch.it

(All images are from http://knotch.it and used from the Knotch Press Kit.)

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Tutorial: DIY Gift Bow

Tutorial: DIY Gift Bow

This tutorial will teach you how to make your own gift bows for all your Holiday gifts!

(Or just gifts in general!)

Items Needed:

• Ribbon (I used a 7/8" width ribbon that has the same color on both sides)
• Scissors
• Stapler and Staples (or use tape, but I preferred using a stapler)
• Double Sided Tape (you're going to need this regardless)
• Tape (Regular Tape)
• Ruler

Step One:

Using your ruler, measure out your ribbon and cut them into the following sized pieces:

• 3 pieces at 11 inches
• 3 pieces at 10 inches
• 2 pieces at 9 inches
• 1 piece at 3.5 inches

(You can alter the pieces in size, but make sure you keep the ratios within an inch from each other so you don't have crazy sizes that obstruct the bow shape.)

Step Two:

Take the 3.5 inch piece and create a circle by taping the ends together.

(For each of the other ribbons repeat Steps Three through Six)

Step Three:

Take one of the larger pieces (we will begin with one of the 11 inch pieces) and fold one of the ends over to create a loop.

Step Four:

Holding the loop firmly, create a loop with the other end, making sure that the loop is coming in from the opposite direction.

Step Five:

Make sure that both ends are creating tight points by making sure the ends are overlapping in the center.

Step Six:

Holding both ends together staple (or use double-sided tape) the ends directly in the center of the ribbon.

(As stated above, repeat these steps for the remaining ribbons.)

Step Seven:

Starting with the larger pieces, place the pieces between each other, as shown below.

Step Eight:

Staple (or tape) pieces together.

Step Nine:

Repeat the same process for all pieces, making sure you rotate them appropriately, until you only have the small 3.5 inch rolled piece left.

Step Ten:

Take the 3.5 inch rolled piece and apply a piece of Double Sided Tape to the bottom of it.

Step Eleven:

Place the 3.5 inch roll in the center of the wrapped ribbons (which should now have a bow look to it).

And you're done!

(I even made one in pink!)

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Featured Artist: Sheila Haring

Featured Artist: Sheila Haring

Get to know DIY Riot's Featured Artist, Sheila Haring! A professional graphic and web designer, Sheila has a knack for creating amazing works of art not just online, but on her hands too!

Sheila's nail art ranges from rainbows to snowmen, monarch butterflies to adorable little spacemen!

Since it's the season of winter parties, Sheila has provided us with an amazing tutorial on how to create winter trees!


Let's get started…

"Winter Trees Nail Art"

By: Sheila Haring

This nail design was inspired by winter trees in the glistening snow.  

You could use a multitude of color combos but I specifically wanted a really glimmer, iridescent base color.

Items Needed:

• A BASE COLOR Nail Polish (I used 'Essie Luxeffects: Shine of the Times')
• A TREE BRANCH COLOR Nail Polish (I used 'Essie Stylenomics', which is a dark, eggplant color) 
• Beauty Secrets Nail Polish Thinner (to make the tree branches have more of a wispy effect)
• A Clear Top Coat Nail Polish (any kind will work)
• A Toothpick 
• A Plastic Surface, like a container lid (to hold pools of the Tree color in)

(You can purchase the 'Essie' Nail Polishes from Ulta Beauty supply stores or online. The nail polish thinner and top coat can be purchased at Sally's Beauty Supply stores or online as well.)

Step One:

Paint your nails with your BASE color.

Step Two: 
Wait for BASE to dry and paint a 2nd thin coat on top with your same BASE color.

Step Three:
Pour some of your TREE BRANCH color into your Plastic Surface, enough to paint all of your nails.

Step Four:
Pool a few drops of your Polish Thinner, enough to thin out the enamel to create wispy lines, and mix it into your TREE BRANCH color polish.

Step Five:
Using your Toothpick, start at the tip of the nail and drag a jagged line up the nail to create the trunk.

Step Six:
Use the same technique to make the branches, except LIFT the toothpick at the end of the lines to create the thinness.
(Remember less is more when it comes to the size of the trunk and branches.)

Step Seven: 
Let the trees dry completely.

Step Eight:
Apply two coats of you Top Coat Polish, allow for drying between each coat.


And you're done!
Enjoy some super easy winter nails!!! 

(These could very easily translate to Halloween nails with a cool color change or even pretty spring nails if you dot some foliage at the top.)

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Here are a few of Sheila's other amazing nail art designs:

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If you'd like to contact Sheila or see more of her nail designs, please contact her directly at: shepower1@hotmail.com

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Riot Tip: Cloud Light - Building It Better

Riot Tip: Cloud Light - Building It Better

I recently tried to recreate this really awesome tutorial I found online about creating a "cloud" effect using Cotton Batting, a Circular Paper Lantern, a Glue Gun and a light source.

Well…my results using those exact materials did not create the desired effect.

The Lantern and Cotton worked out just fine, but the Glue Gun glue was just awful to work with. In fact it created this horrible monstrosity.
(Those black marks? That's the glue gun glue.)

So I had a new idea. 

Instead of Glue Gun, why not use ADHESIVE SPRAY. 
And you know what?
It worked fantastically.



The tutorial is pretty basic.

Take the Cotton batting and glue it to the Paper Lantern and then place your lighting source inside of the lantern. (I used an LED Tap light in mine).

So what I did was take the Cotton Batting and cut it into smaller strips, but instead of gluing it to the lantern with a glue gun, I used adhesive spray. 

It worked fantastically.

Once my strips where placed, I gently pulled at the cotton to create a wispy cloud effect and applied my light source.

Here are my results:

(Please let me know if you would like a tutorial on this and I will write one!)

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Tutorial: DIY Flag Party Favor

Tutorial: DIY Flag Party Favor

To celebrate my daughter's 1st Birthday, I'm really going out and making a huge deal about it. Which means, I'm going to throw her an awesome party and make sure that as much as I can create is all DIY. What does that mean to you? More tutorials! (Yeah!)

This tutorial goes over making Flag Party Favors to give your party, wedding, event, (etc.) gifts that bring a personalized touch to the festivities.

Since this tutorial is rather simple, I thought I'd go one step further and provide everyone with a PRINTABLE STENCIL of the exact stencil I used to make this.

Granted, I understand not everyone is able to print this out, so I've also provided the dimensions, so I really hope this helps.

Items Needed:

• Provided Stencil: Flag Stencil of customized design of your creation
• Chopstick (or popsicle, coffee-stirrer, pencil, basically any thing that is a slim tall object. I used a chopstick and a coffee stirrer for this demonstration)
• Mod Podge
• Paint Brush
• Scissors (or Exacto Knife)

Step One:

Print out (or cut out if you are doing your design by hand) your design.

The stencil was created on an 11 x 8.5" layout, so print your document out at full size.

Step Two:

Using your scissors (or Exacto Knife) cut out the design from the stencil.

(For precision, I recommend using an Exacto Knife, but that's just a preference.)

 

Step Three:

Place your design on it's front (the side the design is on) so that the white blank side of the paper is facing upward.

Step Four:

Take your paintbrush and spread your Mod Podge down the center of your design. Make sure not to use too much or else you risk destroying your printout.

Step Five:

Place your Chopstick (or chosen item) on top of the painted center and secure it to the glued paper.

Step Six:

Now that you have a center, use your paintbrush to coat one side (left or right, either is fine) of the flag with Mod Podge.

Step Seven:

Fold the two sides of the flag together and flatten around the Chopstick.

And you're done!

(BONUS STENCIL!)

Because this was so much fun to do, I did another party favor with Moustache stencils!!

Click the link below to retrieve this BONUS Moustache stencil!

Moustache Stencil

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