Problem: Article: Visit a craft supply store to find a canvas and a frame or stretcher bars and tacks. You can purchase a blank canvas if you plan to draw your own needlepoint design onto it, or you can buy a canvas that already has a design printed on it. Choose a frame that will be large enough to hold your canvas. A premade needlepoint design is the best option if you are new to needlepoint. Always wash your hands before you touch the canvas to avoid getting any dirt or grime onto it. This will keep the edges from unraveling while you work. Use 1in (2.5cm) wide or smaller tape. Fold the tape along the edges of the canvas to cover them completely from end to end. You can also hem the edges of the canvas with a sewing machine to prevent them from unraveling. Unscrew the edges of the frame and place 1 piece onto a flat surface, such as a table. Lay the canvas on the frame and tug the edges of the canvas to open it up completely. Then, place the other side of the frame over the top of the canvas and secure the pieces together to hold the canvas taut. You can also use stretcher bars and tacks to secure your canvas. Avoid working on loose canvas. This may increase your chances of distorting the fabric when you pull stitches taut. Hold the thread in one hand and the needle in the other (eye up). Then, insert the tip of the thread into the eye of the needle and pull it through by about 4in (10cm). You can use any type of embroidery floss, thread, or yarn you like to do needle point. However, a multi-strand embroidery floss is recommended since you can pull it apart as needed for thinner stands. If you have a hard time threading the needle, insert the tip of the thread into your mouth and wet it with your saliva. This will stiffen the thread and make it easier to push through the eye of the needle. Tie the knot near the end of the long piece of thread. Then, insert the needle into the canvas on the right (front) side about 1in (2.5cm) from where you want to begin stitching. Then, bring the needle back out through the wrong (back) side of the fabric where you want to create the first stitch. Make sure that you attach the waste knot in the same row that you want to start stitching. You will cut the waste knot after you stitch over the area around it, so don't worry about it being visible.
Summary: Choose a canvas and mounting materials. Bind the edges of your canvas with masking tape. Mount the canvas in a frame to hold it taut while you work. Thread a needle with an 18in (46cm) length of embroidery floss. Secure the thread to the canvas with a waste knot.

Problem: Article: Before you start painting, it's best to figure out the size and style of your design. To do this, first, measure the height and width of the wall you want to paint with a measuring tape. Once you've made note of both numbers, decide how many stripes you want to paint and in what fashion. For example, let's say you want 5 stripes on your wall with 5 peaks on each line. This will help you graph the pattern of your design in the future. This drawing doesn't have to be exact, but it will help you figure out where and how to space out your stripes. Simply draw a mini-version of your wall with the height and width clearly marked along the side and bottom. Then, draw in the horizontal and vertical lines of your grid and make sure they are relatively even. If you are concerned about getting an exact number for the spacing between your horizontal stripes, try using this simple formula - ceiling height/2x. For example, take the height of your ceiling divided by 2x to get the number of inches between each line. The 'x' in this equation would be the number of chevron stripes you'd like on your wall. So, if your ceiling is 90 inches and you want to paint three stripes, then the formula would follow 90/2(3), and you would get 15 inches (38.1cm) between each stripe. Keep in mind that this base color will be the color of one of your stripes. You also need to make sure you cover the wall in at least a coat or two and let it dry overnight. Depending on the condition of the wall, you may also need to first use a primer before applying a coat of color. Be sure to follow the directions on whatever paint you choose. Use measuring tape, a yardstick, and a pencil to draw horizontal and vertical lines in a grid pattern across the surface of your wall. Then, use painters tape to mark the boundaries for each chevron stripe. You may also want to use any extra bits of tape to label which stripe gets colored in. Refer to your drawing to make sure you are spacing correctly. Once the base coat has dried and you've set up your grid, simply paint in the areas between the painter's tape. These should be the lines you've marked with bits of tape. Go over each area with a thick paintbrush or thick roller, and then let it dry. Once all the paint has dried, carefully pull off the painter's tape and voila!
Summary: Plan out your chevron pattern. Use a blank sheet of paper to lay out your design. Paint the wall a base color. Mark off a grid on your wall. Paint in your chevron stripes.

Problem: Article: Games that kids won't need much help with (like Candy Land) are best if you are trying to occupy your kids so you can get things done around the house. Try not to use difficult games like Monopoly, unless there is an older child who can help the younger ones. Card games are good, too. You can find specialty card games for kids, or you can teach your kids to play simple card games like War and Go Fish with a standard deck of cards. If you don't have any games on hand, teach them to play a game that doesn't require any materials, such as I Spy, Simon Says, or Red Light, Green Light. You can find puzzles for all different ages and difficulty levels. You can also have children create their own puzzles with cardboard or construction paper, and if you have multiple children, you can ask them to complete each other's puzzles. This could be playing football, skipping, playing on a trampoline, or playing games with each other such as chase or hide and seek. If you have smaller children, fill a large bucket or something quite big with water and add plastic boats, rubber ducks and other toys. You can also use this same bucket to put sand in and let them build miniature sand castles. Give them some sports equipment and tell them to make up a new sport. You can get creative with the materials by using buckets for targets or trash can lids for bases, for example. You can either hide items around the house, or just create a list of items they will be likely to encounter in the area where you're playing. You can use furniture or any other household items as obstacles, and set up your course either indoors or outdoors. Make up new rules for each round or rearrange obstacles to keep things interesting. For younger children, encourage critical thinking by making up your own games with materials you already have around the house. You can write numbers or letters on scraps of paper and ask them to put them in the proper order, or give them pictures cut out from magazines and ask them to group them in a specific way. The possibilities are endless.
Summary:
Give them some board games. Challenge them with a jigsaw puzzle. Let them play outside. Try a scavenger hunt. Set up an obstacle course. Make your own matching games.