General Electric isn't known for their Christmas lights, but maybe they should be, because their GE Color Effects are pretty awesome. Especially the LED Color Effects G-35 String sets. And especially when someone named Darco hacks them. Darco, whose real name is Robert Sun Qu ...more
Kip "Kipkay" Kedersha is known for his intriguing and clever how-to and prank videos, even when he teams up with MAKE Magazine. He will show you how to tweak, hack, mod, and bend any technology to your hacking needs. No electronic device, gadget, or household item can stand th ...more
Christmas is the time to splurge— not just with presents and food— we're talking decorations. It's that time of year when verdurous fir trees take up half of your living room, when waving elf figurines silhouette your front windows, when Rudolph flies from the rooftops, Santa ...more
Want to be more like Carson Williams this Christmas? Well, that means having a highly decorated house, full of Christmas lights and other holiday decorations, but that's not all... having your Christmas lights synchronized with your favorite holiday jingle or Yuletide tune is ...more
This video covers the steps for creating USB Christmas lights. Take battery powered Christmas lights and convert them to USB powered to decorate your office. Take apart the battery casing. You have to rewire this. You also need to cut open a USB cord and do some soldering.
Learn how to create a string of 3D, multi-colored Christmas lights and turn them into a custom pattern brush that you can draw with along any path. Make Christmas lights in Illustrator. Click through to watch this video on layersmagazine.com
You can create a really beautiful set up on your home using C9 bulbs. Line your roof line or accentuate your gables, and you can customize the lights as you wish. Use multicolored bulbs, and always be careful when splicing your wire. Set up outdoor Christmas lights on your roo ...more
This clip demonstrates the process of creating a model of a strand of Christmas lights in Blender 2.5. The tutorials covers modeling and how to use array and curve modifiers to create a strand of lights that will automatically lengthen as needed. Whether you're new to the Blen ...more
Want to replicate that cool effect when you can watch Christmas lights flash in time to music? It's easy! You'll need a set of speakers, an outlet adapter, excess power cord, a solid state relay and, of course, Christmas lights! Once you've gotten all your project pieces assem ...more
Why settle for static lighting when you can bring on the big guns? Learn how to make a Christmas lights controller so your lights blink. Happy holidays!
Learn to play Coldplay's "Christmas Lights" in this tutorial for the piano. The chord progressions to this December 2010 single from Coldplay are eagerly demonstrated on Yamaha M06 in this enthusiastic video tutorial.
Halloween is just around the corner! Check out this instructional decorating video that demonstrates how to use Christmas tree light bulbs to illuminate a jack-o-lantern pumpkin. This tutorial explains how to prepare typical Christmas lights for elucidating a pumpkin. Follow t ...more
In this video, we learn how to hang outdoor Christmas lights from the experts at Home Depot. First, you want to start out the planning process, and figure out where you want lights to be hung out. Then, decide how many lights you need and what kind you want to use. Then, go an ...more
This video shows us how to make quick and cheap ematches from Christmas Lights. • First we need to break the top of the Christmas bulb tubes without damaging the filament inside. • You can use a file for this procedure. Rub the tip of the bulb on the edge of the file till it ...more
A presenter from The Home Depot gives you several tips and professional secrets on how to hang your indoor Christmas lights making this tricky process a little bit easier. She takes you through the selection of lights, planning and the installation of lights. -It's easier to ...more
Capture the magic of the holidays with these tips on how to properly snap pictures of holiday lights with a digital camera.
Does your desk need some holiday flare? Do you have an extra USB port on your computer? Then check this out. This video will show you how to make a USB-powered Christmas light set that will spruce up your desk and not require an outlet.
Taken with Samsung Epic 4G Touch (Galaxy S II) used Little Photo to "Double Expose". I used to do this for real with an old camera on Black & White Film this is so much easier :-)
Got a box full of Christmas lights but don't exactly have a picturesque rooftop to hang the lights from? Or, have too many Christmas lights and too little space to decorate with? To bring festive cheer to your living space, you can place Christmas lights on top of fireplace l ...more
The most annoying thing about Christmas lights is when one bulb blows, the whole string stops working. There's no easy way to tell which one is out when it's a huge strand, so it can take forever to fix. Mehdi Sadaghdar figured out that zapping the Christmas lights with a pie ...more
So what is Bokeh? Well, the word comes from the Japanese term "boke" (bo-keh) which means fuzziness. Bokeh describes the character of the blur in an image, but is often used specifically to refer to points of light rendered as fuzzy circles. These "circles of confusion" come f ...more
Putting lights on the Christmas tree may not be the most glamorous part of tree decorating, but the glittering results are worth the effort. Tip: When choosing lights for your Christmas tree this year, consider buying LED lights. They cost a bit more, but they stay cool to th ...more
In this how to video series, learn how to string Christmas lights on a Christmas tree from expert Matt Cail. Matt will show you how to test Christmas tree lights, how close to an outlet to put a Christmas tree, how to untangle Christmas tree lights, where to start stringing Ch ...more
In this tutorial, I'll show you how to use the Arduino to control lights with your own voice! Video: . The code used in this tutorial is available here, but to use this code, first download the library here.
The Arduino Ethernet Shield is a wonderful device for DIY electronics projects, and this project is really creative and awesome. In this video you will learn how to use an Arduino, a promixity sensor, and some LED lights to make a proximity-sensing, LED-lit, evil Jack-o'-Lante ...more
As dedicated bicyclists are well aware, riding can be very dangerous. Now that daylights savings time has ended in the United States, darkness appears quicker, and the night is especially dangerous for cyclists because of the low visibility that drivers have. Not only is darkn ...more
Christmas decorations aren't cheap. From outdoor lighting to fir trees, decorating for the holidays can break the bank. That's where ingenuity comes into play, like hacking battery-operated Christmas lights, modifying lighting patterns and building Christmas tree ornaments fro ...more
John White, Dona Ana County Extension Agent, Teddi Peters, Master Gardener, and Southwest Yard and Garden demonstrate how to make a Christmas tree from a tomato plant cage for the holidays. The cage will already have a tree like form. Attach electrical tape around the prongs. ...more
Now this is one how-to video you probably don't come across often. While most jewelry makers and welders probably purchase their soldering irons, it's actually possible to make your own soldering iron out of graphite pencil, car battery and jumper cables. We know it sounds lik ...more
Christmas is almost over— all of the presents are unwrapped, all of the prime ribs have been eaten, the whole family's drunk off eggnog— and soon it will be time to forget about Christmas until next year. Once the party's over, you're stuck with cleaning up all the shredded w ...more
Around the holidays we use pretty lights and candles for everything: We hang shiny white lights on our Christmas tree, dangle them outside along our windowsill, and add candles to floral centerpieces. But how do you light a centerpiece when the candle is in a tight space and ...more
Before your guests enter the front door to your Christmas party and before they witness the beautiful swags of garland, lights, and the Christmas tree, the first thing they're going to see is your wreath. Make their first impression a good one by creating this easy rustic "No ...more
If you have a DSLR, you can take some interesting photographs of Christmas trees and holiday lights this year. Here are six different ways to achieve a special effects look for your Christmas photographs by adjusting the settings on your camera.
The first day of Hanukkah is here, the day you start lighting the candles of the menorah. So, why not ditch the wax and light the "lights" this year? (Skip ahead to see the LED menorah) Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that lasts eight days from the 25th day of Kislev, which th ...more
Get started with the LilyPad Arduino! It's a sewable microcontroller that lets you embed lights, sounds, sensors, and much more into your wearables, perfect for clothing and accessories. In this Make Magazine intermediate, soft circuit, video tutorial, you'll see how to sew up ...more
Get started with the LilyPad Arduino! It's a sewable microcontroller that lets you embed lights, sounds, sensors, and much more into your wearables, perfect for clothing and accessories. In this Make Magazine video tutorial, you'll see how to attach the LilyPad and power suppl ...more
Get started with the LilyPad Arduino! It's a sewable microcontroller that lets you embed lights, sounds, sensors, and much more into your wearables, perfect for clothing and accessories. In this Make Magazine intermediate, soft circuit, video tutorial, you'll see how to make a ...more
Make sure this year’s live holiday Christmas tree is not only pretty, but safe, too. Here's how to safely put up a real, live Christmas tree. You will need: a fresh tree a tree stand water a ceiling hook a piece of wire tree lights blue masking tape LED tree lights heavy-gaug ...more
Christmas means decorating trees with store-purchased ornaments and tinsel, decorating stairwells with store-purchased garlands, and decorating the exterior of your house with store-purchased lights. These days everything you need can be puchased pre-made somewhere, and while ...more
If it's your first Christmas, you might be wondering what the best way to decorate the tree is. While every tree and set of decorations will be different, this tutorial shows you a few basic principles (such as always put the Christmas lights on first) to decorating a lovely a ...more
If you're not sure where to start with the Christmas decorating, just watch this video! Remember to check your Christmas lights to make sure they work properly, and pull out all the Christmas ornaments. Use paper clips as a cheap alternative for decorative hangers, and get mor ...more
'Tis the season for Christmas tree decorations and everybody's favorite board game— SCRABBLE! Okay, that was too ebullient on my part. I have to admit, as much as I love a good game of holiday Scrabble, I consider myself to be somewhat of a Christmas grinch. At least, when i ...more
No matter how big or small your Christmas tree might be, you can use this tutorial to make an attractive and festive holiday tree! You will need Christmas lights, wire and your favorite ornaments, tinsel, ribbon and other holiday decorations.
Watch this instructional crochet video to crochet a miniature holiday Christmas tree. Use any type of thread and crochet needle to complete this project. You will also need a tapestry needle to sew the Christmas tree into a hanging ornament. Add small embellishments with red y ...more
This handy instructional video teaches the budding paper-design-enthusiast how to construct a three-dimensional paper word design. All you need is paper, an Exacto knife, a ruler, and a pen. Now you can make any word you've ever wanted to make stand up do it more quickly and e ...more
Scrabble Bingo of the Day: LUMINARIA [n] A votive candle set into a small, decorative paper bag weighted down with sand and placed in a row with others along a walkway, driveway, or rooftop as a holiday decoration. They are most popular in New Mexico and in neighboring southw ...more
It's the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas lights are up, stores are crowded, tacky knit sweaters are making an appearance, and there's the constant smell of something delicious baking in the oven. In this week's Phone Snap Challenge, spread some holiday cheer by show ...more
Want to add a little holiday cheer to your living space without breaking the bank? Get a clear glass bowl, fill it with extra Christmas ornaments or clementines, and you have an instant holiday-themed centerpiece for your table. Ta-da! Illustrated below are 8 more DIY holiday ...more
Congratulations to Bryan Kiguchi for Dreaming Little Bird, our winning shot of the Phone Snap Double Exposure Challenge! Thanks to all of you who participated. Of course, we have a new challenge for you this week, and it has already begun! Start reminiscing on some good times ...more
This holiday season, don't go the old-fashioned route when decorating for Christmas, stay in the present. To see how to joyfully adorn in the present, and no I did not say "presents," just check out this video on how to decorate a Christmas tree in a contemporary style. Timot ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a festive Christmas garland from fresh greenery. You will need: fresh greenery, wire cutters, floral wire, pruning clippers, and gloves to do this. The base should be made of holly, and then you can use different firs that you can find. Y ...more
An accordian fold scrapbook is a great way to make use of minimal space. If you've got a bunch of pictures you'd like to organize all in one album, expand your spatial possibilities by creating accordian fold pages rather than regular turnable pages. This accordion fold style ...more
You don't have to go the boring route with Christmas lights this year. Try hacking them, or better yet see if you can replicate this Tron-themed optical illusion made by WonderHowTo favorite Brusspup. Good luck... looks like it took some serious time and patience to get it rig ...more
In order to make a miniature baby doll bottle to be used in a dollhouse, you will need the following: orange paint, white paint, a paintbrush, and a light bulb from a string of white Christmas lights. The light bulb must be a standard light bulb. It can't be a replacement bulb ...more
The holidays are here and all of us here at Phone Snap hope you're spending them under a nice warm roof with some yummy food and great company! For this week's Phone Snap challenge, we want you to utilize your cell phone to capture some holiday spirit. Whether it be the gifts ...more
Turn your home or patio into an incandescent flower garden with plain holiday lights and egg cartons. You Will Need * Scissors * Three to four cardboard egg cartons * A string of holiday lights * Watercolor paint (optional) * A pin (optional) Step 1 Cut out and discard the ro ...more
Video games and art have somewhat of a sticky relationship. Many video games have large teams of talented artists doing amazingly creative work, and yet the art community is only just beginning to utilize video games as art (sometimes). Perhaps if video games were shown not ju ...more
Follow this video to view suggestions on how you can decorate a Christmas tree. It is best to start placing the lights first. Try to space them evenly and you can secure them in place by means of crafting wire. When you finish with the lights start decorating the Christmas tre ...more
WonderHowTo is made up niche communities called Worlds. If you've yet to join one (or create your own), get a taste below of what's going on in the community. Check in every Wednesday for a roundup of new activities and projects. This week: Create a redstone calculator in Min ...more
Ever wanted to have your own window into the infinite? By using this tutorial by Shooting Eggs, you can create an infinity mirror that will show rows of colored lights that seem to recede into the distance forever. It's a trippy illusion you can create with simple and inexpens ...more