Essential Sites for Graphic Designers & more!

Over the period of a corporate drone's lifespan, one is bound to have some free time here and there. As a graphic designer in this environment where time lines may sometimes be fuzzy, it's critical for me to keep myself busy, looking busy, and still grow in my knowledge. Here is my compilation of some websites that I've come across, covering a span of web design, photoshop, usability, social media, anything and everything related to creating a presence on the web. Hope you enjoy!

Smashing Magazine
Mashable
Web Designer Depot
Add To Design
Boagworld
Six Revisions
PsdTuts
Design Informer
Cats Who Blog

Feel free to comment your top essential sites that keep your sanity

how to make cat ears for halloween costume

i made these for a costume a while back, and in the spirit of halloween (my fav celebration ever!) im posting instructions on how to make these simple and easy kitty ears!

WHAT I USED:

1 black hair band

2 pieces of 18 gauge wire, 7" long

black furry material

black thread

TOOLS:

wire cutters

sewing kit

scissors

marker (metallic or white works great)

TO MAKE THE FRAME:

 
1. Take the wires, and bend each in half. Open it up to a acute triangle, and using your hands to work with the shape, make it into a cone with curved sides.

2. Lay out the wires on a flat surface, and place the headband on top of it for spacing purposes. i suggest about 1-2 inches between the ears, and 3-4 inches extended from the headband. Using your marker, indicate on the wire and on the hairband where the two meets.

3.  At the marked spots, bend each end of wire around the headband, once or twice to secure. Adjust the wire so its in the middle of the width of the hairband. Repeat for each wire end. 

4. Use the wire cutter to cut off any excess wire, and give a couple of good squeezes on the wire & hairband to secure it in place. Now you have the frame ready!

THE FABRIC PART:

1. Take the furry black fabric, and cut out it into 2 4x8 pieces

2.  Fold each piece in half, with the furry side facing in, and backside facing out

3.  Put the ear frames and hairband between the fabric sandwich, open side up. Align it so the hairband matches the bottom edge of the fabric square

4. With your metallic marker outline the ears, using the wired frame as a guide. Generously mark outside the wires, so to leave room for sewing.

5.  Using your scissors, cut along your markings. You should have a 2 petal shaped fabric pieces when they're opened up. We're now ready to assemble!

PUTTING IT TOGETHER!

1.  Sandwich the wire frame in the middle of the petal, with the fuzzy side of the fabric facing out.

2.  Adjust and tug so that the bottom of the fabric is against the hairband, and all fabric is covering the wire. Match up the triangles on both side so that they are flushed against each other.

3.  Using black thread, sew along the edges of the ears, making sure its covering the wire completely. Sometimes it may be helpful in securing the fabric to put a couple of stitches on the inside of the wire.

4.  At the base of the ears, make a couple of wide stitches around the hairband in a spiral pattern. Feel free to go over the stitches with another set in the opposite direction.

TADA! now you have a some awesome handmade cat ears for Halloween!