Don’t know what to do with those old t-shirts in your closet?

3. Then lay out your shirt with the section to be designed facing up. Draw a straight line down the center of the design placement. Make sure that this line is perpendicular to the hem of the shirt. Now measure out lines ¾ to 1 inch going down the shirt. These should be perpendicular to the first line but parallel to one another.

2. Next decide where to place your design. This can be on the front, back,

or the side of the shirt. Take consideration when placing your

design because this part of the shirt will now have cutouts.

1. The first thing you’ll need is a simple t-shirt. The shirt needs to be a knit with some stretch to it. You’ll then need is a pair of fabric scissors, a ruler, and some marking chalk or a fabric marker. Make sure that the marking equipment you use will not stain your shirt.

Broke by Sam Silver

5. After the cuts are made, unfoldthe shirt and lay it out flat again. Nowtake the top strip and pull it down andunder the second strip. Then take thesecond strip, pull it behind the first strip and then pull it down and under thethird strip. Continue with this processuntil you reach the last strip.

Layer your shirt with a lacey cami and prepare forpeople to wonder how you did it!

4. Continue by folding the shirt downthe center line. Proceed by cutting

along the parallel lines starting at thetop and working towards the bottom.

The top line should be cut wide andthen get smaller as you get to thebottom line. It should look like an

upside-down pyramid.

6. Finish by cutting the last strip in half. Then tie off the last strip and knot it to the second to last strip. This will keep your design

held tight and in place.

& Original

It’s easy to make goals in a “bubble” without considering the real world that you live day to day – but those are the goals that don’t get met. My goal for you is to consider the multiple facets of your life, and make goals accordingly.

Statistics say it takes 30 days to create a new habit. It’s irrational to expect those changes to happen during a New Year’s party. Instead, think of the things you want to change, and give yourself a realistic timeframe to change them.

Instead of making “Resolutions” of finite challenges that have to be met, let’s make goals for 2012 we have an entire year to make happen! Instead of saying you will do a certain thing every day, give yourself a window of time to meet a goal. Give yourself time to make the changes you want and leave room for days that don’t turn out the way you planned.

It’s that time of year where we make the infamous “New Year’s Resolutions” with the best of intentions – and feel

guilty shortly after. Let’s make 2012 a time tobreak that cycle!

It’s that time of year where we make the infamous “New Year’s Resolutions” with the best of intentions – and feel guilty shortly after. Let’s make 2012 a time to break that cycle!

Condition by Karena Steir

The first conditioning challenge for you is to list the main focuses of your life (i.e. education, family and friends, spiritualality, recreation, health and fitness, etc.). If you are in the real world, your life doesn’t revolve around losing weight or running a marathon. To make great goals for 2012, you need to have a holistic view of your life in 2012.

Next month we will be back to helping you reachyour fitness goals, but this month, we want to hear

what you plan for yourself in 2012!

The next goal is to make realistic goals in each category you have listed. Consider three goals in each category that vary in difficulty so you can feel progress while still feel accomplished. Goals can be fun – like traveling to states you’ve never visited, trying workout classes you’re interested in, or going to a friend’s place or worship. They can also challenge you to really put yourself out, like losing ten pounds, reading twenty books or writing personal letters to half of your friends on Facebook.

Finally, share your goals. Tell your friends, tell your family, or tell us on our 4D Facebook! We’d love to hear your goals and help you reach them in 2012!

Condition

Cinemawith Nick Strickland

Condition

Cinema by Julie Ferrell

Des Moinesfilmmaker Nick

Strickland gives usan inside look athis recent team

film project.

Nick Strickland and the rest of his team at White Poison Industries waited anxiously on one last word. The group was already required to somehow use a marshmallow, the words “open the door” and a teacher named Kelly McBride in their short film and finally, their genre was announced: drama.

Strickland and the team now had all the requirements to start work on their short film for the 2011 Des Moines 48 Hour Film Project. Although the project was only required to be a drama, the group decided to take it one step farther, and make it a dramatic musical.

Despite a few setbacks, Strickland’s team won the competition with their short film, “Oh Drama,” and now, the group is working to raise enough money to send the team to the next level of competition.

Nick Strickland got into the film industry during his college years at Iowa State. While studying broadcast journalism, Strickland decided to start making music videos. During his senior year, he made a Christopher Nolan spoof film titled “Marijamento.”

After college, he continued to make films, mainly to promote his hip-hop persona, $trick9. Strickland then was introduced to the 48 Hour Film Project.

“A co-worker convinced me to join his 48 Hour Film team the very first year of the competition in 2005,” Strickland said. “I made four films with them, including the 2007 Best of City winner, “City Cops.”

In 2009, Strickland decided to form his own group, White Poison Industries, which has continued to participate in the 48 Hour Film Project.

“Every year, we hoped to draw ‘musical’ as our genre, but we never got it. This year, we decided to make it a musical regardless of which genre we drew,” Strickland said.

The group decided to make the film a “hip hopera” that would focus on high school drama.

“It was awesome to finally make a musical, but we knew we had to make a drama too. That added an extra layer of difficulty to the project,” Strickland said. “But we rose to the challenge, and the judges rewarded us for the additional degree of difficulty.”

But White Poison’s win did not come without challenges in the process. The team began work on a Friday night and because the composer was not available until late in the night, no writing could begin. By the next morning, only half of the verses were written and shooting had to begin early that afternoon.

“We only had half a song in the can, and it was hardly a story,” Strickland said. “Luckily, my team has a bunch of rock stars who filled in the missing pieces. Steve [Capp, the composer] emailed me the new verses as they were completed and we heard them for the first time on the set.”

Strickland spent Saturday night editing a rough version of the film and Sunday, the group finished their filming. Strickland then had to return home to edit a final version before he “sprinted to the finish line.”

“In a lot of ways, we set ourselves up for failure. Many of us had created a short film before, but none of us had made a musical,” Strickland said. “Saturday morning was the low point. There were tears, frustration, finger-pointing and panic.”

While the process had some speed bumps, Strickland said his favorite part was “having it

“But we rose to the challenge, and the judges rewarded us for the additional degree of

difficulty.”

Cinema

“Many felt we had bitten off more than we could chew and our finished product would be half-baked. But people stepped up and turned it into something wonderful,” Strickland said. “The music stands alone as a catchy pop song, the video is immaculately shot, the acting, costumes and makeup are spot-on. Each piece fell into place at the last possible minute.”

all come together, despite our doubts.”

A One-On-One With Nick JF: Are you working on any other film projects right now?

JF: Is the “Oh Drama” team planning on returning to the 48 Hour Film Project next year? Do you have any ideas for a project yet?

JF: Do you have a certain genre of film you hope to get into in the future?

NS: Yes. The National Film Challenge is a similar contest held in October. Sam Tuomi [the producer of the Des Moines 48 Hour Film Project] formed an “all-star” team of Des Moines talent called Team Too Many Cooks. White Poison Industries was well represented on this team and our film, “Melody,” made the Top 15 our of 152 films. If we win Audience Choice or Judge’s Top Prize, “Melody” will also screen in Taos in March.

NS: I would like to do another musical, but my teammates tell me that’s dumb. Some of them would like to do a silent film, and I tell them that’s dumb. I guess we’ll do whatever genre we pull out of the hat.

NS: Definitely. White Poison Industries will be competing next year. I’d like to do something that showcases more of our acting talent and maybe explore some creative camera work, but it’s so hard to plan these things out in advance. We never know what we’re going to do until Friday night after we have our genre and even then, we have to be willing to adapt. The film takes on a life of its own and we have to ride the wave if we’re going to surf.

Cinema

CinemaHow Can You Help The Team?

For more information and a closer look at Nick’s and White Poison Industries’ work, check out our

exclusive video.

After “Oh Drama” was a success in Des Moines, the team will now move on to the next level of competition in Taos, New Mexico.

Strickland said, at last count, 15 members of the team would be going on the trip. Before the trip, the group is working to raise money for travel and lodging. Strickland also added that tickets to see the film’s screening are going to cost over $1 thousand. The team’s fundraising goal is to have a live performance of “Oh Drama,” but they have not settled on a venue or date yet.

In the meantime, Strickland said any supporters can donate money to the group here, and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cinema

Just Don’t

Jeremy S: I’m 19 and working away.Waiting for my program to start in the fallof 2012. I like individual styles and trends.

Jesse W: Living in eight different states growing up I’ve seen a lot of what America has to offer. Being the new kid several times has influenced me in that I could care less of what most people think of me and consider myself a leader and trendsetter.

Jordan H: I live in a small town in SouthDakota. Contrary to popular belief, we are inmodern times and do not ride around in horsedrawn buggies. I work at a tanning salon, so Isee some crazy "fashion statements."

Start off the New Year by eliminating your fashion faux pas. While one should dress unique and be

one-of-a-kind, there is some fashion that should just be avoided. Prepare yourself by taking a look at

what guys think of these “fashion statements.”

Spandex Outside of Sports:

JS: Summer version of leggings.Unless you’re on your way to play

in volleyball…no.

JW: That’s as attractive as FredFlintstone in a bikini.

Buying Expensive Extremely Distressed Jeans:

JW: You look like you were wrestling with Edward Scissorhands.

JH: You should NEVER spend more than $20 on a pair of jeans. If your jeans are holy-er than you are, that’s not a good thing.

Wearing Your Summer Clothes in the Winter:

JS: Discoloration of the skin does not look cute. Bottom line.

JW: You can’t fool us, you’re nothot or cool, just stupid and cold.

JH: No matter how cute your newflip-flops are, it’s not going tomatter when they're covered innine inches of snow.

Just Don’t

Leggings Worn As Pants:

JS: Gives you an excuse to letguys check your butt out. No

reason for it and if they aren’tchecking you out, they’re staring

at your cellulite.

JW: There is a reason it was leftin the 80's, it just looks silly! Your

legs look like over-stuffedChristmas stockings!

JH: Leggings worn as pants arequestionable. If you accessorizethem right, they can look good.

But if you don't, they can looktrashy.

Cutting Your T-shirt Low on the Sides:

JS: I myself wear these but it’s to work out. Don’t wear them on adaily basis to do errands or out in public.

JW: This is just trashy, enough said.

JH: If you've got the shoulders… more power to ya.

Just Don’t

Just Don’t

Oversized Bag T-shirt:JS: You aren’t a gangster, stop acting like it. It only makes you look

scrawnier, and no one wants that.

JH: Okay, so maybe they look like potato sacks, but I personallythink they're cute.

Long, Fake Nails:

JS: You can’t function with those, why even bother. You look likeyou’re trying to break a world record, gross.

JW: They have things called back scratchers to reach the hard to get spot, no need to look like a lady of the night any longer!

JH: They're only good for one thing… picking your nose.

Massive Bump-Its:

JW: I would rather a girl be bald then look like she has a growth on her head.

JH: They look like rats’ nests. End of story.

Just Don’t

Just Don’t

Mixing Multiple Patterns:

JS: Figure out who you are today. You’re only confusing yourself.

JW: You look like a collage of grandmothers.

JH: Unless you are in costume or over the age of 75, mismatching patterns is not acceptable.

Wearing Mounds of Jewelry:

JS: Hopefully you aren’t by waterbecause you’ll drown. And it lookslike you’re trying too hard.

JW: We get it, you like a lot ofattention! Too bad it’s all focusedon your jewelry rather than you.

JH: If your jewelry weighs morethan you do, you probably shouldn't wear it.

Wearing Tutus in Outsideof the Ballet:

JS: When you were a kid andwanted to be a ballerina, I understand. You’re a grown woman; you need to dress grown-up.

JW: I didn't know girls wanteda wider waist. If that’s the case then The Biggest Loser is next year’s America's Next Top Model.

Knee-High Boots Matched With Short-Shorts:

JW: Puss in Boots cross-dressing? No wait; it’s just another bimbo.

JH: Nothing says I'm short and stumpy like the little bit of kneecapshowing between the end of your boots and beginning of your short shorts.

Just Don’t

3. Next take a small portion of hair from the right section. Takethis portion and wrap it under the right section, on top of the leftsection, around and under the left section, and finally over theright section. It should look as if you are creating a figure eight

with the hair.

2. Then take your pony and separate itinto two equal sections. Make sure the

sections are the same size otherwise yourbraid will end up being crooked.

1. Start by pulling your hair back into a ponytail. You can make it high, low, or on the side to create different styles.

December is almost over and it’s time to ring in the New Year. What better way to celebrate than with a unique look? Make your New Year’s resolution to try new things

and start with this variation on a fishtail braid!

by Sam Silver Embellish

by Sam Silver Embellish

5. After you have reached the end of your hair, tie it off with a ponytail holder or a clip. Depending on the style you’re going for, you can either make your braid loose or tight.

4. Keep repeating Step 3 until you are out of hair. After this portion of hair is

gone, take a piece from the section of hair where you have run out. With this section,

start making a figure eight that follows the same path as the previous hair.

Try out this distinct hairdo as you celebrate this New Year’s!

Embellish Hair by Shaneel Napier

We selected some colors from this issue to help inspireyou to create your own looks! Use these for clothing,

make-up, or other design projects to kick-start your own creativity.

Swatch

Swatch Swatch